SOTP Staff, Author at Shepherd of the Prairie

Prayer Chain

Submit prayer requests to: www.bit.ly/SOTPpray

To join our prayer chain and receive requests, email Donna at donna@sotpmail.com

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

Email Mike McCann: michealmccann71@gmail.com

Thank You!

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!

A Note

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