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