God’s love…

In his book, ‘Fear no Evil’, David Watson wrote of his struggle with cancer. He pointed out that, for the Christian, death is nothing to fear since we know we have life in Jesus Christ, however, there are many unappealing ways to die! Whilst grappling with the prospect of cancer bringing suffering, and then suffering through the effects of the disease, he came to this point again and again – that within the overwhelming love of God there is nothing to fear. Although his suffering brought him to places of doubt and discouragement, it also became a journey through which he experienced God’s love for him in new and deeper ways. There he found the answers when there weren’t really any that the world could offer – God is love and his love is not diminished by our suffering but rather we experience it differently, often more powerfully, as we choose to reach out to the Lord in faith and hope. David discovered that it was not the length of life that was important but its quality, and he determined to live believing in healing but making sure he was living in the love of Jesus. Praise and worship, prayer and bible reading became essential, and it was the constant presence of the love of God at those moments which meant he experienced all worries and fears vanishing as he trusted in God’s love for him. As John the Apostle tells us, God is love and since there is no fear in love, perfect love casts out fear. This is a powerful and necessary lesson. Although fear is a normal part of life, it should not have the upper hand in our living. When we live in the love of Christ, we grow in our trust in him and in our connection with him. In that connection we can come to worship and praise even in the worst of times (it can be a struggle but it’s worth the effort) and there find the love of Christ surrounds us, and we are no longer afraid because we remember that he is our stronghold, our shield and our Saviour. Perfect love casts out fear because when we trust in the perfect love of God for us, we know that our every circumstance will be under his care – and so all will be well, even if it isn’t our preferred outcome. A great example of this is that instead of the healing he prayed for, David Watson died of cancer on 18th February 1984. The last words he wrote in his book are these: “Father, not my will but yours be done.’ In that position of security I have experienced once again his perfect love, a love that casts out all fear.’’

Janice

This Week

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Jumbunna Ministry Conference…

Rev’d Janice will be at the Jumbunna Ministry Conference from Sunday afternoon 5th May to Tuesday evening 7th May, and will be back ‘on board’ for Wednesday service then unavailable again on Thursday 9th May. If there are any pastoral emergencies, please call Kevin on 0438 234 457.

Pleasant Sunday Afternoon – 26 May, 2:30-4:00pm at the church…

You are all invited to come and enjoy a time of singing your favourite hymns and songs. RSVP your personal invitations and give your hymn requests as soon as you are able – for gathering the music and practising. A simple afternoon tea afterwards will be provided. (no need to bring anything)

Op Shop…

Our Op Shop is a ministry of this parish to the wider community which Parish Council would like to see grow as a ministry, alongside its financial support of our work here. We have had some volunteers resign this week for various reasons and will be in need of others to assist. If you can spare some time to help, please see Edna South or another member of our Op Shop Committee: Vicki Brown, Lorraine Strickland, Richard Watson, Graeme and Cheryl King or Rev’d Janice.

Fencing & Security Project…

As you all know we are upgrading the fencing and security around St. Mark’s. Rev. Janice has spoken about this and we would welcome any contributions. If you would like to make a donation towards this project, please put any cash into an envelope marked “Fencing/Security” and put it in the offering bag on a Sunday. We will provide you with a receipt and keep these monies aside for the project. If you wish to give to this project electronically, please speak to Janice as we are keeping these monies in a special account.

This Week’s Prayer Focus

In our country and the world:

• For those facing homelessness, hardship, anguish and despair amid rising costs.
• For all in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine.
• 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. 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.
• 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 the 2024 Alpha program, its leaders, and all who attend.
• For the 9am at home prayer time for the Parish, Dromana & Mornington Peninsula.
• For the 2024 Alpha program, its leaders, and all who attend.
• For the Alpha Holy Spirit Day next Saturday 9th March.
• For: Ilett family, Joan R, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Joan, Backy, Margie, Fred, Robert, Jan, David, Guy.