Remember In the New Year…

Your Year May Change, But God Is Still The Same.

Christmas Eve Service

I was unable to attend the Christmas Eve Service but here are some pictures that were taken.

Lacey Kiefer sang “Silent Night.”

Christmas Program December 16th

Snow Snow Snow

The last three Sundays we have had to cancel church due to snow storms. Let’s hope this won’t become the norm for the rest of December!  In the meantime stay safe and warm.

Celebrating Pastor Blaine’s Birthday

Sunday after church we all headed over to Valentino’s to celebrate Pastor Blaine’s birthday, although his birthday was in October.  He didn’t know about this little outing until it was revealed to him Sunday morning.

Nancy Newlon presented him with his own special hat to wear!

The poem written for him was framed and presented as a keepsake.

Pastor’s wife Dale was having a little fun with the saran wrap.

Perhaps too much fun!  May I add, do not try this at home.

Everyone seemed to give him a smile but no helping hands!

Happy Belated Birthday Pastor Blaine! We appreciate you more than you’ll ever know!

P.S.  See, we didn’t embarrass you too bad!!

Lest We Forget

Difference Between Veterans Day and Memorial Day…

Memorial Day is for remembering and honoring military personnel who dies in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of a wound sustained in battle. Veterans Day is intended to thank all those who honorably served in the military—in war time or peace time.

In Flanders Fields BY JOHN MCCRAE

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.  Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

A Percival Congregational Church Poem

October is celebrated as Clergy Appreciation Month, and we sure do appreciate Pastor Blaine Pritchett and all that he does for us throughout each and every year! The following poem was in our bulletin this morning and I thought it was absolutely perfect and wanted to share!

Written by a couple of congregants`

        Those who know your name Trust in you

                you always have a Home here

                      You are Able and just

                     To New life you lead us

           As pastor you share your Knowledge

                           You lift us up

                       Over the rainbow

       You make a joyful noise Unto the Lord

        You show us ways to Please the Lord

And give us gentle Answers to our questions

        Helping us to understand Scripture

           And know Truth from falsehood

     Which saves us from our On’ry nature

          And Reminds us of our prayers

Thanks Be to God for your presence among us

                We Love your guidance

              And Appreciate your words

    In God we trust because of your care

      For you show us the faith we Need…

           Eternal blessings upon you!

Gathering Up God’s Promises

Everything FALLS into place when we put GOD first!

Church Barn Quilt

In its proper place…

150th Celebration Continued

Visitors stepped back to the late 1800’s and enjoyed a self-guided tour of Percival.  Signs located some of the many businesses Percival had over its 150 years.

Long forgotten Percival street names marked the streets of Percival. 

History display at Percival Church.  Click on the following images to enlarge.

A pretty impressive aerial shot to mark the occasion!

1862 Sermon

The following is the exact sermon given in 1862, which was shared by Pastor Blaine Pritchett  August 19th, 2018.

John Todd Sermon.   Delivered Civil Bend Oct 5, 1862.

                         Passing Away

1 Cor. 7:31.  “And they that use the world as not abusing it:  for the fashion of the world passeth away.”

  In view of the fact that time is short, the apostle urges its proper improvement.  The early Christians encountered severe persecution and were often subjected to the loss of all their possessions and even their lives.  In that perilous state, it was inexpedient to allow themselves to become interested in worldly matters.  But farther, whatever might await them, time itself is so short that wisdom would lead to avoid becoming deeply enlisted in it’s pleasures, cares and perplexities.

To use this world as not abusing it is one of the most difficult as well as the most important acquisitions to be made by the Christian.  “By so many desires and passing we are connected with the objects around us, that our attachment to them is always in hazard of becoming excessive and sinful.”  Yet we are not to give our appetites to indulgence, our bodies to riot, or our days and nights to feasting and revelry—the word “fashion” here is probably taken from the shifting scenes of the drama where the scene changes, the imposing and splendid pageantry passes off the form of the world is illusive—it continues but a little time and soon the scene changes—the fashion that allured and enticed us now passes away and we pass to other scenes.  Nothing in human affairs is fixed and stable.  All is in motion and fluctuation; allowing its appearance every moment, and passing into some new form.  Let us contemplate a little serious view which is here given us of the world in order that we may attend to improvements which it suggests.

1.  The fashion of the world is passing away as the opinions, ideas, and manners of men are ever changing.

  -    Opinions, principles, and systems of philosophy.  We look in vain for an enduring standard, e.g., ideas of the solar system, shape of the earth, [John] Locke on the understanding, [Jonathan] Edwards on the will, etc.

   -   Modes of living and employing time, discoveries and inventions have changed the aspects of society—educational advantages and modes of imparting instruction, Sabbath schools, church architecture, carriages and vehicles.  How Paul traveled—the next age will introduce its discoveries and innovations.

   -   Think of the changes which our own opinions and ideas undergo in life—in youth buoyant, ardent, hopeful, but time dispels illusions.  Air citadels totter and fall.

2.   External things without and around us are ever changing.  The face of nature and monuments of art are changing, especially in older countries, castles, palaces, towers and walls are falling to decay.  Splendid cities become deserted and neglected villages – so there are in America monuments of a civilized race.

-   History is but a record of changes—the rise and fall of dynasties and nations—but our own memories remind us of the changes in our day.  Factions and parties have had their day and gone.  Political questions change.

-   Statesmen and fathers have fallen.  Within ten years [Zachary] Taylor, [Henry] Clay, [Daniel] Webster, [Thomas Hart] Benton and others have died.  So of the leaders in Israel how many have gone.

-   If we turn to our own private connections, how strong the evidence of passing away!  Where are the companions of our early years—parents—kindred, and friends.  The home of our childhood fall into new hands, who soon despoil them of all that endeared them to us.

3.  Our own life is passing away.  “We spend our years as a tale that is told.”  Not as moment—an inscription in the rock—not even a book, but a tale—infancy, childhood, youth and old age follow in quick succession with the flight of time.  The world is composed of unceasing rounds of transitory existence.

-   The condition of life is perpetually changing.  When we “get fixed” how soon are our own expectations disconcerted.  Health fails—friends die, families scatter—misfortune blights to remind us that we have no continuing city here.

4.  The world itself is fitted for change.  “While the generations of men come forth in their turn like troops of succeeding pilgrims, to act their part on this globe, the globe on which they act is tottering under their feet.”  Once deluged—shaken by earthquakes—undermined by fires and doomed to be burnt up.

-   Is everything then passing and transitory?  Is our existence but a dream? Nothing stable? Nothing abiding?  Yes: thank God, there is something lasting.  “We have a building of God—a house not made with hands eternal, etc.

   -Virtue and goodness never change.   They rest on the immutable basis of eternal truth.  Probity, truth and beneficence form the honor and excellence of man in the opinion of philosopher and savage, warrior, hermit and heathen alike.  Let us then hold fast our integrity and trust in God amid the wreck of the world.

-  For God is immutable.  His throne is established forever, and his Kingdom ruleth overall.  All changes are in harmony with the divine plan.

-  Heaven and immortality will endure forever.  This is but a period of trial preparatory to life beyond the grave.  There is a city which hath foundations—a Kingdom which cannot be moved.

- Set your affections then on things above.  Virtue, God, and Heaven.

Sermon From 1862

Sunday, August 19th the community of Percival gathered to celebrate 150 years of its founding in 1868. Present and former residents of Percival worshiped in a simpler manner as bulletins would not have been handed out.  Kate Roberts accompanied the congregation on the organ during the singing of 3 hymns, Shall We Gather At The River, Church In The Wildwood and God Be With You Till  We Meet Again.  She also played some beautiful prelude music on the piano. Thank you Kate for sharing your talent on this special occasion.

The sermon was delivered by Pastor Blaine Pritchett as it was originally delivered by John Todd on October 5, 1862 and was entitled “Passing Away.” The thrust of the message was how everything from ideas, government, buildings, philosophy and years… even our lives are all a passing of time. It was  appropriate for us today in 2018. Approximately 75-80 people attended and everyone felt that the Percival Community Church was a still a central piece for the community to gather both in fellowship and worship! To God be the glory!

Computer Issues

Sorry for the delay in posting pictures.  Have had computer issues. Thinking we are up and running now. Will post soon.

Percival’s 150th Anniversary Continued

Silent auction items.  Click on photos to enlarge.

The stained glass window was shining on this display, that’s why it’s yellow.

Some photos on display.

More pictures coming…

Percival’s 150th Celebration

There was a lot happening in Percival last weekend due to their 150th anniversary celebration.  The following pictures were taken Saturday at the church where the chicken dinner, historical displays, variety show and panel discussion of Percival’s history took place. To start the night of entertainment we had some Cheerleaders featuring Madison Hammons, Kirsten Hall and Grace Zach.    Please note you can click on the pictures to enlarge them.

Next  we had Heather Shirley Garton singing, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

Emily Shirley O’Rourke singing, “If We Hold On Together.”

Lacey Lueth Kiefer – “Adelaide’s Lament” from “Guys and Dolls”

Everyone got to join in singing the “Percival Song” by Beth Lueth, which was sung to the tune of “The Beverly Hillbillies.”  Heather Garton on the piano and Robb Handy on the guitar.

Panel Reflections consisted of longtime residents, Max Bebout, Mary Sherwood, Nancy Lemrick Hudnall, Lynn Handy and Pat Sheldon.

A few of the audience members joined in to share some of their stories as well.  I think everyone enjoyed listening to all the memories.

Cakes were made by Suzanne Hall.

We served chicken dinner to well over 200.   We would like to extend a very big thank you to all those who helped in anyway from food, the many salads and pies, to serving, the entertainment, clean up, planning and to everyone who attended and made this event successful!

More pictures to come!