”For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
(1 Corinthians 11:26)
This week we had Year 6 pupils from three local schools take part in Easter Cracked, an interactive ninety-minute program that takes them through the events of the first Easter and explains why they matter. To help them grasp the story we break it down into six episodes: Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, the Last Supper, Jesus’ arrest, his beating, his crucifixion and his resurrection.
The Last Supper is an integral part of the story. It shows that Jesus knew what was about to happen to him and that he was going to the cross willingly and for a purpose. At the Last Supper Jesus explains that his death is for the forgiveness of our sins and to create a new covenant – a new relationship between us and God.
The Last Supper took place in the context of a Passover Meal. The Passover meal was an annual event for Jews to recall God’s rescue of Israel from Egypt. As they remembered this act of salvation in a meal, Jesus introduced a new meal to remember His great act of salvation through the cross. It is a meal that has been repeated by Christians for Millenia. We have different names: The Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, the Eucharist, the Mass, but at heart it is a meal that takes us back to the world-changing events of that first Easter.
Here is this week’s summary of the questions from the small groups:
- In what ways can we eat and drink the bread and wine unworthily?
- Why does Paul talk about judgement for doing so?
- How should we prepare to receive the Lord’s Supper ‘worthily’?
- Does it matter how often we receive the Lord’s Supper?
Paul Worledge
This Week’s Sunday Service – 11am
The Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:17-34)
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. The service is a normal Sunday Service with children’s groups, but the focus of the teaching is on the Lord’s Supper and what Paul has to say about it in 1 Corinthians.
Where are the Calendar and the Prayer Requests?
The Calendar is now at the end of this post. The Prayer Requests are only included in the email, they are not posted on the website.
Thank You: Easter Cracked
Thank you to everyone who helped the 80+ Year 6 students from local schools hear about the Easter Story and why it matters last Tuesday.
Easter Services
Easter is the main season of celebration at the heart of the Christian faith. Christ’s death for our sins and the defeat of death in his resurrection brings us peace and hope beyond measure. It is good to focus a fresh on these central truths at this time of year.
This year’s Easter Services include:
Maundy Thursday – 28th March
Holy Communion (St. Luke’s 12noon or St. George’s 6:30pm)
Good Friday – 29th March
The Easter Story (St. Luke’s, 10:30am) – an interactive telling of the events of Easter for families and small children. This year includes augmented reality!
Churches Together Service (Hardres Street, 10:30am)
Churches Together – Good Friday witness (Town Centre, 12 noon)
Prayer Stations (St. George’s, 12:45-1:30pm)
Good Friday Meditation (St. George’s, 1:30-3:00pm, 15 min. slots)
Easter Sunday – 31st March
All Age Holy Communion and Celebration (St. Luke’s, 11am)
Easter Sunday Evening Celebration (St. Luke’s, 6:30pm) – See below for more information
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.
Links to Share:
Loving those who are suffering
This article reflects how God can use our own suffering to equip us to better love those who are suffering. Read more…
How do we as Christians respond to the ‘Culture Wars’?
In this interview with theologian Microslav Volf, which you can read, watch or listen to, questions around how to respond to the polarised culture wars are addressed. Find out more…
Finally, let’s keep on remembering Jesus’s great sacrifice for us.
Yours in Christ
Paul Worledge
(Vicar, St. Luke’s Ramsgate)
Weekly Calendar
Sunday 24th March
Family Service (St. Luke’s Church), Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34,
11:00am-12:00pm
Monday 25th
Daily Prayer (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Study Group (Margate Road) – 7:15-9:30pm
Tuesday 26th
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 27th
Study Group (Langdale Avenue) – 10-12 noon
Study Group (South Eastern Road) – 7:30-9:30pm
Maundy Thursday 28th
Daily Prayer (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Cafe4All (St. Luke’s Church), Coffee and Chat for all – 10:00-11:30am.
Holy Communion (St Luke’s Church) – 12noon-1pm
Holy Communion (St. George’s Church) – 6:30-7:30pm
Good Friday 29th
The Easter Story (St Luke’s Church) – 10:30-11:30am
Prayer Stations (St. George’s Church) – 12:45-1:30pm
Good Friday Meditations (St. George’s Church) – 1:30-3:00pm
Saturday 30th
Daily Prayer (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Easter Sunday 31st
All Age Communion (St. Luke’s Church), Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11,
11:00am-12:00pm
Evening Celebration Service (St Luke’s Church) – 6:30-7:30pm
St. Luke's Church Ramsgate 