How do we understand All Saints Day & what in the readings help us live out your faith? There is no Biblical warrant for All Saints Day; it is a tradition celebrated in some churches to honour the saints of the church, known & unknown. We often think of ‘Saints’ (like believers the Catholic Church has canonised) as being so holy that it’s impossible for us to ever attain such goodness. However, the Bible nowhere supports a definition of ‘saints’ implied by the traditional Catholic view. The Old Testament refers to those who please God by ‘loving the Lord & hating evil’ (Ps 97:10) as godly or holy persons. In the New Testament all believers are called God’s holy people. All who truly believe in Jesus are ‘saints’, because of what was achieved through His death & resurrection. In the first part of Luke (6:20-26), when Jesus blesses the poor & the hungry, the sorrowful & the ridiculed, he isn’t saying that we should all aspire to these things. He is saying that God is present with us, even when the world has abandoned us, that He loves us, even when everyone else hates us. As saints of God, then, we find blessing in seeking God, being hungry for him, loving those he loves. When Jesus announces woes to those who are rich, eat well, & enjoy fame & admiration, he isn’t condemning these things per se, but warning that they can lead to self dependency & turning away from God. Then in v27 “But I say to you who listen…” Every one of us is commanded to love our enemies, bless the people who curse us, & do good to the very people who hate us. (Note Jesus is not telling us to passively accept abuse). The call to love enemies is the most radical & challenging part of the passage. Indeed, Jesus is challenging his disciples (us) to imagine a new way of living & a different set of values. As ‘saints’ how can we change things that seem so impossibly hard? We need power that only the Lord can provide. Ask Holy Spirit to help us to trust in “the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead…” (Eph 1:19-20). So ‘saints’, with this power available – ‘all things are possible.’!
Kevin
This Week:
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Healing Service, 6.00pm, Speaker : Kevin Cranwell | |
| Topic : Freedom from Rejection | |
| There will be opportunity for personal prayer. All are welcome. | |
| 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 Service – 10.00am |
| Bible Study Group St Mark’s, 11.00am : Contact: Janice | |
| Cuppa, Craft & Chat Group, St Mark’s,12.30pm | |
| Contact: Robyn (0409 425 044) | |
| Fete Planning Meeting, St Mark’s, 2.00pm, All welcome. | |
| Contact: Cheryl | |
| THURSDAY: | Men’s Coffee & Chat, Blackthorn Café, 10.00am |
| Contact Steve (0437 984 679), Keith T (0413 319 327) | |
| Women’s Bible Study Group, St Mark’s, 9.30am | |
| Contact: Carol (0411 405 597) | |
| FRIDAY: | Janice’s Day Off |
| 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 (0438 234 457 Kevin) |
Notices:
Hearing Loop…
The hearing Loop is now working. The Loop was installed for the front seats of the church when they were facing the original Sanctuary which are now the back seats. This means to take advantage of the Loop you will need to sit in one of 18 seats in the 3 back rows, that is the 3 seats closest to both sides of the aisle in the 3 back rows. You will need to adjust your hearing aid to the relevant setting on your aid or your mobile device. Speak to Steve Parkinson if you need assistance with the Loop.
Nominations: Parish Council…
We are prayerfully seeking nominations for : Church Wardens (2) and Parish Councillors (6). Keith Thomas has nomination forms for your use. Nominations close on 12th November, 2025.
The Small Hall Project…
The concept design is now available for inspection in the Narthex until 2nd November, and will be discussed at the Annual Meeting to inform the next step in the Project. Keith Thomas will be available for comment and questions whilst our Vicar Janice is away on annual leave.
Parish Roll…
Please check if you are on the roll or if you need to be added. Only those on the roll can vote at the Annual Meeting Roll entries close on 1st November More details from Keith Thomas.
Church Fete Saturday 22nd of November 10:00am – 2:30 pm…
Morning Teas, Luncheon, Cakes, Plants, Art Show, Jams, Books, Craft, BBQ. Kids crafts and face-painting. Would you like to be involved?? We could use lots of help. Please contact Janice or Cheryl if you would like to be involved. Does anyone have a 3 x 3 marquee we could borrow on the day?
Christmas Hampers…
Once again we are wanting to make up Christmas Hampers for distribution to families in need through Dromana Primary School. Food items would be appreciated before the end of November. Anyone who would like to donate cash for us to purchase other items, please put it in an envelope marked “Christmas Hampers” & place it in the offering bag. Queries to Carol Parkinson or Cheryl King.
2025 Annual Meeting…
The Annual Meeting of St Mark’s will be held in the church on Sunday 16th November following a combined service at 10.00am. Contact Keith Thomas if you have any questions or an apology.
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For all needing support following shooting of Police, and 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 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 Mornington & Mount Martha Church, and their Vicar Rev’d Colleen Clayton
- 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 Jeff Carter and family, Karen, Mary, Jan K, Steve (not Parkinson) and family, Marlene, David, Belinda, Joan R, Lynda & Ian, Robyn, Phillip, Nikki, Jason, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Lorna & Peter, Keith S, Harry, Jen, Mike, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert, David.
