Romans 8 holds some of the most loved words in the New Testament. They are full of hope and promise. Paul tells us that the Spirit can say what we can’t in sighs too deep for words or language we don’tunderstand yet know is His. This is why sometimes we can just sit in the mess of our lives without saying a word and suddenly feel God has heard us, and why we don’t need fancy words to pray. Holy Spirit is within us and knows our needs. What the Lord asks of us is to make the effort to connect with him in prayer, no matter how humble or messy, and then trust that he’ll bring what’s needed. Jesus’ parables of the kingdom point to this treasure. The pearl of great price which the man sells all he has to own, or the treasure in the field which is likewise purchased with everything a person has are metaphors for the full surrender we are called to in coming to Jesus in faith. To truly know the depth of the full treasure of God’s presence in the kingdom of God – which is made up of the people of God indwelt by the Holy Spirit – is treasure worth everything we have. I don’t know about you, but ever since the first time these truths began to sink into my heart all I’ve really wanted was to know more of God. Even though sometimes the journey of knowing is scary, sometimes confronting as we have to tackle the hard things of faith and sometimes overwhelmingly good. It’s worth our everything to get to know this treasure given by the Lord for us in love. How well do you know the Holy Spirit of God? Perhaps the greatest thing we can do for the world and ourselves in these troubled times is to learn to pray with Holy Spirit within. Perhaps we can make space in our lives to spend time learning more about this great treasure that Jesus won for us at the price of the cross. Since there is nothing that can separate us from God’s love in Jesus, perhaps we can spend some time meditating just on that thought. We have, in Jesus, a place in our Father’s kingdom and a love that never fails. Treasure indeed.
Janice
This Week
| TODAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| MONDAY: | Study Group St Mark’s, 7.00pm |
| Contact Kevin or Anne (0438 234 857) | |
| TUESDAY: | Online Study Group,7.00pm |
| Contact Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| Zoom Prayer Meeting, 1.30pm | |
| Contact John (0421426156) | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion, 10.00am |
| Study Group St Mark’s,11.00am | |
| Contact Keith (0419 551 082) | |
| Cuppa, Craft & Chat Group St Mark’s, 12.30pm | |
| Contact Robyn (0409 425 044) | |
| THURSDAY: | Women’s Bible Study, St Mark’s, 9.30am |
| Contact Fay (0401 404 280) | |
| Men’s Coffee & Chat Blackthorn Café, 10.00am | |
| Contact Steve (0437 984 679) | |
| FRIDAY: | JANICE’S DAY OFF |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Healing Service, 5:30pm |
Worship Times
| SUNDAY: | 8.45am | Holy Communion |
| 10.30am | Family Worship with Children’s Ministry | |
| (Holy Communion – 1st Sundays) | ||
| 5.00pm | 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:
Festival Fete
Thank you. Cheryl.
Festival Weekend
Festival helpers will be meeting in the church 12.30pm Wednesday 9th August. All are welcome. Bring your lunch and stay for craft and a cuppa. We will decide on publicity and draft the sign-up sheets to ask for the help we might need to run the stalls and events. Please be praying about your part in this weekend and how we can glorify God as we showcase our new windows to the community.
Carol and Cheryl.
Women’s Quiet Morning
10.00am Thursday 10 August 2023 St Mark’s Anglican Church. All women are invited to a Quiet Morning with an opportunity for reflection in the stillness of a busy life; set apart in His word with music, poetry & visual display. God is within her, she will not fail; God will help her at break of day. Psalm 46:5
Special Services 2023
| 20th August | Evensong – St Mark’s, Balnarring |
| 10th September | Patronal Festival & Consecration of New Windows |
| 22nd October | Evensong – St Mark’s, Dromana |
| 3rd December | St John’s, Sorrento – Lessons & Carols for Advent |
| 17th December | St Mark’s, Dromana – Lessons & Carols for Christmas |
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For those facing hardship and anguish amid rising costs.
- 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 Mornington & Mount Martha their Vicar, Ven. Helen Phillips, Assistant Priest Rev’d John Phillips, and Children & Families Minister, Rev’d Liz Rankin.
- For the work of the Church Missionary Society and Wei-Han the Victorian Director.
- For Anna Radkovic our CMS Link Missionary. Anna is expected to move to Kenya by the end of July. Pray particularly for the logistics and the emotions of moving and for the team in Kenya as they prepare to receive her.
- 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 Fête and Patronal Festival in September.
- For the success of the new Family and Children’s Ministry.
- For: Irene Cowdell, family of Malcolm Bird, family Guy, Ruth.
