North County Explosion

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Ron Gaus

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Aug 27, 2025, 9:36:18 PM8/27/25
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Hi Pilgrims,

When tragedy occurs, our first thoughts  go to prayers for the affected’s wellbeing.   After that, thoughts may go to: “Do I know them”?   “Is anyone I know connected to them”?   

After the north county explosion, I wondered about that.   It’s not that it would make prayers more meaningful, but just to reach out directly to those who may have been affected.  

John Hellman has become a good friend over the past few years, as his company has assisted Pilgrim Congregational in the long city approval and planned installation of a new (used) LED sign for the church.  The long process has worked beneficially in that the tornado would have surely destroyed the sign if already installed.  

John happens to also be a minister with his own small church and is an extremely religious individual.  John called me today, obviously shaken in his conversation…

“Ron, I am so thankful for God’s mercy!   Our home was adjacent to the two that exploded on Monday.  Two of our kids were at school but the third was in our lower level, in the bottom portion of a bunk bed. The ceiling fell.   Everyone got out safely but the house caught fire and we’ve lost most of our personal items.   Our faith is keeping us in some semblance of coping”.  

These may not have been John’s exact words but it is the equivalent to what I thought he said. 

As each of us go through life, and tragedy or misfortune comes to our door, may we all have John’s faith to help us get through in dealing with if.   Please pray for John’s family as well as his church.  

     -Ron

John’s message to me a few minutes ago…

“All the stuff is replaceable. Human life is precious. Irreplaceable.  We're seeking to encourage others. Receiving so much love and support from so many directions. Praising and thanking our Lord Jesus Christ every day.”


John’s house is the one on fire in the photo. 
Resized_Resized_20250825_092458.jpeg

Connie Agard

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Aug 27, 2025, 9:53:58 PM8/27/25
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How tragic!!!  My prayers go to him and his family.

Connie

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Susan Brand

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Aug 27, 2025, 9:55:47 PM8/27/25
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Wow! Such scary stuff! Will send prayers!



Susan Damsgaard Brand, GRI, ABR, SRES
Keller Williams Realty St. Louis
1717 Hidden Creek Ct.
St. Louis MO  63131


  
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Brenda Rule

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Aug 27, 2025, 11:33:43 PM8/27/25
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🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Sent from my iPhone

Ronald Hill

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Aug 28, 2025, 9:39:19 AM8/28/25
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🙏🙏🙏🙏 for all affected.
Ron Hill

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--
Ron

Amanda Hollis

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Aug 28, 2025, 9:51:07 AM8/28/25
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I'll keep John and many others in my prayers Ron . There is so much tragedy in this world now. I hope people will start to see the light.



reva.pi...@gmail.com

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Aug 28, 2025, 2:03:33 PM8/28/25
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What a tragedy. We offer our prayers for John, his family, and all others impacted by the explosion.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers. 🙏🏽


On Thu, Aug 28, 2025 at 6:51 AM, 'Amanda Hollis' via Pilgrim UCC StL
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