July 2025 – Page 2 – Moortown Baptist Church

Refined and made precious by God

Psalm 12:6 “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.“

Malachai 3:3 “And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.”

This image of God as a refiner is a powerful one. My brother, who is not a Christian, sent me a YouTube video that contained a story about Malachai 3:3 of which the “punchline”really surprised him. So here’s the story…

A small group were studying the Bible together and came across Malachi 3:3, which says, “He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver”. They were curious about why God is described as sitting while refining silver. Unable to agree on the meaning, they decided that one member should visit a silversmith to learn more.

The chosen person went to watch a silversmith at work. The silversmith explained that he had to hold the silver in the hottest part of the fire to burn away all the impurities. The process was delicate; if he left the silver in the fire for too long, it would be damaged. It required skill and patient observation.

The Bible student then asked, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” The silversmith smiled and said, “That’s easy; when I can see my own reflection in it, I know it’s pure.”

This story uses the process of refining silver as a picture of how God works in our lives. Just as a silversmith carefully watches the silver and removes it from the fire at just the right moment, God refines us as we go through life’s challenges to remove our faults and make us better people. God knows we are ready when He can see His own character reflected in us.

Gareth Gadd

Dear friends

As we move into July, here’s what is in the diary so far..

6^th July Sunday 11am café church with breakfast pastries, fruit and drinks – ‘The Holy Spirit’s presence like fire’ Exodus 3. All ages together

6^th July Sunday 12.45-1.45 church meeting where we look forward to meeting those who’s charities the church support.

6^th July Sunday 7-8pm Rock Solid Youth (younger and older group meet at the same time) in the building

7^th July Monday Warm welcome café 10-12 midday

8^th July Tuesday Stepping Stones under 5’s and their parents and carers 10-11.30am

8^th July Tuesday Bible group – see Howard Dews

8^th July Tuesday 7.30pm Deacons meeting in church

9^th July Wednesday Lunch club for those who attend and volunteers

9^th July Wednesday 7.30pm Bible study group in church See Ruth or Andy B

10^th July Thursday 2-4pm Warm welcome craft group

10^th July Thursday 7pm- 9pm bible study in church building see Gareth G

11^th July 10-11 Friday Bible study in church building. Do ask me if you want more information.

11^th July 8pm house group in Adel. See Jonathan or Hilary D or Steve or Helen O

13^th July 11am Sunday Service for all with a group for children exploring the theme. “The Holy Spirit as oil”

13^th July Sunday after church ‘Discovering prayer’. All welcome whether you have been before or want to drop in for the first time! The sessions are following Pete Grieg’s second prayer course exploring why some prayers seem to be unanswered. It is a safe place to share although you do not have to share anything. The course is being led by Krys G. The course continues after this at the same time on August 10^th, September 14^th and October 12^th.

15^th July Tuesday is the last Stepping Stones group before the Summer holidays. The volunteers will meet in the morning of the 22^nd July for a tidy and a clean. If you would like to help them please see Diane S or myself.

16^th July Wednesday 1.30-2pm Wednesday worship in church for all. See Rachel B or myself for details.

Please note that Lesley will not be in the office this week and will return on Monday 14^th July. Any enquiries should go to the group leaders or myself or a deacon to pass onto the relevant person.

Two opportunities to find out more about the ‘Quiet revival’ research from the Bible Society including the rise in church attendance amongst young adults, on Wednesday 9^th July

1.30-pm online Please book a free place here. Presented by the Church of England

The Quiet Revival – opportunities for church growth – Church Support Hub

8-9.15pm Follow this link to book a free online space Webinar: Exploring the Quiet Revival – Church Mission Society (CMS) Hosted by the Church Missionary Society

We are currently finalising plans for the Summer so watch this space. Lesley is compiling a list of everything that is happening including new ways to connect as well as noting what is pausing over August. If you have any ideas of things you would like to do, then do come and chat to me. Do keep praying for guidance, wisdom and creativity on how God is building His church here in Moortown and further afield.

On the last week of June, the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast took place in parliament and is an annual recognition of what Christianity brings to the life of the UK. This year John Lennox gave the address and the worship was led by Keith and Kristyn Getty and you can watch again here at this link National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast 2025. It may help inform us as we pray for our government and all those in leadership.

Today I joined with others at Cragg House Farm to celebrate and thank God for the work of Caring for life, a local Christian charity that we have supported over the years. There was such a warm atmosphere around the farm and during the service Jonathan Parkinson the CEO of Caring for life reminded us that amongst all the projects and plans and social action, at the heart of it all is a call to bring people to Jesus, Lord and Saviour who stands with the broken and hurting. A song that was written at Caring for life used in the worship services includes the chorus

“We bring our loaves and fishes

To you, the Lord of all

We’ll follow in Your footsteps,

And answer to your call.

Lord take our small resources,

Take every loving deed

Turn drops into an ocean

To meet a world of need”

Blessings

Shelley

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

Refined and made precious by God. Gareth Gadd shares a story told to him by his brother

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