A Big THANK YOU to everyone who helped decorate the church on Monday, November 27. 
It takes a lot of helpers/elves to decorate and put up five trees.
The Worship Committee thanks you for a job well done!!!!
Contact: Carolyn Cuttle ednca@comcast.net
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John and Carol Sturz have been training their 5-year-old golden retriever, Rosie, to be a Therapy Dog. 
The first step in her training was to pass the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizenship test, a 10-skill test that teaches good manners to dogs and responsible dog ownership to their owners. The next part of her certification will be to make visits to schools, hospitals, nursing homes as well as to Shepherd of the Prairie Church and anywhere she is welcome. So far Rosie has been with us at many local restaurants and at SOTP Saturday night services.
Therapy dogs are not service dogs. Service dogs are dogs that are specially trained to perform specific tasks to help a person who has a disability. An example of a service dog is one that guides an owner who is blind, or a dog who assists someone with a physical disability. Therefore Rosie is not given the same duties and privileges that a service dog has.
Since many people are familiar with the Lutheran Church Charities Comfort dogs, we want to clarify that Rosie is not part of that organization. LCC K9’s places dogs with assigned handlers and the dogs live in homes with assigned caregivers. Rosie will continue to live with us and we will be her handlers. Our plan is to take her for visits to nursing homes, hospitals and other places like libraries, since we have both worked as school and college Librarians. John is also a retired Lutheran pastor.
John and Carol Sturz
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 issued sometime in December.
Contact: Michelle Rankin michelle@sotpmail.com
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The holidays are often filled with time-honored traditions that include some of our favorite meals and foods. As you celebrate, think of little changes you can make this holiday season to create healthier meals and active days.
How calorie dense are my favorite holiday foods?
High calorie-dense foods pack a lot of calories and tend to be heavily processed, low in nutrients and fiber, and high in fat and added sugars. Below is a list of high-calorie dense foods:
Low calorie-dense foods have fewer calories per bite, a variety of vitamins and minerals, and are low in fat and added sugars. The fiber content of these foods tends to be higher, leading to increased fullness and a lesser likelihood of overeating.
Examples include:
When planning your holiday meals and snacks, try to include more low-calorie dense foods and limit items that are high-calorie dense.
Sneaky Holiday Calories:
Better Options:
Portions have doubled in the last 25 years. Research shows that people eat more when they are given a larger amount. Eating smaller portions is another easy way to reduce some of the calories from your diet.
Keep an eye on portions at holiday parties
Low-Calorie Egg Nog
Source: American Diabetes Association Holiday Cookbook by Betty Wedman
Combine the egg yolks and milk in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the mixture coats a metal spoon. Cool.
Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add the egg custard mixture with the vanilla, sweetener, and flavoring. Mix lightly. Cover and chill. Pour into serving cups and sprinkle with nutmeg.
½ cup= 70 calories, 6 grams carbohydrate, 6 grams protein, 3 grams of fat
Contact Jamie Patel jamie.patel@nm.org
Trunk or Treat Thank You!
Thank you to everyone that participated in our Trunk or Treat, it was a great success!!! 
We had almost 200 people come and enjoy themselves. Congratulations to our 1st place winners the Stancls with their Cubs themed trunk and the Mackey Family that came in 2nd place with their Jurassic Park Theme trunk!!! (Please include some pictures)
Attention: Kids Connect December Schedule
Þ December 3rd 9:00 and 10:45
Þ December 10th No Kids Connect (Christmas Musical 10:45am)
Þ December 17th 9:00 and 10:45
Þ December 24th No Kids Connect (Christmas Eve no morning worship)
Þ December 31st No Kids Connect (New Years Eve)
Save the Date!
January 19th Kids Movie Night 6:30-8:30!!!
Kids come in their pajamas and bring sleeping bags, blankets, pillows. We will serve popcorn and movie candy. Movie TBD.
Contact: Jill Gillming jill@sotpmail.com
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The Adult Education Class will resume sometime in January. 
We will be studying the book Future Faith (Fortress Press) by Wesley Granberg Michaelson. In it he has identified 10 challenges the church must face this century. We will examine one per week.
Participants are encouraged to purchase the book and read along as we go. Please plan to join us when you can, even if you don’t have the book, for these weekly conversations on Sunday mornings at 10:15 AM.
More details will be announced next month.
Contact: Pastor Roy Olson olson612sr@sbcglobal.net
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To start receiving any (or all) of the above, please e-mail your request to Michelle Rankin at michelle@SOTPmail.com
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We only keeps financial records on members and non-members that have a giving # assigned. 
If you would like us to track your giving, contact Michelle Rankin in the Church office.
2024 Giving #s and/or envelopes will be coming soon.
If you give electronically, please watch for an email from Michelle Rankin in the beginning of November.
Contact: Michelle Rankin michelle@sotpmail.com
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Contact: Diane Mollis dem910@outlook.com
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