Prairie Faith Shared Ministry

Message from Pastor Randy

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:37:07 -0500

There have been a number of funerals in our community of late; for young and old and in between. In communities like ours, death seems always around the corner. It diminishes us and it is not something we often celebrate. I have heard from more than one person that wishes these deaths would stop for awhile. None of us believes for a moment death will go away, but it would be nice if it would take a holiday. It would be as welcome as a cold front right now.

It is not surprising then that I have been pondering the topic of death. I was spurred on by the Apostle Paul who writes, �Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death,� (Rom. 6:3-4a).

Paul seems pretty clear that to be baptized is to die. Yet he is not talking about just any kind of dying, but a certain kind of death. In baptism we don�t just die, we die with Christ Jesus. Being baptized into union with Christ we are baptized, united with him, in his death. And our funeral is not just any kind of burial, it is a certain kind of burial, we are buried with Christ. Dying �with Christ� in Baptism we are buried �with Christ� in baptism as well.

If Paul is correct we have already died. Yes, some of us are still hanging around; doing our jobs, raising our families, taking care of our loved ones. (all under the shadow of death�s long reach!) Though outwardly it doesn�t appear to be so, our death is behind us. In the face of our culture, which seems enslaved to death and the fear of death (we even use it as motivation to sell things!) Christians no longer need spend our time worrying about death; fearing it and denying it. We died and were buried with Christ. It is already accomplished in the waters of baptism.

But if our death is behind us what lies ahead? Paul seems clear about this a s well. If death is behind us life lies ahead of us. But, again, not just any kind of life; it is life with Christ. Paul continues, �in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.� (Rom. 6:4b). God raises us to new life in Christ. Jesus is our life and we live now �in him�.

Death will come to all. One day each of us will die as well; these physical bodies will be no more. But as Christians we proclaim that, in reality, our death is now behind us and that life now lies ahead for us � new and full of joy, peace, love and holy worship. That is our future and is now present and ready for our living of it. In baptism we have died with Christ. We now live with Christ. It is a life that (in Christ) begins now and continues forever. We were baptized into it, and we celebrate it every time we eat and drink at the Lord�s Supper.

�5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.� (Rom. 6:5-11)

Pastor Randy Gibbs

Prairie Faith Council Highlights

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:35:44 -0500

August 17, 2010 meeting

Pastor�s Report
� Pastor Randy announced the arrival of a new grandchild. Baptismal date is pending. He will be attending continuing education September 20 & 21
� Pastor Jon will be taking vacation Sept. 9-13. PMA Marla Deines will be covering for him
� Intern Dana and family have settled in and appreciates the warm welcome
� PMA Marla enjoyed her month of filling in at St. John and Emanuel

Internship Committee
� The parsonage at St. John if fairly well furnished. Our Redeemer donated a dresser, chest of drawers, desk and 2 lamps. Laurita Burbach donated a table and chairs. There is still a need for a desk chair. All donations were appreciated.
� The first internship committee meeting was Aug. 12, the next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 16 at 7:00 p.m.

Old Business
� The joint service for Aug. 29 at Zion has been planned. The Barbershoppers will be doing most of the music. It will also be a service of welcome for Intern Dana. A potluck will follow the worship service.

New Business
� Schreiner�s have sent out propane contracts. We will contract 500 gallons for each parsonage.
� The Executive Committee scheduled it�s budget planning meeting for Sept. 17 at 7:00 p.m. If anyone has any suggestions or concerns, they should contact their PFSM council representative.

The next meeting will be October 19, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
Devotions to be given by Toni Armbruster.

PFSM Youth news

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:33:19 -0500

PFSM Youth will be having their annual organizational meeting Sunday, September 19, 2010, 5:00 at BLC. If you are a 6th-12th grader wanting to be a part of our shared youth group experience, don't miss it!! We will be electing officers and planning events and fundraisers for the year.
On the Agenda:
Election of Officers
Service and Fundraising-bring your ideas

Following the meeting we will have a potluck supper. So bring your favorite dish to share!!

1st Communion Class to be Offered

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:31:57 -0500

For those desiring to receive communion for the first time, Prairie Faith Shared Ministry will offer an instructional class September 18, 2010 beginning at 10:00 a.m.�11:30 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Those who are in the 5th or 6th grade and older are invited to attend. This is also a good refresher course for parents and others to attend!

Mid-Week Christian Education Kick-Off

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:31:11 -0500

Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010�6:00 p.m.

BLC Midweek Christian Education will once again begin each Wednesday evening with a light supper for the kids, parents, teachers, helpers and the congregation. This Midweek Christian Education School is open to all children and adults in the area. We will be publishing menus and asking that anyone wishing to join the students for the meal sign-up in advance for the next week. You will find a signup sheet on the fellowship table each Sunday morning or in the Fellowship Hall each Wednesday evening.

Everyone is very excited about this program. Mark your calendars for September 8, 2010, 6:00 p.m. and join us for the opening session filled with good food, music, Bible stories, and new friends.

HELP

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:29:07 -0500

The Ladies of the Quilting Group of St John�s WELCA are asking for HELP. They have amassed an unusual amount of cotton fabric. They have decided to assemble sewing kits to be sent to Lutheran World Relief. A quick inventory shows 37 pieces of fabric suitable for this project. In order to complete the kits; buttons, thread and needles are needed.
Buttons need to be �� to � � in diameter

Button Colors:
Red 18 buttons
Blue 18 buttons
Yellow 6 buttons
White 72 buttons
Pink 30 buttons
Navy 12 buttons
Purple 30 buttons
Black 12 buttons
Brown 24 buttons
NEEDLES � 1 pkg. hand
sewing needles (10-15)

The kits will be assembled and tied with yarn and sent with the annual Lutheran World Relief collection. If you desire to donate any of these items please bring to the church basement before September 19, 2010. The boxes will be picked up at Trinity Lutheran Church on October 6, 2010.

Keeping in touch -- electronically

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:27:46 -0500

Did you know that you could receive an electronic version of the synod newsletter, MAKING CHRIST KNOWN, in your email box? Receiving the newsletter electronically (a PDF file) is much more timely, it�s in full color, and it helps us all save money, time and valuable resources. Signing up is easy � send an email to dglamann@css-elca.org and we�ll get you on the list.

You can also receive the Prairie Faith newsletter, PRAIRIE FAITH COMPANION the same way. Just email the office at blc1@ruraltel.net and it will be sent to your inbox each month.

Synod News

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:26:18 -0500

Lutheran Malaria Initiative
By resolution passed at the Synod Assembly, each family unit in the Central States Synod is encouraged to consider giving $10 toward the �Nothing But Nets� program. The Lutheran Malaria Initiative is partnering with Nothing But Nets� to bring Lutherans an exciting way to get involved in the fight against malaria! Just $10 buys an insecticide-treated bed net, delivers it to someone in Africa, and educates them on its use. Protecting people from malaria-infected mosquitoes is that easy: send a net, save a life. It�s something you can do right now. For information and to donate, go to: www.lutheranmalaria.org.

Tomah Shinga Lake Project
The Earl Bane Foundation of Salina has offered a challenge grant to Camp Tomah Shinga. If $30,000 can be raised by March 2011, the camp will receive a generous grant of $20,000 to develop a lake at the camp near Junction City. You can send your gift to: Lake Project, Camp Tomah Shinga, 7821 E Lyon Creek Rd., Junction City, KS 66441, or you can make an on-line gift at www.tomahshinga.com under the �Get Involved� tab. Please consider how much a lake will improve the camping experience for children and the retreat opportunities for children and adults, and then prayerfully consider how you could be involved through your charitable giving. Did you know: The name of the camp means �Shining Waters,� yet the only waters that shine are those of Lyon Creek and the swimming pool!

Synod to host hearings on the draft social statement
Central States Synod will be hosting two hearings (from 7-8:30 p.m.) for members to comment on the text of the Draft Social Statement on Genetics: September 14 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Columbia, Mo.; and September 15 at Lindquist Hall, Bethany College. The hearings are a key part in the development of the social statement. Representatives of both the synod and the Genetics Task Force will be present. A synod representative will be present to record all comments made by participants. This record of comments will be submitted to the task force and considered as they revise the text for 2011. A copy of the Draft Social Statement on Genetics may be ordered by calling a special resource line at 800-638-3522 ext. 2996. It is also downloadable at: www.elca.org/genetics. (If you call the office, 743-2005, a copy can be printed for you.)

You can express your thoughts about the draft social statement to the task force by:
1. filling out the response form online or in the back of the Draft booklet;
2. attending synod-sponsored hearings; or
3. sharing comments and suggestions by letter or e-mail. The deadline for all feedback is October 15, 2010. Response forms should be sent to: ELCA Genetics Task Force, 8765 W. Higgins, Chicago, IL 60631. E-mail responses should be sent to GeneticsDraft@elca.org.

John 13:31-35 Part 1

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:12:33 -0500

John 13:31-35 Part 2

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:10:48 -0500

Internship Committee

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:44:22 -0500

The internship committee for the 2010 � 2011 School year is off and running. Each congregation has a representative on this committee with St. John having two. Dana Helsing is our new intern and is coming with wife Devanie and two children, Hannah and Hailey. We are looking forward to another year with new faces in the St. John parsonage and around our Prairie Faith Community. We should also be quick to point out that each Intern is a different person than the last one. It is great to get to know each one, and their families, for who they are. It is not helpful to compare them to past Interns. It is helpful to remember that Interns are learning, and that we should let them learn from their experiences among us in a loving and gentle way. (Pastor Randy says, �cut them some slack.�)

With that in mind we wanted to share with all of you what it is that the Internship Committee is all about. It starts with preparing for the arrival of the intern and family. By now, they will have arrived to their home for this year which has been cleaned, prepared, and made ready for them. This was organized by the folks on the Internship Committee; who will also arrange for their official welcome, and plan for their farewell.

As this year progresses the committee will meet each month with Intern Dana to support his ministry, to guide his learning, and to offer reflections on his time among us. In representing all of you, this committee will become teachers to the intern. Who knows more about ministry than all of you? You have participated in it all your life, most of which was in the congregations in which you now are members. How many sermons have you heard? You know what you consider a good sermon and what is not. You know what you find helpful and unhelpful in regards to Pastoral Care. One of the functions of the Internship Committee is to share these insights with one who is planning to take a call to Pastoral Ministry. All of you can help by sharing insights, and by filling out those sermons evaluation forms which will be handed to you when Dana is leading worship at your congregation.

This committee also functions as a liaison between the Intern and the people of Prairie Faith. It will be our joy to interpret the thoughts and actions of the Intern to you, and to share your thoughts and insights with the Intern. If you have comments or questions concerning the Internship, your congregational representative on this committee is the first place you should take them. This way reflection and learning can happen within the learning environment that the Internship Committee provides.

What Interns learn here is not so much for us, but for the future call each Intern will take. In the past PFSM has equipped the larger Church with many good Pastors. (most of which are serving rural ministries!) There are a number of congregations out there who are thanking us for the work we have done so that they can have Pastoral leadership. We are looking forward to another exciting year! We ask you to get involved in the Internship by being present, by introducing yourself many times, by inviting the Helsing�s to join you at community events, and to get to know them every chance you get. Make them part of your family while they are here.

Yours in Christ,
Barbara Reinert - Our Redeemer
Evea Rumpel � Immanuel
Bruce Mai - Zion
Laurita Burbach �Bethlehem
Gladys Sellers � Emanuel
Johni Keller - St. John
Sue Schonthaler - St. John

Note from Pastor Randy: As supervisor it is my joy to meet each week with Interns and to reflect with them over their on-going experience of ministry. I get to do theological reflection with them, learn from them, and challenge them. I also invite comments and concerns which I can share with the Interns and with the Internship Committee. I ask your patience as I include them in the various ministries of PFSM over the year. Doing and reflecting are truly ways we learn and test the readiness for the joyous calling of being a Parish Pastor.

Prairie Faith Shared Ministry Women's Retreat

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:34:26 -0500

"JOY-filled WITNESS"
Feeling a little empty?? Need to be re-filled with JOY?? Join us:
Saturday, August 28� 9:30 a.m. -3:30 p.m.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, WaKeeney, KS
Cost $15� this includes lunch & materials
Facilitators: PMA Marla Deines and Kim Frederking

To register please contact Kim Frederking, 785-743-5281 or mail registration form and check to Prairie Faith Shared Ministry, 338 N. 7th, WaKeeney, KS. 67672

PFSM Women's Retreat Registration

Name____________________________________

Phone Number______________________

Check enclosed _________
Mail form to: PFSM- Women's Retreat, 338 N. 7th, WaKeeney, KS 67672

Lutherans CAN dance.....and the beat goes on!

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:39:37 -0500

Central States Synod Convention is always filled with uplifting music and moving messages, but this year it was also filled with DANCE. Liturgical dance, Davidic dance, the Cupid Shuffle and EVEN a Conga Line proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ.

The majority of our time at convention was spent in Bible study led by Diane Jacobson, participating in money workshops, Save- Share- Spend, led by Nathan Dungan, and hearing from Wyvetta Bullock, a churchwide staff member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America about the state of the church. Inspirational music preformed and led by Jonathan Rudman was interspersed throughout the convention and a main component of Worship/Eucharist services

Discussion and voting on motions and resolutions were also a large part of the gathering. The ELCA human sexuality social statement continues to divide the people of Central States Synod. Due to this division, �Courageous Conversations� training will be held in July to provide participants with the tools to conduct open, respectful, and loving dialogues and deliberations within congregations. But, bringing us together during the convention was the diversity�.yes, I said diversity, the diversity and appreciation of DANCE.

Saturday night was filled with diversity in music and dance. Gospel music and cigar box guitar music filled the air. Liturgical dancers portrayed Christ�s death on the cross, Davidic dancers, ranging in age from 6 to 60 plus, performed several selections, and the youth of CSS led a group of volunteers in a line dance, the Cupid Shuffle

The Cupid Shuffle was well received with the Bishop, along with others, strutting his stuff. Bishop Mansholt, needing only a little coaching in turning and counting (ok, he knew how to count, it was the steps that went along with the counting that posed a little confusion), wowed the crowd with his sense of rhythm and good naturedness. BUT, this was not the first time the Bishop had shown his fancy footwork.

Earlier in the evening, the contagious beat of the music of Jonathan Rudman moved many in the crowd to a spontaneous Conga Line. This Conga Line, winding through the 400 plus lay voters, clergy, youth and visitors, was eventually led by Anita Mansholt followed closely by her husband, the Bishop. Yes, Lutherans can dance!

Sooo, why is my convention report filled with what seems to be peripheral anecdotes rather than the nuts and bolts of the gathering? Well, I believe you can read all the facts of the convention on the Central States Synod website, but you cannot capture the feeling by reading the facts.

Even though our Synod is divided over the ELCA human sexuality social statement, through music and dance, all came together, many out of their comfort zone, to feel the beat, to join in a dance, to watch, to smile and to enjoy. Not everyone danced, not everyone clapped, not everyone sang, yet all recognized and respected those who did dance, clap, and/or sing.

We, the Central States Synod, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the family of Christ, are united in the grace of God, united as a church, as a congregation drawn to each by the beat of the music, by the beat of the heart of Jesus Christ, no matter our experiences or our differences. Our church leaders are moved by the beat to dance, to clap and to sing with the entire church, not always in perfect step, but willing to listen and learn, unified in making the world a more Christ filled place.

Yes, Lutherans CAN dance and the beat of the 2010 Central States Synod convention goes on in proclaiming the good news. �Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!�

PMA Marla Deines

John 12:1-8

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 22:30:28 -0500

John 12:1-8

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 22:29:21 -0500

Luke 15:1�3, 11b�32

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:35:10 -0500

Christ within you!

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 14:57:48 -0600

Can you hear it, can you feel it?http://www.prairiefaith.com/forum/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=11.......

Welcome

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:29:54 -0600

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!"