Sunday Worship podcast and other news from Seal Church: June 25

 

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 Patronal Festival - the Feast of St Peter and St Paul 10 am  Holy Communion followed by Festival refreshments, cake and gift stalls 6.30pm Evensong This week:  Mon     2-3.15 Talking Village in Deniz' cafe Wed     10 an Zoom Church              4.30-5pm Children's Choir              7.15-8.15  Adult Choir Thurs    8pm PCC meeting in the church hall Fri        9.30 am Morning prayer in church             10.30 - 12.30 Friday Group in the church hall Sat         3.30pm: Wedding Trinity 3   Today's readings aren't easy ones. In the Old Testament Reading, Jeremiah bemoans his calling to prophesy warning to his nation. The Babylonian armies are advancing on Jerusalem, but no one wants to believe that the nation will be conquered, despite the fact that they have no realistic prospect of standing up to them. Jeremiah has just spent a night in the stocks, put there by the Temple priest who wanted to shut him up. Jeremiah rails against him, and against God, for calling him to this task, but knows he can't walk away from it. Too much depends on it.  In the Gospel, Jesus warns his disciples that their task will be no easier than his. They will be maligned and attacked, just as he has been. Matthew is writing his Gospel for an early Christian community who probably knew all too well the reality of Jesus' words. Many had been cut off by families who did not approve of them following Christ, others had faced brutal persecution because of their faith. Jesus isn't, of course, suggesting that we should go out looking for trouble, or deliberately distance ourselves from our families, but sometimes doing the right thing brings division and opposition, and it can be hard to keep going when that happens.  Have you ever had to do something which was necessary and right, but which made you unpopular? What helped you? Have you ever shrunk from doing something you felt later you should have done? All Age Ideas In today's Gospel reading, Jesus tells his friends that sometimes they will have to do things that feel hard, but when they do, they should remember that God loves them. Jesus says that God notices every small bird that falls to the ground and cares about them. He knows how many hairs we have on our heads! If he sees and cares about these things, he will see and care about us too. Have you ever had to do something that felt really hard? What helped you to do it? Jesus says that God notices small things - you could go on a bug hunt in your garden or a park to see how many small things you can notice. CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS PATRONAL FESTIVAL Come and help us to celebrate our patron saints - Yes - Peter and Paul - at our Patronal Festival, on Sunday July 2nd. There will be a special service at 10am, followed by special festival refreshments at 11.15am - 12.15.. There will be some gifts and hand made cards for sale, along with a cake raffle. Please join us. We will be collecting donations for much needed Church funds. 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.

Sunday worship podcast and other news from Seal Church: June 18

 

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 3-4.30pm Messy Church 6.30pm Evensong Next Sunday  10 am  Holy Communion 6.30pm Evensong This week:  Mon     2-3.15 Talking Village in Deniz' cafe Wed     10.30 am Lavender Fields Communion              4.30-5pm Children's Choir              7.15-8.15  Adult Choir Fri        No Morning prayer in church             10.30 - 12.30 Friday Group in the church hall

Trinity 2   Today's readings feature journeys. The Old Testament Reading is set during the Exodus from Egypt, as the people of Israel wander in the wilderness. The Gospel reading tells the story of the journey Jesus sends his followers on to share his message. The sermon explores the significance of journeys and the maps that record or guide them. Maps are fascinating things. There is a long history of humans making maps. Some are drawn or etched, but others are enshrined in stories and songs.  In the sermon I mention a number of historic maps, so I thought you might like to see some pictures of them (below). If you could draw a map of your life what would it look like?  You could draw it as a journey you have taken through time, or you could draw it as the "landscape" you inhabit now. Have you travelled through the "green pastures and still waters", the "paths of righteousness" and the "valley of the shadow of death" in your life, to use the imagery of Psalm 23? What sort of landscape do you feel you are in at the moment? Have you been aware of God travelling with you on your journey?

This map, dating back to the 13th century, was drawn by the monk, Matthew Paris. It is an "itinerary" map, showing the route from London to Jerusalem which medieval pilgrims and crusaders needed to know. Itinerary maps only show the route, not the landscape around it, rather like an ancient version of a Sat Nav.  https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/matthew-paris-itinerary-map

A detail from the Mappa Mundi currently in Hereford, showing the British Isles. Cathedral. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Mappa_Mundi

A reconstruction of the Ebstorf map. The original was destroyed by Allied bombing of Hanover during WW2, but there were photographs which enabled it to be reconstructed. It was probably made by a monk called Gervase of Tilbury (1150-1220). Look closely and you will see that the head of Christ is at the top and his feet at the bottom, with his hands on either side. Like most medieval maps, Jerusalem is at the centre, and the top of the map points east, not north like modern maps. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebstorf_Map

All Age Ideas Don't forget - Messy Church is today from 3-4.30pm in the church hall! We will be thinking about the story of Moses and the journey he led the people of Israel on. Have you ever looked at a map of the area you live in? See if you can find where you live on Google Maps.  You could draw your own map of where you live, or another favourite place, or you could draw a map of a made up place.

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS SHARING COMMUNION AT SEAL CHURCH We are now allowed to distribute wine by drinking from a shared chalice (cup), as we did before the pandemic, but up until now most people have preferred to receive a wafer dipped in wine instead. If we were to offer a shared chalice as well, it would be helpful to know how many people would want to receive it this way – I will continue to dip wafers in the wine as standard as well.   We could also revert to kneeling (or standing) at the Communion rail to receive Communion if we want, instead of at the chancel steps as we do now, but I am aware that some find it difficult to climb the steps and don’t want to exclude anyone. (I am always happy to bring Communion to you in your seat if you can’t come up).   Please help by completing this short survey to tell me how you feel about these possible changes (Please don't fill in the survey if you aren't a communicant at Seal!) MESSY CHURCH THIS SUNDAY 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 ANA AND CELIE'S SPONSORED SCOOT They did it! Ana and Celie scooted 5km and they have raised £650 for Hospice in the Weald in Eddie's memory. Well done, girls! So many people have said such wonderful things about how this place has helped them. Any final donations please to https://www.justgiving.com/page/anaceliescoot PATRONAL FESTIVAL Come and help us to celebrate our patron saints - Yes - Peter and Paul - at our Patronal Festival, on Sunday July 2nd. There will be a special service at 10am, followed by special festival refreshments at 11.15am - 12.15.. There will be some gifts and hand made cards for sale, along with a cake raffle. Please join us. We will be collecting donations for much needed Church funds. 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.

Sunday Worship Podcast links and other news from Seal Church: June 11

 

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  All Age Worship 6.30pm Breathing Space Holy Communion10 am  Holy Communion 6.30pm Evensong Next Sunday  10 am  Holy Communion 3-4.30pm Messy Church 6.30pm Evensong This week:  Mon     2-3.15 Talking Village in Deniz' cafe Wed     10-11 am Good Book Club in the vicarage              4.30-5pm Children's Choir              7.15-8.15  Adult Choir Fri        9.30 am Morning prayer in church             10.30 - 12.30 Friday Group in the church hall Trinity 1   Today's Gospel reading takes us through one very busy day for Jesus, in which he has to deal with large numbers of people with clashing agendas. It makes me feel tired just reading it.  Yet, somehow he manages to make space and time for them all.    Think of "peopley" days you have had? Are there some people you find more difficult to welcome than others? Why is that? How secure do you feel that God welcomes you?   All Age Ideas Don't forget - Messy Church is next Sunday from 3-4.30pm in the church hall! In today's Gospel reading, Jesus meets a lot of different people, and welcomes them all, even the ones who don't agree with him or challenge him. He answers their questions and gives them his time and attention. It can be quite hard to be welcoming and loving to people we don't get on with or don't think are important to us.  You could make a paper people chain and write on it the names of the people you meet during one day this week, praying for them as you do.  CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS SHARING COMMUNION AT SEAL CHURCH We are now allowed to distribute wine by drinking from a shared chalice (cup), as we did before the pandemic, but up until now most people have preferred to receive a wafer dipped in wine instead. If we were to offer a shared chalice as well, it would be helpful to know how many people would want to receive it this way – I will continue to dip wafers in the wine as standard as well.   We could also revert to kneeling (or standing) at the Communion rail to receive Communion if we want, instead of at the chancel steps as we do now, but I am aware that some find it difficult to climb the steps and don’t want to exclude anyone. (I am always happy to bring Communion to you in your seat if you can’t come up).   Please help by completing this short survey to tell me how you feel about these possible changes (Please don't fill in the survey if you aren't a communicant at Seal!) MESSY CHURCH NEXT SUNDAY 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 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,

ECO CHURCH Thanks to Babs, Lise and her team for all their hard work last week, hosting our "Count on Nature" event. We were blessed with lovely weather, and identified a huge list of species of flora and fauna in the churchyard - including some bats one evening.  Here are a couple of photos.   Sun burst lichen on a gravestone. We had long conversations about umbellifers like this. They all look very similar, but which are cow parsley and which are hemlock...!

Sunday Worship podcast link: June 4: Trinity Sunday

 

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  All Age Worship 6.30pm Breathing Space Holy Communion This week:  Throughout the week - Count on Nature, in Seal Churchyard - see below. Mon     2-3.15 Talking Village in Deniz' cafe Wed     10-11 am Good Book Club in the vicarage              4.30-5pm Children's Choir              7.15-8.15  Adult Choir Fri        9.30 am Morning prayer in church             10.30 - 12.30 Friday Group in the church hall

Trinity Sunday   Today is Trinity Sunday. The Holy Trinity is one of the most baffling of Christian doctrines, so baffling that you couldn't (or wouldn't) make it up. That's an indication that there is something really valuable about it as an idea; the early Christians who first started talking about God as Three persons in one God wouldn't have wanted to make it up either. It isn't an idea that is explicitly mentioned in Scripture, but the idea that Jesus was God, and that the Holy Spirit was also God definitely was, and it was the experience of encountering what they recognised as the presence of God in these ways which led to the development of the doctrine.  Today's sermon explores the significance of the Trinity to our everyday life.    Where do you find God in your life? How do you look for God in your life?

All Age Ideas Today is Trinity Sunday. Christians believe that they meet God as a loving parent and creator, in Jesus, and in the Holy Spirit, who lives inside us; the Holy Trinity. God is with us everywhere.  Here's an idea for something to do each night as you go to bed: Think about what you have done during the day Try to think of three things that have been good, which have made you happy, and thank God for them. Try to think of three people who you have met that day, who have shown you love or who you have shown love too.

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS LOVE YOUR BURIAL GROUND! Our Church’s Count on Nature:  3rd - 11th June 2023 Join us in St P&P,Seal, Churchyard every evening Especially on Tues 6th June at dusk & also 10.30-12 noon on Sat 10th June for surveys of the flora and fauna in our stunning ancient grounds. On Saturday 10th June am: family fun, celebrating our new Wildlife Area, with free refreshments, wildlife habitat placement & children’s activities! LAST CALL FOR 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 leContinue ading 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