God appreciates the little things…

Matthew 10:40-42 brings the chapter to a close with a reminder that those who are his are seen by the Father as representing Jesus in their lives, so when someone is welcoming to another Christian there is always a reward for it. The Lord wants us to be working together for the good of all his people, and this principle shows us that the smallest act for a brother or sister is not unnoticed by the Father. Never allow yourself to downgrade the small things you do for others as insignificant. Jesus says even a glass of water given to a fellow disciple in need is worthy of reward. Our Father God appreciates the little things, we need to appreciate them too. This is true also of the Gifts of the Spirit. In our list of gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 there are gifts which are seen as very important leadership gifts like teaching and prophecy, but there are also gifts which we may be tempted to see as less important like helps or giving or intercession. There are no true hierarchies in the Body of Christ, but there are callings which have different purposes. The intercessor is crucial to the work of the church and prays in a gift of faith, yet we can easily downgrade prayer because we all pray and because intercessors are often hidden in their prayer closets, not parading in front of others. Yet the power of intercession can set the captives free literally (Acts 12:1-19). Helps is a gift of service where the person shows a divine enablement to be there to assist others at the right time in the right way. Though often done quietly in the background, like the glass of water from Matthew 10, it is something that our Father appreciates greatly. Giving is like that too. Done in secret, seen by our Father and appreciated. On a Sunday it’s hard to get into the individual gifts properly within the timeframe. I’m seeking expressions of interest for those who would like to be part of a small group to go deeper. Are you wanting to look more closely at the gifts and discern your own gifting further? Let me know if you’re interested.

Janice

This Week

Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Festival Weekend

“Festival = A period of celebration particularly for religious events” Our Patronal Festival Weekend is taking shape and promises to be a time of celebration as well as presenting our church and its refurbished windows to the community. In the next couple of weeks there will be sign-up sheets for the stalls and attractions. Please be praying for a great turnout on the day, for good spring weather, and that we bring glory to God.

Speak to Cheryl or Carol if you can help or would like more details.

St Mark’s Day Festival & Consecration Of New Windows (Sunday 10th September)

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

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This Week’s Prayer Focus

In our country and the world:

• 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 St George’s Red Hill and their Vicar Rev’d Fiona Goy.
• 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: Guy, Ruth.