This week we continue walking with Jeremiah. In this reading, Jeremiah 32, in the middle of the siege on Jerusalem, while the Babylonians are literally gathered around the city bringing death and destruction to those inside its walls, God tells Jeremiah to buy a field. This land is worth nothing at that moment because the exile is beginning and there will soon be nothing left of Jerusalem to be able to grow crops or graze animals on a field for. Literally, this makes no sense, but it is a prophetic act. Through Jeremiah God is bringing a seed of hope to this downtrodden people. Even as the siege ramps are up and there is starvation and bloodshed all around them, God is saying through Jeremiah, “There is hope, my children. There will be an end to this suffering and a return to this land and normal life will be yours again.” The people of Judah are being shown that God is not finished with them yet. He will restore them in due time. Have you ever felt like God has obviously finished with you? Have you felt that there is nothing which can ever bring you back from the disaster that is unfolding in your life? That you are too far gone, too far away for the hand of the Lord to reach you? This is exactly how these suffering people felt, in fact it’s how Jeremiah felt. He was so stunned by what God had asked him to do that after he did this, he went to the Lord and asked him what on earth he thought he was doing. What was God’s answer? It’s in verse 27 of chapter 32, God said, “See, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for me?” The problem is never with God being unable or unwilling to help us or come to our aid; the problem is with us and our unbelief, our inability to recognise that God is really God and that means nothing is impossible to Him. What’s more, if we are people who have our hearts set on him, even in the darkest hour when all light seems to have faded and no rescue seems possible, God is still God. Our God can and will save those who are his and hear them when they call. Even if the worst happens and we die, in Jesus we will live. Reach out to Jesus. “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still”- Corrie Ten Boom
Janice
This Week:
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Operation Christmas Child, box filling after each morning service | |
| Evensong Rehearsal, 3.00pm | |
| Evensong, St Mark’s, 5.00pm | |
| Speaker: Rev’d Jennie Savage, Vicar, St George’s Red Hill | |
| MONDAY: | Building Committee, St Mark’s, 1.00pm |
| Prayer for the Parish, St Mark’s, 4.00pm | |
| Contact: Janice | |
| TUESDAY: | Op Shop Afternoon Tea, 2.30pm |
| Zoom Bible Study, 7.00pm | |
| Contact: Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| Commissioning of Rev’d Stephen Dent, 7.30pm | |
| as Vicar of Rye/Sorrento at St Andrew’s Rye | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion Service – 10.00am |
| Bible Study Group St Mark’s, 11.00am | |
| Contact: Janice | |
| THURSDAY: | Men’s Coffee & Chat, Blackthorn Café, 10.00am |
| Contact Steve (0437 984 679), Keith T (0413 319 327) | |
| Hope Explored, St Mark’s, 7.30pm | |
| Contact Janice | |
| FRIDAY: | JANICE’S DAY OFF |
| NEXT SATURDAY: | Church Cleaning Working Bee, 8.30am, see Dennis W notice |
| DAYLIGHT SAVING BEGINS 2.00AM | |
| PUT CLOCKS FORWARD 1 HOUR BEFORE BED | |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Parish Council, 1.30pm | |
| Healing Service, 6.00pm * Note time change for Summer | |
| Speaker: Graeme King – “Peace in Uncertain Times” |
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:
Annual Leave: Janice…
Janice will be on Annual Leave from Friday 10th to Friday 31st October, inclusive. She will return to work for Sunday 2nd November. We will have Rev’d Chris Garcia as our Locum for that time. More details next week.
New Vicar of Sorrento / Rye…
The new Vicar of Sorrento/Rye, Stephen Dent, will be commissioned on Thursday 30th September at 7.30pm at St Andrew’s Rye.
Note: Cuppa, Craft & Chat Group and Women’s Bible Study Group…
Cuppa, Craft & Chat Group and Women’s Bible Study Group will be in recess from week beginning 21st September for two weeks.
Memorial garden…
I am privileged to have been given the oversight and care of our Memorial Garden and to gather some helpers. The Garden now has some new young plants which we anticipate will grow and flourish. However they need nurturing with water, particularly during the summer months, and the room to grow without being overtaken by weeds! This is where I need help, so I am asking for volunteers, please. I would love to receive any/all offers of help! With many thanks in anticipation, Jan Glass, 0421047513
Operation Christmas Child…
September 28th is box packing day. All items will be provided. Price per box $15.00.
Cleaning of Church building…
Dennis Williamson is organising the cleaning of the church building on 4 October from 8:30 am ‘til 12:30 pm. Please let Dennis know in advance if you plan to assist with the cleaning at dennisw@scenicspectrums.com.au or on 0418331322. A simple BBQ lunch is planned when we finish, either at the church or across the road at the beach. Dennis will organise a few sausages, rolls & salad. Otherwise people can BYO. All welcome.
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?
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 George’s Red Hill and their Vicar, Rev’d Jennie Savage.
- 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 the community of Dromana.
- For Steve (not Parkinson) and family. Ellen and family, Marlene, David, Belinda, Joan R, Lynda & Ian, Robyn, Phillip, Nikki, Jason, Noel and family, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Lorna & Peter, Keith S, Harry, Jen, Mike, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert, Jan, David.
