Micah 6:8 holds words which are very familiar. “He has told you, O Mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”. The context is the last few decades before the Assyrians invaded and sacked the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Micah is a prophet to both north and south and speaks to both equally. He recognises that there are some who are still loyal to the Lord, but he sees how they, too, have missed the mark. Micah calls the priests in the Temple out over their hoarding of food which was to be used for the poor, and over their use of the Temple’s outer rooms for practices which were an abomination to God. He calls out the kings for their greed and idolatry, for encouraging things like infant sacrifice and allowing Sabbath breaking to make more money for themselves. He sees the way the people have been encouraged by their leaders to stop giving their tithe to the Lord in favour of giving to the other gods and making feasts for them. His message is one which we all need to hear sometimes. What does the Lord our God require? Do justice. Bring in the tithe so there is enough to go around. Keep the Lord’s ways so no innocent person is harmed, everyone has the opportunity for rest and employment, and all who are in need are cared for. Love kindness. Some translations say ‘Love mercy’. To be kind often costs nothing, but it heals wounds, gives dignity and brings families together. Mercy means having compassion on those who have wronged you, forgiving them and lifting up those who are downtrodden. Walk humbly with your God. Put the One who made you first and walk with him, submitting to his leading, loving him and obeying his commandments. If we can live this way we won’t go far wrong. Jesus put it this way, “If you keep my commandments you will abide in my love”. (John 15:10). How’s your walk with God today?
Janice
This Week:
| SUNDAY: | Locum for all services Rev’d Julia Boyd |
| Holy Communion, 8.45am | |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Healing Service, 6.00pm Preacher: Rev’d Julia | |
| Topic: ’Healing that saves us | |
| 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, 10.00am |
| Bible Study resumes, St Mark’s, 11.00am | |
| Cuppa,Craft & Chat Group, St Mark’s,12.30pm | |
| Contact: Robyn (0409 425 044) | |
| THURSDAY: | Men’s Coffee & Chat, Blackthorn Cafe, 10.00am |
| Contact: Steve (0437984679) Keith T (0413 319 327) | |
| Women’s Bible Study Group, St Mark’s, 9.30am | |
| Contact: Carol (0411 405 597) | |
| Chamber Philharmonia Cologne, St Mark’s, 7.30pm | |
| FRIDAY: | Janice’s Day Off |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Holy Communion, 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:
Vicar On Leave…
Janice will be on Annual Leave from 27th January to 9th February inclusive, returning to work on 10th February. Our Locum for the Sundays will be Rev’d Julia Boyd. To contact Rev’d Julia please call the Parish phone 0493 280 691.
Thank you…
Thank you to all who helped with our activity at the Dromana Australia Day Festival, and also with the setting up on Sunday and finishing up on Monday.
Chamber Philharmonia Cologne…
The Chamber Philharmonia Cologne will be visiting us again on Thursday, 5th February 2026 at 7.30 pm There is a poster with
details up in the narthex. To book please use the QR code on the poster or https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1506183
Tickets are $50 each.
Christianity Explored…
for anyone who has questions and would like to explore Christian faith, we will be running this course led using videos by Rico Tice and using Mark’s Gospel. Begins Thursday 12th February at 7.30pm and runs weekly for 7 weeks. For information please speak to Janice or take a postcard available in the Narthex.
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For those who suffered loss in the Wye River flood, and now the Victorian fires.
- For the people of Venezuela and Iran.
- For the victims and those who are mourning after the Bondi terrorist attack.
- For all needing support following home invasions and all 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 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 Vicar, Rev’d Jennie Savage
- 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 Jen, Brian Van Twest and family, Ian & Adam Rivett and family, TJ and family, Jan T, Cheryl K, Karen, Mary, Jan K, David, Belinda, Joan R, Robyn, Phillip, Nikki, Jason, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Lorna & Peter, Keith S, Harry, Mike, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert, David.
