Sunday, November 1, 2020

 Hello everyone!

 I find it interesting to read about a hymn, who wrote it, when it was written, and the inspiration behind it.  This hymn, "Send the Light" was written in 1890 by Charles H. Gabriel,  (1856-1931) who grew up on a farm in Iowa. It is considered to be one of the best missionary hymns ever written. ~Mindy        And as the song says,

Let us not grow weary in the work of love,

"Send the light! Send the light!"

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 Please pray for all members of our congregation, Pastor Blaine, Lynn and Barb, Kristin, Penny and her husband, Larry.  Larry is home and doing better. Penny thanks everyone for their calls and prayers.  Please pray for our country.  Jan and I give thanks that his niece and her husband are back in their home in Estes Park.  

Birthday greetings to Jeff Handy on November 1st and Bill Allen on November 4th.

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 The videos this week feature young children.  I hope they bring joy to you as they share the Good News of our Savior. 

 Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  Matthew 19:14

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.  3 John 1:4       ~Mary Zach

 

 Boy recites Bible verses

 

Beautiful Savior by Claire Ryann 

Peace In Christ by Claire Ryann and dad

 

 *I would like to take a moment to say thank you to Mary Zach. Mary plays a big part in contributing to our blog post each Sunday. She gathers the prayer requests, birthdays and anniversaries. She is also gracious to provide us with music/videos each week by choice or requests. Thank you Mary, I know everyone appreciates all that you do! And speaking of videos, I must say the "Peace in Christ" song was awesome.  I have never heard that before. What a beautiful beautiful song and video. I will be adding that one to my favorites!  For a father and daughter to sing and share together, such a beautiful gift and song ....there's just no words. Heartwarming. ~ Mindy 

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   Looking through past photos of church and church gatherings, I thought it might be nice to share one or two every Sunday, calling it, "Captured Moments from the Past."
Here's today's captured moments... 

 

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Beth Lueth sent a photo to share with us...

Halloween party, I think 1994

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Please reach out to Mary or myself with news or photos you would like to share. Everyone likes and enjoys keeping in touch.

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Percy's Tidbit

Do not let the darkness dim your light. This week and every week, let your light shine.

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I think I will close with words from one of today's songs, "Peace in Christ"

He gives us hope
When hope is gone
He gives us strength
When we can't go on
He gives us shelter
In the storms of life
When there's no peace on earth
There is peace in Christ ~

Sunday, October 25, 2020

 

Autumn winds begin to blow, colored leaves fall fast and slow.  Whirling, twirling all around, 'till at last they touch the ground.

Good morning everyone.

 

 

October 25

Please pray for all members of our congregation, Pastor Blaine, Lynn and Barb, Phyllis, Penny, and her brother Denny, and her husband Larry.  Please pray for Kristin Handy on Wednesday, October 28, when she will have heart surgery.  Jan's niece and her husband, Angie and Lonnie, had to evacuate Estes Park on Thursday.  They are safe, but continue to pray that their home and store will be spared.  Pray for all the people in this area.

Birthday greetings to Kristin Handy and Ross Sherwood on the 26th and Pastor Blaine and Matthew Earith on the 27th!

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This is Reformation Sunday!  Five hundred three years ago, Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany.  For years, Martin Luther had struggled trying to follow all the rules of the church and work his way to heaven.  After studying the Bible, he came to the realization that we are saved by grace, not our works.  "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."  Ephesians 2:8,9   This was the beginning of the Protestant Church.   Martin Luther loved music and believed congregations should sing.  He wrote at least 24 hymns.  The first video is his most famous hymn, "A Mighty Fortress is our God."   He wrote the words for the hymn on the second video.   

A Mighty Fortress is our God

All Praise to Thee, Eternal Lord 

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  Looking through past photos of church and church gatherings, I thought it might be nice to share one or two every Sunday, calling it, "Captured Moments from the Past."
Here's today's captured moments...

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A couple of thank you's to share from Phyllis Layman.

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Update on the demolition of Hamburg buildings.  The first one to come down, the old KT Market.  Here's the before and after.

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Sharing a couple of photos.... Our outside kitty Paley enjoying the pumpkins and the crisp fallen leaves. ~Mindy

 Pumpkins on the back step.

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Percy's Tidbit

You have no idea how long something you say can stay in someone's mind.
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 Have a good week and remember to enjoy the little things~

Sunday, October 18, 2020

 

The photo this morning is this beautiful view I took on top of the bluff the other evening.  It is in places like this that we can stop....pause.... and find grace and tranquility. ~ Mindy

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 October 17-18

Good morning! I hope everyone is doing well!  Pray for the members of our congregation, Pastor Blaine, Lynn and Barb, Phyllis, Kristin Handy.  Pray for nursing home residents including Babe and Mary Kellogg.  Prayers for Penny's brother Denny who has been placed in hospice. Pray for the farmers.  May God keep them safe, keep their equipment working, and give them good weather so they can finish their harvest in a timely manner.  Pray that God will give us wisdom as we choose our elected leaders.  Pray for the people affected by the wildfires.  Jan's niece and her husband live in Estes Park, Colorado.  The largest wildfire in Colorado history is only three miles from them.

Happy Birthday to Karlee Graham on the 22nd! 

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Here are this weeks song videos...

For the Beauty of the Earth

What A Faithful God 

Symphony to the Lord 

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 Looking through past photos of church and church gatherings, I thought it might be nice to share one or two every Sunday, calling it, "Captured Moments from the Past."
Here's today's captured moments...

 

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Thought the following information would be of interest as there are Hamburg members in our congregation.  Hamburg made the news as demolition begins on some of the old buildings that were severely compromised and damaged in the flood this past year. To watch the news video click HERE 

 Here are some photos of the buildings to be torn down.  These buildings have been here for years and possess architectural beauty that can never be replaced. They are considered if you will, "old friends" of Hamburg, major pieces of our history that will be sorely missed.  The buildings to be torn down are the old KT Market, Marie's building, Bill's Barber shop, the old Hamburg Reporter Office and the old Conners/Hotel . (pictures taken by Betty Travis)

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Percy's Tidbit

Three things you shouldn't lose this week:

-your faith, your courage and your smile. God Bless you. YOU...are very special.

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With Monday comes a fresh start.  Have a great week!

Sunday, October 11, 2020

 

 

Happy Sunday everyone!  Believe it or not, there is a little piece of the Percival church in this photo this morning.  The last of my zinnias are slowly fading away for the season but even in their faded state, they bring their own little charm.  I chose to gather some and place them in the cement pumpkin Rusty and I made.  The  church is represented in the chair which was rescued from floating in the church basement during the flood of 2011.  This photo brought to mind the following scripture.  ~ Mindy

The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever. ~ Isaiah 40:8

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October 10-11
Prayers for Pastor Blaine and everyone in our congregation.
Please keep Phyllis and her family in your prayers.
Prayers for the family of Zach Freeman. He is JoAnn's stepmother's 36 year old son who passed away from brain cancer.
Prayers for the family of Kathy Chambers. She was from Thurman and passed away due to Covid-19.
Pray for Sydney, the little girl from Riverton who had heart surgery. She is having health problems again, and will undergo more tests to find out exactly what is going on.

Now for some good news!
Nancy's sister, Sandra, had a very good report from the doctors following her eye cancer surgery. The biopsy results were excellent!
Teresa Spidell is doing much better!
Kristen Handy was able to come home and is continuing physical therapy. We pray for her continual improvement.
Lynn Handy is home now! We pray that he will continue to improve and that God will give Barb the strength she needs to be his caretaker.
We praise and thank God for all these answered prayers!

Birthday greetings to Jacob Raymond and Charlie Bohlen on the 15th.
Belated best wishes to Jim and Donna Glenn as they celebrated their anniversary on October 1.

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The videos this week were recorded in grain bins! Hopefully, these bins are being filled with grain now instead of music! 

Down To The River To Pray

What A Friend We Have In Jesus 

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 Looking through past photos of church and church gatherings, I thought it might be nice to share one or two every Sunday, calling it, "Captured Moments from the Past."
Here's today's captured moments...

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 Nancy Jewel and Nancy Newlon helped Ardis Rogers celebrate her 95th birthday.  Nancy Jewel, who use to live in Percival, invited Ardis and Nancy to her home in Omaha for lunch.  The two Nancys sang happy birthday to Ardis and ended by singing how old are you.  Ardis sang an answer, too d--- old!!!!

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Two missions were suggested to me recently.  Mindy Raymond suggested Ellie Baucom.  Ellie was Phyllis Layman's niece's daughter who passed away due to a tragic accident.  Jerry Birkby suggested the Smile Train.  The Percival church board sent $250.00 to the Smile Train.  The Great Western Bank in Sidney was collecting money for Ellie's mother, Jessica Betts to help with funeral expenses for Ellie.  $100.00 was sent to this mission.

If you have a mission suggestion, contact any member of the church board.

Thanks, Nancy

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The church received the following thank you from the Arnold Spears family 

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 Our beautiful maple tree on this wonderful October morning! Most of the fields around my house have been harvested.  Jan is moving right along despite several breakdowns. ~ Mary Zach

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Percy's Tidbit

Man says show me and I'll trust you.  God says trust me and I'll show you.

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Wishing you peace and contentment as a new week begins...

Sunday, October 4, 2020

 

The cooler weather did not seem to deter these morning glories as they peeked at me through the fence yesterday.

 

October 3-4
Pray for our congregation, Pastor Blaine, Lynn, Babe, Sandra, Teresa Spidell, Kristin, Phyllis Layman.
Pray for the families of Arnold Spears, Ellie ( 2 year old niece of Phyllis), Pat Penn, and Rhonda Shirley.
Rhonda's visitation is Sunday, Oct. 4 from 4:00-6:00 at Marshall Funeral Home. Her funeral service will be Monday, Oct. 5 at 1:00 at our church.

Birthday greetings to Mary Sherwood on October 7! You can send her a card or drop it off at her house on Sunday, Oct. 4 when her family is hosting a "Drive by" birthday celebration, 2:00-3:30.
Mindy chose our first video, "Heaven Help Me".
The second selection is "In the Garden". 

Heaven Help Me 

In the Garden

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  Looking through past photos of church and church gatherings, I thought it might be nice to share one or two every Sunday, calling it, "Captured Moments from the Past."
Here's today's captured moments...

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Percy's Tidbit...

"Compassion is not complete if it does not include oneself."  ~ Allan Lokos

 

Sunday Blessings to each and everyone...