Your Notes

November 14, 2010

Refined as Silver
Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." This verse puzzled
some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the
character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of re-
fining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at
work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curi-
osity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat
up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of
the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought again
about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the
whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had
to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time
it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be
destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you
know when the silver is fully refined?"
OVERSIGHT TEAM:
He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy - when I see my image in it."
Pastor Shane & Glenda Whitbourn
Dwayne & Cynthia Alexander
YOUTH CO-ORDINATOR & WORSHIP DIRECTOR:
Julian Gollasch Ph: 0413 771 390 Services @ 10am
Fawthrop Community Centre Hood St, Portland
ELECTRONIC To direct deposit or Internet bank your giving : Pr. Shane Whitbourn Ph: 0417509516
GIVING South West Community Church BSB 033656 A/C 128710
www.swccportland.com
 today@church What’s happening….
9.30am Prayer meeting ….please join us!
10am Service: Enjoy a time of Praise & Worship, com- PORTLAND COMBINED CHURCHES YOUTH presents
munion, and then a message from Pastor Shane Whitbourn
Please stay after the service for a cuppa and a chat. Also check
out the table of books & DVD’s for free loan up the back.

during the message..

Kindling Kids
(Pre-school) Date: Saturday 20th November, 2010
Time: 12:45pm - 4:30pm
@ the Fawthrop Ctr:

Primary School Where: Leaving from Baptist Church (IGA carpark)

program ost: $5 each (covers bus / some snacks)… $10 per family
Great fun and Bring: a friend, sunscreen, hat, old clothing (plus warm layers), *
teaching time. drink bottle, snacks, boogie board optional)
Children leave
from church after YOUNG GUNS
communion and return at 11.30am .
Study for Year 7—9 youth RSVP: email: jgollasch@bigpond.com
OR text Julian Gollasch 0413771390

Study Group News

Solid Foundations Ladies study groups:
A Bible Study for new Christians, or  Tuesday 1pm (DNA) Young Adults
those wanting a stronger faith
Tuesday evenings 7.30pm.


Wed 1pm (Battlefield of the mind)
Wed 5pm. (Nurture) Amazing race AGM
 Heywood group also (Nurture). Saturday 27th November. Sunday 28th Nov
Home Groups  ‘Ladies Day Out’ group also study- Starts at 3.00pm At
Mid-week groups run at various times ing ‘DNA of Relationships’ Meet at the church
and locations for all ages inc Youth & Wednesday 10.30 (fortnightly only) BYO BBQ tea (foreshore)
Dwayne and Cynthia's
young adults, and mixed adult groups. Contact: Glenda 0407537751 after the race. 8pm
To Join a group see Ps. Shane