In our Gospel reading are words of Jesus which are loved by many, ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly’ John 10:10 – ‘they’ refers to his sheep, which includes you and I. There are two clear contrasting persons here, the thief and Jesus. The thief whose fruit is all that brings misery, and the Shepherd whose fruit is life in abundance. The sheep follow the Shepherd, they know his voice and he knows them. He keeps them safe and they are unafraid in his presence. They run from the thief for they do not know his voice and he does not enter via the gate. Even so, as is plain in the larger context of the passage, not all will choose to follow Jesus. Peter is aware that the ways of the thief are tempting. ‘Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander,’ he says to the new Christians. (1 Peter 2:1) The thief, Jesus said, comes to steal, to kill and to destroy. The call is to choose the opposite of the thief’s way and there to find abundant life. In Jesus we are to speak and seek holiness of life, set apart for the Lord, to deny ourselves and intentionally choose the way of forgiveness and love which led Jesus to the cross for us. Whenever we agree with the thief rather than the Lord in choosing to walk in the opposite way to Jesus, the thief can then pierce the armor of righteousness we wear as God’s chosen people. Thankfully the Lord knows our weaknesses and invites us to listen to his voice and come to him; to repent of the things of the thief in our lives so he can forgive us and give us the abundant life he promises. Are there ways in which you have cooperated with the thief lately? Take a moment now to ask the Lord’s forgiveness and to let go of those things. Look at what Jesus would have you choose instead and make a promise to follow him. He loves you, no matter what your struggle. Come to Jesus.
Janice
This Week
| SUNDAY 30TH APRIL: | COMBINED SERVICE, 10.00AM |
| MONDAY: | Study Group – “Truth and Freedom” |
| St Mark’s, 7.00pm | |
| Contact Kevin or Anne (0438 234 857) | |
| TUESDAY: | Zoom Study Group, 7.00pm, |
| Contact Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion, 10.00am |
| Study Group | |
| St Mark’s,11.00am | |
| Contact Keith (0419 551 082) | |
| Common Threads Craft Group | |
| St Mark’s, 12.30pm | |
| Contact Robyn (0409 425 044) | |
| THURSDAY: | Women’s Bible Study, St Mark’s, 9.30am |
| Contact Fay (0401 404 280) | |
| Men’s Coffee & Chat Blackthorn Café | |
| 10.00am Contact Steve (0437 984 679) | |
| Zoom Prayer Meeting, 1.30pm | |
| FRIDAY: | JANICE’S DAY OFF |
| Guild Fellowship Group | |
| St Mark’s, 1.30pm | |
| SUNDAY – 7TH MAY: | Healing Service at 5pm |
| Continues our series on forgiveness. Kevin Cranwell will speak on “How do I forgive as Jesus forgives me?” All welcome | |
Worship Times
| SUNDAY: | 8.45am | Holy Communion. |
| 10.30am | Family Worship with Children’s Ministry. | |
| (Holy Communion – 1st Sundays) | ||
| 5.00pm | Healing Service – 1st Sundays. | |
| (5th Sundays) | 10.00am | Combined Service. |
| WEDNESDAY: | 10.00am | Holy Communion Service. |
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:
Worship Music “Donation” request
We are hoping to buy a Personal Monitor Speaker ($150) to improve worship by allowing the musicians and those singing with microphones to hear the sound that is coming out through the PA speakers. The better the musicians can hear the sound that is being produced the better the quality of the music and hence, the worship. Donations would be greatly appreciated.
Please place donations in an envelope marked “Speaker” and add it to the offerings.
Special Services 2023
| 18-Jun-23 | Evensong – All Saints, Rosebud |
| 20-Aug-23 | Evensong – St Mark’s, Balnarring |
| 22-Oct-23 | Evensong – St Mark’s, Dromana |
| 3-Dec-23 | St John’s, Sorrento – Lessons & Carols for Advent |
| 17-Dec-23 | St Mark’s, Dromana – Lessons & Carols for Christmas |
Can You Help?
We are looking for a volunteer to help with morning tea on the 2nd Sunday of the month after the 8.45 service. Please let Beryl know if you can help.
Save The Date!
Men’s breakfast 20th May 8:30am – 10:00 am at the church. Enjoy an egg & bacon roll while getting to know each other. Cost $5. Can you speak for five minutes about your hobbies? RSVP Steve 0437 984 679, with dietary requirements if applicable.
All welcome…
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For families affected by violence.
- For those affected by Tropical Cyclone Ilsa in West Australia.
- For peace and unity in countries around the World.
- For those affected by natural disasters in 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 n the Diocese of Melbourne
- For the ministry of Bishop Paul Barker in the Jumbunna Region and for Archdeacon Helen Phillips in the Frankston Archdeaconry as she recovers from surgery, and for John as he supports Helen.
- In our Deanery, we pray for the Parish of St John’s Flinders with St Mark’s Balnarring, their Vicar Rev Keiron Jones and Deacon Rev Christine Barren.
- For Anna Radkovic our CMS Link Missionary as she spends time learning language and culture in Kenya while exploring long-term opportunities in discipleship ministry and conservation.
- 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 our Vicar.
- For the finances of our Parish.
- For our Parish, its people and those we reach out to every week.
- For: Madeley family, especially Betty who is very unwell, Harper Family.
