Prairie West Church, ELCA & UMC

06/07/2026

Confirmation was held on Sunday, May 17th. With gratitude to God, we present our 2026 Confirmation Class: Alexis Lenstrom, Emerson Frerichs, Krickett Shoemaker and Brooklyn Deeds. We rejoiced with our confirmands as they affirmed their faith and step boldly into their life with Christ. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide and strengthen them.

06/06/2026

THE JR. / SR. HIGH YOUTH GROUP held their last meeting of the school year on Wednesday, April 29th. Their Bible lesson focused on the graduating seniors, Kyle Lenstrom, Kenzie Shoemaker, Kolby LaBeau and Dylan Tabor. The discussion was on their future and all the changes coming their way. They talked about it be OK to be nervous and to fail, but not to give up because God has a plan for all of us. All Jr. and Sr. High students in our community and the surrounding area are invited to be a part of this group. See you next fall….

06/03/2026

KIDS OF JOY is an after-school program that meets on Wednesdays in the Fellowship Hall of the church. It was the brain storm of Pastor Betsy many years ago to collect “little monies for big missions” to teach the children it is better to give than receive. It was customary at the end of the school year that they give away what had been given to “help others.” Kids of Joy is now under the direction of Pastor Lorri and a group of helpers which vary from week to week. As part of “children’s” time during worship, the children gather “little monies for big missions.” They vote at the end of the school year on how it is to be donated, which was May 13th. They enjoyed sloppy joes and root beer floats, and decorated cookies to take home. They began discussing where they wanted their little monies to be donated and voted on their decisions. It is so heartwarming to listen when they come up with ideas of who they want to help with their donations. This is such a great bunch of kids with really big hearts. We are so proud of them. I think you will be surprised at the diversity of charities they thought of. Kimball Food Pantry; St. Jude Children’s Hospital; Boys Town; Masonic /Eastern Star Children’s Home in Fremont; AFSP (Su***de Prevention) and DOVES. Thank you to everyone who puts their coins into the buckets each Sunday for this group. You are truly helping others by doing so.

06/01/2026

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” Act 2: 1-4

Pentecost is from the Greek word for fifty because it takes place fifty days after Easter. The disciples were together to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Weeks. This is the time that Jesus’ promise to the disciples to send another who would be with them was fulfilled. God sends the Holy Spirit to the Church – to the disciples who are the beginning of the Church – and Pentecost is remembered as the Birthday of the Church.

Pentecost is an important day in the Christian calendar. It is a day to remember the gift that we are given in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our personal connection to God. The Holy Spirit is our guide and our support in difficult times. The presence of the Holy Spirit is the way we feel God with us.

This month, we also celebrate Father’s Day. Pentecost and Father’s Day are similar. At Pentecost, we remember how our Heavenly Father loved us and sent the Holy Spirit to be with us. On Father’s Day, we remember how our earthly father loved us.

June is a month to be thankful for the gift
of our father and our Father.

Blessings, Pastor Lorri

05/31/2026

We rejoice with the Lenstrom family as Alexis Jeron Lenstrom received the sacrament of Holy Baptism on May 16, 2026, at their home surrounded by family and friends.

May God keep this beloved child always.

05/31/2026

Thank you to the volunteers that bring goodies and help in the kitchen on Sundays following our church service. To everyone who so willingly says “yes” when called on to prepare food or to work in the kitchen for funerals, or special occasions or just helping when help is needed. Great Job Everyone!! We appreciate each one of you!!

05/30/2026

The theme this year was “Rainforest Falls” and began on Tuesday, May 26th – Friday, May 29th from 10:00 am – noon in the Fellowship Hall under the direction of Nikki Shoemaker. Pastor Lorri also assisted before leaving for annual conference. There were 10 children in attendance and 4 children were registered but were on vacation. We would like to thank Colleen Hutchison for providing snacks for the week. Donated snacks are a pleasant surprise and always welcomed and very much appreciated.

05/25/2026

05/13/2026

Confirmation will be held on Sunday, May 17th. The 2026 confirmands are Brooklyn Deeds, Alexis Lenstrom, Emerson Frerichs and Krickett Shoemaker. Families are encouraged to join us in this service of Holy Confirmation.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day!