The latest Hotham Herald (Hotham Mission) newsletter can be found here.

Friends,

the latest MtE Update!

1. There’ll be a hymn-learning session this Sunday, following morning tea; please stay to expand your repertoire, if you’re able!
2. The most recent Hotham Mission Herald (newsletter) is available here.
3. Our study groups for the year will begin with a Lenten series on the Lord’s Prayer. Details about this and other planned groups through the year are here.
4. There will be a congregational meeting following worship on Sunday February 26. The main reason for the meeting will be the presentation (for reception) of our 2017 budget; the budget papers will be available at church this Sunday.
5. On Monday February 20 (6.30pm) we will be presenting Brother Bray of Bethlehem University at a public event in our hall. More details are available here. Please forward information about this event to other people you think might be interested. We hope also to be able to offer hospitality following the presentation; if you are able to help be bringing something to share, please speak to Heather M about how you can assist.
6. The most recent Synod newsletter (Feb 8) is here.
7. Other forthcoming dates for your calendar:
   1. Congregational picnic March 26
8. If you’d like to do some background work on this coming Sunday’s readings (February 12, Epiphany 6A),

Deuteronomy 30:15-20,

Psalm 119.1-8

1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Matthew 5:21-37

Our Lenten and Easter events begin with Ash Wednesday and our Lenten Studies, through to Easter Day.

Ash Wednesday Service

Lenten Studies: on the Lord’s Prayer; more details are here.

Easter Services

Palm Sunday April 9, 10.00am with Eucharist

Maundy Thursday April 13, 7.30pm with Eucharist

Good Friday April 14 10.00am

Easter Vigil Service Saturday April 15 8.00pm

Easter Day Service 10.00am with Eucharist

Friends,

the first MtE Update for 2017!

1. There’ll be a hymn-learning session Sunday week Feb 12, following morning tea
2. Hotham Mission’s work featured recently in a local newspaper report: here.
3. Our study groups for the year will begin with a Lenten series on the Lord’s Prayer. Details about this and other planned groups through the year are here.
4. The latest Presbytery update (January 11) is here.
5. Some forthcoming dates for your calendar:
   1. On Monday February 20 (6.30pm) we will be presenting Brother Bray of Bethlehem University at a public event in our hall. More details will be available shortly!
   2. Congregational meeting February 26 (receipt of 2017 budget)
   3. Ash Wednesday service: Wednesday March 1, 6.00pm
   4. Congregational picnic March 26
6. If you’d like to do some background work on this coming Sunday’s readings (February 5, Epiphany 5A), have a look at these links:

Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12),

Psalm 112,

Matthew 5:13-20,

1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16)

 

 

Your are most welcome to join us at our Christmas celebrations this year!

Sunday December 18: a service of Advent carols and readings with Eucharist, 10am.

Christmas Eve: (we have no service at Mark the Evangelist, but commend the Christmas Eve services at St Mary’s Anglican Church – the 4pm “Kids’ Christmas” and the 11.30pm Christmas Eve Midnight Mass)

Christmas Day: Worship with Eucharist, 9.30am

Normal services will continue, 10am, throughout January

Friends,

the latest MtE Update

1. This Sunday Dec 11 we will celebrate two baptisms! If you’re able to come and stay after the service, please bring a plate of something to share in an extended morning tea celebration. To minimise the shock when you get there, please be advised that the church will be reoriented to the north wall to maximise our seating capacity for what will likely be a full church!
2. Hotham Mission is receiving donations of food and money for its Christmas food relief program. Gifts of non-perishable food can be left in the marked box in the church hall; a retiring offering for the program will be received after worship this Sunday December 11.
3. This Sunday December 11 will also see the ordination of Sue Clarkson as a Minister of the Word and the admission of the Rev Dr Christine Sorensen as a Minister of the Word in the Uniting Church in Australia. This Presbytery event will take place at the Church of All Nations, 180 Palmerston Street, Carlton, at 3pm.
4. Material for the summer issue of Mark the Word is due on Monday Dec 12; please get in touch with Suzanne if you’re able to contribute something.
5. The most recent Synod e-Newsletter (Dec 7) is here.
6. The latest (long!) update from the Vic/Tas Uniting for Refugees Network Update: December 2016 can be found here.
7. If you’ve not already noted it in the print edition, Suzanne has recently reviewed a book on church architecture and renovation for Crosslight; you can read it here.
8. Don’t forget that, prior to any Sunday, you can look up some background on the lectionary readings for worship; the links are on our worship page.
9. CHRISTMAS SERVICES
   

   Sunday December 18: a service of Advent carols and readings with Eucharist, 10am.
   Christmas Eve:(we have no service at Mark the Evangelist, but commend the Christmas Eve services at St Mary’s Anglican Church – the 4pm “Kids’ Christmas” and the 11.30pm Christmas Eve Midnight Mass)
   Christmas Day: Worship with Eucharist, 9.30am
   Normal services will continue, 10am, throughout January

    

Friends,

the latest MtE Update

1. Hotham Mission is receiving donations of food and money for its Christmas food relied program. Gifts of non-perishable food can be left in the marked box in the church hall; a retiring offering for the program will be received after worship on Sunday December 11.
2. The latest Pilgrim College e-news is here.
3. CHRISTMAS SERVICES
   

   Sunday December 18: a service of Advent carols and readings with Eucharist, 10am.
   Christmas Eve: (we have no service at Mark the Evangelist, but commend the Christmas Eve services at St Mary’s Anglican Church – the 4pm “Kids’ Christmas” and the 11.30pm Christmas Eve Midnight Mass)
   Christmas Day: Worship with Eucharist, 9.30am
   Normal services will continue, 10am, throughout January

Other things of potential interest:

1. Taizé Advent Retreat

10am-3pm Saturday, 3 December 2016 at 

St Joseph’s Church, 274 Rouse Street, Port Melbourne. 

This retreat is being run in collaboration with the Carmelite Centre.

You can book online at: trybooking.com/NUBH Cost: $30/$15 students (includes lunch).

Taizé at Trinity College

This prayer does not run in December or January.

The next prayer will be held at 5.30pm on Saturday, 4 February 2017.

This prayer is held at 5.30pm on the first Saturday each month from February-November.

Each year Mark the Evangelist encourages its members and others to contribute to the Christmas Bowl, an annual appeal run by Act for Peace which raises funds for various national and international relief projects.

For an introduction to the focus of the appeal this year, click on the video below. The Christmas Bowl’s own home page is here. To contribute to the appeal, go directly to the appeal’s donation page.

Introduction to the Christmas Bowl Appeal 2016

Friends,

the latest MtE Update

 

1. Our Sunday conversation following worship this Sunday November 20 will feature Lisa Sammut, Convener of the Homeless Action Group, North Melbourne.
2. The most recent Presbytery newsletter Nov 17) is here.
3. The meeting regarding our MTEFP will be following worship, Sunday December 4.

 

Friends,

the latest MtE Update

1. This Sunday is our All Saints luncheon following worship; please let Rod know re your attendance and Wendy re catering if you’re planning to come!
2. The latest Synod e-News (Nov 2) is here.
3. The most recent Presbytery newsletter (Oct 25) is here.
4. The next meeting regarding our MTEFP will be following worship, Sunday December 4.