I am looking forward to Sunday, when we will worship the Lord together and bless the backpacks (and those who will be carrying them) of our eager young learners as they launch a new school year. We pray for all the students, teachers, administrators, school meal teams, bus drivers, crossing guards, and parents. We pray for safety, active learning, supportive classrooms, new friendships, and personal growth. We pray for God’s grace and human kindness to be abundant.
Our scripture texts will be about Elijah and his very bad day (1 Kings 19:9-18) and the disciples and their very bad day on the lake (Matthew 14:22-33). But then, God shows (for Elijah) and Jesus shows (for the disciples). Shows to me, as Psalm 23 puts it: “Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” With us. Good days and bad days. Unforgettable days and wish-we-could-forget days. Definitely, on those certain days, and definitely as well, on those days too full of uncertainties. Goodness and mercy, tracking our steps, as promised. God with us: got our backs, everything packed, all the days of our lives.
See you Sunday!
Our scripture texts will be about Elijah and his very bad day (1 Kings 19:9-18) and the disciples and their very bad day on the lake (Matthew 14:22-33). But then, God shows (for Elijah) and Jesus shows (for the disciples). Shows to me, as Psalm 23 puts it: “Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” With us. Good days and bad days. Unforgettable days and wish-we-could-forget days. Definitely, on those certain days, and definitely as well, on those days too full of uncertainties. Goodness and mercy, tracking our steps, as promised. God with us: got our backs, everything packed, all the days of our lives.
See you Sunday!
Service and Hands
by Dave Nock
This summer as with all American summers we observe Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Veterans Day—as reminders of the nation’s foundations: sacrifice, service, and commitment. These holidays honor millions who have given their time and lives for community and country.
On 7 September the PLPC community will enjoy the service of hands and the grill with a great BBQ. The giving of time, cooking talent and good food is service to the community. Giving time and sacrifice is volunteerism. The volunteer effort can be compared to an orchestra: one instrument alone makes music, but it can also be noise. When a coordinated effort of many instruments with a conductor you have music and maybe a symphony. Likewise, individuals have valuable skills, but true impact comes when people are working together. The sacrifice of time, skills and hands is the music of service to others in need. Biblical teaching from 2 Corinthians emphasizes sowing generously, urging reflection on whether we give our time and service freely.
Practical examples show how small contributions of one hour per month from church members equal nearly two full-time workers; one hour per month from the community residents equals an untold number of full-time workers annually. We expand this from local, community to county to state and the potential grows. The addition of volunteer hands and service across the community can offer help and aid to those in need. Churches and civic organizations can and do offer a lot of capability to those in need.
We are Gods hands, doing God’s work. I talk about relationships all the time. Emergency Management is all about relationships. PLPC is building a strong relationship with the community through the blessing box. But relationships must be nurtured on a regular basis. They need care. They need hands-on care. If you do not nurture the relationship, it will fizzle out over time and fade away.
Let’s use the hands of PLPC and nurture a relationship of service and volunteerism. The hands of God in service to others.
On 7 September the PLPC community will enjoy the service of hands and the grill with a great BBQ. The giving of time, cooking talent and good food is service to the community. Giving time and sacrifice is volunteerism. The volunteer effort can be compared to an orchestra: one instrument alone makes music, but it can also be noise. When a coordinated effort of many instruments with a conductor you have music and maybe a symphony. Likewise, individuals have valuable skills, but true impact comes when people are working together. The sacrifice of time, skills and hands is the music of service to others in need. Biblical teaching from 2 Corinthians emphasizes sowing generously, urging reflection on whether we give our time and service freely.
Practical examples show how small contributions of one hour per month from church members equal nearly two full-time workers; one hour per month from the community residents equals an untold number of full-time workers annually. We expand this from local, community to county to state and the potential grows. The addition of volunteer hands and service across the community can offer help and aid to those in need. Churches and civic organizations can and do offer a lot of capability to those in need.
We are Gods hands, doing God’s work. I talk about relationships all the time. Emergency Management is all about relationships. PLPC is building a strong relationship with the community through the blessing box. But relationships must be nurtured on a regular basis. They need care. They need hands-on care. If you do not nurture the relationship, it will fizzle out over time and fade away.
Let’s use the hands of PLPC and nurture a relationship of service and volunteerism. The hands of God in service to others.
Priest Lake Presbyterian Church Anniversary
On August 15, 1981, Priest Lake Presbyterian Church met for the very first time, gathering in Lakeview School with a small group of families who felt called to plant a new worshiping community in the growing Priest Lake area. Their hope, dedication, and willingness to begin humbly laid the foundation for everything our church has become.
As we celebrate our anniversary this month, we give thanks for those founding members — including voices like Jennie Harper — whose memories remind us how faithfully God has guided PLPC from the very beginning.
Today, PLPC remains committed to serving our neighborhood with compassion, hospitality, and a heart for ministry. We are still growing, still learning, and still showing up for our community — just as those first members dreamed we would.
If you have memories, stories, or reflections from any chapter of PLPC’s life, we would love to include them in an upcoming anniversary spotlight. Please email them to the church office to be considered for the next edition of Priest Lake Press.
As we celebrate our anniversary this month, we give thanks for those founding members — including voices like Jennie Harper — whose memories remind us how faithfully God has guided PLPC from the very beginning.
Today, PLPC remains committed to serving our neighborhood with compassion, hospitality, and a heart for ministry. We are still growing, still learning, and still showing up for our community — just as those first members dreamed we would.
If you have memories, stories, or reflections from any chapter of PLPC’s life, we would love to include them in an upcoming anniversary spotlight. Please email them to the church office to be considered for the next edition of Priest Lake Press.
40+ Years of Recollections by Jennie Harper
July, 2026
I have been a part of PLPC since 1983. At that time we were a new church development, led by Pastor Don Lagle, and we met at Lakeview School. Socializing was done on our present property, where we made use of the old cabin. We had Sunday School for adults and children and have always been blessed with individuals who shared their talents teaching.
There have been Bible Schools, Bible studies, ladies' study groups, lunches and retreats, men's breakfasts, work groups and youth groups. We have had yard sales, bake sales and other fund raisers.
A lot of fun (and a few mishaps) were had during that time when we were a mostly young group with young children. One day the men of the church were attempting to clean up the property when someone with a chain saw cut down a tree which fell across Smith Springs Road. Another time they were burning something and at least one of them managed to singe his shirt and eyebrows. There were cookouts, ice cream socials, watermelon feasts. Once there was a meal and DJ Frankie Diana played music for a dance in the gym. The Labor Day barbeque was begun by the men's group. For years George Harper made his homemade barbeque sauce, honey supplied by Jim Gracey, some form of which is still being made by Jon Loudermilk. Somewhere along the way the Music City Dixieland Band was added for entertainment. Also, a barbeque pit was built as a memorial to George Hansel.
Eventually a double-wide trailer was added to our property and we moved our Sunday School and church services to the trailer and worshiped there until we built the first phase of our actual church building. Then we were able to add the second phase of the building and Charter.
Of course, some of us remember the 2011 tornado which took the roof off of the church. I know that Leesa Fields (and some others I'm sure) were at the church at midnight rescuing hymnals and other items. During the 2010 flood, some of our youth group were across town. There was concern, but they returned to us in good shape.
We have always been a mission-oriented church. I believe it was in 1999 that Project Joy was born starting with packing shoe boxes for children. Then the project grew larger each year and for a number of years every Fall there was great activity, with packing bags of school supplies, sorting large amounts of clothing, and packing food boxes and toiletries to be taken to the people of Harlan, KY.
Angaza Nuru was begun as a dream of Judy Achieng and her family in Kenya and has grown each year.
There have been many other mission projects over the years – serving breakfast to the homeless downtown, making meals for Room at the Inn in conjunction with the Church of Christ next door, our youth group going to East Tennessee to help with repair projects for some people there, our current blessing box and participation at The Branch, and many more which I can't remember currently.
We have shared our building with several other church groups in need of a place to meet.
Too many people to mention have come and gone over the years, to other locations and to be with Jesus. We have always been a strong, loyal, opinionated, changing group; and while PLPC has sometimes seemed to struggle financially, we have kept going forward. Under the leadership of Pastor Paul Burns, we had Miracle Sunday, when we all came together to pay off our remaining mortgages on the church building. There was much rejoicing over that accomplishment.
PLPC has always had amazing talented musicians – leaders, instrumentalists, choir members, individuals to provide us with special music. (After all, we do live in Music City.)
There have been the good cooks who have fed and are feeding us, many meals made for sick or grieving members. There have been teachers and group leaders and people who work with individuals or groups outside of PLPC. So many have given their time and talents over the years to spread the message of Jesus. Currently, David Sadler, our wonderful Session members, and others, have stepped up to “keep us going” until our new pastor arrives. I appreciate and am thankful for all of them.
We have had many blessings and some differences of opinion; but always, with God's help, PLPC has continued to exist and thrive. Members remain a caring, supportive group of Christians.
I'm sure I have forgotten many things, but these are some of my recollections over the last 40+ years.
July, 2026
I have been a part of PLPC since 1983. At that time we were a new church development, led by Pastor Don Lagle, and we met at Lakeview School. Socializing was done on our present property, where we made use of the old cabin. We had Sunday School for adults and children and have always been blessed with individuals who shared their talents teaching.
There have been Bible Schools, Bible studies, ladies' study groups, lunches and retreats, men's breakfasts, work groups and youth groups. We have had yard sales, bake sales and other fund raisers.
A lot of fun (and a few mishaps) were had during that time when we were a mostly young group with young children. One day the men of the church were attempting to clean up the property when someone with a chain saw cut down a tree which fell across Smith Springs Road. Another time they were burning something and at least one of them managed to singe his shirt and eyebrows. There were cookouts, ice cream socials, watermelon feasts. Once there was a meal and DJ Frankie Diana played music for a dance in the gym. The Labor Day barbeque was begun by the men's group. For years George Harper made his homemade barbeque sauce, honey supplied by Jim Gracey, some form of which is still being made by Jon Loudermilk. Somewhere along the way the Music City Dixieland Band was added for entertainment. Also, a barbeque pit was built as a memorial to George Hansel.
Eventually a double-wide trailer was added to our property and we moved our Sunday School and church services to the trailer and worshiped there until we built the first phase of our actual church building. Then we were able to add the second phase of the building and Charter.
Of course, some of us remember the 2011 tornado which took the roof off of the church. I know that Leesa Fields (and some others I'm sure) were at the church at midnight rescuing hymnals and other items. During the 2010 flood, some of our youth group were across town. There was concern, but they returned to us in good shape.
We have always been a mission-oriented church. I believe it was in 1999 that Project Joy was born starting with packing shoe boxes for children. Then the project grew larger each year and for a number of years every Fall there was great activity, with packing bags of school supplies, sorting large amounts of clothing, and packing food boxes and toiletries to be taken to the people of Harlan, KY.
Angaza Nuru was begun as a dream of Judy Achieng and her family in Kenya and has grown each year.
There have been many other mission projects over the years – serving breakfast to the homeless downtown, making meals for Room at the Inn in conjunction with the Church of Christ next door, our youth group going to East Tennessee to help with repair projects for some people there, our current blessing box and participation at The Branch, and many more which I can't remember currently.
We have shared our building with several other church groups in need of a place to meet.
Too many people to mention have come and gone over the years, to other locations and to be with Jesus. We have always been a strong, loyal, opinionated, changing group; and while PLPC has sometimes seemed to struggle financially, we have kept going forward. Under the leadership of Pastor Paul Burns, we had Miracle Sunday, when we all came together to pay off our remaining mortgages on the church building. There was much rejoicing over that accomplishment.
PLPC has always had amazing talented musicians – leaders, instrumentalists, choir members, individuals to provide us with special music. (After all, we do live in Music City.)
There have been the good cooks who have fed and are feeding us, many meals made for sick or grieving members. There have been teachers and group leaders and people who work with individuals or groups outside of PLPC. So many have given their time and talents over the years to spread the message of Jesus. Currently, David Sadler, our wonderful Session members, and others, have stepped up to “keep us going” until our new pastor arrives. I appreciate and am thankful for all of them.
We have had many blessings and some differences of opinion; but always, with God's help, PLPC has continued to exist and thrive. Members remain a caring, supportive group of Christians.
I'm sure I have forgotten many things, but these are some of my recollections over the last 40+ years.
Percy’s puff power is impressive…
but the leaf blower would really help!
Well hello friends, it’s Percy here — your faithful church mouse, keeper of crumbs, watcher of hallways, and unofficial guardian of the supply closet.
And I come to you today with a most urgent announcement.
The church leaf blower is missing. Gone. Vanished. Poof. Like a dandelion puff in the wind.
Maureen came to tidy up the bushes the other day (I supervised, of course), and when she went to grab the leaf blower… it was nowhere to be found. I checked behind the bushes, under the steps, inside the choir robes, and even in Pastor Ray’s office — nothing. Not even a leaf blower‑shaped shadow.
So if you borrowed it, rescued it, relocated it, or it simply followed you home because it liked you… please bring it back to the church. Maureen needs it, and I’m tired of blowing leaves around with my tiny mouse breath. It’s not effective.
Thank you kindly,
Percy
Chief Leaf‑Blowing Enthusiast
And I come to you today with a most urgent announcement.
The church leaf blower is missing. Gone. Vanished. Poof. Like a dandelion puff in the wind.
Maureen came to tidy up the bushes the other day (I supervised, of course), and when she went to grab the leaf blower… it was nowhere to be found. I checked behind the bushes, under the steps, inside the choir robes, and even in Pastor Ray’s office — nothing. Not even a leaf blower‑shaped shadow.
So if you borrowed it, rescued it, relocated it, or it simply followed you home because it liked you… please bring it back to the church. Maureen needs it, and I’m tired of blowing leaves around with my tiny mouse breath. It’s not effective.
Thank you kindly,
Percy
Chief Leaf‑Blowing Enthusiast
