Welcome!
Prairie Faith Shared Ministry
“Be gathered into one in You”
Welcome to Prairie Faith Shared Ministry. Located in north central Kansas, three 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.
Join Us
We have three congregations and worship with a variety of styles and liturgies. We encourage you to find out more about our congregations. Hope to see you in worship soon.
Our Pastor and interim Pastors/PMA’s rotate into different congregations during the month. Lay leaders also serve each congregation at various times. This is done to establish a working relationship between the Pastors and all the congregations of PFSM, as well as between the members of our congregations. Joint congregational worship services are held at various times during the year to provide fellowship between all of our members.

St. John Lutheran Church
Sunday School held at 10:00 a.m.
During the School Year
Please join us as we celebrate another great year of Fellowship, Worship and Learning! Looking forward to seeing you there! If you would like more information about Sunday School, please call the church office at 785-743-2005 to be put in touch with a St. John Sunday School representative.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church
There will be a Meal each Wednesday evening of Midweek beginning at 6:00 p.m. followed by music and class. Class will dismiss at 7:30 p.m. During Lent, class will dismiss early for Lenten Services. Midweek will be held on early dismissal days from school at the regular time.
You do not have to be Lutheran to attend Midweek. You are invited to come, join your friends in fellowship and learn more about Jesus and God’s Word. If you would like more information regarding Midweek please reach out to any of the following: Bridget Cook, Lisa Garrett or Ruth Shiltz or call the Church Office at 785-743-2005, and we will put you in touch with a Bethlehem Midweek representative.
Thank You to all who volunteered to help with our Midweek Program. We could not do it without you. You are very much appreciated!

Several years ago this youth gathering was held in New Orleans. Many Prairie Faith youth attended and had a great time. It is an opportunity to meet Lutheran youth from all over the country and hear some outstanding speakers.
Open to youth who have just finished 8th grade (in 2024) through those who have finished 12th grade. Adult Leaders must be at least 21 years old at the time of the Gathering. Early Registration is now open with discounted rates.
If interested, contact Pastor Jon!

JOINT SERVICE AT
ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH
394 St. John ~ St. Andrew Road
Ellis, KS
(7 miles North of Ellis, I-70 Exit 145)
Sunday, October 29, 2023, 11 A.M.
Pastor Appreciation Potluck
following Worship
Sunday School at St. John will Not be held on Sunday, October 29,
No services at Bethlehem or Emanuel on Sunday, October 29.


The time has flown by since St. John WELCA began the process of making their homemade vanilla! “Church Lady Vanilla” is available for preorders NOW and ready for pick up in November. WELCA also plans to sell the vanilla at community holiday showcases in Ellis & Palco.
°$15 a 4 oz. bottle
°Shipping will be available as our vanilla will make wonderful Christmas Gifts.
°All proceeds will go toward the St. John Flooring Project.
Please contact Sue Schonthaler if interested in purchasing “Church Lady Vanilla”
Over the next several months, some area community resources will be highlighted in the Prairie Faith Parish Nurse News. This is month three of the continuing series of existing community resources. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic Violence is defined as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.
For more information about Domestic Violence Awareness Month,
see the October Parish Nurse News at the link below.
Community Resources

Source:
Prairie Faith Parish Nurse News
A prayer shawl is a tangible gift representing the many and continuing prayers for comfort, caring, healing and love offered for an individual experiencing a difficult time for various reasons—serious illness, grief, loss, emotional trials, or spiritual upheaval in their lives. If you know of someone in the community who might be comforted by receiving a prayer shawl or blanket, please contact Nancy. There are several options for delivery of a prayer shawl to your friend, neighbor, or family member—you may request one to be prepared and then gift it yourself, request the pastor to deliver it, or request Nancy to deliver one. Email: parishnurse@ruraltel.net
This Month at Prairie Faith
October 2023
Bethlehem
Sunday Worship at 9:00 a.m.
Midweek Staff Installation and Presentation of Bibles to June and Paxton (3rd Grade) on Sunday, October 1, at the 9:00 a.m. Worship Service.
Bethlehem WELCA ~ Monday, October 2, at 2:00 p.m.
PFSM Bible Study with Pastor Jon Tuesdays, at 6:30 p.m. A non-denominational bible study-All are Welcome! Will be previewing the lessons of the coming Sunday. Bible Study will NOT be held on Tuesday, October 31. (Halloween and Reformation Day)
Acolyte Training ~ 5th & 6th Grade on October 4 @ 7:00 p.m.
(Members of the Congregation are Invited to Attend.)
Midweek Children and Youth Christian Education is held on Wednesdays (during the school year). Meal is served at 6:00 p.m. followed by music/worship and class. Midweek dismisses at 7:30 p.m.
See October menu under Mission/Ministries/Midweek-Sunday School.
If interested in learning more about our Midweek Program, please call the church office at 785-743-2005 and we will put you in touch with a Midweek representative.
Council Meeting ~ Wednesday, October 18, at 7:30 p.m. ~ BLC Library
LTC Communion ~ Thursday, October 19, at 1:00 p.m.
BLC ~ Worship at WaKeeney LTC ~ Monday, October 23 at 11:00 a.m.
Senior Apartment Communion ~ Thursday, October 26 at 1:00 p.m.
St. John
Sunday Worship at 11:00 a.m.
Council Meeting ~ Monday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m.
The Deadline for the School and Personal Care Items is Sunday, October 15.
You are invited to a candlelight “Lasagne Supper” at St. John on Sunday, October 22, from 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m. Free Will Donation will go toward the St. John flooring project. Everyone is Welcome!! Bring your appetite and friends!
Sunday School is held at 10:00 a.m. during the school year. Join us as we celebrate another great year of Fellowship, Worship and Learning! If interested in learning more about the St. John Sunday School program, please contact the church office at 785-743-2005 and we will put you in touch with a St. John Sunday School representative.
“Church Lady Vanilla” made by the Women of St. John Lutheran Church is available for Pre-Order. The Vanilla comes in 4 oz. bottles at $15.00 each. Please contact the church office at 785-743-2005 and we will put you in touch with someone from St. John. The Vanilla will also be sold at Follow the Star Christmas Craft Fair in Ellis, KS in December.
Emanuel
Sunday Worship at 9:00 a.m. (1st and 3rd Sundays of the Month)
Prairie Faith
October is “Pastor Appreciation Month” Thank You and we are Grateful for Pastor Jon, Pastor Emer. Randy and those who serve Prairie Faith as “pulpit supply”. We truly appreciate you!
Pastor Jon will be attending the Synod Theological Conference in Olathe, KS from October 9th to 12th and on vacation from October 13th to October 15th. He will also be attending the Western Kansas Pastor Gathering in Hays on Monday, October 23.
Prairie Faith Council Meeting ~ Tuesday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the BLC Library.
Yoga at the WaKeeney Library ~ Mondays at 4:00 p.m.
PFSM Bible Study is held on Tuesdays, at 6:30 p.m. in the BLC Library. A non-denominational bible study-All are Welcome! Will be previewing the lessons of the coming Sunday. Bible Study will NOT be held on Tuesday, October 31 (Halloween and Reformation Day)
Deadline for PFSM October Newsletter ~ Friday, October 20
You are invited to a candlelight “Lasagne Supper” at St. John on Sunday, October 22, from 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m. Free Will Donation will go toward the St. John flooring project. Everyone is Welcome!! Bring your appetite and friends!
Malay’s Simply Produce Ordering ~ Wednesday, October 4th thru October 13th.
Malay’s Simply Produce Distribution ~ Tuesday, October 17, from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the 4-H building.