And Giving Numbers
We have heard from many members that are on electronic giving, that they don’t want or need envelopes. 
We have implemented a new system, where there is an opportunity to opt out of receiving offering envelopes.
Besides electronic giving, if you are on annual or semi-annual giving, you also can opt out of envelopes. Contact Michelle Rankin to get set up.
With this change, many of you will have new envelope numbers for 2024. The 2024 envelopes will be ig envelopesssued sometime in December.
Contact: Michelle Rankin at michelle@sotpmail.com
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Submit prayer requests to: www.bit.ly/SOTPpray
To join our prayer chain and receive requests, email Donna at donna@sotpmail.com
From Your Stewardship Team
Dear Partner in Ministry:
Generosity is all around us, but sometimes we have to look for it. In the feeding of the 5,000 story in the Bible, significant generosity happened once the child shared (John 6:9). That is how it is here. Once we begin to share, we will see God has blessed us with plenty. 
“507 – (Re)Forming our Faith, (Re)Membering Who We Are, (Re)Acting to God’s Call is the theme of our fall stewardship appeal. This theme points us to the generosity we have witnessed around our church over the last year, but also reminds us of our rich heritage and our responsibility to continue to make Christ known.
There are always reasons to worry there might not be enough. As people of faith we plan, prepare, and trust in the abundance of God in all things.
Our grateful response in generosity helps to demonstrate to us and to the world around us God has provided us everything. We have enough, even enough to share.
In the weeks ahead, you will be hearing more about generosity and thankfulness along with celebrating our rich heritage as Lutherans. Newsletter articles, mission moments, emails and more will be used to share this story and our hopes for an even more robust ministry next year. In Christ, we believe the best is yet to come!
In the coming weeks, please engage the materials. Pray about how you can become more generous. Then, on All Saint’s Weekend, November 2-3, please bring your intent card with you to declare the generosity you intend to share with this congregation.
Thanks be to God, you are part of this exciting congregation. Pray for our common work together as we continue to reach out with the Gospel.
Sincerely in Christ,
Mike McCann
Stewardship Team Leader
Craft Fair & Bake Sale
Our SOTP Bazaar was a success.
A special Thanks to all who helped to set up and take down our bazaar.
Another thank you to all who baked yummy treats and those who crafted wonderful items for sale.
Of course I wouldn’t forget all those who worked at the Bazaar. Everyone is part of our success.
We earned $2003.50 and every penny has gone toward our SOTP mortgage.
THANK YOU!
From Pastor Mark
Love Outpoured: Waiting With Hope
Romans 8:18–21
(Scripture reading for March 11)
Paul writes in Romans: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed… creation itself waits with eager longing.”
Lent understands those words.
This season never asks us to pretend life is easy. It makes room for worry, grief, fatigue, and the quiet burdens we carry. Yet Paul does something surprising — he does not deny suffering, but reframes it. He says creation groans not because hope is lost, but because hope is coming.
That is the heart of our Lenten theme: Love Outpoured.
God’s love is not poured out after everything is fixed. God’s love is poured out in the middle of the waiting.
Our daily Love Outpoured devotion is meant to be a simple pause each day where we practice that hope. Not dramatic faith, but steady trust — the kind that learns, slowly, to expect God’s presence in ordinary moments.
We often think growth comes from big spiritual experiences. But Romans 8 shows something quieter. Transformation happens over time, when God meets us again and again in small ways. A few minutes in Scripture may seem small, yet day after day the Spirit reshapes how we see life.
Paul says creation waits with “eager longing” — standing on tiptoe, leaning forward. That’s what daily Scripture trains our hearts to do.
Instead of letting schedules, worries, or headlines define the day, we begin with God’s promise. Gradually we notice changes: patience comes easier, forgiveness sooner, hope steadier. Not because life got simpler, but because love has been poured into us.
So this Lent, don’t aim for perfection — aim for presence.
Miss a day? Begin again tomorrow.
Busy morning? Read it later.
Late night? Let it be your last word before sleep.
The goal isn’t completing a religious task.
The goal is letting God meet you daily.
Together at Shepherd of the Prairie, these small daily moments form a shared rhythm of hope. We practice trusting that the present moment is not the end of the story.
Love is already being poured out.
God is already making all things new.
So each day this Lent, open the devotion, stand on tiptoe, and
wait with hope.
I’ll look forward to seeing you worship!
Pastor Mark
Contact Pastor Mark at: pastormark@sotpmail.com
Ushers Needed
Saturday night ushers needed for the 5th Saturday of the month.
You would serve ONLY four times a year. Wanted: two persons or a couple to fill this request.
Please join our Team.
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Shepherd of the Prairie has a document that is helpful to have filled out for your loved ones as they plan your funeral.
This funeral planning guide is available online at www.bit.ly/SOTPplan or as a hard copy in the church office.
Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church, Huntley, IL
BOWLING
Confirmation & High School Youth Annual Bowling Outing
