Miracles…

Our readings today are a follow-on from the miracle in last Sunday’s Mark reading which gives another perspective on the importance of the miracles in Jesus’ ministry, as well as showing that Jesus’ authority over demons and all illness is absolute. Jesus continues to heal those who come to him, and does so over many hours into the evening. After only resting for a short time, he went out to pray. The principle of keeping the connection with the Father and the Spirit is very important in Jesus’ ministry. He often goes out to a deserted place to pray so this seems to have been a very regular practice. It’s one worth pursuing for us, after all, who are those who wait upon the Lord, as Isaiah 40 says, but those who intentionally spend time in prayer and the word? Jesus drew strength and focus from these times away from the demands of his ministry, but the disciples didn’t yet understand this and hunted for him. Eventually, having found Jesus, they wanted him to keep doing the miracles, but Jesus is focussed on what is most important. He must keep spreading the message of the Kingdom of God and his own presence as Messiah, so that people will know him in the end. If they don’t have the message, how will they know to follow him, and how will they know to respond to his call to come to him and be saved when the Apostles preach the resurrection later on? For Jesus the miracles testify to who he is, but the miracles are not the message. Jesus would have us also grow in our relationship with the Father so that we can carry his message in our lives in how we live and in how we answer for our faith. In spending time in prayer with the Father, I am constantly renewed in my understanding that I am loved as I am, and so is everyone else – which means Father wants them saved too. Are you waiting on the Lord regularly or just snatching a little time now and then? Come to Jesus and ask him to help you to grow in this, and he will. That’s not my promise, it’s His: Isaiah 40:30-31 ‘Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint’.

Janice

This Week

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Janice annual leave arrangements…

I will be on annual leave from Monday 29th January to 11th February inclusive. While I am away Rev’d Peter Woods will look after the Sunday services and all pastoral matters should be referred to Kevin Cranwell. Wednesday services will continue with Kevin leading and Keith South consecrating. I will be back on 12th February.

Janice

8:45 Service Media Team…

Thank you to those who have offered to learn the computer system for the 8.45am service. Joy and Janice will assist you in training after Janice returns from leave. We still need a second person to learn how to set up services for the 10.30am service. Please speak to Anne or Janice.

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. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex for those who would like to help Alpha with a contribution towards the meal. Eating together is a vital part of the Alpha evening. If you are able to cook or prepare a meal but need help with ingredients, please speak with Carol or Steve. There are funds available for this. Thank you.
Contact Carol 0411405597 or Steve 0437984679 for further information.

Celebrate Shrove Tuesday – 13th February at 6pm…

Pancakes – some like ‘em sweet, some like ‘em savoury. We’re going to have both!
Come for some good food, games, quizzes, and great company!
Bring your family and friends!
If you’d like transport, just let us know.
Important note: please add your names to the sign-up list in the foyer or contact Kevin and Anne: 0438234457 by this Sunday, 4 February.

This Week’s Prayer Focus

In our country and the world:

• For the Gold Coast residents badly affected by recent storms and the Samaritans Purse relief teams working in Upper Coomera helping with the clean-up.
• For all affected by the storms and floods in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.
• For all in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine.
• For all ADF and rescue teams as they help in the Queensland storm and flood cleanup.
• 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.
• 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: Ian Lyons & family on the death of Christine, Helen R, Jessica, Audrey, Joan, Backy, John R, Margie, Fred, Robert, Jan, David, Guy