This week we begin a sermon series on the Gifts of the Spirit. In our reading this week we see the calling and setting aside for ministry of Barnabas and Saul (Paul) at Antioch, which was in Syria in an area which is in Lebanon today. Barnabas is the elder, sent from Jerusalem to Antioch to assist the newly planted church there, which is experiencing exponential growth through their ministry to the local people. Barnabas is a Cypriot and therefore aware of the local culture. He is a ‘good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.’ Acts 11:24, and he is delighted with what he sees. He preaches there, then goes to get Saul from Tarsus, and the two men work with the church at Antioch for a year. We then see prophets come to Antioch especially Agabus, who carries a prophetic warning from the Lord about a coming famine. The church responds by preparing provisions in advance to make sure they are in a position to send relief to other believers when it comes. In Acts 13:1-3 Luke records that there were prophets and teachers at Antioch, naming Barnabas and Saul amongst them, and that the church was in worship and fasting, seeking the Lord. In this time the Holy Spirit speaks and sets apart Barnabas and Saul for the work he has called them to. After more prayer and fasting Barnabas and Saul receive their ministry through the laying on of hands and are sent on their way. It was during this time that Saul changed his name to Paul. Just in these passages we see gifts of leadership, preaching, teaching, words of knowledge, prophecy, faith, and evangelism at work. We see that the church is working together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, hearing from one another and acting in accordance with the different gifts in their church community and making sure that they reach out to the community around them and provide for those in need, fulfilling Jesus’ commandment to love one another as he loves us.
How are we working together to reach out to our community in love?
Janice
This Week
| TODAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| TUESDAY: | Online Study Group,7.00pm |
| Contact Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion, 10.00am |
| Study Group | |
| St Mark’s,11.00am | |
| Contact Keith (0419 551 082) | |
| Craft 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) | |
| Men’s Coffee & Chat Blackthorn Café, 10.00am | |
| Contact Steve (0437 984 679) | |
| Zoom Prayer Meeting, 1.30pm | |
| Contact John (0421426156) | |
| FRIDAY: | JANICE’S DAY OFF |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Evensong, 5.00pm All Saints – Rosebud |
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:
Thank You!!
Thank you to those who contributed to the Audio-Visual upgrade. We have now enough funds to completely cover the cost of the upgrade. Parish Council will now move forward with the planned actions. We praise the Lord for his provision.
Also a thank you to all who attended the working bee at the vicarage.
St Mark’s Day Festival & Consecration Of New Windows
Archbishop Philip Freier will visit St Mark’s on Sunday 10th September to consecrate the stained glass windows. The weekend will take the form of a Patronal Festival for St Mark (whose official day was 25th April) and to celebrate our 130th Anniversary. There will be a Fete on Saturday 9th September, with visitors invited to view the windows and to attend the combined service the next day. Proceeds from the fete will be used to boost the Missions Fund for the support of Anna Radkovic our CMS link Missionary in Kenya. There is plenty of time to make preserves, plant cuttings, and work on craft projects to make the fete successful. There will be no Christmas Fete this year. Let’s make this weekend a great witness to our Lord and showcase our beautiful church. If you would like to work on craft projects in a group, the Common Threads Craft Group meet on Wednesdays at 12.30pm during term time. Contact Carol for more information (0411 405 597).
Special Services 2023
| 18-Jun-23 | Evensong – All Saints, Rosebud |
| 20-Aug-23 | Evensong – St Mark’s, Balnarring |
| 22-Oct-23 | Evensong – St Mark’s, Dromana |
| 3-Dec-23 | St John’s, Sorrento – Lessons & Carols for Advent |
| 17-Dec-23 | 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.
- 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 as she recovers from surgery, and for John as he supports Helen.
- In our Deanery, we pray for the Parish of Holy Trinity Hastings and their Vicar, Rev’d Tim Anderson.
- For the work of the Church Missionary Society and Wei-Han the Victorian Director.
- For Anna Radkovic our CMS Link Missionary as she spends time learning language and culture in Kenya while exploring long-term opportunities in discipleship ministry and conservation.
- 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 success of the new Family and Children’s Ministry.
- For: Ruth.
