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.