Relationship with Jesus…

The Apostle John had a deep and loving relationship with Jesus, and from that relationship developed a deep understanding of the power of love in the lives of those who believe. John understood that to love in word only – saying ‘I love you’ but not showing it in our actions – was a sign of a counterfeit love not worthy of the love Jesus had shown us by giving his life for us on the cross. In our lives we see many who say lots of good things and promise many great things, but do not produce any of the things they have spoken of. Sadly, even some church leaders can be numbered amongst these over the centuries. John sees the direct correlation between having a full and loving relationship with Jesus and the life lived in this same deep sacrificial love as showing clearly that the person is a true disciple of Jesus. The love which acts as Jesus acts shows this. Knowing the depth of the love Jesus had for us by the action of his sacrifice and the power of the Father’s love for us in raising Jesus from death, John recognised that those who simply say that they love Jesus and their fellow believers but betray them or harm them instead cannot be speaking the truth. Calling this out is John’s way of making sure his people see with clear eyes and don’t get deceived with nice words. The way of true discipleship seeks a deep and loving relationship of the whole of life, our whole being, with our Lord Jesus. We grow in this by doing the things that love calls us to do. We spend time with our Lord in prayer and reading his word in the Bible. We spend time in fellowship with him and with one another in church worship and other church gatherings. We serve one another in practical ways and we also serve our community for whom Jesus also died. Our loving God is just aching to have this deep relationship with us, and always ready to respond to our smallest effort to grow closer to him. As Jesus reminds us in John’s gospel, he is the vine and we the branches, so apart from him we can do nothing. There is life in abiding in Christ, as well as truth and love and purpose. Jesus wants us to abide in him so that we can be disciples who bear fruit, and in this way bring others to also find that life, truth, love and purpose. We are not saved for our own sake only, but that others may be saved through us. In this is love – that we love the Lord as he loves us, and our neighbour as ourselves. We show this by actually doing something about it.

Janice

This Week

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Op Shop…

Our Op Shop is a ministry of this parish to the wider community which Parish Council would like to see grow as a ministry, alongside its financial support of our work here. We have had some volunteers resign this week for various reasons and will be in need of others to assist. If you can spare some time to help, please see Edna South or another member of our Op Shop Committee: Vicki Brown, Lorraine Strickland, Richard Watson, Graeme and Cheryl King or Rev’d Janice.

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.

This Week’s Prayer Focus

In our country and the world:

• For those facing homelessness, hardship, anguish and despair amid rising costs.
• For all in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine.
• 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 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: Joan R, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Joan, Backy, Margie, Fred, Robert, Jan, David, Guy.