Barber Shop Chorus
The New Tradition ] Chorus is an award-winning a cappella chorus singing in the TTBB range with members from Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. 
Chartered in 1982, this Illinois District chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society has a long-standing reputation for delighting audiences through exciting harmonies and memorable performances of songs spanning decades and genres. The chorus rehearses in Glenview, IL
Visit the church website at www.bit.ly/SOTPARTIST for further information on the Artist Series or email at artistseries@sotpmail.com
Video Tutorials
Come along on a journey to learn sign language and make it a part of your devotional life. 
Beginning in November the Daily Devotions will include videos imbedded to help those wishing to learn sign language.
Thanks to Annette Kandell and Dennis Houghton for their hard work on the production of these videos. The use of sign language has be shown to increase cognitive learning, supports literacy skills, promotes empathy and inclusion and builds confidence in expression. Come along on the journey of learning and when comfortable feel free to use your new found skills in worship!
Matthew 26: 36 Jesus said to His Disciples: Sit Here in the Garden with Me, while I go and pray. 
Dear Friends in Christ: Jesus is also calling to each one of us. He is offering us an invitation to sit with Him and pray. One Sunday morning this past fall, I was listening to one of Pastor Mark’s powerful sermons that ended with a call to action. As I listened, an inner vision began to present itself. It was the idea of a room somewhere in the church, that would be set aside, apart from the sanctuary, that could provide a space for quiet reflection. A place to sit, listen, pray and just “BE” with Jesus.
Soon after that Sunday, I made an appointment to share this idea with Pastor Mark. During our conversation he affirmed, that he too, has envisioned a room used for this purpose for sometime. Pastor Mark suggested that the current Library would be the perfect room that could be used, and that the name could be changed from the Library to The Garden Room based on the scripture from Matthew 26:36.
It is the hope and prayer for the New Year of 2026, that the Garden room will provide a place where all may go to, for solace, peace and quiet reflection. A place where we may seek rest, renewal and rejuvenation. And most importantly, a place to sit and BE with Jesus, to be still and feel the great love and care Jesus has for each one of us.
The Garden Room will open beginning on the first Sunday in Lent, It will be available for your use from 8 -12:30 on Sunday mornings. There will be resources laid out to guide you in prayer and reflection which can be used at your discretion.
There will also be a prayer box available for you to put prayer requests into. These requests will be prayed for each day of that week.
Please come to the Garden Room to pray, sit, and know that there is a friend named Jesus who wants to “walk with you and talk with you, and to tell you that you are His own, and the joy that you share as you tarry there, none other has ever know.” – Lyrics from In the Garden: By C. Austin Miles
Deacon Judy Rooney
For Thrivent Members
Matt & John Drafall will be at church on Saturday March 9th and Sunday March 10th to assist you with directing any Choice Dollars you may have accrued. 
They need to be directed by March 31st, or the money will be lost.
In the past 10 years, Thrivent Financial has sent SOTP an average between $5,000.00 & $6,000.00 each year.
Contact: Ralph Wehnes ralphwehnes@sbcglobal.net
In the Sanctuary
Ask your hearing care professional how. Some hearing aids are set up where they might have an app on your cellphone that says “telecoil mode”, and you’ll activate that. 
You might have the ability to adjust the volume up and turn down for the microphone level. But again, talk to your hearing care professional, they should be able to show you all those options, and then play around with it, when you’re in church.
We also have two headsets to use while you are in the sanctuary. These are in our Welcome Center desk if you don’t have a compatible hearing aid.
Contact: your hearing aid professional
Start the New Year with Us
Would you like to begin the new year in a meaningful way? Come join us in a time of meditation and prayer. 
Release & Renew, a self-guided practice of meditation, practice and prayer, will take place in our Fellowship Hall in an open house format between 7am and 8pm
on Tuesday, January 6th. For more information contact: Donna Kelly through the church office 847-669-9448.
Contact: Donna Kelly at donna@sotpmail.com
Funeral Lunch Blessings
On behalf of the Helping Hands Committee, we would like to thank all those that help make a funeral luncheon possible. Thank you for your donations of food and time.
You are all greatly appreciated.
Contact: Marilyn Wilhelm
paxfm1971@gmail.com
February Gazette
What is the difference between a refugee, a migrant, an immigrant and an asylum seeker? 
A “migrant” is a worker who comes over to work temporarily and returns to their home country each time.
An immigrant is technically some who comes to work permanently (i.e. green cards etc.)
Asylum seekers are when people flee their own country and seek sanctuary in another country, they apply for asylum – the right to be recognized as a refugee and receive legal protection and material assistance. (what is commonly now in the US referred to as immigrants.
A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. Most likely, they cannot return home or are afraid to do so. War and ethnic, tribal and religious violence are leading causes of refugees fleeing their countries.
Refugees apply to a country and are vigorously vetted before arriving and accepted into the country they have applied for.
THAT SAID, COULD YOU HELP the mission team supply a newly arriving refugee family with an EXODUS welcome pack?
We have many items already, but still need Plastic Wrap, Set of 8 glasses, Twin Comforter, Dishwashing soap, Broom & Dust Pan and more. Please go to www.bit.ly/SOTPrefugee24 to register to purchase an item.
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What else is the mission team a part of this month?
The Lenten offerings have been designated for AARK Gardens, Exodus World Service, Food cards for homeless in tent city and CRE-Reentry.
On Monday Feb. 19th , 4 t0 8 PM CULVERS’ FUNDRAISER to support local Habitat for Humanity.
Contact: Sandy Hupert at sandyhupert@gmail.com
2025
