As we come back into the rhythm of the lectionary having finished our series on Zechariah, we enter the world of Jeremiah in our Old Testament readings, and what a world it is! Before the exile of the southern kingdom of Judah, Jeremiah spent years trying to turn the tide of destruction which the choices of the kings to follow foreign gods and lead their people to do the same was bringing on God’s people. Each word in the reading we have: Jeremiah 8:18 – 9:1 is filled with grief as Jeremiah sees in the Spirit what is to come, and knows he is powerless to stop it if the kings will not repent. Often, we come across people who think that a life of faith should always be characterised by optimism and joy. This is true to an extent, but our God knows what grief is and understands our sorrow. He who wept at the grave of Lazarus even though he knew he was about to raise him from death understands grief. In these days of great unrest across our world, grief is a common denominator for many. Grief is about loss, not just the loss of loved ones in death, but also loss of other things of worth to us. It can be a job, a house, a friendship, an object which has sentimental value, a family pet or something harder to define – a sense of safety, a sense of certainty or ability to trust, freedom to move around after a health issue – there are many things we can lose in life and the sadness that follows can be very intense because we are actually in grief. This is not something we can put a bandaid on and smile our way through. We can try, but grief pressed down and buried can become rage, depression and self-harm. It is better to allow the tears, cry out the anger and frustration, ask God the unanswerable questions that fill our minds – why, what good can come of this… In the end, as we see Jeremiah doing throughout his long journey of watching Judah self-destruct, we have one thing which we can hold on to and which does not fail. If we can hold our trust in God’s goodness, grip faith in both hands and with determination say with Jeremiah, ‘Heal me O Lord, and I shall be healed, save me and I shall be saved for you are my praise’ – there is where healing begins amidst the tears.
Janice
This Week:
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Parish Council Meeting, 1.30pm | |
| MONDAY: | Prayer for the Parish, St Mark’s, 4.00pm |
| Contact: Janice | |
| TUESDAY: | Zoom Bible Study, 7.00pm |
| Contact: Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| 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 SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Evensong Rehearsal, 3.00pm | |
| Evensong Performance, St Mark’s, 5.00pm | |
| Speaker: Rev’d Jennie Savage, Vicar of St George’s Red Hill |
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:
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.
Church heating upgrade…
For many years we have needed reverse cycle heating and cooling in the church, but it was not possible with our heritage overlay. Our Wardens have now found a way forward and we are happy to announce that on Monday 6th October it will be installed. The cost is $9100 and Parish Council would like to invite any who have the capacity to do so to donate toward covering that cost, either by direct deposit into the church’s account with the reference ‘aircon’ or by an envelope with ‘aircon’ written on it into the offering. Thank you in advance. Janice.
Hope Explored…
On Thursday 25th September 7.30pm We will meet for 3 Thursday evenings, 7.30 to 9.00pm in the church to watch a short video, share some supper and ask any question exploring what the Christian hope is about. If you’re interested or you know someone who might be, please give Janice a call or text on 0401 717 435. Invitations to give to a friend will be available this Sunday. Please consider coming along with your friend!
Save The Date! – Operation Christmas Child…
28 September will be box packing day as we did last year. All items will be provided. Price per box TBA.
Pleasant Sunday Afternoon (12th October)…
If you have a favourite hymn or song, please let Kevin or Anne know by 21 September. More details later.
BYRD Song Choir…
BYRD SONG CHOIR – Conducted by John Rogers
Sunday 28th September 5pm at St Marks Dromana, Evensong Service
Refreshments will follow service.
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?
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 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 the community of Dromana.
- For 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.
