Who do you say Jesus is? And what are you going to do about it? Several times whilst growing up I had my Dad say to me: “Who do you think I am? (and he sometimes added “Do you think I’m made of money?”!) In the context, he was really acknowledging that as my earthly father he couldn’t (or wouldn’t) deliver on all my needs and expectations. In Sunday’s reading from Mark 8, Jesus asks almost the same question directly of his disciples. “Who do you say that I am? (8:29) Given the context of Jesus’ ministry and the setting – near Caesarea Philippi, where numerous pagan gods were worshipped – it was a pivotal question (implying “Who do you worship and follow?) In a way, it’s the question that my Dad, as a believer, knew I would need to address: “Who would I trust to meet my deepest needs and expectations?” Peter’s answer to Jesus’ question is important: “You are the Messiah” (Matthew’s account adds “the Son of the living God”) ie. Jesus is the Messiah, the ‘anointed one’, the promised rescuer of God’s people. Despite giving a scripturally correct answer, the verses that follow (8:31-33), show clearly that Peter’s idea of the Messiah was likely of a ‘triumphant warrior King’, rather than the ‘Suffering Servant King’ that Jesus’ life demonstrated. Hence the rebuke of Peter in 8:33. In verses 8:34-38, Jesus speaks plainly about the cost of true discipleship – there will be suffering and loss; everything must be surrendered to Jesus. There is, however, the promise of amazing gain – abundant life now with Jesus, being part of God’s saving work, and the gift of eternal life. This passage contains extremely hard, even paradoxical teaching, but it also has vital truth to be embraced if we are to be authentic followers of Jesus Christ. And we are not without help and hope; the Holy Spirit is with us always. So, what is your answer to Jesus’ question: “Who do you say that I am?” And also, are you willing to work at submitting control of your life to Jesus, so that he can use you to spread the Good News through what you do and say, despite the cost?
Shalom, Kevin.
This Week : 25th August to 1st September
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| MONDAY: | Prayer Group, St Marks, 9.00am – 10.00am |
| Contact: Kevin (0438 234 457) | |
| TUESDAY: | Zoom Prayer Meeting, 1.30pm |
| Contact John (0421 426 156) | |
| Zoom Bible Study Group, 7.00pm | |
| Contact Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion, 10:00am |
| Bible Study Group St Mark’s,11.00am | |
| “Women of the Bible” Contact Kevin (0438 234 457) | |
| Cuppa, Craft & Chat Group. St Mark’s, 12.30pm | |
| Contact Robyn (0409 425 044) | |
| THURSDAY: | Women’s Bible Study, St Mark’s, 9.30am |
| “Becoming a Woman of Strength” | |
| Contact Fay (0401 404 280) | |
| Men’s Coffee & Chat, Blackthorn Café, 10.00am | |
| Contact Steve (0437 984 679), Keith T (0413 319 327) | |
| or Kevin (0493 234 457) | |
| FRIDAY: | Janice’s DAY OFF |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am |
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:
Acting Vicar today is: Rev’d Philip Higgins
Our Vicar, Rev’d Janice, is now on 8 weeks Long Service leave and will return to work on Tuesday 8th October. During Janice’s time away we will have Acting Vicars who will lead Sunday and Wednesday services and attend meetings as requested. For urgent Pastoral Care please contact the Wardens: Kevin 0438234457, Richard 0490404563 or Mike 0425736843; who will then call the appropriate Locum.
Alpha…
Our next ALPHA will run from 3rd October to 28th November (Thursday’s) from 6pm to finish before 8.45, with a hot meal, video and discussion time. Please pray about whether this is for you and whether you can invite someone to come and hear the good news of Jesus. Speak to Steve or Carol for details (registration forms available soon)
Operation Christmas Child..
Operation Christmas Child Packing Party – 22 September This year, we are having a Packing Party to fill boxes after each service in the narthex. All the contents will be provided at a cost of $14.50. It would be great if you are able to pay (or contribute towards) P&H of $12.50. Come and have some fun together. If you like, write a note to the child, and perhaps also send a photo of yourself! In 2023 children from Ukraine were blessed with boxes from Australia. St Mark’s sent 36 boxes – let’s aim for 40 in 2024. For any queries, please contact Heather 0417032817 or Anne 0473562968.
Church Fete (Saturday 2nd November)(Melbourn Cup weekend)…
Times 10am – 2pm. Stalls – Cakes, Preserves/Jams, Plants, Craft, BBQ, Morning Tea & Scones. Start thinking of what you make or add to the day. Cakes = Jen Watson, Preserves = Ellen Brindley, Plants = Robyn Falconer, BBQ = Mens Thursday Group, Morning Tea = Carol Parkinson, Craft = Craft Group. Kids – crafts and Face Painter, Music – Ukulele Group Invited.
Opp Shop…
Our Op Shop is still in need of helpers. If you can assist for a few hours and have your Police Check and Level 1 training, please talk to Cheryl King.
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- 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 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 Sorrento & Rye and their Vicar Fr. Nicholas Wallace.
- For the work of the Church Missionary Society and Wei-Han the Victorian Director.
- For Anna Radkovic our CMS Link Missionary.
- 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 our Acting Vicar Rev’d Philip Higgins.
- 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 Lorna & Peter, Keith S, Harry, Jen, Bernice, Mike, Pat, Joan R, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert, Jan, David, Guy
