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

This Sunday 27th September 2020 Online: YouTube (from 6am Sunday) In-Person: Sunday 9:30am and 11:00am On Zoom : Sunday 11:30am or 12:30pm "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) As the nights get longer and the news seems to become bleaker, I wonder how you respond? When personal circumstances are hard (as I know they are for many of our congregation) how do you respond? I recently read a piece by Eddie Lyle, President of Open Doors UK ( Dancing with uncertainty: Lessons from the persecuted church in Healthy Faith and the Coronavirus Crisis: Thriving in the Covid-19 Pandemic ). In it he describes his time with Hea Woo, a Christian survivor of a North Korean prison camp, whilst she was on a speaking tour in the UK. She had spent five years in the camp. It was a life of hard labour, isolation and brutality. She had also lived through times of terrible famine in North Korea and her husband had died in the same camp from malnutrition and torture. In other words her experiences were far worse than anything we might experience during the Coronavirus Crisis! Eddie noticed something odd about the way Hea behaved. She would take a photo of every meal she had. Then during the car journeys she would scroll through those pictures on her phone. Having experienced such suffering and hunger, she was immensely grateful for every meal she received. When Eddie said goodbye to Hea, he asked her if she had a word from God for him. Her response was simple: "Dear Eddie - cultivate an attitude of gratitude." That is just what Paul told the Thessalonians, who were also facing persecution and suffering (see above - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). As together we face the difficulties brought about by the coronavirus, alongside our own personal struggles, let's respond not with despair, anger or frustration, but with gratitude: for the many good things we have despite the problems, for the things that we miss now because of Coronavirus, but have enjoyed in the past and may well enjoy again in the future and for the lessons God is teaching us through these difficult times. And as a church let's come together for our Annual Meeting next Thursday and Harvest the following Sunday. And let's do so with a real attitude of gratitude for all that God has done and is doing amongst us and all that he is teaching us now. Annual Report for 2019 Nominate People for PCC / Deanery Synod Reps / Church Warden Join us next Thursday, 7:30pm, in Church or live on Zoom Please read on... Prayer: Video clips to send in for our Harvest Service... Care: Information about our Harvest Appeal... Share: Local and National Events offering support through life's struggles... Video Clips for Harvest Service: Sunday 4th October will be our Harvest Service. This is a great opportunity to develop an attitude of gratitude for the basic things we have in life and rely on. So, to help our service have that feel I would love to include some short video clips recorded by children and adults, which either say: I thank you God for my favourite food , which is... I thank you God for one of the key workers who help to ensure I have food on my plate... (this could be farmers, lorry workers, food processing plant workers, shop workers... etc.) Please keep them short (10-30 seconds is ideal) so that we can include as many as possible. I need to have the videos by the morning of Friday 2nd October . Please send them either by Whatsapp: 07769 871520 or WeTransfer to [email protected]. 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 a fruitful and positive engagement at our Annual Meeting and for the right people to be elected to the different posts. For a good response to our Harvest Appeals next Sunday. Students as they settle into university. Evelyn (Audrey's sister) that she will be able to move from hospital into a care home and will settle in there happily. Lizzie (a friend of Willow Whybrow and Barbara Kail) recently diagnosed with cancer and having an operation soon. Hazel Kenney's family after the death of her dad. Beth Patterson and family after the death of her mum. June Warren and family after the death of Gordon Warren. Those struggling with deteriorating joints, especially those who are having to wait longer than normal because of the present crisis. Each year we have Harvest Appeals to support those in need. As in the last few years there is an appeal for non-perishable food stuffs to support a local food bank and a financial appeal to support the needs of those struggling abroad. Our financial appeal this year is to support Tearfund's Coronavirus response : Millions do not have access to healthcare. Vital medical supplies are scarce. And for many families, being in lockdown means they are no longer able to earn money to feed their children. In places where malnutrition is already a problem, even more people face starvation. Some of the most vulnerable people – refugees and families who have fled violence – now face a new deadly threat. Many are living in crowded camps with little access to clean water or basic items like soap to protect themselves against the virus. £54 could provide 18 families with a month’s supply of life-saving essentials such as soap and disinfectant £82 could provide health training and food support to five families over three months We will outline how you can donate to this cause in next week's email. Below is a video about the work of Tearfund in Afghanistan on what is happening there and how they are responding: Last Week's Talk: Lost Sibling (Matthew 18:15-20) available as a video, podcast or transcript. Local and National Events offering support through life's struggles... Care for the Family Online Events: Raising Faith , Viewing Dates: 6th, 7th, 8th October, 7:30pm - In this event, Katharine and Andy will share ideas to help you explore your children's questions, encourage them to be connected in church community and inspire them to discover God in the everyday. These moments can be foundations they build on for years to come. Mum's the Word! Viewing Dates: 17th, 18th, 19th November , 7:30pm. You, mum, are a true hero! Come have a night off with this special event celebrating motherhood. Katherine and Cathy will talk about filling your emotional tank, instilling values in your children that will last a lifetime and the danger of comparison. You'll come away feeling refreshed and encouraged - you're in for a real treat! Run the Race Viewing Dates: 10th, 11th, 12th November , 7:30pm. Rob explores the realities of what perseverance looks like for men today. He does so from the comfort of our studio... while Mark and Gerritt face each other in a literal bike race, filled with obstacles and challenges. For other Care for the Family online events click here . Saying Goodbye Service - Canterbury Cathedral, 4pm 10th October This service is for anyone who has either personally lost a baby at any stage of pregnancy, at birth or in early years, or who has been affected by a family members or friends' loss. Whether the loss was recent or 80 years ago, everyone is welcome to attend. We have also extended the services, and gladly welcome anyone who is grieving the fact that they haven't had children. This may be due to circumstance, infertility or for other reasons - but all are welcome. Babies and children are also invited to come with their family, as the Saying Goodbye service is truly a family event for all. You can book a place here . Do keep giving thanks to God in all circumstances! Yours in Christ, Paul Worledge Vicar, St. Luke's Ramsgate www.stlukesramsgate.org ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

This Sunday

27th September 2020

Online: YouTube (from 6am Sunday)

In-Person: Sunday 9:30am and 11:00am

On Zoom: Sunday 11:30am or 12:30pm

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

As the nights get longer and the news seems to become bleaker, I wonder how you respond? When personal circumstances are hard (as I know they are for many of our congregation) how do you respond?

I recently read a piece by Eddie Lyle, President of Open Doors UK (Dancing with uncertainty: Lessons from the persecuted church in Healthy Faith and the Coronavirus Crisis: Thriving in the Covid-19 Pandemic). In it he describes his time with Hea Woo, a Christian survivor of a North Korean prison camp, whilst she was on a speaking tour in the UK. She had spent five years in the camp. It was a life of hard labour, isolation and brutality. She had also lived through times of terrible famine in North Korea and her husband had died in the same camp from malnutrition and torture. In other words her experiences were far worse than anything we might experience during the Coronavirus Crisis!

Eddie noticed something odd about the way Hea behaved. She would take a photo of every meal she had. Then during the car journeys she would scroll through those pictures on her phone. Having experienced such suffering and hunger, she was immensely grateful for every meal she received.

When Eddie said goodbye to Hea, he asked her if she had a word from God for him. Her response was simple:

"Dear Eddie - cultivate an attitude of gratitude."

That is just what Paul told the Thessalonians, who were also facing persecution and suffering (see above - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). As together we face the difficulties brought about by the coronavirus, alongside our own personal struggles, let's respond not with despair, anger or frustration, but with gratitude: for the many good things we have despite the problems, for the things that we miss now because of Coronavirus, but have enjoyed in the past and may well enjoy again in the future and for the lessons God is teaching us through these difficult times.

And as a church let's come together for our Annual Meeting next Thursday and Harvest the following Sunday. And let's do so with a real attitude of gratitude for all that God has done and is doing amongst us and all that he is teaching us now.

Annual Report for 2019

Nominate People for PCC / Deanery Synod Reps / Church Warden

Join us next Thursday, 7:30pm, in Church or live on Zoom

Please read on...

Prayer: Video clips to send in for our Harvest Service...
Care: Information about our Harvest Appeal...
Share: Local and National Events offering support through life's struggles...

Video Clips for Harvest Service:

Sunday 4th October will be our Harvest Service. This is a great opportunity to develop an attitude of gratitude for the basic things we have in life and rely on. So, to help our service have that feel I would love to include some short video clips recorded by children and adults, which either say:

I thank you God for my favourite food, which is...
I thank you God for one of the key workers who help to ensure I have food on my plate... (this could be farmers, lorry workers, food processing plant workers, shop workers... etc.)

Please keep them short (10-30 seconds is ideal) so that we can include as many as possible.

I need to have the videos by the morning of Friday 2nd October. Please send them either by Whatsapp: 07769 871520 or WeTransfer to [email protected].

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 a fruitful and positive engagement at our Annual Meeting and for the right people to be elected to the different posts.
For a good response to our Harvest Appeals next Sunday.
Students as they settle into university.
Evelyn (Audrey's sister) that she will be able to move from hospital into a care home and will settle in there happily.
Lizzie (a friend of Willow Whybrow and Barbara Kail) recently diagnosed with cancer and having an operation soon.
Hazel Kenney's family after the death of her dad.
Beth Patterson and family after the death of her mum.
June Warren and family after the death of Gordon Warren.
Those struggling with deteriorating joints, especially those who are having to wait longer than normal because of the present crisis.

Each year we have Harvest Appeals to support those in need. As in the last few years there is an appeal for non-perishable food stuffs to support a local food bank and a financial appeal to support the needs of those struggling abroad.

Our financial appeal this year is to support Tearfund's Coronavirus response:

Millions do not have access to healthcare. Vital medical supplies are scarce. And for many families, being in lockdown means they are no longer able to earn money to feed their children. In places where malnutrition is already a problem, even more people face starvation.

Some of the most vulnerable people – refugees and families who have fled violence – now face a new deadly threat. Many are living in crowded camps with little access to clean water or basic items like soap to protect themselves against the virus.

£54 could provide 18 families with a month’s supply of life-saving essentials such as soap and disinfectant
£82 could provide health training and food support to five families over three months

We will outline how you can donate to this cause in next week's email.

Below is a video about the work of Tearfund in Afghanistan on what is happening there and how they are responding:

Last Week's Talk: Lost Sibling (Matthew 18:15-20) available as a video, podcast or transcript.

Local and National Events offering support through life's struggles...

Care for the Family Online Events:

Raising Faith, Viewing Dates: 6th, 7th, 8th October, 7:30pm - In this event, Katharine and Andy will share ideas to help you explore your children's questions, encourage them to be connected in church community and inspire them to discover God in the everyday. These moments can be foundations they build on for years to come.
Mum's the Word! Viewing Dates: 17th, 18th, 19th November, 7:30pm. You, mum, are a true hero! Come have a night off with this special event celebrating motherhood. Katherine and Cathy will talk about filling your emotional tank, instilling values in your children that will last a lifetime and the danger of comparison. You'll come away feeling refreshed and encouraged - you're in for a real treat!
Run the Race Viewing Dates: 10th, 11th, 12th November, 7:30pm. Rob explores the realities of what perseverance looks like for men today. He does so from the comfort of our studio... while Mark and Gerritt face each other in a literal bike race, filled with obstacles and challenges.

For other Care for the Family online events click here.

Saying Goodbye Service - Canterbury Cathedral, 4pm 10th October

This service is for anyone who has either personally lost a baby at any stage of pregnancy, at birth or in early years, or who has been affected by a family members or friends' loss. Whether the loss was recent or 80 years ago, everyone is welcome to attend. We have also extended the services, and gladly welcome anyone who is grieving the fact that they haven't had children. This may be due to circumstance, infertility or for other reasons - but all are welcome. Babies and children are also invited to come with their family, as the Saying Goodbye service is truly a family event for all. You can book a place here.

Do keep giving thanks to God in all circumstances!

Yours in Christ,

Paul Worledge

Vicar, St. Luke's Ramsgate

www.stlukesramsgate.org