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.