“Turn LORD and deliver me, save me because of your unfailing love.”

(Psalm 6:4)

Often in the psalms, the poet complains to God about their situation. Arguably, you could call this ‘grumbling,’ that is ‘complaining about someone or something in an annoyed way’ (Cambridge Dictionary). Yet, the Bible is clear elsewhere, that ‘grumbling’ is a sin. For example, Paul says, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing…” (Philippians 2:14).

Should we never complain about anything, never admit that we are suffering, never feel that there is something wrong with our life, always look on the bright side of life? The psalmist would certainly answer, ‘No!’ to all those questions. Indeed, Jesus, quoting a psalm on the cross, cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (cf. Psalm 22:1). Isn’t that ‘grumbling’?

I think the difference is to do with who the complaint is addressed to. The kind of grumbling that Paul wants us to avoid, is addressed to other people or ourselves. It is the kind of complaint that is not concerned with sorting out what is wrong but is trying to invoke pity for you in others or a wallowing self-pity. Ultimately, it is very self-centred and manipulative, often used to denigrate those who we feel may have harmed us and to draw others to be on ‘our side.’

The psalms are different. They are addressed to God and the complaint is turned into prayer, a plea to the one for whom nothing is impossible. This kind of grumbling expresses our dependence on God and a faith that only he can help us. Even when it questions God and his actions, as Jesus does on the cross, the unwritten text is that we still believe he is our best hope.

So, turn your grumbling into prayer. Stop moaning to others and turn to God. This is the kind of spirituality we need to develop for dark times.

Paul Worledge

Prayer Breakfast

The next Churches Together in Ramsgate prayer breakfast will be on Saturday 1^st March, 9am at the Salvation Army. It will include a presentation about Active Christianity in Thanet Schools.

Country Dancing Event, This 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).

Ash Wednesday – 5^th March 2024

There will be an Ash Wednesday service at 11am on 5^th March at St. George’s. After the service, why not make the most of Community Soup, which runs from 12noon to 2pm every Wednesday.

Love Story Fundraiser

Thank you to all who supported the ‘Love Story Fundraiser’ at St. George’s last Saturday. It was a fantastic event with lovely music from the Coastal Choir. We raised nearly £900 for each of the two charities supported: St. George’s Community Meal and Speak Up.

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.

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.

St. George’s Day Parade

In preparation for the St. George’s Day parade on 27^th April, GB Carnival are looking for donations of clean tin cans and plastic tubs. You can drop off your donations at the Carnival Club in St. George’s Hall 5-7pm every Wed. or at Community Soup in the church from 12 -2pm every Wed. and Sat.

Links to Share:

Web of Poverty

This chart from the Church Urban Fund gives helpful analysis of all the different aspects that might contribute to a sense of poverty. See the chart. What aspects of the chart are we as a church good at helping people with? What aspects might we improve at?

 

What can Christians say about Donald Trump?

This article written by an American Christian theologian sets out a framework (or grammar) for assessing how we should view Donald Trump from a Christians perspective. Read more… (10 mins)

Finally, let’s learn to pray and not complain.

Yours in Christ

Paul Worledge

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

Weekly Calendar

Sunday 23^rd – Second Sunday before Lent

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

Monday 24th

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 25^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 26th

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

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

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

Thursday 27th

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

Friday 28th

Barn Dance & Hot Food (St. Luke’s Hall) – 7:00-9:30pm

Saturday 1^st March   

CTiR prayer breakfast (Salvation Army) – 9:00-10:00am

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

Sunday 2^nd – Sunday next before Lent

Eucharist (St George’s, 9:30am) – Reading: Psalm 32

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.