Update
July 18, 2020
Dear Good Friends,
" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' " (Jeremiah 29:11)
Summer is moving along very quickly and here we are beyond the middle of July. No doubt, some of your summer plans have had to be altered but we all adapt as necessary and enjoy our family and friends. This will be our 3rd Sunday together since our re-launch and it is so good to gather and corporately worship the Lord. We miss those who are not attending yet but we know they will join us when they are comfortable doing so. In the meantime, we pray you will be constantly conscious of God's peace and presence.
The protocols continue to change as we enter Stage 3 of opening. Masks at indoor gatherings are still in effect unless an individual indicates that he/she has a medical reason to not wear one. One of our worship teams will lead us in worship tomorrow and will do so while wearing a mask!!! Thank you for such commitment. In places of worship the health unit has approved that the person leading the service may be exempt from wearing a mask. That is very helpful. Hopefully, we will see even more easing of restrictions very soon.
Our volunteer staff continue to serve us well and they will be in place again tomorrow, July 19. They will check your attendance, guide you to the sanitizing station and see that you are comfortably seated.
ONLINE CHURCH - We expect that live-streaming our Sunday services will begin on Sunday, August 2, 2020. We hope to confirm this date in a few days. The necessary equipment has arrived but we still need cable installed to accommodate the bandwidth for broadcasting. This Sunday, July 19 the service will be recorded and available on YouTube sometime in the afternoon. Please check our website for the link: www.evangelnapanee.com<http://
KIDS' SUNDAY SCHOOL - Please note that Kids' Sunday School continues to be recorded and aired on YouTube. Encourage the children in your families to tune in! Again, the link may be found on our website.
PRAYER NEEDS - There are many needs for which to pray: Rose-Marie (surgery soon), Tim, Lori , Laura, Olivia, our youth, our seniors who are shut-in, Hailey (3-year old re heart surgery), Pat, Bonnie (awaiting admission to a care home), Angela, Shawn (seeking employment), Ken's niece, Robbie (taking treatments), Allan (taking treatments), Elizabeth, Linda (physical and spiritual needs), Matthew, David, Rebecca, a husband needing the Lord and a physical healing, Paige (15 years of age), the French family (bereavement), businesses and business people, new pastor, unspoken needs, online church, Kids Sunday School. There may be others that we should add to this list. Please let us know if that is the case and we will gladly include them. Be sure to send an email or telephone us should you have a need. You may reach us at office@evangelnapanee.com<mail
PASTORAL SEARCH - A CHAT Retreat was held on Friday and Saturday, July 17 - 18. Rev. Frank Patrick facilitated this time together and will speak for us tomorrow. The Pulpit Search Committee will be meeting in the near future. We really do appreciate your prayers as the journey moves forward.
CONDOLENCES - We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Linda and Desmond French on the passing of Linda's Mother, Helen O'Neil. She went to be with the Lord last week and the funeral service was held on Friday, July 17. Also, deep sympathy is extended to Aileen and Robert French on the passing of Aileen's Mother, Mary-Anne Green. Aileen, Robert and their family travelled from Fort Francis and are experiencing deep grief for these 2 beloved family members. Please keep them in your prayers as they journey through this very difficult time.
ZOOM PRAYER MEETING - Please note that our ZOOM prayer meetings on Monday evening are "paused" for the next few weeks. Quite a number of our congregation are travelling or, at least out of town, and are not available. We look forward to starting again at a later date.
BIBLE READING - The Scriptures we are reading these days are found in the Minor Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah and Micah. Hopefully you are reading at least 1 chapter per day. I encourage you to linger on various portions of Scripture that seems to speak to you. Consider how it may apply to your personal life. This spiritual discipline of daily Bible reading will certainly strengthen you in your walk with God.
SUMMER MUSIC - Deseronto Pentecostal Church (Pastor Dan Rooney) will be hosting summer gospel singing concerts in our parking lot. On Sunday, July 19, 2020 @ 6:30 p.m. the third concert will be held.
ADMINISTRATION - The AGM was held last Sunday and we are thankful that the reports and financial statements, etc. for the year 2019 were received. At the end of the meeting a 3rd election ballot was cast for the second board member position. There were a total number of 81 votes and we are pleased to announce that Larry Wilson was elected with a 60.49 majority. Congratulations Larry. We are so grateful to Brian and Harold for their willingness to serve - God bless you for that! Just a reminder of who now comprises the Church Board: Joanne Russell, Carol Roberts, Stephen Shepherd, Scott Carpenter (Jr.) and Larry Wilson. Please pray for them as they continue to advise and assist in the administration of our assembly.
We are very grateful to Rick for his many years of service. Thank you, Rick, for your great commitment!
PRAYER FOR OUR NATION AND BEYOND - All of us agree that our country needs God! This is an opportune time for us to continue sharing the love of Jesus with a lost and broken world. Let's speak words of life and hope to those in our sphere of influence. Let's pray fervently and make a difference in our world. "God keep our land..."
Be blessed good Friends! We look forward to seeing some of you tomorrow and others as time goes by. Continue to pray and stay close to God in these trying times - very trying times, aren't they! We are praying for you!
Cal Anthony (Rev.)