Hervey and Helen Shank - February 28

My wife and I just returned from a visit with Hervey this evening. He was sitting propped up in his bed. Helen had just gone home for the evening.

Speaking slowly Hervey said, "Murray I just want to go home." As we spoke together I talked of the wonder of what we will see when we get there. Hervey has spoken before about how beautiful he felt it will be. Both of us, as men that love to create and paint the creation here, hope that God will allow us to do so on the other side. It is our personal dream. But who will ever want to do that when it is eternal and the beauty of our Master will encompass it all?

I told Hervey that maybe tonight, as he goes to sleep, he will simply wake up in heaven with the Lord. His reply, "Murray I want that so much."

We did not stay long as it is a struggle to talk too much. I told Hervey that we were going to pray one more time together. He stopped me and said, "Say that part again..." 'One more time..' 'One more time..'. We said it over again. These simple words caught his thoughts tonight. As we walked out of his room - he was saying it over and over.

Please pray, that as Hervey falls asleep, he will wake up on the other side.... walking with our Saviour.

Earlier today I spoke with Helen. She told me that they have assisted Hervey with a special pump to help with the pain. It has helped him to sleep better and also more.

Pastor Murray

Praise Report for Baby Naomi Foster

Naomi and her mom, Michelle, arrived home yesterday. Craig is very happy to have them come home. Sleep patterns will likely change for this family over the next few days of adjustment. Please continue to pray for their strength and health over this week.

Praise Report for Jason Dagg's surgery

Debbie called this evening to let us know that Jason's surgery went well. They were able to save the eye. they have removed the lens from his left eye without causing a haemorrhage. They will return to Peterborough tomorrow.

Praise and Prayer Requests for February 27 - March 5 2006

Praise
February 27 - On Sunday morning a woman in our church shared that for the past two weeks she has had no pain in her right knee. The terrible pain that she had in her knee was completely gone. Three weeks ago she was barely able to make it to church but on that Sunday morning she had responded to the call for prayer that was given during the service. She was struggling with great difficulty just to walk forward. After prayer her leg continued to improve each day.

Yesterday as she shared her testimony with us. As she moved her leg freely, her statement was, "I want to give God praise, and there is no pain at all now!"

Prayer
Naomi Foster and her mom and dad - Craig and Michelle.
On Sunday evening late Phil Foster emailed us to share a very important prayer request for their brand new granddaughter and their daughter-in-law.

Naomi Rayanne Foster was born Feb 20/06 and weighed 7lbs 11 oz'. Her parents are Craig and Michelle Foster. This is a special photo of the proud Grandfather Phil and Naomi.

Phil and Judy have asked us to pray for Naomi and her mom Michelle. Both Michelle and Naomi are suffering with a fever now caused by some sort of infection. Naomi is also jaundiced. They have Naomi in an ultraviolet light at this time to help her. The emotional stress that both Craig and Michelle are going through now is very difficult.

Please pray today that God will touch both Naomi and her parents.

Jason and Debbie Dagg
Monday AM Post..
Debbie is with her 25 year son, Jason, today at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. Jason is having surgery on his left eye to remove the lens and possibly place an artificial lens into the eye.

In July of 2005 Jason lost his vision as a result of diabetes. In an operation last fall they were able to replace the lens on his right eye and it seems to be healing somewhat. However the left eye was much more serious and the condition was such that it dangerous to remove the lens without causing haemorrhaging. Since that time the condition of the eye has worsened. Today Jason is facing a very delicate operation as they attempt to remove the lens and save his eye. There is a 50% possibility that they may have to remove the eye.

Yesterday Jason shared that he had a peace about what was going to happen with the surgery today. The attitude of this young is one of a new strength and joy.

Thank you for praying for them.

Baby Kylie Lake - Bob and Marilyn Lake's new granddaughter.
We are praying for Kylie as she was born with an abnormality in her kidney. She is doing much better now but tests are being done at this time to determine the her condition. Pray specially for Rob and Suzette as they care for their two beautiful daughters is much appreciated.

On Going Prayer
We are continuing to ask prayer for Hervey and Helen Shank, Ron and Eva MacLeod and also Alex and Edith Farnsworth. Please see last week's Prayer Request posting.

To share your Praise or Prayer Request please email northview.church@gmail.com (please note the "." between northview and church)

The History of the First Pentecostal Church in Peterborough, Ontario - The History of Northview Pentecostal Church

The First Fifty Years
by: Gladys Asling (Charter Member & Church Historian) document prepared in 1980

A number of years prior to 1929 there had been meetings of the same nature as the Pentecostal movement held in a hall on Water Street.

According to a few who attended, they were conducted by Rev. Harvey McAllister and a Mr. Sternagle of the United States. Apparently these meetings were discontinued, as there was no Pentecostal work in Peterborough when we started to tarry for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. A few (Lewis Parks, Eva Wall, Gladys Asling) had been in contact with Pentecost at Evangel Temple while attending Bible College in Toronto.

In 1929, the Head Office of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada sent evangelists Mr. & Mrs. Ray Watson to hold a two week campaign in the old Opera House. Very few claimed to be saved and only one man, William Robbins, received the Baptism. Head Office decided that because of the minimal results and the large expenditure it was not feasible to start a work here.

It was at this crucial time that Miss Beatrice Sims came under compulsion from the Lord and through her teachings we were more established in the doctrines of the Pentecostal movement and our desire for more of God was deepened. She challenged us that we should not turn back from the light we had received. We had prayer meetings at 220 Brock Street in a large barn with a couple of rooms at one end. The place had formerly been used by a doctor and also as the residence of an ostler. The largest room where we met held not more than twenty people.

The following summer Allan Mallory came and he tried to secure a larger place but was unsuccessful, so we continued to pray in the barn. A few of us went to Toronto to Evangel Temple and tarried in the prayer room there, but no one received the Baptism. None of us had ever seen anyone filled with the Holy Spirit so we did not understand how to receive.

In October, 1930 there was a lady from London, Ontario staying at Mrs. Magee's home and she told her of the wonderful moving of the Spirit in the meetings at London, so five of our group (Sister Magee, her daughters Doreen and Leone, Mrs. Aikin and her son Bruce) went to London for Thanksgiving where four of them received their Baptism. They came back quite enthusiastic and sent for Bro. Chambers who was then General Superintendent of the P.A.O.C. At his first meeting on November 19th, several people including Eva Wall received the Baptism. The next night, following Bro. Chambers' sermon, Gladys Asling received the Baptism along with a few more.

As word of the Lord's workings spread, others came and soon our meeting place was too small. We moved to an upstairs room in the Bradburn Building at 332 1/2 George Street between Simcoe and Charlotte Streets.Until this time we had continued to attend our former churches, but opposition became so intense that it was decided to make a break. Bro. Chambers could not come back until January, 1931, so the work was not officially opened until then.

Our first meeting in the hall on George Street did not look very promis­ing as only thirteen attended the morning service. Some were not fully convinced that the initial evidence of the Baptism was speaking in tongues and were not yet ready to join us. However, as the Lord continued to bless and people in other churches heard the news, the membership continued to grow and the little hall that held about 120 people was soon filled to capacity. Bro. Chambers stayed in several homes until the church was establish­ed. Then Mrs. Chambers came and they set up their home at 277 Stewart St.

In the little hall on George Street we witnessed the moving of the Spirit on many who came. The first one to receive here was Mrs. Wm. Sutherland to whom the Lord had witnessed in a vision of the latter rain falling on her. When she received her Baptism, she told us how the Lord had prepared her for it. Some nights there were as many as ten received atone time and as the Lord continued to work, people continued to come from the different churches - from the Missionary Alliance, the Standard Mission,the Free Methodist, Park Street Baptist, the Brethren, the Anglican and a few from the Catholic Church, and many later from the United Churches.

1931-33 The time had come to launch out in our services so the old Regent Theatre on Hunter Street was rented for our Sunday night services. Many new ones came to these services and became interested. We had many good ministers and teachers ministering to us during this time as Bro. Chambers had not yet resigned his position as General Superintendent.

Our first meeting with Pentecostal missionaries was in the George Street hall with Sisters Pemberton and Siemans from the British West Indies, and with them came one of their converts, a young man by the name of Winston Nunes. He stayed in Peterborough for a short time and helped in children's meetings and in other services and later went to Toronto.

During the summer of 1932 the meetings were held in a tent at the southeast corner of Sherbrooke and George Streets. We had many evangelistic campaigns with well-known evangelists from Canada and the United States.

Our next move was from the Regent Theatre to the Legion Hall on Murray Street where Sunday services were held. Week night meetings, Tuesdays and Thursdays, continued in the George Street hall. Many came, were saved, and received their Baptism. At this time a Young People's group was formed. The Sunday School had been started in the George Street hall under the leadership of Lew Parks and it continued to grow in the Legion Hall under Frank Robinson's leadership. There were about forty to fifty young people who went to neighbouring communities to witness in open-air meetings. Many of these places, such as Havelock, Norwood, Omemee, Millbrook , Marmora and Campbellford, now have established works.

In September 1933, while C.M. Ward was here holding services in the Legion Hall, he and some of the members decided to look for a building that could be purchased for a church, where there would be freedom to tarry and worship as we desired. When Bro. Ward saw the building at 370 Water Street, which was later to be our church, he said to the group with him, "I believe the Lord wants you to have this building". Later in 1933 Bro. Chambers stepped out in faith and purchased it for the sum of $11,000.00. An additional $6,000.00 was required for renovations. At the height of the Depression, $17,000 was an enormous sum. The Lord enabled us to meet all payments and we were able also to help a great many needy people.

In January, 1934, the new church on Water Street, the Full Gospel Pentecostal Church, was opened for services. It seated about 500 and during special services was nearly always overcrowded. Our first special speaker was W.E. McAllister. Later we had an evangelistic campaign with Bro. Draffin.

1934
In the summer of 1934 a lot was rented on the west end of Sherbrooke Street where we had our first camp meeting. A well-known evangelist, Rev. Fred Squire, came from England as special speaker. Many received their Baptism and some were healed during these camp meetings. Everyone stayed intents and the services were held in a large tent.

1935
In 1935 Bro. Chambers, as District Superintendent, was able to purchase a large farm on the lakeshore east of Cobourg as the site for a permanent camp. One of the large horse barns was renovated for services and several buildings were erected with the help of many of the brethren in the district.The Peterborough congregation generously contributed finances and volunteer labour. The Lakeshore Pentecostal Camp was opened in 1936. It has since grown into one of the best church camps in Canada. When CHEX radio station began broadcasting in Peterborough in 1942, ours was one of the firstchurches to go on the air. The half-hour "Glad Tidings" program was aired Sunday afternoons.

Bro. Chambers retired from the Pentecostal assembly in 1943. Due to a separation of some of the members, the numbers were greatly reduced. At the time, this seemed like a tragedy, but during the following years many who had stayed in the background with their talents were used and trained for the new orchestra and new radio choir that were formed. In 1943 Bro. Hugh McAllister came to take charge and during his stay the parsonage at 194 London Street was purchased. This was seen as a great undertaking by some who looked with gloom on the ability of those who were left in the membership to pay this debt. But Lord also undertook in this and enabled us to complete the payments.

In 1945 Bro. McAllister was called to the Stone Church in Toronto. For a time we were left without a pastor, until Bro. Elmor Morrison, who was home on furlough from China, came to supply for one year. During this year we had our first W.M.C. meeting at the parsonage under the leadership of Sister Morrison.

Bro. Wilbur Greenwood came as our pastor in 1946. Under his ministry the properties for both the Dublin Street and Calvary Churches were acquired. He also started negotiations to purchase the old Nichols Hospital for use it as a Bible School.

In 1950 Bro. Fred Parlee came from the Maritimes to be our pastor. Late in 1950 Margaret Cantwell, our first full-time missionary, left for service in Kenya, East Africa. The Bible School was transferred from Toronto to Peterborough and the Eastern Pentecostal Bible College opened its doors in 1951. With the influx of students our facilities became overcrowded, so a church building was erected at 171 Dublin Street and opened in 1952. The Water Street property sold for approximately $30,000.00.

In 1953 a parsonage-type church was built at 595 Arndon Avenue and used as a branch Sunday School. As attendance grew, it was decided to start church services with their first pastor being Bro. Vern O'Brien.

In 1957 Bro. Parlee was called to take over the pastorate of the Stone Church (in Toronto) and Bro. James Stevenson came from Renfrew to pastor here. During his stay most of the debt on the new church was paid. In 1963, Calvary dedicated their new sanctuary which is located next to the original parsonage church.

In 1966 Bro. Ernest Francis came from British Columbia to assume the pastorate. At the same time a new parsonage at 1379 Leighton Road was purchased. In 1968 the mortgage on the Dublin Street church was burned. A home-coming banquet was held. Former pastors W.B. Greenwood and F. Parlee, and full-time workers Bob Cunningham, Fred Spring, and Ron Stevens attended. In 1970 we celebrated the 40th anniversary with special services. In 1973 Bro. Francis left to become President of North West Bible College in Edmonton.

Bro. Sam Buick became our pastor in 1973. In 1977 the work in Bridgenorth was begun. Our church assisted financially for a while. In 1977 Bro. Buick accepted a position at Head Office.

Following Bro. Buick, Bro. Paul Starratt from Orangeville accepted the pastorate. In 1978, 22 acres at the corner of Towerhill Road and Fairbairn Street were purchased. In 1979 a tent crusade with evangelist Peter Youngren was held on this site. Margaret Cantwell returned from Africa after 29 years of missionary service there.

In October, 1980 the Bridgenorth assemblies dedicated the Causeway Christian Church in Ennismore.

In July, 1980 a sod-turning ceremony for the new church took place and construction is now well underway. We look forward to an expanded ministry when we move to our new church complex, Northview Pentecostal Church, in 1981.

Prayer Requests for February 20 - 26, 2006

Hervey & Helen Shank
As the days have gone by Hervey has grown much weaker physically. The cancer has taken a great toll on his body. It appears that he doesn't have a long time left in this world.

However, having said that, we can report that spiritually he is very strong. As well Helen is also doing very well. The presence of God is so very real in Hervey's room each time we have visited.

Yesterday Alida and I went to visit Hervey and Helen in the palliative care ward. Our District Superintendent, Rev. Craig Burton met us there. Together we anointed Hervey once more and asked that God would heal him. In faith we prayed that there would be another miracle. That prayer time was very precious. At the end the 5 of us sang "Jesus Loves Me" - Hervey's voice was there with ours singing with all his strength.

Helen described for us the powerful visual things that Hervey has been letting her see in his descriptive accounts to her. As she came to his beside one morning her turned to her and asked who the men were with her. She told him there wasn't anyone there with her. He reassured her that there were three at that moment. Before there had been one.

In another instance Hervey asked for some paper that he might draw for Helen what he was seeing. As he began he looked up at the wall in front of him then back to his paper. He drew a scene of a path that led upwards. He kept looking at the wall to take more the picture in... each time returning to his paper for more lines to be placed there. He then told Helen of the large group of people that were gathered along this path - waiting. Then he said, "There goes another one.", with a smile on his face.

Pastor Hervey Shank is a very gifted artist over all these years. He has praticed over all these years of watching and looking closely what he draws. It has been a gift of God that he has used wisely. Now God has rewarded him with images and pictures that none of us can see.

When he finally passes through the Vail, separating us from the wonderful world that God has prepared for us over there, Hervey more than anyone else will be in awe. He wants so much to be with Jesus, his Saviour, now.

Alex & Edith Farnsworth
Alex was hospitalized this week with a complication with his heart. Edith stayed with him in the Hospital over night as there is some degree of confusion. She asked us to pray for Alex as they try to determine what his problems are at this time. Edith's concern for Alex has been heightened as she personally is facing surgery in early March.

Thank you for all the prayers and love for them.

Eva & Ron MacLeod
Please continue to pray for Eva as well. This amazing woman has found great strength in the Lord each week as she continues her battle with cancer. She lives each week with the hope of getting back to the service on Sunday. Their love for each other and support that they find in the Lord has been a living example of what God can do.

Pastor Murray Lincoln

Bible Study Notes - for Wednesday February 22, 2006

The following notes were given out at our Wednesday Evening Bible study. We are taking time this winter to get close to God. As a Board and Pastoral Team we have committed ourselves to increase our time with God, seek for a mighty move of God in our services and pray that lives will be transformed.

Join us each Wednesday at 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM for Times of Refreshing.

Bible Study Notes - for Wednesday February 22, 2006

In each of the Men of God that we have looked at, one thing rises as a common factor. That common factor is a greater awareness of God. This came first in their own life and then at one point it would flow out from them. They would become men with a passion to share what they had discovered about God. Sometimes this came about through personal prayer. Other times it came about by the work of the Scripture within a person’s life. Then at times the combination of these two factors together with the need in front of them produced a deep desire to do something. Recognition that they personally were unable to do anything of great importance brought them to God and a great need for His Holy Spirit.

Think of these…. John Wesley – George Whitefield – Jonathan Edwards – Charles Finney – Ezra & Nehemiah

Think of the Four Factors that John Maxwell spoke about when looking at the early church growth….. These appeared in the lives of each leader.
1.) Obedience
2.) Commitment
3.) Healthy relationships
4.) and Faith
No man can do anything on his own. There must be a Holy Spirit factor involved in order to see the transformation/revival takes place.

We each can potentially have
5 Encounters with The Holy Spirit.
5 Unique ways that He will come to your life.
5 Unique ways you will know Him.

These are...
1.) Convicting
2.) Regenerating
3.) Indwelling
4.) Maturing
5.) Empowering

1.) Convicting – the very first step of knowing God
John 16:8-11 NIV
8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:
9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me;
10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer;
11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

Rom 1:18-19 NIV
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

Notes:
* Without it we cannot see our need for God.
* Conviction is not a one time occurrence, but in fact, it should be an on-going process.
* It inspires us with Hope that we can actually change.
* If it has been a long time since you have sensed His conviction, be cautious that you have not chosen to ignore the Spirit pleading with you to grow in holiness.

2.) Regenerating – Regeneration or Renewal

Titus 3:4-5 NIV
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,
5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

Note:
It is the Spirit of God that miraculously renovates us into a new creation.
- Look at the popular TV programs today – where homes are made over – renovated – Q. How can anyone do that? Larry and Josselyn’s house before, now and in one year from now….

2 Cor 5:17 NIV
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
John 3:3 NIV
3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
Notes:
Examine your life… Will you get into Heaven?
Matt 7:21-23 NIV
21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'
23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

You can’t do it alone – it is His Grace
Eph 2:8-10 NIV
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Confess you sins…
I John 1:9-10 NIV
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

3.) Indwelling – Holy Spirit initiated - a truly precious and intimate relationship through His indwelling presence and ministry in our lives – Ongoing – Everyday – Never leaves us… He moves in the minute that we were born again…

1 Cor 3:16 NIV
16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?

Rom 8:9 NIV
9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

Notes:
* You don’t get the Holy Spirit at a later date – Jesus and God first – then the Holy Spirit later… they come together… error in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit…
* Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would be sent to the Body of believers after Jesus would go to his father – he went and the fullness of the Holy Spirit would come – he is here now – in his fullness – recognition is all that is necessary…
* Thank God that he sends His Spirit to dwell in people like us.

4.) Maturing – A Life Long Process – we grow and mature Spiritually…

Gal 5:22-23 NIV
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Note:
1.) Christians should naturally bear fruit…the Spirit’s fruit…the define the Character of Christ in us…
2.) The old way that you were will begin to change..
* Panickers – will become people of Peace and Patience…
* Angry people will become people of Love…
* Hatred will be replaced by Kindness and Goodness…
* Listless, Apathetic, Useless people will become – Faithful ….
* People that are alcoholics, drug addicts, substance abuse, and addictive personalities will become people of Self-Control…
3.) If for some reason you have fallen back into what you were – you need a new touch of the Holy Spirit – work on removing what has isolated Him from working within your life…

John 16:15 NIV
15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

5.) Empowering – Energized individuals ready for ministry

1 Cor 12:8-11
8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,
10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
(NIV)

Note:
* The Book of Acts becomes our personal handbook of how the Holy Spirit can use us…
* If it happened to them – it can happen to me…
* If it was good enough for Paul and Barnabas, Silas and Stephen – it is good enough for me….
* Ordinary people just like me..

Luke 24:49 NIV
49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

Three Questions Up Front… Reflections
1.) Have you thought much about the importance of the Holy Spirit’s continuous ministry in your life?
2.) Can you honestly say that you are born again? If not, please consider asking God to forgive your sins right now. God’s Holy Spirit will move into your life and give you a fresh start. Tell someone else what has happened in your life today (Romans 10:9-10)
3.) Thank of some occasions when the Spirit has convicted you of sin or has challenged your conscience. Today? This past week? This past month? This past year?

Source –
The Book – “Want More?” By Tim Enloe –EM Publications 2004
www.enloeministries.org

For past study notes - please contact Pastor Murray Lincoln at murray.lincoln@gmail.com All notes are in MS Word format.