Reception of Members

Reception of Members

November 22, 2015 Reception of Members by
  Letter of Transfer or Affirmation of  Faith
Robb and Diane Handy
Mindy Raymond
Jim and Phyllis Layman
Joan Tiemeyer
Mel and Nancy Hurst
Penny Warren
Shirley Lawton
Esther McCown
Betty Booker
Violet Berry
Nancy Newlon
Prayer: O God, we praise you with gratitude and thanksgiving for calling
us to faith and for gathering us together with the Body of Christ.
We thank you for bringing us together to worship, fellowship, prayer and
service to the Percival Community Church.
Together let us labor for you here in love, joy, and peace in the name
of Jesus Christ. Amen
These pictures were given to me to share. You can click on images to enlarge.

 

Children’s Christmas Program

 

               Today we enjoyed the Children’s Program

                                        Starring

       Grace Zach, Macey Graham, Karlee Graham,

Madison Hammons, Matthew Earith, Alexis Earith and

                   Hailey Earith

How Many Of The Ten Commandments Do You Remember

 

 

 

Thank you Mary Zach for helping the children present this

wonderful program for us. We appreciate everything you

do each week for our Sunday School class.

.

From the Secretary

With the sanctuary lovingly decorated for Christmas after the service on
the first Sunday of Advent, November 29th, we will continue celebrating
the birth of Christ with the Children*s Pageant on the 6th of December.
* It is wonderful to have young ones participating at this time. The
more we support them the more likely their number will grow, and the
average age of the congregation will fall.  That would make me feel
younger, just having more kids around.  The children*s sermon already
has helped in this respect, as it is thought provoking for those of any
age.  Which reminds me about being encouraged to reread childhood
classics, such as the Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. There are
ideas not understood in our first reading that might jump at us later in
life.  Of course one might identify with Tiny Tim, or one of his
siblings, the first go around.  But now, who do we see in ourselves? 
Bob Cratchit?  Scrooge?  Jacob Marley?  A caroler on the snowy street? 
Mrs. Cratchit, serving up plum pudding with its thirteen ingredients,
representing Christ and the apostles?   Is there some other childhood
classic you might be picking up soon?
*On Christmas Eve we will gather for a service at four o*clock in the
afternoon, and be home in time for our own suppers.  Then I hope to see
you on New Year*s Eve at six o*clock in the evening for church
fellowship at my home on the Bluff Road.  Bring a treat to share, and a
game to play if you would like.  And if time flew any faster you might
want to take up speedreading for the new year.

Marcia Little
Secretary.

From Pastor Blaine

Pastor’s Thoughts

Pictures From the Harvest Festival

You can click on pictures to enlarge.

Getting ready to take off on the hay ride…

Getting ready to cook those hot dogs and toast those marshmallows!

Had to use a lot of these yummy candies to make…

A nice gift jar!

Decorating our cans…

Time out for something to eat!

Here’s our decorated treat cans!

Harvest Festival

 

Don’t forget to come join the fun at the Harvest Festival,

Sunday, October 25th 4:00- 6:00!  Hope to see you there!

From the Secretary

All hands on deck for the Harvest Festival, the latter part of October. 
Or may it be said, let*s have a happy hoedown.  Candies are being
collected from parishioners for the craft project, pumpkins and/or
colorful squash for autumn decor, and food for the famished hayride
revelers.  A sign up sheet in the Fellowship Hall for some of these
items will be available.
*
The Zach family has made a lovely effort putting together music for
Sunday services.  They appeal to congregants for ideas on special songs
or arrangements to be used on occasion.  If you have a favorite CD or
title, please talk to Jan.
We appreciate Joan Tiemeyer for many years working as editor of our
beloved newsletter.  Nevertheless, she is planning to retire from this
duty in December.  If anyone would like to take up the baton, give it a
go, try on a new hat, please let Joan know, so she may help with needed
advice.  Marcia has thought about it, though feels she wouldn’t be able
to follow through consistently with the responsibility. An alternative
solution is being considered. However, if you have dreamt of being the
elegant editor of an informative flyer, don’t hesitate to hail Joan and
hash over the details.
The socializing after church is an enjoyable mainstay of our
fellowship.   Those who provide treats are very much appreciated by the
congregation.  Some have intimated, however, that less is more, or
healthy is happy.  It seems to me though, that we are very blessed to
have so much high quality sustenance of any kind from so many talented
cooks and hosts.
Thank you.  Marcia L., Secretary

Mission Accomplished

 

Four weeks ago the congregation was challenged to collect sneakers, gym shoes and baseball caps for the Syrian Refugee Crisis.  Results were tremendous as 70 pairs of shoes and nearly 200 baseball caps were received.  They will be mailed out the week of October 1st and should reach their destination in Greece in 6 to 7 weeks.

While the crisis is enormous our prayer is that those who will receive and wear the shoes and caps will sense the love and care through this small effort.  Remember the words of Jesus, “As you do unto the least of these my brothers you do unto me.”

Please be in prayer that the boxes arrive in good condition and that those who will wear them will find peace and safety for themselves and their families.

A special thank you to our partners in this ministry. United Faith Community Church, Valley, Nebraska and First United Methodist Church, Hamburg, Iowa.

Will keep you posted if a notice of reply is sent.

Pastor’s Thoughts

All of us have things that scare us. For some it's thunder and
lightening; others the dark, snakes, spiders, flying, and some at the
end are scared to die Halloween is a time when young children dress up
and try to scare someone in their costumes and masks. They'll run up
behind us and yell BOO! Most of us will act scared even if we're not.
Scaring people can be fun.
*There are other occasions that being scared is real and frightening.
The Lord doesn't want our hearts to be afraid or scared.  Jesus promises
that he'll be with us when we feel afraid. In I John 4:18 the Bible
states,"Where Gods love is, there is no fear, because Gods perfect love
drives out fear." Gods love for us enables us to depend on him whenever
we 're afraid. We don't have to fear. The 23rd Psalm states, "Yea though
I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;"
Why? For thou are with me.  Gods love and presence is with us wherever
we are and we go. We don't have to be afraid.
The next time we experience fear or the emotion of being afraid remember
the words of Psalms 27:1, "The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom
shall I fear?" The  Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be
afraid? May our loving Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ bless and keep each
and every one of you in His loving care

Pastor Blaine

Happy 95th Mabel!

 

All of us at Percival Community Church wish you a very Happy Birthday!

Pastor’s Thoughts

Challenging would be the optimum word for the agricultural community
especially the farmers over the past five to six months.  However, in a
few weeks those farmers will be busy bringing in the yields that were
planted in the spring. Whether it be bountiful, average or below they*ll
go about the harvest.  It*s a part of life.
*Challenges confront all of us in different forms and various degrees;
family relationships, economic, financial, health issues, urban,
suburban or rural, education, political, social and cultural and moral
issues; every one of these areas present challenging responses to and in
our lives.
*As the people of God spiritual challenges await us we confront the
challenges of living in this world.  Jesus states, *That we are to be
the salt of the earth and the light of the world.* How do we shine as
the world seemingly becomes darker and darker in despair, hopelessness,
violence, and moral decay?
*Yet the challenge is *to shine.* We as God*s children are *Blessed,*
blessed with a hope, faith and trust that is grounded in the promise of
God*s word. Scripture proclaims; *I will never leave you or forsake
you,* *our strength is to be in the Lord,* and that *Surely goodness and
mercy will follow me all the days of my life, *till I dwell in the house
of the Lord forever.
*Yes, the challenges of life do press upon each and every one of us, but
let us not grow weary or stressful or anxious. But let our *light shine:
that it will illuminate the goodness of God, glorify the Savior, and
show the *Blessed Assurance* that Jesus is mine.
Shine! Shine! Shine!
Pastor Blaine

Sunday, August 9th

Everyone who was present in church Sunday was blessed to hear the beautiful voice of Haley Kessinger. She played the piano and sang, “I Will Rise.”  I had never heard that song before and it is absolutely beautiful.  I wish I would have taken a picture but I was so in awe of her beautiful voice and wonderful piano playing that it just escaped me. She is truly blessed with a wonderful talent.

After church we were all invited to fellowship at the beautiful home of Lynn and Barb Handy. It was very gracious of the Handy’s to open their home to us all.  We had some very nice refreshments and everyone enjoyed visiting. A big thank you to Lynn and Barb.

Remember the Birthday Gathering this month will be at Cubby’s Thursday, August 20th at 11:30 am.

Click on the following link to listen to the song, “I Will Rise”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa8w7mGug0c

Pastor’s Thoughts

Summer has arrived.  Hot and Hotter!
I grew up in the desert of East Washington, Richland to be exact where
95 to 105 was a common temperature for July, August and maybe September,
but with little humidity.  Deserts are forbidding places for shade,
food, and is a hostile environment for most people.  Yet when the Lord
God got angry with his people following the modeling of a gold calf He
sent them on a journey in the wilderness for forty years until all who
had participated died.  Jesus went to be tempted of Satan in the
wilderness, John the Baptist preached and roamed in deserts and many a
prophet found solace and sanctuary there.
*Desert environments in reality put us to the test of fully trusting in
the Lord for everything.  Need water? I’ll lead you to an oasis or speak
to a rock. Need food? I’ll supply it. Need shade for cooling down?  I’ll
provide a tree or bush now and then for you to rest under.  Wilderness
experiences will test our depending on the Lord for the essentials of
survival.
If you*re like me once in a while I feel like the Israelites wandering
in this dry and thirsty desert of life.  I’m thirsty, hungry, tired, and
needing to find an oasis with a spring.
It’s at that moment that the Lord Jesus Christ furnishes His living
water, a hungering for the word, and a place of shade and rest under the
shadow of the Almighty. If you’re experiencing a desert time in your
spiritual life cry out unto the Lord and He will supply and provide all
the refreshment you need.

Pastor Blaine

A Thought for Today

Thought for today

From the Secretary

Phyllis Greedy Will Celebrate 90

 

Phyllis Greedy will celebrate her 90th birthday on July 12th.  Her family is asking that people do Random Acts of Kindness in her honor.  Please post your Random Act of Kindness on the following facebook page:

www.facebook.com/GGGsRAOKbirthdaygift

                          or send it to

philgreedy@gmail.com

They are hoping to have at least 90 posts!

Here are just a few examples of ways to spread some kindness. 

1. Deliver fresh-baked cookies to a neighbor or friend.
2. Bring flowers to someone.
3. Offer to baby-sit for free.
4. Pay for someone’s coffee behind you in the drive-through.
5. Pay for someone’s meal.
6. Send a note of encouragement to someone.
7. Give another driver your parking spot.
8. Give a treat to the postman or delivery person.
9. Pay a visit to someone.
10. Give someone a compliment.
11. Slip a $20 bill to someone who you know is struggling financially.
12. Offer to give someone a ride somewhere.
13. Volunteer your help.
14. Let someone go ahead of you in line.
15. Donate to a charity.

Simply giving someone a smile is a perfect way to brighten someone’s day. Just imagine the amount of happiness you can spread in a lifetime!

Pastor’s Thoughts

Happy Father’s Day!

From the Secretary

June, a lovely month, fair and sunny, a time to be in the garden,
digging the warm soil, swatting flies for more exercise, anticipating
the bounty of summer fruits, flowers and vegetables, all fresh and
colorful.  A run on sentence that hints of the run on activities of warm
weather.  As a child it seemed to me that literary genres spent so much
descriptive effort on the seasons, wrapping them up in sentimental
drama.  Why?  I was probably too busy running, swimming, climbing, and
exploring to understand. Now, as an older adult, I feel more in touch
with the near at hand, which includes the warm air on my skin and fresh
in my lungs, the perfumes of the earth, the chirping of a chorus of
birds, and the tastes of many warm berries plucked from a bush. 
Likewise a bit of poetry emphasizes my feelings for the season.  It must
have been thus for those poets of yester year.
         Church activities have slowed, perhaps for the good, so we may
get in touch with the nature about us and revive our spirit in the world
in which God has placed us.  Pastor Blaine takes a vacation, and we
welcome Nancy Newlon and Mel Hurst in his place the first two Sundays of
the month.  Maybe something will come up the Sunday of Father*s Day,
though I don*t want to spoil any surprise. The dads may be busy in the
fields anyway, and might miss their own party.  We shall see, and take
it from there. * It*s summertime (soon), and the livin* is easy**

Marcia Little

Pastor’s Thoughts

Schools out- summers is here and for many an opportunity to take a
family vacation.
     Some may go to our United States National parks such as Grand
Canyon, Yellowstone, Sequoias* and view the beauty of God*s creation.
Others may enjoy visiting historical sites, Gettysburg, The Alamo,
Custer*s battlefield, Lexington and Concord to see some of the places
learned in History classes.
     Still others will pursue the amusement parks and take in Six Flags,
Dollywood, Disneyland in California or Disneyworld, Universal Studios
and Sea World, thrill at that the rides especially the roller coaster.
     Finally many families will include some of each of the above in
their vacation plans.
     Whatever, whenever, and wherever your plans may take you remember
not to take a vacation away from God. Pray for safety, give Him thanks
for His creation, ask for patience in the car, enjoy the special moments
with family and yes even read a verse of Scripture that might be
meaningful for the day.  Such as "In all things give thanks."   God
after all never takes a vacation from you or me; he*s always with us.
     So enjoy your summer and if you take a vacation include God in your
plans.

Pastor Blaine

 

Pastor Blaine will be absent from the pulpit June 7th and 14th as he takes a
much needed vacation.  Please look ahead and join us on the 7th as Nancy
Newlon shares her presentation on her trip to Jerusalem.  Welcome Pastor
Mel Hurst as we gather for Worship and fellowship on the 14th.

May Flowers

Pretty flowers popping up in front of the church.

Mother’s Day Breakfast

A big thank you to the men for fixing and serving us breakfast, and thank you to Aaron Zach for the beautiful song selections this morning!

Click on images to enlarge.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day Breakfast

Sunday, May 10th

8:30 – 9:15

Pastor’s Thoughts

 

Mother's day is a special day honoring and celebrating the role of

mothers within the life of families, in nurturing and loving

unconditionally.  However, I would like to pay tribute to women that

have been a significant part of my life.

First my Mother Evelyn Swofford Pritchett Lee.  She's been gone nine

years now, but her love, life and memory continue to be reflected and

recalled almost everyday.  She was a fantastic waitress and sacrificed

much for her children; my sister and I later  two more sons from a

second marriage. She enjoyed dancing, made the most delicious Tacos,

sewed shirts and dresses that were one of a kind. Her receiving Christ

as Savior when she was fifty seven was a life changing decision.

Second,- "Susie" Pritchett who became a special person to two teenagers

who did not always appreciate her. But over the years we grew to love

her and she us.  Her insights, knowledge and advice were valuable in

many a situation.  She is a grandmother,a great grandmother  who is

enjoying the role again of being grandmother to a 2 year old grandson,

named  Charlie.

Third-My sister Nancy Stajduhar.  Like all siblings we had our issues

growing up, but as years passed while being miles apart we've grown

closer and appreciated the work that our Lord has called each of us to

engage in.

Next- Molly, my half- sister who was born while I was in college; so we

never had what you would call a brother-sister close relationship.  But

we love each other and it was with great joy that I celebrated her

becoming a mother two years ago to her son Charlie.  He was an answer to

many a prayer as is her husband Brian.

Then there is my wife Dale, forty four years of marriage, four children,

six grandchildren, twenty five moves, ten churches and more ups and

downs than a roller coaster. Through tragedies triumphs, joys and  sorrows,

sickness and health, thick and thin, better and worse we have

experienced it all and with the Lords help have come through it with a

faith that grows stronger.  At our wedding we had a song sung titled"

United We Stand Divided We Fall" it concludes by saying"Together you and

I." There are still challenges but "I love her more now."  Her beautiful

singing voice can bring tears to peoples eyes.

Elaine Wagenaar, my mother-in- law who has endured with grace. dignity

and strength more heart-ache than I'll  ever experience. While she

speaks little when she does you better listen and pay attention. She is

smart, funny, loves to read and has spent over forty years exploring her

families genealogy that on one side goes back over 900 years.

Larissa Joy Pritchett Travis, my daughter.  Her middle name " Joy" is

just that.  While she turned most of my hair gray in high school; today

she is a devoted wife and mother to four sons.  She allows me to

participate in my grandsons lives more than I deserve.

Tara Claiborne Pritchett, my daughter-in- law, who puts up with me

through no choice of her own (I came with the marriage) allows me to

drive  my grandchildren to school  and is a calming influence for the

family. She is smart and willing to do anything for the technically

challenged in-laws.

So on this Mother's Day I celebrate these special women who have and are

a part of this Pastors life.  I thank the Lord for each of them and

I would encourage everyone to take the time to do the  same.  It's never

too late to express your love, gratitude and appreciation  to the women

in your life and there is no better time to start than this Mother's Day.

Pastor Blaine

From the Board Secretary

Mother’s Day is cause for celebration, especially by the men folk of our

congregation, who want to make it special for the ladies with a

breakfast before the service on May 10th.  Jan Zach, again a leader of

the charge, will be scrambling eggs and searing bacon, while others help

out with fruit, muffins, coffee, and whatever else they muster up.  Of

course, be ready for adjustments in the format if it happens that many

are called to the field that day.  However be reassured, Social Chairman

JoAnn Birkby is on call for what needs to get done in such a case. 

Mother’s Day, yea!

In June Pastor Blaine will be absent on the 7th and 14th.  Nancy Newlon

will give a presentation on her trip to Jerusalem on the first Sunday he

is gone (there will be no communion that day), and Mel Hurst will give

the homily on the next Sunday.  Thank you both for stepping up and

sharing with the congregation.

Although a month has gone by since our Easter celebrations, they are

remembered as being very special, with beautiful music, lovely

decorations for the sanctuary, heartfelt messages and reverent

devotional moments.  Thank you all involved in contributing to the

occasions.

Thank you Phyllis Layman, for sharing your talents in the preparation of

May Baskets, as well as everyone involved with this ministry.  Pastor

Blaine reports that the community at large is more and more aware of our

presence and outreach. All the participation of the congregation in so

many activities must be a large part of the reason.  Double yea!  Or

Huzzah! Huzzah!

From Marcia Little, Board Secretary

May Baskets

Several worked on making May Baskets after church last Sunday.

Baskets ready to go!

Happy May Day!