‘But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’
(Matthew 6:33)
A bit later than normal this week, but please read on for details of our Harvest Sunday service this Sunday.
I wonder what memories you have of ‘Harvest’ from years gone by? Is it primary school songs such as ‘Cauliflowers Fluffy and Cabbages Green’, picking out tins of food with a loved one to carry to church, working in the fields in all weathers to bring in muddy potatoes, or receiving a much-needed donation of cupboard staples?
Each of us has varying and different relationships with food and we have probably engaged with harvest festivals in many different ways. Whilst technology and agricultural advances have changed drastically over the years, one aspect of our relationship with food doesn’t seem to have diminished, and that’s the worry surrounding it. With the cost-of-living crisis, climate change and ever-evolving ethical stances on the manufacture of our food, the ‘do not worry about what you eat’ statement from Jesus is still as true today as it ever has been.
Jesus’s words at the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:25-34 tell us not to worry about what we will eat, or wear, not because believing in Jesus means an endless supply of material possessions, but because he wants us to trust God the Father to supply us with what we need, knowing he is a good Father who values his children so greatly, even if we don’t know where the next meal is coming from.
In this time of harvest, we are first reminded to seek the Kingdom, trusting in God completely. Then, we are called to BE the Kingdom to others around us, showing hospitality, love, and mercy in the face of scarcity, anxiety, or fear. As Jesus said, can any one of you, by worrying, add a single hour to your life? Instead, let’s trust in God’s provision and show love to those around us.
Beth Keenan
This Week’s Harvest Sunday Service – 11am
This week is our Harvest Service. It will be an All Age service and will include both a collection of food for the Salvation Army food bank and money to support those suffering in Gaza through the work of Tear Fund. Find out more…
Harvest Sunday – 29th September
We will be collecting money for our Tearfund Gaza appeal and non-perishable food for the Salvation Army food bank.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the wider region is worsening, with over 2 million people displaced and facing severe food insecurity. Tearfund is urgently responding to people’s needs by working with local churches and partners in the Middle East. We will be collecting donations to give towards their Middle Eastern Appeal.
- £24 could equip one church leader to lead lasting transformation in their community.
- £48 could help train two Transforming Communities facilitators.
- £160 could help a local church engage with the wider community, reaching as many people as possible.
We will also be taking a collection of non-perishable food items to donate to the Salvation Army’s food bank on Ramsgate High Street. The Salvation Army food banks distribute essential food supplies, and as a result of the cost-of-living crisis, have seen a dramatic rise in need.
Please consider what you could give or bring in for collection and pray for the great work these charities are doing in God’s name.
New: After School Club – St. Luke’s, Thursdays 3-5pm
A while ago we mentioned about the vision of an after school club. A group of us have meet a few times to discuss the issues of running the club and praying for guidance.
We will be opening our doors this coming Thursday 3rd of October to all Year 7 and above so let your friends know and encourage the youngsters to pop in any time. We want to provide a safe place off the streets for our kids to feel a sense of belonging and a place with fun activities good company and great food.
Prayer Breakfast – Saturday 5th October, 9-10am
St. George’s will be hosting the churches together prayer breakfast at St. Luke’s Hall (St. George’s Hall is unavailable). Any volunteers to help are welcome (please see Paul), but please do also plan to come, meet up with others from local churches and pray!
Pie Factory Concert at St. George’s
Pie Factory Music and St George’s are teaming up for a gala fundraiser on Friday 4th October in St George’s Church. There will be a pay bar, with doors opening from 7.00pm. Tickets £10 available through the St. George’s website. Find out more…
Kent Womens’ Convention, 5th October, Sevenoaks.
A day of encouragement from scripture, worship and prayer just for the ladies. See Brenda Clarke for more information or click here.
Upcoming Baby Loss Support Service
On the 12th October at 11.30am, in Canterbury Cathedral, Mariposa Trust will be hosting one of their Saying Goodbye Services. This 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 family members’ or friends’ loss. Whether the loss was recent or 80 years ago, everyone is welcome to attend.
Active Christianity in Thanet Schools
It’s been quite a start to the new academic year for ACTS, with both Abi & Charlotte starting their new roles and myself (Rhodri) having the Project Manager role. It really is an exciting time and so we wanted to make sure that we continue to cover it all in prayer.
In the meantime, I asked Abi & Charlotte how things are going & here’s what they said:
Abi (Primary Schools-Work Facilitator):
The first few weeks in my role as Primary Schools Facilitator have been busy and varied. I have spent a lot of time reaching out and getting to know local ministers, headteachers and RE coordinators. It has been wonderful to witness God opening doors to schools we have had little contact with before. It has also been encouraging that so many schools already know the work of ACTS and are keen to book events with us and invite us into their spaces. We already have six schools booked for our Christmas workshops and three schools who have signed up to us running after school clubs. Please pray for more of this. That schools will be open to us working with them and churches too will be united with us in spreading the gospel to every child in Thanet.
Charlotte (Volunteer Co-Ordinator):
I’ve started to build links and relationships with lots of different people in different churches. Telling people about ACTS and how they can get involved. We already have a few new volunteers! The plan is to develop a new volunteer program and database, that supports and values volunteers. Connect with churches and people to help raise funds for ACTS to enable us to share the Good News to more children.
Links to Share:
This week one post about the void in our present culture and another is an insight into what the euthanasia laws in Canada mean in practice.
Legends of the Fall
This is a long thoughtful article, reflecting on where our culture is at spiritually. Read the article…
A Glimpse of Assisted Dying
As there is an increasing clamour to legalise assisted dying in the UK, this article describes the experience of someone choosing this route in Canada. Read more…
Finally, let’s seek first God’s kingdom.
Yours in Christ
Paul Worledge
(Vicar, St. Luke’s Ramsgate)
Weekly Calendar
Sunday 29th – Harvest Sunday
Creative Group Singing Practice (St Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:30am
All Age Service (St. Luke’s Church), Matthew 6:25-33, 11:00am-12:00pm
Monday 30th
Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Study Group (South Eastern Road) – 7:15-9:30pm
Tuesday 1st October
Prayer Meeting (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 2nd
Study Group (Langdale Avenue) – 10-12 noon
Depression & Anxiety Self-Help Group (Perry Room) – 6:00-7:30pm
Study Group (South Eastern Road) – 7:30-9:30pm
Thursday 3rd
Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Cafe4All (St. Luke’s Church), Coffee and Chat for all – 10:00-11:30am
Friday 4th
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
Saturday 5th
Churches Together Prayer Breakfast (St. Luke’s Hall) – 9:00-10:00am
Womens’ Convention (St. Nic’s Church, Sevenoaks) – All day
Sunday 6th – The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity
Creative Group Singing Practice (St Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:30am
Family Service (St. Luke’s Church), Jeremiah 31:27-34, 11:00am-12:00pm
Online Forms
Under the ‘Contact’ tab on the website, there are now three forms that you can use to help us in managing the church:
- Events Application Form. Use this if you are organising a church event that needs a church room booked, advertising or ticketing.
- Submit a Notice. Use this if you want to ask us to include a prayer request or other notice in the church notice sheet or email.
- Maintenance Reporting Form.Use this to report any non-urgent issues with our buildings or grounds.
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.
Safeguarding Training
If you volunteer in anyway at church the national authorities are strongly encouraging you to take at least the Basic Module in safeguarding training once every three years.
If you have not completed the training in the last three years, then the module can be completed online and takes about ninety minutes. You can access the training by following this link. You will need to first register, to access the training. Once the training is completed, you will be sent a certificate. Please forward that certificate to James (office@stlukesramsgate.org), so that we can keep records of who has done the training.
St. Luke's Church Ramsgate 
