Facing inevitable calamity…

Over the years I’ve been fascinated by volcanoes. I loved visiting Pompeii last year, and it was a treat to actually see Vesuvius. It also brought that little bit of ‘what happens if it goes off again’ sort of nagging anxious thought, but I ignored that because it was highly unlikely. In our readings today we have some of the account of Paul’s shipwreck. Paul was on his way to Rome in Roman custody as a prisoner who had appealed to the emperor. The party had delayed for various reasons and the seasons were changing such that it was becoming unsafe to sail. Experienced mariners said no to the request to sail, but eventually one said yes. Paul had been warned by Holy Spirit that this was a bad idea, but no one was listening to him even though he insisted. Thus, Paul is taken on a ship he doesn’t want to be on which he is certain will founder. Without the choice to avoid it, how does one face an inevitable calamity? This is a question we all have sometimes. We look at our world and see many things which seem unavoidable in the future. Daily we are reminded of climate change, superpowers threatening war, countries at war threatening to go further, and our doctors make sure we have personal threats to worry about like heart disease and cancer. It’s the job of media and doctors to warn us so we can be prepared and do what we can, but the little anxious thoughts can become big anxious thoughts very quickly with the smallest triggers when the news is constantly talking. We need to take a leaf from Paul’s book and turn to the good news and the goodness of our wonderful Heavenly Father. Paul was ready to suffer for the gospel. He’d been through that many times. He knew that the one who could keep him safe was Holy Spirit who is the presence and power of Jesus with him. So, he prayed with confidence in the midst of certain disaster and his prayers were answered. After many days and much suffering, the ship was wrecked but Paul and all with him survived. When the voice of anxiety comes calling, we need to have a louder voice to lean on. Faith says our God is able to bring us through any disaster. Can you deny anxiety and choose to believe Jesus?

Janice

This Week:

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Funeral Notice…

Betty Holter’s funeral is at 12.30pm on Monday 2nd June at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Yarra Glen. If you would like to come to support Joy and John Clayton in their grief, we are trying to carpool due to the distance. Please contact Janice by Sunday afternoon on 0401717435 if you are driving and willing to take passengers or if you need a lift. We will leave by 10.15am from the church carpark.

Biggest morning tea…

We made $580 for the Cancer Council. Carol and the Craft Group send a big thank you to all involved in baking, serving, clearing up, attending and donating to the event and to John and Helen for their music. What a wonderful afternoon. To God be the Glory.

Prayer & Worship Night…

We have another Prayer & Worship Night happening with the Peninsula Pastor’s Network Team. You are welcome to come and go as you feel led during the evening. The later time is to accommodate requests from surrounding churches.

6.30pm to 9pm on Saturday 14th June

Expressions Of Interest Wanted…

The Victorian Council of Churches Emergency Ministries (VCCEM) are in need of more volunteers. VCCEM provide psychological first aid to those impacted by disaster or other significant community trauma. Training has online reading to prepare and then a face to face component which usually happens in Port Melbourne. Janice is a VCCEM volunteer and has offered our church so that training can happen on the Peninsula so this is your opportunity! We hope to run late in August on Saturday 23rd or 30th and need numbers to confirm a date so that our trainers can be here. Janice can answer any questions you have. Or you can express your interest by calling 03 7037 6010.

Men’s Breakfast…

Dates for your diary: 8.30-10am in the Narthex
June 21st : Roy Lindsay will tell us about his childhood in Ireland.
August 16th : Graeme King will be speaking.

This Week’s Prayer Focus

In our country and the world:

• For all suffering loss and grief resulting from the NSW floods.
• For families suffering as a result of violence and home invasions.
• For all affected by the worsening antisemitic attacks around Australia and the world.
• For those facing homelessness, hardship, anguish and despair amid rising costs.
• For all in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine and Myanmar.
• For all women in Afghanistan now banned from hearing each other’s voices.
• 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:

• A prayer for the election of a new Archbishop for our diocese:
  Eternal God, shepherd and guide, in your mercy give your Church in this diocese a shepherd after your own heart who will walk in your ways, and with loving care watch over your people. Give us a leader of vision and a teacher of your truth. So may your Church be built up and your name glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
• 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 All Saints Rosebud with St Katherine’s McCrae and their Acting Vicar.
• 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 Lynda & Ian, family of Betty Holter (Joy Clayton’s mother), family of Bill Uhe, Robyn, Ellen, 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, Guy.