a place with the Good Shepherd…

Many do not like the idea of God as judge, but if God cannot deal justly with us, then what is the use in behaving well? There would be no reward for good and no punishment of crime. That’s not how a caring society works, and it is not a function of love. True love will want there to be consequences for poor behaviour, firstly in order to bring correction to the errant one and perhaps bring them back to being good; secondly in order to make sure that the victim is cared for by knowing their suffering is seen, and perhaps compensated; thirdly, when necessary, to remove the criminal from society so that they cannot repeat the offence. True love demands justice. True mercy offers redemption. A Judge who knows all the truth is the only one who can validly deliver justice and mercy. These are the qualities of our God, the Good Shepherd. Jesus in Matthew 25 uses the image of a shepherd in this description of the last judgment. Here the Lord separates people as a shepherd separates sheep and goats. Amongst the nations gathered before God at the last judgment, those who have been greedy and selfish, refusing to help others, and keeping their comfort to themselves are cast out. Those who have learned the laws of love and followed them have a place with the Good Shepherd amongst his sheep to receive their reward. The Judge knows the truth, and judges accordingly, applying the laws of love to all nations, not just Israel. Jesus is spelling out what choosing love and justice, or choosing against it will mean. As we look on with sadness and pain at the conflict in the Holy Land. Watching the innocent suffer at the hands of Hamas, and the Israeli Army seeking to destroy Hamas to protect themselves and others from terrorism, whilst in the middle of this many others are suffering, the question comes – where is justice in this mess? God does not ignore our suffering. He sees when we choose not to care for others. He also sees when we reach out in mercy and love. He sees what is happening. Where is justice for the innocent? In the hands of a loving and just God, who is the only one who knows the full truth, sees it when the world does not act with love and justice and will deliver justice for the innocent in the end even if we get it wrong.

Janice

This Week

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Craft Group Christmas Project

On Wednesday 29th November at 12.30pm Robyn will be running an afternoon to make Christmas cards as part of the craft group. A cost of $5.00 for the afternoon will go to the craft group’s selected charity. Afternoon tea will be provided. This project is open to anyone in the church, or friends, but numbers will be limited. Please ring Robyn on 0409425044 to advise you would like to attend.

Church Working Bee…

Tuesday 5th of December, from 9.30 onwards. Donations of tip tags would be appreciated. Graeme & Cheryl.

We are pleased to announce the following as members of our Parish Council 2023-2024

Kevin Cranwell (Vicar’s Warden), Richard Watson and Mike Brown (Wardens).

Cheryl King (Treasurer), Keith Thomas (Parish Secretary).

John Rogers, Susan Buckman, Michelle Ruic and Carol Ann Copp (Parish Council Members).

Op Shop Committee as appointed by Parish Council: Edna South (Chair), Jen and Richard Watson, Cheryl and Graeme King, Lorraine Strickland, Vicki Brown.

Special Services 2023

This Week’s Prayer Focus

In our country and the world:

• For all grieving after accidents and disasters.
• For all in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine.
• For all firefighters in Queensland and NSW, and all those suffering trauma and loss as a result of the fires.
• For those facing homelessness, hardship, anguish and despair amid rising costs.
• For families affected by violence.
• 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 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 for Archdeacon Helen Phillips in the Frankston Archdeaconry. Give thanks that Archdeacon Helen is now well and beginning to return to work.
• In our Deanery, we pray for the Parish of St John’s Flinders with St Mark’s Balnarring, their Vicar Rev’d Keiron Jones and Deacon Rev’d Christine Barren.
• For the work of the Church Missionary Society and Wei-Han the Victorian Director.
• For Anna Radkovic our CMS Link Missionary. Pray thanks for the progress of Anna’s residency visa.
• 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 Keith & Jan Thomas and Mike & Vicki Brown as they are received into the Anglican Communion.
• For our leadership and ministry teams.
• For Rev’d Janice O’Gorman our Vicar.
• 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 9am at home prayer time for the Parish, Dromana & Mornington Peninsula.
• For: Christine, Backy, John R, Margie, Fred, Tahlia, Robert, Jan, David, Irene, Guy, Ruth.