Update
October 14, 2020
Dear Friends,
Warmest Christian greetings and Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone! This is our prayer for you this week – a prayer of encouragement, invitation and attitude: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6) The encouragement – “do not be anxious…”; the invitation – “…present your requests…”; the attitude – “…with thanksgiving…”.
SUNDAY SERVICE @ 10:00 A.M.– We look forward to celebrating worship times together. It is good to attend church and offer praise to God as a body of believers! Thank the Lord for such opportunities! We are a blessed people, aren’t we? We have lots of space for seating. Actually, we can configure the seating pattern to accommodate 175+. Hopefully we will see you soon. If you have been somewhat hesitant about attending public meetings please do not feel pressure to come before you are comfortable in doing so. We miss you and will certainly pray that you will be conscious of the Lord’s presence.
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 us each week. 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. It would be great if we could begin Sunday School at the church again but, for now at least, it is difficult to do so with all of the restricting protocols that are necessary. We pray that the various ministries will start up again in due time.
YOUTH – 180ᴼ Youth 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 (recovering from surgery), Ryan (recovering from surgery), Tim, Laura, Olivia, our youth and leaders, our seniors who are shut-in, Pat, Bonnie (awaiting admission to a care home), Angela, John, 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 & CHURCH BOARD MEETING – There was a brief Pastoral Search Committee meeting on Tuesday, October 13. We are moving along and will be entering the interview phase of our journey very soon. Thank you so much for your continued prayers. This meeting was followed by a Board meeting as administration continues! 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 – These are very encouraging meetings as we gather at the church to 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.
ALL WORSHIP TEAMS – On Thursday, October 15 @ 6:00 p.m. all worship teams met for a brief meeting. Worship is such an integral part of our corporate time together. Thank you for your availability – your commitment is deeply appreciated.
DRIVE-BY WEDDING SHOWER – A drive-by wedding shower for Stephen and Ashley (Cowan) Wilson is planned for Saturday, October 24, 2020 @ 2:00 p.m. Please come by the church parking lot and wish God’s blessings to this lovely couple as they begin their lives together! Please note that gift registry is at the following places: Bed, Bath and Beyond and Hudson Bay. Gift cards can be from Walmart and Canadian Tire or you may simply decide to give them a monetary gift. Whatever you do is deeply appreciated!
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 – It is good to hear from some of our Missionaries from different parts of the world. Included in our ZOOM guests are the following: a National Worker from Czech Republic, Peter Rattay, Raul and Lily, Spain and Janette Tirado, Peru. It’s great to hear reports about these ministries. Please continue to pray for our Global Workers and national leadership personnel. Thank you! It is still not too late to partner for the bike-a-thon re 9-passenger vehicle for Spain. We are so grateful to the Lord for your generosity expressed to Raul and Lily Carrasco and June & me. The work in Carballo, Spain in the province of A Coruña continues and this vehicle 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. You may donate by simply placing an offering at the church and clearly marking it as “Missions: Bike-A-Thon.” 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.
CHRISTMAS SHOE BOXES – Thank you for participating in the “Christmas Shoe Box” ministry again this year. Boxes are still available. Please get one today or, if you have already done so, you may drop them back at the church.
PRAYER FOR OUR NATION AND WORLDWIDE: MISSION CANADA Please pray for the more than 50 Mission Canada Workers and projects. This includes various vital ministries as it relates to 5 missional priorities: (1) Aboriginal (2) Francophone Canada (3) Urban Ministry (4) Next Generation and (5) Campus Ministry. ERDO Pray for the effectiveness of all of ERDO’s CCP programs and the almost 8,300 children who are benefitting from education, improved nutrition and spiritual nourishment. Pray that they will know they are loved and cared for, especially during this time of COVID-19. Pray also that more people would step forward to accept opportunities for sponsorship of the children and families on the waiting list.
EVANGEL’S MISSIONARIES/GLOBAL WORKERS GWs) Your prayers for our GWs is critical. Thank you for taking the time to include them in your daily prayer times. We remember Travis & Jesse (RAN), Dan & Belinda Collado (ABA, Canada), Jarren & Cindie Hildebrandt (Thailand), Kingston Pregnancy Care Centre (Elizabeth Sacrey), Scott & Melissa Williams (Spain), Janette Tirado (Peru), Laura Benson (Uganda), Deborah Sirjoosingh (Kenya), Cal & June Anthony (Eurasia) and Raul & Lily Carrasco (Spain). Everyone needs prayer and everyone deeply appreciates it! 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