One of the unique things about Christianity is that it is about what Jesus did, not about what we do. We have a place in the presence of the living God because Jesus has died in our place, paying the penalty for our disobedience and rebellion (sin) which is death, and then rising to life to bring us the Life which exists in him alone. There is nothing we can add to this to make it so. There is nothing we can subtract from it to make it less. It is done. So we believe and so are saved by the grace of a God who has done everything, even the dying, for us. Victory over death is something no other religion can claim. Their leaders are dead and have not returned to eat and drink with them and continue to teach them how to live. The writer to the Hebrews puts it like this: Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. (Heb 2:14-15) In this world fear often comes against us. Fear of failure, fear of poverty, fear of all the things that can kill us – fire, disasters, violence, wild animals, diseases of all kinds to name a few. The root of this fear is the fear of death. Yet Jesus has removed death from the equation for us. We do not die but live, because our bodies and this life are not all there is. There is so much more! I have watched fear paralyse people into muteness, propel them into anger, lock them into their homes, throw them into panic, and close them into hopelessness and despair. The devil works in twisting the things which are natural and good and turning them into what they are not. Fear is a natural gift to keep us safe, but if twisted into something which controls us, it becomes oppression. When we have understood that Jesus has destroyed death and the devil’s power over it, we can shake that oppression and walk free by the power of Jesus’ name. This is just one way in which the ministry of deliverance makes our lives a gift instead of a burden. Jesus still sets the captive free. It is done. Jesus is alive! How are you going? Is there a burden you can’t shake? Contact me.
Janice
This Week
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Evensong, 5.00pm Balnarring Anglican Church. | |
| A number of parishioners from St Mark’s will be involved in the singing. | |
| MONDAY: | Prayer Group, 9.00am, St Marks, 10.00am |
| Contact: Janice | |
| Bible Study Group, St Marks, 4.00pm | |
| Contact: Kevin (0438 234 457) | |
| TUESDAY: | Zoom Prayer Meeting, 1.30pm |
| Contact John (0421 426 156) | |
| Zoom Bible Study Group, 7.00pm | |
| Contact Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion, 10:00am |
| Healing Service planning meeting, St Mark’s, 12.15pm | |
| “Book of Esther” Contact Keith S (0419 551 082) | |
| Bible Study Group St Mark’s,11.00am | |
| “Book of Esther” Contact Keith S (0419 551 082) | |
| Cuppa, Craft & Chat Group | |
| Is in recess and will reconvene on 17th July 2024 | |
| THURSDAY: | Women’s Bible Study, St Mark’s, 9.30am |
| “Revelations” Contact Fay (0401 404 280) | |
| Men’s Coffee & Chat, Blackthorn Café, 10.00am | |
| Contact Steve (0437 984 679), Keith T (0413 319 327) | |
| or Kevin (0493 234 457) | |
| FRIDAY: | Janice’s DAY OFF |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am |
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:
For Your Diary..
Jumbunna Prayer Day Saturday 27th July 8am to 6pm at Glen Waverley Anglican Church. Join Janice in leading prayers 1.30 to 2pm.
Op Shop…
We have had a notice in the pew sheet about our Op Shop for some time now. We are in real need of volunteers to assist us, especially on Fridays. At this stage the committee has decided to appeal for help once more, but without enough staff, the Op Shop cannot remain open on Friday mornings. At the moment Edna and Ellen are covering multiple shifts and we would like to relieve them of some of them. 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. Thanks.
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 Parish of Mornington/Mt Martha who are in interregnum at the moment.
- 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 our Op Shop staff and all who visit each week.
- For: Maggie D, Joy, Harry, Jen, Bernice, Mike, Pat, Joan R, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Margie, Fred, Robert, Jan, David, Guy.
- Give thanks for the life of Mick Henderson and pray for his family as they mourn.
