Our God is faithful…

Pentecost 4

In life there are times when it seems that everything around us is conspiring to stop what we are believing and hoping for. When Abram had not had a child yet after many years, even though he had the Lord’s promises, he was discouraged and began to worry about having an heir. God’s timing seemed off, or even stopped, as if he had changed his mind. The practical issue that Abram was getting older and his only heir was not even a blood relative weighed on him. Sarai understood, and as was customary at the time, suggested that he could do this through their maid, Hagar, and Abram agreed. Of course, this elevated Hagar’s status and she became proud and treated Sarai unkindly. Sarai treated her unkindly in return and Hagar ran away. By a spring in the wilderness an angel of the LORD found her and told her to return home and then gave a promise to her that her son would prosper and God would look after him. Thus, Hagar the maid bore Abram a son whom he named Ishmael, which means ‘God hears’. All this happened long before the Lord made a covenant with Abram and changed his name to Abraham and again promised a child through Sarah. It happened long before the visit of the LORD in the three strangers who came and spoke to Abraham and Sarah and again renewed the promise of a son through her. Ishmael’s birth was a misstep born from doubt, fear, disappointment and frustration. Although God promised to look after Ishmael, he made it clear that this was not what he wanted. Abraham asked that Ishmael ‘live in God’s sight’. Meaning that he be counted as an heir. ‘No’ was the reply. Abram tried to force God’s hand and God still looked after Hagar and Ishmael, but if Abram had kept his nerve things would have been far less complicated later on… but that’s another story. If life is not bringing what you believe the Lord has promised to you, keep looking to him in faith. He will come through. I know this is hard, so does the Lord, but it’s harder to fix our mess if we try to force God’s hand. Our God is faithful and he does keep his promises.

Janice

This Week:

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Craft Group

Due to school holidays there will be no craft group on 1st and 8th of July and no Thursday bible study on 2nd and 9th July.

Op Shop

If you have a 1/2 a day spare once in a while and would like to assist us in the shop, we have a variety of ways in which you can help out including : Tip Runs , working B’s. Weekly sorting, cleaning, sewing counting jigsaw pieces!, or going on the shop roster once a month. Every little helps and we would love to hear from you.

Vicki. 0425770197.

Fundraiser Function 

Flyers are now available to be put up around Dromana for our next fundraiser for the Hall:

A Jazz Concert with Simon Pilbrow and Ron Gillett. A peninsula-based jazz unit, Ron (alto and tenor saxophone, flute) and Simon (piano). Come and enjoy great jazz music here on 20 June 2026 – 7:00pm-9:00pm.

Tickets $30 available via Try Booking https://www.trybooking.com/DLTHC some tickets will be available at the door but it is advisable to book ahead. Speak to Anne for details.

Can You Help

We are again putting carry bags in the Samaritan’s Purse boxes this year. Could you please look through your fabric box and see if you have any pieces you could donate. The fabric pieces need to be a minimum of 50cm X 85cm of light weight cotton in cheery prints. They can be given to Edna or put in the box in the narthex.

Save The Date!

I know this feels awfully early but our Parish Fete will be held on Saturday 5th December so it’s time to get those plants and craft projects going. It will be nice and close to Christmas so Christmas presents will be on people’s agenda. Put the date in your diary and plan to be part of the fun.

This Week’s Prayer Focus

In our country and the world:

• For de-escalation of the Middle East war.
• For the people of Israel and Iran and Middle East countries.
• 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 John’s Sorrento with St Andrew’s Rye and their Vicar, Rev’d Stephen Dent.
• 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 the success of our building permit application.
• For our Parish, its people and those we reach out to every week.
• For the success of the new Beachside Youth program.
• 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.
• That the Good News of Jesus will be known in Dromana.
• For Doris B, Ellen, Ted & Monica, Lorna, Louise, Jen, TJ and family, Karen, Mary, Jan K, David, Belinda, Joan R, Robyn, Phillip, Nikki, Jason, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Keith S, Harry, Mike, Chloe, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert.