St. Luke's Ramsgate - This Sunday...

This Sunday 15th November 2020 Online: YouTube (from 6am Sunday) Sadly, no services in church until December On Zoom : Sunday 11:30am until 1:00pm “ Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no-one will take away your joy.” (John 16:22) This week there has been hopeful news about an effective vaccine that may be available very soon. Life is going to continue to be tough for the next few months, but this offers us light at the end of the tunnel and the increased probability that life will return to normal by the summer. As Jesus prepared his disciples for his upcoming death on the cross, he said to them: "Now is your time of grief!" The next few days were going to be really hard for them as all their hopes and dreams invested in Jesus would appear to be dashed by his terrible execution. Yet, Jesus knew that something far better was coming: his resurrection. And he was already preparing his disciples for their role in the new reality of the resurrection hope that Jesus brings. As a church we know that our activities are going to continue to be severely limited over the next few months. Yet, we can and will continue to hold out Jesus's resurrection hope in a world worn down by the Pandemic. At the same time we need to prepare and plan for the post-covid world, so that we can make the most of the opportunities we have to share God's love and hope. To do that we need your help in the next couple of weeks. Today I have posted around 100 letters to all the households that are registered members of St. Luke's. There are up to three responses for each household to make, but please don't do anything until you receive the letter! Firstly, (I hope everyone can do this) please respond to let us know that you intend to continue being part of St. Luke's community. You can do this using the register or re-register form online or by returning your data form signed in the post. You can also use this to change or update the contact details we hold for you, but you need a unique number for your household to be able to do this - so please wait for the letter. Secondly, you can use this online form to let us know to what extent you are happy to be involved in our plans for 2021. This will really help us to prepare for restarting our activities next year. Thirdly, for those of you who indicated that you are happy to receive a letter about giving financially to the church, please look at the details and consider how much you may (or may not) be able to give to the church. Presently we estimate we need to raise an additional £20,000 by the end of the year to avoid being in debt. We also aim to raise our planned giving for 2021 so that we receive 75% of our nearly £80,000 annual budget from that. If you do not receive a letter in the next week or did not receive a letter about giving financially to the church and would like to, then please do get in touch and we'll try and make sure you receive one. Finally, please do be praying for us as a church, that we can make the most of all God has provided us with to serve him in the post-covid world. Remember, the Big Quiz is this Saturday - 7:30pm. Our Bible passage for this Sunday's service is: Revelation 2:1-11 We need some contibutions for this Sunday's online service urgently... please see below. Please read on... Prayer: Contribution for this Sunday's service and upcoming prayer morning. Care: Reminder about the Big Quiz on Saturday 14th November. Share: James Patterson reports on a Webinar he attended yesterday: Run the Race . Contribution for this Sunday - URGENT In recent weeks we have relied on videoing people after our Sunday services for our weekly opener. Unfortunately we cannot do that at present. However, it is encouraging to see a large number of different people on video at the start of the service. So we really hope you can respond by sending in a very short video of yourself. This week the response is very simple. I am going to say: "Jesus says, 'Do not be afraid...' and the response I want you to record yourself saying is: " I am the first and the last." Please send responses in by 10am tomorrow morning (Friday) via Whatsapp (07769 871520) or to [email protected] via wetransfer . We will be holding a prayer morning for St. Luke's next Saturday (21st November), 9am-1pm. This will be on Zoom and people will be able to attend for the whole time or for 30 minute slots. There will be a different focus during each 30 minute slot. Prayer Requests: Be assured I will do my best to check that people are happy for the requests to be shared before including them. Please pray for: For wisdom for the government as they plan the role out of any future vaccine and balance that with continuing necessary restrictions. For St. Luke's financial challenges that we will be able to end the year without any debt and with increased planned giving for 2021. Thanet Winter Shelter. Please pray for those planning how this can be run this winter with all the present restrictions. Barb - Gloria's daughter's friend as she continues chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer Evelyn (Audrey's sister), who has now moved into a care home that she will settle there happily and be well looked after. Trevor Kenney. Thanks that his hip operation went very well on Sunday and he is now home. Pray that he makes a good and full recovery. Those awaiting NHS treatment at this time that it won't be delayed. The Big Quiz - Saturday 14th November, 7:30pm It's this Saturday!! It should be great fun and I hope a welcome distraction and chance to connect with others at this difficult time. If you want to be part of a set team, then please let me know the team names by 5:00pm on Saturday. Otherwise just turn up by 7:30pm and we'll randomly allocate you to a team. Teams should be around 6 people big. Click here to link to the Zoom meeting. Zoom Meeting ID: 541 875 3952 Passcode: Matthew For more information, and the link where you can donate to Tearfund, then please check out St. Luke's Big Quiz Webpage . Last Week's Talk: Who's in charge? (Revelation 1:9-20) With leaders struggling to deal with Covid-19 and a long wait for the result of the US Presidential election result the question: ‘Who is in charge?’ looms large. Although, Revelation is hard to understand it presents Jesus as the one who is Lord of History and yet also intimately involved in the life of his church. This week a report from James Patterson on the Run the Race webinar he attended last night: On Wednesday 11th November, I was pleased to attend a free online event run by Care for the Family, called Run the Race. There were many insights and quite a few laughs along the way as well. I took some notes and wanted to share the main points of the session. Ultimately, the session was about perseverance in the face of our struggles. We're all unique, and therefore, all our challenges are different. The session opened with a challenge: A cycling race between two chaps. On their respective rides, they shared stories where they had suffered adversity and difficulty & what they did to get through them. Some of the ideas were around taking things a day at a time, living in the moment and leaving the worries of tomorrow until tomorrow. Knowing that you're not alone, things will improve and that we can take encouragement or inspiration from others. They interviewed Austin Hardwick who has written a book about his marathon running and the three strokes he has had. He was passionate about asking for help from others. One of the presenters had his own story about asking for help and he suggested that men typically try to deal with things on their own. We should be wise and seek help readily. After all, two is better than one. If one falls, the other can help him, but if one falls alone, there is no one to help. They went on to talk about living in the moment and hoping for the best in the future. Whether that's with children, work, or a hobby, it's foolish to spend too much time looking to the 'maybe' of the future when the present needs your attention. I really enjoyed the session and would recommend any future sessions. Here is an upcoming session from Care for the Family for mums... Mum's the Word - 7:30pm, 17th, 18th or 19th November We believe mums are kind of a big deal. After all, at any given point in the day (or night), you could be called on to be doctor, chef, referee, chauffeur, birthday party organiser, life coach, personal stylist, entertainer, dentist, crisis negotiator, laundry service … Talk about a CV! So we think you’ve earned yourself a night off! Grab yourself a drink of your choice and a nice big tub of ice cream, put your feet up and join Katharine Hill and Cathy Madavan for an evening of fun, encouragement and fresh inspiration. Remember the joy that comes from the resurrection hope that Jesus brings to our troubled world. Yours in Christ, Paul Worledge Vicar, St. Luke's Ramsgate www.stlukesramsgate.org ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

This Sunday

15th November 2020

Online: YouTube (from 6am Sunday)

Sadly, no services in church until December

On Zoom: Sunday 11:30am until 1:00pm

“Now is your time of grief,

but I will see you again and you will rejoice,

and no-one will take away your joy.” (John 16:22)

This week there has been hopeful news about an effective vaccine that may be available very soon. Life is going to continue to be tough for the next few months, but this offers us light at the end of the tunnel and the increased probability that life will return to normal by the summer.

As Jesus prepared his disciples for his upcoming death on the cross, he said to them: "Now is your time of grief!" The next few days were going to be really hard for them as all their hopes and dreams invested in Jesus would appear to be dashed by his terrible execution. Yet, Jesus knew that something far better was coming: his resurrection. And he was already preparing his disciples for their role in the new reality of the resurrection hope that Jesus brings.

As a church we know that our activities are going to continue to be severely limited over the next few months. Yet, we can and will continue to hold out Jesus's resurrection hope in a world worn down by the Pandemic. At the same time we need to prepare and plan for the post-covid world, so that we can make the most of the opportunities we have to share God's love and hope. To do that we need your help in the next couple of weeks.

Today I have posted around 100 letters to all the households that are registered members of St. Luke's. There are up to three responses for each household to make, but please don't do anything until you receive the letter!

Firstly, (I hope everyone can do this) please respond to let us know that you intend to continue being part of St. Luke's community. You can do this using the register or re-register form online or by returning your data form signed in the post. You can also use this to change or update the contact details we hold for you, but you need a unique number for your household to be able to do this - so please wait for the letter.

Secondly, you can use this online form to let us know to what extent you are happy to be involved in our plans for 2021. This will really help us to prepare for restarting our activities next year.

Thirdly, for those of you who indicated that you are happy to receive a letter about giving financially to the church, please look at the details and consider how much you may (or may not) be able to give to the church. Presently we estimate we need to raise an additional £20,000 by the end of the year to avoid being in debt. We also aim to raise our planned giving for 2021 so that we receive 75% of our nearly £80,000 annual budget from that.

If you do not receive a letter in the next week or did not receive a letter about giving financially to the church and would like to, then please do get in touch and we'll try and make sure you receive one.

Finally, please do be praying for us as a church, that we can make the most of all God has provided us with to serve him in the post-covid world.

Remember, the Big Quiz is this Saturday - 7:30pm.

Our Bible passage for this Sunday's service is: Revelation 2:1-11

We need some contibutions for this Sunday's online service urgently... please see below.

Please read on...

Prayer: Contribution for this Sunday's service and upcoming prayer morning.
Care: Reminder about the Big Quiz on Saturday 14th November.
Share: James Patterson reports on a Webinar he attended yesterday: Run the Race.

Contribution for this Sunday - URGENT

In recent weeks we have relied on videoing people after our Sunday services for our weekly opener. Unfortunately we cannot do that at present. However, it is encouraging to see a large number of different people on video at the start of the service. So we really hope you can respond by sending in a very short video of yourself.

This week the response is very simple. I am going to say: "Jesus says, 'Do not be afraid...' and the response I want you to record yourself saying is: "I am the first and the last."

Please send responses in by 10am tomorrow morning (Friday) via Whatsapp (07769 871520) or to [email protected] via wetransfer.

We will be holding a prayer morning for St. Luke's next Saturday (21st November), 9am-1pm. This will be on Zoom and people will be able to attend for the whole time or for 30 minute slots. There will be a different focus during each 30 minute slot.

Prayer Requests:

Be assured I will do my best to check that people are happy for the requests to be shared before including them. Please pray for:

For wisdom for the government as they plan the role out of any future vaccine and balance that with continuing necessary restrictions.
For St. Luke's financial challenges that we will be able to end the year without any debt and with increased planned giving for 2021.
Thanet Winter Shelter. Please pray for those planning how this can be run this winter with all the present restrictions.
Barb - Gloria's daughter's friend as she continues chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer
Evelyn (Audrey's sister), who has now moved into a care home that she will settle there happily and be well looked after.
Trevor Kenney. Thanks that his hip operation went very well on Sunday and he is now home. Pray that he makes a good and full recovery.
Those awaiting NHS treatment at this time that it won't be delayed.

The Big Quiz - Saturday 14th November, 7:30pm

It's this Saturday!! It should be great fun and I hope a welcome distraction and chance to connect with others at this difficult time.

If you want to be part of a set team, then please let me know the team names by 5:00pm on Saturday. Otherwise just turn up by 7:30pm and we'll randomly allocate you to a team. Teams should be around 6 people big.

Click here to link to the Zoom meeting.

Zoom Meeting ID: 541 875 3952
Passcode: Matthew

For more information, and the link where you can donate to Tearfund, then please check out St. Luke's Big Quiz Webpage.

Last Week's Talk: Who's in charge? (Revelation 1:9-20)

With leaders struggling to deal with Covid-19 and a long wait for the result of the US Presidential election result the question: ‘Who is in charge?’ looms large. Although, Revelation is hard to understand it presents Jesus as the one who is Lord of History and yet also intimately involved in the life of his church.

This week a report from James Patterson on the Run the Race webinar he attended last night:

On Wednesday 11th November, I was pleased to attend a free online event run by Care for the Family, called Run the Race. There were many insights and quite a few laughs along the way as well. I took some notes and wanted to share the main points of the session.

Ultimately, the session was about perseverance in the face of our struggles. We're all unique, and therefore, all our challenges are different.

The session opened with a challenge: A cycling race between two chaps. On their respective rides, they shared stories where they had suffered adversity and difficulty & what they did to get through them. Some of the ideas were around taking things a day at a time, living in the moment and leaving the worries of tomorrow until tomorrow.

Knowing that you're not alone, things will improve and that we can take encouragement or inspiration from others. They interviewed Austin Hardwick who has written a book about his marathon running and the three strokes he has had. He was passionate about asking for help from others. One of the presenters had his own story about asking for help and he suggested that men typically try to deal with things on their own. We should be wise and seek help readily. After all, two is better than one. If one falls, the other can help him, but if one falls alone, there is no one to help.

They went on to talk about living in the moment and hoping for the best in the future. Whether that's with children, work, or a hobby, it's foolish to spend too much time looking to the 'maybe' of the future when the present needs your attention.

I really enjoyed the session and would recommend any future sessions.

Here is an upcoming session from Care for the Family for mums...

Mum's the Word - 7:30pm, 17th, 18th or 19th November

We believe mums are kind of a big deal. After all, at any given point in the day (or night), you could be called on to be doctor, chef, referee, chauffeur, birthday party organiser, life coach, personal stylist, entertainer, dentist, crisis negotiator, laundry service … Talk about a CV!

So we think you’ve earned yourself a night off! Grab yourself a drink of your choice and a nice big tub of ice cream, put your feet up and join Katharine Hill and Cathy Madavan for an evening of fun, encouragement and fresh inspiration.

Remember the joy that comes from the resurrection hope that Jesus brings to our troubled world.

Yours in Christ,

Paul Worledge

Vicar, St. Luke's Ramsgate

www.stlukesramsgate.org