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 begins Sunday, September 17 with a Promotion at 10:00 a.m. before Worship.
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!

September 1st thru 30th
All donations are matched by 24/7 Travel Store, up to $3,000 with the Potential to Raise Up To $6,000,
Please help support the
Trego County Food Bank.
All donations are very much appreciated!

Prairie Faith Shared Ministry
Parish Nurse Ministry
COMMUNITY Comfort Meals
The Community is invited to a Pancake Feed
When: Sunday, September 24, 2023
10:00a to 1:00p+
Where: Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Fellowship Hall, 338 N. 7th St., WaKeeney
There will be a free will donation with all proceeds going toward a new idea–Community Comfort Meals–in the form of a local restaurant gift card or grocery store gift card. The idea is to support those in the community who may not have a local family or social support during a time of personal grief and loss–a small symbol of care and concern from the community. We hope to see you there!
For More Information, see the Sept. Parish Nurse News Link Below

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.
If interested, contact Pastor Jon!

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 5 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 two of the continuing series of existing community resources. Most of us have heard of the ministerial alliance, but we may not know exactly what their services are! The Trego County Ministerial Alliance has been in existence for many years–possibly since the 1940’s. The majority of the congregations participate either through a congregation member or the church’s pastor. The group’s focus is to serve the community–not with a focus on any particular theology, but as a helpful presence. How to donate? Because the Ministerial Alliance is not an official nonprofit organization, it is suggested to make a contribution to your own church designated to the Ministerial Alliance fund of the donor’s choice.
For more information about the Trego County Ministerial Alliance
see the Parish Nurse News.
Community Resources

Source:
Prairie Faith Parish Nurse News and Pastor Jon Anderson
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
September 2023
Bethlehem
Sunday Worship at 9:00 a.m.
Bethlehem WELCA ~ Monday, September 4 at 2:00 p.m. ~ BLC Library
(They are meeting on Labor Day for those able to attend)
Change Team Meeting Tuesday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the BLC Library. Do not need to be a member of the original Discernment Team to Attend. The goal is to create a new Covenant for Prairie Faith in time to be voted on at the January annual meetings.
PFSM Bible Study with Pastor Jon begins Tuesday, September 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the BLC Library and continue each Tuesday evening in September at 6:30 p.m. A non-denominational bible study-All are Welcome! Will be previewing the lessons of the coming Sunday.
Midweek begins Wednesday, September 13. Meal is served at 6:00 p.m. followed by music/worship and class.
See September menu under Mission/Ministries/Midweek-Sunday School.
Council Meeting ~ Wednesday, September 13, at 7:30 p.m. ~ BLC Library
LTC Communion ~ Thursday, September 21, at 1:00 p.m.
We will welcome Cal S. to God’s Family with Baptism and a Baby Shower Fellowship at 9:00 a.m. Worship on
Sunday, September 24. Cal is the son of Corbin and Taylor and brother Ty. Come celebrate this event with us!!
Acolyte Training ~ 4th Grade on September 27 @ 7:00 p.m.
Acolyte Training ~ 5th & 6th Grade on October 4 @ 7:00 p.m.
Members of the Congregation are Invited to Attend.
Senior Apartment Communion ~ Thursday, September 28 at 1:00 p.m.
St. John
Sunday Worship at 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, September 3 begins the collection of items for School and Personal Care Kits. The Deadline for the Items is October 15.
Council Meeting ~ Monday, September 11 at 7:00 p.m.
Change Team Meeting Tuesday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the BLC Library. Do not need to be a member of the original Discernment Team to Attend. The goal is to create a new Covenant for Prairie Faith in time to be voted on at the January annual meetings.
Sunday School begins on Sunday, September 17 at 10:00 a.m. with a Promotion. Looking forward to seeing everyone as we celebrate another great year of Fellowship, Worship and Learning!
The first Confirmation Class will be held Sunday, September 24, following Worship. Please bring a sack lunch and we will plan the schedule for the remainder of the year.
“Church Lady Vanilla” made by the Women of St. John Lutheran Church is available for pre-order. Please contact Sue.
Emanuel
Sunday Worship at 9:00 a.m. (1st and 3rd Sundays of the Month)
Change Team Meeting Tuesday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the BLC Library. Do not need to be a member of the original Discernment Team to Attend. The goal is to create a new Covenant for Prairie Faith in time to be voted on at the January annual meetings.
Prairie Faith
Pastor Jon on vacation from Sept. 5th through September 11th.
September 1st through 30th is HUNGER ACTION MONTH. All month long, 24/7 Travel Store, WaKeeney, will collect monetary donations to support the Trego County Food Pantry and will match up to $3,000! That’s a potential to raise $6,000 for the local food bank. With your help, we can do this! Stop in person to make your donation at 745 S. 1st St., WaKeeney, KS 67672
Monday, September 4 ~ Labor Day
Prairie Faith Council Meeting ~ Meets every other month. Next Council Meeting will be in October.
Yoga at the WaKeeney Library ~ Mondays at 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 10 ~ National Grandparents Day!
PFSM Bible Study with Pastor Jon begins Tuesday, September 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the BLC Library and continues each Tuesday evening in September at 6:30 p.m. A non-denominational bible study-All are Welcome! Will be previewing the lessons of the coming Sunday.
Change Team Meeting Tuesday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the BLC Library. Do not need to be a member of the original Discernment Team to Attend. The goal is to create a new Covenant for Prairie Faith in time to be voted on at the January annual meetings.
Deadline for PFSM October Newsletter ~ Friday, September 22
Saturday, September 23 ~ 1st Day of Autumn!
You are Invited to the Prairie Faith Parish Nurse Ministry Pancake Feed on Sunday, September 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (ish). Free Will donation to Prairie Faith Nurse Ministry COMMUNITY Comfort Meals Fund. For more information about the Pancake Feed and Comfort Meals see the September Parish Nurse News at Resources/Parish Nurse News or information above. We hope to See you there!!
Malay’s Simply Produce Ordering ~ Wednesday, September 6th thru September 15th.
Malay’s Simply Produce Distribution ~ Tuesday, September 19 from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the 4-H building.We