Jesus said, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels.”

(Matthew 26:53)

Over the last few weeks we have been doing an ad hoc series called, ‘Fight the good fight!’ We’ve heard various Biblical calls to be strong and courageous and read about a number of different kinds of battles and victories in the Bible. The Christian life is a battle. But how do we find courage and strength to keep fighting when life is tough and the fight seems too difficult?

In this week’s story we come to the Old Testament prophet Elisha. He was Elijah’s apprentice, but ended up doing twice as many miracles as Elijah. Indeed, apart from Moses, Elisha does more miracles than anyone else in the Old Testament. But he also lived in a time of wars and battles. Israel was fighting with the Arameans, who’s capital was Damascus.

At one point an Aramean army turns up to capture Elisha. They’ve surrounded the defenceless city and all seems lost. But, Elisha knows differently. Responding to his servant’s concerns about the sudden appearance of all the enemy horses and chariots, he says, “Those who are with us are more than those against us.” He then asks God to open the servants eyes and he sees an angelic army protecting them!

Jesus parallels Elisha. Elisha follows on from Elijah and Jesus follows on from John the Baptist, whose life was modelled on Elijah. Like Eisha, Jesus is aware that he has an angelic army at his disposal, as he declares in the verse above. Yet, Jesus shows even greater strength and courage. When soldiers arrive to capture him, he allows it, going through with his crucifixion, trusting that God would bring the greatest victory of all, the Resurrection. Will we follow Jesus’ courageous example?

Paul Worledge

New Notices:

Beth’s Ordination as Priest, 28^th June, 2:30pm & 5pm

Beth will be being ordained as Priest at Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday 28^th June at 2:30pm. People are welcome to come to the Cathedral to support Beth.

After the service we will have a celebratory Bring & Share BBQ in the church field at St. Luke’s from 5pm. Please use the sign-up sheets at the back of church to indicate: a. whether you will be attending (meat for BBQ will be provided); b whether you will bring food to share; c. whether you can help with the setting up or running of the event.

Planned Giving Review and Vision 2030

Last week we launched our annual ‘Planned Giving Review’. This will climax with a Gift Day on Pentecost Sunday, 8^th June. We are asking people to consider how much they can give to financially support the church as well as how they might be able to offer practical support and help with Vision 2030.

Please remember to act by next Sunday and bring your response slip to the service.

To start giving to St. George’s using the Parish Giving Scheme, click here.

To show interest in volunteering for one of the Vision 2030 workstreams use this form.

You may also have seen an article online about our long term plans: Thanet News Article

You can access an online version of the flier about the plans here.

Next Men’s group event – Lawn Bowls, 6:15pm, 18^th June

See one of the fliers at back of church for more details or speak to Trevor Kenney: 07792 828097; trevorkenney1@gmail.com

Women’s Share and Care:

A few dates for your diaries:

• 18th June at Tina Gilham’s “what are you reading”. Bring a book and enjoy each other’s company over a cuppa and a biscuit. 10.30 to 12.00
• 4th July at Beth Keenan’s. Fun and games , nibbles and drinks. Bring and share. Evening.
• 12th July at Beth Patterson’s. Pimms and food in the garden. 6.30 to 8.30. Bring and share food and a garden chair if you have one.

Can you help with tours of St. George’s tower and crypt?

Tours of St. George’s crypt and tower are proving very popular. If you can help as part of a team with these tours, then please contact Jemima Brown: regenerationofficer@stgeorgechurchramsgate.uk . The planned tours coming up are 11am to 3:30pm on Saturdays 8^th June, 5^th (?) and 12^th July, 9^th August and 13^th and 20^th September.

Volunteers for the Community Meal

Can you join a superb team of helpers on some or all Tuesday afternoons and evenings to help serve the Community Meal at St. George’s Church Hall to 30 to 50 guests? The meal runs between 5:30-7pm, but volunteers need to be available from 5pm and if possible to help cook or set up earlier on Tuesday afternoon. If you are interested, then please see Paul.

Reminders:

Joint Pentecost Service, 8^th June, 6pm

Churches Together in Ramsgate invite you to celebrate Pentecost. An evening of worship, prayer, teaching and fellowship. All welcome (including families, children and youth.

The event will take place at Royal Harbour Academy (CT12 6FA) on Sunday 8^th June at 6pm.

Links to Share:

Faith in the Fire

Join Joshua Luke Smith as he shares firsthand stories from his journey to Nigeria, revealing the courage, suffering, and unshakable faith of persecuted Christians. Through gripping storytelling, Faith in the Fire brings you closer to the lives of believers facing trials with extraordinary strength. Find out more…

Could Lamorna Ash become a Christian in a year?

This article reviews a book written by a non-Christian trying a number of different avenues to explore the Christian faith. A fascinating read…

Finally, let’s be strong and courageous, knowing that God is with us.

Yours in Christ

Paul Worledge

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

Weekly Calendar

Sunday 1^st June – Seventh Sunday of Easter

Eucharist – (St George’s, 9:30am), Reading: 2 Kings 6:8-23

Monday 2^nd

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

Tuesday 3^rd    

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

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

Community Meal (St. George’s Hall) – 5:30-7:00pm

Wednesday 4th    

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 5th     

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

Saturday 7^th  

CTiR Prayer Breakfast (St. Mark’s Church) – 9:00-10:00am

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

Sunday 8^th – Pentecost Sunday

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

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.