Sunday worship podcast and other news from Seal Church: Sept 24

 

Dear Friends As usual, the link to our podcast is above - click on the picture to access it. with best wishes Anne Le Bas Online Worship podcast - Click on picture above 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:  Wed     10am Zoom Church              4.30pm Children's Choir              7.15 pm  Adult Choir practice Fri        9 am    Morning Prayer in Church             10.30 - 12.30 Friday Group in the church hall Trinity 16   Today's readings tell two vivid stories. The first is the end of the story of Jonah (More about the story here - https://youtu.be/dLIabZc0O4c?si=O7yclYFyzvmCqHZ-) Jonah has been sent by God to preach to the people of Nineveh, but he'd rather do anything but that. The Ninevites are Assyrian, and the Assyrians treated Israel brutally when they conquered it. So Jonah runs as fast as he can in the opposite direction. But his efforts to run away from his mission end in disaster .He ends up in the ocean, where his life is saved by the rather smelly business of him being swallowed by a fish.  Reluctantly he gives in, goes to Nineveh and preaches there. Much to his surprise, the evil Ninevites repent, and God spares them from the punishment he has threatened. At this point it becomes clear why Jonah didn't want to go there. It wasn't just fear for his life, but his knowledge that, if they do repent, God will forgive them... In Jesus' parable of the labourers in the vineyard, we also hear of people who can't be generous, or let God be generous to others. The stories challenge us to think about our own attitudes. Do we think we have the right (or the power) to tell God who he can or cannot love? Are there people you would find it hard to think of God loving? All Age Ideas Today's Bible stories are the story of Jonah and a parable Jesus told about a vineyard owner who paid all his workers the same amount, even though some of them worked all day, and others only worked an hour. You can find videos of both stories below.  Both the stories help us think about how God loves everyone, and wants to give them what they need. Everyone needs money to buy food, clothes and a place to live, whether they are able to find a job and work or not. Everyone needs God's love and forgiveness, because none of us is perfect. Sometimes, though, we find it hard if good things happen to people we don't like or who we don't think deserve them. These stories tell us that God is more generous than we think (or sometimes want!). I wonder whether you have ever been cross that someone else has had something good happen to them? I wonder whether you have ever said "it's not fair!" Which bits of the stories did you like most, or think were most important? Could you act out the stories of Jonah and the workers in the vineyard, or make a model or picture of the stories to help you think about them and remember them? Which bits of the story do you like most, or think are most important? Which bits of the story do you like most, or think are most important? CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS Thank you for all the kind messages following my announcement last week that I will be retiring next July. Philip and I are very grateful for your prayers and good wishes. JESS HEEB'S ORDINATION will take place in Rochester Cathedral on Saturday September 30 at 3pm. I have a very limited number of tickets, some of which are already earmarked for people who told me earlier in the summer that they wanted one. If you would like to go to the ordination, please let me know, and I will try to allocate the tickets fairly. If you told me earlier in the year that you wanted to go, please get in contact so I can give you your ticket. The services will be livestreamed, but I haven't received a link yet. I will pass it on when I have found out more.  Jess has said that everyone will be welcome to come along to Snodland Church hall (Jess will be working at Snodland church) to share in refreshments, whether or not they have come to the service (from around 5pm, I would guess, after the service in the cathedral.)  DATE FOR YOUR DIARY HARVEST LUNCH OCT 8th There will be a Harvest bring and share lunch after our Harvest Festival service on Oct 8th. We had originally planned to make this a totally vegetarian lunch, but its fine if you want to "bring and share" something with meat in it if this is difficult for you. Please make sure you include an ingredients list, so that people know what is in it! If you would like to come along, or make something to share, please sign the list at the back of church or email sealpandp@gmail.com.    SCARECROWS WILL BE BACK The Church has not planned a Scarecrow Festival this year, but a lady in the village called Amy has kindly come forward to organise one . This is so very much appreciated, as so many would have missed the annual display of weird and wonderful characters popping up through the village. Please get behind this wonderful, fun project, and have your scarecrows ready to display, either outside your home, or other appropriate areas, by October 20th. Watch this space for further information!   SEAL LIBRARY - the new librarian writes... A belated ‘Hello’ from me,  I’m Elaine, your new person in Seal Library taking over from the excellent Jillian. I wanted to say a big thank you for making me feel so welcome and being patient while I get used to being in a branch library. Also, a ‘Well Done’ to all the children taking part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. There is still time to come in and collect medals and certificates (as long as we have supplies) if you have finished your 6 books. It has been lovely to meet such keen readers and library go-ers. There will be a draw for a small prize from the names of those who have completed their 6 books by 23rd September.   Upcoming events: 26th September 2.30-3.45 The Tea Set have a talk by author Julie Walker. £2 for the talk, tea and cake.

Sunday worship podcast link and other news, including an important announcement, from Seal Church: Sept 17 2023

Dear Friends As usual, the link to our podcast is above - click on the picture to access it. A personal note: I will be announcing in church today that I plan to retire in July next year.  I will be 64 then, and I know that the years are starting to catch up with me... Philip and I will be sad to leave Seal, but very thankful for 18 (!) very happy years here, with a wonderful, supportive congregation and community.  There will be all sorts of things to think about and sort out in the ten months before we go, but I wanted to give plenty of notice, so that we have time to work on those together, and with the support of the Diocese. Change is always challenging, but I have always been confident that God is with us, and I am sure that he will see us through! with love and best wishes Anne Le Bas Online Worship podcast - Click on picture above 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 in the Church hall 6.30pm Evensong Next Sunday  10 am Holy Communion 6.30pm Evensong This week:  Mon      12 noon Funeral: Peter Milton-Thompson Wed     10.30 am Lavender Fields Holy Communion              4.30pm Children's Choir              7.15 pm  Adult Choir practice starts a new term  Fri        9 am     No Morning Prayer in Church             11 am   Memorial service: William Terry             10.30 - 12.30 Friday Group in the church hall   Trinity 15   Last week, we thought about love, and its complexities. If that was hard, today's readings take us on an even tougher journey as we think about forgiveness. I doubt whether there is anyone who has not struggled to forgive at some time, or to understand what forgiveness might look like in a particular situation. The movie "Love Story" back in the 70s had the quote on its publicity "Love means never having to say you are sorry", but most people would probably disagree. Forgiving and being forgiven are fundamental to healthy relationships. It doesn't necessarily mean that we must reunite with people who have hurt us, if it isn't safe to do so; sometimes forgiveness is simply about letting them go and it is better to put a distance between us, but it is something that not only allows them freedom, but also frees us from carrying around endless resentment. The picture accompanying today's podcast, by Jan van Hemmessen, is entitled "The Unforgiving Servant", referencing Jesus' parable. In the foreground we see the king, writing off the debt of the slave in front of him, but in the background we see him being thrown into prison, because he would not forgive the much smaller debt of a fellow slave to him. He doesn't understand or value the forgiveness he was given, and so he ends up suffering pain he could have avoided. What makes it hard to forgive others? When have we been forgiven and what did it feel like?   All Age Ideas We all have arguments, fall out with others and sometimes hurt them. Others fall out with us and hurt us too.  Jesus says that we need to say sorry when that happens, and forgive people who say sorry to us. That doesn't mean we should pretend it doesn't matter if we've been hurt, and if someone does something that makes us feel uncomfortable, we should always tell someone we trust, and make sure we are safe. But Jesus says that, if we can, it is good to mend relationships that are broken and make friends again.  Think about a time when you had an argument or a fight with someone. How did you make it right afterwards, if you did? You could make a paper chain, and write on each link the names of the people who are special to you, as a reminder to try to make sure that you don't break the friendships you have with them. CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS MESSY CHURCH is today at 3pm in the church hall when we will be thinking about the story of Joseph.  Thank you to all who came to the animal blessing service last week. Here is a picture of Flossie, the rescue chicken who was so blessed that she laid an egg in church... Dogs, guinea pigs and a cat were also brought along, and we had a lovely time together.  JESS HEEB'S ORDINATION will take place in Rochester Cathedral on Saturday September 30 at 3pm. I have a very limited number of tickets, some of which are already earmarked for people who told me earlier in the summer that they wanted one. If you would like to go to the ordination, please let me know, and I will try to allocate the tickets fairly. If you told me earlier in the year that you wanted to go, please get in contact so I can give you your ticket. The service will be live-streamed, however, so anyone can watch it online, and Jess has said that everyone will be welcome to come along to Snodland Church hall (Jess will be working at Snodland church) to share in refreshments, whether or not they have come to the service (from around 5pm, I would guess, after the service in the cathedral.) PETER MILTON-THOMPSON R.I.P The funeral of Peter Milton-Thompson, a much valued member of our choir will be on Monday Sept 18th at 12 noon here in church. Anyone who would like to come will be very welcome.  DATE FOR YOUR DIARY HARVEST LUNCH OCT 8th Our Eco Church team are planning a vegetarian Harvest bring and share lunch after our Harvest Festival service on Oct 8th. If you would like to come along, or make something to share, please sign the list at the back of church or email Babs Bartholomew

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Sunday worship podcast and other news from Seal Church: Sept 10 2023

 

Join us for worship online, on the phone or in the building today.  with best wishes Anne Le Bas Online Worship podcast - Click on picture above Order of service You can also access this podcast by phoning 01732 928061

In the church building today 10 am All Age Worship 3pm    Animal Blessing service in churchyard (church if wet) 6.30pm Breathing Space Meditative Communion Next Sunday  10 am Holy Communion 3-4.30pm Messy Church in the Church hall 6.30pm Evensong This week:  Wed     10 am     Zoom Church              4.30pm Children's Choir              7.15 pm  Adult Choir practice starts a new term  Thurs   8pm PCC meeting Fri        9 am        Morning Prayer in Church             10.30 - 12.30 Friday Group in the church hall Sat        11 am and 4pm Stained Glass window tours                2.30pm Baptism Freddie Whiddett

Trinity 14   In today's first reading, St Paul tells the Christian Church in Rome that they should "Owe no one anything except to love". Love, he is saying, isn't something we can ever put a limit on. It isn't like debts or other obligations which we can eventually be paid off and completed. But what does it look like to love others, especially in difficult circumstances? The sermon today explores that thought.  Rembrandt's famous picture, "The Return of the Prodigal" reminds us of the story of a father whose unquenchable love for his wastrel son seems ridiculous, and even unfair to those around him.  Are there people who you find it hard to love?  What might loving those who have hurt us look like? In Rembrandt's picture, there are people in the shadows, looking on at the scene as he welcomes his son home. What do you think they would say about this, if we could talk to them?

All Age Ideas St Paul tells us that we should love one another, and so did Jesus, but sometimes it is hard to do, especially if we don't like someone, or they have done something to hurt us. Loving people doesn't mean we should let them do whatever they want. If someone hurts us or makes us feel afraid we should always tell someone we trust at home, school or church, and make sure we are safe from them.  But the people we don't get on with are still children of God, and loved by him. They matter to him. Sometimes loving them just means recognizing that. Draw two heart shapes on a piece of paper. In one of them write or draw the people who you love and who love you. In the second write or draw the people you find it hard to love. Pray for them and ask God to bless and help them. How does it feel to pray for them? I wonder what you think love looks like?  How do you know when someone loves you? How many different ways can you think of to show someone that you care about them?

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS TODAY ! 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. We will be meeting IN CHURCH as it is too hot to be outside. There will be a cake (and home-made dog biscuit!) sale after the service.  JESS HEEB'S ORDINATION will take place in Rochester Cathedral on Saturday September 30 at 3pm. I have a very limited number of tickets, some of which are already earmarked for people who told me earlier in the summer that they wanted one. If you would like to go to the ordination, please let me know, and I will try to allocate the tickets fairly. If you told me earlier in the year that you wanted to go, please get in contact so I can give you your ticket. The service will be live-streamed, however, so anyone can watch it online, and Jess has said that everyone will be welcome to come along to Snodland Church hall (Jess will be working at Snodland church) to share in refreshments, whether or not they have come to the service (from around 5pm, I would guess, after the service in the cathedral.) PETER MILTON-THOMPSON R.I.P The funeral of Peter Milton-Thompson, a much valued member of our choir will be on Monday Sept 18th at 12 noon here in church. Anyone who would like to come will be very welcome.  CHILDREN'S CHOIR begins again this week on Wednesday from 4.30-5pm. Any school age children are welcome to join us in the church hall for fun songs with me and Rosemary Pattullo.  MESSY CHURCH is next Sunday at 3pm in the church hall when we will be thinking about the story of Joseph.  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. THE 11AM TOUR IS COMPLETELY FULL, but there is still space on the tour at 4pm. Please email sealpandp@gmail.com as soon as possible to book your place, or sign the list at the back of church. DATE FOR YOUR DIARY HARVEST LUNCH OCT 8th Our Eco Church team are planning a vegetarian Harvest bring and share lunch after our Harvest Festival service on Oct 8th. If you would like to come along, or make something to share, please sign the list at the back of church or email Babs Bartholomew

Sunday Worship podcast and other news from Seal Church: Sept 3

 

Join us for worship online, on the phone or in the building today.  with best wishes Anne Le Bas Online Worship podcast - Click on picture above 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 3pm    Animal Blessing service in churchyard (church if wet) 6.30pm Breathing Space Meditative Communion This week:  Wed     10 am     "Good Book Club" Bible study in the vicarage: Luke 4.16-end              7.15 pm  Adult Choir practice starts a new term (Children's choir starts next week) Fri        9 am        Morning Prayer in Church             10.30 - 12.30 Friday Group in the church hall Trinity 13   Kevin Bright is preaching today on today's Gospel reading, Matthew 16.21-end and on Romans 12.9-end. In the Gospel reading Jesus tells his followers that the way ahead will be tough, with loss as well as gain, sorrow as well as joy. They must "take up their cross" if they want to follow him. There is a cost to following Christ. That calling and cost may not be very dramatic, unlike those who first followed him, many of whom lost their lives as a result, but, as Paul's letter to the Romans points out, the apparently small things, persevering in prayer and loving service, working out how to respond to those who seem to have it in for us, can be demanding too.  The picture I have chosen to accompany the podcast is one of several by the fifteenth century painter, Hieronymous Bosch, which depict Christ carrying his cross on the way to his crucifixion. He looks out of the picture at us, as if to draw us into the story, asking us what we would do. The scene is full of people, each reacting in different ways to this beaten, bruised man on his way to death. Some are full of hatred, but others seem almost not to notice, or regard it simply as another day's work. Christ's suffering isn't just a physical matter, but the pain of trying to live out the Gospel in a world where anger and apathy often seem to have the upper hand, the painting seems to tell us.    Look at the characters in the picture. What do you think they would say about the scene unfolding before them?  What would you like to say to Jesus? Does this picture remind you of situations in the world today? All Age Ideas In today's Gospel story, Peter is shocked when Jesus tells him that he, Jesus, is going to be killed because of the message he is preaching. Peter still thinks that Jesus will be a great king in the end, even if he is just a carpenter now. Jesus tries to tell his followers that it will sometimes be hard to do the right thing and live in the right way. He describes it as "taking up your cross". That doesn't mean that they will literally die as he has done, but that they will sometimes struggle to love others, and live as he calls them to.  What has been difficult for you this week? Have there been times when you knew something was the right thing to do, but found it hard to do? What helped you? You could draw a cross on a piece of paper and talk about the things that other people might find hard, and say a prayer for them - people who are trying to set right things that are wrong in the world, people whose lives are difficult or scary for them. You could write or draw on your cross as you pray.  CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS PETER MILTON-THOMPSON R.I.P The funeral of Peter Milton-Thompson, a much valued member of our congregation and choir,  will be on Monday Sept 18th at 12 noon here in church. Anyone who would like to come will be very welcome.   ADULT CHOIR begins again this Wednesday at 7.15pm in the church hall. (Children's Choir begins next week) New singers are always welcome, so do come along and join us! Sat Sept 9 HISTORIC CHURCHES RIDE AND STRIDE. We aren't organising a walk/ride for this event as a church this year, but anyone who would like to take part as an individual is very welcome to. There are lists of Kent churches open to walk/ride to and sponsor forms available at the back of church or here on the Friends of Kent Churches website or sponsorship can be arranged through JustGiving. The proceeds from Ride and Stride are divided equally between the nominated church and Friends of Kent Churches, where they are used to make grants for churches in need of repair. Seal Church will be open, with refreshments available, for anyone visiting us - many thanks to those making this possible.  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. We are planning to have a cake and gift sale after the service, and possibly some Eco Church activities. 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, and slots are running very low for the 11 am tour, so please email sealpandp@gmail.com as soon as possible to book your place, or sign the list at the back of church. DATE FOR YOUR DIARY HARVEST LUNCH OCT 8th Our Eco Church team are planning a vegetarian Harvest bring and share lunch after our Harvest Festival service on Oct 8th. If you would like to come along, or make something to share, please sign the list at the back of church or email Babs Bartholomew