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November 28th 2008

The Red Umbrella (Author unknown)

As the drought continued for what seemed an eternity, a small community
of mid-west farmers were in a quandary as to what to do next. The rain
was important not only to keep their crops healthy, but to sustain the
townspeople's very way of living. As the problem became more
urgent, the local church felt it was rime to get involved and called a prayer meeting to
ask for rain.

In what seemed a vague remembrance of a Native American ritual, the people began
to arrive. The pastor on his arrival watched as the congregation continued to file in. He
slowly made his way to the front to officially begin the meeting.
Everyone was taking the opportunity to visit across the aisles to socialize with close
friends. The pastor's thoughts when he reached the front were on quieting those
present and starting the meeting.

As he began to ask for quiet, his eyes scanned the crowd and he took note of an eleven
year-old girl sitting in the front row. Her face was beaming with excitement and she
quietly sat in her place. Next to her, poised and ready for use, was a bright red
umbrella. The beauty and innocence of the girl made the pastor smile as he realized
the faith she possessed. No one else in the congregation had brought an umbrella.
They had all come to pray for rain, but she had come expecting God to answer with the
needed rain.

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
(Hebrews 11:1)
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must
believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

OVERSIGHT TEAM:
Pastor Shane & Glenda Whitbourn Hamilton Railway Station
Dwayne & Cynthia Alexander Services Friday nights @ 7pm
Pr. Shane Whitbourn Ph: 0417509516
ELECTRONIC To direct deposit or Internet bank your giving :
www.swccportland.com
GIVING South West Community Church BSB 033656 A/C 128710
tonight@church

7pm Service: Praise & Worship, Communion, and a

For more details: Bryan Rundell: 0428292303 or Cynthia Alexander: 0400231019

message from Pr. Shane. Followed by supper - please stay
During the Service:
Kindling Kids Pre school

Prep — Grade 6

this week
Hamilton Ladies’ Bible Study

plus drinks, salad & sweets to share

‘Fight like a Girl’ by Lisa Bevere
Tuesdays 1pm

Rundell’s (ex. Riding School)

@ Anne Baxendale’s, 2 Martin St.

Come and enjoy the arvo,

Then stay on for a BBQ tea
Helping to restore women's con-

BYO BBQ meat & chairs,

fidence and esteem, improve
their relationships, and grow their

Hodgetts Rd, Gorae

faith are all part of Lisa's main
mission: to help women learn to
fight like girls again and cele-

4pm onwards
brate their victories!
Info: Phone Cynthia on 0400231019

Porltand
Grab a FREE loan Hamilton Evening
A great selection of DVD’s and
books are available before and
Study Starting 2009
after the service for F R E E loan. If you are interested or

Where:
would like to know more,

Bring:
Time:
Speak to Pastor Shane
today or contact him on
0417509516