First Lutheran Church at Artesian hosted the Unity Service for Prairie Lutheran Parish, which includes Immanuel Lutheran of rural Iroquois, Trinity Lutheran of Carthage and First Lutheran of Artesian, on Sunday at 10 a.m.
The theme of the service was animals. A special offering was taken which will go to ELCA good gifts. Good gifts are animals that are given to families of underdeveloped countries so they may become more economically independent.
Three songs were sung by the Sunday school students. A group of church ladies also sang and did a skit. Pastor LeShea Avery had a special dedication of an MP3 player, which was purchased by Edna Olson and family in memory of her husband, Vic. It will be used to play church hymns when an organist is not available.
There was also a dedication of the lighted cross and ELCA emblem on the outside front of the church, given in memory of Doyle Olson by his family. Immanuel Lutheran was thanked for their contribution for the outside landscaping by the church, which is now complete.
A potluck dinner was served to the large crowd in attendance. The Unity Service rotates each year between the three churches.