This week we celebrate the day Priest Lake Presbyterian Church came to life! On August 15, 1981, a small group of families gathered in Lakeview School with big faith and a bold dream: to plant a new worshiping community right here in Priest Lake. They showed up with hope, courage, and a whole lot of heart — and from that simple beginning, our church family began to grow.
Forty‑plus years later, look at what God has done. PLPC has become a place of welcome, compassion, creativity, and steady ministry in our neighborhood. We’ve shared countless meals, prayers, projects, joys, and challenges. We’ve grown together, served together, laughed together, and continued to show up for our community in meaningful ways.
As we celebrate this anniversary, we give thanks for the people who started the journey, for the people who have carried it forward, and for the people who are part of it today. The story of PLPC is still unfolding — and we’re grateful to be writing the next chapter side by side.
Happy Anniversary, church family. Here’s to the past, the present, and the hopeful future God is leading us into.
Dog Days
by Dave Nock
Have you heard the term “Dog Days of Summer”? The dog days of summer are the hottest, most sweltering stretch of the season, traditionally linked to the heliacal rising of Sirius, the Dog Star, in the constellation Canis Major. For those that are into the constellations. Ancient Greeks and Romans believed Sirius rising with the Sun intensified heat. Sirius rising just before sunrise in midsummer, which the Greeks and Romans thought added “extra heat” to the Sun bringing drought, fevers, and bad luck. The Greeks called Sirius “Seirios” - scorching. The Romans translated the idea into dies caniculares — “the dog days.” Today, the phrase simply refers to the muggiest, most oppressive part of summer. The peak of summer heat — long, humid days when everything feels slow and heavy. Traditional dates: July 3 to August 11 in the Northern Hemisphere (per The Old Farmer’s Almanac).
Sirius doesn’t affect Earth’s temperature — the heat comes from seasonal solar patterns — but the ancient name stuck. Now, “dog days” simply evokes the slow, heavy, sunbaked feel of late summer. Staying cool in the Tennessee summer heat comes down to three pillars: stay cool, stay hydrated, and know the warning signs. The core takeaway: heat safety is about managing temperature, humidity, and exertion before your body gets overwhelmed.
Enjoy the “Dog Days” But be safe.
Sirius doesn’t affect Earth’s temperature — the heat comes from seasonal solar patterns — but the ancient name stuck. Now, “dog days” simply evokes the slow, heavy, sunbaked feel of late summer. Staying cool in the Tennessee summer heat comes down to three pillars: stay cool, stay hydrated, and know the warning signs. The core takeaway: heat safety is about managing temperature, humidity, and exertion before your body gets overwhelmed.
Enjoy the “Dog Days” But be safe.
Hot Weather Wisdom from Your Favorite Church Mouse
Percy here — your unofficial PLPC Heat Safety Officer (self‑appointed, highly motivated, and only slightly sweaty). I just finished reading Dave Nock’s article, and it got me thinking: with August turning the outdoors into a giant toaster oven, maybe I should share a few helpful hints of my own to keep everyone safe, comfortable, and upright.
• Wear light‑colored clothing Dark colors soak up heat faster than I can find a dropped Cheerio. Light colors help keep you cooler — and they look great at the Bar‑Be‑Que.
• Drink plenty of water and hydrating fluids If you’re thirsty, you’ve waited too long. Keep sipping throughout the day. I personally recommend water, lemonade, or anything that doesn’t come from the mop bucket.
• Walkers: choose your times wisely Early morning and late evening are your best friends. Midday heat (roughly 10 AM–4 PM) is when the sun tries to roast everything, including church mice and faithful walkers. Save your strolls for cooler hours — even Percy won’t scamper around at noon.
• Pets need heat safety too If the pavement is too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for paws. Make sure your furry friends have shade, fresh water, and indoor time during the hottest part of the day. Percy’s rule: if you wouldn’t sit out there in a fur coat, don’t make your pet do it.
• Check on elderly and homebound members Heat can be just as dangerous as winter cold. A quick call, text, or doorstep check can make a world of difference. Make sure they have cool air, water, and someone keeping an eye out. Percy approves of all acts of kindness — especially ones that involve checking on folks.
• Take breaks in the shade Even a few minutes out of the sun can help. I’m partial to shady spots under picnic tables, but humans may prefer chairs.
• Listen to your body If you feel dizzy, overly tired, or just “off,” step inside and cool down. Percy’s motto: if you wouldn’t make a mouse run around in that heat, don’t make yourself do it either.
Let’s enjoy these summer days safely — and arrive at the Labor Day Bar‑Be‑Que happy, hydrated, and ready for good food and good fellowship. I’ll be there too… strictly supervising the dessert table, of course.
• Wear light‑colored clothing Dark colors soak up heat faster than I can find a dropped Cheerio. Light colors help keep you cooler — and they look great at the Bar‑Be‑Que.
• Drink plenty of water and hydrating fluids If you’re thirsty, you’ve waited too long. Keep sipping throughout the day. I personally recommend water, lemonade, or anything that doesn’t come from the mop bucket.
• Walkers: choose your times wisely Early morning and late evening are your best friends. Midday heat (roughly 10 AM–4 PM) is when the sun tries to roast everything, including church mice and faithful walkers. Save your strolls for cooler hours — even Percy won’t scamper around at noon.
• Pets need heat safety too If the pavement is too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for paws. Make sure your furry friends have shade, fresh water, and indoor time during the hottest part of the day. Percy’s rule: if you wouldn’t sit out there in a fur coat, don’t make your pet do it.
• Check on elderly and homebound members Heat can be just as dangerous as winter cold. A quick call, text, or doorstep check can make a world of difference. Make sure they have cool air, water, and someone keeping an eye out. Percy approves of all acts of kindness — especially ones that involve checking on folks.
• Take breaks in the shade Even a few minutes out of the sun can help. I’m partial to shady spots under picnic tables, but humans may prefer chairs.
• Listen to your body If you feel dizzy, overly tired, or just “off,” step inside and cool down. Percy’s motto: if you wouldn’t make a mouse run around in that heat, don’t make yourself do it either.
Let’s enjoy these summer days safely — and arrive at the Labor Day Bar‑Be‑Que happy, hydrated, and ready for good food and good fellowship. I’ll be there too… strictly supervising the dessert table, of course.
Saturday
August 22, 2026
All men of the church are invited to gather for breakfast and fellowship. During this meeting we’ll also finalize plans for the Annual Labor Day Bar‑Be‑Que. If you’re helping with any part of the BBQ, please make every effort to attend — your input is important as we wrap up the details.
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
(we are skipping the 3 Thursday in August)
5:30 – 6:45 PM
Our next gathering will continue Life Changing Love by John Ortberg as we explore Chapters 11 & 12 (pages 184–211), which bring this wonderful book to its conclusion. This week’s themes — “God Searches for Hiding People” and “The Ragged God” — invite us to reflect on the ways God meets us in our most vulnerable places and draws us toward grace.
Come ready for thoughtful conversation, shared insight, and the joy of finishing this study together.
Come ready for thoughtful conversation, shared insight, and the joy of finishing this study together.
Bring a favorite dessert to share — homemade or store‑bought, all are welcome
