”They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.”
(Daniel 3:28b)
Sorry it’s late this week… but please do read our weekly email. In particular, there is a lot happening in the next couple of weeks in the lead up and preparation for Christmas, so do see if you can help!
There are many things in life we need to resist, gossiping, malicious speaking, violence, losing our temper, taking people for granted, being hard hearted, the list could go on and on.
In our third Daniel sermon, we look at how three Jewish men, exiled in Babylon, dared to resist idolatry. Taken from their homes as youths, with their God honouring names changed to fit the Babylonian idols, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had earned high-ranking positions of leadership within an alien city.
When they refused to worship to a golden statue, the King of Babylon was overtaken by a furious fit of rage, demanding that if they do not bow, they would be thrown into a fiery furnace. Yet, they knew the greatness of God. Rather than rationalising their worship of an idol to themselves, they remained faithful to the commandment.
The three act with respect and graciousness, not overcome with emotion, but overflowing with loyalty, peace and faithfulness to God. In stark contrast, the King had very little control over himself. His fit of rage led him to violence and so they were thrown into the blazing furnace, but God rescued them.
There will be many times that we will have to resist temptation, but just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, let’s resist the temptation to think God is less than he is, let’s resist the temptation to rationalise why we can turn from him. Let’s close the door on opportunities to deny our faith and walk forward faithfully towards our God, whatever the outcome, however hopeless or hopeful the circumstances may look.
Beth Keenan
This Week’s Sunday Service – 11am
This Sunday, we continue our series on Daniel with a look at the time, when Daniel’s friends resisted strong pressure to worship a golden statue. Join us for all the normal prayer, praise, Bible teaching and groups for children.
Christmas Publicity
We would love to deliver as many leaflets as we can around St. Luke’s, St. George’s and Christ Church parishes. Please pick a road, indicate it on the map, take a bundle of fliers and deliver to the road asap. You can also point people to our website for details of the Christmas Services.
Vision 2030
If you weren’t able to come on Monday night and missed the livestream, you can still watch it here. You can find the Vision 2030 document here. We are asking people to give us feedback on the vision using this simple and short online form by the end of the year. Then we will review the Vision and agree how to move forward at our PCC meetings in January.
Youth Hangout
Due to lack of take up after our launch in the autumn, we have decided to put this initiative on pause, with the hope of relaunching after Easter.
Christmas Tree Festival
St. George’s are once again putting on their Christmas Tree festival. We need a volunteer or volunteers from St. Luke’s to decorate a tree from our church. Please see Paul this Sunday.
Let There be Light, This Sunday 24th November from 5pm
This Sunday evening after the town light switch on, there will be a special event in St. George’s with light shows, refreshments and music (this year with more mainstream music). Please pick up a leaflet and come with friends.
Decorating the Church
Can you help decorate St. Luke’s ready for Christmas? We are planning to do so after Cafe4All on Thursday 28th November at 11:30am. Please join us on the day.
Christmas United Prayer Meeting, 1st December
Join together with Christians from all over Thanet as we come together for prayer in the lead up to Christmas. Sunday 1st December, 6:30pm-7:30pm, St. Philip’s Church, Northdown.
Christmas Unwrapped at St. Luke’s, 3rd December
In partnership with ACTS, we will be hosting Year 6 pupils from at least two schools on this date for a 90-minute session exploring the true meaning of Christmas. If you can help on the day with biscuit decorating, then please see Paul, asap.
Coastal Choir Concert, 6th December
Please come and support this evening of carols and Christmas music at St. Luke’s church 7:30pm on Friday 6th December. Tickets £7 all proceeds to Cheerful Sparrows Chairty. If anyone would be willing to help with refreshments and/or welcoming please see Brenda Clarke who will coordinate a team.
Links to Share:
With MPs due to debate the Assisted Dying Bill this week, here are a couple of articles about the subject.
Warnings about Assisted Dying Bill
MPs won’t have sufficient time to scrutinise assisted suicide legislation before it’s debated in the Commons, CARE has warned. Read Statement.
Why am I so terrified of Euthanasia?
Ian Stackhouse reflects on why he is so concerned about the idea of Euthanasia becoming legal. Read more…
Finally, let’s pray that we are able to dare resist pressures towards idolatry in our society.
Yours in Christ
Paul Worledge
(Vicar, St. Luke’s Ramsgate)
Weekly Calendar
Sunday 24th November – Christ the King
Creative Group Singing Practice (St Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:30am
Family Service (St. Luke’s Church), Daniel 3:13-30, 11:00am-12:00pm
Let There Be Light! (St George’s Church) – from 5pm
Monday 25th
Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Study Group (South Eastern Road) – 7:15-9:30pm
Tuesday 26th
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 27th
Study Group (Langdale Avenue) – 10-12 noon
Study Group (South Eastern Road) – 7:30-9:30pm
Thursday 28th
Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Cafe4All (St. Luke’s Church), Coffee and Chat for all – 10:00-11:30am
Church Decoration for Christmas (St. Luke’s Church) – 11:30am
Friday 29th
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 30th
Prayer Meeting (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Sunday 1st December – First Sunday of Advent
Creative Group Singing Practice (St Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:30am
Family Service (St. Luke’s Church), Daniel 7, 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 