Sunday worship podcast link and other news from Seal Church: Feb 25

 

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 Holy Communion 6.30pm Evensong This week:  Wed    No Zoom Church this week- sorry!             4.30-5pm Children's Choir             7.15 pm Adult choir practice Thurs   10-11.30am Lent Group in the church hall Fri        No morning prayer this week             10.30am Friday Group in the Church Hall Next Sunday 10 am Holy Communion  6.30pm Evensong Lent 2 In today's Bible readings from Genesis 17 and Mark 8 the writers invite us to look back at situations where people had to face up to powerlessness and despair. Like much of the Bible, these passages were written with a specific audience in mind, people who were going through hard times. The old stories remind them that they aren't the first people who have struggled, and that the love of God which kept their ancestors going is still there for them.  Do you have favourite books which you reread or recall, which help you in difficult times? What is it about those stories which makes a difference to you? Looking back at your life, how have you been aware of the presence and the love of God (through others? through the Bible? in nature?...) Do you intentionally seek out those things when life is difficult?  All Age Ideas In the Gospel reading today, Jesus tries to tell his friends that he will soon be arrested and killed. He has been saying and doing things that challenge the unjust Roman rulers of his land, so it should have been obvious that this would happen. His friends don't want to believe it, though. They think that being God's son means that nothing bad can happen to him, and Jesus knows that when they see him being crucified, that will make them doubt whether he really was who he said he was. It will only be after he has risen from the dead that they will start to understand.  Sometimes when something sad or bad happens we can think that God doesn't love us, or that it is our fault, but that's not true. God always loves us and is with us, whether life is easy or hard.  The stories in the Bible remind us of that.  What is your favourite book? Why do you like it so much? Are there books you read or videos you watch when you are feeling sad or upset to make you feel better?  Think of the things that make you feel happy. Make a book and write or draw them in it so that you can read it when you are feeling sad. CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS FROM SEAL BARBARA ARNOLD'S MEMORIAL SERVICE will take place on Tuesday March 26th at 12.30 in Seal Church, following a private family cremation. It is a little way off, but please put the date in your diary if you would like to come. Everyone is welcome. CONFIRMATION I am planning to organise some confirmation preparation with a view to taking candidates to a Confirmation service at St Giles Farnborough on Sunday June 16 at 4pm. I would need to meet with candidates a number of times for some preparation – in a group if possible, but otherwise one to one. If you would like to be confirmed, please let me know as soon as possible. This will be the last opportunity to be prepared and presented for confirmation before I retire. FUN QUIZ NIGHT FOR ST PETER AND ST PAUL CHURCH SEAL SATURDAY MARCH 23RD 6.45 for 7pm SUPPER AT SEAL CHURCH HALL. Please join us for a fun evening of quizzing, eating and drinking, not to mention laughing! The tickets include a light supper of baked potatoes with various fillings ,salads followed by apple pie. We ask you to bring your own drinks and glasses, along with yourselves and - most importantly - your sense of fun! Why not get up a team of 6 people and enjoy a cheap evening out. If you don't come in a team, don't worry - you can easily join another group! The tickets are a bargain at just £ 10  per adult and £5 for children in full time education, and can be booked through Ann Frow 07939 431183    or by emailingl marionjgilchrist@gmail.com 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.  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.)