Most people are familiar with today’s reading about how Naaman, the commander of the Aramean army, was healed of leprosy. One of his wife’s servant girls recommended that he go to Samaria to see the prophet there. Naaman listened to the girl and went to the King of Israel asking to be healed, but the king couldn’t heal him, of course. Elisha the prophet heard about this and sent word to the king to send Naaman to him. When Naaman reached Elisha’s home, he sent out his servant to give Naaman a message to go and wash in the Jordan river 7 times. Naaman thought this was ridiculous and went off in a rage, but his servants urged him to think again. He listened to his servants and went and washed. As he rose out of the water the 7th time, his skin became like the skin of a new born baby – he was completely healed. Now we know that Naaman’s issue with the instructions of Elisha was that he had too much pride and expected the sorts of things the magicians would do in his home country, waving their arms and making fancy incantations to impress him. Naaman thought he was worth a bit of special magic. After all he was an important man. But for Elisha he was simply an Aramean with leprosy who needed to know that the God of Israel is real. All the horses and the riches Naaman carried with him, the train of servants that attended him, and the fact that he was rich enough and honoured enough to be able to travel the way he did made no impact on Elisha. What did make an impact? After he was healed, Naaman returned to Elisha and declared that he now believed that there was no god in all the earth except the God of Israel and that he would only serve this God for the rest of his days. Elisha saw this man’s genuine faith and determination to live his life for the Lord from that day onwards, and he sent him away in peace. If you’re looking for God today, listen to the simple request of the Lord to come and wash. Wash in the healing blood of Jesus by turning away from the ‘other gods’ in your life and believing in him. Dedicate your life to following Jesus and learn to love as he loves and see the world through the eyes of his ever gracious heart.
Janice
This Week:
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Healing Service, 5.00pm | |
| Topic: Identity – masks we wear with Kevin Cranwell | |
| MONDAY: | Prayer for the Parish, St Mark’s, 4.00pm |
| Contact: Janice | |
| TUESDAY: | Zoom Prayer and Share is in recess. |
| WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion Service – 10.00am |
| Bible Study Group St Mark’s, 11.00am | |
| Contact: Janice | |
| Cuppa, Craft & Chat Group, St Mark’s,12.30pm | |
| Contact: Robyn (0409 425 044) | |
| THURSDAY: | Men’s Coffee & Chat, Blackthorn Café, 10.00am |
| Contact Steve (0437 984 679), Keith T (0413 319 327) | |
| Women’s Study Group, St Mark’s, 9.30am | |
| Contact: Carol (0411 405 597) | |
| FRIDAY: | Janice’s DAY OFF |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Holy Communion, 10.30am | |
| Newcomers & Recent Arrivals Lunch, 12.00pm | |
| Please make sure to RSVP to Keith Thomas by | |
| Friday 11th July. See notice for details. |
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 Cranwell (0438 234 457 Kevin) |
Notices:
Newcomers and recent arrivals lunch…
On Sunday 13th July following the 10.30 service anyone who has joined our parish over the past year, or who has missed other events like this, is welcome to attend a lunch in the church at which we will learn about the parish and how it works, be introduced to our leadership, and have space for Q & A. Lunch will be provided.
If you are able to attend, please RSVP to Keith Thomas via email: keith.thomas@stmarksdromana.org.au or via phone: 0493 280 691
Team leader wanted…
A Team Leader is wanted to coordinate working bees for cleaning the inside of our lovely church every few months. Perhaps you are not up for the cleaning but are happy to lead a team who can, or maybe cleaning is your secret power. Either way, if this is you, please talk to Janice or one of the Wardens – Kevin, Mike or Jan Glass. Thanks.
Looking for a place to serve..
We have opportunities at our Op Shop for volunteers. Training is provided and if needed assistance given to obtain your Police Check and Level 1 Training Certificate. The Op Shop is at the heart of our ministry to the Dromana community and we hope to grow this ministry, but we do need helpers to do that. Shifts can be as little as 4 hours once per month. Talk to Vicki Brown if you’d like to know more.
Soup and scones for lunch…
Everyone is invited to lunch on 3 August after 10:30 service RSVP required by 27 July – to Anne 0473 562 968
Mens breakfast…
Save the dates for the next Men’s breakfasts
16th August when Graeme King will speak.
18th October when Malcolm Glasscock will speak.
20th December will be the last breakfast for the year – Speaker TBA
All men welcome. Details to follow. Contact Steve.
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For all suffering loss and grief resulting from the NSW floods.
- For families suffering as a result of violence and home invasions.
- For all affected by the worsening antisemitic attacks around Australia and the world.
- For those facing homelessness, hardship, anguish and despair amid rising costs.
- For all in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine and Myanmar.
- For all women in Afghanistan now banned from hearing each other’s voices.
- 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 Acting Vicar.
- 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 our Op Shop staff and all who visit each week.
- For all members of the Parish Council.
- For Hope25. That the Good News of Jesus will be known in the community of Dromana.
- For Lynda & Ian, family of Bill Uhe, Robyn, Ellen, Phillip, Nikki, Jason, Bernadette & family, Noel and family, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Lorna & Peter, Keith S, Harry, Jen, Mike, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert, Jan, David.
