Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
(Romans 12:12)
This Sunday is Trinity Sunday. Many Christians do not like to think too much about God as Trinity, because it feels impossible to understand how God can be one and yet three persons. This is part of the mystery of God and we should not be surprised that the nature of the Creator of the Universe is beyond our comprehension when we are still struggling to figure out his creation!
Yet, just because we cannot fully grasp something, does not mean we should not seek to understand as much as we can. If we truly love God, then surely we will want to know him better. And to know God better includes reflecting on his nature as Trinity.
It is particularly helpful to reflect on how we relate to God as Trinity. The Father is the source of all our blessings, the Son the one who works to bring them about and the Holy Spirit who applies them to our inner being. So, for example, we are joyful in hope because the Father loves us and has ordered things for our eternal salvation, because the Son has acted in history to deal with our sin on the cross and defeat death through his resurrection and because the Holy Spirit brings assurance to our hearts (Eph. 1:13-14).
Similarly we can be patient in afflictions. This is because we know that the Father is in control and ‘in all things … works for the good of those who love him” (Rom. 8:28). We also know that the Son understands our sufferings since he has faced them too by sharing in our human nature (Heb. 4:14-16) and because we know the Holy Spirit ‘helps us in our weakness … and intercedes for us through wordless groans.’ (Rom. 8:26).
In prayer, too we also relate to God as Trinity. We pray to the Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is not just an incomprehensible idea, it is fundamental to the way we relate to our God.
Paul Worledge
This Sunday
The Trinity at Work (Romans 5:1-5)
This week it is Trinity Sunday, and we will be looking at how the different persons of the Trinity work together to bring us hope. It will be a service of Holy Communion and the normal children’s groups will be running.
Key Notices:
Planned Giving Review and Vision 2030 – This Sunday!!
A big thank you to those who have taken the time to respond to our Planned Giving Review last Sunday. We have had 17 response forms so far but are hoping for around 50 responses. If you have not yet responded, even to say you cannot increase your giving, please send or give your response to Nicky Galer as soon as possible, so we can know how much money we have raised.
To start giving to St. Luke’s using the Parish Giving Scheme, click here.
Please also respond to the request to take part in one of our workstreams. So far, we have had just four responses. To find out more and or show interest in volunteering for one of the Vision 2030 workstreams use this form.
You can access an online version of the flier about the plans here.
Dare to Pray – New, Saturday 21st, 9:30am
Our vision to develop a flourishing church in the centre of Ramsgate will not happen without prayer. So, we are setting up a new monthly prayer meeting on the third Saturday of each month to feedback on and pray for our Vision.
Christianity Explored – Pilot Group
A new version of Christianity Explored is being prepared to be published next year. We have the opportunity to trial a draft version of the course, but we need to do it over the next few weeks. If you would like to join Paul in this, then please let Paul know by this Sunday. Ideal for those interested in learning more about the faith, or those who want to be involved in running courses in the future.
Vicarage BBQs
We are planning to hold vicarage BBQs on 5th and 26th July, 5-8pm. Please grab your personal invite from the back of church.
Upcoming Events:
Orchestra for Everywhere – 15th June, 7:30pm, St, George’s
An orchestra of professional musicians from around the world who have chosen to make Britain their home. They come from Syria, Iran, Hongkong, Palestine, Brazil, Africa, France and India, and some of them are refugees who had to leave their country. The orchestra plays music from their own cultures as well as new music that they have created and play together. Find out more and buy tickets…
Next Men’s group event – Lawn Bowls, 6:15pm, 18th June
See one of the fliers at back of church for more details or speak to Trevor Kenney: 07792 828097; trevorkenney1@gmail.com
Women’s Share and Care:
A few dates for your diaries:
- 18th June at Tina Gilham’s “what are you reading”. Bring a book and enjoy each other’s company over a cuppa and a biscuit. 10.30 to 12.00
- 4th July at Beth Keenan’s. Fun and games , nibbles and drinks. Bring and share. Evening.
- 12th July at Beth Patterson’s. Pimms and food in the garden. 6.30 to 8.30. Bring and share food and a garden chair if you have one.
Beth’s Ordination as Priest, 28th June, 2:30pm & 5pm
Beth will be being ordained as Priest at Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday 28th June at 2:30pm. People are welcome to come to the Cathedral to support Beth.
After the service we will have a celebratory Bring & Share BBQ in the church field at St. Luke’s from 5pm. Please use the sign-up sheets at the back of church to indicate: a. whether you will be attending (meat for BBQ will be provided); b whether you will bring food to share; c. whether you can help with the setting up or running of the event.
Thanet Light Orchestra Concert, Sunday 29th June, 3pm
Join Thanet Light Orchestra for an afternoon of Summer Music from musicals, opera and dance. Featuring a new composition by an Afghan refugee. Tickets are £10 on the door and £8 online, under 18s are free. Buy online tickets.If anyone can help with offering refreshments or welcoming people to the concert, then please let Paul know.
Jean Hann’s Funeral – St. Luke’s, Monday 30th June, 3pm
This will follow a committal at Thanet Crematorium at 2pm, to which people are also welcome to attend. If you would like to help with…
- Decorating the church with flowers, see Eve Knight
- Singing as part of a singing group, see Fiona Worledge
- Refreshments after the service, see Pauline Emptage
Donations at the funeral will be split between RNLI and The Theatre Shed, a theatre group for children of all abilities based in Chesham, that her grandchildren were a part of.
Vicarage BBQs
We are planning to hold vicarage BBQs on 5th and 26th July, 5-8pm. Please pick up your invite from the back of church.
Opportunities to Serve:
CAP Debt Centre Manager Job
Some local churches are sponsoring a new Thanet Christians Against Poverty Debt Centre and they are looking to hire a new Centre Manager. If you are interested check out this job description: Job Description
Can you help with tours of St. George’s tower and crypt?
Tours of St. George’s crypt and tower are proving very popular. If you can help as part of a team with these tours, then please contact Jemima Brown: regenerationofficer@stgeorgechurchramsgate.uk . The planned tours coming up are 11am to 3:30pm on Saturdays 8th June, 5th and 12th July, 9th August and 13th and 20th September.
Volunteers for the Community Meal
Can you join a superb team of helpers on some or all Tuesday afternoons and evenings to help serve the Community Meal at St. George’s Church Hall to 30 to 50 guests? The meal runs between 5:30-7pm, but volunteers need to be available from 5pm and if possible to help cook or set up earlier on Tuesday afternoon. If you are interested, then please see Tonya and Brenda.
Links to Share:
Week of Prayer for Refugees and Displaced People
Conflict, economic hardship and natural disasters (often caused by climate change) are forcing millions of people around the world to flee from their homes. But, as they go, God journeys with them. And we can walk alongside them by partnering in prayer. Find out more about the week of prayer with Tearfund.
Why don’t Suicide Prevention Groups speak out on Assisted Dying?
In this challenging article, James Gillies, questions why suicide prevention groups are not speaking out against a law which allows the encouragement of what is in effect, suicide. Read more… (5 minutes)
Finally, let’s keep relating to God as Trinity.
Yours in Christ
Paul Worledge
(Vicar, St. Luke’s Ramsgate)
Weekly Calendar
Sunday 15th – Trinity Sunday
Family Service (St. Luke’s Church), Romans 5:1-5, 11:00am-12:00pm
Monday 16th
Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Tuesday 17th
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 18th
Study Group (Langdale Avenue) – 10:00-12:00 noon
Men’s Group (Ramsgate Bowls Club, Western Esplanade) – 6.15pm
Study Group (South Eastern Road) – 7:30-9:30pm
Thursday 19th
Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Cafe4All (St. Luke’s Church), Coffee and Chat for all – 10:00-11:30am
Friday 20th
Play and Praise (St. Luke’s Church Hall) – 10:00-11:30am
Saturday 21st
Dare to Pray Meeting (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:30am
Sunday 22nd – Frist Sunday after Trinity
Family Service (St. Luke’s Church), 1 Kings 19:1-15a, 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 