Sunday Worship podcast link and other news: May 19 2024 Pentecost

 

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  PENTECOST: Holy Communion 3 - 4.30pm Messy Church in the church hall 6.30pm Evensong (said, with hymns) This week:  Wed                        4.30pm Children's Choir in the hall (this will be our last session)                                 7.15pm Choir Friday                     9am Morning prayer in church                                10.30am Friday Group in the Church Hall Saturday                    2pm Wedding: Maria Miles and Christopher Carcary                                Next Sunday  10 am  Holy Communion 6.30pm Evensong (said, with hymns) PENTECOST The story of the Holy Spirit coming on Jesus' disciples in Jerusalem is a puzzling and mysterious one. It was plainly hard to describe; the sound of a rushing wind, but no wind, flames of fire, but no one getting burnt. But perhaps we can all recognise moments when we have felt inspired, excited, or moved in ways we didn't expect, so we have some way of identifying with this experience of the Spirit. All this is simply the beginning of the story, though. The disciples feel the presence of God with them, and it is this which propels them out onto the streets of Jerusalem where they begin telling people about Jesus, and find, to everyone's astonishment that visitors from all corners of the world can understand them, hearing their words in their own native language. I explore this strange phenomenon in today's sermon. I can't explain it, of course, but explaining it isn't the point. It is the symbolism which matters, the sense that everyone discovers that God is at home in their language and culture. Have you ever heard your own native language when you are abroad and not expecting to hear it? What did that feel like? Have you ever felt that you were "far from home", either geographically, socially or emotionally? What helped you, or might have done, to feel "at home"? What might we be able to do to help others who are far from home? All Age Ideas DON'T FORGET - MESSY CHURCH THIS AFTERNOON AT 3PM IN THE CHURCH HALL. THIS WILL BE THE LAST MESSY CHURCH BEFORE THE SUMMER BREAK. Messy Church will be back in September, led by Helen Davies and the rest of the Messy Church team! Today is the feast of Pentecost. This was originally a feast that celebrated the crops that were starting to ripen in Israel, and was marked by people bringing a basket of those crops to the Temple in Jerusalem. The story in the Acts of the Apostles we hear today tells of Jesus' disciples waiting on the Day of Pentecost as they try to work out how they will do what Jesus has told them to do; to take his message of God's love out into all the world. Suddenly they feel a sense of excitement and confidence, which feels like a rushing wind or flames of fire and realise that God is with them through his Holy Spirit. They rush out into the streets and start telling people about Jesus. Many people in Jerusalem came from other countries and spoke different languages, but everyone understood what they were saying, just as if they spoke their own language. It was a reminder that God is at home everywhere in the world and loves everyone.  Later on, people thought about those baskets of fruit that were presented at Pentecost. St Paul wrote that being filled with God's Spirit had helped them to bear the fruit of  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, which helped others to know about God's love. There is a song about those "fruits of the Spirit" to sing along with below. Watch Aline's story here. It is also embedded in today's podcast. CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS THANK YOU to all those who stood for election to the PCC last week at our APCM. We welcome Simon Bull, Marion Gilchrist, newly elected, and welcome back Mark Turner for a further three year term. We also thank Rosemary Pattullo and Georgina Taylor who stepped down from the PCC at this meeting.  MESSY CHURCH - TODAY, May 19 3-4.30pm  Craft, fun and food with a Pentecost theme. This will be the last Messy Church I will lead (There will be no Messy Church in June or July) Helen Davies has said she will  run Messy Church from the autumn, along with the rest of the Messy Church team, so put September 15th in your diaries! SOW SEEDS TO TAKE AWAY, ECO CHURCH ACTIVITY Wednesday 29th May 2-4pm (School May holiday), to celebrate World Bee Day & No Mow May?   We shall focus on bees and butterflies (art & craft activities) and bless seeds (mostly pollinating flower seeds), make biodegradable pots & sow into these to take home to family's own green spaces/window sills. We'll have some herb activities /tasting/salad to top, too, ahead of starting with herbs in the new planter for a multisensory experience for passers-by.  Also amphibian & reptile themed activities in celebration of Stone Street's Toad Patrol & our wildlife area slowworms. We'll have litter pickers available & depending on who comes along, hope to do some churchyard tidying & logpile construction.  An appeal: we are looking for bee & butterfly-friendly plant seeds to be donated for our seeds sowing, and some old small pots or seed trays for reuse & rehoming, ahead of 29th May.  These can be handed to Lise or Babs or put under the Eco Church display table for our collection, thank you.Any donations of biscuits or cake would also be much appreciated!  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

Copyright © 2024 St Peter and St Paul, Seal, All rights reserved.

Sunday worship podcast and other news from Seal Church: May 12 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  All Age Worship followed by Annual Parochial Church Meeting 6.30pm Breathing Space Holy Communion This week:  Wed                        10.30am 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 3-4.30pm Messy Church in the hall  6.30pm Evensong (said, with hymns)

Easter 7 Today is the start of Christian Aid Week, focussing this year on the story of one woman Nigobora Aline. You can read more about Aline's story here. It's also the day of our Annual Parochial Church Meeting (the annual reports are here ). It's also the Sunday between Ascension Day and Pentecost. In the sermon today, I explore what might be a link between all three things - Jesus' prayer for us that we might be one, as he and his Father are one, which we hear in our Gospel reading. Do we feel as if we are part of something bigger - the family of the church, our local communities, the worldwide community of humanity, all created things, and God himself? What difference might it make if we did feel that sense of connection?

All Age Ideas Today is the beginning of Christian Aid week, when we think about our connection to other people in the world, and how we might help them if they are in need.  It's easy for us to feel that only the people we know really matter, but God says everyone matters to him, so they should matter to us too. Everything we do affects other people, and the natural world too, and God wants us to make sure that we have a good effect on them, not a bad one. There is a video below about a woman called Aline, and her three sons. Aline was once very poor. She didn't have a home and lived on the streets, but Christian Aid helped her learn how to earn a living, and soon she was able to get back on her feet again. She lives with her three sons, grows food, runs a grocery business, and is not only building a house for them all, but also baking the bricks to make its walls. She has even installed a solar panel on her home so that they have light to do their homework in the dark evenings. She is helping her neighbours by running a community fund to lend them money when they need it. She sounds like a very strong and brave lady, and her sons are lucky to have her as a mum! Aline is making a huge difference to those around her, and her story reminds us that we can make a difference too.

Watch Aline's story here. It is also embedded in today's podcast.

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS Annual Parochial Church Meeting -  May 12th at 11.15am We will gather for our APCM after the service 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 are available here. MESSY CHURCH - May 19 3-4.30pm  Craft, fun and food with a Pentecost theme. This will be the last Messy Church I will lead (There will be no Messy Church in June or July) Helen Davies has said she will  run Messy Church from the autumn, so watch out for dates then! FESTIVAL ON THE FIELD, ST LAWRENCE SCHOOL, Stone Street, Friday 17th May 5.30pm.  The church’s very own Martin Clews and Emily Durling are playing at Festival on the Field - an evening of popular and folk music at St Lawrence School, Stone Street on Friday 17th May 2024 5.30-8.30pm.  There are some great bands - bring a picnic, bring some friends. We would love to see you there! Tickets are £6 for adults and £3 for children and can be bought here https://buytickets.at/stlawrencepta SOW SEEDS TO TAKE AWAY, ECO CHURCH ACTIVITY Wednesday 29th May 2-4pm (School May holiday), to celebrate World Bee Day & No Mow May?   We shall focus on bees and butterflies (art & craft activities) and bless seeds (mostly pollinating flower seeds), make biodegradable pots & sow into these to take home to family's own green spaces/window sills. We'll have some herb activities /tasting/salad to top, too, ahead of starting with herbs in the new planter for a multisensory experience for passers-by.  Also amphibian & reptile themed activities in celebration of Stone Street's Toad Patrol & our wildlife area slowworms. We'll have litter pickers available & depending on who comes along, hope to do some churchyard tidying & logpile construction.  An appeal: we are looking for bee & butterfly-friendly plant seeds to be donated for our seeds sowing, and some old small pots or seed trays for reuse & rehoming, ahead of 29th May.  These can be handed to Lise or Babs or put under the Eco Church display table for our collection, thank you.Any donations of biscuits or cake would also be much appreciated!  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 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.

Sunday Worship podcast links and other news: May 5

 

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, including a presentation of a book containing a detailed record of the fabric and furnishings of the church, made by the Sevenoaks Decorative and Fine Arts Society. 6.30pm Evensong (said with hymns) This week:  Wed                        10 am Zoom Church (This will be our final Zoom Church)                                 4.30pm Children's Choir in the hall                                 7.15pm Choir Thurs                     ASCENSION DAY 8pm Breathing Space Holy Communion Friday                     9am Morning prayer in church                                10.30am Friday Group in the Church Hall Saturday                 12.30 Baptism                                Next Sunday  10 am  All Age Worship followed by Annual Parochial Church Meeting 6.30pm Breathing Space Holy Communion Easter 6 In today's Gospel reading, Jesus tells his followers to 'abide' in his love. It follows on from the passage we heard last week in which he compares himself to a vine, and his disciples to the branches, which need to abide in the vine in order to receive the sap which enables them to bear fruit. The sermon today explores what it means to "abide". Today's first reading is the end of the account of Peter's visit to Cornelius, a Roman soldier who asked Peter to come to talk to him and his household about Jesus. This seemingly straightforward request opened up a huge can of worms for Peter. Cornelius was a Gentile, and while he seems to have been a good man, who was interested in the Jewish faith, he wouldn't have been brought up to obey the Jewish laws around, for example, food, and might also have had statues of Roman deities in his house - most households had a shrine with their household gods in a prominent place. But, inspired by a vision he had from God, Peter went, and found that God had got there before him, and was already at work in the lives of Cornelius and his household, abiding with them, so Peter was able to abide with them too.   All Age Ideas The story behind the first reading, from the Acts of the Apostles (10.44-end) is of a visit St Peter made to a Roman Centurion called Cornelius. Peter wasn't sure whether he should go, because he had been brought up not to mix with people who weren't Jewish, like him, because Jewish people weren't allowed to eat some of the things that other people did, like pork, and because he knew that Cornelius might have statues of Roman gods in his house. Jewish people only worshipped one God, and weren't allowed to make pictures or statues of God.  But God had told Peter that it was ok to go, and so Peter went. When he got there, he found that God was already there, inspiring and helping Cornelius.  The story helps us to think about times when we might feel uncomfortable being with people who are different from us, and it reminds us that God loves everyone. There's a video of the story below. CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS Ascension Day is this Thursday. There will be a service of Holy Communion at 8pm in the Lady Chapel to mark this important time when we think of Jesus' Ascension into heaven.  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 are available here. 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 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.

Copyright © 2024 St Peter and St Paul, Seal, All rights reserved.

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

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