WELCOME

Welcome to Prairie Faith Shared Ministry. Located in north central Kansas, six ELCA Lutheran congregations have stepped out in faith to enter into a truly shared ministry. We strive to provide the best tools for our members to grow as disciples of Christ and to proclaim the Good News of Christ within our communities and throughout the world. We hope you will join us at one of our churches for service on Sunday to experience for yourself the fellowship of Christ.

St. Johns will be hosting Advent Services this year on Wednesday evenings December 5th, 12th, & 19th @ 7:30 p.m. There will be a soup supper on December 5th and 19th beginning at 6:30 p.m. before the Advent Service. On December 12th there will be light refreshments following the service. Everyone is invited!

 decemBER 12, 2018

Click here for more information -->catholic charities.pdf 

Come join us at St. Johns, Wednesday, December 12th @ 7:30 p.m.  During the

Advent Service we will have the music group, "Total Praise” (formally "Country

Crossroads") sing Christmas music.  They sing to the glory of God.  Refreshments

will follow.

The WaKeeney Community Christmas Dinner will be held at the Methodist Church on December 14, 2018 @ noon. This meal is open to everyone in our community so pass the word to those you know who might like to come.  Each church congregation is to bring five salads, two desserts, and provide two workers. This meal is free and provided by donations of food and helpers. Any monetary contributions received will go to the food pantry.

To sponsor a veteran’s wreath means you’ll honor an American hero at the WaKeeney Veteran’s Cemetery or more than 1,400 locations nationwide this year on Wreaths Across America Day. It’s a day that’s been set aside to lay wreaths at the places where we remember, honor, and teach our children about our veterans. You have the opportunity to join a grateful nation in saying “thank you” to our veterans.  The 12th Annual Veterans Cemetery Service will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2018 @ 11:00 a.m. Click the link below for more information.

Wreaths for Veterans.pdf

Bethlehem & Zion Children’s Christmas Program will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Sunday, December 16, 2018 @ 10:30 a.m. Children need to be at the church by 9:45 a.m. Don’t miss out on this; mark your calendars now!

It is that time for the 2nd Annual Chili Cook-Off following the Children's Christmas Program at Bethlehem on December 16th. This is a challenge for the men (we already know Lutheran women can cook!) Any style of chili is acceptable. Bring your pot of chili to church, and everyone will get a bowl to taste all the varieties of chili they want! Then, we all will vote on the best chili.  The winner will be "Chili King" for a year and get to take home the traveling "Chili Trophy" which is currently on the desk of Brett Hille.  Brett is serioius about defending his championship for another year so bring your best, guys!  Call or sign up if you plan to bring chili so we know how many pots we are judging.  Speaking of those Lutheran women, some have volunteered to provide cinnamon rolls.  Let us know if you are willing to volunteer!

  Sunday, Dec. 16 the Parish Nurse Ministry is organizing Christmas Caroling. We will start out in WaKeeney at 2 o’clock at Sr. Apartments, then Keeney Village, and then the hospital. We will then travel to Ellis to the Good Samaritan Home. Finally, everyone is invited to attend the Carols & Candles Service at St. John at 6:30 p.m.

For some, 2018 has been filled with darkness. They may have lost a loved one and are still coping with that death.  Maybe they are living with cancer or some other disease that puts a question mark over the future. Some others might be dealing with a divorce, shattered relationship, concerned about their job situation, struggling to conceive a baby, or just having financial problems. Or perhaps it is a time that has always been difficult for other reasons.

For many people, the approaching Christmas holiday does not bring with it the joy and happiness that is advertised on television or in greeting cards. Our spirits sink as the days grow shorter.  We feel the darkness growing deeper around us. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern; we need to know that we are not alone.  We need encouragement to live the days ahead of us.

The goal is to experience our grief together, to recognize that the holidays this time of year are not all happy and joyous.  Prairie Faith Parish Nurse Ministry offers a special “Longest Night” service on Friday, December 21, 2018 from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Come out and join in hearing prayers, scripture, and music acknowledging that God’s presence is for those who mourn and for those who struggle, and that God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness. Everyone, regardless of church background (or lack of it) is welcome.  The service will be followed by a brief time for light refreshments and fellowship.

12-24 SJ Christmas Program

12-step Alcohol/Drug Recovery Group meetings every

Tuesday @ 6:30p.m. in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church basement.

338 N 7^th St, WaKeeney (come in through northeast door)

Questions?  Call (785) 743-2005

It’s that time of year again!! MidWeek is open to ALL children and adults in the area.  It begins @ 6:00 p.m. every Wednesday evening (September-April) with a delicious meal prepared by Ruth Shiltz, Margaret Schmitt, and Doris Hafliger.  After the meal around 6:30 p.m, the children have music with Sandee Scott. Then, from 6:45-7:30p.m. the children have their religion classes. Also during the children's class, there is an adult bible study group in the church library room from 6:30-7:30p.m. Parents are encouraged to eat with their children and then head to their bibly study while their kids are learning about God!  Adult Bible Study is open to everyone in the community, not just members of Prairie Faith Shared Ministry. Volunteers for MidWeek are ALWAYS needed and appreciated!! It’s going to be a great school year full of learning and fun!

Prairie Faith Shared Ministry Council Minutes

November 8, 2018

The regular meeting of Prairie Faith Shared Ministry Council was held November 8, 2018 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

The following churches and representatives were in attendance: Bethlehem – Richard Jensen(absent) & Margaret Schmitt; St. John – Bob Schonthaler & Bill Dietz(absent); Immanuel – Raymond Rumpel(absent) & Donna Deines; Emanuel – Larry Pearson(absent); Our Redeemer – Tonya Fenley(absent) & Joe Lutters(absent); Zion – John Fabrizius(absent) & Curt Fabrizius (absent)

Also, in attendance was, Katie Dreiling, Pastor Randy Gibbs, Parish Nurse Nancy Bollig, Pastor Jon Anderson, and PMA Kim Frederking. Devotions were given by Margaret Schmitt.

• Katie Dreiling was welcomed as the new member to the Prairie Faith council from St. John replacing Bill Dietz. Thank you, Bill, for your years of service.

• The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved

• The treasurer’s report was approved as printed.

Staff Reports

• Pastor Randy reminded everyone of the Western Kansas Fall Conference to be held at Bethlehem Nov. 11 at 3:30 p.m. There will be a service project, video, worship and a round table discussion during the meal.

• Pastor Jon shared his health concerns. He has received word of a live kidney donor and the process has begun to determine if they are a match.

• PMA Kim has finished the CPE class. She will begin her internship sometime in January.

Internship Committee Report

• Pastor Randy will be putting together an internship committee to begin in January

• Proceeding to apply for an Intern from Wartburg for the 2019-2020 year even though there will be a 5-month overlap

Discernment Committee Report –

• The committee met for the last time and it has been dissolved.

Health and Wellness Committee Report

• Parish Nurse Nancy Bollig handed out a written report to be reviewed later and it is attached to these minutes. She highlighted the 12-step alcohol/drug recovery support group now meeting at BLC in the basement on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. We all are encouraged to spread the word about the group.

• Work continues on increasing out-of-county medical transportation services for Trego residents

• Sunday, Nov. 18 is the Parish Nurse Ministry Thanksgiving Dinner to be held following the WELCA Thankoffering Joint Service. A reminder that we are offering rides to the meal and making home deliveries- let Nancy know if you know of someone who is alone for the holiday or homebound.

• Sunday, Dec. 16 the Parish Nurse Ministry is organizing Christmas Caroling. We will start out in WaKeeney at about 3 o’clock at Sr. Apartments, then Keeney Village, and then the hospital. We will then travel to Ellis to the Good Samaritan Home. Finally, everyone is invited to attend the Carols & Candles Service at St. John at 6:30 p.m.

• Friday, December 21 is the date set for the Longest Night Service at Bethlehem 7:00 p.m.

Communications

• PFSM will be donating $90 to purchase 6 wreaths to represent each Prairie Faith Church for the Wreaths Across America Service on Saturday, December 15, 11:00 p.m. at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery.

Old Business

• The Halbleib Band Concert and worship service went well and enjoyed by those that attended

• The Joint Reformation Service was held this year at the Presbyterian Church

New Business

• Thank you, Katie Dreiling, for volunteering to serve on the Prairie Faith Council as the representative from St. John

• St. John Lutheran Church is having a fundraiser, selling Poinsettias for $25 per plant. The due date is Nov. 16 but may be extended to Nov. 18. Please contact a St. John member if you wish to purchase a plant.

• WaKeeney Community Thanksgiving Service to be held at the Methodist Church Nov. 18 at 4:00 p.m. Brandon Nimz will be preaching

• The WaKeeney Community Christmas Dinner will be held December 14 at the Methodist Church, 12:00 p.m. Each WaKeeney Church is to provide 5 salads, 2 desserts, and 1-2 volunteers.

• December 16^th Bethlehem & Zion will be joining together for the Children’s Christmas Program. It will be followed by a Joint Men’s Chili Cook-off. All gentlemen are invited to bring their prepared chili recipe to be shared – everyone is invited to come and help pick a winner and enjoy the meal. Following the meal please join us for Christmas Caroling!!

• The Prairie Faith 2019 Budget will be presented and open to discussion during the Thanksgiving Dinner following the WELCA Joint Service. The format of the meeting will be to ask for congregational members to offer their opinions in written or spoken form of:

1. What are we doing well?

2. What are you bothered about?

3. What should we be looking at for the future?

4. List a specific project that Prairie Faith should do for the future.

    This meeting is being planned to give “you” an opportunity to share your concerns, joys, fears, and ideas. We hope it will be informal, relaxed and not take up too much of your time.

The next PFSM council meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 28, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. Katie Dreiling will have devotions.

Look at Our Photos

Come see a slideshow of the 2014 Vacation Bible School, the April Joint Service, and the 2014 Live Nativity - get a glimpse of the activities that take place at PFSM. Check out the video of past Joint Reformation Services posted under Prairie Faith Memories Photos.

Meet Prairie Faith Shared Ministry

Come to the About Us section to meet the church leadership, and find out what we're all about!