Hurt pride…

Pentecost 11

In our Genesis reading for this week, we begin to follow the story of Joseph, one of Jacob’s sons. Joseph is a favourite of Jacob’s because he is Rachel’s son. He’s young and a bit arrogant and he proclaims to his 11 brothers that he is indeed better than them and one day God will show them that because he saw it in a dream. Now, it’s not surprising that his brothers got a bit mad with him, after all our pride is often easily wounded and especially so when someone younger is chosen before the elder. Anyway, Joseph annoyed his older brothers so much that when his father sent him to find them and bring them lunch while they were out working, they saw their chance to get rid of him and sold him to some slave traders. To complete the deception, they soaked his jacket in blood and then pretended that they had found it like that so Joseph must be dead. What a terrible thing to do! Not only have they sold their brother into slavery, but they’ve broken their father’s heart by pretending Joseph is dead. Have you ever been so angry at someone that you’ve wanted them removed from your life? Have you walked away and never wanted to look back? What have you said and done in that moment? It’s important to look at this. Joseph’s brothers cursed him and sold him into slavery. When we use words of curse or wish harm on someone, we do them harm in the spiritual realms. When we wish them gone, we are guilty, so Jesus says, of murder in our hearts. ‘They’re only words’, we say. But words have power and the bible says that our words reveal our hearts and have the power of life and death in them. If you’ve ever cursed someone or wished them gone repent now. Ask the Lord for forgiveness and choose to forgive that person, leaving their punishment to the Lord. Our Father’s heart is always broken when his children do harm. He sent Jesus to die for us so that we could be forgiven for these things because he loves us, but we show contempt for the gift if we refuse to love in the way that he loves us. Next time your pride is hurt, try blessing them instead. In this way we act like Jesus who forgave even those who nailed him to the cross.

Janice

This Week:

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Save The Date:

Notices:

Men’s Breakfast

August 15th at 8.30 to 10 am Our speaker is Neil Johnson $5 for egg and bacon roll, tea and coffee. BYO gf bread.
RSVP Steve by SMS on 0437984679 and take away the guesswork for shopping.

Op Shop

If you have a 1/2 a day spare once in a while and would like to assist us in the shop, we have a variety of ways in which you can help out including : Tip Runs , working B’s. Weekly sorting, cleaning, sewing counting jigsaw pieces!, or going on the shop roster once a month. Every little helps and we would love to hear from you.

Vicki. 0425770197.

National Grandparents Conference

National Grandparents Conference on Saturday 29th August 9am to 4.30pm livestreamed online at St Mark’s direct from the conference happening in NSW. Please let Graeme King know asap on 0490664843 if you are planning to be there so registrations can be finalised. Cost $30 (discounted for a group of 10 or more).

Step Back In Time: A Simple Biblical Meal Experience

You are warmly invited to share in a special evening inspired by the simplicity and spirit of meals in Biblical times. Gather around a table where food is shared, not rushed-where conversation, connection, and quiet reflection are part of the experience. Rather than recreating a perfect historical feast, this evening offers a gentle step back in time-an opportunity to experience how people once gathered, ate simply, and connected deeply with one another. All welcome.

Saturday 5th September 2026 6pm to 9pm here at St Mark’s
Cost $33 per person. Bookings via https://www.trybooking.com/DNRMY

Australian Anglican Church Calendar 2027

These are now available at a cost of $18 each plus postage of $5.80. Please contact Keith Thomas by late August if you wish to buy one. Bulk orders incur reduced costs (depending on numbers ordered).

This Week’s Prayer Focus

In our country and the world:

• For de-escalation of the Middle East war.
• For the people of Israel and Iran and Middle East countries.
• 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 All Saints Rosebud with St Katherine’s McCrae and their Acting Vicar.
• 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 the success of our building permit application.
• For our Parish, its people and those we reach out to every week.
• For the success of the new Beachside Youth program.
• 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.
• That the Good News of Jesus will be known in Dromana.
• For William, Kevin, Anne, Doris B, Ellen, Ted & Monica, Lorna, Louise, Jen, TJ and family, Karen, Mary, Jan K, David, Belinda, Joan R, Robyn, Phillip, Nikki, Jason, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Keith S, Harry, Mike, Chloe, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert.