Sunday podcast worship podcast: April 28

 

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 (I am having problems with the phone-in version of this podcast, so have had to suspend it. Spotify is also playing up, so if you subscribe on Spotify,  this week's and future podcasts can be found here. Access to past podcasts here. It is simpler to use the Youtube link in the picture above, however!) 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 (said with hymns) This week:  Wed                        10 am Good Book Club in the vicarage: The Epistle of James                                 4.30pm Children's Choir in the hall                                 7.15pm Choir Thurs                      1pm Wedding: Emily Reid and Michael Wadsworth Friday                     9am 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 5 In today's first reading, from the Acts of the Apostles, St Philip, one of the Apostles, is told by the Holy Spirit to travel down the Jerusalem to Gaza road, where he comes across an Ethiopian court official, a servant of the Queen, who has been to Jerusalem to worship. He may be Jewish, but living in Ethiopia, or he may be ethnically Ethiopian, but interested in Jewish faith.  Whichever is the case, he is puzzled by what he reads in the Hebrew scriptures, and asks Philip to explain them to him. As I investigate in the sermon, his confusion is probably related to the fact that he is a eunuch. He has either been deliberately castrated, or is infertile through accident or illness, but this will have meant that he wouldn't have been admitted to the Temple, since Jewish law forbade eunuchs, along with many other people with disabilities from taking part in Temple worship.  How can this man square the welcoming God he reads about in the prophecies of Isaiah with the exclusion he has just experienced? The reading invites us all to consider the inclusion and exclusion we encounter around us. Have you ever found yourself excluded from something? What did it feel like?

All Age Ideas In today's first reading, we meet St Philip, who was one of the first followers of Jesus. His feast day, shared with St James the Less, is on May 1st -  this Wednesday. We meet him several times in the Gospels, and then in the stories about the early Church after Jesus' resurrection, where he was one of those given the special job of making sure that everyone had a fair share of the food the Church gave out to those in need.  He was very active, and travelled a lot, telling people about Jesus. In this story he meets a man on a road out in the middle of nowhere travelling through the desert in his chariot. The man, is not sure whether God can really love him. Philip tells him that Jesus showed us that God loves everyone, and the man immediately asks to be baptised - they are near a pool of water - so that he can be a follower of the way of love which Jesus taught. We all need to know that we are loved. Who helps you to know this? How could you help someone know they are loved this week? Could you make a card for someone who might need cheering up?

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS Annual Parochial Church Meeting -  May 12th at 11.15am We will gather for our APCM this year on May 12 at 11.15am in church, to elect new PCC members (and churchwardens if anyone volunteers - contact me if you would like to know more!) and to receive the reports and accounts for the last year. Everyone is welcome, but only those on the church electoral roll are allowed to vote. Reports and Accounts will be available next Sunday. HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR THE PARISH GIVING SCHEME? Back in the Autumn we signed up for the Parish Giving Scheme which is a simple system to replace Standing Orders as a way of giving to the church, and automates the collection of Gift Aid for those who are tax payers, which saves a great deal of time and effort on the part of the volunteers who help to look after the churches finances and means we get the Gift Aid very quickly.  So far, though, only 13 people have transferred from giving by Standing Order to giving through this Scheme. It would be great if more people could give through this scheme, as it simplifies the administrative burden so much! If you are a regular giver to Seal (or would like to become one!) please would you consider using this route for your donations. You can find out more here, or contact us if you would like to know more, by emailing financesealpandp@gmail.com UPDATE ON SEAL CHURCH CLOCK THE PROBLEM The clock was installed in 1854 and has been regularly maintained by Gillett andJohnson (G&J) of Edenbridge. During 2022 it became increasingly temperamental, and G&J advised that some bearings had become worn and some teeth were damaged. They recommended that the clock be removed, repaired and reinstalled. Permission for this from the Diocese of Rochester is required, and was first requested in January 2023. WHERE ARE WE NOW? Unfortunately the Diocesan Clock Adviser, whose advice is required for approval to be given, died just before Christmas 2022. This caused long delays as the work had to be covered by the person holding the equivalent role in Southwark Diocese We were required to obtain several quotes, which was a time consuming process as there are few church clock maintenance specialists in the country. In the event their quotes differed widely, and there were concerns expressed by the Diocese that the possible scale of the work might escalate. It has taken a while to resolve this and to come to a sensible view of what is really needed. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? The Diocese has today confirmed that in the next few days it will send the paperwork confirming approval to the works being carried out by G&J, and they have been asked to advise when the work will be completed. Hopefully this long running saga is near its end, and it won’t be long before we have a working clock chiming the hours once again! Many thanks for your patience and understanding! Paul Thompson     12 April 2024 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 phenomenal - 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

Sunday worship podcast link and other news: April 21 2024

 

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 (I am having problems with the phone-in version of this podcast, so have had to suspend it. Spotify is also playing up, so if you subscribe on Spotify,  this week's and future podcasts can be found here. Access to past podcasts here. It is simpler to use the Youtube link in the picture above, however!) DONATE TO SEAL CHURCH HERE - all contributions gratefully received to keep the church thriving!

In the church building today 10 am  Holy Communion and Baptism: Robin Thomas 6.30pm Evensong (said with hymns) This week:  Wed                        No Zoom Church                                 4.30pm Children's Choir in the hall                                 7.15pm Choir Thurs                      8pm Parochial Church Council meeting Friday                     9am 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 4 The image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is so familiar to us that we probably hardly question what it might have meant at the time. Shepherding is often used in the Bible as a metaphor for leadership because the roots of ancient Israel were as  nomadic herdspeople. In today's Gospel passage, from John 10, Jesus unpacks what the difference between good and bad shepherds are. The former care about their sheep because they are their sheep; the latter don't because they are just hired, and facing down wolves is above their pay grade. But which is Jesus? That will only become apparent when he dies on the cross, refusing to back down on his message that God's love is for everyone, even the "sheep" who are not part of the "fold" of Israel.  This Bible passage doesn't just challenge us to think about the leadership of Jesus, but also who we choose to follow today, and why, and how we exercise authority ourselves.

All Age Ideas Jesus says that he is the "good shepherd". People in his time were used to having sheep and shepherds around them. The sheep weren't kept in fields, though. They wandered over the rocky hillsides, and could easily get lost.  They needed to be able to recognise the sound of the shepherd's voice, someone they could trust to look after them. In the same way, said Jesus, those who followed him learned to recognise his voice, which would always be telling them to love one another.  Whose voices do you recognise straight away, even if you can't see them? You could make a sheep - cotton wool or crinkled tissue paper makes good "fleece", but you could find something else that worked if you haven't got any - and put it somewhere to help you remember that God cares for you like a shepherd cares for its sheep.

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 UPDATE ON SEAL CHURCH CLOCK THE PROBLEM The clock was installed in 1854 and has been regularly maintained by Gillett&Johnson (G&J) of Edenbridge. During 2022 it became increasingly temperamental, and G&J advised that some bearings had become worn and some teeth were damaged. They recommended that the clock be removed, repaired and reinstalled. Permission for this from the Diocese of Rochester is required, and was first requested in January 2023. WHERE ARE WE NOW? Unfortunately the Diocesan Clock Adviser, whose advice is required for approval to be given, died just before Christmas 2022. This caused long delays as the work had to be covered by the person holding the equivalent role in Southwark Diocese We were required to obtain several quotes, which was a time consuming process as there are few church clock maintenance specialists in the country. In the event their quotes differed widely, and there were concerns expressed by the Diocese that the possible scale of the work might escalate. It has taken a while to resolve this and to come to a sensible view of what is really needed. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? The Diocese has today confirmed that in the next few days it will send the paperwork confirming approval to the works being carried out by G&J, and they have been asked to advise when the work will be completed. Hopefully this long running saga is near its end, and it won’t be long before we have a working clock chiming the hours once again! Many thanks for your patience and understanding! Paul Thompson     12 April 2024 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

Sunday Worship podcast and other news from Seal Church: April 14 2024

 

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 (I am having problems with the phone-in version of this podcast, so the 01732 928061 number is not working properly at the moment. I am also having issues with Spotfiy. If you subscribe on Spotify,  this week's and future podcasts can be found here. Access to past podcasts here. It is simpler to use the Youtube link in the picture above, however!) 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                        10.30 am Lavender Fields Holy Communion                                 4.30pm Children's Choir in the hall                                 7.15pm Choir Friday                     9am Morning prayer in church                                10.30am Friday Group in the Church Hall                                Next Sunday  10 am  Holy Communion and Baptism: Robin Thomas 6.30pm Evensong (said with hymns) Easter 3 Luke's account of Jesus appearing to his disciples in the locked room where they are hiding contains the curious detail of him asking for something to eat. All that is on offer is some "broiled fish" (and honeycomb in some versions), which Jesus takes and eats. He does this to show that he isn't a ghost, or a figment of their imagination, but a real physical being.  We sometimes think of Christmas as being the feast of the Incarnation - the moment when "the Word becomes flesh" and God is born as a human being in Bethlehem. In some ways, though, Easter is just as much about incarnation, about the importance of physical creation and re-creation. Christianity, like Judaism in which it is spiritually rooted, is not a faith which discounts or despises material things, but instead sees them as "very good" in the words of God in the book of Genesis. Christian faith is not about "pie in the sky when you die", but about the blessedness of the present moment. All Age Ideas In today's Gospel story, the risen Jesus eats some "broiled fish" - fish cooked on a grill. It shows his disciples that he isn't a ghost, but real, and that God cares about the real things that worry them. He isn't far away, but right where they are. What do you feel like today? Could you draw a face that shows your feelings? What has happened in the last week that makes you happy, or makes you sad? What are you looking forward to in the next week? Tell God about these things and remember that he is always with you.  CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS MESSY CATHEDRAL There’s no Messy Church at Seal next Sunday because on Saturday we are taking part in Rochester Cathedral’s “Messy Cathedral”. Seal Church’s Messy Church team are manning one of the activities, so we’d love to see some familiar faces there! Rochester Cathedral Saturday April 20  1.30-3.30 Bring a rug or cushion to sit on for the worship, and a picnic to eat with others after the session if you would like to.  Just like our Messy Church sessions, this is for all ages, and it’s free. 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

Copyright © 2024 St Peter and St Paul, Seal, All rights reserved. You're receiving this email because you are a part of our church family, and we thought you would like to know the latest news from Seal Church/ Our mailing address is: St Peter and St Paul, Seal Church Street Seal Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0AR United Kingdom

Sunday Worship podcast and other news: April 7 2024

 

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 (I am having problems with the phone-in version of this podcast, so the 01732 928061 number is not working properly at the moment.) 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 (said, with hymns) This week:  Wed                         NO Zoom Church today, sorry Good Friday           9am Morning prayer in church                                10.30am Friday Group in the Church Hall                                 Next Sunday  10 am   All Age Worship 6.30pm Breathing Space Holy Communion

Easter 2 Kevin is preaching today, on the Gospel story always set for the second Sunday of Easter, the story of Jesus' appearance to his disciples in the locked upper room where they had been hiding. One of the disciples was missing though. We don't know where Thomas was on that first occasion, but Jesus appears just for him. Thomas is often known as "Doubting Thomas", and people can feel that it is wrong to doubt or question their faith. In reality, though, the inclusion of this story communicates that this is not only common, but also healthy. Ancient tradition says that Thomas travelled to India with the Gospel, where he was eventually martyred, and the Mar Thoma (St Thomas) Christians of Southern India trace their origins to his mission - however unsure he was at the outset, his faith was all the stronger for his questioning.  In depictions of Thomas' meeting with Jesus, it is interesting to see where the painter has chosen to show Thomas looking. Sometimes, as in the depiction by Guercino, above, Thomas seems fixated on the wound in Christ's side. In others, like the famous version by Caravaggio, right, Thomas is looking away - Jesus almost seems to be forcing him to touch his wound. In Daniel Seiter's version, though, bottom right, Thomas is looking at Jesus' face, as if he has seen who he is for the first time, which fits with his exclamation "My Lord and my God!".

All Age Ideas Easter isn't one day. It is a whole season lasting fifty days - right up to Pentecost (also sometimes called Whitsun). During this time we hear lots of stories of Jesus appearing to his friends after his resurrection from death. Today it is Thomas's turn. Thomas wasn't there when the other disciples saw Jesus, but Jesus came just to see him a week later.  Easter is a time of joy - what do you do that brings you joy? What could you do that might bring someone else joy? You could make a playlist of some joyful songs to play when you feel sad or tired.

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS ECO-CHURCH BLUEBELL WALK There will be an Easter holiday Bluebell Walk on Saturday 13th April, meeting at our lychgate at 10.30am, driving to and parking at  the Rising Sun and strolling in the Bluebell woods, finishing with refreshments at the hostelry. It would be lovely to have some of you along!  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