As we approach Australia Day I can’t help looking at recent changes in policy in so many places. Some supermarkets stopped selling goods with our flag on them, and some first nations people consider it a day to be mourning. I understand the reasoning behind this, but I want to see our nation strong and vibrant and bringing a testimony to the world of a nation living in unity and peace despite our differences, not being paralysed by them. In our reading for this Sunday from 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul calls the Thessalonians to walking in peace with one another, encouraging and helping those who are having trouble and making sure never to repay evil for evil but seek to do good to one another and to all. This is how we are to live in love for each other and for the Lord Jesus, who said to his disciples that those who love him will keep his commandments – the chief one being to love the Lord our God with all our mind, strength, heart and soul and to love one another as we love ourselves. As we look at our nation, we see many living for themselves and wrapped up in their own opinions. Some carry offence as if it were badge of honour, and others are living in fear, loneliness and bondage to debt and family breakdown. The many who are of low income, and the growing number of homeless is raising alarms even in the highest places. Yet I believe there is an antidote to this malaise. It’s not in nationalistic zeal or allowing empathy to bury us in grief or anger. I believe the antidote is in these words from Paul: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets but test everything. Hold fast to what is good and abstain from every sort of evil. These are words calling us to choose to be counter-cultural wherever our culture pushes against God’s ways. They call us to choose to rejoice, pray and give thanks at all times, raising a barrier of hope and love over one another and those around us, to seek to be agents of God’s peace in a world which has lost its way. Church, it’s time to pray. The One who calls us is faithful.
Janice
This Week:
SUNDAY: | Australia Day, Combined Service Holy Communion |
Combined Service at 9.30am | |
in the front garden of the church, (not on the foreshore) | |
MONDAY: | Prayer for the Parish, St Marks, 9.15am |
Contact: Janice | |
Parish Council Prayer and Planning Day, St Mark’s, 10am – 4pm | |
Contact: Janice | |
TUESDAY: | Zoom Prayer Meeting, 1.30pm (On Hold Till Advised) |
Contact John (0421 426 156) | |
Zoom Bible Study Group, 7.00pm | |
Contact: Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion Service – 10.00am |
Healing Service Planning Meeting, St Mark’s, 11.15am | |
Contact: Janice | |
Bible Study Group St Mark’s,11.00am (On Hold Till Advised) | |
“Women of the Bible” Contact Kevin (0438 234 457) | |
Cuppa, Craft & Chat Group. (On Hold Till Advised) | |
Contact Robyn (0409 425 044) | |
THURSDAY: | Men’s Coffee & Chat, Blackthorn Café, 10.00am (On Hold Till Advised) |
Contact Steve (0437 984 679), Keith T (0413 319 327) | |
or Kevin (0493 234 457) | |
FRIDAY: | Janice’s DAY OFF |
NEXT SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
Family Service with Holy Communion, 10.30am | |
Healing Service, 6.00pm | |
Our topic is Jesus – the true reflection of the Father. | |
Kevin Cranwell is speaking. |
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:
Fay Delaney’s Memorial Service…
The Memorial service to celebrate Fay Delaney’s life will be held at
Tobin Brothers Chapel
604 Esplanade, Mt Martha
on Wednesday 29th January at 2pm.
The service will be streamed for those unable to attend. To access the webcast go to:
https://tobinbrothers.com.au/tribute/fay-delaney-2500570/
if this doesn’t work well, go to the Tobin Brothers website and search ‘webcast memorial service’.
Australia Day 2025…
A reminder that Australia Day is Sunday 26th January and we will have a combined service at 9.30am in the front gardens (weather permitting).
Op Shop…
We will be closing the Op Shop on Wednesday 29th out of respect and to allow staff to attend Fay’s service. We will also not resume our Wednesday Bible Study until 5th February for the same reason.
Hope25 Zoom Prayer and Share…
Hope25 Zoom Prayer and Share (previously St Mark’s Zoom Prayer Meeting) will recommence on Tuesday 4th February at 1.30pm and will focus on preparation for Hope25.
Harvest Festival & Shrove Tuesday Celebrations…
Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Meal) – 4 March. Harvest Services – 30 March (usual service times).
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For those affected by the current challenging weather conditions in Australia.
- 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 All Saints Rosebud with St Katherine’s McCrae and their Vicar, Rev’d Lynda Crossley
- 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 Hope25. That the Good News of Jesus will be known in the community of Dromana.
- For John D & family on their loss of Fay, Nikki, Jason, Bernadette & family, Noel and family, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Lorna & Peter, Keith S, Harry, Jen, Mike, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert, Jan, David, Guy..