Your own walk with Jesus?…

In John 17, the Son of God prays for his disciples. Judas Isacariot has left. Soon Jesus will go out to be arrested, then tried, beaten and crucified. Knowing this, Jesus prays to his Father for those who have journeyed with him and now are about to have every molecule of their faith challenged. First, he asks that the Father would be glorified in what is about to happen. Second, he gives thanks for these disciples, given to him by the Father as his companions and witnesses so that the world can be saved through him. Third, Jesus asks that they would be protected as Jesus himself has protected them. Protection given by teaching them the true word of God and leading them to understand how the Father’s heart really works, to understand the love he calls them to. Jesus wants them to continue in what he has taught them ‘so that they may be one’, as he and the Father are one. Jesus and the Father have always worked in unity, the Father led the Son and the Son listened to the Father and said and did only what the Father had shown him to do. He wants this unity of purpose and calling, of message and action in his disciples, and he wants it to work as his relationship with the Father works, unified in the Father’s will for each. Jesus wants his disciples’ joy to be complete and that joy is linked to their knowledge of his word. Lastly, Jesus prays that his disciples be sanctified in the truth. What does that mean? It is the truth of Jesus’ word that he has already told them has cleansed them (John 15:3). To be sanctified means to be cleansed for a holy purpose, put aside separately for God’s purposes, freed from sin, purified. This process of being sanctified will be completed only as Jesus completes his own process – and we see this in the ensuing days and weeks as the disciples come to apply what they have learned from Jesus and believe in his death and resurrection, witness his ascension, and receive the Holy Spirit whose presence ‘seals the deal’, at Pentecost. From this moment, the process of sanctification for all disciples, including us, is in lives lived by faith in Jesus, in the love which is the character of the Father, in the power of the Holy Spirit, actively growing through constantly engaging with God’s word and letting it transform us in the Father’s love. As we each engage with God in this way we become all that Jesus prayed for us to be. How are you promoting this growth in sanctification your own walk with Jesus?

Janice

This Week

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

David Ilett’s funeral…

David Ilett’s funeral will be held on Friday 17th May at 2pm. The venue is still being finalised as there may be too many attending for St Mark’s to accommodate. We will be providing afternoon tea wherever the funeral is held and need some assistance to do so. If you are able to assist with serving tea and coffee or providing food, please put your name down on the list in the narthex.

Pleasant Sunday Afternoon – 26 May, 2:30-4:00pm at the church…

You are all invited to come and enjoy a time of singing your favourite hymns and songs. RSVP your personal invitations and give your hymn requests as soon as you are able – for gathering the music and practising. A simple afternoon tea afterwards will be provided. (no need to bring anything)

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 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: Ilett family, Joan R, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Joan, Backy, Margie, Fred, Robert, Jan, David, Guy.