2024
You are invited to the Congregational Resourcing Event on March 16, 2024, at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, Illinois. 
This is hosted by the Congregational Life Committee. We will gather with worship. Then, we will participate in the keynote and discussion led by Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta, the Senior Director for New Ministry Development and Evangelism at the Churchwide Office of the ELCA.
The workshop listing will be shared as soon as it is ready. Registration is now open and closes on March 2nd. The registration fee is $25 for the event. This includes breakfast treats, coffee, and lunch. Scholarships are available.
This is a great opportunity to learn more about how you can be part of and share God’s Story. We can meet at SOTP and carpool to Dixon.
To register or for more information let Donna know.
Contact: Donna Kelly donna@sotpmail.com 847-669-9448
Baskets Needed
Your Artist Series committee is asking for your help with donations that we can use to fill baskets for our TWELVE BASKETS OF CHRISTMAS SILENT AUCTION which supports the Artist Series here at Shepherd of the Prairie. 
These baskets will be auctioned at our Christmas musical on December 7th. This is the only true fund raiser that the Artist Series does on a yearly basis. New items can be donated by contacting Carolyn Cuttle for additional information. Cut off date is November 25th.
We thank you for your support over the past seven years and look forward as we start our 8th year of entertainment here at SOTP.
Contact Carolyn Cuttle at ednca@comcast.net
For the Grafton Food Pantry
February 24th from 9am-1pm is the Community Outreach’s first Grafton Food Drive of 2024. 
Help us fill the shelves at the Grafton Food Pantry. Whether you choose to donate items or give monetarily, all donations are greatly appreciated.
Contact: Tara Mackey rtmackey10@hahoocom
Oregon, IL
Northern Illinois Synod Women of the WELCA Retreat 2025 “Walking the Ancient Path” Saturday, April 26, 2025 9:00 AM-3:00 PM 
Program and worship led by PATHWAYS staff from Christ Lutheran Church, Belvedere, Illinois.
Registration fee includes coffee, snacks, lunch and materials.
Registration form available at: www.bit.ly/SYNODretreat0425reg
Half scholarships are available, to request a scholarship, go to: www.bit.ly/SYNODretreat0425scholar
2024
VBS will be
July 8-12, 2024
Contact: Jill Gillming at Jill@sotpmail.com
& Small Groups Kickoff
We have an exciting celebration awaiting us this October as we honor our Lutheran heritage with several fun and educational activities.
- We begin our month-long celebration with an all-congregation book read of “The Book of Harmony”, written by Dr. Martin J. Lohrmann. This book is a great commentary on “The Book of Concord” which is the basis of our Lutheran Confessions. All are invited to join in this book read and books will be available through SOTP for a donation. This four-week study will kickoff our Small Group Ministry for this fall. Our 7’s Discipleship groups are encouraged to use this study, and other small groups will be formed to discuss the book and what it means to us as Lutherans. Please contact Pastor Mark, Pastor Ryan, or Donna Kelly to obtain a book.
- Our celebrations will continue on Saturday October 5, with Pastor Bill leading Lutheranism 101. This is an excellent way to find out more about Martin Luther, the Protestant Reformation and our Lutheran Heritage.
- On Sunday, October 13 from 3-5pm we will have the opportunity to come together and watch the most recent Luther Movie, “Luther”, which was critically acclaimed.
- Our Month-long celebration will culminate on Reformation weekend, Saturday and Sunday October 26 & 27. On Saturday the 26th, we are all invited to be part of the Celebration Dinner with Dr. Martin J. Lohrmann (author of our book) as our guest speaker. A great chance to get your book signed by the author!
- The celebration dinner will be followed by a gathering at Sew Hop’d Brewery here in Huntley where we will enjoy fellowship and listen to The Guttenberg German Band.
- Then on Sunday the 27th, Dr. Lohrmann will be preaching at both services and there will be special music including a brass quartet and the great hymns of the Lutheran Church.
Watch your email and the Friday Flourish for more information.
Donna Kelly, Director of Connection Ministries
donna@sotpmail.com
Niches Available
Have you seen our Memory Garden on the West end of the Church building. 
There are still 21 Niches available that will hold one or two Urns. For more information, contact the Church office, Stan Crissman, or Ralph Wehnes.
Contact: Ralph Wehnes at ralphwehnes@sbcglobal.net
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
I remember during the time of 9/11 that our church’s attendance at Faith Lutheran in Washington, IL, increased for several weeks.
When additional national threats to our country did not materialize, attendance sank to normal numbers.
Why did this happen? It’s probably not unusual.
Don’t we all flock to God in time of trouble, asking for release from our fear, sickness, or any crisis that befalls us?
Psalm 46:1 says that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. So we reach for God daily.
But, human as we are, we often return to our own devices when the crisis has passed. Why don’t we continue to lean on the everlasting arms of God for continued comfort and guidance (every day)?
This reminds me of my own childhood, when I ran (or snuck) into my mom and dad’s bedroom during the night for comfort from the boogie man, from the “something” hiding under my bed or in my closet, or from a loud crash of thunder. Then, in the morning, it was back to good old daylight and safety. I was fine “on my own” until bedtime, or another crisis.
When we’re worried or sick, when we lose our income, home or loved ones, our minds and hearts are busy sending out prayers. We pray despite our weakness. We feel God’s power because we know that God cares. God listens, walks with us, and comforts us. None of us are immune to periods of weakness, sickness or distress.
But we expect Jesus to come again. He is with us now, and will come again to complete the work of restoration, to bring light to the world.
God’s power encourages us to rejoice in hope, and to share this hope with others. Jesus’ promise can help us to stand steadfast in times of hardship, sickness or any disaster that befalls us.
Jesus proclaims that, while life will not be easy, he has overcome the world with light. As we put God first in our thoughts, minds and souls, we have hope every day.
I’ll see you in worship!
Pastor Mark
email Pastor Mark: pastormark@sotpmail.com
