Sunday 28th June 2026 - Fifth Sunday of Pentecost

REFLECTION: Romans 6:12-23 “Do not let sin win!”

The problem with the gospel of grace is that it is unfair. There are many

good people who spend their lives doing very good things for others, who at

the last day, will not attain salvation, while other evildoers, because they

have believed the gospel of Jesus Christ at the last hour, will inherit eternal

life. It seems like there isn’t much incentive to live a righteous life at all if

good deeds seem to go unrewarded and sin seems to go unpunished?

Maybe it would be better to simply go on sinning!

That’s what people said to the Apostle Paul, but his defence is that we now

belong to Christ. We have been bought with a price and we are now God’s

children. We have become slaves to righteousness instead of slaves to sin

and so we must live righteous lives that reflect our relationship with Jesus

our Lord who calls on us to sin no more.

Here is an outline.

1. Do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies (12-14)

2. But, isn’t it OK to sin, because we are not under law but under grace? (15-

16)

3. Having once been slaves of sin, you have now become slaves of

righteousness (17-20)

4. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in

Christ Jesus our Lord (21-23)

To Think About:

Who do you serve?

Who is the Lord of your life?

Which law do you obey, the law of sin or the law of righteousness?

Hymns:

TIS 122 What shall I do my God to love

Christ our hope in life and death

TIS 604 Make me a captive Lord

TIS 183 Sing of the Lord’s goodness

WEDNESDAY GROWTH GROUP This Wednesday we will be

continuing a new series of studies on the Book of Revelation led by

Marien. All are welcome. 7:30pm in the Parish Centre.

GIVING ACCOUNT CORRECTION In last week's handout the name of

our giving account was incorrect. Some banks may warn you about a

mismatch between account number and name. Please use: St James'

Anglican Church Dandenong.

EVENING OF PRAYER AT THE CATHEDRAL Our Archbishop Ric

invites all Parishes to come to the Cathedral for an evening of Prayer on

Wednesday 15th July from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Put it in your diary. Details to

follow.

HELP NEEDED Once again we are in need of help to assist with morning

tea on the first Sunday of the month. If you are able to assist with serving

tea or coffee and providing some savoury or sweet nibbles, please contact

Kaye on 0490 090 507.

ARCHBISHOP RIC THORPE and his wife Louie will be with us on

Sunday August 2nd at our 10am service for a joyful celebration of our St

James Patronal Festival together with baptisms, confirmations and reception

of members. Preparation is underway for those to be confirmed and

baptized. There is still time for anyone from another tradition who wishes to

be received as a member of the Anglican Church; speak to Graeme. We

encourage folk from all our congregations to be present at this special

service. This will be followed by our traditional international lunch.

PARISH PRAYER MEETING We meet on the last Monday of each

month (though we have missed a few recently). Come along at 7pm in the

board room of the Parish Centre this Monday June 29th.

LAWN MOWING ROSTER 27th June – Samoan Youth

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY – 5th July: Genesis 24. 34-38;

Psalm 45. 10-17; Romans 7. 14-25; Matthew 11. 15-19

THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR: Nigel, Jen, Glen,

Sherene, Gloria, Ron, Ruth, Mike, Amy, Cecil, Beryl, Paul, Fabian, Charles,

Marla, Jeremiah, Tahlia, Suzanne, Kurt & Kieran.

FROM THE ANGLICAN DIARY, WE PRAY Archbishop Ric Thorpe:

All Souls, Sandringham Archbishop Ric Thorpe: Cathedral Church of St Paul

– Provincial Choral Evensong Bishop Genieve Blackwell: Holy Trinity, Lara

–Confirmation Service Bishop Alison Taylor: St Philip, Collingwood–

Pastoral Service