We all know the verses in Jeremiah 29:11 that talk about God’s promise to the people in exile in Babylon that there would be a hope and a future because God has plans for them. These verses, Jeremiah29:1,4-7, are words to them as they wait for the promises to come. Waiting is hard. 70 years is a long time and Jeremiah has sought the Lord for them and the Lord has answered. He tells them to build houses, plant gardens, eat their own produce and continue life with family and friends. Essentially he says to them, ‘Don’t put off life waiting for the return you long for. Now is the time to settle where you are and bless the city you are in because their welfare is your welfare.’ No matter how much we want what we are waiting for it will come in God’s timing, not our own. Of course, we do often attempt to argue with God about this, but he knows what is happening tomorrow and we don’t. Our God is wise and we can trust him to choose our timings, but if things are not going well, as they certainly were not for the exiles in Babylon, we become anxious and often find it hard to sit still. As I write this I’m sitting in a hospital waiting room with a friend who needed urgent tests. To make that happen I moved around a few things and we are here. Meanwhile a phone call has just come through to say one of our dear people is terribly ill and I need to go to her before she passes. I have no control over any of the circumstances right now, but God does. Jesus is here in the presence of the Holy Spirit and he is with our friend in that same presence. He is working all things together for good because that’s what he does, my place is to trust him, do well what is before me now and wait to do what my heart longs to do – to run to my dying parishioner’s side. There is no dissonance in this. The Lord knew this before I left home this morning and is more than capable of bringing all of this together in the best way possible in these circumstances. What are you waiting for? What is trying your patience or maybe even breaking your heart in the waiting? Be present with the Lord Jesus who is with you and resolve to trust him. Pray and let God be God and peace will come to you.
Janice
This Week:
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Pleasant Sunday Afternoon, 2.00pm at St Marks | |
| MONDAY: | Prayer for the Parish, St Mark’s, 4.00pm |
| Contact: Janice | |
| TUESDAY: | Op Shop Committee meeting, 3.30pm |
| 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 Bible Study Group, St Mark’s, 9.30am | |
| Contact: Carol (0411 405 597) | |
| FRIDAY: | JANICE ON ANNUAL LEAVE UNTIL 1st NOVEMBER |
| NEXT SATURDAY: | Men’s Breakfast, 8.30 – 10.00am |
| Bacon & egg roll, coffee & chat $7 (gf bacon BYO gf bread) | |
| Malcolm Glasscock will be speaking about his working life. | |
| PLEASE let Steve Parkinson know if you are coming. | |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am |
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:
With Sadness…
It is with sadness that I need to let you know that Jan Carter entered into glory on Wednesday morning 8th October. Jan has been a regular part of the Wednesday service and on the Op Shop team with her husband Jeff for some time. Please pray for Jeff, Shane, Rachel and their families as they grieve. It will be a large funeral and therefore to be held at White Lady Mornington at a date and time to be determined. Vicki Brown will let Maggie know the details when they’re available. Grace and peace to you as you support one another in grief. Janice
The Small Hall Project…
The Small Hall Project concept design will be available for inspection in the Narthex from next week until 2nd November, and will be discussed at the Annual Meeting to inform the next step in the Project. Keith Thomas will be available for comment and questions whilst our Vicar Janice is away on annual leave.
Men’s Breakfast…
Men’s Breakfast, 8.30-10.00am 18th October
Bacon & egg roll, coffee & chat $7 (gf bacon BYO gf bread) Malcolm Glasscock will be speaking about his working life.
PLEASE let Steve Parkinson know if you are coming.
Parish Roll…
Please check the Parish Roll in the Narthex to ensure your name is recorded. If you are not on the Roll and wish to join the Parish please fill in a form which is available in the Narthex.
Operation Christmas Child…
Thank-you to everyone who gave a Christmas box of goodies to a needy child. We were able to give 50 boxes in total! Thanks again to Edna for making the carry bags for each child. Anne and Heather.
Church Fete Saturday 22nd of November 10:00am – 2:30 pm…
Morning Teas, Luncheon, Cakes, Plants, Art Show, Jams, Books, Craft, BBQ. Kids crafts and face-painting. Would you like to be involved?? We could use lots of help. Please contact Janice or Cheryl if you would like to be involved. Does anyone have a 3 x 3 marquee we could borrow on the day?
Annual Meeting…
The Annual Meeting of St Mark’s will be held in the church on Sunday 16th November following a combined service starting at 10.00am. Contact Keith Thomas if you have any questions or an apology. Annual Reports need to be with Keith Thomas by 22nd October.
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For all needing support following shooting of Police, and 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 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 John’s Sorrento with St Andrew’s Rye and their Vicar, Rev’d Stephen Dent.
- 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 Hope25. That the Good News of Jesus will be known in Dromana.
- For Jeff Carter and family, Karen, Mary, Jan K, Steve (not Parkinson) and family, Marlene, David, Belinda, Joan R, Lynda & Ian, Robyn, Phillip, Nikki, Jason, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Lorna & Peter, Keith S, Harry, Jen, Mike, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert, David.
