Sunday, January 1, 2023

 Good Morning and Blessings on this first day of 2023!

 

As we welcome the year 2023 with new beginnings and fresh starts, we will also face new challenges. But within the highs and lows that every year brings...

"There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day." ~ Alexander Woollcott

I love quotes, I had never heard this one before.  It made me pause and realize how true that really is. We all know it, we just often times take it for granted. Every day is a precious gift. ~ Mindy

This is the day that the Lord hath made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. ~Psalm 118:24

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Praise and Prayer Requests: 

 Amy and Patric Breekbill, Marge Bennett, Rosemary Handy, Pastor Donna,  Jim and Donna Glenn, Mary Sherwood, Beth’s mother, Conrad Hall, Don Baker, David Lueth, Patrick Lueth, Ellie Warren, Penny’s cousin Randy, Thomas Kiefer, Jenny and Shannon Bruce, Terry Gunderson, and the many unspoken prayers

January Birthdays

18th   Nancy Newlon,  20th  Lynn Handy,  25th Shannon Bruce

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My dear friends,

This Sunday as we celebrate Christmas Eve/Christmas Day and welcome the new year, our code word is Abundance.

We will be celebrating Communion together and Lauren Daigle will sing "The Light of the World" as our special music.

Pastor Donna

Today's Sermon:  "Abundance"

Today's Hymns:

Joy to the World

Go Tell it on the Mountain

Communion Special Music:  "The Light of the World" by Lauren Daigle   (Beautiful Beautiful song)

O Come All Ye Faithful

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Beth Lueth sent a video to share of the 1992 Percival Church Christmas program.  Click HERE to take a step back in time. Enjoy! Thanks Beth!

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I have a book to share.  As I mentioned above, I love quotes, and this book is full of them.  The book is titled, "Distilled Genius" by Susan Branch.  She too, loves quotes and has collected them for years.

What I also like about the book is it is handwritten and watercolored in Susan's style.  To me it's one of those pick up, open up to any page, quick, warm the heart cozy reading!  How do you like that definition?

Perhaps you would enjoy it too.

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  One last thing, and I know I have shared this in past years but thought I would again as it really is a neat idea.

 

 

 

A jar.  Yes, a jar.  You can call it many things. Whatever you choose to call it, you start it on January 1st and then on December 31st, New Year's Eve, you empty the jar and read through your notes.

Some ideas....

A Prayer Jar- Throughout the year jot down your prayers, and give them to the Lord by placing them in the jar.

A Gratitude Jar- Every day write down what you were grateful for on that particular day. Even on a bad day, there is something good that can be found, such as the simple fact that you are loved.

A Positive Jar- Write down a quote or saying you wish to remember.

Blessings Jar- Write down a blessing you encountered each day. You know the song, count your blessings name them one by one.

Memory Jar- Record special memories that made you smile

A Jar of Strength- Perhaps write down a scripture that helped get you through the day or issue at hand.

It's your jar, so you get to choose. You can even make it a combination of all these jars.  Whatever jar you choose, it's just a fun and simple way to help make us mindful of the joys and blessings we are gifted in our everyday life.  And with that, I share another quote...

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Old churches must not simply stand as monuments to the past but as spiritual grandparents that have invested in the future by passing on their life to others and releasing their offspring to form new congregations. ~ unknown

 

 

 Today's Sunday Church Share..

 

Picture via Pinterest
 

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Percy's Tidbit

Good words are worth much and cost little ~ George Herbert

 

 

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!  

 You don't have to be perfect to be amazing!!!!!
 

 Thank you again to The Percival Community Church for allowing me to blog about our little corner of the world.  Small in numbers but great in faith and friendships. 

Percival Church Blogger,

Mindy Raymond

Sunday, December 25, 2022

SUNDAY MORNING CHURCH SERVICE HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE EXTREME COLD.   

 

 Blessings and Merry Christmas!

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you:  you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."  Luke 2:11

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Since we've cancelled Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services Pastor Donna wanted to share a couple of songs for this morning. 

 "This is Christmas" by Kutlass, who asks us what is Christmas without the manger.

 Last year she heard the following song for the first time and it quickly became her favorite.

"Start at the Manger Then Go to the Cross" 

 

 "This year sometime during Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, I would ask each of us to spend time to listen and then pray to Him who gives us redemption.

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Donna

 

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A few more shares this Christmas morning....

 

Betty and Larry Moyer's very pretty Christmas tree! 

 

Thanks you two! Looks Christmas cozy :)
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Joan Tiemeyer is sharing a sampling of some of the beautiful cards she makes with the following message included...

"Wishing you a Merry Christmas touched with wonder and filled with love."

 

Thank you Joan for sharing! I personally have seen several of the beautiful cards she has made and let me just say, a lot of time, creativity and love go into each and every one!

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Marcia Little wishing us a "Merry Christmas" using her Calligraphy talents...

 

 

 

 Thanks Marcia, you do such a nice job!

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 And lastly, thought I'd share a couple more photos. ~ Mindy 

 Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Do you see the mouse?

 

In this cold weather, you just got to have hot chocolate! :)

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Old churches must not simply stand as monuments to the past but as spiritual grandparents that have invested in the future by passing on their life to others and releasing their offspring to form new congregations. ~ unknown

 

 

 Today's Sunday Church Share..

 

 

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And of course I have to share this picture of our very own beautiful little church.  Just love this picture. 
 

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Percy's Tidbit

 The greatest gift you can give someone is simply to thank them for being part of your life.

 

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Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

 

 

Dance like Frosty

Shine like Rudolph

Give like Santa

Love like Jesus

 

Sunday, December 18, 2022

 Blessings!

 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God has forgiven you."  Ephesians 4:32

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Every time we are kind, every time we are thoughtful, every time we forgive, every time we are generous, it's Christmas.~ from the book, Everyday spirit

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Good Morning!

 

 Please pray for our country, our leaders, and our church.

 

 Praise and Prayer Requests:

 

 Roger Polsley, Marge Bennett, Amy and Patric Breekbill, Andrew Heuberger, Rosemary Handy, Pastor Donna, Jim and Donna Glenn, Mary Sherwood, Beth’s mother, Conrad Hall, Don Baker, David Lueth, Patrick Lueth, Ellie Warren, Penny’s cousin Randy, Joan Tiemeyer, Jenny and Shannon Bruce, Terry Gunderson, those traveling during the holiday, and all the unspoken prayers.

 Praise for the decorators of the church particularly Jan, Dave, Phyllis and Betty.

Board Meeting today.

 December Birthdays and Anniversaries: 18th Gary Sherwood, 22nd Jerry Birkby, 2nd Jerry & Jo Ann Birkby, 19th Jan & Mary Zach

 

 Today's Sermon:  "Gospel"

  Today's Hymns:

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Away in a Manger

Special Music:  "Christmas This Year" by TobyMac

O Come All Ye Faithful 

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Reminder:

 CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE AND SUNDAY MORNING CHURCH SERVICE HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE EXTREME COLD FORCASTED.   As of now, Christmas service will be New Year's Day.

 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 4 pm, Dec. 24th, with communion

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  CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE AND SUNDAY MORNING CHURCH SERVICE HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE EXTREME COLD FORCASTED.   As of now, Christmas service will be New Year's Day.

 

 

Christmas Day Service and Fellowship at 10 am, Dec. 25th 

 

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 New Years Day Service at 10 am, Jan. 1st

 

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This morning we have some "shares" sent in from some of our church families.

 

First up is from Pastor Donna.....

 

My ornaments are all handmade straw, the bits of red are the aprons the girls are wearing on their goats.

 

 The nativity is hand carved and hand painted balsa wood from Oberammergau, Germany where the Passion Play is held every 10 years.  The details are so fine, baby Jesus even has toenails.  It's one of my prized possessions.  It cost a years salary (Salvation Army Captain allowance) when I got it.  It's kept out year round. ~Donna

Thank you Pastor Donna for sharing!That Nativity is simply beautiful!

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Next a share from Beth and David Lueth...

 

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 The following photos are Beth's daughter Lacey's

 

 

Thank you Beth and Lacey for sharing! Everything looks great! The cat loves it, I can tell!

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Next up we have Jo Ann and Jerry Birkby...

 

Our Nativity on the front porch.

 

 The village scene is done by our daughter Lora Lee.  We love it!

 Thank you Jo Ann and Jerry for sharing your lovely Christmas photos!

 

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 The following pictures are from Terry and Erika Graham, Jerry and Jo Ann's daughter and son-in-law.  Jerry made the Yule logs for their family.

 

 This is the 2022 log that Jerry made.  This log was made last year, so it has had time to dry.  We'll drill 1/2 inch holes in the log this week.  Everyone in the family will write down their wishes for the coming year.  Then each person rolls their paper up and puts it in a hole.  The log is then placed in the fireplace and burned. ~ Terry

 

 

 Here are pictures of last year's log...

 

 Thank you Terry and Erika for sharing! What an awesome tradition!

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A share from Betty and Larry Moyer...

Thank you Betty and Larry for sharing!  Very nice!

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  Next up Mary and Jan Zach...

Mary and Jan want to see if you can find Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce (KC Chiefs) on their tree! 

 

Thanks Mary and Jan for sharing! I found one right off the bat, took me awhile to find the other!

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Marcia Little sent these cute photos of her pets!  I didn't ask her but I'm sure no spoiling has ever taken place!

 

Thanks Marcia for sharing!

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 A Share from Barb and Lynn Handy...

 

 Thank you for sharing Lynn and Barb! The fireplace looks so nice and ready for Christmas and your dining table as well!

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 Irish Christmas Blessing shared by Betty Booker...

 God grant you lightness in your step, 

 A smile on every face you meet,

 Loved ones gathered at your hearth,

 and at your door, good friends to greet

 A holy hymn upon your lips,

 A window candle burning bright,

 And may the Good Lord bless your heart 

 And come to dwell there Christmas night.

    

 

Thank you Betty for sharing!

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 Lastly, here's a few pictures from around our home(Mindy and Rusty)

Those that know me know I like gingerbread men :)

No, these are not real cookies, found them at Michaels craft store

 I purchased these 3 cardboard houses at Hobby Lobby and then used white hot glue to decorate them as gingerbread houses.

I had the wreath. I just purchased these little houses in the dollar spot at Target. I then attached the little houses, which I think look like little gingerbread houses, and some bottle brush trees, and then added a little bow I already had.

And while out thrift shopping one day, I found this globe nativity scene of the three wise men and baby Jesus. I loved the antique look of it.  

 

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Thank you to everyone that shared with us this week!  It's not too late, if you have more photos or just didn't have time to send me anything this week, get it sent to me and they will be shared next Sunday.

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Old churches must not simply stand as monuments to the past but as spiritual grandparents that have invested in the future by passing on their life to others and releasing their offspring to form new congregations. ~ unknown

 

 

 Today's Sunday Church Share..

Picture via Pinterest
 

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Percy's Tidbit

 

"The gifts of caring, attention, affection, appreciation, and love are some of the most precious gifts you can give, and they don't cost you anything."   

                                        ~ Depak Chopra

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As we enter into this week before Christmas, it appears our weather will be turning much colder. Please take care and dress appropriately as you are out and about.  It seems these two have it under control!

 

Picture via Pinterest

Enjoy your week!