Have you ever felt like you’re the only one not in on a joke? Or have you felt as if everyone else knows something you don’t? Well, you’re in good company. Thomas was also feeling left out. Everyone else was full of news about how they had seen Jesus alive and he’d even spoken with some people, ate with others and walked for miles with others while explaining all the mysteries of the scriptures to them! It’s terribly unfair to be so left out when you’re supposed to be one of ‘the twelve’. What’s so special about them that they have had these experiences and not Thomas? I’d be getting upset about it too, wouldn’t you? It’s no surprise to me that Thomas insisted that he needed to see some solid evidence for Jesus being alive. After all, perhaps this was an elaborate cruel joke, or some sort of mass hysteria. It’s not like people rise from the dead on a daily basis, and if Jesus is risen then that changes everything. The idea that death is the end is completely gone. The idea that Jesus was just a prophet is gone because prophets don’t rise from the dead on their own. He would have to be the Messiah, Lord, God… for real. Then it happened for Thomas. Jesus came into the room even though the doors were locked. He showed Thomas his hands and feet and side and challenged him to believe. This was the evidence Thomas needed. ‘My Lord and my God’ were his words in response to Jesus’ challenge. Now 2000 years later the challenge remains for us. In our world full of doubt and difficulty do we really believe that Jesus is alive? When people see how we as Christians face the difficulties of our world will they see evidence of our faith? Do we witness to the strength and faithfulness of God in how we live? Or do we leave them wondering if Jesus is truly alive at all?
Janice
This Week
| MONDAY: | Parish Council Meeting |
| St Mark’s, 10.00am | |
| Study Group – “Truth and Freedom” | |
| St Mark’s, 7.00pm | |
| Contact Kevin or Anne (0438 234 857) | |
| TUESDAY: | “Zoom” Study Group – 7.00pm |
| Contact Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion, 10.00am |
| Study Group – St Mark’s,11.00am | |
| Contact Keith (0419 551 082) | |
| Craft Group – St Mark’s, 12.30pm | |
| Contact Robyn (0409 425 044) | |
| Joe Madeley’s Funeral, St Mark’s 2.00pm | |
| Could those attending please bring a plate. | |
| THURSDAY: | Men’s Coffee & Chat Blackthorn Café, 10.00am |
| Contact Steve (0437 984 679) | |
| FRIDAY: | JANICE’S DAY OFF |
Tuesday 25th April: ANZAC Day
From Dromana-Red Hill RSL: For those who would like to attend the service on ANZAC Day at the Cenotaph it will begin at around 9.40am. Marchers are asked to assemble at O’Donoghue St at 9am. There is also a Dawn Service at 6.15am at the Memorial Wall at the Peninsula Club.
Attendees are to assemble at the club rooms at 6am.
Worship Times
| SUNDAY: | 8.45am | Holy Communion. |
| 10.30am | Family Worship with Children’s Ministry. | |
| (Holy Communion – 1st Sundays) | ||
| 5.00pm | Healing Service – 1st Sundays. | |
| (5th Sundays) | 10.00am | Combined Service. |
| WEDNESDAY: | 10.00am | Holy Communion Service. |
Parish Contact Details
| Monitored contact points | 0493 280 691 |
| contact@stmarksdromana.org.au | |
| Parish Web Addresses | www.stmarksdromana.org.au |
| Facebook page | https://www.facebook.com/stmarksdromana |
| Pastoral Care Coordinators | Kevin and Anne Cranwell (0438 234 457 Kevin) |
Notices:
The Alpha Life Course
The new Alpha Life Group is starting on Friday 28th April from 4 – 6 pm. with the last three talks from last term and then “A Life Worth Living”, which studies the book of Philippians.
For more details, contact:
Email: alpha@stmarksdromana.org.au
| Carol Copp | 0411 405 597 |
| Steve Parkinson | 0437 984 679 |
Evensong Services 2023
| 23rd April | St John’s, Flinders |
| 18th June | All Saints, Rosebud |
| 20th August | St Mark’s, Balnarring |
| 22nd October | St Mark’s, Dromana |
| 3rd December | St John’s, Sorrento – Lessons & Carols for Advent |
| 17th December | St Mark’s, Dromana – Lessons & Carols for Christmas |
Can You Help?
We are looking for a volunteer to help with morning tea on the 2nd Sunday of the month after the 8.45 service. Please let Beryl know if you can help.
Lost Item
Jean Brooks thinks she left her glasses case on the floor at church few weeks ago. It is an embroidered white case to which she has deep emotional ties as it was given to her by her daughter who has since died. She is appealing for anybody who might have seen it, or may know where it is, to let her know.
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For those affected by Tropical Cyclone Ilsa in Western Australia.
- For rational and considered debate about Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
- For peace and unity in countries around the World.
- For those affected by natural disasters in many parts of the world.
- For the people of Vanuatu where a national state of emergency has been declared for the next six months following two earthquakes and two cyclones in as many days, and the ADF on HMAS Canberra helping with the clean-up and delivering aid and assistance.
- For aid agencies such as “Save the Children”, Oxfam, CARE, UNICEF, World Vision.
In our community:
- For teachers and students.
- For doctors, nurses, paramedics, Coast Guard, CFA & SES members.
- For local community outreach groups such as the Dromana Community House and “Food for All”.
In our Diocese and beyond:
- For Archbishop Geoffrey Smith’s ministry as Primate of Australia.
- For Archbishop Philip Freier’s ministry n the Diocese of Melbourne.
- For the ministry of Bishop Paul Barker in the Jumbunna Region and for Archdeacon Helen Phillips in the Frankston Archdeaconry as she recovers from surgery, and for John as he supports Helen.
- In our Deanery, we pray for the Parish of St George’s Red Hill and their Vicar Rev Fiona Goy.
- For the work of the Church Missionary Society and Wei-Han the Victorian Director.
- For Christian churches around the world to be free to worship and be witnesses of the love of God as shown through the coming of His Son.
In our Parish:
- For our leadership and ministry teams.
- For Rev’d Janice O’Gorman our Vicar.
- For the finances of our Parish.
- For our Parish, its members and those we reach out to every week.
- For: Madeley Family, Harper Family, Jan Glass.
