In the Chronicles of Narnia, C.S.Lewis pictured the act of creation as the Creator singing the world into being. This Sunday John Rogers will be preaching at our services with the music of God in mind. Our readings have been picked by John for his message, but I’d like to reflect on the reading that is set as the gospel reading for Epiphany 2, John 2:1-11, the wedding at Cana. Throughout the Old Testament, we see the Father’s love expressed in relationship with us as God’s people through the metaphor of marriage, requiring faithfulness in relationship only him. Yet God’s people broke their covenant and went after other gods which put them under the sin of adultery, but God chose to redeem them and all humanity by sending his Son to make a new covenant where our sin is dealt with by his sacrifice at the cross once and for all. The requirement is still an exclusive relationship of repentance of sin and ongoing faith in the Lord, but now that sin is cleansed by Jesus on our behalf. Now, as we look at the wedding in Cana, we see the Lord present with his people in Jesus attending a wedding. As was the custom of the time, the party went on for a few days and the parents of the bride were expected to provide hospitality for the whole time. These are probably family to Jesus since Mary has knowledge of the workings behind the scenes. Somehow the needs of the guests were underestimated and there is no wine left. Mary knows who her son is. She asks him to help. To do a great miracle is to reveal himself as Messiah and to set his feet on the path to renew the covenant himself at the cross. Jesus hesitates only to point out that this will start that journey, then he turns 6 stone jars full of water into wine. The jars are the ones used for bathing for purification. They represent the washing away of sins through repentance. Through his blood Jesus will soon seal the new covenant and make the means of purification forever available so no penalty of sin will apply to those who enter in through repentance and ongoing faith in him. John sees the sign and recognises God’s hand. Have you recognised God’s hand in your life this week?
Janice
This Week:
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Fellowship Meal, 6.00pm, Janice | |
| MONDAY: | Prayer for the Parish, St Marks, 9.15am |
| Contact: Janice | |
| Parish Council Prayer and Planning Day, St Mark’s, 10am – 4pm | |
| Contact: Janice | |
| TUESDAY: | Zoom Prayer Meeting, 1.30pm (On Hold Till Advised) |
| Contact John (0421 426 156) | |
| Zoom Bible Study Group, 7.00pm | |
| Contact: Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion Service – 10.00am |
| Healing Service Planning Meeting, St Mark’s, 11.15am | |
| Contact: Janice | |
| Bible Study Group St Mark’s,11.00am (On Hold Till Advised) | |
| “Women of the Bible” Contact Kevin (0438 234 457) | |
| Cuppa, Craft & Chat Group. (On Hold Till Advised) | |
| Contact Robyn (0409 425 044) | |
| THURSDAY: | Men’s Coffee & Chat, Blackthorn Café, 10.00am (On Hold Till Advised) |
| Contact Steve (0437 984 679), Keith T (0413 319 327) | |
| or Kevin (0493 234 457) | |
| FRIDAY: | Janice’s DAY OFF |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | Australia Day Combined Service Holy Communion, 9.30am |
| in the front garden of the church (not on the foreshore) |
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:
Fellowship Meals in January…
Everyone is welcome to come along to the January Sunday Family Meals at 6pm with their own meal and drink.
Meals will be hosted at the homes of:
19 January – Janice
Australia Day 2025…
A reminder that Australia Day is Sunday 26th January and we will have a combined service at 9.30am in the front gardens (weather permitting).
Harvest Festival & Shrove Tuesday Celebrations…
Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Meal) – 4 March. Harvest Services – 30 March (usual service times).
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For those affected by the current challenging weather conditions in Australia.
- For all women in Afghanistan now banned from hearing each others voices.
- For those facing homelessness, hardship, anguish and despair amid rising costs.
- For all in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine and Myanmar.
- 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 Archdeacon Rev’d Sam Bleby, in the Frankston Archdeanery.
- In our Deanery, we pray for the parish of St George’s Red Hill and their Acting Vicar.
- 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 next 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 newly elected 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..
