Sunday worship podcast link and other news: May 28: Pentecost

 

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 6.30pm Evensong Next Sunday  10 am  Holy Communion  6.30pm Evensong This week:  Mon     No Talking Village today - Deniz' cafe is closed for the bank holiday Wed      No Children's or Adult Choir Fri        9.30 am Morning prayer in church             10.30 - 12.30 Friday Group in the church hall

Pentecost Kevin is preaching today, on the feast of Pentecost and the work of the Holy Spirit. He will be referring to a song, Enemy of Apathy, written by John Bell and Graham Maule, during his sermon which explores a variety of Biblical images of the Holy Spirit. I can't include a recording of the hymn, for copyright reasons, but the words are below. ENEMY OF APATHY She sits like a bird, brooding on the waters, Hovering on the chaos of the world’s first day; She sighs and she sings, mothering creation, Waiting to give birth to all the Word will say. She wings over earth, resting where she wishes, Lighting close at hand or soaring through the skies; She nests in the womb, welcoming each wonder, Nourishing potential hidden to our eyes. She dances in fire, startling her spectators, Waking tongues of ecstasy where dumbness reigned; She weans and inspires all whose hearts are open, Nor can she be captured, silenced or restrained. For she is the Spirit, one with God in essence, Gifted by the Saviour in eternal love; She is the key opening the scriptures, Enemy of apathy, and heavenly dove.   How many different images for the Holy Spirit can you find in the hymn? Which ones resonate most with you? How do you feel about the feminine pronoun the hymn uses for the Spirit?The Bible is clear that God is beyond gender, but the Hebrew word for the Spirit is "ruach" which is feminine)Who has been Good News to you. What does the Holy Spirit mean to you?

All Age Ideas Today we celebrate Pentecost, the day when Jesus' disciples experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit in a new and special way to them. They were missing Jesus, their friend, who had ascended into heaven, but he had promised that God would still be close at hand to help and encourage them. As they prayed and waited, they had a strange experience, a new excitement and sense of confidence - like they had felt when Jesus was with them. They tried to describe it. It was like a strong wind, except the wind wasn't blowing, or a fire, but no one got burned. They rushed out into the streets to tell people about Jesus, and found that everyone could understand them, even though they spoke different languages. It was as if God was saying, "wherever you are, and wherever you come from, I am with you always and understand you completely".  Is the wind blowing today? What does the wind feel like and look like? You could make a simple kite - there's a good video here https://youtu.be/WiPpSI257tw What does it feel like to feel excited - could you draw or paint how it feels to you?  What makes you feel confident when you have to do something that is difficult?

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS Please pray for Robert Mitchell and Jessica Fox who were confirmed yesterday at Westerham Church.  Congratulations to all who were elected to serve on the PCC for the coming year, Rachel Wigley, Kathy Hughes, Georgina Taylor and Anne Sommer Our thanks go to Maggie Fox who stepped down from the PCC after many years (probably decades!) of service.  We also thanked Paul and Sally Thompson for their service as Churchwardens as they came to the end of their term (though they are remaining on the PCC). We weren't able to elect any new Churchwardens at the meeting, but hope to consider how to cover the churchwarden's roles in other ways for the time being.  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! HOSPICE IN THE WEALD CHARITY SCOOT Ana and Celie, who live in the village are going to scoot 5km to raise money for Hospice in the Weald. You can support them by donating here https://www.justgiving.com/page/anaceliescoot or by wearing green on 10th June.  This amazing idea is their own - 2 young ladies, aged just 10 and 9 years . Let's get behind them and inspire a new generation of 'givers'!  DO YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THE LOCAL FOODBANK? You may wish to use this link to see what foods are needed right now, and what there would appear to be a surplus of https://www.donation-genie.co.uk  This was featured in this bbc article https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65574441 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.  SEAL PRIMARY SCHOOL NURSERY OPEN EVENTS Wednesday June 7th and Wednesday June 14th NURSERY TOUR 1 9.30 am - 10am HEADTEACHER TALK 10-10.20am NURSERY TOUR 2 10.25-10.55 Seal Primary School Nursery is  school based nursery and is run by a qualified teacher, to give our children the best possible start in their school journey. Pupils experience learning through inspired play, Forest School and Farm Education. Come and join our open event to find out more. To book, please contact the school office on 01732 762388. DO YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THE LOCAL FOODBANK? You may wish to use this link to see what foods are needed right now, and what there would appear to be a surplus of. https://www.donation-genie.co.uk This was featured in this bbc article https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65574441 SEAL ECO CHURCH NEWS  St P&P’s, Seal, is the Community printer ink cartridge Recycling Post, with a larger box on its way, and a small one currently to be located inside the Church, to the left of the main church door, near the food donation chest and the font.  Old cartridges will be collected for recycling, which will also attract some funding for the church. PLEASE DO USE THIS RECYCLING SERVICE! SEAL PRIMARY SCHOOL'S PTFA SUMMER FETE- ALL YOU NEED FOR A GREAT FAMILY DAY OUT! Sat June 17th from midday - 3pm. 12-1pm Fire and Rescue Visit 1.15-1.45 Student Performances Street Dance, Musical Theatre, Young Voices, School Choir, Sneak Preview of Year 6 Musical. 2-2.30 Free races and games 2.30 Tug of War 2.45 Grand draw of raffle BBQ, Bar, Refreshments, Games, Stall, Arts and Crafts. VISIT OUR FARM - BOOK TO VISIT via QR code on posters in the village, ART EXHIBITION MAY BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND SEAL VILLAGE HALL U3A FREE ENTRY You may remember a very successful exhibition by U3A pre covid, so please come along and visit this new exhibition. SAT MAY 27th 2-4pm SUN MAY 28th 10am-4pm MON MAY 29th 10am-2pm There will be postcards and paintings for sale