Wind and Waves…

On my mother’s wall in her office was a poster which said, ‘Lord Jesus I know there’s nothing that can happen today that you and I can’t handle together’. As Jesus spoke frankly about the cost of discipleship and the idea that he was the bread from heaven and whoever eats this bread (pointing to himself) would have eternal life, many could not cope with his words. They didn’t understand, and they weren’t prepared to hang around to find out what he meant. These people were only following for what they could get from Jesus. They were seeking more miracles and more sensational healings, not a call to eat his flesh and drink his blood! Jesus was pushing the metaphor as he challenged his listeners to be seeking him because they were seeking the Father, rather than seeking him for their own ends. Often people want the sensational Jesus who can fix things with a word, but Jesus was also often tired and hungry and very human, and he needed to rely on the Father in the same way that he calls us to rely on him. Jesus didn’t come down from heaven with a glory cloud and a holy presence, but with a gentle and humble heart and a clear call for the lives of those who were around him to come into the place of his teaching and to grow in faith with him, until he provided the sacrifice through the cross and resurrection which would give them entry into the holy place. We have that entry into God’s presence through repentance and faith and the blood of Jesus too, and this gives us a place in heaven and eternal life now. The issue is that we often lose sight of all this when life is not kind to us. We can be overwhelmed by the ‘wind and waves’ of the things around us, and instead of coming to Jesus in faith and holding on, we flail about like we’re drowning. Or we walk away like these people did when they were challenged to take Jesus’ words seriously and feed on him. To walk by faith is to trust Jesus in the midst of whatever happens and believe that he will walk with us through it. I’m reminded of another poster: ‘If you feel like you’re drowning, remember your Lifeguard walks on water’. Reach out to him and hold on. He who has promised is faithful.

Janice

This Week: 11th – 18th August

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Welcome…

Today we welcome Rev’d Jill McCoy who will be our locum for the next four weeks during Rev’d Janice’s Long Service Leave.

Welcome…

Our Vicar, Rev’d Janice, is going on 8 weeks Long Service leave this month. She will be leaving on Tuesday 13th August and returns to work on Tuesday 8th October. During her time away we will have Locum Ministers who will lead Sunday and Wednesday services and attend meetings as requested. The Locums will be available for urgent Pastoral Care by contacting the Wardens: Kevin Cranwell 0438234457, Richard Watson 0490404563 or Mike Brown 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)

National Grandparent Movement..

National Grandparent Movement – Started by the Rev Ian Barnett, an Anglican Evangelical minister. “What is the faith legacy we are leaving behind?” The National Grandparent Conference will be held on Sat 31st August at St Paul’s Castle Hill Sydney. The conference livestreams from 0900 to 1630 on the 31st. Six key speakers, plus interviews and worship music presented by City Alight. To attend the livestream more details can be obtained from Cheryl and Graeme King.

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 Parish of St John’s Flinders with St Mark’s Balnarring, their Vicar Rev’d Keiron Jones and Deacon Rev’d Christine Barren.
• 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 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 9am at home prayer time for the Parish, Dromana & Mornington Peninsula.
• For our Op Shop staff and all who visit each week.
• For Keith S, Maggie D, Harry, Jen, Bernice, Mike, Pat, Joan R, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert, Jan, David, Guy.