Easter Sunday worship podcast: March 31 2024

 

DON'T FORGET THAT THE CLOCKS WENT FORWARD BY AN HOUR LAST NIGHT!  DON'T BE THE PERSON WHO IS AN HOUR LATE FOR CHURCH IF YOU ARE COMING!   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 for Easter Sunday 6.30pm Evensong (said, with hymns) This week:  Wed                         NO Good Book Club Good Friday            Morning prayer in church                                10.30am Friday Group in the Church Hall                                 Next Sunday  10 am   Holy Communion  6.30pm Evensong (said, with hymns) Easter Sunday Happy Easter! Today's sermon focuses on the resurrection story in John's Gospel, a story set in a garden. None of the other Gospels specify this, but as Jesus was buried in a tomb bought by and intended for Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy member of the Jewish leading council, and as it was as popular then as now for people to want to bury their loved ones in beautiful surroundings, it is quite a likely scenario.  Mary mistakes Jesus for the gardener, and the sermon explores why this might be and what the significance might be.  Are you keen on gardening? If you enjoy it, why is that? The Greek verb meaning "to garden" could also mean "to tend" or "to cherish". What or who tends you. What makes you feel cherished?  Do you feel cherished by God? Jesus called Mary by name, which is how she recognised him. How would you respond if you heard him calling your name?  All Age Ideas In John's Gospel it says that Jesus' tomb, and the place where Mary met him was in a garden. When Mary first met Jesus after he was raised from death, she thought he was the gardener. Gardeners look after plants and notice them, so in a way, he was a gardener, looking after Mary. Take a look around your garden or an open space near you (or the churchyard). What signs of spring can you see? What plants, insects and birds can you see? Make an Easter banner with lots of bright colours and happy pictures. Hang it somewhere you can see it. Easter lasts 50 days, not just until you've finished your Easter eggs, so there is plenty of time to celebrate! CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS ELECTORAL ROLL If you are not on our Electoral Roll, and would like to be, please fill in a form which you can find at the back of the church, or download here. Being on the church Electoral Roll qualifies you to vote at the Annual Meeting on May 12, but also means that, if you don’t live in the parish, you could be buried in the churchyard, if you want to. The closing date for applications is April 21st. Completed forms should be returned to the Electoral Roll officer, Wivine Turner, c/o The Vicarage, Church Street, Seal, TN15 0AR 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. SATURDAY MAY 4TH, VINE GARDENS SEVENOAKS  10.30-4PM SEVENOAKS CLIMATE FAIR Free entry - all welcome! Talks, stalls, workshops, food and drink and much more! Bringing businesses, charities and community groups together, and anybody else who is passionate about the climate emergency to empower Sevenoaks to reach Net Zero. SO.... IS YOUR GRANNY A DAB HAND WITH A LITTER PICKER? HAS YOUR BUSINESS WALKED THE EXTRA MILE TO CUT ITS CARBON FOOTPRINT? This event will champion the local unsung climate heroes, taking grassroot action to save the planet. So if you, or you know of anybody, group or business, meeting this criteria, please get in touch - email sevenoaksclimatefair@gmail.com and give the name, age, and story of your nominee in no more than 200 words. A photo would be great too!Winners will be announce at the S CAN CLIMATE FAIR at the above event. SATURDAY MAY 11TH SEAL VILLAGE ALLOTMENTS MIDDAY - 3PM   Plant Sale and Refreshments - ALL WELCOME! SEAL VILLAGE HALL NEWS The feedback regarding the idea of a pop-up cinema, has been phenominal - clearly a popular idea, and one that the Friends of Seal Village Hall, look forward to getting set up. If you haven't already, please let me know if you would be interested in coming along to such an event, AND ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE ABLE, to help with the organisation of it. We all look forward to further responses. SEAL PARISH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY THURSDAY MAY 15TH Seal Pavilion at 7.30pm. All welcome. GARDEN SAFARI REQUESTS New gardens and raffle prizes + plants for the Seal Garden Safari If you have a lovely garden in Seal, please contact me about opening it on Sunday 30 th June at the next Garden safari. I would also like any spare raffle prizes and plants (house or garden) for the safari. In the next few weeks … this is the ideal time to divide your perennials. The money raised this year will be going to Cancer and Mind charities. In other years we have raised about £400 for the raffle and plants which is about half of the money! Thanks to the people who have already said YES to me! Many thanks in advance Frances Fish 01732 760007 mob 07749240456