Corinth was a lively community filled with transient sailors, 12 temples, vigorous traders, growing commerce and people who came from every part of the Roman world. With its two harbours either side of the Corinthian isthmus it was a hub for the transport of goods across the Diolkos road from Italy and Spain in the west and Egypt, Phoenicia and Asia Minor in the east. Corinth was very Greek in culture with a high value on the things of philosophy and wisdom. It also had a thriving underbelly of immorality – its reputation was such that the Greek verb ‘to corinthianize’ came to mean ‘to practice sexual immorality’. Into this city entered Paul and his companions with the Gospel message and the power of the Holy Spirit to witness to it. Paul’s preaching brought much fruit and he established a church in the midst of this bustling city. The church grew and the gifts of the spirit were evident in their lives. Yet so were the issues of a church with very diverse people from many different cultures. Over time divisions and issues with moral issues surfaced. Learning to live out a culture of holiness of life with daily choices to follow Jesus in a city with all the temptation in the world, and the tendency to let philosophy modify the message, brought issues which Paul realised, after hearing from some envoys from Corinth, that he needed to address. In our first reading today, we have the introduction to 1 Corinthians. It doesn’t begin like a letter to a church which is way off track to correct it. Instead Paul begins his letter, after the usual introductions, with words of grace, love, hope and encouragement. He tells them how he thanks God for them and how he has seen the spiritual gifts at work among them witnessing to Jesus. He encourages them that the Lord will keep them firm to the end so they will stand before him blameless and he finishes this introduction with the assurance that God is faithful. When we think about how God sees us and whether or not we really are valued by him, we need to remember how Paul started this letter. No rebuke, just love. No matter what mess is in our lives we are still followers of Jesus and God is faithful to love us through to the end.
Janice
This Week:
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Parish Council Planning Afternoon, 1.30pm | |
| MONDAY: | Prayer for the Parish, St Mark’s, 4.00pm |
| Contact: Janice | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion, 10.00am |
| Bible Study resumes, St Mark’s, 11.00am | |
| THURSDAY: | National Day of Mourning for the Victims of the Bondi Attack |
| Church open for prayer 3pm until 7pm St Paul’s Cathedral is holding a multi-faith vigil at 11.15am | |
| FRIDAY: | Janice’s Day Off |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Holy Communion, 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:
Christianity Explored…
for anyone who has questions and would like to explore Christian faith, we will be running this course led using videos by Rico Tice and using Mark’s Gospel. Begins Thursday 12th February at 7.30pm and runs weekly for 7 weeks. For information please speak to Janice or take a postcard available in the Narthex.
Australia Day Festival…
Australia Day celebration 08.30 to 1.30pm behind Information Centre. Craft activity only this year. Helpers needed for setup and dismantle of marquees. Setup Sunday afternoon time TBA. Packup Monday afternoon1.45pm Helpers on the day for our craft activity Please let Cheryl or Graeme know if you can help.
Chamber Philharmonia Cologne…
The Chamber Philharmonia Cologne will be visiting us again on Thursday, 5th February 2026 at 7.30 pm There is a poster with
details up in the narthex. To book please use the QR code on the poster or https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1506183
Tickets are $50 each.
Vicar On Leave…
Janice will be on Annual Leave from 27th January to 9th February inclusive, returning to work on 10th February. Our Locum for the Sundays will be Rev’d Julia Boyd. To contact Rev’d Julia please call the Parish phone 0493 280 691.
January Sunday Evening Meals…
Our fellowship meals are an open invitation to anyone who would like to come and share a relaxed time together during January. BYO meal or something to share. Start time 6pm; homes of
Carol & Steve Parkinson – 25 Jan (NB: no fish please due to severe allergy).
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For the people of Venezuela and Iran.
- For all those who have suffered in the recent Victorian bushfires & Qld floods.
- For the victims and those who are mourning after the Bondi terrorist attack.
- For all needing support following home invasions and all 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 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 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 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 Brian Van Twest and family, Ian & Adam Rivett and family, TJ and family, Jan T, Cheryl K, Karen, Mary, Jan K, David, Belinda, Joan R, Robyn, Phillip, Nikki, Jason, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Lorna & Peter, Keith S, Harry, Jen, Mike, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert, David.
