To receive the Holy Spirit…

Easter 7

As we come to the end of the Easter season, we reach the feast of the Ascension, which falls on the Thursday 10 days before Pentecost Sunday. It was on the 40th day after the resurrection that Jesus ascended into heaven. He had spent those 40 days alongside his disciples, appearing to at least 500 of those who believed in him. He commissioned us and them to continue his work and ministry in the world and told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received power from him. For those 10 days the 120 prayed and waited in Jerusalem. 10 days of prayer. 10 days of anticipation. 10 days of uncertainty about what this would look like and how they were to go ahead now without Jesus bodily with them. 10 days waiting. They had no idea what Holy Spirit coming would look like, but they knew they were looking into a future filled with promise. Like many of us who arrive at the airport and wait at the gate for our plane to come in. We know where our ticket tells us where we’re going but we are powerless to make that gate open, to make the plane take off; to keep it in the air or to make it land at the right destination. Everything is in the hands of those who are employed by the airline we have chosen. The price is paid and the ticket is in our hands. Now to wait on others to make it happen. So it was with the disciples. So it is often in our lives now. Perhaps the Lord has put a dream in your heart and you have worked for it and come to the place where it is ready to take off. Perhaps you have done the schooling, got the degree, done the training to qualify but now others will decide if the job is given to you. The Lord does not set us on a path without bringing the fulfilment. He who has called us is faithful to the last, but we also must be faithful as we wait. Faithful in prayer, in surrendering each step to him as the one who has called us, in worship and in reading the word. The disciples were faithful in their prayers day and night over those 10 days. They were ready in every other way, but now they needed to be fully surrendered to receive the Holy Spirit who was coming to them. As we wait for Pentecost let’s also pray daily asking Holy Spirit to open the gate.

Janice

This Week:

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Alpha Course

Alpha is now more than half way through. Thank you to those who have contributed slices and meals. Please don’t underestimate the blessing this is to our evenings and how much it is appreciated. Are you able to join us is growing the kingdom of God with prayer and the gift of hospitality. A salad, loaf of bread or slice or part of a main meal I will really help. There are funds available. Please speak to Carol or Helen.

Biggest Afternoon Tea For Cancer

The Craft Group are holding a “Vintage style Afternoon Tea with scones, cream and jam” on Wednesday 20th May at 2pm to 3.30pm in the church. John and Helen will provide a musical interlude with song. All funds raised will go the The Cancer Council, Australia. Suggested donation $5 (cash preferred).

Fundraiser Function 

Flyers are now available to be put up around Dromana for our next fundraiser for the Hall:

A Jazz Concert with Simon Pilbrow and Ron Gillett. A peninsula-based jazz unit, Ron (alto and tenor saxophone, flute) and Simon (piano). Come and enjoy great jazz music here on 20 June 2026 – 7:00pm-9:00pm.

Tickets $30 available via Try Booking https://www.trybooking.com/DLTHC some tickets will be available at the door but it is advisable to book ahead. Speak to Anne for details.

Volunteers Needed

with Ellen Brindley unwell we are short for people to staff the Op Shop. At the moment Janice is covering several shifts on Thursdays and Saturdays to make sure we can stay open over this time. If you can step up and take one of these shifts please speak to Vicki or Janice asap. Training will be provided. You just need to have your current Police Check and completed Level 1 Training..

Diary Dates (May)

Looking Ahead

This Week’s Prayer Focus

In our country and the world:

• For de-escalation of the Middle East war.
• For the people of Israel and Iran and Middle East countries.
• For the victims and those who are mourning after the Bondi terrorist attack.
• For all needing support following home invasions and all other violent attacks.
• For Government action to address the out-of-control protests in Melbourne.
• For the Government plans to address the rise of antisemitism in Australia.
• For families suffering as a result of violence and home invasions.
• For those facing homelessness, hardship, anguish and despair amid rising costs.
• For all in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine and Myanmar.
• 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 Melbourne Archbishop-elect Right Reverend Dr Richard (Ric) Thorpe as he prepares to move from London to Melbourne.
• For Archbishop Geoffrey Smith’s ministry as Primate of Australia.
• 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 John’s Flinders with St Mark’s Balnarring, their Vicar Rev’d Keiron Jones and Deacon Rev’d Christine Barren.
• Keiron, Vicar of Flinders/Balnarring.
• 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 all members of the Parish Council.
• For the Christianity Explored seminars and those participating in them.
• That the Good News of Jesus will be known in Dromana.
• For Doris B, Ellen, Ted & Monica, Lorna, Louise, Jen, TJ and family, Karen, Mary, Jan K, David, Belinda, Joan R, Robyn, Phillip, Nikki, Jason, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Keith S, Harry, Mike, Chloe, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert.