Living Faith Weekly News (Week of June 21, 2026)
- Kay Michaelson
- 21 hours ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 3 minutes ago
On the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Pastor Paige McGrath led Living Faith in worship. Travis Balt accompanied worshipers on the piano. At the conclusion of the service, men and boys were given a blessing by Pastor Paige to commemorate Father's Day. All were gifted with that quintessential gift: Duct Tape!
Thank you to all who helped with worship: Pastor Paige, Travis Balt, Tim & Gail Kass, Karen Schroeder, Sue Stream, Angela Catton, Brian & Kay Michaelson, Yvonne Law, Jim & Sandy Heeren, and Kinley & Anniston Van Otterloo.
During worship, we also said farewell and Godspeed to Travis Balt. Travis will be moving to Fort Dodge in the upcoming week and will begin a new teaching job at Fort Dodge St. Edmond's in the fall. Angela Catton spoke about how Travis has shared his gifts and talents with Living Faith since he joined our congregation. On behalf of the congregation, she gifted him with a potted spider plant which will grow and develop shoots meant to be shared with others - similar to the mission of Living Faith to share faith and love with others. Pastor Paige prayed a blessing for Travis as he moves to his new community.
Next Sunday
Living Faith will worship on the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost on June 28 at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary of the Presbyterian United Church of Christ located at 858 7th Ave. SE in Le Mars. Pastor Paige will lead worship and preside over Holy Communion. Michael Rathke will accompany us, Kari Kopperud will read scripture, the Kopperud family will assist with Holy Communion, John & Peg McAllister will prepare the elements of Communion, Tim Kass will usher and run the sound board and Angela Catton will live stream our service.
Immediately after worship, all are invited to stay for lunch and our final visioning session!
Lunch will feature hot dogs and taverns from Bob's as well as baked beans, chips and dessert. If you would like to provide a dessert along with Yvonne Law, Kay Allen and Kay Michaelson, please let Kay Michaelson know!
During lunch and following, we will continue to discuss and listen as we are led through our final session by Pastor Paige.
It's already the last Sunday of the month! Bring your loose change to church and drop it into the marked Noisy Offering box on the Living Faith table in the narthex! The 2026 Noisy Offering will go towards Pastor Paige's online ministry, Fully Beloved.
Ice Cream Days
On a beautiful Saturday morning on June 20th, Living Faith continued its tradition of providing an entry into the annual Ice Cream Days parade.
The theme for this year's float was "Everyone needs a little Jesus!" and members rode the float and handed out candy and little Jesuses along the route. The Mack Family and Phil and Karen Kass Family decorated the Jesus signs carried on the float.
Along the route, members saw thumbs up as they passed by and many clamoring for our Little Jesus handouts! Thank you to all who participated in the day whether by actively being in the parade, donating candy and Jesuses, and/or providing equipment for the float: Pastor Paige, Tim & Gail Kass, Mark & Angela Catton, Dell & June Ferguson, Jim & Sandy Heeren, Yvonne Law, Karen Schroeder, Phil, Karen & Emmett Kass, Mark Juhl, Sharon Utesch, Travis Balt, Kay Allen, Dave Curry, Ali Bendickson, Debbie Gibson, Todd & Kim Lang and Brian & Kay Michaelson. (Apologies for inadvertently missing any other candy donors!)
Living Faith enjoying other Ice Cream Days events!
Sunday, July 12th
Sunday, July 12th will be a busy Living Faith day with a 9:00 AM VBS session, 11:00 AM worship and a picnic potluck at 12:00 PM! VBS registration forms for 4 year olds through those entering 5th grade are out on the Living Faith table in the narthex. Fill out one per child and return to Pastor Paige!
We will be worshiping on the front lawn of the PUCC at 11:00. Bring your lawn chair or blanket for the service. Immediately following worship, a picnic potluck will be held in the Fellowship Hall. A sign up sheet for contributing picnic items is on the Living Faith table. Check it out!
Thursday, June 25th
The day will be spent sewing and filling school bags (see the following graphic for items you can bring for the bags.) and deep cleaning the church kitchen.
Living Faith Night at the Municipal Band Concert on July 15
Come on out to Foster Park on Wednesday, July 15 at 7:30 to enjoy an evening of music from the Le Mars Municipal Band! Bring a lawn chair or blanket and wear your Living Faith gear! We will sit together and enjoy the evening!
Monday, June 29
A joint committee of PUCC members and Living Faith Church Council members, Angela Catton and Todd Lang, will be meeting on Monday, June 29 at 6:00 in order to discuss boosting the Wi-Fi signal at the church. Boosting the power will help both congregations with their live-streaming capabilities.
We are thankful for all who volunteer to help out in worship whether it's by setting up for worship, helping during worship, or assisting with take down after worship! The Living Faith table in the narthex has two sign up sheets for specific needs. Please consider signing up to read scripture, assist with communion, or live stream our service. The Council is happy to walk you through with any of these tasks so you feel comfortable with your volunteering! Please consider signing up for a Sunday that works for your schedule!
T-Shirts for the Taking!
With the receiving of a recent Thrivent grant, Thrivent has sent a variety of t-shirt sizes with their latest Live Generously design. These t-shirts will be out on tables in the Fellowship Hall this coming Sunday during the visioning session. They are available in adult sizes small, medium, xl, 2xl and 3xl.
Western Iowa Synod News
Waterlife Journal is a monthly publication from the Western Iowa Synod with news across the synod. Recently, Pastor Paige had an article published in the newsletter. If you would like to receive this news magazine via email, click on the following link and at the top of the page, click on Join My Mailing List, fill out the information and you will receive an email each month with a link to the Waterlife Journal!
Thursday, June 25 - Do-Day at the PUCC - 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM - Fellowship Hall
Sunday, June 28 - 10:00 AM - Fellowship with the PUCC
Sunday, June 28 - 11:00 AM - Living Faith Worship
Sunday, June 28 - 12:00 PM - Lunch from Bob's and Visioning Session
Monday, June 29 - 6:00 PM - Technology Meeting with the PUCC
Sunday, July 12 - 9:00 AM - Sunday Morning VBS with Pastor Paige
Sunday, July 12 - 11:00 AM - Outdoor Worship on the PUCC lawn
Sunday, July 12 - 12:00 PM - Picnic Potluck in the Fellowship Hall
Monday, July 13 - 6:00 PM - Church Council Meeting
Wednesday, July 15 - 7:30 PM - Living Faith Night at the Municipal Band Concert, Foster Park
Please hold in prayer:
Janice Kooiker and the Kooiker-Wood Family
Trish Underberg
Tim & Gail Kass and Phil & Karen Kass and Clara, Sybil, and Emmett
Eli Mack
Rick, Sue & Marley Stream and the Brennan-Stream Families
Ruth Peters Family
Amy Beveridge - Amy will be having another surgery on Tuesday at the Dunes. She is hopeful it will be same day. This surgery is supported with information and a diagnosis from the Mayo Clinic so she is hopeful it could be her final one.
The Kristy Pecks Family
The Family of Matthew Kenny
The Ostermyer Family
Sherry Jo Wittkop and Family
David Stelzer
Rod Hallberg
Marie Clinton
Ali
Marilynn
Pastor Paige
Living Faith
