March 22, 2021

Hello Dear Friends,

Warmest Christian greetings!

PRAYERS FOR YOU – Here is a quote from C.S. Lewis: “I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God. It changes me.” There are many descriptors of prayer but probably none of them ever capture the unfathomable power and effectiveness of calling upon the Lord. I Chronicles opens with an in-depth genealogy from Adam through to the 12 tribes of Israel. Some of God’s people in chapter 5 were in a fierce battle. The account records that “…God delivered (all their enemies) into their hands because they cried out to Him during the battle. He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him.” And, then in 5:22 it says: “…the battle was God’s.” There are powerful truths in this story that we can apply to our lives: God’s deliverance, answer to prayer, trusting God, and the recognition that the battle is the Lord’s!!! How wonderful is this! So…our prayer for you this week is: (1) your prayer life will grow stronger, (2) your trust in Him will deepen, (3) you will rest and have peace, knowing that the Lord is in control.
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 @ 10:00 a.m. we will come together for worship and praise – what a significant time this is! 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.

ENTERING THE CHUCH BUILDING FOR SUNDAY SERVICES – You may use either the main entrance (west) or the back (east) entrance to enter the building. This will allow the distancing factor to be observed and, hopefully, keep everyone “out of the weather.” Remember, though, you will still need to register before you enter the sanctuary for the service. Sometimes there is a bit of a backlog since many of the congregation arrive at the same time. Thank you for your patience and cooperation. Even though June and I are not at the door when you leave, we certainly pray that your week will be a good one.

BABY DEDICATION – What an exciting day Sunday, March 21, was! We rejoiced with Nathan and Amanda on the dedication of their amazing new son, Emerson Nathan Mutch!!! What a wonderful blessing this is to the parents, grandparents, and great grandparents! Thank you for your prayers for Emerson, his Mom and Dad, and extended family as they serve the Lord together!

THANK YOU – Laura and Justin Fox are very grateful for the lovely gifts you provided for their little son, Cameron. They are very thankful for your generosity and kindness. The gifts were delivered on Friday.


UPDATE RE CHURCH MINISTRIES:

KIDS’ MINISTRY & PLAYGROUP – PlayGroup is back! Ministry with our children continues. Each week there is a good number of children, along with their parents/guardians, who attend. The dates are alternate so please take careful note: Friday, March 26; Tuesday, March 30; Friday, April 9; Tuesday, April 13 @ 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 – The next Youth gathering is scheduled for Thursday, April 8, 2021 @ 6:00 p.m. Hope all the youth can be there! For now, every 3rd Thursday will be the evening and the location is at Evangel.
MONDAY NIGHT PRAYER MEETING AND MORE!!!! – Each Monday @ 6:30 p.m. Rev. Steve Hertzog, Regional Director for Eurasia, was with us on the 22nd. It was a special meeting, listening to exciting Missions reports. PLEASE NOTE AS WELL – On WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021 @ 6:30 p.m. we will meet for a concert of prayer. Plan to join us for this “prayer walk” in the church sanctuary. We will specifically focus on the upcoming weekend when Evangel will get to meet our Pastoral Candidate and his family. Please see info below about this significant time together.
SMALL GROUPS – It has been a struggle to get to get our Small Groups together again. This is understandable in light of the “navigation” necessary in dealing with various restrictions, changes, etc. Right now, it looks like Small Groups will wait until the Fall season before starting up again. This is quite understandable and the decision to meet is left with each individual leader.

PRAYER NEEDS – Do you have a personal prayer need today? Please be assured that we are praying that the need(s) in your life will be met by the supernatural power of God. It is so encouraging when we hear good news of answered prayer! Here are prayer needs for this week: Agnes, Lorraine, Linda, Betty, Judy, David, Christine, Gail, Lily, Valetta, Rose, Susan, Carl, Ken L., Gary A., Tim, Laura, Olivia, our Youth and leaders, our seniors who are shut-in, Pat, Bonnie, John, Robbie (taking treatments), Andrea, unspoken needs, Allan, Elizabeth, Paige, businesses and business people, 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.

PRAISE REPORTS – Recently we have heard from Bill, Angela, Leo’s family, Paige, and some others who are feeling so much better and giving glory to the Lord for His healing touch on their lives.

If you have any prayer needs, or a praise report, 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…and to rejoice with you as the Lord ministers His healing touch on your life!


PASTORAL SEARCH – We are happy to inform you that the Pastoral Search Committee and the Church Board have invited a pastor to be with us on Sunday, March 28, 2021 to “preach the call.” There will be a “Meet-‘N’-Greet” evening on Saturday, March 27, 2021 @ 6:00. This will be an opportunity for you to get to know the Pastor and his family a little more. Pastor Jason Luscombe from Eastern Ontario & Nunavut District, PAOC and I will facilitate the evening. We will have an enjoyable time together in a relaxed atmosphere.

Your Church Board extends an invitation to all who call Evangel their church home, including all voting members and non-voting members (adherents). Please note that a prepared ballot will be made available to the voting-membership and a colour-coded ballot will be made available to adherents. The ballots will be tabulated separately and only the ones cast by the voting membership will count for the final tally (Constitutional requirements). Arranging this will give Evangel’s entire congregation the opportunity to express their preference. This will be explained again publicly in the meeting itself. Please continue to fervently pray as we approach this exciting day.

We aim for maximum inclusion and, at the same time, work within the parameters of Evangel’s Constitution plus COVID- 19 considerations. With that in mind, it is anticipated that both the Saturday evening and the Sunday morning service will be broadcast on an FM radio transmitter. This, of course, will be short range and reach only to Evangel’s parking lot. This will be convenient for those who are not able to attend the church service in the building but can listen in their vehicle. The Sunday morning service will be live-streamed. Besides those attending the service in the building, those who listen in their vehicle will be given opportunity to cast their ballot as well. Our excellent hosts will care for that in an efficient manner. Other direction(s) that may be necessary will be explained.

BIBLE READING – Did you get something specific out of reading Proverbs this week? Feel free to share it with a family member or friend. This makes for great conversation and is so encouraging to others. The reading for March 20th is chapter 20 (obviously!!!)…here is a great word in verse 7 – “The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.” Be comforted and encouraged by the word of God. Proverbs is a wonderful collection of Scriptures that contain amazing advice and application for daily living. I am sure you are discovering some good “nuggets” of truth throughout the book. Next week there will be another suggested assignment for the month of April. 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 Proverbs and “listen” to what the Scripture is teaching. Combine these peaceful moments with meditation and prayer.

UP COMING SPECIAL DAYS – Good Friday and Easter Sunday are just around the corner. This is such a marvelous time of celebration. Please note that our Good Friday communion service will be @ 10:00 a.m. on April 2, 2021. We are anticipating these significant gatherings, giving praise to the Lord for His unspeakable gift – Jesus Christ!


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/THANK YOU! – Thank you, Desmond French, for a job well done! Looks great! There will now be lots of good storage space to use for on-going ministry! We are grateful to receive extra donations as we keep up on general maintenance/repairs as well as new equipment and furniture. So far $4,000.00 have been received!! This is great! You can still ”donate” a chair for $100.00. Thank you so much for considering!

ALL MINISTRY LEADERS – Please take note that all church ministries now have access to storage space…lots of it !!! The east wall storage cabinets in the east overflow are designated for Kids’ Ministry and the larger storage space on the west side of the foyer is designated for toys, etc., specifically for PlayGroup. The remaining cabinetry may be used for Missions, BLOOM, 50+ Ministry, 180º YOUTH, Women’s Ministry, quilting & knitting, and/or other ministry items. Your storage space can be identified on the inside of the cabinet doors so others will know to which ministry the inventory belongs. Also, please check with Chelsea so she can give you direction if needed.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) – Thank you for your participation in the AGM on Sunday, March 14, 2021. It was certainly good to reflect on the goodness of the Lord as 2020 was reviewed. God’s faithfulness is phenomenal! Congratulations to Carol Roberts on her re-election to the Church Board for a 3-year term.

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.
The debit machine is available during office hours, too. Reminder: If you use this, please ensure that you place a copy of the transaction in an envelope with the pertinent information added.
Online giving is very convenient, and we encourage you to consider this option should you have the electronic capability.

EVANGEL TEMPLE CHURCH FAMILY

Did you opportunity to chat with someone last week? It is good to reach out to others and such contacts are always meaningful. It does take a little work to reach out but the satisfaction of doing so far outweighs any effort plus it shows genuine care for those in our world. This is so encouraging and is really a demonstration of God’s love. Hopefully, you can take a little time to pray with them for healing, comfort, encouragement, or some other special need. Thank you for being sensitive to others!

 

EVANGEL’S MISSIONARIES/GLOBAL WORKERS GWs

The first Sunday of each month is a good time to earmark a special offering for Missions. Many of you already do something special each month for Missions but, I think, deliberately choosing a specific Sunday will enhance and encourage our giving to promote the Kingdom of God locally and globally. Our annual goal for 2021 is $41,000 – let’s exceed that BIG TIME!!!

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!

Lily Carrasco had surgery on her knee last week and is now recuperating. She anticipates getting out of the hospital sometime this week. Lily is experiencing considerable pain but, nevertheless, is doing well.

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