Sunday Worship podcast link and other news from Seal Church: Feb 11

 

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 DONATE TO SEAL CHURCH HERE - all contributions gratefully received to keep the church thriving!

In the church building today 10 am All Age Worship  6.30pm Breathing Space Holy Communion This week:  Wed    10 am Zoom Church             No Children or Adult Choir this week (half term)             8pm Ash Wednesday Communion Thurs   10-11.30am Lent Group in the Church Hall Fri        9 am Morning Prayer in Church             10.30am Friday Group in the Church Hall Next Sunday 10 am Holy Communion 6.30pm Evensong

Sunday before Lent 2 Corinthians 4.3-6, Mark 9.2-9 The Gospel reading for the Sunday before Lent is always the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus, a story told in Matthew, Mark and Luke's Gospel. This year, we hear Mark's account. Today's sermon explores this strange story, of an experience which can't be explained or even conveyed in all its fullness. "You had to be there", we often say of experiences we are trying to relate to others, and that is true of this experience. It is something which is "ineffable", beyond our human ability to understand or talk about. But maybe that's the point. God can't be explained or pinned down, but his love can be experienced, known and shown in our lives.

All Age Ideas Today's Bible story tells of a time when Jesus closest friends saw him shining with light at the top of a mountain, with Elijah and Moses, who had lived long before, talking to him. They couldn't understand it or explain it, but they knew it was a sign that God loved Jesus and was working through him.  You could play a game, describing something without saying what it is, and see how long the other person takes to guess it. What do we find it impossible to explain? In the video above, a man who was born blind, who has never seen colour, asks passers-by to explain it to him. They really struggle! How would you explain what blue or red or green are to someone who had never seen them? How would you tell someone what love is - that's something you can't see either

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS FROM SEAL BARBARA ARNOLD RIP I am sorry to have to pass on the news that Barbara Arnold, who was known and loved by so many of us in Seal Church and village, died on Friday morning at the grand age of 103. She was a very pecial lady who touched many lives. There will be a service at Seal to give thanks for her life, and I will let you know the date when I have it. COMPLETE OUR ECOCHURCH SURVEY HERE!  LENT COURSE - cancellation of Zoom course Lent begins on Feb 14, Ash Wednesday, and our Lent course stars the following day, on Thursday 15th from 10- 11.30am in the church hall. I can fit a couple more people into the sessions, but it is nearly full. I had planned to offer the course on Zoom, but there has been very low take up for this, and I have also had to fit in some meetings in my role of Area Dean, so have sadly decided to cancel the Zoom session. Anyone who wants to follow the course themselves can download a copy of the course booklet here.  GOLDEN WEDDING Hilary and Jim Curtis After our 10 am service today, Hilary and Jim Curtis invite us all to share in some refreshments to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary as we gather for our normal post-service coffee. Congratulations to Hilary and Jim, and many thanks! 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. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS Marion Gilchrist says "Thanks to those of you who have come forward to volunteer to organise the lights for Christmas 2024. WE WILL SOON HAVE A LITTLE GET TOGETHER TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESSES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. tHERE IS STILL ROOM FOR PEOPLE TO HELP OUT - PARTICULARLY IN AN ADMIN ROLE." 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.)