As we approach the seasons of Advent and Christmas, the readings begin to point to the themes of these seasons. This Sunday, we will visit Jerusalem with Jesus and his disciples as they look at the magnificent temple which was so beautifully decorated, and a marvel of its time. The disciples were suitably impressed with it, but Jesus was not. Jesus knows what will befall Jerusalem in about 40 years’ time. He tells these awestruck men that not one stone of this building will be left upon another. Once they have returned to their favourite gathering place on the Mount of Olives, which is directly opposite the temple, the disciples ask Jesus privately about what he has said. The ensuing dialogue is a reminder that nothing is permanent, and Jesus has a long-term view for them to consider, rather than just the destruction (which came in 70AD). If we look at the dialogue, we realise that Jesus didn’t actually answer the question of the disciples at first. Instead, he spoke to them of what was to come for them and us as disciples of his in the coming years, and how we need to be careful not to jump to conclusions about the things that happen around us as if the first sign of trouble is a portent of the coming end. In fact, Jesus is matter of fact about the wars and rumours of wars, natural disasters and other international issues that arise regularly. These are just the birth pangs, he says. The real issue for Jesus is that we need to be people who are witnesses for him in every place on earth and that we will be supported by Holy Spirit to do that. Jesus wants us to understand that his message will not be popular, and many places will not accept it easily, but we are called to lean into him and say it anyway. The message of the cross is foolishness to some, as Paul says, and it will bring some of us into real persecution. Yet it is imperative that we keep going with it. Why is this so important? Because without this message the world faces its own 70 AD when Jesus returns. In that day things won’t matter. What will matter is faith in Jesus. That is why evangelism is so important. How can they believe who have not heard of Jesus? We have to tell them before they run out of time.
Janice
This Week:
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| MONDAY: | Prayer Group, St Marks, 9.15am (On Hold till 11th November) |
| Contact: Kevin (0438 234 457) | |
| Bible Study Group, St Mark’s, 4.00pm (On Hold Till Advised) | |
| Contact Kevin (0438 234 457) | |
| TUESDAY: | Zoom Prayer Meeting, 1.30pm |
| Contact John (0421 426 156) | |
| Zoom Bible Study Group, 7.00pm | |
| Contact: Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion, 10:00am |
| Bible Study Group St Mark’s,11.00am | |
| “Women of the Bible” Contact Kevin (0438 234 457) | |
| Cuppa, Craft & Chat Group. (On Hold this week) | |
| Contact Robyn (0409 425 044) | |
| THURSDAY: | Women’s Bible Study, St Mark’s, 9.30am (Church Sanctuary) |
| “Becoming a Woman of Strength” | |
| Contact Fay (0401 404 280) | |
| Men’s Coffee & Chat, Blackthorn Café, 10.00am | |
| Contact Steve (0437 984 679), Keith T (0413 319 327) | |
| or Kevin (0493 234 457) | |
| FRIDAY: | Janice’s DAY OFF |
| SATURDAY: | CHURCH FETE – 10.00am – 2.00pm |
| 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 Cranwell (0438 234 457 Kevin) |
Notices:
Alpha…
Thank you to all who have prayed for us and provided food. We have been richly blessed. Our CELEBRATION evening will be Thursday 28th November at 6-8pm in the Church. Please come and share food with us and hear testimony from those who have attended this course. Our next Alpha will take place in April/May next year as part of Hope25. Maybe you have friends you’d like to invite – bring them with you to share this evening. RSVP by Sunday 24th November for catering. Speak to one of the Alpha team (John, Helen, Steve & Carol) for more details.
Christmas Hampers…
As we have done in previous years, we would like to provide hampers for 10 local families this Christmas. If you would like to donate to the hampers, there will be a basket in the Narthex for contributions of non perishable foods. These goods will be wrapped and distributed during the week beginning 9th December. Donations of money for items to be purchased for the hampers can be placed in the offertory bag clearly marked “hampers”. Please speak to Carol or Cheryl for more details.
Narthex Renovation…
Today we will not have a narthex kitchen area as we will be between the demolition and the rebuild and we will have our refreshments in the church. The installation has been delayed but should still go ahead later this coming week. We hope to have a functioning kitchen area by next Sunday 24th November. During the renovation groups will either meet in the church or make arrangements to meet elsewhere. Please check with your group leaders if your group is meeting and where. Wednesday service and Bible study will meet as usual in the church. Every effort will be made to keep dust and mess to a minimum.
Diary Date…
Philharmonia Cologne that their concert at St Mark’s will be on Wednesday 15th January 2025. Advice on sale of tickets still to come.
Australian Anglican Calendar 2025…
Australian Anglican Calendar 2025 now available $15.00 each – see Janice
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For everyone suffering after the horrendous floods in Spain & Portugal.
- For all women in Afghanistan now banned from hearing each others voices.
- For those facing homelessness, hardship, anguish and despair amid rising costs.
- For all in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine and Myanmar.
- 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 Archdeacon Rev’d Sam Bleby, in the Frankston Archdeanery.
- In our Deanery, we pray for the Parish of Holy Trinity Hastings and their Vicar, Rev’d Tim Anderson.
- 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 next Alpha program, the leaders and all who will attend.
- For the 9am at home prayer time for the Parish, Dromana & Mornington Peninsula.
- For our Op Shop staff and all who visit each week.
- For all members of the newly elected Parish Council.
- For Richard, Sallie, Rev’d Janice, Pat, Lorna & Peter, Keith S, Harry, Jen, Mike, Joan R, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert, Jan, David, Guy.
