Pray without ceasing…

Pentecost Sunday

As I wait for the cake I’m baking for the ALPHA Celebration to be ready to ice I’m reflecting further on how we wait before the Lord in important seasons of our lives. The disciples waited for 10 days in Jerusalem. They prayed, broke bread, went to the Temple, cared for each other and sought the Lord for guidance on who should replace Judas Iscariot in the number of the apostles. They gathered with family – their own and Jesus’ Mother and brothers. It was preparation. Waiting is usually preparation. When I was a child I waited eagerly to become an adult and be able to do adult things, but I had no clue that those years of waiting were also preparing me, giving me good boundaries and various life experiences which would later be what I drew on for my decision making as an adult. We wait for many things – for a carpark to open up in a busy shopping centre, for the sun to come out on a cloudy day, for the cool of a crisp autumn morning after a hot summer, or the first time the mercury climbs high enough to go out without three jumpers and a coat on. We wait for a pay cheque and we wait for the cake to rise and set. In the waiting, what do we do with the time? Sometimes we fill it with all the things we can do, and sometimes we fill it with complaints and impatient grumbles. Perhaps try to fill it with prayer – over the person you’re waiting on to move their car. Prayer over those who haven’t the shelter you have in the heat or the cold. Prayer for wisdom to use that pay cheque well. Prayer over the people that cake is being baked for. Perhaps that prayer will lead to hearing God’s direction in a new way. Perhaps it will simply quiet your impatient mind, like it does mine. Perhaps in the praying Holy Spirit will lead you to a new direction or a new way in the direction you’re already going. Perhaps that prayer will prepare your heart for something you cannot possibly know will happen. St Paul tells us to pray without ceasing and in everything give thanks. I believe this is the sort of prayer that does exactly that. It’s the relationship with Jesus where we are turning to him in the spaces in between and listening for his answers in the midst of the day. Giving thanks comes far more easily when we can hear the rushing wind and know he is here.

Janice

This Week:

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Alpha

Alpha has concluded for this year Thank you for your prayers and contributions of food and money. To God be the Glory!

The Alpha Team.

Biggest Afternoon Tea For Cancer

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea. We had a wonderful afternoon and raised over $800 for the Cancer Council. If you missed the event and would like to contribute, it’s not too late. Donations will be received up to the end of the month. Speak to Carol or Robyn

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.

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.

Morning Tea

A supply of disposable gloves has been purchased for use when serving food at morning tea and other events. These are in the top right hand cupboard in the narthex. In order to cut down on waste and mixing gluten free and non gluten free biscuits, pre packaged biscuits will be phased in when the present supply has been used. GF biscuits will be kept in a labelled box as is now the case.

Please serve the biscuits in their packets (two per pack) Thank you for your continued blessing of hospitality at morning tea time.

Volunteers Needed

with Ellen Brindley unwell we are short for people to staff the Op Shop. At the moment Janice is covering several shifts on Thursdays and Saturdays to make sure we can stay open over this time. If you can step up and take one of these shifts please speak to Vicki or Janice asap. Training will be provided. You just need to have your current Police Check and completed Level 1 Training..

Diary Dates (May)

Looking Ahead

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 Holy Trinity Hastings and their Vicar, Rev’d Tim Anderson.
• Keiron, Vicar of Flinders/Balnarring.
• 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 the Christianity Explored seminars and those participating in them.
• 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.