The 10 commandments are seen by some to be somewhat obsolete these days. At the time they were written these laws stood as the major moral imperative for the people of God. The consequences for not keeping them were not pleasant at all. They were the reason for the exile. Jesus took the law seriously, fulfilling the sacrificial laws and taking away the separation between Jew and gentile by his death and resurrection, so we no longer need to keep those laws. This still leaves us with the moral law which includes the 10 commandments. Jesus is clear that any who break the commandments or teach others to do so are going to be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but those who keep them will be called great. In other words, they’re not optional. So how are we doing at keeping these rules which Jesus is so concerned about? What things and people may have become idols to us? What time do we give to the Lord as sabbath? How do we use the name of the Lord? What honour do we give to our parents? One hopes that we are not murderers but Jesus said anger is murder in your heart. Adultery seems commonplace in our society and one hopes that we do not steal from one another. Yet how well do we honour the relationships and possessions of others? To bear false witness is to lie about your neighbour. We may not do this intentionally but what if the story you heard about someone that you pass on to someone else is not actually true? How much do we follow our society in desiring to have what my neighbour has? I confess, the moment I begin examining my heart this way I can see my shortfall! Thanks be to God whose grace is sufficient to cover all my sins. Following the commandments takes a presence of mind which is turned to the Lord who gave them. They’re not easy to follow all the time, though some are easier than others. The commandments are not there to make us feel like we need to tick the boxes to please God. They are not for punishment, but for correction. They are there to show us how to respond to the love God has shown us in saving us from our sins. What can I give in return for my salvation? A heart that seeks to obey God’s commands in love for the One who loves me. Grace and peace.
Janice
This Week
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| MONDAY: | Study Group, St Mark’s, 7.00pm – 9:00pm |
| Contact Kevin or Anne (0438 234 857) | |
| Vicarage Working Bee, 9.30am – 2.00pm | |
| TUESDAY: | Op Shop Morning Tea, St Marks, 11.00am |
| Zoom Prayer Meeting, 1.30pm | |
| Contact John (0421426156) | |
| Zoom Bible Study Group, 7.00pm | |
| Contact Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Bible Study Group St Mark’s,11.00am |
| Contact Keith (0419 551 082) | |
| Cuppa, Craft & Chat Group, St Mark’s, 12.30pm | |
| Contact Robyn (0409 425 044) | |
| Family Life Group, St Marks, 6.00pm | |
| THURSDAY: | Women’s Bible Study, St Mark’s, 9.30am |
| We will be using Cynthia Heald’s book | |
| “Becoming a Woman of Grace” | |
| Contact Fay (0401 404 280) | |
| ALPHA Course | |
| Contact: Carol (0411405597) or Steve (0437984679) | |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am |
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 Cranwell (0438 234 457 Kevin) |
Notices:
Alpha…
Alpha is continuing and the Lord is blessing us richly. Thank you for your prayer involvement so far. We do need food. There are two weeks in March for main courses and we need slice or cake each week. Hospitality is a significant part of the Alpha evening. Thank you.
Our Celebration will be on 21st March at the Church. Please pray about who you can invite or come yourself and hear wonderful testimony of the graciousness of God. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. 1 Jn 3:1a
Resurrection Garden…
We are creating a resurrection garden in the front garden of the church as a static display to draw the attention of those walking by. We will also have a contemplative walk with the biblical stations of the Cross going into the front garden in the next week. These will be there for the lent/easter season and then be taken down. Go check them out!
Janice
10:30am Service Media Team…
We still need a second person to learn how to set up services for the 10.30am service. Please speak to Anne or Janice.
World Day Of Prayer 2024…
This year’s service will be held at the Southern Mornington Peninsula Uniting Church, Murray-Anderson Road, Rosebud at 2.30pm on 1st March 2024. The Service was prepared by Christian women in Palestine. We have been asked to participate in the service with the prayer of confession and a short reading.
Vicarage Working Bee…
There will be a garden clean-up at the Vicarage Monday 4th March, 2024 Please join anytime you can between 9.30am and 2pm. A BBQ lunch will be provided from around 12noon. It would be great to have “All hands on deck” !!
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For all suffering damage and loss caused by the violent storms in Victoria.
- For all affected by the storms and floods in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.
- For all in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine.
- For those facing homelessness, hardship, anguish and despair amid rising costs.
- For families affected by violence.
- 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 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 for Archdeacon Helen Phillips in the Frankston Archdeaconry. Give thanks that Archdeacon Helen is now well and beginning to return to work.
- In our Deanery, we pray for the Parish of St George’s Red Hill and their Vicar Rev’d Fiona Goy.
- For the work of the Church Missionary Society and Wei-Han the Victorian Director.
- For Anna Radkovic our CMS Link Missionary.
- 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 the success of the new Family and Children’s Ministry.
- For the 2024 Alpha program, its leaders, and all who attend.
- For the 9am at home prayer time for the Parish, Dromana & Mornington Peninsula.
- For the 2024 Alpha program, its leaders, and all who attend.
- For the Alpha Holy Spirit Day next Saturday 9th March.
- For: Helen R, Jessica, Audrey, Joan, Backy, John R, Margie, Fred, Robert, Jan, David, Guy.
