Often on the last Sunday of the season after Epiphany we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration, but this year I thought I might use the readings for the day instead. They’re not the easiest to preach on – using the ones for the Transfiguration would definitely be more comfortable – but that’s the point. If we only look at the parts of scripture that are comfortable, we don’t allow ourselves to be challenged and to deepen our faith through coming to grips with these passages. So, this Sunday we are looking at the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. Not the Beatitudes, which everyone loves, but the parts where Jesus applies the heart of the law to the heart and mind of the believer and calls us to account, not just for our outward dealings with others, but the attitude of our thoughts. Looking at these moral and ethical issues through the lens of the heart and mind brings us into a place where we have to look carefully in the mirror at how we are thinking and feeling towards others and what we need to do about that. In these words Jesus talks about anger and hatred, about lust and adultery, about divorce, and integrity in our promises to one another and the Lord. The essence of these things is in our heart for the Lord and our love for one another. We who have chosen to live in love the way the Father loves us need also to work through the issues of human failings. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13 that love does no wrong to another, but we can have a hard time sometimes fulfilling that. People do not always behave this way with us, and we do not always do so with them. We have to work through our differences in healthy ways, but the unhealthy ways to do things are often only a word/thought/action away. I love that Jesus didn’t skim over the hard stuff of life. I love that he knew what it was to be human and live through the things we face daily. That means he speaks from understanding and we can trust his grace is here.
Janice
This Week:
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Confirmation of John and Doris Beasy, 1.30pm by Bp Paul Barker | |
| Parish Council meeting | |
| MONDAY: | Prayer for the Parish, St Mark’s, 4.00pm |
| Contact: Janice | |
| TUESDAY: | Shrove Tuesday – 4pm gathering at a venue to be finalised for a shared meal and pancakes. |
| Zoom Bible Study, 7.00pm | |
| Contact: Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion, 10.00am with imposition of ashes |
| Bible Study resumes, St Mark’s, 11.00am | |
| Cuppa,Craft & Chat Group, St Mark’s,12.30pm | |
| Contact: Robyn (0409 425 044) | |
| Coffee & Chat for those living with cancer, 1.30pm | |
| Holy Communion, 7.00pm with imposition of ashes | |
| THURSDAY: | Men’s Coffee & Chat, Blackthorn Cafe, 10.00am |
| Contact: Steve (0437984679) Keith T (0413 319 327) | |
| Women’s Bible Study Group, St Mark’s, 9.30am | |
| Contact: Carol (0411 405 597) | |
| Christianity Explored begins, St Mark’s, 7.30pm | |
| FRIDAY: | Janice’s Day Off |
| SATURDAY: | Men’s Breakfast, St Mark’s, 8.30am |
| Contact: Steve (0437984679) | |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Holy Communion, 10.30am | |
| St Mark’s Youth Group, 4.00pm |
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:
Light Lunch After 10:30 Service (Before Baptism)…
Parish Council will be providing a light lunch for any parishioners who would like to stay on after the 10.30am service for the confirmations at 1.30pm, rather than having to go home and come back again. If anyone wants to contribute to this please contact Carol Parkinson.
Shrove Tuesday…
There will be a 4pm gathering at a venue to be finalised for a shared meal and pancakes.
Christianity Explored…
for anyone who has questions and would like to explore Christian faith, we will be running this course led using videos by Rico Tice and using Mark’s Gospel. Begins Thursday 12th February at 7.30pm and runs weekly for 7 weeks. For information please speak to Janice or take a postcard available in the Narthex.
Men’s Breakfast…
The first breakfast of the year will be on Saturday 21st February at 8.30 am. $6.00 will provide you with egg and bacon roll, coffee and excellent company. Our speaker will be John Beasey. RSVP essential to Steve Parkinson by 18th February. (Confirming your attendance guarantees you are catered for, and keeps Carol happy as she shops for the food!) BYO gluten free bread. Future breakfast dates for your diary: April 18th, June 20th, August 15th, October 17th, December 12th (TBC).
Youth Group…
St Mark’s Youth Group resumes at 4pm on Sunday 22nd February with games on the beach (if the weather is good) meet at the church and dress appropriately.
Exclusive Offer Ends Soon…
For fellowship and exercise come along to the following working bees:- Monday 23rd February 0930 to 1330 – Vicarage Tuesday 3rd March 0930 to 1330 or when finished – Church hedges, yukka’s and gardens For your exercise please bring weeders, kneelers, secateurs, loppers, and yourselves. Please let Graeme King know if you can attend either or both. As they say “many hands make light work”
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For those who suffered loss in the Wye River flood, and now the Victorian fires.
- 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 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 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 Hope25. That the Good News of Jesus will be known in Dromana.
- For Louise, Jen, TJ and family, Cheryl K, Karen, Mary, Jan K, David, Belinda, Joan R, Robyn, Phillip, Nikki, Jason, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Lorna & Peter, Keith S, Harry, Mike, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert
