‘I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”

And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.’

(Psalm 32:5)

Guilt can take many forms—whether it’s a guilty verdict, a pang of guilt, or even a guilty pleasure. It can become more than just a feeling or judgment; it often manifests physically in our bodies through symptoms like headaches, difficulty sleeping, flushed cheeks, muscle tension, and physically secluding oneself. So, what is the remedy for this pervasive emotion?

Attempting to convince ourselves that we shouldn’t feel guilty through justification or rationalising can leave us (and possibly others) emotionally wounded and hinder our spiritual growth. In this context, Psalm 32 offers profound insights on the consequences of hidden guilt and the joy that comes from confession and God’s assurance of forgiveness.

This Psalm emphasizes the importance of confessing our mistakes to God and seeking His forgiveness for our disobedience. Yet, while our relationship with God is deeply personal, it is not meant to be solitary. The Book of James highlights the significance of community in the process of confession, reminding us in James 5:16 to “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed.” As part of the body of Christ, our individual choices affect our fellow believers, and the support of those around us when we confess can significantly aid in our healing as well as others.

As you navigate this week, take time to incorporate Psalm 32 into your prayers. Reflect on how it influences your own faith, knowing that you can confess and rejoice in God’s love. Additionally, consider how you can be a source of support for others who may wish to share their struggles with you.

Beth Keenan

 

Country Dancing Event, Friday 28th, 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).

Prayer Breakfast – Saturday 1st

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.

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.

Big Quiz Night – Update

Last November we took part in Tear Fund’s Big Quiz Night. Together, the 570 churches that took part raised £195,000. Thanks to all those who helped to put on the great event.

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:

With Lent starting on Wednesday 5^th, here are a couple of sets of devotional material being offered by mission agencies.

Tear Fund: Seeds of Hope or Journeys of Lament

Our Seeds of Hope weekly reflection guide offers a scripture, an inspiring video, a heartfelt prayer and thoughtful questions to help you deepen your faith and grow spiritually throughout Lent. 

Through our Lament series we offer brief reflections, inspirational quotes, images and songs, our reflection guide encourages you to be brutally honest and open with God about the pain and suffering that either you or others are experiencing. The guide includes 40 reflections for you to journey, we’ll also share some of the things we lament over.  

Sign up to receive this material…

 

CMS: How not to give up

Receive our brand-new Lent email reflections featuring seven compelling reasons not to give up, followed by regular hope-filled updates from Church Mission Society.

Together we’ll ponder some of St Paul’s words in Ephesians along with stories from people at the edges talking about how Jesus has brought them new life and hope. We hope you’ll join us!

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Finally, let’s learn take time to reflect, confess and rejoice.

Yours in Christ

Paul Worledge

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

 Weekly Calendar

Sunday 2^nd – Sunday next before Lent

Eucharist (St George’s, 9:30am) – Reading: Luke 9:28-36

Monday 3rd  

No Prayer meeting on Monday this week

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

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

Tuesday 4^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 5th

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

Ash Wednesday Service (St. George’s Church) – 11:00am-12:00pm

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

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

Thursday 6th

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

Saturday 8^th

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

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

Sunday 9^th – First Sunday in Lent

Eucharist (St George’s, 9:30am) – Reading: Luke 4:1-13

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.