“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
This week, the sections of the email are:
- Opening Reflection: Grace
- This Sunday: The Parable of the Vineyard Workers (Matthew 20:1-16)
- Key notices: Harvest Sunday, Union of St. Luke’s and St. George’s Parishes, Caroline and Dick Seed latest, Anni-verse-ries
- Coming Up:Dare to Pray, Macmillan Coffee Morning, History of St. Luke’s Talk, Baroque Recital, Kent Women’s Convention, Barn Dance
- Interesting Blogs: The Psalms in Aramaic, A Decade of Eco Church
- Weekly Calendar
- Online Forms: Event application, Submit a notice, maintenance report, Safeguarding
Scroll on…
Opening Reflection
Grace is outrageous. How is it that the thief on the cross next to Jesus is promised a place in Paradise? Why should someone who has lived a lifetime of criminal behaviour receive the same ultimate reward as someone who dedicates their life to living for Jesus from childhood to old age? Does all that commitment and work for God mean nothing?
In the verses quoted above, Paul stresses that our salvation is through grace and not by works. It is given freely to us even though we do not deserve it and is not at all dependent on the good or religious work we might do in life.
Yet, Paul also gives a reason for this: “…so that no-one can boast.” Perhaps this is what makes grace seem outrageous. It undermines my sense of pride or self-accomplishment and denies me the right to think that I am better than others.
This is good. Rather than becoming proud about our salvation, we develop an attitude of gratitude. We do not boast in our own efforts, but we praise God for his generosity.
What grace does not do is discourage good works. The very next verse, says this:
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Once our hearts are freed from a focus on self-achievement, we are equipped to live lives that seek the good of others and advance God’s Kingdom. Our good works find their meaning not in building our self-esteem, but in bringing glory to God.
Paul Worledge
This Sunday
The Parable of the Vineyard Workers (Matthew 20:1-16)
Our focus this Sunday is another of Jesus’ Parables from Matthew’s gospel that focuses on the meaning of grace. This week is a communion service and all the children’s groups will be running.
Key Notices:
Harvest Service – Sunday 27th September
We will be having a financial collection this year for Tearfund’s Venezuella earthquake appeal. Please consider giving generously. Also, please bring non-perishable food to offer at the Harvest Service on 27th September to support the local food bank at the Salvation Army. Find out more about the Tearfund Venezuella appeal.
Union of St. Luke’s and St. George’s Parish and Benefices
A draft scheme has been drawn up to unite our two parishes of St. Luke’s and St. George’s in Ramsgate. This will mean that both churches will be governed by one PCC and that any future vicar appointed will be appointed to look after both churches. Under the scheme both St. Luke’s and St. George’s will continue as parish churches of the new united parish. More information is available on the notice at the back of church and on the website.
Caroline and Dick Seed – Latest Link Letter
Caroline and Dick Seed are our link missionaries with CMS. They train Bible teachers in key theological institutions across the African continent and beyond. There’s an interesting reflection on the situation in South Africa, where many migrants have been forced to leave. The latest link letter is on the Mission table in church or available here.
Anni-verse-ries
For St. Luke’s 150th Anniversary, we are aiming to collect 150 of everyone’s favourite verses. Please use this form to submit your favourite verse and if you can give a brief reason why this verse is important to you. So far, we have only about 20, so please start submitting! Submit your anni-verse-ries.
Coming Up:
Dare to Pray
Our next Dare to Pray meeting is this Saturday 19th September, 9:30-10:30am at St. George’s Church.
Macmillan Coffee Morning
St. Luke’s Cafe4All is hosting a Macmillan coffee morning, this Thursday 24th September, 10:00-11:30am at St. Luke’s Church. All donations will go towards Macmillan cancer care.
History of St. Luke’s Talk – 150th Event
An illustrated talk to celebrate 150 years since the opening of St Luke’s church looking at how it came into being and some of the challenges of its early years. Saturday 3rd October, 3pm in the church. Admission £5. Find our more…
Baroque Recital – 150th Event
Petra Hajduchova will be giving a harpsichord recital at St. Luke’s at 3pm on Saturday 10th October. This will be free, but donations will be welcome to be split between Petra and the church. Find out more…
Kent Women’s Convention
This year’s speaker is Lizzy Smalllwood and the theme is ‘Sent – Make Jesus Known’. Saturday, 10th October, 10am-4pm, St. Nicholas Church, Sevenoaks. A group will be travelling by train from Ramsgate. See Hazel Kenney 07887 863176 for more information or see their website.
Barn Dance – 150th Event
Join us for hot food and dancing. St. Luke’s Hall, 7pm, Saturday 17th October. Tickets are £5 and available from Trevor Kenney 07792 828097.
Interesting Blogs to Share:
Psalms sung in Aramaic
In our Thursday Life Group this week, people were sharing about this group singing Psalms in Aramaic (a language similar to the original Hebrew). Here is an example of them singing Psalm 50. Watch (4 mins)
Ten Years of Eco Church
After running Eco Church for ten years A Rocha have written a report to celebrate a decade of churches caring for creation. Why not have a read and be inspired? Find out more…
Weekly Calendar
Sunday 20th September – Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity
Family Service (St. Luke’s Church) Matthew 20:1-16 – 11:00am-12:00pm
Monday 21st
Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Tuesday 22nd
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 23rd
Gardening Group (St. Luke’s Church) – 10:30am-12:00pm
Thursday 24th
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 25th
Play & Praise (St. Luke’s Church Hall) – 10:00-11:30am
Saturday 26th
Prayer Meeting (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Sunday 27th – Harvest – Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity
Family Service (St. Luke’s Church) Luke 17:11-19 – 11:00am-12:00pm
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.
They meet at the following times:
- Monday evening (two groups)
- Tuesday afternoon
- Wednesday morning
- Wednesday evening
- Thursday morning
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.
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, go forward in grace,
Yours in Christ
Paul Worledge
(Vicar, St. Luke’s Ramsgate)
St. Luke's Church Ramsgate 