Update
PRAYERS FOR YOU – This is the 4th Sunday of Advent. The prayer for you is represented by the lighting of the 4th candle – “PEACE” (It is often called the Angels’ Candle). Here is a prayer that certainly focuses on peace, tranquility, surrender to the Lord and much more – I encourage you to pray this prayer: This Advent, Lord, come to the manger of my heart.Fill me with Your presence from the very start.As I prepare for the holidays and gifts to be given,Remind me of the gift You gave when You sent Your Son from Heaven.The first Christmas gift, it was the greatest gift ever.You came as a baby born in a manger.Wrapped like the gifts I find under my tree,Waiting to be opened, to reveal Your love to me.Restore to me the wonder that came with Jesus' birth,When He left the riches of Heaven and wrapped Himself in rags of earth.Immanuel, God with us, Your presence came that night.And angels announced, "Into your darkness, God brings His Light.""Do not be afraid," they said, to shepherds in the field.Speak to my heart today, Lord, and help me to yield.Make me like those shepherd boys, obedient to Your call.Setting distractions and worries aside, to You I surrender them all.Surround me with Your presence, Lord, I long to hear Your voice.Clear my mind of countless concerns and all the holiday noise.Slow me down this Christmas, let me not be in a rush.In the midst of parties and planning, I want to feel Your hush.This Christmas, Jesus, come to the manger of my heart.Invade my soul like Bethlehem, bringing peace to every part.Dwell within and around me, as I unwrap Your presence each day.Keep me close to You, Lord. It's in Your wonderful Name I pray. ~Renee Swope, “The Manger of My Heart” from Proverbs 31 Ministries
SUNDAY SERVICE & ONLINE CHURCH – Each Sunday @ 10:00 a.m. is the day and the hour when we meet as a congregation…how exciting it is to gather each week for corporate praise, worship and the word of God! It is wonderful that those who cannot physically attend church can join us on YouTube. Here is the link: www.evangelnapanee.com We continue to keep the services to about the 1-hour limit and will do so for the foreseeable future. Let’s pray that the Lord’s presence and blessings will be evident amongst us whether we are physically at church or tuning in at home. We encourage you to join us at the church each Sunday when you feel comfortable doing so. Of course, if at any time you do not feel well, it is wise to stay at home and take good care of yourself. We certainly miss you, though!! This Sunday, December 20 is Christmas Sunday! Let’s enjoy singing the Christmas carols as we meet, especially with Family and Friends! It’s going to be a fabulous day! Our message tomorrow is “Redeeming the Broken” – would you pray with us that the Lord will specifically minister to every person? God knows everyone and His desire is to have personal relationship with all! That is precisely why Jesus came into the world! We continue to work hard to accommodate everyone comfortably. The hostesses/hosts are doing a great job of assisting and it makes for excellent logistics when you enter and exit. Thank you so much for your cooperation – perhaps there are times when you do not get to sit where you normally sit and your patience is so appreciated if that is sometimes the case. We are praying that soon everyone will be attending – of course, that is when you are comfortable doing so. We are blessed with lots of seating space and can easily observe the distancing factor, actually close to 200! Last Sunday the attendance was 119! Excellent!! Our hostesses and hosts are very efficient in caring for everyone and they will certainly ensure that all are safe and comfortable. Of course, we continue to advise folk not to attend if they have “flu-like” symptoms or are not feeling well otherwise.
ENTERING THE CHURCH BUILDING – Last Sunday the registration line, which was moved inside, seemed to work very well. We continue to monitor ways to improve and, if you have any good suggestions, we would love to hear from you.
SECURITY – Please take note that the outside entrance doors will be locked at 10:10 a.m. each Sunday morning. Someone will be monitoring the entrance doors to admit anyone who may be delayed and arriving after that time.
MORNING STAR MISSION – Thank you for your food contributions to Morning Star Mission! So appreciated. Various businesses around town came alongside and it is a delight to join with others as we generously donated food items. The Mission will be extra busy these days before Christmas with deliveries to those who have special needs. May God’s blessing be upon them!
2021 CONTRIBUTION ENVELOPES – They are available in the foyer! Most of you have picked up your envelopes and thank you for doing so. Your name and envelope number is on each individual box. Please get yours either on the way in church or when you are leaving. Hopefully, we can do it quickly since we try hard to avoid a “traffic jam”!!!
KIDS’ MINISTRY – The next Play Group is scheduled for early January 2021. Please visit our website kids@evangelnapanee.com for current information regarding children’s ministries. Many thanks to Tanya and her Team for such a marvelous production last Sunday! Wow! Amazingly put together and presented! All of us were impacted by “The First Christmas.”
YOUTH – Please note that 180º Youth meeting will resume early in the new year. Please be watching for the date and time in a few weeks.
PRAYER MEETING – Monday night prayer meetings will resume early in 2021! Please be watching for the announcement.
SMALL GROUPS – It is anticipated that Small Group ministry will begin in January 2021 – very close now! The idea of meeting in small groups is to encourage home-meetings but, obviously, it is probably not wise to meet in homes these days. So…for those folks/groups who would like to meet, please consider meeting at the church. Space is readily available and it easy to do the necessary distancing. The leaders have contacted me and we anticipate a short meeting with them early in the new year to figure out schedules and logistics. Stay tuned for more later. Please understand that there is absolutely no pressure on anyone to lead a group or to attend if you are not comfortable at this point. A focus we are considering is “Spiritual Formation” – a big subject with many possibilities!
NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27 – Hopefully you will join us for our final Sunday morning service for 2020. Dan Collado will join me for an “interview” session. It will be a great morning as we celebrate the past year and look forward to the days ahead – our best days!!! Lots of memories and encouragements! I sure hope you are encouraged these days…let’s focus on the good things of God and the many blessings on our lives. Give your burdens and anxieties to the Lord!
PRAYER NEEDS – There are many needs for which to pray: a little 4-year old boy suffering from a brain tumor, Lorraine (recovering from surgery), Ralph, Tim, Laura, Olivia, our youth and leaders, our seniors who are shut-in, Pat, Bonnie, Angela, John, Shawn (seeking employment), Robbie (taking treatments), Andrea, unspoken need(s), Allan, Elizabeth, Linda , Bill, 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 – Thank you for continuing to pray during these days of “reset.” Resumes will be received for the Lead Pastor position from January 4, 2021 until Sunday, January 31, 2021. Following that the Committee will conduct interviews. We will keep you apprised of our progress.
BIBLE READING – The challenge for Bible reading for the months of November and December is Jeremiah and Lamentations (of Jeremiah)! We will have another suggested Scripture reading for you next Sunday. I pray you are being strengthened these days by the word of God. Here’s the verse of Scripture we leave with you each week: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…” (Colossians 3:16).
ADMINISTRATION – A special congregational meeting will be held on Sunday, January 17, 2021 to adopt the amended Local Church Constitution. This will be a very short business meeting following the morning service. We continue to invite your comments/possible amendments before January 3, 2021. Please contact me directly if you have any questions. This item of business will bring our Constitution up to date. There will possibly be one other significant item of business as well. Hopefully, we will have that announcement for you next Sunday. Your participation is invited and appreciated!
RENOVATIONS ET AL – Renovations/upgrades, etc. will be on-going over the next while. Specific areas include both overflow sections. Some seasonal items will be stored in the new shed. Items that are perishable or used spontaneously will remain in the building. Thank you for your input…it will help to keep things tidy and, at the same time, be practical/logistical in continuing ministry. Work to be done: ceilings, wiring and new pot lighting in overflow sections, painting and freshening up here and there, possible new storage space in the building for perishable items or items that are necessary to keep close for spontaneous occasions. New chairs will replace the old ones that have seriously deteriorated and are becoming “rickety”!!! We expect them to arrive in late January or early February 2021. Next week we will have the cost per chair and we encourage you to consider providing 1 or 2!!! June and I will certainly participate in this!
CHURCH BOARD MEETING & 2021 BUDGET – There was a Church Board meeting on Wednesday, December 16. Lots of business to finalize before year-end! One of the items discussed was the 2021 budget. It is almost completed and will be available to you at a later date. It was noted that the budget is a little aggressive for the coming year but we are believing that the Lord will use all of us to continue the generous giving of our resources. There was a slight downturn (year-to-date) compared with 2019 income and that is understandable considering the virus challenges. Of course, on the other side there were less expenses. 2021 will bring new pastoral staff and the operational/ministry at Evangel will be at “full steam”! I am praying that there will be more than enough financial resources…not simply making ends meet but “…immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine…”! (Ephesians 3:20) The Board has had many meetings and I am deeply appreciative of their faithfulness and commitment. They serve well and are an amazing support to Evangel and me! Thank you for praying for your Board members…they pray for you, too!
YEAR END GIVING – Next Sunday, December 27, 2020 is the last day for 2020 contributions. A couple of days are necessary as the accounting is closed and preparations are made to open a new year. Thank you for your faithful, sacrificial and generous giving. This has been a very challenging time and we are grateful to you and the Lord for financial resources that allowed us to keep on target with supporting our Missionaries and paying the bills. Both Missions giving and the General Fund are down overall and we hope we can see a bit of a spike in these 2 areas before the books are closed. Thank you again for doing your part! God bless you for that!
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE – December 24 @ 6:30 p.m. is the time for our Christmas Eve celebration! Please plan to join us for this special time. This year, it will not be possible to do the candle lighting as other years re restrictions/distancing, etc. but we will rejoice just the same!! See you there! 88.7 my FM RADIO – 1- minute spots of a recording I did at 88.7 my FM entitled “The True Meaning of Christmas.” will be broadcast periodically until December 24. Please pray that these few words will be effective in bringing good 0news and comfort to those who happen to listen.
MISSIONS NEWS… CANADAMore than two million young adults are currently enrolled in a Canadian college or university, some via online courses and some in-person. Continue to pray that the hearts of unreached students and leaders will be open to encountering God. Pray that those who were raised in Christian families will not wander away from the foundation of faith in their lives, and will be strengthened and empowered to demonstrate or share their faith with those they encounter. Pray for meaningful connections between Christian leaders and university/college administrators, and between mentors and students engaged in campus ministry throughout Canada, including those serving with the PAOC SERVE Campus Network. Pray also that God will guide all of the students in their studying as they approach exam time.Murray & Cindy Cornelius
INTERNATIONAL OFFICEPray that God will bless Murray and Cindy with creativity, wisdom, direction and new strategies as they minister to the more than 340 global workers, serving in 70 countries. Pray that God will prompt more people to become global workers and open opportunities for them to bring life transforming hope. Pray also for an abundance of financial blessings to support God’s mission through all of the global workers ministering in various countries throughout the world.
EVANGEL’S MISSIONARIES/GLOBAL WORKERS GWsYour prayers for our GWs are critical. Some of them are experiencing very challenging times with the reality of reduced financial support re COVID- 19.Thank you for taking the time to include them in your daily prayer times and for your faithful giving. Evangel has not had to cut back on financial support of our Missionaries and, for that, we are truly grateful to the Lord and to you! This is faithfulness in action! Please continue to 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! Let’s remember to pray for Julia Mills (Jeremy & Abby Mills’ daughter) as she continues ministry with “Fight4Freedom” Please remember the Salvation Army Christmas ministry both locally and globally. A thank you note was received from Samaritan’s Purse for Evangel’s participation in the recent Christmas Shoe Box ministry. Congratulations Evangel – 51 boxes were donated!!! So proud of you!!! One of our GWs, Laura Benson, is well on the road to recovery from COVID- 19. She is now at her home in Kampala, Uganda. Thank you for keeping her in your prayers. 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 & JuneInterim Pastors