^‘After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.’

(1 Kings 19:12)

This week we are looking at a time when Elijah, a prophet, falls into deep despair and depression. After the high of seeing God’s incredible power at work but then the low of Queen Jezebel threatening his life causing him to flee, it is fair to say he has hit rock bottom, spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. He tells God that he has had enough, not just of the situation but of life, and lays down to sleep under a broom tree.

The beauty of this story isn’t in Elijah’s sadness, though, but in the restoration, transformation and encouragement that God provides for Elijah. God helps Elijah through food, water, shelter, sleep, purpose and legacy. God is able to do all this for Elijah because he is a present God, who knows Elijah and the plans he has for him and comes alongside him in his difficulties. By the end of the passage Elijah is ready to continue on his journey and we see God work through him in more incredible ways.

From this passage we too can take hope in a God who cares for us and seek to help other in the ways God helped Elijah, with food, water, shelter, sleep, purpose and legacy all whilst being a present comfort to those around us. As we go ahead into this next week, let’s be looking out for where God has blessed us and ways in which we can bless others, and let’s call out in prayer, just as Elijah did, to tell God how we are struggling, and keep an ear open to hear if he gently whispers. 

Beth Keenan

This Sunday

God Speaks to Depression (1 Kings 19:1-15a)

This week is a baptism and All Age service. We are working to improve our offering for All Age services. So, Sparklers will be running this Sunday for pre-school children and there will be activities available in church for children as well. Do come and join the celebration and learn more about God’s help for Elijah.

Key Notices:

Dare to Pray – This Saturday, 9:30-10:30am, St. George’s Church

Please join us for our new monthly prayer meeting as we gather together to share how our vision is developing and pray for God to work. Our Vision 2030 covers a number of developments including re-organising administration and buildings, setting up new worshipping communities, celebrating our churches upcoming anniversaries and developing our youth work. You may not be certain about every aspect of the vision, but we would love you to join us to pray for God to work to bring about a truly flourishing church in Ramsgate. We will be meeting at St. George’s church on the third Saturday of each month form 9:30-10:30am. Will you dare to pray?

 

Planned Giving Review and Vision 2030 – Update

We are still working to see how much has been raised so far, but please 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. We are providing some spare planned giving letters at the back of church in case you have lost yours! Please also respond to the request to take part in one of our workstreams. So far, we have had just seven responses.

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 seven responses. To find out more and or show interest in volunteering for one of the Vision 2030 workstreams use this form.

Christianity Explored – Pilot Group

A group of us will be meeting on the next few Thursdays at 11am to trial an early version of the new Christianity explored course. If you would like to join us please speak to Paul.

Vicarage BBQs

We are planning to hold vicarage BBQs on 5^th and 26^th July, 5-8pm. Please grab your personal invite from the back of church and sign up to say on which date you are planning to come.

The Latest ACTS newsletter

Check it out using these links: page 1, page 2, page 3 .

Upcoming Events:

Beth’s Ordination as Priest, 28^th June, 2:30pm & 5pm

Beth will be being ordained as Priest at Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday 28^th 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 29^th 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 30^th 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.

If anyone would like to share memories of Jean at the funeral please speak to Paul.

Women’s Share and Care:

A few dates for your diaries:

• 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.

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 8^th June, 5^th and 12^th July, 9^th August and 13^th and 20^th 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.

Interesting Blogs to Share

Interview with Louise Perry

In this 15 minute video, Glen Scrivener has a fascinating interview with Louise Perry, who wrote The Case Against the Sexual Revolution. Louise says she is convinced that Christianity is ‘sociologically true,’ but is unsure about its supernatural truth. Watch 15 minute video.

Assisted Dying and Religious Objections

More on Assisted Dying. Nick Spencer argues that opposing interventions from believers on dishonesty grounds is a sinister development in public debate. Read more…

World Council of Churches on Israel and Iran

Read the World Council of Churches statement about Israel’s attack on Iran. Read more…

Finally, let’s keep coming to God for blessing in our despair and learn to bring blessing to others who are struggling too.

Yours in Christ

Paul Worledge

(Vicar, St. Luke’s Ramsgate)

Weekly Calendar

Sunday 22^nd – First Sunday after Trinity

Family Service (St. Luke’s Church), 1 Kings 19:1-15a, 11:00am-12:00pm

Monday 23^rd 

Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am

Tuesday 24^th    

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 25^th    

Study Group (Langdale Avenue) – 10:00-12:00 noon

Study Group (South Eastern Road) – 7:30-9:30pm

Thursday 26^th

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 27^th

Play and Praise (St. Luke’s Church Hall) – 10:00-11:30am

Saturday 28^th       

Prayer Meeting (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am

Beth’s Ordination as Priest (Canterbury Cathedral) – 2:30-4:30pm

Bring & Share BBQ (St. Luke’s Field) – 5:00-8:00pm

Sunday 29^th – Second Sunday after Trinity

Family Service (St. Luke’s Church), 1 Thes. 1:1-10, 11:00am-12:00pm

Thanet Light Orchestra Concert (St. Luke’s Church) – 3:00pm

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.