The wedding guests…

Where is your relationship with the Father at? Do you believe and trust in him? The apostle Paul knew Jesus personally and was so able to trust him for his every need that he wrote to the Philippians that he is content with whatever he has because he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. He instructs them to rejoice in the Lord always, not to worry because the Lord will supply their needs, and if they can follow these ways of trusting Jesus then the peace of God will be with them. Paul has tried and tested what it is to trust the Lord in all things. He writes from prison and has been through more abuse and perils than many. Yet his trust in Jesus never wavers. Here is the secret to understanding the parable of the wedding guests. The wedding feast is thrown by the Father and the guests refuse to come. They have no real relationship with him and their priorities are not about the Lord, but themselves. The invitation is then extended to any who will come, and they come and fill the banqueting hall. Even so, there is one who is there for the feast but has no trust in or relationship with the Father. The lack of a wedding robe is this lack of relationship, a lack of the choice to know and trust the One who is inviting them. Those who believe and trust in the Father will make sure they act in accordance with that – they will therefore have the right clothing because when they came into true faith they will have been given that white robe of righteousness; but those who want all the goodies from the Lord but are not prepared to come in faith and trust do not have the righteousness of God to cover them. They cannot stay because they’re only in it for themselves. Where have you placed your trust? Can you rejoice in the Lord always, even though everything else may fade away? Are we able to be gentle with one another even though we may be stressed, and can we rely on the Lord in prayer, taking everything to him and trusting him for the best outcome? Take some time now to note the ways in which the Lord has been present to bless you and help you. Give thanks to him and rejoice in his love for you. Perhaps you can use a favourite hymn or psalm to express your trust in him and to recommit to the Lord Jesus this day, and every day

Janice

This Week

Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Men of St Mark’s

A site visit to the Southern Peninsula Community Support (SPCS) office in Rosebud has been arranged for Tuesday 17th October at 9.30am. SPCS works with clients to help resolve a range of issues, which includes providing food & material aid, assistance with transport, and advocacy support for those in difficulty. We will meet at The Pier café (Cnr Pt Nepean Rd & Wilson St, Rosebud) for coffee at 8.30am and then go across to the SPCS office near the corner of Pt Nepean Rd & Jetty Road. Please advise Steve (0437 984 679) or Keith Thomas (0413 319 327) if you are coming, in order to firm up numbers and book a table for coffee.

Annual Meeting…

Our Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday 12th November immediately following a combined 10am service of Holy Communion. Please submit your reports to Janice no later than Sunday 23rd October. Nomination forms for Parish Council will be available from 15th October, please prayerfully consider if you are being called to serve next church year. The electoral roll will be reviewed over the next two weeks. If you have not yet enrolled or wish to step off the roll please see Janice. If you are new to the parish and/or have not yet completed the Level 1 Safe Ministry Training and need to, please take note of the following dates: Orientation for new parishioners Sunday 29th October after the 10.30 service over lunch. Level 1 Safe Ministry training Monday 30th October at 2pm in the church. For details see Janice.

Parish Council Nominations…

Forms for nomination to Parish Council are now available in the Narthex as are forms to be placed on the Electoral Roll. If you are new to the parish there will be an orientation for new parishioners over lunch on Saturday 29th October at 12noon **Please note the changed date and time. If you have not yet completed the Level 1 Safe Ministry Training and need to, there will be a training session on Monday 30th October at 2pm in the church. For details please see Janice. It is important to note that we need to have all those who need to have done Safe Ministry Training to have attended by the 30th November. After that, no person is going to be allowed to perform their duties without having done the training, even if they have been doing so before that date. This includes all Op Shop volunteers and all who are on rostered duties or hold any office in the Parish. After 30th November, new volunteers will be required to first complete this training before they begin. The rules have changed so if you’re not sure whether you need to do this or not, see Janice.

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 all in Israel and Gaza.
• 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 Holy Trinity Hastings and their Vicar, Rev’d Tim Anderson.
• For the work of the Church Missionary Society and Wei-Han the Victorian Director.
• For Anna Radkovic our CMS Link Missionary. Anna has arrived in Kenya. Anna’s updated prayer letter is on the board in the Narthex. There is also an article about Anna in the October issue of the Melbourne Anglican.
• 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 Synod 11-14 October, our representatives & Vicar attending the meetings.
• 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: Edna, Fred, Tahlia, Robert, Jan, David, Irene, Guy, Ruth.