Emmaus Parish warmly invites parishioners, seekers, and all who are curious about the Christian faith to an extraordinary evening of scripture and sacred music: From Jordan to the Empty Tomb: The Gospel of Mark Proclaimed and Sung.
Taking place on Wednesday 2 December 2026 at 7.00pm in St Ambrose's Church, Brunswick, this unique event presents the Gospel of Mark as it was first experienced by the early Christian community: heard aloud. The evening follows the Gospel's narrative journey from the preaching of John the Baptist beside the Jordan River to the discovery of the empty tomb on Easter morning.
Before the Gospels were read privately, they were proclaimed publicly. Before they were written down, the stories of Jesus were shared from memory and handed on through the life of the Church. This event seeks to recover something of that ancient tradition by allowing participants to listen to Mark's Gospel unfold as a continuous story, accompanied by music that illuminates its key moments.
Throughout the evening, listeners will encounter the Jesus whom Mark presents: teacher, healer, servant, Messiah, and Son of God. The Gospel's great themes are reflected upon through carefully chosen musical works spanning centuries of Christian tradition, including music by Handel, Elgar, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Bach, and Hovhaness, together with congregational hymns that invite participation.
The music will be performed by St Joseph's Collegium, the Emmaus Chamber Orchestra, and the Emmaus Parish Choir, under the direction of Dr Anthony Halliday. Together, these musicians will help bring Mark's Gospel to life through a rich tapestry of sacred choral, orchestral and congregational music.
The proclamation is structured around nine major movements in Mark's Gospel:
The Beginning of the Good News
The Kingdom Revealed
Bread in the Wilderness
The Turning Point
The Messiah Enters Jerusalem
Watch and Pray
The Last Supper and Gethsemane
The Passion of the Lord
The Empty Tomb
At the heart of the evening stands the question Jesus asks his disciples:
"But you, who do you say I am?" (Mark 8:29)
Whether you are a lifelong believer, exploring Christianity through RCIA, or simply interested in experiencing one of the world's most influential texts in a new way, this promises to be a prayerful and enriching encounter with the Gospel.
Event Details
From Jordan to the Empty Tomb: The Gospel of Mark Proclaimed and Sung
Wednesday 2 December 2026
7.00pm
St Ambrose's Church
287 Sydney Road, Brunswick 3056
Presented by Emmaus Parish, Brunswick Moreland
Register your attendance via this link https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/dy1LitdkS0?origin=lprLink now,