Easter 2
After Easter weekend I like to look back at Holy Week and then look forward into the 50 days between Easter Day and Pentecost. The reality of Jesus’ living presence with his disciples after the resurrection always brings me into wonder and awe at our amazing God every time. With our God nothing is impossible, yet the world and the problems we face day by day can take so much shine off the wonder of this that we become jaded. We experience the Holy Week approach to Good Friday and Easter Day and we love the light that pours into us as we remember all that Jesus has done for us, but Monday comes and the world presses in and it’s back to business as usual. Yet after the first Easter there was no ‘business as usual’ for the disciples. Jesus had said he would rise again in three days so they hung around waiting, and his hasty burial meant Mary Magdalene and the other women were intent on making sure that mourning happened rightly. On the third day it makes perfect sense for these women to go to the tomb and the other disciples to be gathered in the upper room. Then there is this wild news of the tomb being empty and Jesus being alive and having appeared to the women. That alone changes everything, but proof is needed for something so radical. Then Jesus comes to the upper room and the disciples see him and eat with him. Alive. There is no going back after that moment. Thomas had obviously gone somewhere else and missed it but Jesus comes to them again so Thomas can see his hands and side, and life can change for him too. Looking back at what Jesus did makes my heart fill with joy but looking forward to what was to come and how he walked with these people, both men and women, for the next 40 days is such a comfort and assurance to me. I am reminded that Jesus’ resurrection is no ‘flash in the pan’. It’s not one day we call Easter Day, it’s a lifelong real presence of a risen, living Saviour right here with me through every single day and beyond. Do you know Jesus as living and present with you? I find one good way to connect is by reading through John chapters 12 to 21 and letting the Lord speak to my heart again. Why not try it?
Janice
This Week:
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| MONDAY: | Prayers for the Parish, St Mark’s, 4.00pm |
| Contact: Janice | |
| TUESDAY: | Zoom Bible Study, 7.00pm |
| Contact: Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion, 10.00am |
| Bible Study, 11.00am St Marks | |
| Contact: Janice | |
| Wardens Meeting, 7.30pm | |
| THURSDAY: | Men’s Coffee & Chat, Blackthorn Cafe, 10.00am |
| Contact: Steve (0437984679) Keith T (0413 319 327) | |
| Men’s Bible Study, Mark’s Place, 11.00am | |
| Contact: Kevin (0438 234 457) | |
| Alpha Course, 6.00pm | |
| FRIDAY: | Janice’s Day Off |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Parish Council, 1.30pm |
Please note that the Thursday Ladies Bible Study Group is in recess during the school holidays and will meet again on Thursday 23 April.
The Cuppa,Craft & Chat Group is also in recess during the school holidays and will meet again on Wednesday 22 April.
ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day is a Saturday this year. The times and places for RSL services are:
| 0600 | Dawn Service conducted at the Memorial Wall, Peninsula Club |
| 0900 | Marchers assemble in O’Donohue Street |
| 0915 | March to Cenotaph commences |
| 0930 | Service at Cenotaph |
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:
Alpha Course
ALPHA runs best if it’s underwritten in prayer and intercession. Please join us in praying for this Alpha Course which runs on Thursdays from 6pm to about 8.30pm, for the guests and the team, John and Helen and Steve and Carol. Would you like to bless us further by offering a contribution to our meal? Can you cook a main course, or part of it? Or can you bake a slice, or provide a salad or bread. Please speak to Carol or leave in the church fridge, or freezer clearly marked with ingredients. Carol will collect on Thursdays after Ladies Bible Study. Thank you.
Men’s Breakfast…
The next breakfast is on 18th April at 8.30am-10.30am in the Narthex. Speaker : Dennis Williamson. Please BYO gf bread. It would be absolutely wonderful if you would RSVP to Steve by Sunday 11th April. Thank you.
Calling all rostered welcomers, sidespeople and morning tea providers
Calling all rostered welcomers, sidespeople and morning tea providers and anyone interested in being part of these ministries. On Sunday 26th April after the 10.30 service (around 12.45pm) we would like to do some training with you to help us all to continue to do a great job at welcoming and caring for our newcomers, regulars and visitors. Please BYO lunch and join me as we share what works with one another and refresh our memories on all things welcoming.
Janice
Diary Dates (May)
| Saturday 16th May: | 8am to 4pm Jumbunna Prayer Day at Glen Waverley Anglican Church. Every year Bp Paul calls us to pray together as one. You can come and go as suits your time needs.All welcome |
| Saturday 23rd May: | 9am to 4pm Violence Against Women Prevention and Response Training at St Mark’s Dromana. Registration is free. Lunch is provided. See Janice to register. |
| Sunday 24th May: | 10am combined service for Pentecost Sunday |
| Sunday 31st May: | 5pm Evensong at St Mark’s Dromana |
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 Holy Trinity Hastings and their Vicar, Rev’d Tim Anderson. Keiron, Vicar of Flinders/Balnarring.
- 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 the Christianity Explored seminars and those participating in them.
- That the Good News of Jesus will be known in Dromana.
- For Ted & Monica, Lorna, Xavier, Yvonne and family, Louise, Jen, TJ and family, Cheryl K, 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.
