Sunday worship podcast and other news from Seal Church: Jan 28

 

Dear Friends Listen to today's worship podcast by clicking on the picture above. In today's podcast, Kevin is preaching on the readings for the fourth Sunday of Epiphany. Our Sunday morning service in church will celebrate the feast of Candlemas, and there will be a podcast of worship for this feast available on Feb 2, the official day of the feast, with a sermon from me. I will send out a link on Thursday. So - a "Buy One, Get One Free" week at Seal! Anne Le Bas Worship Online Worship podcast - Click on picture above Order of service You can also access this podcast by phoning 01732 928061 DONATE TO SEAL CHURCH HERE - all contributions gratefully received to keep the church thriving!

In the church building today 10 am Holy Communion for Candlemas, followed by Vegan "Bring and Share" Lunch 6.30pm Evensong This week:  Wed     (No Zoom Church this week - 5th Wednesday)              4.30-5pm Children's Choir             7.15 pm Adult choir practice Fri        9 am Morning Prayer in Church             10.30am Friday Group in the Church Hall Sat       10.30-12.30 Listening course in the hall Next Sunday 10 am Holy Communion  6.30pm Evensong

Epiphany 4 Kevin's sermon today on the readings for the fourth Sunday of Epiphany (Deuteronomy 18.15-20, Rev 12.1-5a, Mark 1.21-28) are full of mystery, and fairly bizarre too. They include visions of God which terrify those who see them, and, in the Gospel, what is described as an exorcism in the synagogue at Capernaum. The Fresco on the right depicts the scene, and you can see the poor many who is being healed lying on the ground, with an astonished crowd looking on.  We can feel a bit embarrassed by the stranger bits of the Bible, but these stories remind us that there are things in life which are beyond our ability to understand. How do you feel about these readings?

All Age Ideas In today's Gospel reading, people listen to him teaching in the local synagogue (a gathering place like a church). They are very surprised because he seems such a good teacher, who helps them understand the Bible. They didn't know how he had learned all the things he was talking about.  They are even more surprised when he heals a man who is ill. Jesus is a big surprise! Do you like surprises? What is the biggest surprise you have ever had? Are there some surprises that aren't so good? Jesus was a good teacher. What do you think a good teacher is like? What do they do that makes them good at teaching? You could make a card to give to a teacher at your school who you think is a good teacher.

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS FROM SEAL LENT GROUPS Yes – Lent is really just a few weeks away! (Ash Wednesday is on Feb 14 - service at 8pm). There will be two Lent discussion groups this year, on Thursday mornings from 10 – 11.30 am in the church hall, starting on Feb 15, and on Monday evenings on Zoom at 7.30pm, starting on Feb 19. We will be following a course I have written called “What on earth is the Church for?”  There will be five sessions, focusing on the “Five Marks of Mission” – signs that a church (or an individual) has a healthy Christian life. We will explore how we tell our stories of faith, learn about faith, care for others, challenge injustice, and treasure all of God’s creation? I hope this course will enable us to reflect on the life and mission of Seal Church, and be helpful as we prepare for the next phase of Seal Church’s life. Sign up sheets are at the back of church, or email me to book a place (places are limited, so don't delay! The Thursday morning course is almost full)  CANDLEMAS VEGANUARY LUNCH Today at 12 noon. Everyone is welcome to this vegan lunch, organised by our Eco Church team.  SEAL KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS MEET AND GREET PLUS SEAL VILLAGE FUND AGM On Saturday March 16th, there will be an opportunity, to find out just what goes on in our village. We try to have an annual session, where new residents, or anybody who wishes to know more about village organisations, can come along, have a chat, coffee and cake, and meet those who run the local groups. We will be in the Village Hall between 11.30 and 1pm, along with information for you to glean. Do, please join us. SVF AGM Around 20 minutes of this session, is taken up with the Seal Village Fund AGM, where you can see our accounts, and where your money has been spent, and how this year's funds are being allocated.  If you belong to a local, non profit making organisation, have a specific project for this year, and need a small grant towards this, please make your bids before March 1st. Please contact Becky Watson, the SVF Secretary, for more information. If you have received funding oin excess of £400 over the past 2 years, from this source, other organisations will be prioritised.  COMING EVENTS The Church Events Team have been busy planning events for the first part of 2024.  HERE ARE THE PLANS SO FAR:- ECO CHURCH EVENTS INCLUDING VEGANUARY LUNCH AND WALKS ON ALTERNATE SATURDAYS THROUGHOUT LENT(MORE DETAILS BELOW). MOTHERING SUNDAY CAKE SALE QUIZ NIGHT MARCH 23RD ZAMBRA WAY GARDEN PARTY AND SALE JUNE 22ND PATRONAL FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS JUlY 7th -PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE TEA FOR 2 IN VILLAGE GARDEN BETWEEN AUG 5TH AND 12TH RETURN OF THE GLORIOUS LITTLE GARDEN TEAS/LUNCHES THANKSGIVING SUPPER IN OCTOBER HARVEST ECO ACTIVITIES FOR HARVEST. Please watch this space for more detailed information nearer the time. REGULAR VILLAGE ACTIVITIES TALKING VILLAGE Monday afternoons between 2pm and 3.30 in Deniz's on the High Street. Buy a cup of tea or coffee and join us on the Talking Village table, for a chat and to make new friends, or catch up with old ones! Saturdays - First Saturday of each month in Seal Library from 10.15am-11.15am. Join us for a coffee whilst out browsing for your library books. At both these venues, there will always be two hosts to welcome you, and we look forward to meeting with you and getting to know each other better. FRIDAY GROUP Meets each Friday morning in the Church Hall between 10.30 and 12.30   Coffee, chat, by all means, bring your crafting with you but mostly, enjoy the company. SEAL TIDDLERS  In Seal Church Hall £2 per session pre schoolers and parents/Carers Monday mornings 9.30-11.30 tea drinks snacks for children art activities singing. Term time only. SEAL OVER 60S As from March, the cost of the over 60s meetings will be increased to £5 per head. (It has to be said though, that this is still excellent value for a great tea, and often very interesting speakers or entertainment.) CHRISTMAS LIGHTS A little reminder, that Marion Gilchrist is looking for a small team to help out with the organisation of the Christmas lights for next year and beyond please. Thank you to those who have come forward, but more volunteers needed please.

Sunday Worship Podcast and other news from Seal Church: Jan 21

 

Dear Friends Listen to today's worship podcast by clicking on the picture above.  Anne Le Bas Worship 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 6.30pm Evensong This week:  Wed      10 am Zoom Church              4.30-5pm Children's Choir              7.15 pm Adult choir practice Fri        9 am Morning Prayer in Church             10.30am Friday Group in the Church Hall Sat       10.30-12.30 Listening course in the hall Next Sunday Candlemas 10 am Holy Communion followed by Vegan lunch together 6.30pm Evensong

Epiphany 3 Today's Gospel story is set at a wedding in Cana, near Nazareth. We don't know who the happy couple were, but Jesus and his mother have been invited, along with others of his disciples, so perhaps they are part of the extended family. When the wine runs out, Mary asks Jesus to help (or to be more accurate, she volunteers him...) The miracle he performs, turning water into wine, seems like an odd one. We can understand healing miracles, where someone's suffering is at stake, but this is 'just' a matter of social embarrassment. In Jesus' society, though, where family honour was very important, failing to offer generous hospitality (weddings could last a week!) would have brought lasting shame on this family. The story reminds us that the things that really matter to us don't always seem like big things to others, but are big things to us.  What is on your heart and mind today?  Tell God about it.

All Age Ideas In today's Gospel reading, Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding party. In the time of Jesus, not having bought enough to give to people would have disgraced the family. Their neighbours would have never forgotten it. Jesus doesn't think that drinking lots of wine is a good thing, but he does care that this wedding party is something the family will remember with joy, not shame. God is generous, and he wants us to be generous to others too.  The picture I have included below is by a painter called Veronese. It is his idea of what the wedding at Cana might have looked like, but he has set it in his own time - about 500 years ago - and I think he has made it a bit grander than it was! Have a close look at the picture - you can click on it to get a larger version.  Can you find.... Jesus and his mother, Mary the couple getting married some musicians five dogs (one of them is high up, and another is on a table...) A cat The servant pouring the water which has changed to wine. No one is taking much notice of the servant - they are too busy enjoying themselves! -  but he realises something strange has happened!

The Wedding Feast at Cana, by Paulo Veronese https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Paolo_Veronese_008.jpg

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS FROM SEAL MESSY CHURCH TODAY Jan 21  3-4.30pm Come and join us this Sunday afternoon for Messy Church in the church hall. Crafts, story, worship and tea for all ages. You don't have to have a child or be a child to come along. Free. LISTENING SKILLS COURSE Listening matters, whether we are helping someone in need, or just listening to one another. Brush up on your skills in a free two session course led by Sue Buddin, who has worked for Relate. Sat Jan 27 & Feb 3 from 10.30-12.30 with a comfort break in the middle. Contact Sue on 01732 760990 to book a place. PCC report At our PCC meeting last Thursday we discussed, among other things, what might need to be done to look after the church's worship and pastoral care once I have retired - there will be a gap before another vicar is appointed, and although visiting clergy will lead services, the "home team" will need to help to keep things going. If you would like to help as part of a team to plan for this, please let me know.  LENT GROUPS Yes – Lent is really just a few weeks away! (Ash Wednesday is on Feb 14 - service at 8pm). There will be two Lent discussion groups this year, on Thursday mornings from 10 – 11.30 am in the church hall, starting on Feb 15, and on Monday evenings on Zoom at 7.30pm, starting on Feb 19. We will be following a course I have written called “What on earth is the Church for?”  There will be five sessions, focusing on the “Five Marks of Mission” – signs that a church (or an individual) has a healthy Christian life. We will explore how we tell our stories of faith, learn about faith, care for others, challenge injustice, and treasure all of God’s creation? I hope this course will enable us to reflect on the life and mission of Seal Church, and be helpful as we prepare for the next phase of Seal Church’s life. Sign up sheets are at the back of church, or email me to book a place (places are limited, so don't delay! The Thursday morning course is almost full)  CANDLEMAS VEGANUARY LUNCH Sunday Jan 28 at 12 noon. Everyone is welcome to this vegan lunch, organised by our Eco Church team.  The Church Events Team have been busy planning events for the first part of 2024.  HERE ARE THE PLANS SO FAR:- ECO CHURCH EVENTS INCLUDING VEGANUARY LUNCH AND WALKS ON ALTERNATE SATURDAYS THROUGHOUT LENT(MORE DETAILS BELOW). MOTHERING SUNDAY CAKE SALE QUIZ NIGHT MARCH 23RD ZAMBRA WAY GARDEN PARTY AND SALE JUNE 22ND PATRONAL FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS JUNE 30TH TEA FOR 2 IN VILLAGE GARDEN BETWEEN AUG 5TH AND 12TH RETURN OF THE GLORIOUS LITTLE GARDEN TEAS/LUNCHES THANKSGIVING SUPPER IN OCTOBER HARVEST ECO ACTIVITIES FOR HARVEST. Please watch this space for more detailed information nearer the time. Helpers are always wanted for events, so please do come forward and volunteer if you can help.

Sunday Worship Podcast link and other news from Seal Church: Jan 14 2024

 

Dear Friends Listen to today's worship podcast by clicking on the picture above.  Anne Le Bas Worship 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  6.30pm Breathing Space Holy Communion This week:  Wed      4.30-5pm Children's Choir              7.15 pm Adult choir practice Fri        9 am Morning Prayer in Church             10.30am Friday Group in the Church Hall Next Sunday  10 am Holy Communion 3-4.30pm Messy Church 6.30pm Evensong Epiphany 2 Today's readings feature people who seem to be having a hard time hearing and seeing what later seems obvious to them - Nathanael, called to follow Jesus, and Eli and Samuel, who fail to recognise the voice of God at first. 'Epiphany' literally means 'revelation' or 'shining forth', and all three need something to reveal the truths they need to hear.  Have you ever realised something which you later think should have been obvious to you? What prevented you seeing it sooner?  All Age Ideas One of today's Bible readings tells the story of Eli and Samuel. When he was still a small boy Samuel came to live at the Temple where people came to worship God, with Eli, the elderly priest who was in charge of the Temple. One night, after Samuel had gone to bed, he heard a voice calling his name. He thought it was Eli, so he got up and went to him to ask him what he wanted. Eli was puzzled. He hadn't called Samuel, so he told him to go back to bed. Once again, Samuel heard the voice calling, and went to Eli. I expect Eli was probably getting a bit irritated - how would your mum or dad feel if you keep getting up? But he just told Samuel to go back to bed again. For a third time Samuel heard the voice and went to Eli. This time Eli realised what was happening. He told Samuel that it was God calling to him - it had been a long time since Eli or anyone else had heard God's voice - and said that if he heard the voice again he should say "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." Samuel went back to bed, and, sure enough, God called to him again. Samuel answered as Eli had told him, and God gave him the message he wanted him to hear.  Later on Samuel became an important prophet, who sometimes challenged the kings of his country when they did things that were wrong. People - even important people - listened to him, because they knew he listened to God.  How do you decide whether something is right or wrong? Who do you listen to?  Spend some time being very quiet today. What can you hear? If you listen outside, can you hear any birds, or the sound of the wind? What is your favourite sound? Listening isn't just about physically hearing things. People who are deaf 'listen' by watching, perhaps lip reading or watching sign language, and people with good hearing sometimes don't really listen at all. If we are going to 'hear' what we need to, we have to pay attention! Are there times when you don't pay attention to what you are being told? I wonder why that is? CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS FROM SEAL CHOIRS  Our Adult and Children's choirs are now in full swing again, and meet every Wednesday in term time - 4.30-5pm for Children's Choir (fun singing with Anne!)  and 7.15-8.15 for Adult choir. We always welcome new singers - young or old, so do get in contact if you'd like to join us.  MESSY CHURCH Jan 21  3-4.30pm Come and join us next Sunday afternoon for Messy Church in the church hall. Crafts, story, worship and tea for all ages. You don't have to have a child or be a child to come along. Free. CANDLEMAS VEGANUARY LUNCH Sunday Jan 28 at 12 noon. Everyone is welcome to this vegan lunch, organised by our Eco Church team.  The Church Events Team have been busy planning events for the first part of 2024.  HERE ARE THE PLANS SO FAR:- ECO CHURCH EVENTS INCLUDING VEGANUARY LUNCH AND WALKS ON ALTERNATE SATURDAYS THROUGHOUT LENT(MORE DETAILS BELOW). MOTHERING SUNDAY CAKE SALE QUIZ NIGHT MARCH 23RD ZAMBRA WAY GARDEN PARTY AND SALE JUNE 22ND PATRONAL FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS JUNE 30TH TEA FOR 2 IN VILLAGE GARDEN BETWEEN AUG 5TH AND 12TH RETURN OF THE GLORIOUS LITTLE GARDEN TEAS/LUNCHES THANKSGIVING SUPPER IN OCTOBER HARVEST ECO ACTIVITIES FOR HARVEST. Please watch this space for more detailed information nearer the time. Helpers are always wanted for events, so please do come forward and volunteer if you can help.

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Sunday worship podcast and other news: Jan 7 Epiphany Sunday

 

Dear Friends Listen to today's worship podcast by clicking on the picture above.  Anne Le Bas Worship 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 for Epiphany Sunday 6.30pm Said Evensong with hymns This week:  Wed    10am Zoom Church - email for the link              4.30-5pm Children's Choir              7.15 pm Adult choir practice Fri        9 am Morning Prayer in Church             10.30am Friday Group in the Church Hall Next Sunday  10 am All Age Worship 6.30pm Breathing Space Holy Communion Epiphany Sunday Today we celebrate the story of the Magi, who Matthew's Gospel tell us, prompted by the message of a star, travel from the East o look for the long-awaited Messiah. They are foreigners, Gentiles, probably Zoroastrian philosopher priests from Babylonia, where the Jewish people had, centuries before, been taken into exile. They represented Israel's ancient enemies, now coming to worship a Jewish God. Naturally, they assume that someone born to be "king of the Jews" will be born in a palace, and go straight to the paranoid ruler, Herod, who is terrified at the thought that he will be replaced, and later orders all the children of Bethlehem to be killed.  But the Magi eventually find the person they are looking for in a humble house, born to ordinary parents. Through Advent, some of you may have followed the series of reflections I wrote on the depiction of this scene by Jan Brueghel the Elder - if not, they are here! Although Brueghel takes some liberties with the narrative, the sense of unexpectedness and out-of-placeness which runs through the nativity stories is very clear in his crowded scene, with all sorts of people (and animals) amazed to find that something so significant and extraordinary has happened in such an inauspicious location.  All Age Ideas The feast of the Epiphany (Jan 6) which we celebrate today has all sorts of customs associated with it. If you have a Christmas crib, and the Magi (wise men) have been travelling to it, this is the moment they should arrive!  Many people mark this moment by chalking their doors or doorways with "20+C+M+B+24" - the numbers refer to the year, 2024, and C,M and B are the first letters of the traditional names of the Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. It's a reminder to look out for and welcome God as he comes to us in all our visitors.  How do you welcome people in your home? Do you like having visitors? You could chalk your door, or make another sort of welcome sign for people.   CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS FROM SEAL Thank you to all who made our Christmas celebrations go so well - musicians and readers, church decorators and welcomers, and all who helped to brighten up the village with Christmas lights and post box toppers.  CHOIRS  Our choirs begin rehearsing again this week - Children's choir at 4.30pm in the hall, and Adult choir at 7.15 pm (a short practice this week, followed by a choir party). We always welcome new singers - young or old, so do get in contact if you'd like to join us. CANDLEMAS VEGANUARY LUNCH Sunday Jan 28 at 12 noon. Everyone is welcome to this vegan lunch, organised by our Eco Church team.  News from Know Your Neighbours A NEW CLASS FOR THE NEW YEAR Sarah Ratcliffe, who is fairly new to the village, will be starting a new Pilates class in the Village Hall on Wednesday January 10th at 10.30am. A great time of the year to get those new year's resolutions in place! The classes wil be of mixed levels, and will cost £9 when booked as a block, or £11 for individual classes. You can contact Sarah on 07963 618226, or s.ratcliffe2620@gmail.com Look out for further info in the new year. SPEED REDUCTIONS ON A25, AND OTHER PARISH COUNCIL NEWS The speed limit along the A25 has finally changed to 30mph! The speed reduction was requested along the A25 by Seal Parish Council after requests from residents and parents attending Seal Primary school. The reduced speed limit will make the road safer for pedestrians along the narrow footpath and regularise the speed limit along the road as the last  part seemed erroneously to have been left at 40mph. There will be soon be temporary notices advising the 30MPH change of speed on the entry/exit points along this stretch of the road. There will be no small 30mph repeater signs as the road lighting is standard for a 30mph road according to the Highways Code. The Seal Village entry sign asking drivers to drive with care through the village is going to be reinstated by Seal Drive in the New Year. This should not have been removed. As part of the engagement Tarmac have with the community, Tarmac will be discussing the Outline Planning Application for the Quarry and answering questions about how this is being planned. We have four Councillor vacancies in Seal Ward, if you would like to be part of an enthusiastic team of volunteers who represent our Parish, I would like to hear from you. Wish you all a very Happy New Year. Chris Haslam Chairman Seal Parish Council. ISSY FASSNIDGE Issy, a very local Seal girl, who some may already know, is set to be our next Sevenoaks Olympics hopeful. Issy has been representing GB in the Skeleton events for a while, and is now set to train for Team GB in the winter Olympics of 2026. Watch this space to hear more of our own village competitor.  It will be great to hear more of her training and successes on the way. Good luck Issie - we'd love to get behind you all the way!