Believe in him…

Pentecost 3

This week we read in Genesis 18 of the visit of the LORD to Abraham and Sarah at the Oak of Mamre where they were camped. The Lord came in the form of three strangers whom Abraham immediately recognised as important and offered hospitality to them – water to wash the dirt from their feet and food and wine for refreshment. The three strangers accepted this hospitality and sat with Abraham to eat and drink. Then one spoke to him, and after enquiring where Sarah was, said ‘I will surely return to you in due season and your wife Sarah shall have a son.’ Sarah was listening from the entrance to the tent and laughed. How was this supposed to happen when they were both in their 90’s? But the one speaking heard her laughter and said, ‘Is anything too wonderful for the LORD?’ then repeated his promise. Sarah was afraid then and said, ‘I did not laugh’ and he said to her ‘Oh yes you did laugh’. They went on from there after this toward Sodom. I can’t blame Sarah for laughing. I expect it was a bit of a nervous laugh, after all I’m not sure anyone in her 90’s would feel up to the challenge of childbirth, divinely inspired or not. She was heard but not rebuked. The LORD did not have a go at her, he just let her know she was not outside his hearing. Of course, in Genesis 21, we read that Sarah did indeed have a son and he was named Isaac, which means ‘she/he laughs’. The name is deeply rooted in the miracle of Isaac’s birth and the fulfilment of a 25 year old promise. It is a testimony to the Lord’s ability to do anything, even in the presence of human doubt and human biology being unable to comply naturally. It is a place to contemplate how easy it is for us to laugh off the promises we hear from God and say, ‘How can that be? I’m too old, too young, too broken, too ordinary… (insert your circumstance for not being eligible)….’ But the Lord our God is not ever bound by our circumstances in any way. If it is the Lord who is doing it, and the Lord who has promised, then the Lord will bring it into being. It may take a few years, but one day he will do it. All he asks is that we believe in him, even if we don’t believe in ourselves.

Janice

This Week:

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Launching Beachside Youth

Our new Youth program working in collaboration with the parishes of Mt Eliza and Mornington launches on June 14th with a Parent and team meet and greet at Mornington from 2-3pm. Led by the very capable Rev’d Amy Brown, once per month youth events will run every 2nd Sunday of the month from 4 to 6pm with dinner shared afterwards. Location will be shared between our parishes. This program has the support of all three parish councils and the clergy of each parish. Please pray for this new ministry and if you would like to be part of the team or part of the participants please see Janice for more information.

Men’s Breakfast

Our next Men’s Breakfast will be on Saturday 20th June at 8.30-10am in the
narthex. Craig McClelland will be our speaker. Bacon and egg roll and coffee or tea and excellent conversation, all for $5. (BYO GF Bread)

If you RSVP to Steve Parkinson by Sunday 13th June it makes shopping much easier and takes away the guesswork of how much to purchase, thus ensuring you will be fed!

Fundraiser Function 

Flyers are now available to be put up around Dromana for our next fundraiser for the Hall:

A Jazz Concert with Simon Pilbrow and Ron Gillett. A peninsula-based jazz unit, Ron (alto and tenor saxophone, flute) and Simon (piano). Come and enjoy great jazz music here on 20 June 2026 – 7:00pm-9:00pm.

Tickets $30 available via Try Booking https://www.trybooking.com/DLTHC some tickets will be available at the door but it is advisable to book ahead. Speak to Anne for details.

This Week’s Prayer Focus

In our country and the world:

• For de-escalation of the Middle East war.
• For the people of Israel and Iran and Middle East countries.
• For the victims and those who are mourning after the Bondi terrorist attack.
• For all needing support following home invasions and all 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 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 Acting Vicar.
• 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 the success of our building permit application.
• For our Parish, its people and those we reach out to every week.
• For the success of the new Beachside Youth program.
• 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.
• That the Good News of Jesus will be known in Dromana.
• For Doris B, Ellen, Ted & Monica, Lorna, Louise, Jen, TJ and family, Karen, Mary, Jan K, David, Belinda, Joan R, Robyn, Phillip, Nikki, Jason, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Keith S, Harry, Mike, Chloe, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert.