God gives us gifts..

As we think about the Gifts of the Spirit it’s good to reflect on what they are and what they are not. The gifts are not the same as the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. All Christians are called to foster every fruit in their lives, but not all have the same gifts. Many Christians doubt that they have any particular gifting, and that’s primarily because when we think of spiritual gifts we tend to think of the leadership gifts like apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher. But these are not the only gifts Paul mentions. There are differing lists and differing orders in which the gifts in his lists are placed, so there’s much more to it. The gifts of the Spirit are God’s to give and require no more qualification than true faith in Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Which gifts we have depends on our God given purpose within the Body of Christ. There are leadership gifts for those called to lead, as in the ‘5 fold’, but there are gifts of hospitality, mercy, faith, discernment, wisdom, helps or service, and many more.

What’s more, a person may operate in one or more gifts, and God gives us gifts according to the changing circumstances of life in Christ. So it follows that each of us has at least one spiritual gift. The issue is, I think, that we often are already operating in those gifts but we don’t recognise them as gifts because ‘I’ve always been good at that’ or ‘I just like serving that way’. When we are created in the womb we are made in the image of God, and we will have certain natural talents which we learn to use. When we come to a saving faith in Jesus, often Holy Spirit will then gift us according to the natural talents we already have, enhancing them for the glory of God and service of the Kingdom. Holy Spirit may also give gifts which were not evident to us as talents beforehand. How do I know my gifts? It’s usually those around us who see these gifts at work, and they can see how you build up the Body with them, even when you can’t. So, let me encourage you to ask what gifts others see in you. You might be surprised by the answer.

Janice

This Week

Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Patronal Festival 10th September

If you would like to be part of a small committee to organise the Patronal Festival, please come to a short meeting on Wednesday, 21st June at 12.30pm.

You might like to bring lunch and stay for a cuppa with the craft group.

St Mark’s Day Festival & Consecration Of New Windows

Archbishop Philip Freier will visit St Mark’s on Sunday 10th September to consecrate the stained glass windows. The weekend will take the form of a Patronal Festival for St Mark (whose official day was 25th April) and to celebrate our 130th Anniversary. There will be a Fete on Saturday 9th September, with visitors invited to view the windows and to attend the combined service the next day. Proceeds from the fete will be used to boost the Missions Fund for the support of Anna Radkovic our CMS link Missionary in Kenya. There is plenty of time to make preserves, plant cuttings, and work on craft projects to make the fete successful. There will be no Christmas Fete this year. Let’s make this weekend a great witness to our Lord and showcase our beautiful church. If you would like to work on craft projects in a group, the Common Threads Craft Group meet on Wednesdays at 12.30pm during term time. Contact Carol for more information (0411 405 597).

St Mark’s Op Shop

Volunteers still needed. Can you help once a month?

Please contact Edna South 0428 551 082 if you are able to help.

Special Services 2023

This Week’s Prayer Focus

In our country and the world:

• For all affected by the Hunter Valley bus  crash.
• For those facing hardship and anguish amid rising costs.
• For families affected by violence.
• For those affected by natural disasters in around the world.
• For King Charles III, the UK and the Commonwealth.
• For peace and unity in countries around the World.
• 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, the CFA & SES.
• 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 in 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 Holy Trinity Hastings and their Vicar, Rev’d Tim Anderson.
• For the work of the Church Missionary Society and Wei-Han the Victorian Director.
• For Anna Radkovic our CMS Link Missionary as she spends time learning language and culture in Kenya while exploring long-term opportunities in discipleship ministry and conservation.
• 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 people and those we reach out to every week.
• For the Fête and Patronal Festival in September.
• For the success of the new Family and Children’s Ministry.
• For: Jessica and Guy, the family of Eric Haughton who passed away this week, Ruth.