Sunday worship podcast and other news from Seal Church: May 7

 

Join us for worship online, on the phone or in the building today.  with best wishes Anne Le Bas Online Worship podcast    Order of service You can also access this podcast by phoning 01732 928061 In the church building today 10 am  Holy Communion  3-6pm  Coronation Fun in the churchyard (in church if wet), beginning with a short service at 3pm 6.30pm Evensong Next Sunday   10 am  All Age Worship 6.30pm Breathing Space Holy Communion This week:  Wed     No Zoom Church this week, but I will try to rearrange it for Wed  17th. Watch this space!             4.30-5pm Children's Choir              7.15-8.15 Adult choir Fri        No morning prayer in church today.             10.30 - 12.30 Friday Group in the church hall Easter 5 and the Coronation I'm sure there can't be many who won't have seen at least a little of the Coronation service from Westminster Abbey yesterday. But what does it mean to crown our monarchs in a religious service? What message does that convey which a purely secular ceremony couldn't. Today's sermon explores that question, and what the coronation might have to say to each of us in our own calling and work.  Central to the service was the moment when the King was anointed with Oil of Chrism, a moment which was unseen to most, taking place behind a screen. Anointing is one of the most ancient ways of marking someone out for a particular role, and goes way back into the Old Testament, when the first kings of Israel were anointed. Saul and David were anointed by Samuel and, famously, Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed Solomon as king", words set to music by Handel which has accompanied this moment since the coronation of King George II in 1727.  The spoon onto which the oil is poured is the most ancient part of the coronation regalia, dating back to the second half of the 12th century and used in the anointing at least since the coronation of James I in 1603. It's pictured here along with the ampulla, in which the oil is kept. The oil of Chrism used for King Charles Coronation was specially made and blessed in the Holy Land, and, at the coronation, was given by the Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem.   All Age Ideas Did you watch any of King Charles' Coronation service yesterday? I wonder what it felt like to be the King - do you think he might have been nervous? I know I would have been. In the service, he was anointed with oil, a sign that God would be with him to help him as he tries to do his job. Have you ever had to do something that felt really difficult or made you nervous? What helped you to do it? We don't just anoint people with this special oil when they are crowned as kings. We also use it when babies, or older people, are baptised, as a way of reminding them that they have a special job to do to - we may not know what it is yet, but all of us can do something to help others! What do you hope you will do and be in your life? What help do you think you might need to have to do it? The special oil, oil of Chrism, has a lovely smell, which might remind the King of God's presence. What smells are special to you? Could you find some things in your house which you like the smell of. CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS We could do with a few extra helpers to man the tea station this afternoon. If you can spare half an hour, please do come along and volunteer! There will also be activities for children, some music to enjoy and a chance to take your picture on our throne! Come and be a king or queen for a few minutes... This event is free - but please bring your own picnic! TALKING VILLAGE - There's no Talking Village session on Monday because the Bank Holiday  means that Deniz Cafe is closed.  HEARING GOD'S WORD - A 6 session course on Zoom from Monday June 12 at 8pm If you would like to dig deeper into the Bible and the way we read it, especially if you are involved, or would like to be involved, in some sort of ministry, like leading a Home Group, or Messy Church, or leading prayers or other worship in church, this Diocesan approved course might be for you. I will be leading it on Zoom, and there will be a strict limit of 12 places on it. I have also offered it to other churches in the Deanery, and have had some interest, so please contact me as soon as possible if you'd like to join the course. I don't want to find I am doing it just for those from elsewhere, when there might be people at Seal Church who would benefit!  Those who complete Hearing God's Word can then progress on to a second course called "Speaking God's Word", which focuses on communicating our faith. If you complete all sessions of both courses, I can, if appropriate, apply to the Bishop for permission for you to lead worship and speak in church on an occasional basis under my supervision - it would be good to equip people to help not only in church, but also to communicate their faith in other settings. Contact me for more details! WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN OUR PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL? The PCC meets six times a year to discuss a wide range of matters to do with church activities, services, fabric and finance. Members must be prepared to have a DBS check, and do safeguarding training. They must not have been disqualified from being charity trustees. They need to be confirmed, and have been on the church electoral roll for at least six months. Elections will take place at our APCM on May 21, but if you would like to find out more in advance, please let me know. There is a copy of the Role Description on the noticeboard. We are also looking for people (on the PCC or not) to join our Fabric and Maintenance team, to help organise repairs and routine maintenance etc. If you could help, let me know! DAVID WILLIAMS' TALK ON SEAL VILLAGE DURING THE REIGN OF QUEEN ELIZABETH 2ND David delivered a very interesting talk at Seal Library's Tea Set following the Platinum Jubilee last year. There was also, a fantastic display of photographs, depicting Seal village betweeen 1953 and 2022.  For those who didn't make it, you have a second bite at the cherry, as David is repeating this event on  FRIDAY MAY 26TH AT 7.30PM AT ST EDITH'S SMALL HALL FOR THE KEMSING HERITAGE CENTRE. Do go along and enjoy -  Just turn up - it'll be well worth a visit! CALLING ALL KNITTERS AND CROCHETERS AGAIN! So, now we have seen what some of the village talent can achieve, by way of our magnificent pillar box topper, Chris Rampton is making a request - well in advance - for anybody to come forward to make as many poppies as they possibly can please. She says the more the merrier, as we will be needing an awful lot of this this November, so if you get started now, we will be in with a chance of receiving sufficient. I believe these will be used on the pillar box, and to decorate our church for Remembrance Sunday too. Chris says, you can use any pattern you can find - always good to have some diversity - but abundance is the keyword. Sounds like this will be another terrific show.