As we reflect on the story of Thomas this week, and the doubt that he battled and overcame when he finally saw Jesus alive, perhaps we can reflect on the lives of those who, like Thomas and the other disciples, actually saw the Lord alive after his resurrection and who went on to teach the known world about him. These men and women all knew that they were ordinary people, like us, not powerful and rich, but poor sinners who had been saved by the Son of God in order to bring that salvation to as many people as possible in their short lives. They made the most of every opportunity to live for Jesus, acutely aware through experience of how much he suffered for them, and absolutely rock solid in faith in his resurrection and ascension because they were eye witnesses to this. As John says, they testified to the word of life because they ‘have seen with our own eyes, looked at and touched with our own hands’ Jesus Christ. Their legacy is greater than that of any of us because they brought into being the church which spans the globe today. Yet we each have a part to play in the building up of the people of God, in how we give, act, love, serve and speak as Jesus’ disciples now. In school we were once asked to write our own obituary. The question of what we would like those we leave behind to remember us by spurred some of us on to decide to dream for a future in which we each made an impact. I know it made me think long and hard about what I would like the world I leave behind to remember me for. I already knew what I wanted Jesus to think of me and that was what I wrote in my paper. What then is your legacy? Given that we will all die one day, what difference have you made in the world for the Lord? How have you served him and how will you serve him in the days and years to come – should the Lord grant them to you? What will your friends and family say of you? What will Jesus say of you? What would you like him to say of you? The day grows short and we are not guaranteed tomorrow. Let’s make up our minds to live for the Lord every day that we have left and serve him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength; loving him and loving others and being the witnesses we are called to be. In this world which is filled with darkness the Light of Christ still shines through his servants, whether they be princes or paupers, for he does not discriminate, he loves all so much he died for them.
Janice
This Week
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Healing Service, 5.00pm | |
| Topic: The Healing Ministry of Jesus | |
| The role of faith. Preacher: Janice. | |
| TUESDAY: | Zoom Bible Study Group, 7.00pm |
| Contact Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Bible Study Group St Mark’s,11.00am |
| “Walking through Israel – a journey in pictures” | |
| 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 SUNDAY: | Combined Service, 10:00am |
| Baptism & Confirmation, Bp Paul Barker Presiding |
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:
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.
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.
Roster / volunteers….
If you would like to be on a roster for anything from welcoming to reading to prayers, or if you are currently on the rosters for our worship services, there will be a training time following the 10.30 service on Sunday April 28th so we can keep growing in our skills and encourage one another. The suggestion is that we bring something for lunch and eat together while we train. This will also give us a chance to make sure everyone is up to date on our Child Safety requirements.
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 Mornington & Mount Martha Church, their Vicar, Ven. Helen Phillips, Assistant Priest Rev’d John Phillips, and Children & Families Minister, Rev’d Liz Rankin.
- 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: Madeley family, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Joan, Backy, Margie, Fred, Robert, Jan, David, Guy.
