I am with you always…

Pentecost 2

T here are times in life that we find ourselves in situations which bring doubt and fear into the centre of our thinking. Many people have these feelings sitting on the sidelines in different areas of their lives, but sometimes they appear front and centre, especially in the midst of life’s storms. Paul, reflecting on what it is to be faithful to God in everyday life, draws on the example of Abraham who faced several challenges to his faith, where fear and doubt could have overwhelmed him – and did – until he remembered the faithfulness of God. Abraham believed God and set out with his wife, his brother, and all they had to go where the Lord led them. He had no idea where to go but he followed God’s directions through desert and good pasture, through foreign lands and territories, believing the Lord would lead him rightly, and having some real moments of difficulty along the way. God saw Abraham’s faith and said this made Abraham righteous in his sight. That meant that even though Abraham struggled with doubt and fear, and through those moments made some sinful choices, when he turned to God in repentance and faith he was given the status of someone who was right, accepted and approved in God’s eyes. There had been no law given requiring particular behaviour, no covenant symbol, like the circumcision which set God’s people apart later, nothing except faithful obedience to what God had led Abraham to do. We tend to think of ourselves as uniquely having righteousness through our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Paul points out in Romans 4, that this is the same faith in the same God which saved Abraham and was reckoned to him as righteousness. When you find doubt and fear have been leading you into things which are not godly, remember this. Our example in Abraham is one of a man who simply believed God and acted in faith. Your emotions will lie to you and say you’ve lost the Father’s love and grace. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Father is right there with you in the storm saying ‘turn to me and repent and believe and I will reckon that faith as righteousness even if you still feel like a mess’. Jesus said, ‘Lo, I am with you always…’

Janice

This Week:

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Prevention of Violence Against Women

Due to unforeseen circumstances the Prevention of Violence Against Women seminar has had to be moved to Saturday 13 June. Those already on the list have been registered. Other registrations welcome.

Building Fund Donations

To donate towards the Building Fund for our Hall please use the account details below. A reminder that donations are not tax deductible but they are an absolute blessing.

Account Name – St Mark’s Anglican Church Dromana
BSB – 703 122    Account Number – 05010814

Biggest Morning Tea

With the extra sales from a second batch of fruit cakes the total raised is just over $1000! There are more orders for cakes so total not yet final. The fund raising goes to the end of June.

Fundraiser Function 

Flyers are now available to be put up around Dromana for our next fundraiser for the Hall:

A Jazz Concert with Simon Pilbrow and Ron Gillett. A peninsula-based jazz unit, Ron (alto and tenor saxophone, flute) and Simon (piano). Come and enjoy great jazz music here on 20 June 2026 – 7:00pm-9:00pm.

Tickets $30 available via Try Booking https://www.trybooking.com/DLTHC some tickets will be available at the door but it is advisable to book ahead. Speak to Anne for details.

Launching Beachside Youth

Our new Youth program working in collaboration with the parishes of Mt Eliza and Mornington launches on June 14th with a Parent and team meet and greet at Mornington from 2-3pm. Led by the very capable Rev’d Amy Brown, once per month youth events will run every 2nd Sunday of the month from 4 to 6pm with dinner shared afterwards. Location will be shared between our parishes. This program has the support of all three parish councils and the clergy of each parish. Please pray for this new ministry and if you would like to be part of the team or part of the participants please see Janice for more information.

Men’s Breakfast

Our next Men’s Breakfast will be on Saturday 20th June at 8.30-10am in the
narthex. Craig McClelland will be our speaker. Bacon and egg roll and coffee or tea and excellent conversation, all for $5. (BYO GF Bread)

If you RSVP to Steve Parkinson by Sunday 13th June it makes shopping much easier and takes away the guesswork of how much to purchase, thus ensuring you will be fed!

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 St George’s Red Hill and their Vicar, Rev’d Jennie Savage.
• 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 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.