“The Lord’s my Shepherd, I lack nothing…”

Psalm 23:1

Psalm 23 is perhaps the most familiar of all the Psalms. It is often used at funerals, was the only scripture reading at the Channel Dash memorial service in Ramsgate harbour on Wednesday 12^th and sung as the theme tune for the TV sitcom, The Vicar of Dibley.

It is popular for good reason. The promise of God’s comfort, support, presence and leading even as we walk through ‘the valley of the shadow of death’ goes to the heart of a Christian spirituality for dark times. Furthermore, its last lines offer great hope, with a promise of a wonderful welcome into God’s house for evermore.

The Channel Dash was a courageous attack by a tiny squadron of six biplanes on a flotilla of two well protected German battleships in the Dover straits in 1942. Sadly, many of the crew lost their lives. At the memorial service, I pointed out that the battle was a confrontation not unlike that of David and Goliath. Like the squadron of tiny planes, David, a young man with no armour, courageously went out against the enormous and well armoured Goliath. It was this David who wrote Psalm 23.

It is comforting to know that God is our shepherd, that he is there with us in the darkest of times. But, if we like David accept God as our shepherd, then we are also accepting his guidance and leadership. God can only be our shepherd if we follow him. That could mean having to face our own Goliaths. It does mean being led into green pastures, rather than thinking the grass is greener on the other side and accepting that his guidance leads us along the right paths, rather than being like sheep who go astray (cf. Isaiah 53:6).

Ultimately, it relies on us trusting that Jesus is ‘the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep’ and choosing to follow his voice. (cf. John 10:11,16)

Paul Worledge

 

It’s a Love Story, Concert Saturday 15^th February, 7:30pm

Love Story will be another gala fundraiser night at St George’s church, featuring Coastal Choir and guests with the St George’s Community Meal and Speak Up sharing the proceeds. Tickets available online (£8, last chance to buy online: Friday 14^th February) or £10 on door.

Country Dancing Even, Friday 28^th February, 7pm

Everyone is welcome to this country dancing event in St. Luke’s Hall. There will be hot food and lots of fun. The event is organised by the Men’s Group for everyone. Tickets are £5-a-head. See or contact Bruce Stokes for more information of tickets (07708 682464, bruce.stokes@btinternet.com).

Fundraiser for the Community Meal

As part of International Women’s Day, Raushan Ara is hosting a “World on your Plate” fundraising event in aid of the St. George’s Community Meal. Participants have a chance to dress culturally and bring a dish of their own country to share. There will be guest speakers and live dance and music. Saturday 8^th March, 1pm, Ramsgate Tandoori, Harbour Street.

Robin Plant – Bible teaching on Genesis

The Earth is the Lord’s: The Message of Genesis. So often the book of Genesis is the battleground for debates about science and evolution. But if we listen to it on its own terms, what is it trying to tell us? About being human? About the world we live in? About different faiths? About mission? Genesis, we discover, tells the story of a world disfigured by human folly, but also of a creator who didn’t give up on it – and still doesn’t.Tuesdays, 7:30-9:00pm, Newington Free Church from 11^th March to 1^st April. See flier for more information.

Gather 25

Community Church Ramsgate are hosting a video link with this global church gathering. Everyone is welcome. Saturday 1^st March from 6:30pm at the Corner, Ramsgate.

Links to Share:

The 21: Wrestling with the Truth

In 2015, 21 men were kidnapped, tortured, and eventually killed by ISIS. Twenty of those men were Coptic (Egyptian) and one, Matthew, was Ghanian. They were all Christians. And that is why they were killed.  Read more and watched a trailer for a new animated film about their martyrdom.

How do we evangelise the way Jesus did?

As we relate to people around us, the conversation can suddenly turn ‘spiritual’. People say things like, ‘The religions are all very similar,’ ‘All my family is Roman Catholic,’ or ‘I’m learning about Mindfulness.’ You are standing on spiritual grounds with this person, and you want to take the opportunity and keep the conversation going without spooking them. But how? Register to join this online event on 18^th February, 6-7pm.

Finally, let’s learn to follow the good shepherd.

Yours in Christ

Paul Worledge

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

 Weekly Calendar

Sunday 16^th – Third Sunday before Lent

Eucharist (St George’s, 9:30am) – Reading: Psalm 23

Monday 17th

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 18^th

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 19th

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

Community Soup (St. George’s Church) – 12:00-2:00pm

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

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

Thursday 20th

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

Saturday 22^nd  

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

Community Soup (St. George’s Church) – 12:00-2:00pm

Sunday 23^rd – Second Sunday before Lent

Eucharist (St George’s, 9:30am) – Reading: Psalm 6

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.