In Faith… without fear…

Israel sat in the wilderness having left the relative security of Egypt and looked at their lack of food and clean water and complained bitterly. I always find this difficult. After all, they just walked through the sea on dry land! How is it that they complain rather than trusting that the Lord who brought them thus far will also make sure they don’t die in the place he brought them to? Surely this overwhelming miracle should lead to some growth in faith. It is clear as we read on, that some were believing in the Lord for their journey, but the voices we hear in these chapters are all filled with their own issues, self- focussed, looking at the future with fear, not faith. They see only through the past, not the present. They want what they had before, but the journey to get to what is to come is one they are not really prepared to take. Yet even in the wilderness the Lord cared for these ungrateful people very well. Moses called on the Lord and the Lord provided as much as they needed for as long as they needed. Manna, which the bible tells us was like bread flavoured with honey, and quail to provide as much meat as they could eat on a daily basis. For the sabbath God even provided for their needs for two days on the day before, so they didn’t have to work. Later in Exodus we’re told that their clothes never wore out and the sandals on their feet never wore through in all of the 40 years of wandering. That’s true provision filled with grace, for they were lifelong complainers. It’s worth considering that we are no more perfect than the people of Israel, and have an even greater certainty and promise because we have Jesus. We know our worthiness is not about our ability to maintain perfection in our daily lives, but about Jesus’ perfection which he gives to us, so we can come to the Father in faith and ask without fear. If you’re in need today, instead of complaining why not come to the Lord and ask?

Janice

This Week

Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Craft Group

The Craft group will be in recess over the school holidays and will meet again on 4th October. Robyn (0409 425 044)

Women’s Bible Study

Women’s Bible Study, will meet again on Thursday 5th October Contact: Fay (0401 404 280)

Men’s Breakfast

Men’s Breakfast will be held on Saturday 23rd September at St Mark’s 8.30 – 10.00am. Steve (0437 984 679)

St Marks 130th Festival Photos

If anyone has photos of the 130th festival from either Saturday or Sunday, could they be sent through to events@stmarksdromana.org.au so that we can collect them all in one place and preserve the memory of the day.

Operation Christmas Child

Yes, getting close to that time of year again! This year, Operation Christmas Child celebrates its 30th year of demonstrating God’s love to children all over the world. Since 1993, more than 209 million children have received a gift-filled shoebox. Most importantly, each shoebox presents the opportunity to learn about Jesus through The Greatest Journey. It all starts with packing a shoebox. You can use your own shoebox if you wish (approx. A4 size) but to be consistent we will be receiving the Christmas Child shoeboxes too. The National Collection is 23rd October – 4th November, so we would require them to be returned to Church before that date so we can deliver them. If you would like to donate items but not pack your own box, we will have the opportunity for you to do that. You may also like to donate Online directly to Samaritan’s Purse. More information soon! For any further information please contact: Anne Cranwell – 0473 562 968 or Heather Such – 0417 032 817

Special Services 2023

This Week’s Prayer Focus

In our country and the world:

• For everyone affected by the 6.8 earthquake in Morocco and that those buried underneath collapsed buildings are able to be rescued.
• For the homeless survivors of the catastrophic Libya floods after the city of Derna was obliterated.
• For those facing homelessness, hardship, anguish and despair 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 All Saints Rosebud with St Katherine’s McCrae and their Vicar, Rev’d Lynda Crossley.
• For the work of the Church Missionary Society and Wei-Han the Victorian Director.
• For Anna Radkovic our CMS Link Missionary. Anna Radkovic has now left Australia and is on her way to Kenya. Her updated prayer letter is on the board in the Narthex.
• 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 success of the new Family and Children’s Ministry.
• For the 9am at home prayer time for the Parish, Dromana & Mornington Peninsula.
• For: Fred, Tahlia, Robert, Jan, Pat, David, Margie, Irene, Guy, Ruth.