Two Hundred and Fifty Years -
Declaration of Dependence
by Dave Nock
We are independent from the issues that faced this nation 250 years ago. But we are now dependent on the current challenges that face us.
George Washington kept a prayer journal. The following are two of his entries. Note these are just two sentences. It comes from a larger reading of a Monday morning prayer from General Washington.
“O eternal and everlasting God, I presume to present myself this morning before the Divine majesty beseeching thee to accept of my humble and hearty thanks, that it hath pleased thy great goodness to keep and preserve me the night past from all the dangers poor mortals are subject to, and has given me sweet and pleasant sleep, whereby I find my body refreshed and comforted for performing the duties of this day in which I beseech thee to defend me from all perils of body and soul.”
“Increase my faith in the sweet promises of the Gospel; give me repentance from dead works; pardon my wanderings, and direct my thoughts unto thyself, the God of my salvation; teach me how to live in thy fear, labor in thy service, and ever to run the ways of thy commandments, make me always watchful over my heart, that neither the terrors of conscience, the loathing of holy duties, the love of sin, nor an unwillingness to depart this life, may cast me into a spiritual slumber, but daily frame me more and more into the likeness of thy Son Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time attain the resurrection of the just unto eternal life.”
Humility, gratitude, repentance, dependency, and submission are all qualities displayed here.
I found the above piece as part of a devotional. I think as we look to the 4th of July and the nations celebration of Independence from England, we should realize how connected the founding fathers were in the Bible and prayer. Remember, 12 Presbyterians signed the Declaration of Independence.
George Washington kept a prayer journal. The following are two of his entries. Note these are just two sentences. It comes from a larger reading of a Monday morning prayer from General Washington.
“O eternal and everlasting God, I presume to present myself this morning before the Divine majesty beseeching thee to accept of my humble and hearty thanks, that it hath pleased thy great goodness to keep and preserve me the night past from all the dangers poor mortals are subject to, and has given me sweet and pleasant sleep, whereby I find my body refreshed and comforted for performing the duties of this day in which I beseech thee to defend me from all perils of body and soul.”
“Increase my faith in the sweet promises of the Gospel; give me repentance from dead works; pardon my wanderings, and direct my thoughts unto thyself, the God of my salvation; teach me how to live in thy fear, labor in thy service, and ever to run the ways of thy commandments, make me always watchful over my heart, that neither the terrors of conscience, the loathing of holy duties, the love of sin, nor an unwillingness to depart this life, may cast me into a spiritual slumber, but daily frame me more and more into the likeness of thy Son Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time attain the resurrection of the just unto eternal life.”
Humility, gratitude, repentance, dependency, and submission are all qualities displayed here.
I found the above piece as part of a devotional. I think as we look to the 4th of July and the nations celebration of Independence from England, we should realize how connected the founding fathers were in the Bible and prayer. Remember, 12 Presbyterians signed the Declaration of Independence.
Percy’s Summer Scavenger Hunt Challenge ANSWERS!
Well hello, PLPC friends!
It’s me, Percy! I’ve been trotting, sniffing, snooping, and wiggling my way through the church, leaving clues in all sorts of curious places. You humans really put your detective skills to the test — I’m impressed! My tail hasn’t stopped wagging since the guesses started rolling in.
Here are all the places I visited on my big adventure:
It’s me, Percy! I’ve been trotting, sniffing, snooping, and wiggling my way through the church, leaving clues in all sorts of curious places. You humans really put your detective skills to the test — I’m impressed! My tail hasn’t stopped wagging since the guesses started rolling in.
Here are all the places I visited on my big adventure:
- The top of the Tea Box in the kitchen (I wasn’t allowed to taste anything… rude.)
- The “Gather” sign in the narthex — I love a good gathering.
- The charter member signatures on the framed charter — very important humans!
- The Branch bulletin board edge — I may have bumped it with my nose.
- The button on the chair in the STEP/Take 5 classroom — it was Bonnie's favorite chair.
- The lock on the bench — I tried to open it. No luck.
- The ribbon on the Come to the Table sign‑up — it looked festive, so I sniffed it.
- The artwork hanging in the narthex — I posed like a very good boy.
- The push pin on the bulletin board or outside Take 5 classroom — tiny but mighty.
- The bagpiper’s sleeve in the Amazing Grace artwork in the conference room — I tried humming along.
- The fabric on the pew in the sanctuary — soft enough for a quick Percy sit.
Now for the big moment — tail wag, ear perk, dramatic pause…
First Place: AMY AVILES!
Amy sniffed out 8 correct answers — the highest score! I hereby crown her PLPC Super Sleuth, complete with imaginary golden magnifying glass.
Second Place: MAUREEN MEYER!
Maureen came in a very close second with 7 correct guesses! Percy declares her an Honorary Deputy Detective, which comes with unlimited imaginary treats.
Squeak‑tastic job, friends — you sniffed out every clue I tucked around the church this week, and I had the best time watching you scurry from hint to hint. But don’t hang up your detective whiskers just yet… I’ve cooked up a brand‑new crossword puzzle in this week’s newsletter. It’s stuffed with secret nods from our scavenger hunt, and I can’t wait to see who solves it first. Grab a pencil and come play — your favorite church mouse has more surprises on the way.
First Place: AMY AVILES!
Amy sniffed out 8 correct answers — the highest score! I hereby crown her PLPC Super Sleuth, complete with imaginary golden magnifying glass.
Second Place: MAUREEN MEYER!
Maureen came in a very close second with 7 correct guesses! Percy declares her an Honorary Deputy Detective, which comes with unlimited imaginary treats.
Squeak‑tastic job, friends — you sniffed out every clue I tucked around the church this week, and I had the best time watching you scurry from hint to hint. But don’t hang up your detective whiskers just yet… I’ve cooked up a brand‑new crossword puzzle in this week’s newsletter. It’s stuffed with secret nods from our scavenger hunt, and I can’t wait to see who solves it first. Grab a pencil and come play — your favorite church mouse has more surprises on the way.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
5:30 – 6:45 PM
We will be discussing chapter 7 (The Roundabout Way) & chapter 8 (Love and Grace) in the book Life Changing Love by John Ortberg. All ladies are welcome to join us at any time. We meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month. The side door by the ramp is unlocked by 5:15. There is always some chit chat and hugs as people arrive and by 5:30 we settle in with sharing our prayer requests. We keep these prayer requests confidential, and we don’t discuss them with our friends or family. I write a summary of the requests and share them in an email only to the people who were in that room at that time. A written summary is intended to help us remember our sisters in our daily prayers. By 6:00 we turn our attention to the book that we’re reading. It’s a time to share our insights, questions, things we like, and things we might disagree with. You are welcome to come even if you haven’t read the current chapter of the book. At 6:45 we close with a group prayer, lifting up the prayer requests shared at the beginning.
A simple way to share God's love
Our Blessing Box continues to be a steady source of help for our neighbors, thanks to your faithful donations. Every can, box, and bag you share makes a real difference. As summer settles in and the temperatures climb, we’re shifting our focus toward warm‑weather essentials. Bottled water is especially needed this time of year, and even a small contribution can offer comfort and care to someone in the heat
From Scavenger Hunt to Crossword: Percy’s Next Challenge
Well, well, well… you clever humans scurried through my scavenger hunt like seasoned detectives. I watched from my favorite pew as you followed every crumb I left behind — and I must say, it was delightful watching you squeak with triumph.
But don’t tuck those whiskers away just yet. I’ve cooked up a brand‑new challenge in this week’s newsletter: Percy’s Crossword Puzzle! It’s packed with sneaky clues, tiny twists, and a few winks to those of you who solved my scavenger hunt. Sharpen your pencils, warm up those brain cells, and see if you can outsmart your favorite churchmouse once again.
I’ll be watching…
Jennifer will be happy to print a paper copy if you want one. Just let her know.
But don’t tuck those whiskers away just yet. I’ve cooked up a brand‑new challenge in this week’s newsletter: Percy’s Crossword Puzzle! It’s packed with sneaky clues, tiny twists, and a few winks to those of you who solved my scavenger hunt. Sharpen your pencils, warm up those brain cells, and see if you can outsmart your favorite churchmouse once again.
I’ll be watching…
Jennifer will be happy to print a paper copy if you want one. Just let her know.
