(John 1:6-7)
This third Sunday of Advent is traditionally one where we remember John the Baptist as the modern prophet who came to testify about who Jesus was. John’s part in God’s story was to come and be a witness. He invited people to come and be ready to receive the truth about Jesus in their lives, and to believe in Him.
The modern worship song Light of the world talks about how Jesus stepped into the dark world to be its light – ‘Light of the world you stepped down into darkness’. Jesus came to bring awareness to the dark things of this world, to illuminate injustice, to convict us of sin that can destroy lives, and to shine on the path of living life in all its fullness, one that is full of compassion and care, one that comes from believing in him.
The song goes on to talk about how for our sake Jesus became poor – ‘all for loves sake became poor’. Jesus gave up his God-ness and came in the form of a baby. Not a baby from a royal palace but a baby in a poor family. There is evidence of this in the bible in terms of what sacrifices his family made at his dedication. Babies have no status, they have no control of their bodily functions, not only that, Jesus was born and laid where animals were – if you’ve been in stables, they aren’t often beautifully fragrant places, they stink. Jesus entered this world in poverty, because He loves us – you and me – the entire world.
Like John, witnessing to the Light, let us also be people (not just this season) who share the good news of Jesus who came in poverty, to bring transformation for all – the greatest gift given – let’s embrace this gift and pass it on.
Claire Coleman
St. George’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. There are now videos for all the sermons over the summer.
Christmas Services
For a full list of our Christmas Services check out the website. Do consider sharing this page on social media as a way of helping to advertise our services.
Weekly Calendar
Sunday 17th December
Eucharist (St George’s, 9:30am) –Reading: John 1.6-8, 19-28
Christmas Tree Festival (St George’s) 2:00-5:00pm
There is No Rose! – Concert (St George’s, 7:00pm)
Monday 18th
Daily Prayer (St Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Craft Group (St. George’s Hall, Soup Kitchen) – 2:00-3:30pm
Tuesday 19th
Daily Prayer (St George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Coffee Morning (St. George’s Hall) – 11:00am-12:00pm
Wednesday 20th
Study Group (South Eastern Road) – 7:30-9:30pm
Thursday 21st
Daily Prayer (St Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
St George’s Carol Service (St George’s Church) 7:00-8:00pm
Friday 22nd
Sailor’s Church Carol Service (Sailor’s Church) 3:00-4:00pm
Sailor’s Church Carol Service (Sailor’s Church) 5:00-6:00pm
Saturday 23rd
Daily Prayer (St George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Sunday 24th
Midnight Service – Christmas Eve (St George’s, 11:30pm)
Monday 25th
Christmas Day All Age Communion (St. Luke’s Church) – 11:00am-12:00pm
Sunday 31st
Eucharist (St George’s, 9:30am) –Reading: Luke 2:15-21
Please note that this is the last notice sheet until 2024! There are no Prayer Meetings or other meetings between Christmas and 2nd January, apart from the Sunday Services on Sunday 31st January. From 2nd January most normal meetings restart.
There is No Rose! (Baroque Concert) – This Sunday!
Petra and friends will be holding another Baroque concert in the beautiful setting of St. George’s at the end of the Christmas Tree Festival on Sunday 17th December at 7pm. Tickets £15 on the door, £12 online and £10 in church. Under 18s are free. Buy online now. (There appears to be a problem with online ticket sales at present, but we are working to resolve this).
Hope Explored – January 2024
As a follow up to our Christmas services we will be running a short three session course in January called, Hope Explored. This is a great opportunity for people interested in discovering how Christianity can offer hope, peace and purpose in our world. For regular group members it will also be a chance to try out a new evangelistic course that they might want to use with a friend or friends. To sign up, please use one of the cards or the online form.
Christmas Tree Festival – Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who has helped to decorate and sit in the church during our Christmas Tree festival this year. Another great success.
Christmas Fair – Thank You!
A big thank you to all who helped the Christmas Fair last Saturday be such a success. There were many visitors who do not normally come to church and we raised over £900 for St. Luke’s and St. George’s.
Carol Singing at Ramsgate Care Centre
If you would like to be part of a small ‘choir’ to sing Carols at the Ramsgate Care Centre on Monday 18th from 2:15-3:00pm, then please see Paul or Claire.
Planned Giving Reminder
If you have not yet responded to our letter about planned giving to St. George’s then please do as soon as possible. We have seen an increase in committed giving, but we still need significantly more to be able to plan a balanced budget for the church. Remember you can now set up planned giving using the Parish Giving Scheme.
Links to Share:
The Earth-Shaking Consequence of Christmas
The radical uniqueness of the Christmas story can be easily lost in a culture over-familiar with carols, nativity scenes, and Christmas cards. The birth of Jesus is not, for Christians, merely the birth of the founder of their religion… read more.
Christmas with the Cheeky Pandas
The Cheeky Pandas have joined forces with the Church of England to create a fun, faith-based children’s video series for the Advent season!
Join us to explore the Nativity through crafts, sketches and jokes. With the help of CBeebies’ own Gemma Hunt, we bring you this wonderful resource to use in your churches, schools and homes!
Four episodes are now available on YouTube, along with a Christmas craft or activity based on the week’s theme. Why not use them with your children or grandchildren to help them understand the true meaning of Christmas.
Finally, let’s celebrate the birth of Jesus,
Paul Worledge
(Priest in Charge of St. George’s)
St. George's Church Ramsgate 