Weekly Bulletin – February 9, 2025

Devotional

The Dross Purged

“And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.” Zechariah 13:9

Grace transmutes us into precious metal, and then the fire and the furnace follow as a necessary consequence. Do we start at this? Would we sooner be accounted worthless, that we might enjoy repose, like the stones of the field? This would be to choose the viler part: like Esau, to take the pottage, and give up the covenant portion. No, Lord; we will gladly be cast into the furnace rather than be cast out from thy presence!

The fire only refines, it does not destroy. We are to be brought through the fire, not left in it. The Lord values His people as silver, and therefore He is at pains to purge away their dross. If we are wise, we shall rather welcome the refining process than decline it. Our prayer will be that our alloy may be taken from us rather than that we should be withdrawn from the crucible.

O Lord, thou triest us indeed! We are ready to melt under the fierceness of the flame. Still, this is thy way, and thy way is the best. Sustain us under the trial and complete the process of our purifying, and we will be thine for ever and ever. – C.H. Spurgeon

This Week

The Lord's Day Services

Sunday, February 9

9:45 a.m. Sunday School

11:00 a.m. Morning Service – Dr. Saunders

5:50 p.m. Pre-service prayer

6:30 p.m. Evening Service – Dr. Saunders

Click here for live stream.

Hymn Sing following the evening service.

Youth and Young Adult Choir Practice.

Weekly Announcements

Wednesday, February 12

7:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer

Sunday School Teachers Prayer

Thursday, February 13

6:00 p.m. Session Meeting

7:30 p.m. Session & Board Meeting

Advanced Announcements

Sunday, February 16

9:45 a.m. Sunday School

11:00 a.m. Morning Service – Dr. Saunders

5:50 p.m. Pre-service prayer

6:30 p.m. Evening Service – Dr. Saunders

Wednesday, February 19

7:30 p.m. Bible study and Prayer – Rev. Frank D’Addurno

Advanced Announcements

Saturday, February 22

Family Skate and lunch

Tuesday, February 25

12:00 p.m. Senior’s Luncheon

7:00 p.m. Women’s Bible Study

Family Skate and Lunch

Everyone is invited to a family skate on Saturday, February 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. You are welcome to invite extended family and friends. We have rented the ice at the Canlan Sports Arena at 159 Dynamic Dr, Scarborough, ON M1V 5L8. Helmets are recommended for everyone but are only mandatory for youth 16 years old and younger. A pizza lunch will be provided at the church following the skating. The skating cost is $20 per person. ($10 for 12 years old and younger.) Please see Jonathan McAnally for payment.

Spring Bible Conference 2025

Catechisms

The Shorter Catechism

Q35: What is sanctification?
A: Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace¹, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God², and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness³.

1. God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit. 2 Thessalonians 2:13
2. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness… Ephesians 4:24
3. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1

Bible Questions & Answers For Children

Q116: How did God save Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?

A: The fire was not able to burn them, and they were delivered.

“And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.” Daniel 3:27