'A Patriotic Christmas' held in spite of chill and snow

Herod (Matt Stewart) gives instructions to the three wise persons (Will Parr, Luke Stewart, Tim Stewart) at the PHUMC Christmas Program on Sunday morning.
Herod (Matt Stewart) gives instructions to the three wise persons (Will Parr, Luke Stewart, Tim Stewart) at the PHUMC Christmas Program on Sunday morning.

Prairie Home

Nancy Lacy Kixmiller

660-841-5439

[email protected]

In spite of the cold and snow, the Christmas festival came to Prairie Home Saturday, Dec. 14. The theme for this year's event was "A Patriotic Christmas". The junior class served chili and taco soup in the cafeteria. There were vendors in the school gym for the craft show and the poster contest went on as planned. The Princess was Phoenix Cantrell and the Prince was Parker Gerlt. There were some festive babies and even a festive pet or two.

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At 1 p.m., it was time to brave the cold and head outside for the parade. There was a respectable number of entries. Jackie Patton was the Grand Marshall for this year's parade. Brent and Roberta Sells drove their tractors which were adorned with red, white and blue bows. Alex Porter reminded us to "remember our troops" with her decorated four wheeler. The Helping Hands 4-H walked behind several emergency vehicles (which were part of the parade, not on emergency runs) and the Kuester family rode their horses. There were several floats and, of course, Santa Claus!

In the float competition, the Prairie Home United Methodist Church took first place with "We Salute the Newborn King" which featured men and women in uniform saluting or kneeling at the manger. The Garden Club came in second with "Let Freedom Grow" inspired by Betsy Ross and the story of the first American Flag. Their float featured natural greenery and several garden club members wearing colonial hats.

The United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church members will be joining together to carol in the community on Wednesday, Dec. 18. They will meet in the PHUMC Fellowship Hall at 6 p.m., go caroling then come back and share a meal. Everyone is welcome to join!

Prairie Home Senior Kohlie Stock is a finalist in the "Faith in the Wait" contest sponsored by Sisterhood magazine. Kohlie submitted an essay that was chosen from among the many submissions to be one of five finalists. The winner will be chosen by online vote and will receive a free spot on Sisterhood's Never the Same Missions trip to Costa Rica and the runner-up will receive half off her trip expenses.

Here is Kohlie's essay: "My sophomore year of high school, I let God take control of my situation. I felt left out living in a world where you are defined by your relationship status. All of the loneliness and worries engulfing me, I surrendered to Jesus, He became the author of my love story. I am 18 years old and have never been on a date nor had a serious crush. Don't feel bad for me; in fact, this time of waiting has been one of the greatest gifts God has ever granted me.

"Throughout this time, Jesus renewed His spirit in me and changed my life. I started taking my walk with Him seriously and used this time of freedom as an opportunity to share His love with those around me. If in past years I had been focusing on dating, I would have missed out on so much. Such as starting a Christian newsletter, learning Spanish and spending precious time with family/friends. Jesus lit a fire in my heart that is burning passionately for Him and I am thankful.

"My goal is to not keep my Savior to myself, but to speak of His faithfulness with everyone I encounter. All of my words and actions I want to be a reflection of Him. I feel called to show everyone around me that you cannot find your self-worth in earthly relationships, but only in a relationship with Christ Jesus."

If you would like to vote for Kohlie, go to http://www.sisterhoodmagazine.com/ and click on the "Vote Now" banner. You can vote once a day through Dec. 20.

The United Methodist Church Christmas program was held Sunday, Dec. 15, during morning worship. Cindy Lenger and Dan Menold were the narrators with many of the children and some adults taking on multiple roles. The cast included Austin Small as the angel Gabriel; Kaelyn Crews as Mary; Ben Kixmiller as Joseph; Matt Stewart as Herod and a shepherd; Ryan Small as Herod's assistant and an angel; Will Parr as wise person and in the choir; Luke Stewart as a wise person, sheep, and Simeon; Tim Stewart as a wise person; Huston Force as a shepherd; Kate Crews as an angel; Bowen Force as a shepherd; Nancy Kixmiller as Nehemiah and in the choir; Ashley Lenger as Elizabeth and in the choir. Brenda Sells, Janet Deneke, Jessi Menold filled out the choir and Jackie Bruner was the accompanist. Following the program, lunch was served in the fellowship hall with Kay Sells and Jessi Menold acting as hostesses.

Christmas is coming and there are many activities associated with it. If your church or organization is hosting an event, please call or email Nancy Kixmiller (660/841-5439 or [email protected]) and get it listed in the Community Calendar section of the Prairie Home news.

Community Calendar

Dec. 18 - PHUMC and First Baptist Church caroling at 6 p.m.; Booster Club at 7 p.m.; Board of Education at 7 p.m.

Dec. 19 - PHHS Band Caroling downtown at 8:30; Prairie Home Bikes for Reading Assembly at 2:50; varsity girls and varsity boys basketball vs. Malta Bend at 6 p.m.; PTO meeting at 7 p.m.

Dec. 20 - DARE graduation during first hour in the school gym; early dismissal at 12:45 p.m. beginning of Christmas break.

Dec. 24 - United Methodist Church Candlelight Christmas Eve service at 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 30 - Jan. 5 - Lions Club Elementary Basketball Tournament.

Jan. 4 - 11- Otterville Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament.

School Menu

Breakfast:

Dec. 18 - breakfast pizza.

Dec.19 - sausage biscuit and gravy.

Dec. 20 - pancakes.

Lunch:

Dec. 18 - turkey stromboli or chicken wrap, potato wedge, corn, fruit mix, graham crackers.

Dec. 19- turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, fruit.

Dec. 20 - hamburger, baked beans, lettuce and tomato, fruit, chocolate chip cookie. Ala carte - chef salad.