Hello Dear Friends,                                                    

Warmest Christian greetings!  

PRAYERS FOR YOU – The Psalms are filled with prayers…they include worship, thanksgiving, petition, confession and more. Praying people are a powerful army in the “pulling down of strongholds”! Are there “strongholds” in your life? Through prayer they can come tumbling down. Often, though, patience is required to understand God’s timing. We can often pray like the psalmist (Psalm 6:3): “My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long? Psalm 72: 20 says “This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.” Much of his praying is included in the previous Psalms and other Old Testament Scriptures. A study of David’s prayer life is quite insightful and, in many instances, something with which we can identify. The prayer for our Evangel Temple church family this week is for you to see prayers answered in your life. Here is one plea David made to God: “Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me; deliver me because of my foes…But as for me, afflicted and in pain – may your salvation, God, protect me.” (Psalm 69:16-18, 29)   Be encouraged to pray “The Lord’s Prayer” several time a day and “…pray with the Spirit…” (I Corinthians 14:15). The power of prayer cannot be estimated! It takes us to a level in the supernatural realm that is beyond the here and now. Praying fervently is powerful!  

SUNDAY SERVICE/ONLINE CHURCH – Each Sunday @ 10:00 a.m. is the day and the hour when online church begins on YouTube. We anticipate being back in the church facility on Sunday, February 14, 2021. We pray the restrictions will not be extended beyond then for places of worship. This information should be available in a day or so and by the time you read this a decision should be already made by the Ontario government. In the meantime, please plan to join us each week online should you have the electronic capability to do so. Here is the link: www.evangelnapanee.com If you happen to miss the 10:00 a.m. live-stream, you can visit our website later and catch the church service when it is convenient for you.  

THE FOLLOWING MINISTRIES WILL RESUME WHEN RESTRICTIONS ARE LIFTED:   

KIDS’ MINISTRY & PLAYGROUP – Please visit our website www.evangelnapanee.com for current information regarding children’s ministries and for online presentations.   

180º YOUTH –Thank you for continuing to pray for our young men and women. It is anticipated that a Small Group for our Youth will be launched very soon.

MONDAY NIGHT PRAYER MEETINGS – It will be good to get back to the prayer meetings again! We will keep you posted! Hopefully, this will begin at the church on Monday, February 15, 2021.

SMALL GROUPS – It is anticipated that Small Group ministry will begin very soon. A specific date cannot be announced yet since the lockdown is still in effect. We expect the groups will meet at the church until the folks are comfortable meeting in homes again. Of course, we respect your comfort level as to your decision to attend or not.   Thank you for your patience and understanding as we find ourselves navigating through the restrictions. Dates and times remain tentative and vague until we can meet in person once again.  We are certainly hoping that we will meet in person on February 14, 2021…apparently, the restrictions are supposed to be lifted on February 11, 2021…we’ll see.   If you have any prayer needs, please email me at Cal.Anthony@paoc.org or telephone me at 613-354-4281 or 613-243-1163. If there is no answer, please leave a message and we will respond to you. We will certainly be happy to pray for you!  

PRAYER NEEDS – Prayer Needs: Ken L., the Shepherd family (bereavement), Doreen, Zack & Melissa, Gary A., a little 4-year old boy suffering from a brain tumor, Tim, Laura, Olivia, our Youth and leaders, our seniors who are shut-in, Bill (recovering from day surgery), Pat, Bonnie, Angela, John, Robbie (taking treatments), Andrea, unspoken need(s), Allan, Elizabeth, Paige, businesses and business people, new Lead Pastor, unspoken needs, live-streamed church service, Kids’ Sunday School/Ministry, Global Workers. Please let us know if there are others we need to include. You may reach us at office@evangelnapanee.com or 613-354-4281. There are lots of prayer needs and they all include both the spiritual and physical! Remember, June and I continue to pray for this wonderful church family.   “WITH THE LORD” – Sympathy is extended to the Shepherd family on the loss of Hendrik (Henry) Klaver. He went home to be with Jesus on Friday, January 28, 2021 at the great age of 97! This is Stephen’s grandfather. Thank God for the hope of heaven!  

PASTORAL SEARCH – The Committee met on Wednesday, February 3 with resumes being distributed. Thank you for praying fervently with us as the various candidates for the position of Lead Pastor is being prayerfully and carefully reviewed. A subsequent meeting was held on Monday, February 8, 2021. In this meeting, resumes were discussed more thoroughly and now we will move into the interview phase. You will certainly be posted along the way. Your prayers are critical during this time and we are counting on you to pray daily! Thank you for doing this. It is reasonable to expect that the new Lead Pastor should be in place by mid to late March 2021. We are grateful to the Eastern Ontario & Nunavut District, PAOC for journeying with us throughout this whole process.  

BIBLE READING –What did you discover in your reading this week? Already you are at, at least, chapter 6! It is amazing how the Lord brings a specific verse of Scripture or truth at certain points in our everyday lives! The suggested assignment for the month of February is Matthew’s Gospel – 28 chapters and 28 days! We hope your daily Bible reading is bringing you much comfort. Remember to… “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…” (Colossians 3:16).   As you read these Scriptures, please be encouraged to “linger” in various places in the Gospel and “listen” to what the Scripture is teaching. Combine these peaceful moments with meditation and prayer.  

ADMINISTRATION & OTHER MINISTRY   OFFICE HOURS – The church office hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. We are delighted to serve you!  RENOVATIONS/UPGRADES/NEW CHAIRS – The electrical work and drywall is completed! The new flooring in the east overflow section is currently being installed…should be completed by Friday, February 12, 2021. Further, new storage cabinetry will be installed by the end of this month. The new chairs arrived, and they look great! You may like to “donate” at least one for $100.00. As mentioned before, the cost including shipping is $80.00 and the extra $20.00 will go towards other building projects, i.e., electrical, drywall, painting, etc. A special thank you to all who generously gave to this already…over $2,000.00 have been received. Don’t forget to identify this on your envelope – Chairs/Building.

2020 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, 2021 BUDGET & ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – The 2020 financial review engagement will be conducted over the next few weeks. This, plus the 2021 budget, will be presented to you in due time. The Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 28, 2021. Of course, this is tentative since we do not know definitively if the present lockdown will continue. – we’ll keep you posted, though.

NOMINATIONS FOR CHURCH BOARD – In consideration of the AGM, please note that only one position for the Church Board is necessary this year. Carol Roberts is concluding her 1st 3-year term and IS eligible to serve another term if nominated/elected. Of course, you may nominate any member of Evangel as your choice – remember to nominate only 1 person since there is only 1 position that will be vacant. Here is how you can do this in consideration of the present restrictions: (1)    Come by the church and fill out a nomination form that will be available for your convenience. You may place your nomination form in the box provided. OR… (2)    Send me an email with your nomination and a form will be completed for you – only do this if you are comfortable doing so since all nominations are confidential. §  Please do NOT nominate the following since they are still serving: Joanne Russell, Stephen Shepherd, Scott Carpenter and Larry Wilson. §  The final day to submit your nomination is Sunday, February 21, 2021.  Thank you for giving your valued attention to this item of business.  

YOUR FAITHFUL GIVING (1)    Your faithfulness is so very deeply appreciated in consistent giving. You may come by the church and use the offering boxes or debit machine. They are accessible during the time frames noted above. (2)    Online giving is very convenient, and we encourage you to consider this option should you have the electronic capability.

EVANGEL TEMPLE CHURCH FAMILY – I have been in touch with a few people this week…had opportunity for a “phone visit”. Some are ill and others are going through personal challenges. May I encourage you to be sensitive to the Lord’s leading in reaching out to others in our church family and beyond? Perhaps you can call a person or two and share some words of encouragement with a prayer. Just a simple phone conversation/visit will go a long way in making someone’s day incredibly special! The Scriptures admonish us to do that. If you can’t reach the person, leave a message, or write a card and put it in the mail. This will mean a great deal to any individual or family! If you are already doing this, thank you so much! If not, now would be a good time to start! Despite the crisis we are experiencing, it is good to “hang together” as a congregation plus including who may be sick, lonely, discouraged and pray with them for healing, comfort, and encouragement. 

PARSONAGE – A few days ago you received an information letter regarding the possible sale of the parsonage. This continues to be an on-going process and we have lots to do considering next steps. Your Church Board will continue discussions and certainly keep you posted. Thank you for praying with us. We continue to work in conjunction with the Eastern Ontario & Nunavut District, PAOC regarding this significant possibility.  

EVANGEL’S MISSIONARIES/GLOBAL WORKERS GWs   Your prayers for our GWs are critical. Thank you for taking the time to include them in your daily prayer times and for your faithful giving. Evangel has not had to cut back on financial support of our Missionaries, and for that, we are profoundly grateful to the Lord and to you! This is faithfulness in action! Please continue to remember Travis & Jesse (RAN), Dan & Belinda Collado (ABA, Canada), Ejay Tupe, Jarren & Cindie Hildebrandt (Thailand), Kingston Pregnancy Care Centre (Elizabeth Sacrey), Julia Mills, Scott & Melissa Williams (Spain), Janette Tirado (Peru), Laura Benson (Uganda), Cal & June Anthony (Eurasia), Raul & Lily Carrasco (Spain) and Morning Star Mission. Everyone needs prayer and everyone deeply appreciates it!   Please pray for Peter Rattay and his family (our Friends in Czech Republic). Both his Mother and Father are recovering from COVID- 19. His Dad, as far as I know is still in hospital. Thank you for praying.   During 2021 let us continue to be sensitive to the many needs locally, nationally and globally. Perhaps all of us can increase our financial giving to Missions and outreach in the days ahead!   We continue to pray the same prayers for you this week as described above and in these Scriptures: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7) and “The God of peace be with you all.” (Romans 15:33).  

Stay close to God and keep the faith!  

Cal & June

Interim Pastors