(Ezra 1:5)
I love a New Year – it’s full of opportunities and brings the hope of something better ahead in the midst of financial crises, wars and skirmishes, ill health etc.
As Christians we have the added comfort in a New Year that this is another year God has granted and he will be with us in it, whatever it holds, even in the midst of decline in church attendance and theological disagreements.
This year, we at St. Luke’s and St. George’s are dedicating ourselves to listen to God’s guidance for the future of our work together with sharing the good news of Jesus in word and action. We want to see what God is stirring our hearts to do. I wonder what God will do in 2024 – what might he be stirring in us as individuals and as churches?
This Sunday, we are beginning a five-week series looking at the books of Ezra and Nehemiah and seeing what they can teach us about God building his house and our part in that. God’s people were in exile – the era of Kings that had ruled over Israel for nearly five centuries ended disastrously, and yet what seemed a death was awaiting a rebirth under God’s control and timing. As we read in our opening verse, God stirred up Jewish people living in exile to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple – the sign of God’s presence. God had his plan and used non-Jewish Kings and his people to enable it.
God still has his plans, he is still in control, and we all have our part to play as we move forward into 2024 and beyond as people of God being his people in Ramsgate. So, let’s be mindful of what God may be stirring us into in this year ahead and be excited and expectant in it all.
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.
Weekly Calendar
Sunday 7th January
Eucharist (St George’s, 9:30am) –Reading: Ezra 1:1-5; 6:1-12
Monday 8th
Daily Prayer (St Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Craft Group (St. George’s Hall, Soup Kitchen) – 2:00-3:30pm
Tuesday 9th
Daily Prayer (St George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Coffee Morning (St. George’s Hall) – 11:00am-12:00pm
Community Meal (St. George’s Hall) – 5:30-7:00pm
Thursday 11th
Daily Prayer (St Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Saturday 13th
Daily Prayer (St George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Sunday 14th
Eucharist (St George’s, 9:30am) –Reading: Ezra 7:8-10; 8:31-9:12
Sunday School (St George’s, 10:30am)
Hope Explored – January 2024
As a follow up to our Christmas services we are running a short three session course this month 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. Please register interestby Sunday 7th January.
Ventures for Young People
If you know of any young people looking for a fantastic holiday, where they can also make friends with Christians from around the country and learn more about the Christian faith, then we would recommend CPAS Ventures: https://www.ventures.org.uk/schoolventures/churches or see the brochures at the back of church.
Love is all you need – Community Meal Fundraising Concert
This concert at St. George’s church on Friday 9th February at 7:30pm is to raise money for the running of the Community Meal at St. George’s Hall on Tuesdays. Tickets are £8 in advance and now available online or £10 on the door.
Pancake Party
Fun and games on Tuesday 13th February, 4:00-6:00pm, St. Luke’s Church, organised by the St. Luke’s and St. George’s social committee. More information to follow but put the date in your diary!
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.
Links to Share:
Want to improve mental health? Become religious!
People who follow a faith are more resilient or happier, than atheists and other non-religious people according to a recent survey carried out in the UK. Read more…
The Six Megatrends that will shape 2024
This fascinating podcasts explores some of the big issues facing the world and Christians in 2024. Lots of doom and gloom and hope! Listen to the Podcast (1 hour long).
Finally, let’s look to work with God in building his church in 2024.
Paul Worledge
(Priest in Charge of St. George’s)
St. George's Church Ramsgate 