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!!!!Opuft!
November 30th 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 Fawthrop Community Centre
Dwayne & Cynthia Alexander Hood St, Portland
Services @ 10am
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
 today@church
9.30am Prayer meeting — please join us!
10am Service: Praise & Worship, communion
& then a message from Lisa Bevere.
Also during the 10am Service:

Kindling Kids &

Pre-school Primary School

Tonight:
Combined Church Service Portland Baptist Church 7pm
Nykoal Rentsch will be singing her single “Freedom” during the service.
Come along and enjoy worship & fellowship with other Portland Christians

this week Leadership

Home Groups & Prayer night
Mid-week home groups Monday 7.30pm
continue Tuesday & @ Dwayne & Cynthia’s
Wednesday nights.
Study: “Building the church
Selection Rd, Cashmore
Where: Rundell’s (ex. Riding School)
God wants” By Ken Chant Everyone interested in see- Hodgetts Rd, Gorae
Time: 4pm onwards
Contact Pr Shane if you are ing the church move for- Come and enjoy the arvo,
not currently in a group ward is welcome to attend Then stay on for a BBQ tea
Bring: BYO BBQ meat & chairs,
plus drinks, salad & sweets to share
Hamilton Service:
Friday Evenings @ 7pm Hamilton Railway Station
Bus leaving the Fawthrop Centre @ 5.30 pm For more details: Bryan Rundell: 0428292303 or Cynthia Alexander: 0400231019