Pastor’s Thoughts

It’s been five weeks since the congregation of Percival Community Church has returned to its place of worship.

The sanctuary was beautifully decorated for the Advent and Christmas season. For most of us we were home, praising the Lord, at prayer, His word proclaimed and fellowship renewed.

Except for an early December snow storm the weather has been exceptionally mild, warm sunny days and above normal temperatures. This has allowed work to begin on the levee system along the Missouri River, sand removal from farms and home owners continuing with repairs and a few able to move back home.

The Lord is gracious and good.

All of this gives hope that the potential of a spring repeat is inevitably lessened.

The “Showers of Blessing Campaign” has ended with approximately $22,500.00 received. We are grateful to the many individuals, organizations, churches and others who contributed to assist the financial needs of the people of Percival and surrounding areas. It is being distributed with much prayer and discernment. The needs will be greater but God is greater and he has promised to “supply all our needs.” Please continue to uplift us in your prayers and do not forget the many other places such as Joplin, Missouri that needs our encouragement and support.

We thank our Lord and Savior for each of you and we will remember that to whom much is given much is expected in return.

I am looking forward to an exciting new year.

 Pastor Blaine

Merry Christmas

Caroling and Christmas Eve Service

Today there were about 10 of us who went Christmas caroling. We first headed to Tabor Manor but were unable to sing there as they were having Christmas parties and services. We then headed to Sidney Ambassador then on to Grape Community Hospital’s extended care and then to Park Washington Plaza.  We ended the evening with some good food and fellowship provided by Scott and Paul. I must say though, it felt very strange singing Christmas carols in 50 degree weather!

Please join us Saturday, December 24th at 4:00 p.m. for our Christmas Eve Service.

Free Printables

Here are some free printables found at various sites. Just click on those sites and follow the directions to print. Would make nice Holiday decor for your home or great gifts!

Christmas Subway Art @ Antsi Pants 

Christmas scripture word tree @ Betty Crocker Wannabe

Lolly Jane Boutique

Today’s Fabulous Finds

A Day To Remember

November 27, 2011.

A day to remember as the Congregation of Percival Community Church returned to celebrate and worship in the Sanctuary we so love.

It was a day to remember because joining us were fifty to sixty guests lending support and encouragement by their very presence.

It was a day to remember because Rosemary was at the organ again and her prelude was simply magnificent.

It was a day to remember because the church was beautifully decorated for the first Sunday of Advent.

Thank you Scott and Paul!

It was a day to remember because Jan lit the candles on the altar to remind us that the Light of Christ had entered our Worship.

It was a day to remember because Grace lit the first candle of Advent.

It was a day to remember because our fellowship snacks were graciously provided by the United Methodist Church of Thurman and they were delicious.

It was a day to remember and say thank you to everyone who had assisted us in any way over the past six months.

It was a day to remember in gratitude the generosity of thousands of people who contributed to the “Showers of Blessings Campaign.” A tree filled with red ornaments listing the names of all contributors, bringing our total to date approximately $23,000.00.

It was a day to remember the faithfulness and goodness of God.

Finally it was a day to remember that the work and service of our Savior and Lord continues as meet the challenges ahead.

It was A Day to Remember.

Pastor Blaine Pritchett

Welcome Back!

Click on images to enlarge.

 

This morning when we pulled up to church for the first time in a long time, it was nice to see all the cars. The church from Thurman was here to join us today and brought us very delicious treats to share.

 

As we approached the door, it was like coming home to an old friend.

This message was what greeted us as we entered.

 

The church was decorated in all it’s splendor for the Christmas season.

 

 

 In the fellowship hall, there was a beautiful white tree with all the names of  people that so graciously gave to our “Showers of Blessings” Campaign. On the little red circles were their names and where they were from.  Every side of the tree was filled with circles from people all over. It is so amazing to think that so many people from so many places thought about our little community and surrounding areas. We are simply in awe. Pastor Pritchett announced today that our total in donations received has reached $21,804.00

 

Ephesians 5:20

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Celebration of Hope and Love

November 27^th 1st Sunday of Advent

The congregation of Percival Community Church will be gathering again to worship in the house of the Lord for the first time since our evacuation in early June.

We are grateful to the United Methodist Church in Sidney for their willingness to allow us to use their sanctuary and building for the past six months. Their support and encouragement enabled us to continue to worship, pray, fellowship and serve our Lord while absent from our building in Percival.

If you should be in South West Iowa area and in particular Percival, Iowa on November 27 at 9:30 a.m. join us in this celebration of hope. Hope that our future lives have and will be enriched because of your prayers, encouragement and support for our small community and its congregation. Love as have been experienced through the generous giving of thousands of people, congregations and organizations to the “Showers of Blessing Campaign.”

Thanks to each of you and May the Lord, Jesus Christ be glorified and honored in all our lives and ministry.

Pastor Blaine

Campaign Nearing The End

The “Showers of Blessings Campaign” that began approximately three months ago is now near completion. Percival Community Church is seeking to serve and minister to the multiple needs of families within our community and elsewhere; while it began in faith and a simple belief that God through the efforts of His people and prayer, $100,000.00 could be raised by 100,000 people in 100 days. Sounds impossible! Not with God! With 14 days remaining the church has received approximately $17,000 from individuals, churches and groups throughout America. That requires $83,000.00 to be secured in these last two weeks. Sounds impossible, not with God!

I continue to believe and have faith that somehow, someway the funds asked for will be provided.

Please pray in earnest in regards to this campaign. The needs are great but God has promised to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ. (Phip: 4-19)

In Joy, hope and faith,

Pastor Blaine

Rebuilding Begins

The reconstruction and rebuilding has begun. Interstate 29 has reopened along with highway 2 between Nebraska City and the Iowa border. People who spent 2 ½ to 3 hours getting to their jobs are now back to their normal commute time. Praise the Lord! Many of the county and rural roads are not completely rebuilt but progress there is evident. Work on the broken levy system is at least a month away and will likely not be fully completed by the spring although we pray and hope that by some miraculous intervention it will.

God has blessed us with some beautiful and warm autumn weather that has created and aided in the ability to begin the challenges confronting businesses and families.

A few people have also returned to their homes and are cloroxing molded walls; tearing out dry wall, removing carpet, installing new furnaces and water heaters and having FEMA inspect residences in order to receive some financial aid even now.

During this time volunteers have been here from the S.W. Iowa United Methodist Church disaster team helping people in Percival in this effort. Their expertise, love, encouragement and support have put a positive out-look on a very bleak situation. Their reflection of Jesus Christ and the meaning of service and ministry has been a visible witness and we praise the Lord again for their work and contribution.

While much has been accomplished, much more remains. Winter is fast approaching but with hope, confidence and perseverance the dawn of a new beginning has begun.

In gratitude and thankfulness in and for all things.

Pastor Blaine

Campaign Update

Our  “Showers of Blessing” campaign is right now a little over $12,000! Isn’t that wonderful?!  Thank you to each and everyone who has given not only with their generous donations but also for the love and prayers that have been bestowed on us! We are so very thankful and appreciative! The Campaign started August 14th, 2011 and goes through November 22, 2011. For more details click on campaign under “About the Church” on the right side bar.

Remembering Last Year’s Party…..

UNWANTED GUESTS!

Until recently the only living creatures in the Church were spiders (Several Spiders)  they spun their webs in every window, every corner and on every cabinet in the kitchen, where they laid several eggs.  It has been a pain staking process, but as of today, all webs, and I think most spiders are gone!  All the woodwork and walls  with the exception of the fellowship hall and bathrooms have been cleaned.  The Sanctuary has rec’d a facelift of sorts, we now have carpet runners and the pews will sit on the original wood floors, which are in good shape considering their age,  they have been cleaned and buffed and look amazing!  The floor of the stage has been cleaned and looks totally different and the area behind the curtain has been cleared of clutter, and deep cleaned and the floor there will be cleaned as well, I have plans to fix the one portion of the curtain that is torn at the top and the lights behind the curtain will be replaced.  The Church is starting to look more like a house of Worship rather than an empty, deserted building over ran with spiders.  I have hopes for an all Church cleaning day in early November, the toughest job will be cleaning the fellowship hall, all other areas will just need a “touch up.”   I can’t speak for anyone else, but look forward to the end of November when we will be back in our own Church!  

Thanks be to God for bring us all back to Percival Community Church!

Scott

Check It Out!

Scott sent me this picture. He and Lynn worked on the floor at the church. Doesn’t it look beautiful?

1909 Wabash Washout

Here is a postcard Lynn had of the railroad in the flood of 1909 entitled Wabash Washout Chillicothe, Mo.  Not sure who had it worse?!

Click on image to enlarge.

Some Recent Pictures

Church basement not quite ready for clean up but Lynn Handy has done an amazing job in getting us this far.

Possible salvage items from the old Sunday School room.

 

Welcome home but not quite yet, Brian and Kelly’s home.

Views of roads going west from Percival over the I 29 interchange.

Yard at Handy’s, Big sand pile everywhere.

 

 Notice the sand level around this big beautiful old shade tree.

What was once a part of a field but now is a big hole left behind from rushing water.

Left behind, dead and dying fish. This picture was sad as what little water was left in the ditch had fish swimming with no where to go.

More sand at Terry and Dana’s.

Believe it or not, grass to mow.

Sand being pushed off the roads making it possible to travel on a few.

 

 

Another Chapter in the Flood of 2011

Another chapter in the flood of 2011 took place last Sunday when an opportunity presented itself to drive over roads recently cleared west of Percival. I wish I could say that it all looked wonderful being able to return to this little community; but so much is left to be done with finances not presently available that it is going to be some time before it will if ever be back to the home that many knew. Sand is over fields, yards, roads and anywhere that the water ran, some might be lucky and have new fill dirt that will make for better ground but others are faced with a daunting task of how to remove or incorporate some of it back into fields so they can be farmed once again. The same will be true for their yards and gardens it is unreal the amount of Fine River sand that covers everything killing beautiful old shade trees years in the making and now dying everywhere. It is discouraging but a sense of optimism that farmers seem to have year after year keeps them moving forward towards a better season. The same can be said for those waiting to remove mold from their homes, they are anxious to be back in familiar surroundings but also want assurance that they and those they love will be safe from any effects that could be present. Like most that are looking at the devastation that disaster brings upon families and communities the road to recovery seems long and sometimes without hope but remember God’s promise in Romans 8:38-39. We are in His care always. Joan

Percy’s Tidbit

Regrets over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow are twin thieves that rob us of the moment.

A Spiritual Moment

The County had a Caterpillar and a Backhoe on roads to the west side of Percival. The Caterpillar started on the base line road and went all the way north to our place. Some of the sand would be a foot deep in places. Barb and I were the first to drive a quarter mile north of our house, then got out and walked a 1/2 mile up past my grandmothers house. There was a sandbar that was 100 yards long that went north on our land. It was 150 yards from the break in the levee. Sitting on that sandbar many things went through my head. It was a very spiritual moment for me. Sitting there where no one has been for quite some time. Thinking of all the many happenings that have occurred there in my life. The house where I was raised was washed away in the flood. Many things were washed away in the flood, but not my memories.

With the water receding things will slowly improve. We must now look upward and onward.

Lynn Handy

Let There Be Light!?

It  was great to get the electricity back on at the church yesterday. One of our board members met with someone from the electric company. They got everything hooked up and then went inside to flip the main switch. After flipping the main switch, the lights in the sanctuary and Sunday school room, which are circuits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6  immediately came on. We are pretty sure we had all those turned off when we left the church. Made us wonder how they “mysteriously” were turned on?    Our immediate thought was,  “LET THERE BE LIGHT!”

The Structural Engineer will be returning next Wednesday to check out the foundation of the church.

Pastor’s Thoughts

Harvest is in full swing and for some the harvest season will be a good one, but for many more it will be a continual reminder of a devastating summer of disasters; from flooding, tornado, rain and high speed winds. Fields are gone, stripped of all fruit, or if a few acres remain, it’s how do we get to it to harvest. For others there won’t be any harvest because there is nothing left, only what could have been; and making plans for next Springs planting if that will even be possible.

Farmers always seem to have a resilience that transcends despair and despondency; it’s a hope and faith that the next season of planting and harvest will yield a better outcome.

No matter how bad, or how many difficult seasons they have endured and believe me this will not be the last one, there’s an optimistic spirit that runs deep within their lifeblood.

Do we as Gods people have that same sense of faith, hope, and optimism? The challenges that face our lives, our service, our congregations and our communities will test our resolve to minister in love, grace and patience.

Let us remember God has promised “never to leave us or forsake us.” In discernment and wisdom God will continue to reveal His plans and purposes. Let us be faithful to the harvest Jesus our Lord has set before us knowing that the harvest is plentiful but he knows the laborers are few.

Let us labor in joy, faith and love.

Pastor Blaine

A Little Humor