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