This morning we read the story of the annunciation, where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her the Holy Spirit would come upon her and she would be overshadowed by the power of the Most High so that the child within her would be holy, the Son of God. And so it was. Many people struggle with this but if God is the God of the Bible then the creative power that birthed the universe is fully capable of begetting and birthing one child. Begotten means brought into being as a human but not created as humans are created. The Lord of the universe chose this miracle to allow God the Son to die for us. Without this moment in time taking place within the womb of a woman whose faith was strong enough to say yes to it, the cross was impossible and all the cross brings was out of our reach. This is the true meaning of Christmas. The question we may ask is, why? How many times have you endured pain, bother and trouble for the sake of helping, even saving, one you love? Love is the motivator, and love the power behind the miracle. It was because God loves us. 1 Corinthians 13 (A Christmas Version) If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator. If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook. If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing. If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata, but do not focus on those I love most, I have missed the point…. In other words: Love stops the cooking to hug a child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost and golf clubs will rust. But the gift of love will endure. (Source Unknown) How are you living in love this Christmas?
Janice
This Week
| SUNDAY: | Advent 4 ,10:00am Combined Holy Communion |
| Christmas Eve, 11:00pm | |
| Celebration Holy Communion with Carols | |
| MONDAY: | Christmas Day, 9.30am |
| Christmas Celebration Holy Communion | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion, 10.00am |
| Irene Cowdell’s Funeral, 2.00pm | |
| THURSDAY: | 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 |
Regular 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:
Irene Cowdell’s funeral will be held on Wednesday 27th December at 2pm.
It will be a service of Holy Communion and it would be appreciated if those attending from the parish could bring something to share for afternoon tea.
Carpark Supervision
Men, can you help? Commencing Sunday, 17th December 2023, we plan to have a roster of men from both services to oversee the carpark whenever there are church events. There will be a ‘sign-up” sheet in the foyer. For more information see Kevin (0438 234 857).
Alpha 2024…
Our next Alpha course will begin on Thursday 1st February at 6pm at the home of Steve and Carol Parkinson. Please consider who you can invite to join us as we learn who Jesus really is and answer some of the questions of life together. Contact Carol 0411405597 or Steve 0437984679 for further information.
Special Services 2023
| 23rd December | 5.30pm sausage sizzle & Family Christmas Carols with Nativity |
| 24th December | 10:00am Combined Holy Communion service for Advent 4 |
| 11pm Midnight Celebration Holy Communion with Carols | |
| 25th December | 9.30am combined Christmas Celebration Holy |
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For all grieving after accidents and disasters.
- For all in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine.
- For all firefighters in Queensland and NSW, and all those suffering trauma and loss as a result of the fires.
- 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 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. Pray thanks for the progress of Anna’s residency visa.
- 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 Keith & Jan Thomas and Mike & Vicki Brown as they are received into the Anglican Communion.
- 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: Irene’s family and friends, Jessica, Audrey, Joan, Christine, Backy, John R, Margie, Fred, Robert, Jan, David, Guy.
