This Week’s Notices – 17th March 2024

“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts;

and though all its parts are many, they form one body.

So it is with Christ.”

(1 Corinthians 12:12)

Throughout the letter of 1 Corinthians, Paul is challenging those in the church to think less of their own individual status, freedoms and preferences and more about how to act towards each other in love. In chapter 12, Paul talks about how that love is expressed through the use of spiritual gifts. The point of the gifts is not to distinguish spiritual from the non-spiritual members, but to equip all members to play a part in building others up. To make his point he compares the church to a human body – the body of Christ.

In a human body the various parts have different functions. The eye sees, the ear hears, the nose smells, the heart pumps blood and so on. A diversity of roles does not undermine unity, it creates it. Indeed, each body part is essential for the body to function properly. Every part is needed and valued.

So, in the church, there are a variety of members each with distinctive roles. Each one is needed, valued and equipped by the Spirit with a specific gift, which is to be used not for their own good, but for the good of the body as a whole.

As we reflect on this passage, we need to ask ourselves how we are enabling every church member to play their part in growing the church, the body of Christ.  How can we help all Christians to be body builders.

This week’s questions from the groups will help us explore this theme:

• Is this an exhaustive list of all spiritual gifts?
• How do we discern who has what gift?
• How can we give room for the gifts to be expressed to build up the body?
• How do all matter equally (vs. 25), while some gifts are greater (vs. 31)?

Paul Worledge

Where are the Calendar and the Prayer Requests?

The prayer requests are not put on the website, but are included in the weekly church email. The calendar is now at the end of this post.

Open Church – Saturdays

The Friends of St. George’s will be opening the church every Saturday from 10am to 12noon. Everyone is welcome and entry is free. People are welcome to come for a look around, refreshments a chat or a quiet prayer.

If you are interested in joining a rota of volunteers to help keep the church open, then please see Janet.

Easter Evening Service

What does it mean to be resurrection people? Join us on Easter Sunday evening 6:30pm in St Luke’s church for a celebration service. There will be a time of contemporary worship, space to reflect on what it means to be resurrection people and how that will impact our discernment in the year ahead. All ages welcome.

Request to complete a Questionnaire

A local A-Level student is wrinting an Extended Project Qualification on the question: Is it morally acceptable to be a Christian feminist? Their aim is to create an essay that looks at all points of view towards Christian feminists. Anyone can participate in this questionnaire.  

The questions are based upon the meaning that feminism is the belief that women should be allowed the same rights, power, and opportunities as men and be treated in the same way. 

She has asked that members of our churches anonymously complete the questionnaire to help with her essay. The questionnaire can be completed online. Complete Questionnaire.

Beetle Drive and Games

Friday 19^th April, 7:00-9:00pm, St. George’s Church Hall

Tickets are £1, which includes snacks and a drink. They can be bought from Elaine.

From Babylon to New Jerusalem – Exploring the Book of Revelation

A few years ago, Robin Plant who is now minister of Newington Free church gave a series of excellent talks on the Book of Revelation. He is going to repeat these talks at Newington Free over four Tuesday evenings in April (9^th, 16^th, 23^rd, 30^th) from 7:30-9:00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, see the poster in church.

Depression and Anxiety Self-Help group

We meet this Wednesday, 20 March, from 6-7.30pm in the Perry Room at St Luke’s. Our theme will be Boundaries. All welcome. More details from: davidw.hawthorn1@sky.com.

 

Links to Share:

The Map and the Mountain

This 12 minute film takes you up and down a mountain, whilst also giving you a brief explanation of the Christian faith. A good video to share and perhaps discuss with non-Christian friends and family? Watch Video

Are smart phones ruining our children?

This article powerfully articulates the dangers of our society where almost every youngster has a smart phone. Read more.

Finally, let’s learn to love as God loved us.

Yours in Christ

Paul Worledge

(Priest in Charge, St. George’s Ramsgate)

 

Weekly Calendar

Sunday 17^th March

Eucharist (St George’s, 9:30am) – Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-14

Monday 18^th

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

Craft Group (St. George’s Hall, Soup Kitchen) – 2:00-3:30pm

Study Group (Margate Road) – 7:15-9:30pm

Tuesday 19^th

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

Study Group (Lyndhurst Road) – 2:30-4:00pm

Wednesday 20^th

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

Depression & Anxiety Self-Help Group (Perry Room) – 6:00-7:30pm        

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

Thursday 21^st

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

Saturday 23^rd

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

Open Church (St. George’s Church) – 10:00am-12:00pm

Sunday 24^th

Eucharist (St George’s, 9:30am) – Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34