Sunday 2nd November 2025 - All Saints Day

REFLECTION: Ephesians 1: 11-23 “Do you know how blessed you really are?”

Do you remember your parents or perhaps even your employer telling you: “You

don’t know how good you’ve got it!?” The truth is that many of us live our lives

ignorant of just how lucky we are and of how many blessings we have. Too often we

find little things to complain about when we have so much to be grateful for.

Just as we sometimes forget how blessed we are in this lucky country, sometimes, we

don’t realise how much better life could be if we were to open our hearts to all that

God wants to give us. Paul insists as he writes to the Ephesians that we have so much

to be grateful for, much more than we can ever imagine, and he calls on the Ephesians

to praise God for his glory and for all he has done for them. See outline of today’s

sermon below. Introduction: You don’t know how good you’ve got it!!!

1. God has blessed us more than we know

a. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance (11)

b. You were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit (13-14)

c. This is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people

(14)

2. Paul prays that the Ephesians might know God more

a. I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers (15-16)

b. I pray that God may give you a spirit of wisdom (17)

c. He prays that the Spirit will reveal God to them so that they will know him.

3. Paul prays that their minds be opened so that they may know ...

a. The hope to which he has called you (18)

b. The riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints (18)

c. The immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe (19)

d. The authority and supremacy of Christ (20-23)

To Think About:

It is easy to complain all that you don’t have, but as children of God, we have more

blessings than we can possibly count. Take a moment to count your blessings to remind

yourself of how blessed you really are.

HYMNS

TIS 455 For all the saints

MP 1099 Oh, the mercy of God

TIS 457 The church’s one foundation

TIS 132 Holy, Holy, Holy

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 New Parish Centre.

MISSION MOMENTS

Mission Sunday will be Sunday 16th November. 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. Donations

to the ministry of the Mercy Ships will be gratefully received. Please bring Mission

boxes or Contributions over the next few weeks as we support these worthy causes.

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

AGM 23RD NOVEMBER 2025

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

in the Church at 12noon on Sunday 23rd November.

THANK YOU – PARISH CENTRE

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the opening of our new Parish

Centre such a wonderful day. To those who set up furniture and tables and arranged

the beautiful flowers, and to all who baked and prepared food, your efforts were so

greatly appreciated. The food was absolutely amazing and the day was filled with the

warmth and spirit that makes St James’ such a special place. With my deepest

appreciation. – Margo.

WORKING BEES

After 4 Saturdays in a row with working bees, we will take a break this weekend. We

expect to resume with more tree planting next week.

SAFE MINISTRY TRAINING REFRESHER COURSE

To those who received my letter of the 21 September 2025 and have not been able to

complete the Refresher Training Level 1 on line. Christine Keys will be conducting

group training on Saturday 1 November 2025 in the Parish Centre, 9.30am start.

Please remember that if you do not complete the training, you are unable to go on any

volunteer roasters.

ELECTORAL ROLL

Regular attendees may like to see if they qualify for entry to the Electoral Roll.–please

find application at back of church. Completed applications must be returned by

9th November 2025

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.

THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR: The Diocese of Tasmania; Beaconhill’s College ;

The Church of the Province of West Africa; St James’ Thornbury– Confirmation

service; Christ Church Dingley–Pastoral service; Melton Dinka Congregation–

Pastoral service; Diocesan Administrator Bishop Genieve and all our Bishops in their

ministry this week.

TMA

Melbourne Anglican Magazines now available in foyer.

THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR: Anthony, Mike,

Cecil, Ruth, Eva, Nigel, Jen, Ted, Natasha, Patty, Melenny, Noel, Dean, Amy, Chelsea,

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

LAWN MOWING ROSTER: 1st November – Heinz and Rusty