In our Gospel reading for today is the ‘parable of the rich fool’. Looking at where it is set in the narrative of Luke’s gospel, we see that the parable is told in response to a question from someone in the crowd, and that question stems from what he has just said to them. Jesus has been teaching on the way God rescues those who are his and values and looks after them. He has also issued the challenge to those listening to be faithful to God and not deny any of the Trinity. (Note Father, Son and Spirit feature in this teaching.) The question from the crowd is a plea for Jesus to arbitrate between two brothers over an inheritance. Jesus answers the man with a correction of his perspective – that’s not Jesus’ job – and then a correction of his worldly attitude. Read in the light of the call to understand the worth of a true disciple who walks in obedience and faith, and the reminder that the Lord has the power over eternal destiny, the parable of the rich fool teaches him about what God values in our lives. The rich man has been very successful in the ways of the world. He has all the things the world says he needs for a long and happy life. Putting his trust in these things, he plans his retirement with the ease of one guaranteed an excellent self-funded pension and ongoing investments to keep him secure in his lavish lifestyle. There is no mention of him ever sharing his abundance with the poor and needy. He is the centre of his own universe and has been living in selfish conceit, which puts him outside God’s laws and at peril of eternal consequences. Oblivious to this and satisfied with his decision to be even more greedy tomorrow, the man goes to bed happy. But tomorrow is not promised and riches cannot save us from death. Only God has that power, and the man is judged as a fool. If we measure our priorities by how much money and time we put into something, where does that tell us that following Jesus comes in our lives? It’s not about how much money we have. It’s about the attitude and the commitment to prioritise our lives according to the commandments of Jesus. Where is our heart’s treasure? In the bank or in the Lord?
Janice
This Week:
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Soup and Scones Lunch after 10.30am service | |
| Healing Service, 5.00pm | |
| Topic: ‘True Strength’ Speaker: Graeme King | |
| MONDAY: | Prayer for the Parish, St Mark’s, 4.00pm |
| Contact: Janice | |
| TUESDAY: | Zoom Bible Study, 7.00pm |
| Contact: Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion Service – 10.00am |
| Bible Study Group St Mark’s, 11.00am | |
| Contact: Janice | |
| Cuppa, Craft & Chat Group, St Mark’s,12.30pm | |
| Contact: Robyn (0409 425 044) | |
| THURSDAY: | Men’s Coffee & Chat, Blackthorn Café, 10.00am |
| Contact Steve (0437 984 679), Keith T (0413 319 327) | |
| Women’s Study Group, In recess until 24 July | |
| Contact: Carol (0411 405 597) | |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Holy Communion, 10.30am | |
| Youth Group, 4.00pm |
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:
Ladies Lunch…
The Thursday ladies Bible Study Group invite St.Mark’s ladies and their friends to lunch & conversation on Thursday September 4th at 12.45pm. Please come alone or bring a friend. If you are able to provide a small contribution of a plate of food to share it would be appreciated. RSVP numbers to Carol by Sunday 24th August.
In the Beginning…
Bishop Paul Barker will be leading talks on Genesis 1-4 over the Wednesdays in August. 7.30pm to 8.30pm on 6,13, 20, 27 August 2025 in person at Glen Waverley Anglican Church, 800 Waverley Rd Glen Waverley or online at www.gwac.org.au/livestream
Men’s breakfast…
Speaker: Graeme King
$7 will give you a delicious breakfast of egg and bacon roll, coffee/tea and the best conversation in Dromana!
PLEASE RSVP to Steve by Wednesday 13th. It really does make shopping (for Carol) and setting up easier and is very much appreciated
National grandparents conference…
23 August – 9am to 4.30pm
‘Leaving a living legacy’ – One day of Inspiration and Encouragement The day will be live-streamed from St Paul’s Castle Hill, Sydney. For further details & participation please contact Cheryl 0490 664 830 or Graeme 0490 664 843
VCCEM Training..
VCCEM TRAINING is happening here at St Mark’s on Saturday 30th August. If you would like to volunteer to offer psychological first aid in disaster situations with the Victorian Council of Churches Emergency Management team this is your chance to train with them. Details on how to register are at www.vccem.org.au Ask Janice for details.
SUFM Mccrae..
SUFM MCCRAE are holding a fundraiser Trivia night on 30th August from 7-9pm at Gateway Church, 14 Heversham Drive, Seaford. To register use this link https://brushfire.com/sua/fundraiser/606364
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For Government action to address the out of control protests in Melbourne.
- For the Government plans to address the rise of antisemitism in Australia.
- For families suffering as a result of violence and home invasions.
- For those facing homelessness, hardship, anguish and despair amid rising costs.
- For all in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine and Myanmar.
- 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 Melbourne Archbishop-elect Right Reverend Dr Richard (Ric) Thorpe as he prepares to move from London to Melbourne.
- 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 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 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 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 Parish Council.
- For Hope25. That the Good News of Jesus will be known in the community of Dromana.
- For Belinda, Joan R, Family of Barbara Vance, Lynda & Ian, family of Bill Uhe, Robyn, Ellen, Phillip, Nikki, Jason, Bernadette & family, Noel and family, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Lorna & Peter, Keith S, Harry, Jen, Mike, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert, Jan, David.
