What is heaven?…

Pentecost 9

If I were to ask you what your greatest treasure was, what would you say? I’ve heard all sorts of answers to that question over the years: grandchildren, children, spouse, even a dog or cat, the house or the car or grandma’s ring – so many answers, and none are wrong. They just don’t point to the treasure Jesus is talking about in Matthew 13. That treasure is the kingdom of God, which Jesus compares to a pearl so valuable you would sell everything you had to buy it. So what’s so valuable about the kingdom of heaven? The kingdom of heaven is God’s kingdom. It is his rule and reign, both in the world and in the spiritual realm. It is the answer to the question ‘what is heaven?’, and the prize we have been given as the goal at the end of a life lived in service to the Lord. It is what Jesus gave his life for us to be able to receive at the Cross, and the power behind the resurrection and ascension. It is beyond price because the price which won it for us is the blood of the only begotten Son of God. We haven’t anything valuable enough to compare to that. In gratitude for such a gift we give everything we can back to the Lord in service to him as our Lord and Saviour – it still won’t be enough but the Lord will accept whatever we give with the same grace he has extended to us in paying for it in the first place. Jesus points out that the kingdom of heaven is designed as a net to catch all who will come, but it isn’t a guarantee of entry just to be caught up in the net. We need to be genuinely seeking to live for the Lord Jesus and appreciating the gift as well as the Giver. Jesus often reminds us that the Father knows the heart of each person and whether they are genuine or not. It’s a sobering thought, but not one to dwell on if you genuinely believe and have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. If that is the case you are in the net already and only need to follow through on the call to love the Lord and follow Jesus as the treasure He is. So when was the last time you prayed and rejoiced in the Lord thanking him for bringing you into the kingdom of heaven as such a cost to himself? Why not do that now?

Janice

This Week:

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Save The Date:

Notices:

The LORD: slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love

Old Testament talks by Bishop Paul Barker on the Character of God These talks will take place over 3 Wednesday evenings on July 22, 29 and August 5 at 7.30pm in person at GWAC but can be live streamed via the link www.gwac.org.au/livestream Well worth the watch!

Op Shop

If you have a 1/2 a day spare once in a while and would like to assist us in the shop, we have a variety of ways in which you can help out including : Tip Runs , working B’s. Weekly sorting, cleaning, sewing counting jigsaw pieces!, or going on the shop roster once a month. Every little helps and we would love to hear from you.

Vicki. 0425770197.

Thank You

Many thanks to all who responded to my request for fabric.

Edna

Men’s Breakfast

August 15th at 8.30 to 10 am Our speaker is Neil Johnson $5 for egg and bacon roll, tea and coffee. BYO gf bread.
RSVP Steve by SMS on 0437984679 and take away the guesswork for shopping.

Listening in Lent

What We Heard draws together the main themes that emerged from almost 3,000 responses and engagements across the diocese. It offers an initial summary of the hopes, concerns, prayers, and invitations that were shared, and has helped shape the shared journey now emerging across the diocese.
You can read the summary here: melbourneanglican.org.au/listeninginlent

Step Back In Time: A Simple Biblical Meal Experience

You are warmly invited to share in a special evening inspired by the simplicity and spirit of meals in Biblical times. Gather around a table where food is shared, not rushed-where conversation, connection, and quiet reflection are part of the experience. Rather than recreating a perfect historical feast, this evening offers a gentle step back in time-an opportunity to experience how people once gathered, ate simply, and connected deeply with one another. All welcome.

Saturday 5th September 2026 6pm to 9pm here at St Mark’s
Cost $33 per person. Bookings via https://www.trybooking.com/DNRMY

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 George’s Red Hill and their Vicar, Rev’d Jennie Savage.
• 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 the success of our building permit application.
• For our Parish, its people and those we reach out to every week.
• For the success of the new Beachside Youth program.
• 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.
• That the Good News of Jesus will be known in Dromana.
• For Kevin, Anne, 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.