The disciples had begun to disperse. What else was there to do? With heavy hearts and a good dose of fear they were heading home. Reality is biting for these men as they walk together on the road, grief at Jesus’ death is the only reality they expect. Their eyes and ears are focused on the road home as they grieve together. Then a stranger happens along and walks with them. Even though Jesus had clearly taught that he would die and rise three days later, the improbability of that from a human perspective put it out of their minds and they did not recognize him. It was only when this stranger spoke the words of God to them, when he explained scripture and how it foretold very clearly that he would die and rise, and eventually as he spoke the blessing in the breaking of the bread – something he would have done with them every night as they ate their dinner together with the others during his earthly ministry – that their ‘eyes were opened’ and their perspective changed. Fear vanished and grief gave way to joy. The story was hot on their lips and the urgency of sharing this news was enough to propel them back to Jerusalem. “We have seen the Lord!” “So have we!” My goodness what a revelation. The disciples now understood what Jesus was telling them all along. He was killed and now he has risen. Jesus was no ghost, no sensory illusion of a glimpse in the distance or a voice on the wind. He was standing in front of them, speaking, touching, eating and drinking with them. Alive. Now that changed everything. What has it changed for you? What perspective does the resurrection of Jesus give to your current life issues? Try writing down your own story of meeting Jesus – could you, would you, share that with others?
Janice
This Week
| MONDAY: | Study Group – “Truth and Freedom” |
| St Mark’s, 7.00pm | |
| Contact Kevin or Anne (0438 234 857) | |
| TUESDAY 25TH APRIL: | ANZAC DAY |
| Zoom Study Group – 7.00pm | |
| Contact Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion, 10.00am |
| Study Group St Mark’s,11.00am | |
| Contact Keith (0419 551 082) | |
| Craft Group St Mark’s, 12.30pm | |
| Contact Robyn (0409 425 044) | |
| THURSDAY: | Women’s Bible Study, St Mark’s, 9.30am |
| Contact Fay (0401 404 280) | |
| Men’s Coffee & Chat Blackthorn Café, 10.00am | |
| Contact Steve (0437 984 679) | |
| Zoom Prayer Meeting, 1.30pm | |
| FRIDAY: | JANICE’S DAY OFF |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | COMBINED SERVICE, 10.00AM |
Sunday 23rd April: ANZAC Tribute Concert
Salvation Army Rosebud, 2.00pm Entry is free but a freewill offering will be taken up for the Red Shield Appeal.
Thursday 25th April: ANZAC Day
From Dromana-Red Hill RSL: For those who would like to attend the service on ANZAC Day at the Cenotaph it will begin at around 9.40am. Marchers are asked to assemble at O’Donoghue St at 9am. There is also a Dawn Service at 6.15am at the Memorial Wall at the Peninsula Club.
Attendees are to assemble at the club rooms at 6am.
Worship Times
| SUNDAY: | 8.45am | Holy Communion. |
| 10.30am | Family Worship with Children’s Ministry. | |
| (Holy Communion – 1st Sundays) | ||
| 5.00pm | Healing Service – 1st Sundays. | |
| (5th Sundays) | 10.00am | Combined Service. |
| WEDNESDAY: | 10.00am | Holy Communion Service. |
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 Cranwell (0438 234 457 Kevin) |
Notices:
Audio Equipment “Donation” request
We are hoping to buy a Personal Monitor Speaker ($150) to improve worship and donations would be greatly appreciated. Please place your donation in an envelope marked “Speaker” and add it to the offerings.”
The Alpha Life Course
The new Alpha Life Group is starting on Friday 28th April from 4 – 6 pm. with the last three talks from last term and then “A Life Worth Living”, which studies the book of Philippians.
For more details, contact:
Email: alpha@stmarksdromana.org.au
| Carol Copp | 0411 405 597 |
| Steve Parkinson | 0437 984 679 |
Special Services 2023
| 23rd April | Evensong at St John’s, Flinders 5:00pm |
| 18th June | Evensong at All Saints, Rosebud 5:00pm |
| 20th August | Evensong at St Mark’s, Balnarring 5:00pm |
| 22nd October | Evensong at St Mark’s, Dromana 5:00pm |
| 3rd December | St John’s, Sorrento – Lessons & Carols for Advent |
| 17th December | St Mark’s, Dromana – Lessons & Carols for Christmas |
Can You Help?
We are looking for a volunteer to help with morning tea on the 2nd Sunday of the month after the 8.45 service. Please let Beryl know if you can help.
Lost Item
Jean Brooks thinks she left her glasses case on the floor at church few weeks ago. It is an embroidered white case to which she has deep emotional ties as it was given to her by her daughter who has since died. She is appealing for anybody who might have seen it, or may know where it is, to let her know.
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For families affected by violence.
- For those affected by Tropical Cyclone Ilsa in West Australia.
- For peace and unity in countries around the
- For those affected by natural disasters in around the
- 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
- For Archbishop Philip Freier’s ministry n the Diocese of
- For the ministry of Bishop Paul Barker in the Jumbunna Region and for Archdeacon Helen Phillips in the Frankston Archdeaconry as she recovers from surgery, and for John as he supports
- In our Deanery, we pray for the Parish of All Saints Rosebud with St Katherine’s McCrae and their Vicar Lynda Crossley.
- For the work of the Church Missionary Society and Wei-Han the Victorian Director.
- For Anna Radkovic our CMS Link Missionary as she spends time learning language and culture in Kenya while exploring long-term opportunities in discipleship ministry and conservation.
- 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: Harper Family, Jan Glass.
