The feast of Christ the King ends what used to be called the Ordinary Sundays of the year. It leads into the season of Advent with a pause to recognise Jesus as Lord and King so that we keep in proper perspective Jesus as babe in the manger. This child grew to give his life for us, to be raised to life eternal and open the way for us to receive that eternal life through faith in him. He ascended to heaven to sit down at his Father’s right hand in victory as King of kings and Lord of lords alongside the other persons of the Trinity – for they all reign as one. Jesus’ ascension enabled the sending of the Holy Spirit so that we have God with us forever within each believer, and he continues to intercede for us daily that the mercy of God will be poured out for his people. On the last Day Jesus will return to bring all things to an end, and to create the new heaven and new earth which Revelation 21 tells us about. Revelation 1 begins with a summary of Jesus as King and a reminder that it is he who will come in the clouds, returning in glory. John 18 reminds us that Jesus was always king. It is that exchange between Pilate and Jesus as Pilate wrestles with the choice he faces to execute Jesus or let him go. Jesus will not take the bait and glorify or defend himself as an earthly king would. Instead, he describes for Pilate what his actual kingdom is like. He’s the King of the heavenly kingdom he came to us from. He’s the King of all truth and in him alone the truth of who we are and how the world came to be is found. Pilate is caught in his own political trap where people say what will get them ahead and call it true, but it seldom is. He can’t identify truth anymore. Our world needs the truth so much right now. We need to know who we are and who we belong with and to. We strive to find our identities and are confused by an array of options the world puts before us. Yet we have one true identity. We are made in the image of God and we belong to Christ the King, the hope of glory and our consolation. Every human being is created by God and every human being is loved by God. When we meet Jesus, we find our true identity in him, and that sets us free to celebrate the baby who is our true King.
Janice
This Week:
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| MONDAY: | Prayer Group, St Marks, 9.15am (On Hold till 11th November) |
| Contact: Kevin (0438 234 457) | |
| Bible Study Group, St Mark’s, 4.00pm (On Hold Till Advised) | |
| Contact Kevin (0438 234 457) | |
| TUESDAY: | Zoom Prayer Meeting, 1.30pm |
| Contact John (0421 426 156) | |
| Zoom Bible Study Group, 7.00pm | |
| Contact: Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion, 10:00am |
| Bible Study Group St Mark’s,11.00am | |
| “Women of the Bible” Contact Kevin (0438 234 457) | |
| Cuppa, Craft & Chat Group. (On Hold this week) | |
| Contact Robyn (0409 425 044) | |
| THURSDAY: | Women’s Bible Study, St Mark’s, 9.30am (Church Sanctuary) |
| “Becoming a Woman of Strength” | |
| Contact Fay (0401 404 280) | |
| Men’s Coffee & Chat, Blackthorn Café, 10.00am | |
| 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 (Advent 1) |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Advent Carol Service, 6.00pm, St John’s Sorrento |
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:
Alpha…
The Alpha Celebration is this Thursday (28th). So that we can offer the same lavish hospitality that Jesus offers us, please let me know TODAY if you are coming and bringing someone with you. Everyone is welcome! We will eat together, talk together and watch a short video. The next Alpha Course will run as part of Hope25, from 8th May to 28th June. Why not pencil this into your diary now and pray that the Lord prompts you to bring someone along? “make the most of every opportunity ……. Eph.5:16 NIV” Carol (0411405597 carolcopp@stmarksdromana.org.au) or speak to me today.
Christmas Hampers…
As we have done in previous years, we would like to provide hampers for 10 local families this Christmas. If you would like to donate to the hampers, there will be a basket in the Narthex for contributions of non perishable foods. These goods will be wrapped and distributed during the week beginning 9th December. Donations of money for items to be purchased for the hampers can be placed in the offertory bag clearly marked “hampers”. Please speak to Carol or Cheryl for more details.
Narthex Renovation…
This Sunday, we are expecting our cabinets to have been fully installed and our sink with hot water working and with all plumbing connected and ready for use. The majority of the remaining electrical work will be completed on Tuesday morning. There will be a few things to finish off, such as painting, putting doors on the storage cupboard and changing the yellow glass, but the major work will be completed. Thanks to all who have contributed so far, we’re almost there!
Diary Date…
Philharmonia Cologne that their concert at St Mark’s will be on Wednesday 15th January 2025. Advice on sale of tickets still to come.
Christmas Concert By Harmony Singers…
Saturday 21st December – 2:00pm r at The Village Glen, Capel Sound. $5 per person. Pay on day. Come & enjoy some lovely Christmas music.
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For everyone suffering after the horrendous floods in Spain & Portugal.
- 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 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 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 Richard, Sallie, Rev’d Janice, Pat, Lorna & Peter, Keith S, Harry, Jen, Mike, Joan R, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert, Jan, David, Guy.
