March 1, 2021
March 1, 2021
Hello Dear Friends,
Warmest Christian greetings! How was your week? A good one, I hope! You are being prayed for!
PRAYERS FOR YOU – What an amazing capacity God has given us whereby we can communicate with Him through the avenue of prayer! We continue to pray for one another! When you hear the words that someone has prayed for you, it brings such encouragement. A few days ago, a friend and I visited a man who gave his life to Jesus just last year. He told us that when that when he committed his life to Christ, he felt a heavy load removed from his life…he said, it was just like something left him and he felt so light. “Never experienced anything like that in my life” he said.” Who can fathom the power of God and the impact of prayer? As we pray for each other, it makes an indescribable difference! Our prayer for you this week is found in Psalm 86…listen to verse 6 “Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call on you, because you answer me.” And then in verse 11: “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Verse 17 says “Give me a sign of your goodness…for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.” The prayer is for deliverance, an undivided heart and faith to believe for the Lord’s goodness.Be encouraged to pray “The Lord’s Prayer” several time a day and “…pray with the Spirit…” (I Corinthians 14:15). Oh, the power of prayer! It takes us to a level in the supernatural realm that is beyond the here and now. Praying fervently is effective!
SUNDAY SERVICE/ONLINE CHURCH – Each Sunday we gather again. If you are comfortable coming along to worship with us, please plan to be there. Just a reminder…we work hard to ensure that proper hygienic protocols are observed, and the hosts will take real good care of you! There is plenty of room and we can accommodate up to 180+ even with the distancing factor. Don’t forget that, in addition to our in-person services, each Sunday @ 10:00 a.m. is the day and the hour when online church begins on YouTube. If you cannot join us in person, please plan to tune in 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.We want to ensure that each of you move efficiently as you enter and exit the building. Those who are checking you in or assisting as you leave will see that the lines are moving and not backlogged. Thank you, everyone, for your observance, patience, and practical engagement! It was so good to welcome new people last week…so very happy they joined us for worship together! We pray that the Lord will abundantly and richly bless them!
UPDATE RE CHURCH MINISTRIES:KIDS’ MINISTRY & PLAYGROUP – PlayGroup is back! Ministry with our children continues. The dates are alternate so please take careful note: Tuesday, March 2; Friday, March 12; Friday, March 26; Tuesday, March 30; Friday, April 9; Tuesday, April 13. The time for PlayGroup is 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 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 – Please join us each Monday@ 6:30 p.m. We certainly look forward to seeing you!SMALL GROUPS – It is anticipated that Small Group ministry will begin very soon. We expected to have a firm date before now but, at the moment, there is nothing concrete. When the groups do start, they 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.
PRAYER NEEDS – Prayer Needs: Harry, The Young family (bereavement), Ken L., 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, Pat, Bonnie, Angela, John, Robbie (taking treatments), Andrea, unspoken needs, Allan, Elizabeth, Paige, businesses and businesspeople, new Lead Pastor, 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 needs and they include both the spiritual and physical! Remember, June and I continue to pray for this wonderful church family.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!
PASTORAL SEARCH – It is anticipated that next Sunday, March 7, 2021 we will have more specific details as it relates to our pastoral search. Your prayers, along with those of the Committee, are critical as we seek the will of God for the days ahead. We have experienced the direction of the Lord and we fully expect Him to continue guiding us. It remains reasonable to expect that the new Lead Pastor should be in place by the end of March 2021. We are grateful to the Eastern Ontario & Nunavut District, PAOC for journeying with us throughout this whole process.
BIBLE READING – A new month is starting and with that is a new assignment suggestion for March. The challenge for the month is the Book of Proverbs. This is a wonderful collection of Scriptures that contain amazing advice and application for daily living. I am sure you will discover some good “nuggets” of truth throughout the book. 31 days in March and 31 chapters in Proverbs! You have noticed that Proverbs don’t record history or read like a narrative but, rather, are “sayings”. They are based on the “fear of the Lord” and offer advice on every imaginable area of life. The style of wise living described here leads to fulfillment and contentment. Enjoy the word of God! 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.
COMMUNION – Next Sunday, March 7, 2021 is a special day – communion! Please plan to join us. This will be our first time having communion in person at the church since December 6, 2019. This is always so incredibly significant, and we are happy that you can be part of this wonderful celebration – even from your home setting!
KINGSTON PREGNANCY AND CARE CENTRE – Thank you for your support of FEB FEST 2021. All you do is deeply appreciated. Please continue to pray for Liz and her team.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Congratulations are going out on 2 fronts this week and how exciting it is!! Last Sunday, February 21, 2021 Emily and Marcus were engaged to be married!!! WOW!! We wish them the absolute best as they travel the blissful road of romance and soon, wedded bliss!
The 2nd piece of amazing news is congratulations to Justin and Laura Fox on the birth of an amazing baby boy!!! Cameron William Fox was born on Monday, February 22, 2021 and weighing 6 lbs. and 11 oz. Some friends are hosting a baby shower for Laura and Justin. Following is the information and we invite you to participate in blessing this wonderful family.
"Congratulations to Laura and Justin Fox on the birth of their first baby, a boy, Cameron William Fox born on Monday, February 22nd weighing 6 lbs 11 oz. Since we cannot have a baby shower during COVID- 19, a group of ladies want to bless this young family. You can drop a gift off to the church until Wednesday, March 17th. The ladies will then collect the gifts and deliver them to their house along with all our love and best wishes. They are registered online as well at www.myregistry.com Just type in Laura and Justin Fox if you would like to purchase an item on their registry. Thank you for your generosity!"
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 & THANK YOU! – The renovations and upgrades are pretty well done! One more big item re the installation of the cabinetry. This is expected to be done very soon – lots of good storage will be available for on-going ministry!
UPCOMING BUSINESS MEETINGS – Please take note that the following duly called business meetings are scheduled to be held after the Sunday morning services:A special membership meeting was held February 28, 2021. There were 2 items of business presented : (1) A resolution to update Evangel’s Church Constitution; this motion passed with a 98% majority; (2) A resolution to authorize sale of the parsonage; this motion passed with an 80% majority.
March 14, 2021 – The ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) – Financial statements, the 2021 budget, election of officers and ministry reports will be presented and received. It is anticipated that this material will be available to you before the scheduled AGM. As per protocol last year regarding COVID- 19 concerns, it is prudent again this year to not have public discussion as the distancing factor, etc. is considered. Should you have any questions, though, please feel free to contact me directly before any of the meetings and I will do my best to answer.
YOUR FAITHFUL GIVING Your faithfulness is so very deeply appreciated in consistent giving. If you attend church on Sundays, you may use the offering boxes at both entrances to the sanctuary. Also, you may come by the church during office hours if that is more convenient.Online giving is very convenient, and we encourage you to consider this option should you have the electronic capability.
EVANGEL TEMPLE CHURCH FAMILY – June and I continue to be in touch with a few people again this week…had opportunity for “phone visits”. 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 those who may be sick, lonely, or discouraged. Hopefully, you can take a little time to pray with them for healing, comfort, and encouragement.
EVANGEL’S MISSIONARIES/GLOBAL WORKERS GWs Next week (March 7, 2021) we anticipate having Peter (Petr) Rattay joining us via ZOOM. He continues the arduous task of attending the numerous details of relocating his family and planting the church in Prague, CZ. Other couples (families) are joining him, and they have a definite plan and strategy in place. You will be excited to hear about their vision and outreach plans. In the meantime, would you add them to your prayer list? Thank you so much for doing that!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 truly 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!
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! Thank you for doing your best!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