As I reflect on this week’s Gospel reading I find myself also reflecting on the polarising effect of the marches for Gaza. I reflect on the premise that somehow one human being is worth more than another and I find myself in tears for all of them. When Jesus was invited to a dinner and saw the people carefully choosing the places of honour at the table, he told a parable about how putting ourselves above others just shows how prideful we are, and how the person who chooses to honour others first will find themselves honoured. He told the people gathered before him that ‘all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted’. Humility is not about falsely putting yourself down, but knowing your worth and your power, and choosing to use that to lift up others instead of yourself. It requires an ability to admit when we are wrong, and an ability to be right without having to tell the world that. It allows for the fact that the person next to you may also be right, and you can honour them by agreeing with them and letting them have that praise. Humility and honour do not tear others down, nor do they puff others up falsely. They acknowledge the inherent value in each human being before God and treat them accordingly. Jesus next tells these people to honour those in need as being of as much worth to the Lord as their rich friends by asking them to their banquets so they can eat well too. Why is it that human beings are so ready to declare others worth less than themselves, when the Word of God tells us that all human beings are made in the image of God? God has given you and I grace through the blood of Jesus – and these are also children whom that same grace was given for. They just don’t know that yet. Might I suggest, as we enter into a week of prayer for the transforming power of God to step into our world, we first examine our attitudes and intentionally seek to honour those it’s hard to invite into our lives, to extend grace and seek to see the worth in them that God sees through Jesus. Perhaps then we could pray earnestly for a peace which honours the humanity of every person regardless of race or nationality.
Janice
This Week:
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Youth Group, 4.00pm | |
| Worship & Prayer time led by our Youth, 5.00pm | |
| MONDAY: | Church open for prayer, 10.00am to 5.00pm |
| Prayer for the Parish, St Mark’s, 4.00pm | |
| Contact: Janice | |
| TUESDAY: | Church open for prayer, 4.00pm to 7.00pm |
| Worship and prayer time, 7.00pm – 8.00pm | |
| Zoom Bible Study, 7.00pm | |
| Contact: Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Church open for prayer 6.00pm to 8.00pm |
| 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: | Church open for prayer 1.00pm to 5.00pm |
| Men’s Coffee & Chat, Blackthorn Café, 10.00am | |
| Contact Steve (0437 984 679), Keith T (0413 319 327) | |
| Women’s Study Group, St Mark’s, 9.30am | |
| Contact: Carol (0411 405 597) | |
| FRIDAY: | Church open for prayer, 4.00pm – 5.00pm |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Healing Service, 5.00pm, Speaker: Janice | |
| Topic: ‘Tears in the Dark – faith in the midst of grief” |
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:
Global 24/7 Prayer 1st – 7th September…
Our Parish Council have decided to join St Paul’s cathedral and Christians across the world in prayer next week. We are calling the parish to prayer from 1st to 7th September. The church will be open for prayer at set times, all groups are asked to spend time in prayer during their meetings, and there will be a sign up sheet for us to select a time to pray at home or in church during the week to hopefully cover 24 hours a day. There will be a set of guidelines available to help direct our prayers, and we also hope to hold a prayer and worship service on 31st August.
Details in the diary on page 2 and on the table in the narthex.
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.
Operation Christmas Child…
21 September will be box packing day as we did last year. All items will be provided. Price per box TBA.
Pleasant Sunday Afternoon (12th October)…
If you have a favourite hymn or song, please let Kevin or Anne know by 21 September. More details later.
BYRD Song Choir…
BYRD SONG CHOIR – Conducted by John Rogers
Sunday 28th September 5pm at St Marks Dromana, Evensong Service
Refreshments will follow service.
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 Sorrento & Rye 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 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 Marlene, David, Belinda, Joan R, Family of Barbara Vance, Lynda & Ian, Robyn, Phillip, Nikki, Jason, Noel and family, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Lorna & Peter, Keith S, Harry, Jen, Mike, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert, Jan, David.
