Much of what Isaiah said to the people of Israel was calling for correction of their idolatry and their selfishness. Some of his words were for surrounding nations who were against Israel to call them to account. Yet he is most famous, and most loved, for the prophesies the Lord spoke through him about the coming Messiah/Suffering Servant, and about the eternal kingdom of God which would be established at the end of time. One such prophesy is the Isaiah reading we have today. It is preceded by a very stern word to those who refuse to live God’s way telling them ‘My servants will have all they need but you will have nothing’. For God’s servants a new heaven and a new earth – that is all of creation remade as the past is no longer remembered and the pain of life replaced by rejoicing is promised. Death is gone, replaced by joy and life forever in God’s new Jerusalem. John the Apostle had this same sort of vision as he lived in exile on Patmos. Death and crying will be no more, disease and pain will be no more because everything before that moment will have passed away, everything will be made new. (Revelation 21). We love to read these passages and visualise the wonderful place God is preparing for us, yet right now we live in this life with all the terrible things God will remove from the world in the end still a present reality. In Luke 21 Jesus speaks to the disciples of the fall of the Temple and the persecution which will come to them because they believe in him. This is also a current reality. In 2 Thessalonians 3, Paul reminds the people that they need to work and look after one another, that to sit idly by as others do the work is not what God sees as good behaviour. If one can work, one should. If work was not something someone could do the church would look after them, but Paul was adamant that all people who belong to Jesus have something to contribute to the kingdom through Holy Spirit and should be encouraged to do that. In serving the Lord now and hoping for the future the Lord has promised, we find it possible to live with joy, and to persevere through suffering while hoping in the God who will make all things new in the end.
Janice
This Week:
| SUNDAY: | COMBINED HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE, 10.00am |
| ST MARK”S ANNUAL MEETING, 11.30am | |
| 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 Bible Study Group, St Mark’s, 9.30am | |
| Contact: Carol (0411 405 597) | |
| FRIDAY: | Janice’s Day Off |
| SATURDAY: | ST MARK’S FETE : 10AM – 2PM |
| 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 (0438 234 457 Kevin) |
Notices:
2025 Annual Meeting…
Our Annual Meeting will be held after the combined 10am service this Sunday 16th November at 11.30am. Nominees for Parish Council are: Jen Watson, Anne Cranwell, Heather Such. 3 more nominees are needed. Our Treasurer Nathan Kim will continue. Nominees for Wardens are: Keith Thomas, 1 more required. Vicar’s Warden: Jan Glass. Nominees for Parish Nominators (Incumbency Committee): 2 required. As you can see, we still need some people to step forward for Parish Council. Please speak to the Vicar if you are still considering nominating. Thank you to those who have submitted questions. Please send any questions for the meeting to Keith Thomas before Sunday. Our Annual Meeting will commence with a presentation of our proposed Hall building from the design team who have been working with our Building Committee.
Church Fete Saturday 22nd of November 10:00am – 2:30 pm…
Morning Teas, Luncheon, Cakes, Plants, Art Show, Jams, Books, Craft, BBQ, Kids crafts and face-painting. It is coming up quickly. Anyone who would like to be involved in any way please contact Janice. Set up will be from 8am on the day and everyone is welcome. Does anyone have a 3 x 3 marquee we could borrow on the day?
*Donations of Jam & Cream would be appreciated by Thursday* Please leave in church fridge.
Christmas Hampers…
Once again we are wanting to make up Christmas Hampers for distribution to families in need through Dromana Primary School. Food items would be appreciated before the end of November. Anyone who would like to donate cash for us to purchase other items, please put it in an envelope marked “Christmas Hampers” & place it in the offering bag. Queries to Carol Parkinson or Cheryl King.
Hearing Loop…
The hearing Loop is now working. The Loop was installed for the front seats of the church when they were facing the original Sanctuary which are now the back seats. This means to take advantage of the Loop you will need to sit in one of 18 seats in the 3 back rows, that is the 3 seats closest to both sides of the aisle in the 3 back rows. You will need to adjust your hearing aid to the relevant setting on your aid or your mobile device. Speak to Steve Parkinson if you need assistance with the Loop.
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For all needing support following shooting of Police, and other violent attacks.
- 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 All Saints Rosebud with St Katherine’s McCrae 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 all members of the Parish Council.
- For Hope25. That the Good News of Jesus will be known in Dromana.
- For Jan T, Wallis family, Cheryl K, Jeff Carter and family, Karen, Mary, Jan K, Steve (not Parkinson) and family, David, Belinda, Joan R, Lynda & Ian, Robyn, Phillip, Nikki, Jason, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Lorna & Peter, Keith S, Harry, Jen, Mike, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert, David.
