There is an old saying which I think is still very true: Religion is about what I do to get to God, Christianity is about what God has done to get to me. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul is fully focused on what God has done to get to us. He zooms in on the cross of Jesus, his birth into humble beginnings, his life and death in sacrifice for our salvation, and the resurrection and ascension, back to the throne he left at the Father’s side so we might have life now and a place in the throne room too. None of this was our doing, Jesus did it all for us. The humility of Jesus is displayed in the Son of God being prepared to leave heaven and deal in the difficulties and dust of this earthly life with us. We can find true solace in Jesus’ words of comfort because he’s actually been here. We can believe that Jesus really does love us because he had no need to come and live amongst us, or to die for us. If God is truly God then he needs nothing, but because we are created in love for God’s glory, he came in love and did this for us. There are so many proofs of the humility of Jesus and the love of God for us in the life of Jesus, and Paul eloquently brings these together in Philippians 2. Our lives are to be lived in response to this humble love of Jesus for us. We don’t observe our prayer times or read scripture or hold services because they are needed for God’s approval of us, but because the only proper response to Jesus’ life given for us is our lives given for him in thankful service and praise. Paul’s letter is written as he suffers in prison for the Gospel and yet there is no bitterness or complaint in his letter, only calls to serve Jesus as he served us and to be thankful. Perhaps there is some wisdom in that for us at this time. As Christians living in a world where persecution is rising and there are many subtle ways in which we find our message is silenced – from the social awkwardness which comes when we mention our faith amongst our friends to changing discrimination laws which are becoming harder to keep whilst calling the oppressed to freedom in Christ, can we continue to live as saved people and to hold on to our faith, rejoicing in Jesus’ love for us? ‘Willing and working to live out our faith’ with gratitude and joy? Are we with the son who says yes but does nothing, or with the one who may be reluctant but chooses to do what he has been called to do out of love and obedience to his Lord?
Janice
This Week
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Healing Service, 6.00pm | |
| Kevin Cranwell will be preaching – | |
| Theme: ’Called to be a community of healing’ | |
| MONDAY: | Study Group, St Mark’s, 7.00pm – 9:00pm |
| Contact Kevin or Anne (0438 234 857) | |
| TUESDAY | Zoom Prayer Meeting, 1.30pm |
| Contact John (0421426156) | |
| Online 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) | |
| THURSDAY: | Men’s Coffee & Chat Blackthorn Café, 10.00am |
| Contact Steve (0437 984 679) | |
| FRIDAY: | JANICE’S DAY OFF |
| NEXT SATURDAY: | Family BBQ, St Mark’s, 12.30pm |
| 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) | ||
| 6.00pm | 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:
Daylight Saving Time
Clocks to be set forward 1 Hour from 2am October 1st.
Janice’s Retreat…
Janice will be on retreat from 2nd to 5th October inclusive. For any urgent pastoral issues please contact Kevin Cranwell. Wednesday service will be led by Kevin and Keith together.
Operation Christmas Child
Yes, getting close to that time of year again! This year, Operation Christmas Child celebrates its 30th year of demonstrating God’s love to children all over the world. Since 1993, more than 209 million children have received a gift-filled shoebox. Most importantly, each shoebox presents the opportunity to learn about Jesus through The Greatest Journey. It all starts with packing a shoebox. You can use your own shoebox if you wish (approx. A4 size) but to be consistent we will be receiving the Christmas Child shoeboxes too. The National Collection is 23rd October – 4th November, so we would require them to be returned to Church before that date so we can deliver them. If you would like to donate items but not pack your own box, we will have the opportunity for you to do that. You may also like to donate Online directly to Samaritan’s Purse. More information soon! For any further information please contact: Anne Cranwell – 0473 562 968 or Heather Such – 0417 032 817
Special Services 2023
| 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 the residents and rescue workers in Derna, Libya as they struggle to cope with body management issues/concerns following the devastating floods.
- For those facing homelessness, hardship, anguish and despair 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. Give thanks that Archdeacon Helen is now well and beginning to return to work.
- In our Deanery, we pray for the Parish of Sorrento & Rye and their Vicar Fr. Nicholas Wallace.
- For the work of the Church Missionary Society and Wei-Han the Victorian Director.
- For Anna Radkovic our CMS Link Missionary. Anna Radkovic has now left Australia and is on her way to Kenya. Her updated prayer letter is on the board in the Narthex.
- 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 success of the new Family and Children’s Ministry.
- For the 9am at home prayer time for the Parish, Dromana & Mornington Peninsula.
- For: Edna, Fred, Tahlia, Robert, Jan, David, Margie, Irene, Guy, Ruth.
