This Sunday is called ‘Sea Sunday’, dedicated as such by General Synod in 2001, which is a time we particularly remember the Seafarers who bring us 90% of all imported goods and to whom the Mission to Seafarers ministers. The reflection for today is taken from a reflection written by the Rev’d James Mosher, Port Chaplain, Southampton.
Take my yoke upon you. (Matt 11:29) The yoke is a wooden beam used in farming, placed around the shoulders of two large animals like oxen. They are drawn together by the yoke as they pull a plough through a field or carry a heavy load down a road. In this way, the weight is shared and the strength of those pulling is made one. The burden is taken up together. Jesus invites us to not just observe the relationship between Father and Son, but to take His yoke upon us. As we come to Jesus, we are invited to share our burdens with him: our struggles, anxieties, fear, regrets or pain. However, in this relationship, unlike the yoke of the field, the burden is not shared equally. Even as we take his yoke upon us, Jesus takes upon Himself all that is ours on the cross. The God who is judge bears the weight of our sins, our betrayals and regrets, bearing them Himself on the cross. In this way, our weight, the burdens of our life, are completely lifted from our shoulders by the yoke of Jesus. He bears the weight of our burdens and sets us free. Sometimes, when reading Jesus’ invitation, it is easy to be reminded of all the ways we don’t have rest ourselves, and to feel our weariness in body, mind or soul. Jesus is not promising us an easy life free from difficulty or labour, but he is promising us a life which is different because it is shared with him and with one another. How does this relate to seafarers? The life of a seafarer is transitory, on the move, and so often involves little rest. Life onboard a ship never stops, and times of rest are very often interrupted. It is hard to find rest when you are constantly waking up in a new port, starting or finishing a contract, coming home for that precious time with loved ones, knowing that all too soon you will have to say goodbye. Today we particularly remember all seafarers and the work of the Mission to Seafarers across our nation.
This Week
| TODAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| MONDAY: | Study Group – “Truth and Freedom” |
| St Mark’s, 7.00pm | |
| Contact Kevin or Anne (0438 234 857) | |
| TUESDAY: | Online Study Group,7.00pm |
| Contact Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| Zoom Prayer Meeting, 1.30pm | |
| Contact John (0421426156) | |
| 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) | |
| Patronal Festival Meeting | |
| St Mark’s, 12.30pm | |
| Contact Carol (0411 405 597) | |
| THURSDAY: | Women’s Bible Study, St Mark’s, 9.30am |
| Contact Fay (0401 404 280) | |
| Men’s Coffee & Chat Blackthorn Café, 10.00am | |
| Contact Steve (0437 984 679) | |
| FRIDAY: | JANICE’S DAY OFF |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am |
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 | |
| WEDNESDAY: | 10.00am | Holy Communion |
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:
From Anna our CMS Link Missionary:
Dear Steve, Janice and all at St Mark’s, I am being commissioned by CMS to go to Kenya on 15th of July at 2pm at St Hilary’s North Balwyn. I would love to invite the whole of St Mark’s Dromana to come and partner with me on this day – as you will partner with me for the next few years in Kenya! Would love to see you there. In Christ, Anna.
Gentlemen’s Breakfast
22nd July 8:30am – 10:00 am at the church
Enjoy an egg & bacon roll and get to know each other. Steve will speak for five minutes about his hobbies and anyone else can too.
Cost $5
RSVP Steve 0437 984 679 with dietary requirements if applicable
All welcome
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).
Special Services 2023
| 20th August | Evensong – St Mark’s, Balnarring |
| 10th September | Patronal Festival & Consecration of New Windows |
| 22nd October | Evensong – St Mark’s, Dromana |
| 3rd December | St John’s, Sorrento – Lessons & Carols for Advent |
| 17th December | St Mark’s, Dromana – Lessons & Carols for Christmas |
_ _ . _ _ _ _ . .
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 All Saints Rosebud with St Katherine’s McCrae and their Vicar, Rev’d Lynda Crossley.
- For the work of the Church Missionary Society and Wei-Han the Victorian Director.
- For Anna Radkovic our CMS Link Missionary and her commissioning
on 15th July. Anna is expected to move to Kenya by the end of this month. Pray particularly for the logistics and the emotions of moving and for the team in Kenya as they prepare to receive her. - 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.
