Lent 3
I was asked recently about the relevance of the 10 commandments. Perhaps the question to ask first is, what does the Lord want? At the time they were written these laws stood as the major moral imperative for the people of God. They are laws, not suggestions, and the consequences for not keeping them were not pleasant for the people of Israel. Not keeping sabbath properly and the worship of idols were cited by the prophets time and again as reasons why the exile was coming. Once exiled, the people of the southern kingdom, Judah, had to serve 70 years in exile to match the 70 years of sabbaths and jubilees not kept. The pharisaic movement rose from a sense of remorse over the way the laws had been broken which is why they sought to be so strict. The pain of exile made the repentance real. In Matthew 5:17-20 Jesus spoke of the law as being something which would not change until it was fulfilled. What changed? Jesus fulfilled the sacrificial laws by his death and resurrection, so we no longer need to keep the rules about sacrificing animals and giving drink and bread offerings. Jesus declared all foods clean and all people to have equal access to the Father so the laws that separated Israel – the food laws and the laws about associating with gentiles -were also fulfilled by the cross and resurrection. With the arrival of Jesus, the Light of the world and Messiah to the world, the protections which kept Israel separate enabled his coming so are no longer needed. This leaves us with the moral law which includes the 10 commandments. These are not optional. So how are we doing at keeping these rules which Jesus is so concerned about? What things and people may have become idols to you? What time do you give to the Lord as sabbath? How do you use the name of the Lord? To my thinking they help us to daily bring our hearts into line with God’s heart – ask him sincerely ‘How can I love you best today Lord?’.
Janice
This Week:
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Youth Group, TBA , 4.00pm | |
| MONDAY: | Labor Day Public Holiday |
| TUESDAY: | Zoom Bible Study, 7.00pm |
| Contact: Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion, 10.00am |
| Bible Study, 11.00am | |
| Cuppa, Craft & Chat Group, St Mark’s,12.30pm | |
| Contact: Robyn (0409 425 044) | |
| Coffee & Chat, 1.30pm Contact: Janice | |
| THURSDAY: | Men’s Coffee & Chat, Blackthorn Cafe, 10.00am |
| Contact: Steve (0437984679) Keith T (0413 319 327) | |
| Men’s Bible Study, Mark’s Place, 11.00am – See Notice | |
| Contact: Kevin (0438 234 457) | |
| Christianity Explored, St Mark’s, 7.30pm | |
| FRIDAY: | Janice’s Day Off |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Holy Communion, 10.30am | |
| Parish Council, 1.30pm |
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:
Easter services:
Palm Sunday 29th March 10am combined service in the front garden
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 4pm Prayers at the cross
Maundy Thursday 7pm service
Good Friday 9am service 11am Walk of witness (TBA time may change)
Easter Day 5th April 6.30am Easter communion on the beach 9.30am Easter celebration service
Thank You…
A big Thank You to all who helped at the Church grounds working bee last Tuesday, and also to those who gave us tip voucher for disposal of the weeds.
Dance-A-Thon: Saturday 28th March 10am to 12 pm…
Our first fundraiser for 2026, this is an opportunity to invite people from the wider community into our space (the carpark) for health and wellbeing and fun! $10 entry, and opt-in, opt-out. Spread the word, and be prepared to come and join in the fun! See Anne for details.
Men’s Bible Study…
There is a Men’s Bible Study meeting at 11am Thursday mornings in Mark’s Place. All men are invited to join us exploring the Diocesan Lenten Study and, If you would like to, join us for coffee beforehand from 10am at Blackthorn Cafe. Contact Kevin 0438 234 457 for more information.
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For those who suffered loss in fires and floods.
- For the people of Venezuela and Iran.
- 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 Mornington & Mount Martha Church, and their Vicar Rev’d Colleen Clayton.
- Keiron, Vicar of Flinders/Balnarring.
- 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 the Christianity Explored seminars and those participating in them.
- That the Good News of Jesus will be known in Dromana.
- For Lorna, Xavier, Yvonne and family, Louise, Jen, TJ and family, Cheryl K,
Karen, Mary, Jan K, David, Belinda, Joan R, Robyn, Phillip, Nikki, Jason, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Keith S, Harry, Mike, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert
