In the beginning of Romans 12, Paul is making the point that the faithfulness of God to those who are his people by faith in Jesus is the basis for our hope and our practice of Christianity. It’s not about a religious attempt to please God with this or that behaviour so he will accept us, but a sincere hope-filled response of a life lived for the God who has already accepted and approved us because of that faith. We are, therefore, to live with this in mind, understanding that we did not save ourselves and have no power to boast except in Jesus himself. He has made us members of his body, the church, and members, therefore of one another in Christ through the Holy Spirit. This means we are to present ourselves to him for his purposes, not now as worthless sinners but as redeemed, holy people who are accepted and loved by God and who are prepared to give all we are and have for God’s glory because he first gave all he had for us. Our lives are not our own but the Lord’s, and God acts for us in this world because he is faithful. To live this way is to recognise that we have a place in God’s kingdom and are called to live according to our place as representing God in all we do. The mind renewed by Holy Spirit in submission to the mind of Christ becomes a place of transformation as we intentionally seek Jesus’ will instead of our own in every situation. This transformation brings our thoughts and therefore, wills, into alignment with the will of our faithful and loving Father and positions us to be able to act according to Kingdom values. This is a priceless gift. In this life which presents so many difficulties – illness, misfortunes, disasters and more – we can always rely on the faithfulness of the God who loves us. In the arms of the Father there is safety and peace because we belong there. Now may the church say, the gates of hell will not prevail against us for the Lord is on our side.
Janice
This Week
| TODAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| MONDAY: | Study Group – The Gifts of the Spirit (4 week study) |
| St Mark’s, 7.00pm | |
| Contact Kevin or Anne (0438 234 857) | |
| Online Study Group,7.00pm | |
| Contact Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| Zoom Prayer Meeting, 1.30pm | |
| Contact John (0421426156) | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion, 10.00am |
| Study Group St Mark’s,11.00am | |
| Contact Keith (0419 551 082) | |
| Festival Meeting, St Mark’s, 12.30pm | |
| Cuppa, Craft & Chat Group St Mark’s, 12.30pm | |
| Contact Robyn (0409 425 044) | |
| THURSDAY: | Women’s Bible Study, St Mark’s, 9.30am |
| Contact Fay (0401 404 280) | |
| Women’s Quiet Morning, St Mark’s, 10.00am | |
| Contact Fay (0401 404 280) | |
| Men’s Coffee & Chat Blackthorn Café, 10.00am | |
| Contact Steve (0437 984 679) | |
| Study Group – The Gifts of the Spirit (week 4) | |
| St Mark’s, 7.00pm – 9.00pm | |
| (Contact Janice) | |
| FRIDAY: | JANICE’S DAY OFF |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Healing Service, 5:00 Topic: Being God’s community. | |
| – a place where healing is part of the fabric of life. |
Worship Times
| SUNDAY: | 8.45am | Holy Communion |
| 10.30am | Family Worship with Children’s Ministry | |
| (Holy Communion – 1st Sundays) | ||
| 5.00pm | 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:
Help!
If anyone has a gazebo/small marquee with sides, that we could use for the festival please contact Carol (0411 405 597).
Festival Prayer Time
If you are involved in the Festival and would like to join with others in prayer, please come to the Church on Wednesday at 12.30 (following Bible study and before Craft and chat), for a short time of prayer. Let’s give glory to God for His goodness and provision for St Marks, and ask His blessing on the weekend.
All are welcome.
Thank You
A big thank you to all who have helped over the past few weeks to rejuvenate the church grounds, they now look loved and cared for.
Graeme
Festival Fete
Fete & Luncheon Information
1 Food being provided for the fete cake stall not include meat or cream. There will be a sign-up sheet in the Narthex together with labels to be attached to food listing the ingredients.
2 Graeme King and Richard Watson have requested assistance to erect Gazebos on the morning of the fete. If you are available to help please contact Graeme on 0490 664 843.
3 For the provision of Lunch after Sunday service on 10th September please bring a plate of finger food of your choice.
Special Services 2023
| 10th September | Patronal Festival & Consecration of New Windows |
| 22nd October | Evensong – St Mark’s, Dromana |
| 3rd December | St John’s, Sorrento – Lessons & Carols for Advent |
| 17th December | St Mark’s, Dromana – Lessons & Carols for Christmas |
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For those facing hardship and anguish amid rising costs.
- For families affected by violence.
- For those affected by natural disasters in around the world, and at this time for the people of, Maui, especially the town of Lahaina which has been destroyed by wild fires.
- 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 for Archdeacon Helen Phillips in the Frankston Archdeaconry. Give thanks that Archdeacon Helen is now well and beginning to return to work.
- 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. Anna Radkovic has now left Australia and is on her way to Kenya. Her updated prayer letter is on the board in the Narthex.
- 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 our Vicar.
- For the finances of our Parish.
- For our Parish, its people and those we reach out to every week.
- For the Fête and Patronal Festival in September.
- For the success of the new Family and Children’s Ministry.
- For the 9am at home prayer time for the Parish, Dromana & Mornington Peninsula.
- For: Robert, Jan, Pat, David, Margie, Irene Cowdell, Guy, Ruth.
