Hello Dear Friends,                                                                      

Warmest Christian greetings! Did you have a good week? Sure hope so…remember – you are being prayed for! PRAYERS FOR YOU – It is good to pray for one another! When you hear the words that someone has prayed for you, it brings such encouragement. A couple of years ago June and I were in Turkey. June met a young lady there and keeps in contact with her to this very day. She recently asked June to pray for her and that is a big deal! Who can fathom the  power and impact of prayer? Back some months ago I had occasion to be in someone’s house and during those moments the person there showed us a room where he prays each day for others.  The short visit and statement impacted me and brought great encouragement. Just think about it…someone deliberately and intentionally praying for others! As each of us do that, it makes an indescribable difference! Our prayer for you this week: “stand still, walk, run.” This can easily be a message to preach but here’s the essence of our prayer for you – “stand still” (see 1 Samuel 12:16) – meditate, build faith, become strong, rest; “walk” (see 1 John 2:6 (KJV)) – in harmony with Jesus, relationship, peaceful, testimony to walking/living as Jesus did; run” (see Hebrews 12:1) – perseverance, urgency, focus – so many adjectives can describe these 3! That’s our prayer for you these days!Be encouraged to pray “The Lord’s Prayer” several time a day and “…pray with the Spirit…” (I Corinthians 14:15). Oh, the power of prayer! It takes us to a level in the supernatural realm that is beyond the here and now. Praying fervently is effective!

SUNDAY SERVICE/ONLINE CHURCH – It’s good to be back in the church building again! We look forward to the day when restrictions are lifted, and we do not have to give attention to the distancing factor…until then…! If you are comfortable coming along to worship with us, please plan to be join us. Just a reminder…we work hard to ensure that proper hygienic protocols are observed, and the hosts will take real good care of you! There is plenty of room and we can accommodate up to 180+ even with the distancing factor. Don’t forget that in addition to our in-person services, each Sunday @ 10:00 a.m. is the day and the hour when online church begins on YouTube. If you cannot join us in person, please plan to tune in each week online should you have the electronic capability to do so. Here is the link: www.evangelnapanee.com If you happen to miss the 10:00 a.m. live-stream, you can visit our website later and catch the church service when it is convenient for you.It was so good to welcome new people over the last 2 weeks…so very happy they joined us for worship together! We pray that the Lord will abundantly and richly bless them!

UPDATE RE CHURCH MINISTRIES:

KIDS’ MINISTRY & PLAYGROUP – PlayGroup is back! Ministry with our children continues. The dates are alternate so please take careful note: Friday, Feb 26; Tuesday, March 2; Friday, March 12; Friday, March 26; Tuesday, March 30; Friday, April 9; Tuesday, April 13.  The time for PlayGroup is 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Please visit our website www.evangelnapanee.com for current information regarding children’s ministries and for online presentations.180º YOUTH –Thank you for continuing to pray for our young men and women. It is anticipated that a Small Group for our Youth will be launched very soon.

MONDAY NIGHT PRAYER MEETINGS – Please plan to join us each Monday @ 6:30 p.m.

SMALL GROUPS – It is anticipated that Small Group ministry will begin very soon. Hopefully, by next week we will have a specific date. The groups will meet at the church until the folks are comfortable meeting in homes again. Of course, we respect your comfort level as to your decision to attend or not.

If you have any prayer needs, please email me at Cal.Anthony@paoc.org or telephone me at 613-354-4281 or 613-243-1163. If there is no answer, please leave a message and we will respond to you. We will certainly be happy to pray for you!

PRAYER NEEDS – Prayer Needs: The Young family (bereavement), Ken L. (now recovering at home), Gary A., a little 4-year-old boy suffering from a brain tumor, Tim, Laura, Olivia, our Youth and leaders, our seniors who are shut-in, Bill, Pat, Bonnie, Angela, John, Robbie (taking treatments), Andrea, unspoken needs, Allan, Elizabeth, Paige, businesses and businesspeople, new Lead Pastor, live-streamed church service, Kids’ Sunday School/Ministry, Global Workers. Please let us know if there are others we need to include. You may reach us at office@evangelnapanee.com or 613-354-4281. There are lots of needs and they include both the spiritual and physical! Remember, June and I continue to pray for this wonderful church family.

PASTORAL SEARCH – The Committee continues its work and is moving forward. We are in the interview/reference phase of our journey. There was a meeting on Wednesday, February 17 and again on Saturday, February 20. Your prayers along with those of the Committee are critical as we seek the will of God for Evangel and pastoral staff. We have experienced the direction of the Lord in the days past and we fully expect Him to continue guiding us. It remains reasonable to expect that the new Lead Pastor should be in place by mid to late March 2021. We are grateful to the Eastern Ontario & Nunavut District, PAOC for journeying with us throughout this whole process.

BIBLE READING –Did you discover some good “nuggets” of truth in your reading this week? You are, at least, reading chapter 20 of Matthew! The question Jesus had for the 2 blind men is cause for pause: “What do you want me to do for you?” (Matthew 20:32). Take a moment to consider this. There is some heavy reading coming up – Matthew 24! Your daily Bible reading will bring much comfort. Remember to…“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…” (Colossians 3:16). Next week there will be another Bible reading suggestion for the month of March.As you read these Scriptures, please be encouraged to “linger” in various places in the Gospel and “listen” to what the Scripture is teaching. Combine these peaceful moments with meditation and prayer.

ADMINISTRATION & OTHER MINISTRY OFFICE HOURS – The church office hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. We are delighted to serve you!

RENOVATIONS/UPGRADES/NEW CHAIRS & THANK YOU! –  The renovations and upgrades have progressed very well. Special thanks and appreciation to Ron and his crew (Ron Allison Electrical); Sam & Paul (Ferguson Tile); Richie & Kyle (Larry’s Painting) and Jim & his crew ( Paul Brothers Drywall). Many thanks to Gary for the extra work in the myriad of extra chores – dusting, cleaning, installing ceiling tile, etc., etc. This has been a mammoth effort including Barry and others who assisted in so many so ways. New cabinetry/storage will be installed very soon – thanks to Desmond & Linda for their good work. The new chairs look great and they are very comfortable. Just one more time!!! – maybe you would like to “donate” at least one for $100.00. As mentioned before, the cost including shipping is $80.00 and the extra $20.00 will go towards other building projects, i.e., electrical, drywall, painting, etc.  Already close to $3,000.00 have been received and we are so grateful for these generous donations. If you feel to contribute, please identify this on your envelope – Chairs/Building.

UPCOMING BUSINESS MEETINGS – Please take note that the following duly called business meetings are scheduled to be held after the Sunday morning services:February 28, 2021 – A special membership meeting to (A) accept Evangel’s updated Local Church Constitution, and (B) to authorize the selling of the parsonage. March 14, 2021 – The ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) – Financial statements, the 2021 budget, election of officers and ministry reports will be presented and received. It is anticipated that this material will be available to you before the scheduled AGM. As per protocol last year regarding COVID- 19 concerns, it is prudent again this year to not have public discussion as the distancing factor, etc. is considered. Should you have any questions, though, please feel free to contact me directly before any of the meetings and I will do my best to answer. Please note that these business meetings will not be long in duration.

YOUR FAITHFUL GIVINGYour faithfulness is so very deeply appreciated in consistent giving. If you attend church on Sundays, you may use the offering boxes at both entrances to the sanctuary. Also, you may come by the church during office hours if that is more convenient. Online giving is very convenient, and we encourage you to consider this option should you have the electronic capability.

EVANGEL TEMPLE CHURCH FAMILY – June and I have been in touch with a few people again this week…had opportunity for “phone visits”. Some are ill and others are going through personal challenges. May I encourage you to be sensitive to the Lord’s leading in reaching out to others in our church family and beyond? Perhaps you can call a person or two and share some words of encouragement with a prayer. Just a simple phone conversation/visit will go a long way in making someone’s day very special! The Scriptures admonish us to do that. If you can’t reach the person, leave a message or write a card and put it in the mail. This will mean a great deal to any individual or family! If you are already doing this, thank you so much! If not, now would be a good time to start! Despite of the crisis we are experiencing, it is good to “hang together” as a congregation plus including who may be sick, lonely, discouraged and pray with them for healing, comfort, and encouragement.

PARSONAGE – Just a final reminder – next Sunday, February 28, 2021  there will be a special membership meeting to authorize the selling of the parsonage. Please note that our Constitution requires a 2/3 vote in favour to pass this significant item of business. Contact me before the scheduled meeting should you have any further questions/comments. I would be happy to chat with you. Thank you for praying with us about this matter. We continue to work in conjunction with the Eastern Ontario & Nunavut District, PAOC regarding this possibility.

EVANGEL’S MISSIONARIES/GLOBAL WORKERS GWs  Please for Peter (Petr) Rattay and his family in the Czech Republic. Both his parents are recovering from COVID- 19. His Dad was hospitalized for a little while but is now on the mend! We thank the Lord for this wonderful report. Further, Peter and his team are continuing their mission to establish a church plant in the city of Prague. This is a tremendous undertaking, and they will be so appreciative of your prayers. Hopefully in the next few weeks we can have Peter join us via ZOOM and give an updated progress report.This past week June and I had the privilege of speaking via ZOOM with Ilya and Janet Bansteev (Siberia), Markus and Liz Brant (Germany), and Hakim and Samantha (living in Germany/ministry in restricted area). We had a time of significant prayer – some good reports and some great needs. We anticipate sharing reports with you soon. In the meantime, would you add them to your prayer list? Thank you so much for doing that!Your prayers for our GWs are critical. 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), Ejay Tupe, Jarren & Cindie Hildebrandt (Thailand), Kingston Pregnancy Care Centre (Elizabeth Sacrey), Julia Mills, Scott & Melissa Williams (Spain), Janette Tirado (Peru), Laura Benson (Uganda), Cal & June Anthony (Eurasia), Raul & Lily Carrasco (Spain) and Morning Star Mission. Everyone needs prayer and everyone deeply appreciates it!During 2021 let us continue to be sensitive to the many needs locally, nationally and globally. Perhaps all of us can increase our financial giving to Missions and outreach in the days ahead! Thank you for doing your best!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 and keep the faith!

Cal & June

Interim Pastors