Spirit that dwells in you…

Lent 5

Hope weaves its way through our readings for this Sunday. A golden thread in a place of fear and darkness. Imagine Ezekiel’s emotions as he looked upon a valley filled with dry bones. What an unpleasant sight to behold! Yet the Lord is with him and wants to show him something to reignite hope for the people whose lives have been devastated by war and exile. So he is told to speak – to prophesy – to the bones, and they begin to come together as he speaks. From that moment there is a vision which reverses the earlier devastation. The bones come together on their own and put on flesh and become human beings, raised to their former selves but still not living. Again the call to speak comes – prophesy to the breath. The word is ‘ruach’. It can be translated breath, wind or spirit. Most frequently it is associated with the Holy Spirit of God. Ezekiel is called to call forth the Holy Spirit who then moves across the valley and brings breath to the bodies so that each is brought to full life. Then the Lord explains that this is a picture of the return to the land which he will bring to these exiled, frightened people, and more so, he will put his spirit within them and they shall live. Then, as we turn our attention to Romans 8 this hope which was unrealised for Ezekiel is fully seen in Jesus Christ. ‘If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwells in you’ Romans 8:11. Truly we are living the fulfilment of the hope of Ezekiel 37, even now. We don’t see ourselves as so alive that death can’t kill us, but this is who we are as those who are in the Spirit, as Paul says. We know we cannot raise ourselves from death. It is a finality for all eventually. Yet there is nothing final in Paul’s understanding of death. For Paul and us, eternal life starts the moment we receive Jesus. Do you see yourself that way? Think on it for a moment. It’s the truth.

Janice

This Week:

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Easter services:

Palm Sunday 29th March 10am combined service in the front garden
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 4pm Prayers at the cross
Maundy Thursday 7pm service
Good Friday 9am service
Easter Saturday Easter Musical outreach at IGA – 10.00 – 11.00am
Easter Day 5th April 6.30am Easter communion on the beach 9.30am Easter celebration service

Listening In Lent…

Archbishop Ric has invited all parishioners of Anglican Churches in Melbourne and Geelong diocese to participate in a survey called ‘Listening in Lent’. This is an online survey which can be filled in using the link below. It is designed to allow us to dream for what we would like to see this diocese look like in 2036 and to communicate that to our Archbishop and his leadership team so that they can formulate plans and vision with the voices of those in the churches, schools and other ministries in mind. Please participate in this during this week if possible. https://www.melbourneanglican.org.au/listening-in-lent/ If you are used to using QR codes there is one on the wall in the Narthex. Thanks, Janice

Dance-A-Thon: Saturday 28th March 10am to 12 pm…

Our first fundraiser for 2026, this is an opportunity to invite people from the wider community into our space (the carpark) for health and wellbeing and fun! $10 entry, and opt-in, opt-out. Spread the word, and be prepared to come and join in the fun! See Anne for details.

Alpha Course

We are running an Alpha Course after Easter Thursday evenings commencing 9th April from 6.00 to 8.30pm at the home of Steve and Carol Parkinson, Mount Martha. Would you consider attending and/or maybe bringing a friend? You would be signing up to: Enjoying dinner in beautiful surroundings Watching an excellent TV/video presentation Sharing in a discussion or just listening to others Please see Janice, Carol, Steve, John or Helen for further details.

Men’s Bible Study…

There is a Men’s Bible Study meeting at 11am Thursday mornings in Mark’s Place. All men are invited to join us exploring the Diocesan Lenten Study and, If you would like to, join us for coffee beforehand from 10am at Blackthorn Cafe. Contact Kevin 0438 234 457 for more information.

This Week’s Prayer Focus

In our country and the world:

• For those who suffered loss in fires and floods.
• 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 All Saints Rosebud with St Katherine’s McCrae and their Acting Vicar.
• 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 Lorna, Xavier, Yvonne and family, Louise, Jen, TJ and family, Cheryl K, Karen, Mary, Jan K, David, Belinda, Joan R, Robyn, Phillip, Nikki, Jason, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Keith S, Harry, Mike, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert.