For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to do it and to teach the statutes and ordinances in Israel
(Ezra 7:10)
Since we as churches are taking this year as one of discernment – a year where we want to ask God questions about our future purpose and activity – there will no doubt be opportunities to study God’s word, to meditate, to worship and to pray.
The above verse introduces us to the second wave of exile returnees under Ezra’s leadership. He was a man who was a lived example of someone studying God’s word and living it out, having his behaviour shaped by what he read and sharing that with others.
Ezra rebuilt the community returned from exile by teaching again from the Law – by reminding them of the prophets and of God’s call on their lives to be holy because He is holy. God set standards for his people that were different to the world about them, and Ezra reminds them again that their responsibility is to obey.
We encourage daily reading of the scriptures on our own, as well as in hearing God’s word preached, so that we are more familiar with God’s ways of acting in his world, his plan and purpose for his people, the fulfilment of promises made and those to come, and how we can follow his ways for the flourishing of ourselves and our whole society.
There are many ‘How to’ books out there – the bible isn’t merely an ancient ‘how to’ book – it’s how our living God speaks to us. It isn’t just another book that can change our lives – it’s a book that gives us access to the living God and through obedience to what we read, our lives and that of society can be transformed. So, let’s keep encouraging each other to read, reflect on (meditate), study and discuss God’s word and not be surprised when we see change.
Claire Coleman
This Week’s Sunday Service – 11am
‘Study and Obey’ (Ezra 7:8-10; 9:1-15)
This Sunday, we have the normal children’s and youth groups and Claire continues her series on Ezra-Nehemiah. This talk is called, ‘Study and Obey’ (Ezra 7:8-10; 9:1-15).
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 14th January
Family Service (St. Luke’s Church), Reading: Ezra 7:8-10; 9:1-15,
11:00am-12:00pm
Monday 15th
Daily Prayer (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Tuesday 16th
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 17th
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 18th
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 19th
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 20th
Daily Prayer (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Sunday 21st
Family Communion Service (St. Luke’s Church), Reading: Nehemiah 1,
11:00am-12:00pm
What should we be asking God?
We are making 2024 a year of Discernment for our churches, where we are seeking to find out where God wants to lead us in the coming years. As a first step in this process, we want to gather questions that we think we should be asking God. We are opening this up to the whole congregation and others. So, please pray and consider submitting a question via our online form. If you cannot use an online form, then please write it down and hand it to Paul, Claire or James.
Hope Explored – January 2024
As a follow up to our Christmas services we are running a short three session course this month called, Hope Explored. This is a great opportunity for people interested in discovering how Christianity can offer hope, peace and purpose in our world. Groups are starting this coming week. If you have not yet signed up, but are interested, then please see Paul on Sunday.
Ventures for Young People
If you know of any young people looking for a fantastic holiday, where they can also make friends with Christians from around the country and learn more about the Christian faith, then we would recommend CPAS Ventures: https://www.ventures.org.uk/schoolventures/churches or see the brochures at the back of church.
Love is all you need – Community Meal Fundraising Concert
This concert at St. George’s church on Friday 9th February at 7:30pm is to raise money for the running of the Community Meal at St. George’s Hall on Tuesdays. Tickets are £8 in advance and now available online or £10 on the door.
Pancake Party
Pancaked, fun and games on Tuesday 13th February, 4:00-6:00pm, St. Luke’s Church, organised by the St. Luke’s and St. George’s social committee. Please bring your own frying pan!
Vacancy: Hoverers
We are looking for more people who can offer to be on a rota to hover the church after the Sunday Service. Interested? Please let Paul know.
The Depression and Anxiety Self-Help Group
The Depression & Anxiety Self-Help Group meets from 6-7.30pm this Wed, 17 Jan, in the Perry Room in the church hall (just follow the signs). Our theme will be Rumination and everyone is welcome. For more details contact David (davidw.hawthorn1@sky.com, 07881 582800) or Pauline (p.emptage@sky.com).
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.
Links to Share:
One Life’s Relevance for Today
Last Sunday Peter W-B spoke at St. Luke’s about watching the film, ‘One Life’ and its personal relevance to him. Here is another article about the film by Krish Kandiah, who is deeply involved in welcoming Ukrainian refugees to the UK. Read more…
What do you make of Esther Rantzen?
Over the Christmas and New Year period, Esther Rantzen was in the new promoting assisted dying. In this article, Michael Wenham, who is suffering from the degenerative condition of Motor Neurone Disease explains why he thinks legalising assisted dying is not the right approach. Read more…
Finally, let’s keep studying God’s word to know him better and live as he calls us.
Yours in Christ
Paul Worledge
(Vicar, St. Luke’s Ramsgate)
St. Luke's Church Ramsgate 