Sunday Worship podcast: July 9 2023

 

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 and Baptism: Willow Hedges 6.30pm Breathing Space Holy Communion Next Sunday  10 am Holy Communion 6.30pm Evensong This week:  Mon     2-3.15 Talking Village in Deniz' cafe Wed     10am Zoom Church              Children's Choir has now broken up for the summer              7.15-8.15  Adult Choir Fri        9.30 am Morning Prayer in church             10.30 - 12.30 Friday Group in the church hall Sat        2pm  Wedding: Joshua Novell and Fynley Young

Trinity 5    Today's Gospel reading invites all those who are "weary and carrying heavy burdens" to come to Christ. In him will we find true rest - not necessarily the absence of work, or the relinquishing of responsibility, but the knowledge that we are loved and valued, whatever we are doing. The picture I have chosen to illustrate today's podcast is called "Weary Travellers" by American artist Eugene Higgins (1874-1958), a member of what is known as the "Ashcan school" of painters, a loose grouping who were known for their depiction of the gritty realities of the life they saw around them. In Higgins' picture we see an old man and a small child, who look as if they are travelling away from a town. Their few possessions are contained in the bundle the man is carrying, but though he seems to have little to carry, he looks weighed down with sorrow.  The picture seems to invite us to ask what has happened, why they have left the town and where they are going.

All Age Ideas Look at the picture above. Make up a story to explain who the man and the child are, and what has happened to make them set out on the journey they are taking. I wonder what they are feeling, and what they might be saying to each other.  What would you like to say to them or do for them? In today's Bible story, Jesus says "Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." There are times when we are tired in a good way, because we have had fun or worked hard at something we have enjoyed, but there are also times when we feel tired because we are worried or upset about something. Have you ever felt like that?  What or who helps you when you feel like that?

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS MESSY CHURCH takes place next Sunday, July 16 from 3-4.30pm in the church hall. We'll be exporing the parable of the sower, with crafts, story, singing and tea. All ages welcome, so do come along and join us.  CHILDREN'S CHOIR has now broken up for the summer, and the ADULT CHOIR will have its last rehearsal this Wednesday. Both choirs will be back in September, though, so why not think about joining us then! DATES FOR YOUR DIARY FOR SEPTEMBER Sun Sept 10 -ANIMAL BLESSING SERVICE at 3pm.  Bring along your pets, in suitable containers, if they are happy to be out and about with others!, or a photo of your pet if that is easier, and join us for a simple service of blessing for them and all the creatures we share the world with. More details later. Sat Sept 16 - FREE GUIDED TOUR OF SEAL'S STAINED GLASS WINDOWS. Learn about Seal Church's fine Victorian stained glass, the stories it tells, the people who made it, donated it and are memorialized in it. This is an event which is part of the "Heritage Open Days" scheme. Tours at 11 am and 4pm, lasting about an hour. Numbers are limited, so please email sealpandp@gmail.com to book your place.   FABRIC AND MAINTENANCE TEAM We are forming a team to help us look after the fabric of the church (especially important as we currently have no churchwardens). Between them, the Fabric and Maintenance Team will: keep the Log Book and Terrier up to date. This records any work done on the church  prepare and present advice for the PCC and APCM about the state of the fabric of the church  liase with contractors etc for example to allow access to the church and check the quality of any work done, liaise with PCC with Diocesan Advisory Committee to discuss of work and check what faculties or permission might be needed.  seek quotes from contractors, plan work that needs doing, make sure bills are passed to Finance Team for payment There will be a need for someone to take on the role of coordinating the group, and reporting back to the PCC – this role could rotate among members. With a team of people, these tasks need not be overwhelming or too time-consuming. The team will need to have some PCC members on it, but it would be good if there were others who could help. You may be able to do some jobs, but not others, and that's fine too!  The team wouldn't necessarily have to meet in person on any regular basis, but would need to be able to communicate with each other via email or WhatsApp or something similar.  A few people have already volunteered to help with this, but we need some more, so if you can offer some time - working around your existing commitments - I would like to hear from you! The volunteer role description is here.  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  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.  For MUCH more community news, see the Know Your Neighbours blog, or, better still, email Marionjgilchrist@gmail.com and ask to be put on her email list to receive the KYN newsletter each week.