Welcome to the Prairie Faith Shared Ministry Website.

Prairie Faith Shared Ministry (PFSM) consists of six Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) congregations on the Kansas Praire in Trego, Ellis, and Ness Counties; Bethlehem, Immanuel, Zion and Emanuel in Trego County, Saint John in Ellis County, and Our Redeemer in Ness County. PFSM is served by two ordained ministers and one intern. The PFSM office is located at 338 N. 7th Street in WaKeeney (785-743-2005).

"Blessed are those who come in the name of the Lord!"

Galatians 1:6-9 “ I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed.”

Paul’s words to the church in Galatia are delivered with quite a sting, wouldn’t you say? He was no doubt making a very bold statement. You see, Paul, was very concerned that the gospel was being perverted. His anger toward those actively leading the church away from the freedom of Christ crucified is not tempered in his remarks. He has real fear that the gospel may be lost. Much of his anger is directed to those who would debate or demand circumcision. He declares that those who want to be justified by law, through circumcision, will in the end cut themselves off from Christ. They will remain enslaved to the law and not free in Christ. In Chapter 4, Paul goes on to say that as adopted children of God, the Spirit of His Son has been sent into our hearts, crying “Abba, Father.”

In this light, we might consider our response to our freedom in Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit within us as the light filled days of summer commence. What are your intentions concerning Sunday morning worship attendance? Will worship still be a priority on Sunday morning or will other activities take its place? Will hearing the gospel proclaimed be replaced with a different gospel that feels more comfortable or appears more convenient? It could be the law says that you are enslaved and a particular task must be taken care of Sunday morning, it can’t wait?! Of course there simply may be something much more fun, flesh fulfilling to do on Sunday morning. New gospels appear in our world far too often. Could it be Paul’s fear for the loss of the gospel is still a reality in our lives, the lives of our families and our congregations?

How will YOU respond to your hearts cry of ,”Abba, Father”, THIS summer?

PMA Kim Frederking

Marie Sager writes:
As you may have read in the May newsletter, I am the new intern for the 2013-2014 year. I attend the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and am excited to get out of the city and experience all that is Kansas. One thing that you may notice when we meet is that I smile a lot! I believe that smiles are contagious, so smile at some and share the happiness.
Most of my life I have lived in Minnesota, and have come to learn that being a Lutheran is different in other places. So I am looking forward to see how people in Kansas are Lutheran.
My undergraduate work was at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN, where I received a BA in Youth and Family Ministry. I also received a minor in Special Education. I chose Special Education because I believe in inclusion and that ALL are God’s children. Therefore everyone should be included in the faith life of a congregation.
Lastly, I like to play tennis, bake, especially cupcakes, and ski. My brother lives in Denver, so I may go visit him to ski, and he may come to visit me over this next year. Hope to meet you all soon and start our year of ministry together.

The epic adventure that empowers kids to stand strong through the help of God’s love, family and friends, prayer, trust in God, and the Bible. It will be at Zion Lutheran Church that kids learn about God’s victorious power, which will change them forever!
VBS will begin at 9:00 a.m. each morning, dismissing at 11:45 a.m., wrapping the week up on Friday with a hotdog roast at noon. The VBS program will be held Sunday, June 9, 2013 during the worship service. If you wish to attend, contact Tina Sells or Lori Dietz.

This meeting is to discuss replacing the two large windows on either side of the front door of the church.