Over many years I have had cause to walk alongside people of all walks of life. I have known those with million dollar livelihoods and those living on long term welfare, and many living lives somewhere between. Every one of them was a human being made in the image of God and loved as a child of God, though not all had accepted that for themselves. When Jesus talks to his disciples and the crowds following him about bringing fire to the earth which will bring division. When he is telling them to interpret the times and think about their actions, Jesus is standing in the place of the Father calling his children to see the way they are choosing to live and turn to him now, before their choices lead them further into difficulty. ‘Work out your differences now and forgive one another before you come before the judge’ is in context with the coming fire which brings division and the call to interpret the times, not because he wants to be critical, but because he wants to help his children to choose wisely before its too late. These people are listening to very voice of God the Son and experiencing all the miracles and signs that testify to this fact but they’re not seeing Jesus in that light. They are debating whether he might be the Messiah but forgetting that the Messiah brings righteousness and the ‘Day of the Lord’ as the prophets have foretold. The ‘Day of the Lord’ according to the prophets is about God intervening in the life of the nation to put Messiah on the throne of David and a day of judgment and consequence for anyone not walking rightly with the Lord. It is light shining into the darkness and casting the darkness out, but if you’re on the side of darkness watch out! Jesus warns young and old, rich and poor, righteous and unrighteous, not out of anger but love. The love that weeps for the child as they willingly walk away towards what will harm them. The same love that yearns for them to return and be safe. The love that called to each one of us to know Jesus, return and live in him. This love calls us to cry out with Jesus to the lost and wandering to come, return and be saved before it’s too late and the Day finds them still choosing the darkness.
Janice
This Week:
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Parish Council, 1.30pm | |
| St John’s Sorrento, 2.30pm | |
| 150th Anniversary Service – Byrd Song Choir singing | |
| MONDAY: | Prayer for the Parish, St Mark’s, 4.00pm |
| Contact: Janice | |
| TUESDAY: | Op Shop Committee, 3.00pm |
| 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) | |
| THURSDAY: | Men’s Coffee & Chat, Blackthorn Café, 10.00am |
| Contact Steve (0437 984 679), Keith T (0413 319 327) | |
| Women’s Study Group, In recess until 24 July | |
| Contact: Carol (0411 405 597) | |
| Wardens Meeting, 2.30pm | |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Parish Council, 1.30pm | |
| Evensong St Peter’s Mornington, 5.00pm |
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:
BYRD Song Choir…
BYRD SONG CHOIR – Conducted by John Rogers
Sunday 17th August 2.30pm Sorrento, 150th Anniversary Service
Sunday 24th August 5pm Mornington, Evensong Service
Sunday 28th September 5pm Dromana, Evensong Service – Us!
Refreshments will follow all services.
Ladies Lunch…
The Thursday ladies Bible Study Group invite St.Mark’s ladies and their friends to lunch & conversation on Thursday September 4th at 12.45pm. Please come alone or bring a friend. If you are able to provide a small contribution of a plate of food to share it would be appreciated. RSVP numbers to Carol by Sunday 24th August.
In the Beginning…
Bishop Paul Barker will be leading talks on Genesis 1-4 over the Wednesdays in August. 7.30pm to 8.30pm on 6,13, 20, 27 August 2025 in person at Glen Waverley Anglican Church, 800 Waverley Rd Glen Waverley or online at www.gwac.org.au/livestream
Ladies Lunch…
The Thursday ladies Bible Study Group invite St.Mark’s ladies and their friends to lunch & conversation on Thursday September 4th at 12.45pm Please come alone or bring a friend. If you are able to provide a small contribution of a plate of food to share it would be appreciated. RSVP numbers to Carol by Sunday 24th August.
National grandparents conference…
23 August – 9am to 4.30pm
‘Leaving a living legacy’ – One day of Inspiration and Encouragement The day will be live-streamed from St Paul’s Castle Hill, Sydney. For further details & participation please contact Cheryl 0490 664 830 or Graeme 0490 664 843
VCCEM Training…
VCCEM TRAINING is happening here at St Mark’s on Saturday 30th August. If you would like to volunteer to offer psychological first aid in disaster situations with the Victorian Council of Churches Emergency Management team this is your chance to train with them. Details on how to register are at www.vccem.org.au Ask Janice for details.
SUFM Mccrae…
SUFM MCCRAE are holding a fundraiser Trivia night on 30th August from 7-9pm at Gateway Church, 14 Heversham Drive, Seaford. To register use this link https://brushfire.com/sua/fundraiser/606364
Vicarage Working Bee…
Vicarage Working Bee focusing on backyard, 26 August commencing at 9.30am BYO tools, stories, food Please let Cheryl or Graeme know if you are able to attend.
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- 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 St George’s Red Hill and their Vicar, Rev’d Jennie Savage.
- 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 our Op Shop staff and all who visit each week.
- For all members of the Parish Council.
- For Hope25. That the Good News of Jesus will be known in the community of Dromana.
- For David, family of Christine Little, Belinda, Joan R, Family of Barbara Vance, Lynda & Ian, Robyn, Phillip, 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.
