The Unforgiving Servant…

Jesus’ words to his disciples in the parable of the unforgiving servant are aimed right at them and us. They’re for the believers, for the ones who should know but are still holding their grudges and wanting to choose to keep their unforgiveness rather than setting themselves free, as well as the one they forgive. Do you notice the way the disciples are questioning Jesus? They are asking questions with the hope Jesus will give them an excuse not to forgive – to give up on someone and write them off without letting go of their ’right to hold them accountable’. How many times must I forgive? Seventy times seven is a phrase which means that there is no limit on this grace. The point Jesus makes to highlight the importance of this is that the servant has been forgiven by the Master so he has no business not forgiving a fellow servant. Or as Paul puts it, “Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” (Romans 14:10-11) If the grace of God is given to all who call on him in faith and ask for forgiveness through Jesus’ death and resurrection for them, then how can we stand in God’s judgment seat and say someone else is not worthy of forgiveness? Does the cross work for me and not for them? Jesus died for the whole world, as John 3:16 says and he did that well before we had a chance to ask forgiveness of him. This is hard because forgiveness is hard, but the Lord paid the ultimate price to make it possible for us, why do we withhold it from one another? Pray and ask the Lord if there is someone you are still holding unforgiveness for. Perhaps it’s not a family member or friend, but a group of people. Think of the Samaritans whom the Jews held guilty because of their mixed race. Are you holding someone guilty today?

Janice

This Week

Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Craft Group

The Craft group will be in recess over the school holidays and will meet again on 4th October. Robyn (0409 425 044)

Men’s Breakfast

Men’s Breakfast will be held on Saturday 23rd September at St Mark’s 8.30 – 10.00am. Steve (0437 984 679)

St Marks 130th Festival Photos

If anyone has photos of the 130th festival from either Saturday or Sunday, could they be sent through to events@stmarksdromana.org.au so that we can collect them all in one place and preserve the memory of the day.

Operation Christmas Child

Yes, getting close to that time of year again! This year, Operation Christmas Child celebrates its 30th year of demonstrating God’s love to children all over the world. Since 1993, more than 209 million children have received a gift-filled shoebox. Most importantly, each shoebox presents the opportunity to learn about Jesus through The Greatest Journey. It all starts with packing a shoebox. You can use your own shoebox if you wish (approx. A4 size) but to be consistent we will be receiving the Christmas Child shoeboxes too. The National Collection is 23rd October – 4th November, so we would require them to be returned to Church before that date so we can deliver them. If you would like to donate items but not pack your own box, we will have the opportunity for you to do that. You may also like to donate Online directly to Samaritan’s Purse. More information soon! For any further information please contact: Anne Cranwell – 0473 562 968 or Heather Such – 0417 032 817

Special Services 2023

This Week’s Prayer Focus

In our country and the world:

• For everyone affected by the 6.8 earthquake in Morocco and that those buried underneath collapsed buildings are able to be rescued.
• For the homeless survivors of the catastrophic Libya floods after the city of Derna was obliterated.
• 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. Anna Radkovic has now left Australia and is on her way to Kenya. Her updated prayer letter is on the board in the Narthex.
• 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 9am at home prayer time for the Parish, Dromana & Mornington Peninsula.
• For: Robert, Jan, Pat, David, Margie, Irene, Guy, Ruth.