Sunday 16th November 2025 - Twenty-Third Sunday After Pentecost

REFLECTION: LUKE 21:5-19 “STAND FIRM”

What is your view of our world?

Will it always exist or will it one day be destroyed?

Should we be worried about it ending or should we just go on living, knowing

that there is nothing we can do about it?

How should we approach this theme of the end of the world?

Jesus addresses the theme in today’s reading as Jesus announces that not a

single one of the stones of the Jerusalem temple would be left on another. The

disciples with filled with both curiosity and some distress so they asked Jesus:

“Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take

place?” (7)

Jesus goes on to explain to his disciples that not only would the temple be

destroyed, but one day the whole earth will come to an end as we know it

before it is made new on the final day, the day of the coming of the Lord.

We all need to heed seriously Jesus words about the events of the last days

when all things will crumble so that as they come upon us we will be prepared.

Here is an outline of the message.

1. When will this be? What will be the sign? (5-7)

2. Beware that you are not led astray (8)

3. Do not be terrified (9-10)

4. So make up your minds ... in advance (11-15)

5. By your endurance you will gain your souls. (16-19)

TO THINK ABOUT

How can we know when someone is trying to deceive us regarding the Lord?

HYMNS

MP 679 There’s a light upon the mountain

All glory be to Christ

MP 75 Christ is surely coming

TIS 13 Mine eyes have seen the glory

TREE PLANTING

There will be another working bee this Saturday Nov 15th from 8:30am planting

trees. All are welcome.

SPECIAL CONFIRMATION SERVICE

Bishop Paul Barker will be leading a special confirmation and reception of

member’s service at 5pm this Sunday at St James. This service is primarily for

mature Christians from a number of churches across our episcopate who are

standing for Parish Council but who have not previously been confirmed or

received as members. We hope to provide a congregation so if you are able to

attend, please come. It’s always good to hear Bishop Paul.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT GROWTH GROUP

Will be continuing a series of studies on the book of Ephesians this

Wednesday. All are welcome at 7:30 in Meeting Room 2, in the Parish Centre.

MISSION MOMENTS

Mission Sunday will be this Sunday. Margo Hartley will be speaking of the work

of the Mercy Ships over a light lunch in the New Parish Centre after the 10am

Service. A lunch of pies and pasties will be provided free of charge. Please give

a generous donation to the ministry of the Mercy Ships. Please bring Mission

boxes over the next few weeks as we support these worthy causes. Continue to

pray for Lauren as he teaches English and serves the Lord.

2026 LECTIONARY & CHURCH CALENDAR:

Order form in the church porch or talk to Michael Willis.

AGM REPORTS will be available this Sunday. Please remember to get your

nominations in this week for Parish Council, Wardens and Parish

Appointments Board.

AGM 23RD NOVEMBER 2025

Notice is given of the Annual General Meeting for St James Dandenong will be

held in the Church at 12 noon next Sunday 23rd November.

PARISH COUNCIL

Nominations for Parish Council, Churchwardens and Nominators are at the back

of the church. Completed nominations must be in the hands of the Vicar or

Parish Secretary by 16th November 2025.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY 23rd NOVEMBER

Jeremiah 23:1-6, Song of Zechariah, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43

LAWN MOWING ROSTER: 15th – Rusty

THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR: Mike, Cecil, Ruth, Eva,

Nigel, Jen, Ted, Natasha, Patty, Melenny, Noel, Dean, Amy, Chelsea, Paul,

Charles, Alan, Sally, Marla, Robert, Sherene, Shereen & Gay.

THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR: Mullum Mullum Anglican Church

Ringwood (Sam Creek, Isaac Koroh); The Diocese of Bathurst (Bp Mark

Calder, Clergy & People); Christ Church Grammar School (Neil Andary,

Principal; Nicholas Russell, Chaplain); The Episcopal / Anglican Province of

Alexandria (Bp Samy Fawzy); St John’s Cranbourne – Pastoral service (Bp

Kate Prowd); St James’ Old Cathedral – Confirmation and reception service

(Bp Alison Taylor); All Souls’ Sandringham – Pastoral service (Bp Paul

Barker); St James’ Dandenong - Confirmation and reception service (Bp Paul

Barker); St Margaret’s Eltham – Reception service (Bp Brad Billings);