”Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
(Romans 12:2)
Please check out everything in this email, lots of information about tomorrow’s service, important upcoming events, news about our mission partners and a link to a video about a comedian, who is performing in Ramsgate tonight! Sorry it’s all slightly later this week.
This week we begin a series on the book of Daniel. The book includes some well know Bible stories, such as Daniel in the lions’ den, but also weird dreams and visions similar to those in Revelation.
Daniel, himself, was born in Judea, and probably grew up in a wealthy and important family in the small Jewish kingdom. Everything changed when the Babylonians came and conquered Jerusalem. He was exiled to the capital and selected to work for the Babylonian civil service, presumably because he was an intelligent young man.
He had grown up and been taught to serve the one true God of Israel. That would have been straightforward living in and around Jerusalem but was it possible to do so working in the courts of the pagan Babylonians? How could Daniel do his job well and stay true to his faith? Could he really dare to stand out as a follower of the Jewish God and reject the idolatry of his co-workers?
The stories in the book of Daniel relate how this question worked itself out in Daniel and his friend’s lives. When they stood for God, God proved himself faithful, even when it felt that the might of great kingdoms was against them. At the same time, the book relates dreams and visions, that ultimately show how the seemingly great kingdoms of the world come and go, but God’s kingdom stands forever.
In the end, Daniel and we can dare to stand out as different and remain firm in our faith, because God’s kingdom is the only one that will be left standing in the end.
Paul Worledge
P.S. If you want to watch an overview of the book of Daniel in preparation for the sermon series, then check out this video. It’s from the Bible Project and less than 10 minutes long.
The Light Party, Thank You!
A big Thank You to all those who made this such a great event on Thursday. We had 27 children and a similar number of adults join us. It was a good mixture of regular church members and families from the local community. Lots of fun and lovely food!
Study Group Notes
This term our small groups are going to be discussing what we have learnt through our sermon series on Daniel. We have groups meeting in the daytime and evening. If you want to join a group for this term, then please see Paul. Printed sheets with discussion questions are available at the back of church for leaders or members to collect.
Remembrance Sunday – Next Sunday
Next Sunday is Remembrance Sunday. We will be welcoming various groups parading, dignitaries for the town’s Remembrance Service. This will begin outside with a moment of silence and laying of wreaths just before 11am, before a service in the church. There will be no service at 9:30am.
What have we discerned?
As we come to the end of the Year of Discernment we want to share, Vision 2030, the plan we think God has for our churches over the coming five years. We will be making a presentation on Monday 11th November at 7:30pm at St. Luke’s church, members from both churches are encouraged to come and hear the plans. There will be opportunities for feedback in the meeting and in the weeks afterwards.
Coming Up: The Big Quiz Night
Tearfund’s The Big Quiz Night is back on Saturday 16th November, 7:30-9:30pm at St. Luke’s Hall. The money this quiz raises will support Tearfund’s Transforming Communities programme, helping local churches around the world lead their communities out of extreme poverty and into a sustainable future. Invite your friends, family and neighbours for some poverty-beating, community-building fun!
Basic Safeguarding Training
If you are involved as a volunteer at St. Luke’s, then you are encouraged to do the Basic Safeguarding training. This can be done online (and if you are working with children or vulnerable adults, you will need to do the online version, so that you can access the next level), but there is also an opportunity on Saturday 23rd November, 10:30-13:00 at St. Mark’s Ramsgate to attend a face-to-face training session led by Kevin Spain. You can access the online training by following this link.
Let there be Light!
On Sunday 24th November, there will be the ‘Let there be light!’ event at St. George’s after the town’s Christmas Light switch on, starting at about 5pm.
Thanet Prayer Diary – November and December
You can download the Thanet Prayer Diary for November and December here. Alternatively pick one up from the back of church.
ACTS Prayer and Thanksgiving Event – 18th November
Join us for an evening of prayer, thanksgiving and updates about the work of ACTS (Active Christianity in Thanet Schools). As well as a time to meet our new workers, Abi and Charlotte, over a cuppa and a slice of cake!
Monday 18th November, St Philips Church, Palm Bay, CT9 3JJ, 7:00pm
Links to Share:
This week a couple of links about well-known comedians.
Milton Jones
Watch this hour-long video with Milton Jones, the comedian as he talks about his career and his faith. Watch now…
Miranda Hart
This is a book review of Miranda Hart’s recently published autobiography. In it she reveals her struggles with ill health as a result of contracting Lyme Disease at 14, but she also speaks of nine treasures, which sound remarkably similar to a list of nine in the Bible…. read more.
Finally, let’s pray that we can stand out for Jesus.
Yours in Christ
(Priest in Charge, St. George’s Ramsgate)
Weekly Calendar
Sunday 3rd November – Fourth Sunday before Advent
Eucharist (St George’s, 9:30am) – Reading: Daniel 1:1-21
Sunday School (St George’s, 10:30am)
Monday 4th
Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Craft Group (St. George’s Hall, Soup Kitchen) – 2:00-3:30pm
Study Group (South Eastern Road) – 7:15-9:30pm
Tuesday 5th
Prayer Meeting (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Coffee Morning (St. George’s Hall) – 11:00am-12:00pm
Study Group (Lyndhurst Road) – 2:30-4:00pm
Community Meal (St. George’s Hall) – 5:30-7:00pm
Wednesday 6th
Study Group (Langdale Avenue) – 10:00-12:00 noon
Community Soup (St. George’s Church) – 12:00-2:00pm
Depression & Anxiety Self-Help Group (Perry Room) – 6:00-7:30pm
Study Group (South Eastern Road) – 7:30-9:30pm
Thursday 7th
Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Youth Hang Out (St. Luke’s Church) – 3:00-6:00pm
Saturday 9th
Prayer Meeting (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Community Soup (St. George’s Church) – 12:00-2:00pm
Sunday 10th – Remembrance Sunday
Eucharist (St George’s, 9:30am) – Reading: Psalm 62
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. 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.
Safeguarding Training
If you volunteer in anyway at church the national authorities are strongly encouraging you to take at least the Basic Module in safeguarding training once every three years.
If you have not completed the training in the last three years, then the module can be completed online and takes about ninety minutes. You can access the training by following this link. You will need to first register, to access the training. Once the training is completed, you will be sent a certificate. Please forward that certificate to James (office@stlukesramsgate.org), so that we can keep records of who has done the training.
St. George's Church Ramsgate 