Church Window

Old church window Lebanon Methodist Holly Springs, Ga  (Photo found on Pinterest)

This And That

 

The Sunday after Christmas at church in Omaha we had Scripture readings and carols.  I guess that is a tradition in England.  It was a very nice, simple service.

Blaine has mentioned the same thing and I think it is brought up most every year but it does bear repeating at the start of the new year.  We are to take the light of Christ out into the world and share it with those we come in contact with.  Our minister at the end of our service said the same thing and then made it even more simple.  Jesus helped the poor and sick.  He preached a message of hope and peace.  If we want to be more Christ like on a daily basis all we really need to do is help those in need and treat all our fellow human beings as we would want to be treated.  Something so simple could make a huge difference if everyone could be on board.

I will not be able to sign my piece this month as Board President because I turned in my resignation as a board member at the December meeting.  Someone of equal ability will be filling my spot for the last year of my term.  It is with mixed feelings that I did this.  I love the Percival Church but living in Omaha and also becoming involved in activities at the church here was making it harder and harder to get to meetings.  You will still see me in church from time to time and I will try and help Joan out if she needs a little piece for her newsletter.  Everyone keep up the good work you do.

Paul Bennett

Secretary Snippets

 

Welcome to a fresh year, parishioners old and new.  What has been exciting lately is the growing number of people visiting our church, and coming back to worship more regularly.  We enjoy making friends, and getting to know the community better.  A passion for the word of Christ, which reaches into the soul, allows us to become actively involved in our neighborhood.

We are happy to have a new PA system installed in the sanctuary, thanks to the expertise, research and action of Aaron and Jan Zach.  Good, clear audio throughout the room allows everyone to hear without an echo or static.  Thank you very much to these two church members who shared their talents with the rest of us.

Unhappily, the Board received a letter of resignation from President Paul Bennett, who now resides in Omaha, and finds the commute too difficult to continue effectively in this role.  The Nominating Committee will look to find a candidate to finish the year left in Paul’s term.  The Board has appreciated greatly his leadership and sense of humor.  He will be missed.

We are looking forward to an Annual Meeting later this month, at which all Percival Community Church goers are encouraged to attend, after the service on the 19th.  You may have talents you would like to share with the church, and this may be an opportunity to shine.

The Food Bank is most in need of peanut butter and cereals, reported a volunteer.  Now that we have containers to protect against mice, we will continue this mission.

Marcia Little, Secretary

Pastor’s Thoughts

 The adage “How time flies” never seemed more fitting than this year.  Maybe it comes with getting older but where did the three fold and sixty five days of 2013 go?  Day follows day, month begets month and seasons follow one another has been the celestial order.  The one constant in everything that occurs is God’s faithfulness.  The sun rises and sets, the planets orbit in their courses, day yields to night, and with each passing hour the Eternal God of all Creation; sustains, directs, and provides for all things great and small and that includes you and I.
While we don’t know what lies ahead in2014, one thing is certain, the New Year will confront us with its mix of unexpected challenges both as individuals and as a congregation.  What all of us can be confident of is to know who holds the future.  Almighty God, His son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have each and every tomorrow already plotted and planned.
Our response is to believe, trust, and live in the fullness that the best is still ahead, that the God of the past is the Lord of the present, and the promise and hope for our future.
Pastor Blaine