Living God’s way…

Pentecost 18

Having just come from my mother’s funeral, I find my mind in interesting places. Gratefulness to our Lord for leaving her with us for so long, especially because we have told many times that she would not survive things, only to see her defy the odds. Awe at the grace of God which gave us such a wonderful person to raise us, and to teach us about his faithfulness. A sense of peace and real joy to know that she is now with the Lord she loved so deeply for all of her adult years, and the sense of loss that is inevitable in that same recognition because she is no longer physically with us. Yet I would not have it any other way. As I read the words form our Philippians reading for this Sunday: Phil 2:1-13, I see so much of my mother’s unselfish care and humble service which Is a real inspiration to me, but if she were reading this I know she would say, “Thanks, but read the next bit – Jesus is the true example and guide to living God’s way. It is his faithfulness, his sacrifice, his resurrection and his name that we exalt.” Of course, Mum would be right. Paul in Philippians is concerned with teaching these young Christians how to live as people with the mind of Christ in a world which was very pagan, very self-focused, and full of reasons to take the easy road of compromise in their faith. He understood that living for Jesus requires that we are prepared to put his will and call to each of us into action day by day. Jesus chose each day to remain here, to walk the long and difficult road to calvary, to put up with the deprivations of being a human being for our sake, even though he had come from the beauty and grandeur of his throne in heaven. He was the Son of the living God yet did not use that to claim any sort of privilege, but lived our life and died our death so that we could be free from the tyranny of sin and death, and have eternal life in his name. No matter how good any human being is, it is at the name of Jesus alone that ‘every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth, and under the earth.’ To Jesus belongs the glory, and to the Father and the Holy Spirit also. Take a moment today to praise our faithful God for everything he has done for you.

Janice

This Week:

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Please Note:

Craft will stop after this week and start back 7th October and Thursday prayer group after this Thursday and start back 8th October.

Reminder of upcoming events:

Notices:

Working Bee: 0900 – 1200 Friday 25th September

The Church and surrounds need a spruce up after the winter months. There is a need to dust and clean the church on the inside and tidy up the garden and car park on the outside. If you can help, please call or text Keith T on 0413 319 327 by Thursday 24th. If you have spare tip vouchers, please bring them and give to Keith or Graeme K. If you can bring a trailer, please bring that too. We expect to trim the hedges and do weeding, and any green materials need to go to the tip. Bring suitable tools please.

Operation Christmas Child

Next Sunday – 27 September will be our packing day for Operation Christmas Child. Be part of blessing a child with love and giving some hope. Items will be provided. To cover contents and postage, the cost is $25 – cash or card. Let’s aim for 60 boxes in 2026 – that’s 60 children’ lives impacted by God’s love and our prayers.

Peninsula Evensong

The next PENINSULA EVENSONG is at St George’s Red Hill. 5pm on Sunday 27th September followed by refreshments.
Everyone welcome.

Trivia Night

3rd October 6.45pm for 7pm $10 per person. Bookings via Trybooking https://www.trybooking.com/DNRLV This event is part of Senior’s Month and bookings can also be made by giving your name to Keith Thomas.

CMS Anna visit to St Marks

Saturday 31st October – Sunday 1st November Exciting and informative events are planned. There will be a luncheon on the 31st and Anna will be with us for our Sunday services on the 1st. Further details to follow. See Carol.

CMS Summer Conference

7th & 8th January at Crossway Baptist Church Early bird tickets are now available online https://my.cms.org.au/ Speak with Steve Parkinson for more details.

This Week’s Prayer Focus

In our country and the world:

• For all affected by the Nepal-Tibet floods, particularly for the missing Australians.
• 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 John’s Sorrento with St Andrew’s Rye and their Vicar, Rev’d Stephen Dent.
• 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 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, Robyn, Phillip, Nikki, Jason, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Keith S, Harry, Mike, Chloe, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert.