“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts;
and though all its parts are many, they form one body.
So it is with Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 12:12)
Throughout the letter of 1 Corinthians, Paul is challenging those in the church to think less of their own individual status, freedoms and preferences and more about how to act towards each other in love. In chapter 12, Paul talks about how that love is expressed through the use of spiritual gifts. The point of the gifts is not to distinguish spiritual from the non-spiritual members, but to equip all members to play a part in building others up. To make his point he compares the church to a human body – the body of Christ.
In a human body the various parts have different functions. The eye sees, the ear hears, the nose smells, the heart pumps blood and so on. A diversity of roles does not undermine unity, it creates it. Indeed, each body part is essential for the body to function properly. Every part is needed and valued.
So, in the church, there are a variety of members each with distinctive roles. Each one is needed, valued and equipped by the Spirit with a specific gift, which is to be used not for their own good, but for the good of the body as a whole.
As we reflect on this passage, we need to ask ourselves how we are enabling every church member to play their part in growing the church, the body of Christ. How can we help all Christians to be body builders.
This week’s questions from the groups will help us explore this theme:
- Is this an exhaustive list of all spiritual gifts?
- How do we discern who has what gift?
- How can we give room for the gifts to be expressed to build up the body?
- How do all matter equally (vs. 25), while some gifts are greater (vs. 31)?
Paul Worledge
This Week’s Sunday Service – 11am
The Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12)
This Sunday is a Holy Communion service with the normal groups for children and young people. We will be looking at 1 Corinthians 12 and how we make up the body of Christ together, using our spiritual gifts.
Where are the Calendar and the Prayer Requests?
We do not put the prayer requests on the website, but they are in the weekly church email. The calendar is now at the end of this email.
Urgent: Easter Cracked – Tuesday 19th March
We desperately need a few more volunteers to help with Easter Cracked this coming Tuesday.We are welcoming Year 6 pupils from three local schools to St. Luke’s for a 90-minute interactive session to explore the Easter story on Tuesday 19th March. If you can help with children making chocolate Easter nests or in other practical ways on the day, then please let Paul know this Sunday. We need people in the morning from about 9:30am until just after 12:00pm and in the afternoon from 1:00-3:00pm.
Easter Evening Service
What does it mean to be resurrection people? Join us on Easter Sunday evening 6:30pm in St Luke’s church for a celebration service. There will be a time of contemporary worship, space to reflect on what it means to be resurrection people and how that will impact our discernment in the year ahead. All ages welcome.
Request to complete a Questionnaire
A local A-Level student is wrinting an Extended Project Qualification on the question: Is it morally acceptable to be a Christian feminist? Their aim is to create an essay that looks at all points of view towards Christian feminists. Anyone can participate in this questionnaire.
The questions are based upon the meaning that feminism is the belief that women should be allowed the same rights, power, and opportunities as men and be treated in the same way.
She has asked that members of our churches anonymously complete the questionnaire to help with her essay. The questionnaire can be completed online. Complete Questionnaire.
Beetle Drive and Games
Friday 19th April, 7:00-9:00pm, St. George’s Church Hall
Tickets are £1, which includes snacks and a drink. They can be bought from Peter or Tonya.
Articles for Annual Report
Our annual meeting is on Sunday 12th May. If you have any articles for the annual report, then please send them to office@stlukesramsgate.org by Sunday 21st April.
From Babylon to New Jerusalem – Exploring the Book of Revelation
A few years ago, Robin Plant who is now minister of Newington Free church gave a series of excellent talks on the Book of Revelation. He is going to repeat these talks at Newington Free over four Tuesday evenings in April (9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th) from 7:30-9:00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, see the poster in church.
Depression and Anxiety Self-Help group
We meet this Wednesday, 20 March, from 6-7.30pm in the Perry Room at St Luke’s. Our theme will be Boundaries. All welcome. More details from: davidw.hawthorn1@sky.com.
Links to Share:
The Map and the Mountain
This 12 minute film takes you up and down a mountain, whilst also giving you a brief explanation of the Christian faith. A good video to share and perhaps discuss with non-Christian friends and family? Watch Video
Are smart phones ruining our children?
This article powerfully articulates the dangers of our society where almost every youngster has a smart phone. Read more.
Finally, let’s learn to love as God loved us.
Yours in Christ
Paul Worledge
(Vicar, St. Luke’s Ramsgate)
Weekly Calendar
Sunday 17th March
Family Service (St. Luke’s Church), Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-14,
11:00am-12:00pm
Monday 18th
Daily Prayer (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Study Group (Margate Road) – 7:15-9:30pm
Tuesday 19th
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
Easter Cracked (St Luke’s Church) – 9:30am-3:00pm
Study Group (Lyndhurst Road) – 2:30-4:00pm
Wednesday 20th
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 21st
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 22nd
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 23rd
Daily Prayer (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Sunday 24th
Family Service (St. Luke’s Church), Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34,
11:00am-12:00pm
St. Luke's Church Ramsgate 