Easter Day…

As we walk through the events of Holy Week, we can be overwhelmed by the enormity of the crucifixion and the heavy price paid for our freedom from sin and death. We can find we’ve been here so many times that it seems to have lost some of its meaning. We can be focussed on the resurrection and just skim over the cross as something which is a ‘necessary evil’ so we could have life. Yet this is the most important moment in human history so far. Without this moment in time, we would be ‘dead in our sins’, as Paul puts it, with no release from guilt, no hope for eternal life, no prospect of seeing our loved ones again, no healing power of the Holy Spirit, and no Christian influence on the values of our society. Volunteerism, humility, sharing, caring for those less fortunate, government which upholds its people with welfare for the poor, schooling for all regardless of their abilities, hospitals for the sick accessible for anyone, and many more things came from this one moment in history because Christians, seeking to love one another as Christ loved them, and to love their neighbour as themselves, began to change the culture of their societies to reflect that self-giving love which Jesus showed ultimately on the cross. Many people in our society don’t realise these things are part of our lives because of Jesus, but it’s true, so Easter is truly a holiday worth celebrating, even for those of no faith. The human condition is such that we can be extremely selfish and extremely kind, it depends on which nature we are listening to – the fallen one or the image of God within. How will we respond this year to the gifts of Jesus’ death and resurrection and of the Holy Spirit? What choices for the good of the world and those around us can we make? As a church, how can we be part of this movement across the years which has done so much good beyond the walls of church buildings? How can we choose to be kind when we would rather walk on? How can we choose to speak peace and love when we would rather speak anger or impatience? Will we submit ourselves to Jesus and earnestly repent, seeking his power and grace to change our thinking that it might be more in line with his thinking so that our witness reflects the power of the cross? Easter is here and Christ is risen and alive! Let’s celebrate his victory and seek to share the good news in the grace we have received through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Janice

This Week

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Daylight Saving…

Daylight Saving ends at 2am on Sunday 7th April. Put your clocks back 1 hour before you head to bed on Saturday night so you’re not super early for church!

Tuesday 1:30 Zoom Prayer…

Please note that the Tuesday 1.30pm Zoom Prayer meeting will not be held during the school holidays.

Fencing & Security Project…

As you all know we are upgrading the fencing and security around St. Mark’s. Rev. Janice has spoken about this and we would welcome any contributions. If you would like to make a donation towards this project, please put any cash into an envelope marked “Fencing/Security” and put it in the offering bag on a Sunday. We will provide you with a receipt and keep these monies aside for the project. If you wish to give to this project electronically, please speak to Janice as we are keeping these monies in a special account.

Bishop Paul Barker is visiting us on Sunday 14th April….

We will be having a combined service at 10am which will include two baptisms and two confirmations. The invitation is still open for anyone else who would like to commit themselves to The Lord Jesus for the first time or recommit themselves to him. We will follow the service with a Morning Tea. If you are interested in contributing food please see Kevin Cranwell or Susan Buckman.

This Week’s Prayer Focus

In our country and the world:

• For all in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine.
• 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 Holy Trinity Hastings and their Vicar, Rev’d Tim Anderson.
• 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 2024 Alpha program, its leaders, and all who attend.
• For the 9am at home prayer time for the Parish, Dromana & Mornington Peninsula.
• For the 2024 Alpha program, its leaders, and all who attend.
• For the Alpha Holy Spirit Day next Saturday 9th March.
• For: Chloe, Betty Madeley and family, Ted, Monica, Joy, Jessica, Audrey, Joan, Backy, Margie, Fred, Robert, Jan, David, Guy. (Betty is in palliative care and not expected to live through this coming week).