“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had
when you lived in ignorance.”
(1 Peter 1:14)
In the 1960s, there was a radical shift in our culture’s attitudes to sexual behaviour. This was a result of the introduction of the pill, a growing focus on individualism and a reaction against the more conservative attitudes of the post-war generations. Arguably this became a factor in the decline of Christianity, which was closely associated with the ethics of a more conservative past and so perceived as judgemental and restrictive when it came to sex. It is tempting, then as Christians to downplay or abandon the Christian teaching on sex, to be more attractive to our world.
The very first Christians were Jewish and came from a culture with very strong sexual morals, but soon people were becoming followers of Jesus who were not Jewish. It was agreed that such people did not need to take on all the Jewish laws and regulations. They could eat what they like and did not need to be circumcised. But what about sexual morality? Was that just a Jewish distinctive that did not really matter for Christians or was it more fundamental?
The New Testament witness is unanimous in declaring that sexual morality does matter. John the Baptist was beheaded for criticising Herod for stealing his brother’s wife. Jesus warned against lustful thoughts, was against easy divorce and listed sexual immorality along with other sins like theft, murder, greed and slander. Paul warns people to ‘flee from sexual immorality.’
Outside of Judaism and Christianity, sexual misbehaviour was rife and acceptable, but the teaching of the New Testament was that such attitudes were based on an ignorance of God’s design for our humanity. The early church grew, not by accepting the sexual attitudes of the day, nor condemning those who practiced them, but by offering forgiveness and cleansing in Christ and calling them to a better way to live, both morally and sexually, as those who belong to Christ.
Paul Worledge
Coming Sunday’s Service – 11am
This week is a Holy Communion service, with the normal prayer, praise and Bible teaching. There will be the normal children’s groups operating. The adult’s will be looking at Paul’s teaching on sexual morality in 1 Corinthians 6:9-20.
St. Luke’s Website
- What’s On – a page which lets you know what is happening this week and gives information about upcoming events.
- Notices – You can read the latest notices on this page.
- Sermons – Read a transcript of a recent sermon or watch the YouTube version recorded at St. Luke’s. You can also listen to the sermon through the podcast website castbox.
Weekly Calendar
Sunday 19th
Family Communion (St. Luke’s Church), Reading: 1 Cor. 6:9-20, 11:00am
TLO Concert (St. Luke’s Church) – 3:00-5:00pm
Monday 20th
Daily Prayer (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Study Group (South Eastern Road) – 7:30-9:30pm
Tuesday 21st
Daily Prayer (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Christ Church Toddlers @ St Luke’s (St. Luke’s Church Hall) – 9:30-11:30am
Study Group (Lyndhurst Road) – 2:30-4:00pm
Wednesday 22nd
Depression & Anxiety Self-Help Group (Perry Room) – 6:00-7:30pm
Thursday 23rd
Daily Prayer (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Cafe4All (St. Luke’s Church), Coffee and Chat for all – 10:00-11:30am.
Time4All (St. Luke’s Church) – 11:30-15:00.
Friday 24th
Play and Praise (St. Luke’s Church Hall) – 10:00-11:30am
Gather, Women’s Drop-In (St. Luke’s Church) – 12:30-2:30pm
Creative Group Singing Practice (St Luke’s Church) – 4:30-6:00pm
Saturday 25th
Daily Prayer (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Sunday 26th
Family Service (St. Luke’s Church), Reading:1 Cor. 7:1-17, 11:00am-12:00pm
The Event (TBC) – 6:00-8:00pm
Thanet Light Orchestra Concert – This Sunday!
Sunday 19th November, 3pm in St. Luke’s Church. Tickets £5 in advance. £10 on the door, available from Peter Erlam or online here. Music from Rossini, Bethhoven, Strauss and more. All proceeds in support of St. Luke’s. If you can help serve refreshments on the day, please let Fiona know.
Claire Coleman
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me, phoning me, sending encouraging cards, flowers, meals; eating with me and going out with me all to help me build up my energy again.
Christmas Decorations
We are planning to put our Christmas Decorations up in church from 11:30am on Thursday 30th. All offers or help are welcome!
Christmas Fair – Saturday 9th December
The Social Events team will be holding a Christmas Fair in St. Luke’s Church on Saturday 9th December from 10:30am to 2:30pm. Do come along, enjoy the fun and bring friends and family. Donations of Tombola items are welcome.
Christmas Unwrapped – Tuesday 12th December
As has become part of our annual pattern in association with ACTS, St. Luke’s will be welcoming Year 6 pupils from four local Primary Schools for an interactive explanation of the Christmas story. This year the event will take place on Tuesday 12th December in the church. If anyone can volunteer to help – especially with mince pie or biscuit making, then please let Paul know as soon as possible.
There are also now bookmarks available at the back of church, so you can pray for Christmas Unwrapped throughout Thanet.
Let there be Light – Sunday 26th November, St. George’s
After the Christmas lights have been switched on in Ramsgate Town Centre at 5pm, GB Carnival and their band Samba Ya Wantsum will lead the way from the town centre up to St George’s, where visitors will be welcomed to the church to warm up with hot drinks and mince pies.
The facade of the tower will be lit by James Brown AV and there will be a performance by Free Range Orchestra with animations by the students of University for the Creative Arts. Do come along and bring others for this exciting event. Find out more…
Community Meal Donation Box (now in church)
We rely on generous donations for our community meal to continue. We open our doors every Tuesday to everyone. Our aim is to serve the homeless, vulnerable, lonely, low-income families and the community. We provide a home-made 2 course meal, hot drinks, snacks and conversation. We have quizzes and live music most weeks, to create a communal atmosphere, which most of our guests don’t receive on a daily basis. Donations welcome!
ACTS: Cakes, Coffee, Craft and Art Exhibition
Saturday 18th November, 12-4pm, St. Peter’s Baptist Church.
Every penny raised will go to the continuing work of ACTS & Inspiration Creative, 2 Thanet charities supporting and working with local children & young people.
Check out: ACTS new Facebook Page.
Links to Share:
Why I am now a Christian
In this article, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a research fellow at Stanford University explains her journey from belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood, becoming an atheist to eventually turning to Christianity. Read more…
Nonverts
Nonverts is a word coined to describe those who were brought up in a religious tradition, but now consider themselves to be non-religious. In a series of blogs, Richard Beck summarises the book on the subject by Stephen Bullivant. Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.
Finally, let’s rejoice that Christ has brought us out of ignorance, to delight in a wonderful new life in him.
Yours in Christ
Paul Worledge
(Vicar, St. Luke’s Ramsgate)
St. Luke's Church Ramsgate 