Stand for Jesus…

In our reading from Philippians this Sunday, Paul is encouraging them to keep going in their faith. He calls them to keep praying, keep worshipping, keep doing the things which bring them into deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul knows the world is a hostile place for them and he knows that they need to be connected at all times to the Spirit and to one another in love. He writes from real experience, being imprisoned at the time, and longs to see these faithful people strengthened in their faith in Jesus day by day so that Jesus will become more and more known through them. Paul rejoices in his imprisonment because it has given ‘air time’ to the gospel and encouraged others to be bolder in their faith, speaking without fear. He wants to live for Christ in every way, even if he glorifies Jesus by dying for him. This sort of discipline in faith is not easy. To stand for Jesus without compromise is always hard, but under threat of death it takes on a new seriousness. The Philippians are living in a world where their faith can lead to death very easily. Paul doesn’t tell them to protect themselves, he knows the Lord is his protection and theirs, no, he says to these people under persecution that they need to keep going. Why not hide and ride out the storm quietly living in faith behind closed doors? It is wise, sometimes, to do that, but if we deny Jesus when confronted then Jesus says he will deny us before the Father, so the wisdom only goes so far. What would I do if faced with a gun in my face and a choice to honour Jesus and perish or deny him and live? Truthfully, I hope I would never deny him. However, in this country where we are only perhaps not invited to that party or looked down on by our friends for speaking about our faith, we can be tempted to quietly hide our faith and not speak it out publicly. We risk very little in Australia for being Christians, yet how easy it is to not risk at all! In John’s gospel we see Mary anointing Jesus for his coming death and burial. He did not flinch in giving his life that we may live. This Easter season let’s live our faith publicly and without hiding. Let’s honour Jesus in his death for us by living out loud for him so others can live too.

Janice

This Week:

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Thank You…

Thank you to all who donated goods, flowers and cash towards our Harvest Festival, to those who decorated the church so beautifully, and those who cooked and manned the stall. Around $250 was raised to be donated.

Notice: next Sunday…

A reminder that next Sunday 13th April we have a combined service for Palm/Passion Sunday in the front garden. For those willing to walk from the carpark to the front garden we will gather for the first part of the service in the carpark and process down the footpath to the front garden where we will continue our service. If the weather is inclement we will move the service inside the church.

Alpha is starting soon!!…

Alpha begins 8th May at 6pm to no later than 8.30pm and runs until 28th June. We will share a home cooked meal and good conversation, then watch a short video together and discuss the subjects raised in a comfortable, non threatening home situation. Have you been considering inviting a neighbour, friend or family member? Have you attended Alpha before and still have questions? or maybe God is prompting you to bring a friend along this time. Please don’t miss this chance! Come and find out what it’s all about. Contact Steve or Carol Parkinson for more details. “

Men’s Breakfast…

The next Men’s Breakfast will be on 12th April from 8.30 – 10am approximately. Our new treasurer Nathan Kim will be joining us. $7 for Bacon and (hopefully) egg or tomato roll, coffee/tea and conversation. (Please bring your own gluten free or other specific dietary foods). RSVP by 7th April please – essential to avoid over catering – and to allow time for purchasing supplies. Steve Parkinson 0437984679 or slvparkinson@gmail.com Look forward to seeing you and hearing from Nathan

Holy Week and Easter 2025…

Palm/Passion Sunday 13th April
10.00am combined service in the Front Garden on Pt Nepean Rd Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th April
Holy Week meditation and prayers at 4.00pm Wednesday 16th April
10.00am Holy Communion
4.00pm Holy Week meditation and prayers Maundy Thursday 17th April
7.00pm ‘The Messiah’s Cup’ Holy Communion service Good Friday 18th April
9.00am Service of remembrance and prayer 11.00am Ecumenical Walk of Witness Holy Saturday 19th April
10.00am Hope25 outreach at the IGA – Music team and Hope25 team bringing Easter Hope to our community.
Easter Day Celebrations
6.30am Resurrection Communion on the Beach 10.00am Resurrection Communion at the Church

This Week’s Prayer Focus

In our country and the world:

• For those suffering as a result of violence and home invasions.
• For all affected by the worsening antisemitic attacks around Australia and the world.
• For those facing homelessness, hardship, anguish and despair amid rising costs.
• For families affected by violence.
• For all in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine and Myanmar.
• For all women in Afghanistan now banned from hearing each other’s voices.
• 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:

• A prayer for the election of a new Archbishop for our diocese:
  Eternal God, shepherd and guide, in your mercy give your Church in this diocese a shepherd after your own heart who will walk in your ways, and with loving care watch over your people. Give us a leader of vision and a teacher of your truth. So may your Church be built up and your name glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
• For Archbishop Geoffrey Smith’s ministry as Primate of Australia.
• For Archbishop Philip Freier’s ministry in the Diocese of Melbourne.
• 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 Mornington & Mount Martha Church, and their Vicar Rev’d Colleen Clayton.
• 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 our Op Shop staff and all who visit each week.
• For all members of the Parish Council.
• For Hope25. That the Good News of Jesus will be known in the community of Dromana.
• For Nikki, Jason, Bernadette & family, Noel and family, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Lorna & Peter, Keith S, Harry, Jen, Mike, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert, Jan, David, Guy.