I have recently been given two jobs: one, to write a pew sheet reflection for the 8th September and two, to establish a Hope25 working group. Bringing these two tasks together seemed a good idea. Hope25 is an initiative of the Anglican Church of Australia. Its focus is a national season of sharing the hope we have in Jesus from Easter Day to Pentecost Sunday, 2025.
We are encouraged to sign up for monthly resourcing videos, explore the resources at (https://www.hope25.com.au), form a team in our parish or community, encourage prayer – individual and group, tune in to the resourcing podcasts on Spotify, Amazon or Apple (Hope25 Podcast) and follow Hope25 on Facebook to get the latest news and resources. What does this mean for us at St Mark’s? My first thought is that, as God’s people, we are already on board. Hope25 will offer us focus and resources but we are already called to and engaged in mission. The mission of God, “Missio Dei”, is a people choosing to extend, engage, and invite others into the story of God. Much of what we already do at St Mark’s is focused on mission and it will not begin or end with Hope25. Can Hope25 help us to be more fruitful? Yes, I believe it can. If you would like to be part of a Working Group please let me know by either seeing me at church or contacting me (john.rogers@stmarksdromana.org.au), mobile: 0421426156. Whether you become part of a Working Group or not could I encourage you to do three things.
1. Dream – dream together about what might happen if we invited people to come and hear about Jesus and their lives were changed. What would happen if at our next Alpha Course people known to us in the community who never come to church, came along to hear about Jesus? What would happen to our church if even one or two, but maybe 5 or 10 people started coming….
2. Brainstorm ideas – what gifts and talents has God given you that could be used in building His Kingdom? What are we already doing that could be more intentionally used to draw people into God’s story. What do we do well at St Mark’s? How might this be used……
3. Pray – pray for your local community to come to know Jesus. Maybe think of some people and pray that they will find hope in Jesus next year. Pray that we will all find our place in God’s mission.
John Rogers.
This Week : 25th August to 1st September
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Choral Evensong, 5.00pm | |
| All Saints Anglican Church Rosebud followed by supper. | |
| MONDAY: | Prayer Group, St Marks, 9.00am – 10.00am |
| Contact: Kevin (0438 234 457) | |
| Funeral for Dorothy Wenborn, 10.30am | |
| 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 |
| Bible Study Group St Mark’s,11.00am | |
| “Women of the Bible” Contact Kevin (0438 234 457) | |
| Cuppa, Craft & Chat Group. St Mark’s, 12.30pm | |
| Contact Robyn (0409 425 044) | |
| THURSDAY: | Women’s Bible Study, St Mark’s, 9.30am |
| “Becoming a Woman of Strength” | |
| 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:
Acting Vicar today is: Rev’d Jill McCoy
Our Vicar, Rev’d Janice, is now on 8 weeks Long Service leave and will return to work on Tuesday 8th October. During Janice’s time away we will have Acting Vicars who will lead Sunday and Wednesday services and attend meetings as requested. For urgent Pastoral Care please contact the Wardens: Kevin 0438234457, Richard 0490404563 or Mike 0425736843; who will then call the appropriate Locum.
Alpha…
Our next ALPHA will run from 3rd October to 28th November (Thursday’s) from 6pm to finish before 8.45, with a hot meal, video and discussion time. Please pray about whether this is for you and whether you can invite someone to come and hear the good news of Jesus. Speak to Steve or Carol for details (registration forms available soon)
Operation Christmas Child..
Operation Christmas Child Packing Party – 22 September This year, we are having a Packing Party to fill boxes after each service in the narthex. All the contents will be provided at a cost of $14.50. It would be great if you are able to pay (or contribute towards) P&H of $12.50. Come and have some fun together. If you like, write a note to the child, and perhaps also send a photo of yourself! In 2023 children from Ukraine were blessed with boxes from Australia. St Mark’s sent 36 boxes – let’s aim for 40 in 2024. For any queries, please contact Heather 0417032817 or Anne 0473562968.
Church Fete (Saturday 2nd November)(Melbourn Cup weekend)…
Times 10am – 2pm. Stalls – Cakes, Preserves/Jams, Plants, Craft, BBQ, Morning Tea & Scones. Start thinking of what you make or add to the day. Cakes = Jen Watson, Preserves = Ellen Brindley, Plants = Robyn Falconer, BBQ = Mens Thursday Group, Morning Tea = Carol Parkinson, Craft = Craft Group. Kids – crafts and Face Painter, Music – Ukulele Group Invited.
Opp Shop…
Our Op Shop is still in need of helpers. If you can assist for a few hours and have your Police Check and Level 1 training, please talk to Cheryl King.
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 and Myanmar.
- 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 All Saints Rosebud with St Katherine’s McCrae and their Vicar, Rev’d Lynda Crossley.
- 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 our Acting Vicar Rev’d Jill McCoy.
- 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 next Alpha program, the leaders and all who will attend.
- 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 Lorna & Peter, Keith S, Maggie D, Harry, Jen, Bernice, Mike, Pat, Joan R, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert, Jan, David, Guy.
