This week Jeremiah foresees the coming of the Branch of Jesse’s line – the family of King David. A righteous Branch who shall execute justice and righteousness in the land, who will save Judah and bring Jerusalem to live in safety. It’s easy to see from this passage how the Son of David was thought to be a ruler who would rise up and sit on the actual throne of David in Jerusalem. But Jesus is not that kind of king. We know this now. The beauty of this passage, so full of promise, is that Jesus has not disappointed on the delivery of justice and righteousness. It is not human justice and righteousness (which is flawed, even in its purest form), but the justice and righteousness of God which Jesus brought. At the cross Jesus satisfied the need for the penalty for our sin to be fully paid. It was a substitution of one Man for every human being, a moment of awesome justice offered in absolute righteousness. Now the price once paid will never need to be paid again, and the ability for each of us to be gifted with the righteousness of God is ours. This is often what is not fully understood by the forgiveness of sins the cross brings. It is not that we are made perfect and somehow become righteous because of our efforts, but that despite our own flawed behaviour we are given God’s righteousness as if it were our own. It’s not a loan, as if when we sin the Lord says ‘give me that’ and removes it. It is a gift. The choice to give the gift is not ours, but God’s choice in love for us. We accept it simply through repentance and faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection for us. Jesus’ gift of justice and righteousness is the ultimate Christmas gift. This wonderful gift, which we could not have paid the price for ourselves, is the gift that extends the bridge across the gap between our behaviour and God’s perfection. It means that the glory, power, holiness, love, joy, peace and life of God can cross that bridge to be ours even in this flawed and difficult world where sin surrounds us and perfection is beyond our humanity. Let’s never take for granted either the gift or the Giver. Let’s celebrate the hope we have in Jesus, the Righteous Branch, Son of David, and humble servant King.
Janice
This Week:
| SUNDAY: | ADVENT SUNDAY |
| Holy Communion, 8.45am | |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Healing Service, 6.00pm | |
| Advent Carol Service, St John’s Sorrento, 6.00pm | |
| MONDAY: | Prayer Group, St Marks, 9.15am (On Hold till 11th November) |
| Contact: Kevin (0438 234 457) | |
| Bible Study Group, St Mark’s, 4.00pm (On Hold Till Advised) | |
| 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 |
| Bible Study Group St Mark’s,11.00am | |
| “Women of the Bible” Contact Kevin (0438 234 457) | |
| Cuppa, Craft & Chat Group. (On Hold this week) | |
| Contact Robyn (0409 425 044) | |
| THURSDAY: | Women’s Bible Study, St Mark’s, 9.30am (Church Sanctuary) |
| “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 (Advent 1) |
| 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:
Holding the Light Service…
On Tuesday 10th December at 11am we will be holding a Holding the Light Service in the front garden. This is a service of remembrance for victims and survivors of family violence. It’s very gentle and aims to bring hope into the place of grief. Flyers are available and anyone can attend. Please see Janice for further details.
Christmas outreach…
There will be a Christmas Carol Outreach at IGA, 10.00 – 12.00 Saturday 14th December.
Christmas Hampers…
As in previous years, we would like to provide hampers for 10 local families this Christmas. There will be a basket in the Narthex for contributions of nonperishable foods which will be wrapped and distributed during the week beginning 9th December. Donations of money for items to be purchased for the hampers can be placed in the offertory bag clearly marked “hampers”. Please speak to Carol or Cheryl for more details.
Narthex Renovation…
Narthex renovation update: We had some technical difficulties with the dishwasher installation which will hopefully be resolved this week. The splashback board is up and the glass order for the splashback and yellow windows is underway. Electrical work is complete, and we are expecting the underbench boiler to be delivered this coming week. Timing for the installation of the wardrobe storage is still being worked out, but will be done asap. Thank you for your patience in working around our workings!
Diary Date…
Philharmonia Cologne that their concert at St Mark’s will be on Wednesday 15th January 2025. Advice on sale of tickets still to come.
Christmas Concert By Harmony Singers…
Saturday 21st December – 2:00pm r at The Village Glen, Capel Sound. $5 per person. Pay on day. Come & enjoy some lovely Christmas music.
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For everyone suffering after the horrendous floods in Spain & Portugal.
- For all women in Afghanistan now banned from hearing each others voices.
- 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 Archdeacon Rev’d Sam Bleby, in the Frankston Archdeanery.
- In our Deanery, we pray for the parish of St George’s Red Hill and their Acting Vicar.
- For the work of the Church Missionary Society and Wei-Han the Victorian Director.
- For Anna Radkovic our CMS Link Missionary in Watamu, Kenya.
- 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.
- 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 all members of the newly elected Parish Council.
- For Hope25. That the Good News of Jesus will be known in the community of Dromana.
- For Joan R & family, Rhiannon, Richard, Sallie, Rev’d Janice, Pat, Lorna & Peter, Keith S, Harry, Jen, Mike, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert, Jan, David, Guy.
