Dear Friends,

The time is moving quickly and here we are with the month of May upon us! In the midst of our current reality the Lord is with us 24/7! Thank God for His presence! Psalm 46 is a wonderful Scripture to read and absorb. It is encouraging, strengthening and brings an amazing sense of peace. The first verse is one to commit to memory if you haven't already - "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear..." We pray these words will bring you much comfort.

ONLINE CHURCH - This week is our 7th production for YouTube. We are grateful to the Lord for this platform to stay in touch with the congregation and many more beyond ourselves. Please tune in each Sunday by visiting our website at www.evangelnapanee.com . From there you will be able to view the service. You may have already noticed that all of the productions are available just in case you missed any previous ones. Online church from Evangel is available at least by 9:00 a.m. each Sunday. We will celebrate communion this Sunday, May 3. This is a wonderful opportunity to share such a meaningful time with your family. Would you please pray that these online services will have impact, especially on those who may not know Christ as their Saviour?

KIDS' MINISTRY - Tanya and her team continues to work very hard to produce Kids' Sunday School. Encourage your kids to tune in each week. This, too, is available on Evangel's website.

ZOOM PRAYER MEETINGS - ZOOM prayer meetings are now being held each week. You are encouraged to join us online. The next one is scheduled for Monday, May 4, 2020 @ 6:30 p.m. We would be delighted for you to participate. This is also a good opportunity to converse with others for a short time. We will send you the link in a couple of days so you can easily be part of the meeting.

PRAYER NEEDS - Please email us or call the church and share your prayer needs with us. Since our office hours are reduced during this time, leave a message and we will certainly include these prayer requests. Some have come our way recently and we will pray for each one: Angela, Shawn, Lori, Laura, Bonnie, the many experiencing economic challenges because of unemployment, the many family members in Nova Scotia who are grieving because of the recent tragedy there, the province of Alberta especially hit hard because of the challenges re oil production/prices. Also let's pray for the many who are sick with the virus.

ADMINISTRATION - Thank you again for your faithfulness in tithes and offerings. To the end of April we are running approximately 8.5% less compared with the weeks before the shut-down. Although this is significant, it is manageable and you are to be commended for your faithfulness and generosity. Just a reminder regarding how you can continue with tithes and offerings - there are 4 options: (1) come by the church on either Tuesdays or Thursdays between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. You may use the drop box in the foyer at the back of the building; (2) the interact machine is available in the front foyer at the same time if that is more convenient for you; (3) online banking can be used through email office@evangelnapanee.com<mailto:office@evangelnapanee.com> and, finally (4) you can use regular postal service. Thank you for all you do!

The items following were shared in the last note we sent to you. They are included here again as a reminder...

OTHERS - Many of you are taking time to contact the folk who are connected to Evangel - perhaps a phone call, email or text. Others are visiting "at a distance" just to bring a bright spot to someone's day and encourage them. Still others lend a helping hand in delivering meals, picking up groceries or running a much needed errand. Thank you for showing such TLC! Let's continue to pray for one another.

Just a reminder once again...HELP NEEDED: As the lockdown continues there are various needs that crop up. The local Social Services agency has reached out to Morning Star Mission seeking assistance in meeting needs. This is specifically due to some seniors and others who need grocery delivery or other necessary errands. If you can help, please call Kevin Alkenbrack @ 613-305-1314. He and his team are trying their best to provide essential services particularly relative to our present reality. Please note that all hygienic health protocols will be observed.

BIBLE READING - For the month of May let's do our best to read one chapter per day. This month our focus is in the New Testament and here it is: Mark (16 chapters), Hebrews (13 chapters), 2 John (1 chapter) and 3 John (1 chapter). These Scriptures will encourage and strengthen you. The Psalmist (119:11) said: "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

"THE LORD'S PRAYER" - Beside reading the Scriptures I encourage you to pray The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9 - 13) each morning and each evening. It takes 15 - 20 seconds to pray that prayer. In light of COVID- 19 we are asked to spend at least 20 seconds each time we wash our hands! :) Well! How convenient is that! Here's the challenge: beside each morning and evening, let's pray the prayer every time we wash our hands!!! The prayer is not simply a recitation but we own it as we pray it!

June and I pray for you every day. We're praying for your well-being, your family, your business (business people and employees), your personal economics and other needs that the Lord puts on our hearts or we hear from others. Let's all be encouraged. Sometimes that may mean we have to encourage ourselves...King David of Israel did that at a time of distress in his life. In I Samuel 30:6 "And David was greatly distressed...but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God."

Cal/June