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.