Have you ever said, “O how I love this or that”. It might be a football team, a particular food or cuisine, music, doing puzzles, reading. We all have interests and prioritise one above the other based on how passionate we are towards each one. I enjoy reading, particularly drama, and if available, based on history, Australian history if possible. Talking to others about reading there is a common experience. We all seem to become immersed in the story as we journey along the line of the tale the writer is weaving. I like to read when having afternoon tea. A planned break of ½ hr often turns into an hour or longer as I become engrossed in the story. These interests however can become a distraction. The psalmist says, “Oh, how I love your law, I meditate on it all day long, your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth”. How much do we really love the word of God? How much do we cherish his law and his commandments? It is easy to say “yes I love the Lord very much”. But do our actual priorities show something different.
Matthew Henry writes “What we love, we love to think of. All true wisdom is from God. A good man carries his bible with him, if not in his hands, yet in his head and in his heart” Likewise, is this how we love God and his word? We may open our bible once in a while and read a passage or two or a few verses. We might occasionally even discuss the Sunday message with a few parishioners. When was the last time we spent ½ hr or an hour reading, studying or meditating on God’s word? How long did we watch TV for last night? Do you recall Jesus teaching on the vine and branches? May we, as branches, stay connected to the vine and be nourished, bearing fruit through the Holy Spirit which glorifies God.
Graeme
This Week:
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| MONDAY: | Prayer for the Parish, St Mark’s, 4.00pm |
| Contact: Janice | |
| TUESDAY: | Jan Carter’s Funeral, Tuesday, 2.00pm |
| White Lady Funerals, 951-953 Nepean Hwy Mornington | |
| 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 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:
Nominations: Parish Council…
We are prayerfully seeking nominations for : Church Wardens (2) and Parish Councillors (6). Keith Thomas has nomination forms for your use. Nominations close on 12th November, 2025.
The Small Hall Project…
The concept design is now available for inspection in the Narthex 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.
Annual Reports…
Annual reports need to be handed in by 22nd October. Keith has started compiling the Annual Report and will appreciate receiving all contributions before 22nd October
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.
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?
Church Hedges And gardens Working Bee…
A church working bee is planned for Friday 24th October 25 commencing at 10am. (Weather dependant). BYO gardening tools including hedge trimmers, lunch etc. Please let Graeme King know if you are able to attend in case the event has to be postponed due to weather. If anyone has a spare current (25-26 yr) tip voucher could they please give it to Graeme.
2025 Annual Meeting…
The Annual Meeting of St Mark’s will be held in the church on Sunday 16th November following a combined service 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 Flinders with St Mark’s Balnarring, their Vicar Rev’d Keiron Jones and Deacon Rev’d Christine Barren.
- 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.
