“Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh is the sabbath to the LORD your God.”
(Deuteronomy 5:13-14a)
Many people today worry about work-life balance. How can you avoid work taking up so much of your time and energy that little is left for other important aspects of life? We recognise that work should not be allowed to dominate our lives, yet increasingly we live in a society where many people are being pushed into working longer hours than ever.
Not that more work means we achieve more. A 2014 study from Stanford University suggested that productivity plummets after working 50 hours a week, whilst other experts suggest 35 hours as the optimal work time before productivity begins to decline.
So, why do so many of us find ourselves working longer hours? Partly it is the belief that we need more money to live a better life. We end up committed to lifestyles and mortgages that demand we work enough hours to pay our way. When worries about having enough money are allowed to drive your life, then taking on excessive workloads tends to follow. Not that this is simply the result of individual decisions. We are all at the mercy of economic forces, that are in turn driven by cultural attitudes. These forces push people into taking on multiple jobs or longer hours just to avoid going into debt.
What is the solution? The Ten Commandments give one: guard one day in seven as a day, when no work is done. It is a rule not just for individuals, but for society. A command to prevent work dominating and enslaving people and giving them no time for the relationships that really matter: family, friends, church and most importantly God. Applying this in our society is not straightforward and should not be done legalistically, but it is a law given for our good, so let’s work to bring about a holy pattern of work and rest in our lives and our society.
Paul Worledge
Coming Sunday’s Service – 11am
This week our Sunday Service includes the normal groups for children and hymns, songs, prayers and Bible teaching. The subject this week is the 4th Commandment, keep the Sabbath.
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.
This Saturday
Churches Together Prayer Breakfast (Salvation Army) – 9:00-10:00am
Weekly Calendar
Sunday 8th October
Creative Group Singing Practice (St Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:30am
Family Service (St. Luke’s Church), Reading: Mark 2:23-38,
11:00am-12:00pm
Monday 9th
Daily Prayer (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Study Group (South Eastern Road) – 7:30-9:30pm
Tuesday 10th
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
Wednesday 11th
Study Group (South Eastern Road) – 7:30-9:30pm
Thursday 12th
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 13th
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 14th
Daily Prayer (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Sunday 15th
Creative Group Singing Practice (St Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:30am
Family Service (St. Luke’s Church), Reading: Ephesians 6:1-4,
11:00am-12:00pm
Nathan Court’s Funeral
A massive thank you to everyone who helped to make Nathan’s funeral last Tuesday, such a special occasion. The book of condolences is still on the table at the back of church, please do add a comment if you have not already done so.
Light Party – St. Luke’s Church, 31st October, 4:30-6:30pm
A great alternative to Halloween, for all ages. Food, fun and treats (no tricks). Fancy dress, please (but not scary). Children must be with an adult at the party. Please sign up on the sheet at the back of church, if you would like to come and on the separate sheet, if you can offer to bring some food to share on the night.
If anyone can offer to help usher on the day (you will need to arrive by 11:30am), then please let Paul know by Sunday.
Claire
As many of you know, Claire our curate is awaiting an operation at the end of October but has been struggling with ill health. In order to ensure that she is well enough for the operation, her doctor has advised that she be signed off work for the few weeks leading up to the operation as well as afterwards. This unfortunately means that Claire will not be around until the end of November at the earliest. Please do pray for Claire, for good health, patience and strength through this frustrating time for her.
Intercession for the Nations
YWAMs next open time of intercession is coming up soon, Friday 20th October, 7:15 for 7:30pm, at Tehilla House of Prayer, 45a Northdown Road, Cliftonville. Please come and stand with us in prayer for all the nations with blue and white flags. These nations include Argentina, Uruguay, Finland, Greece, Micronesia, San Marino, Israel, Somalia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua & Honduras. Please the attached invitation. We’ll be listening for the doorbell to let you in.
Destiny Africa Choir – Performances in Thanet
A few years ago, St. Luke’s hosted a children’s choir from Uganda. Unfortunately, we were not able to do that this year, but they are performing at two venues in Thanet (ring the venue to reserve a ticket):
Friday 20th October, 7pm, St. Andrew’s Reading Street, Broadstairs.
01843 609513.
Sunday 22nd October, 7pm, New Life Family Church, Margate.
01843 221259
Computer Desk at St. Luke’s
We have a small computer desk in church, that we do not need. If anyone has a good home, for it then please see Paul or Tonya and they can have it for free or a donation to the church.
Links to Share:
The Church as the answer to Poverty
Tearfund shares what their research showed them about the church as a cost-effective and transformational answer to poverty. Read more.
La Deuda (The Debt)
This touching short film (15 minutes), which is in Spanish and filmed in Mexico is based on the story of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35). Watch the video.
Finally, let’s make sure we guard a day of rest each week.
Yours in Christ
Paul Worledge
(Vicar, St. Luke’s Ramsgate)
St. Luke's Church Ramsgate 