Update
September 15, 2020
Hello Dear Friends,
Warmest Christian greetings!
Our prayer for you this week is for the Lord to give you discernment to hear His voice. We may never hear the audible voice of God but there is the definite “voice” of the Lord that communes with our spirit. The “voice” of the Lord speaks peace – not fear, liberty – not bondage, encouragement – not depression, strength – not weakness! Which voice are we hearing these days? Let’s continue to look to Jesus!
SUNDAY SERVICE @ 10:00 A.M.– It is good to be back with you again. We are looking forward to worshipping with you each Sunday. Restrictions have been eased a little and we will enjoy worship teams leading us in the days ahead…albeit, with masks!!! Many thanks to Rev. Dan Collado for sharing the word of God while we were away. Thank you for your attendance and faithful support of Evangel. Our attendance numbers are fairly consistent and others are feeling more comfortable coming out on Sunday mornings.
ONLINE CHURCH –Live-streamed services continue and it is a blessing to those who cannot physically attend church. Please pray for maximum impact in the days ahead. Again, we remind you that the services will be available at any time following the live-stream should you miss the 10:00 a.m. timeslot. Please check our website for the link: www.evangelnapanee.com and also share it with friends who may be encouraged by it.
KIDS’ SUNDAY SCHOOL – Kids’ Ministry continues at Evangel with Tanya and her team doing a fabulous job! Plans are being laid as the fall season approaches. Keep tuned for details as ministry to the children moves forward. We are deeply grateful for talented workers who take such an excellent creative approach to touching these young lives during their spiritually formative years.
PRAYER NEEDS – There are many needs for which to pray: Rose-Marie (surgery in October), Tim, Laura, Olivia, our youth (especially as ministry gets underway for the fall season), our seniors who are shut-in, 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), Marg, Sharon, the Simpson family, Stewart’s granddaughter, MacKenzie, businesses and business people, new pastor, unspoken needs, live-streamed church service, Kids’ Sunday School, Global Workers. 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. 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!
PASTORAL SEARCH – The Pastoral Search Committee will be meeting Wednesday, September 16 @ 6:30 p.m. Thank you for your continued prayers at this critical time. We believe the Lord will give us direction. Your partnership in praying is essential and vital.
ZOOM PRAYER MEETING – It is anticipated that ZOOM prayer meetings will resume next Monday, September 21 @ 6:30 p.m. Hope you can join us for this special time together. A link will be sent in advance for you to be part of the prayer time.
BIBLE READING – For the month of September the suggested daily Bible reading are the books of Joshua and Ruth in the Old Testament and the letters to Philemon and Jude in the New Testament – that’s 30 chapters in all. Be encouraged to read at least 1 chapter per day for the entire month. You will be blessed and strengthened as you read and meditate on the word of God. It is good for us to remember this verse: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…” (Col 3:16)
ADMINISTRATION – Thank you for your faithfulness in tithes and offerings. Your tangible support is deeply appreciated. We are so grateful for your consistency in giving of the resources that God has given you. The present crisis has affected us marginally but we continue to look to God for His provisions. We encourage you to help us with the new shed – material needs are always a part of ministry for any church. Obviously, there is no eternal value in things but on this side of heaven we deal with temporal needs. Simply identify “new shed” on your church giving envelope. In the days ahead we will continue to utilize our overflow sections in the sanctuary. Storage space is essential and the new shed will serve us well. Right now the parsonage garage is being used for storage but with a new pastor coming soon we will need to free up that space. Thank you for your help in all of this.!
MISSIONS – Raul and Lily continue to minster in Carballo, Spain in the province of A Coruña. The call of God upon their lives for this region is very evident. June and I had the privilege of visiting them on 2 separate occasions and see the ministry first hand. They are extremely dedicated to fulfilling God’s call on their lives. Please pray for them, their congregation and the whole area – pray for many to come to know Christ! As you know, our goal is $25,000.00 (CAD) to assist them in providing a 9-passenger van similar to the one on the left. The picture on the right (below) is part of the group at a new church plant in Fisterra, Spain. A vehicle like this is essential to on-going outreach in an area where there are many unreached people in over 700 communities and villages. Your prayers and financial support will make a very significant difference. Just a reminder…there are 2 options to donate and both are tax deductible: (1) Online at https://paoc.org/donate/CalAnthony Be sure to mention “Bike-A-Thon” in the “Donation Instructions” box. This will be processed by the PAOC. (2) Place an offering at Evangel Temple clearly marked “Missions: Bike-A-Thon.” This option will be processed by Evangel. Please note that the bike-a-thon proceeds each year are divided 50/50 between the project and our PAOC expenses. This is a once-a-year “fund-raiser” that keeps June and me on the road! Your participation is deeply appreciated. Thank you so much for your kind consideration and doing your very best! We value your prayers and partnership. Many have already donated to this need and we are deeply grateful for that. We have a ways to go and a report will be forthcoming in a few days. It does take a little while for donations to be processed with the PAOC. Let’s do our best! Your prayers for our Missionaries/Global Workers is deeply appreciated. They are having extra challenges these days as they do their best to serve the people in the countries to where God has called them.
MEMORIAL SERVICE – On Saturday, September 12 there was a memorial service for Marion Close. Marion went to be with the Lord on April 2, 2020. She was a wonderful, godly lady who lived to the ripe age of 96! Please pray for Judy, Barry and the entire family. Thank you!
PRAYER FOR OUR NATION AND WORLDWIDE: BACK TO SCHOOL As children and youth head back to school across Canada, pray for their social, physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual well-being. Pray that everyone will be protected from COVID-19, and that God will ease any anxiety that children, youth, their parents and/or their teachers might be experiencing. For younger children, pray for understanding in regards to the social distancing requirements, and pray for parents and teachers that they would be blessed with extra patience and grace. Pray that God will bless children, youth, parents and teachers with encouragement and peace. Please also remember ERDO’s sponsored children around the world who are also back to school. Pray for children in countries still under strict lockdowns who are working from home or missing large portions of school. For those who typically receive in-school meals and are now at home, pray that God will supply each child’s needs through global workers or other miraculous interventions. Also, may children, youth, parents and teachers across Canada and around the world know and accept Jesus as a real and loving presence in their lives.
SUMMER DAY CAMPS & VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLS Although COVID-19 cancelled overnight camps for the summer, some day camps and vacation Bible schools still took place, whether online or in person. Pray for God’s continued spiritual strength and encouragement for everyone who attended day camps and/or vacation Bible schools across Canada this summer. Pray that the great memories people had will continue to be inspiring and motivating in their everyday lives. Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to give them a renewed vision on how to reach their communities for Christ. Pray that people will speak boldly to their family members and friends about the importance of having a personal relationship with Jesus. Pray that any seeds that were planted in their hearts will find fertile soil, and that their lives and their families’ lives will be impacted for eternity. Pray also that the camps that were not able to operate this summer will be able to endure financially.
Let’s continue to pray for our nation of Canada. Our country needs God! We pray that God will heal our land and our world! May there be unity, love, compassion, respect for one another as all of us journey life together. It will be worth it all when we see Jesus! Our prayer for you continues this week and are described 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!
Cal & June Interim Pastors