Living Faith Weekly News (Week of May 3, 2026)

Kay Michaelson
May 4
3 min read

**Living Faith, led by Pastor Paige McGrath, prayed a blessing over our high school graduate, Kortney Kopperud.**

On the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Living Faith gathered for worship and during our service, imparted a blessing, led by Pastor Paige, on Kortney Kopperud as she graduates from Le Mars Community Schools on May 17. Kortney is the daughter of Judd & Kari Kopperud. Kortney was awarded the first Living Faith Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. The scholarship fund was started two years ago with seed money with a memorial from Jake and Verna Van Oort as well as an anonymous donor who matched $5,000 once the congregation raised that amount. Kortney plans to attend the University of Iowa this fall, majoring in Social Work. Tim Kass, President of Living Faith's Church Council, presented the scholarship award to Kortney along with a gift from the congregation: a keepsake box crafted by John and Peg McAllister. The box was filled with well wishes and gift cards from the congregation. God's blessings to you, Kortney!

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Thank you to all who helped with Sunday's worship: Pastor Paige, Gail Kass, Karen Schroeder, Sandy Heeren, Tim Kass, Bailey Quanbeck, John & Peg McAllister, Todd & Kim Lang, Jim Heeren, Yvonne Law and Brian & Kay Michaelson.

On the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Living Faith will honor all women and girls! Pastor Paige will lead us in worship at our 11:00 service. All are invited in to the sanctuary of the Presbyterian United Church of Christ at 858 7th Ave. SE! Gail Kass will accompany us on the piano, Nathan Summerside will read scripture and Kim Lang will assist with Holy Communion.

At this service, the Sacrament of Holy Baptism will be celebrated.

Banks Dwight Van Otterloo, son of Caleb & Jenelle Van Otterloo, will be claimed as a Child of God. Banks' siblings are Kinley and Anniston.

Fellowship time with our PUCC friends takes place between 10:00 and 11:00 Sunday mornings in the Fellowship Hall. Come for cookies, coffee and conversation!

On Sunday, Living Faith's Kopperud family partnered with the PUCC to host a graduation reception for our graduates. Congratulations to Kortney, Jorja, Karter and Caden! Thank you to the Kopperuds and the PUCC for hosting!

**Jorja Bixenman, Karter Melvin, Caden Riccio, and Kortney Kopperud**

**Kortney and her grandparents, Wayne and Julie Beitelspacher**

Living Faith mourns the loss of Clayton Kooiker, husband of Janice and father of David and Stacy. Clayton's Celebration of Life will take place this Saturday, May 9, at 2:00 PM at the Rexwinkel Funeral Home here in Le Mars (107 12th St. SE). There will be a visitation from 1:00 until the time of the service. Pastor Paige McGrath will conduct this service. Following the service, light refreshments will be served.

The last Confirmation session of the season will be on Wednesday, May 6, at 7:00 at Christ Lutheran Church in rural Brunsville. Thank you to Pastor Paige and Vicar Grace for leading the sessions each week! A special thank you to the mentors who have given of their time to the program as well!

Although difficult to see from this photo, Living Faith has a page on the PUCC electronic sign which was recently installed. We are grateful to the PUCC for inviting us to create a page and we are thankful for Angela Catton and Amy Riccio-Beveridge for getting it up and running!

Congratulations to Jess Kopperud who was awarded Outstanding in Center for his solo!

Congratulations to Jess Kopperud and Marley Stream who contributed to an excellent performance of The Sound of Music last weekend. Jess played Kurt Von Trapp and Marley (second from the right) was a part of the ensemble of nuns of the Abbey.

Are you missing your glasses?

This pair of glasses has been out on our Living Faith table in the narthex for quite some time. Did you leave them at the PUCC during the Lenten season?

Pastor Paige is out of the office today as she is attending a First Call Retreat in Des Moines today and tomorrow. Regular office hours will resume Thursday (1 - 4).