“Like a city whose walls are broken down is a person who lacks self-control.”

(Proverbs 25:28)

This week, the sections of the email are:

• Opening Reflection: Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control
• This Sunday: Livestream link
• Key notices: Prayer after Communion
• Coming Up: Midsummer Yard Sale and Open Day, Men’s Group Croquet, Dare to Pray Meeting, Wendy Fuller’s Thanksgiving Service, Friends of St. George’s Art Show, Vicarage BBQs
• Interesting Blogs: Class and Evangelicalism in Britain, Dyslexia: Superpower or Challenge to be Acknowledged
• Weekly Calendar
• Online Forms: Event application, Submit a notice, maintenance report, Safeguarding

Scroll on…

Opening Reflection

There is a lot of debate in the news at the moment about the level of funding needed to defend our country. Indeed, only last week, the Defence Secretary resigned, because he felt the government’s agreed increasing in funding was insufficient for the defence of the country. Defence matters, because without defence we risk losing control of our country to an agressor, like Vadimir Putin. Such an outcome would be catastrophic.

In Bible times, one of the most important forms of defence was the city wall. Citizens would spend lots of money to build a wall, to make sure they could defend themselves against hostile raiders, or hold out against invading armies, whilst they waited for their own army to turn up and rescue them. If the walls were broken down, then the city was left defenceless and in danger of losing control to any enemy who invaded.

The Proverb above says, that if we lack self-control, we are like a city without walls. We become defenceless – not from  external attack, but to our own destructive behaviours.

We need self-control to stop ruining our health, through lack of exercise, overeating, alcohol or drug abuse. It is also necessary to control what we say, so that we don’t blurt something out that makes us look stupid, gives away a secret or causes offence or hurt to those we love. At a more extreme level, if you are someone prone to bouts of anger, you need self-control to stop your anger flaring up when provoked so that you end up attacking someone violently.

In all these areas and more, self-control is a guard for our life. Without it all the other characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit become worthless. Join us this Sunday to find out more…

Paul Worledge

This Sunday

Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control (2 Peter 1:1-11)

This Sunday is the last on the Fruit of the Spirit series, when we wrap it up with self-control. This will also be a communion service and all the normal children’s groups will be running.

Key Notices:

Prayer after communion

We normally hold our monthly Communion Service on the third Sunday of the month at St. Luke’s. As part of this, we are offering the opportunity to pray with people after receiving communion. This can be prayer about an issue that is concerning you or in response to something God has being saying to you during the service. After communion, just go to the area just below the pulpit, where someone will be available to listen to what you want prayer for you and to pray with you.

Coming Up:

Midsummer Yard Sale and Open Day

10am-3pm, Saturday 20^th June, St. George’s Church. Encourage people to come along! If you can help with a tower or crypt tour on the day, then please let Paul know asap. You can now purchase tickets for the tours on the website.

Men’s Group – Croquet

On Tuesday 23^rd June, at 5:30 for 6pm, the men’s group are holding a Croquet Evening at the Croquet Club on the Ramsgate Royal Esplanade (near the boating pool). It is £10 each. Please let Bruce know asap if you would like to come (07708 682464, brucestokes@btinternet.com).

Dare to Pray, Prayer Meeting

Due to clashes on 20^th June, the Dare to Pray prayer meeting this month will be on Saturday 27^th June, 9:30-10:30am at St. George’s Church

Wendy Fuller’s Thanksgiving Service

Saturday 27^th June, 2:30pm at St. George’s. Everyone who knew Wendy is welcome to attend.

Friends of St. George’s Art Show

This will run from 10^th to 19^th July, 2-5pm, in St. George’s Church. If you want to enter a painting, drawings, prints or mixed media contact Elaine on e_hartnell@yahoo.com or Janet on 01843 852780.

Vicarage BBQs

These will take place on Saturdays 18^th and 25^th July, 5-8pm. Invitations to come.

Interesting Blogs to Share:

Class and Evangelicalism in Britain

In this more academic paper, Kirsten Birkett explores the topic of class as understood in Britain and why the evangelical church has not been great at reaching the working classes. Read more… (Long read)

Dyslexia: A Superpower or a Challenge to be Acknowledged

In this 6 minute read, Zoe Strong reflects on an interview with Tom Holland, the actor where he shares the challenges he faces because of his dyslexia. Read more…

Weekly Calendar

Sunday 21^st June – Third Sunday after Trinity

Family Service (St. Luke’s Church) 2 Peter 1:1-11 – 11:00am-12:00pm

Monday 22^nd          

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

Tuesday 23^rd           

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

Wednesday 24^th   

Gardening Group (St. Luke’s Church) – 10:30am-12:00pm

Thursday 25^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 26^th   

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

Saturday 27^th      

Dare to Pray Meeting (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:30am

Thanksgiving service for Wendy Fuller (St. George’s Church) – 2:30pm

Sunday 28^th – Fourth Sunday after Trinity

Family Service (St. Luke’s Church) Exodus 17:8-16 – 11:00am-12:00pm

Thanet-wide Prayer Gathering (United Church, Hardres Street) – 6.30pm

Life Groups

Will you dare to share the Christian life with others? Life groups are a great way to meet together regularly with a small group of other Christians, for mutual support, to share in reading God’s word and to pray for one another.

Please see Paul if you are interested in joining one. There are now more groups available! They meet at the following times:

• Monday evening (two groups)
• Tuesday afternoon
• Wednesday morning
• Wednesday evening
• Thursday morning

There is also a youth life group on a Sunday afternoon.

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

Our website is now updated with the latest information about Safeguarding and links to the Diocesan form for reporting concerns and accessing training.

Training

If you volunteer in anyway at church the national authorities you should take at least the Basic Module in safeguarding training once every three years. If you hold a role connected with vulnerable adults or children and young people, then you will also need to take the Foundation Module. Once you have completed your training, please forward that certificate to James, our administrator, (office@churchramsgate.org) so that we can keep records of who has done the training.

Finally, let’s ask for God’s help to keep control of ourselves.

Yours in Christ

Paul Worledge

(Vicar, St. Luke’s Ramsgate)