Update
October 4, 2020
Hello Dear Friends,
Warmest Christian greetings!
This week the prayer is an encouragement to pray: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests, with this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18). Our prayer for you is that you will, indeed, “…pray in the Spirit…” Some of the dates in this letter are redundant by the time you get this letter via postal service. However, this keeps you posted as to the ministry activities as we journey through these interesting times.
SUNDAY SERVICE @ 10:00 A.M.– We always look forward to celebrating Communion together. At least once per month it is amazing as we share together “around the Lord’s table.” Let’s approach this special time with thankfulness to the Lord for this great salvation. We are praying that those who are experiencing health challenges will be conscious of the healing touch of Jesus. We are a blessed people, aren’t we?
ONLINE CHURCH –It is good that many can tune in to online church. We are delighted that an opportunity is given for those who cannot physically attend church to join in celebrating Communion. We pray that this will be a great time of worship and encouragement. Please check our website for the link: www.evangelnapanee.com and also share it with friends who may be encouraged by it.
KIDS’ MINISTRY – We are excited that Kids’ Ministry continues at Evangel. Tanya and her team doing a fabulous job. Play Group will be on-going throughout the fall season and the dates will be posted plenty of time ahead. It seems the Lord is giving Tanya and her team great creativity. We hope Sunday School will start again soon. Please pray with us as various ministries start up again in due time.
YOUTH – 180ᴼ Youth met together this past Thursday – the first time since last March! Please pray for them especially as they continue adjusting to the many changes/challenges these days. Continue to visit our website for updated information. Thank you for your prayers for the leadership and our amazing young men and women.
PRAYER NEEDS – There are many needs for which to pray: Rose-Marie (had surgery on Thursday, October 1), Tim, Laura, Olivia, our youth and leaders, our seniors who are shut-in, Pat, Bonnie (awaiting admission to a care home), Angela, Shawn (seeking employment), Ken’s niece, Robbie (taking treatments), Andrea, unspoken need(s), Allan, Elizabeth, Linda (a good testimony of the Lord’s touch on her life), Bill, Matthew, David, Rebecca, a husband needing the Lord and a physical healing, Paige (15 years of age), Marg, Sharon, Stewart’s granddaughter, businesses and business people, new pastor, unspoken needs, live-streamed church service, Kids’ Sunday School/Ministry, 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 – A Pastoral Search Committee meeting was held on Monday, October 5 @ 6:30 p.m. Rev. Jason Luscombe for our district office was with us for this meeting. We have worked closely with the Eastern Ontario and Nunavut District and we are very appreciative of their support. Thank you for your continued prayers as we carefully, prayerfully and objectively move along in our journey. It is expected that interviews will be conducted very soon. Your partnership in prayer is essential and deeply appreciated. We are certainly depending on the Lord for His direction at this critical time.
PRAYER MEETING – A slight change this week!! You are invited to join us at the church on Tuesday, October 6 @ 6:30 p.m. for our next prayer meeting! It is good to meet at the church and pray together. There are so many needs and our world is in such turmoil! Times of prayer bring such a sense of the Lord’s presence and encouragement. We sure hope you can join us for an hour or so.
BIBLE READING – Hopefully, you are engaged in reading the Bible these days. For the month of October the suggested daily Bible reading is the book of Isaiah. This is a good challenge for us to read all 66 chapters. Pace yourself accordingly and take the time daily to spend in God’s word. It will strengthen you immensely and bring much comfort as you take time to meditate on the Scriptures. 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 – Keeping up with administrative items is a very necessary part of church life. Lots of details needing attention! It is expected that the new shed will arrive on site later this month. Thank you for your special donations towards this much-needed storage space, especially since the 2 overflow sections are essential for seating these days. The Local Church Constitution is now in draft form and expected to be ready for congregational approval very shortly. We continue to monitor on-going COVID- 19 protocols plus various building and equipment needs. Again, many thanks for your prayers and your faithfulness in tithes and offerings including your heart for Missions. By the grace of God we are experiencing blessings despite such unprecedented times. In the midst of such darkness we continue to walk in the light as the Scriptures teach!
MISSIONS – We are very thankful for our Missionaries around the world. They continue ministry despite the many challenges of travelling and other necessary adjustments that have to be made in light of the COVID- 19 crisis. We anticipate that next Sunday a National Worker will join us via ZOOM. Peter Rattay will highlight a little of his ministry along with prayer needs from the Czech Republic. For the following Sundays, October 18 and 25, we expect to chat with Raul and Lily, Spain and Jeanette Tirado, Peru. It will be good to get reports about these ministries. Please continue to pray for our Global Workers and national leadership personnel. Thank you! We are so grateful to the Lord for your generosity!! We are very close to $6,000.00 from Evangel with other donations from churches and individuals taking us over the 50% mark! Hopefully, over the next few weeks we will arrive at the goal! We will certainly keep you posted! Raul and Lily are working hard to sow into this ministry project, too. They continue to minster in Carballo, Spain in the province of A Coruña. As mentioned so many times before, this ministry 9-passenger van will be a HUGE blessing to them as they reach out to such an extensive and populated region in Galicia. It is anticipated that Raul and Lily can join us via ZOOM on Sunday, October 18. 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. 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.
PRAYER FOR OUR NATION AND WORLDWIDE: QUEBEC & ONTARIO In Quebec, Montreal and Quebec City are under the highest COVID-19 alert level, bringing new restrictions that begin on Thursday (October 1), aimed at curbing the spread of the virus. Meanwhile, on September 27, Ontario hit a record high number of new confirmed cases. Pray that hospitalizations in these areas will not exceed capacity with the second wave, and for God to intervene so that new cases are severely limited. Continue to pray for healing for those who have been diagnosed with the virus, and comfort for those whose loved ones have passed away. Pray also for peace for all of those impacted and for those concerned about becoming infected. 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!
Cal & June
Interim Pastors