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
Freedom Worth Celebrating
This July, our nation marks a remarkable milestone—the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. For two and a half centuries, Americans have cherished the ideals of liberty, self-government, opportunity, and freedom. We give thanks for those who have served, sacrificed, and worked to preserve these blessings for future generations.
As Christians, we are especially grateful for the freedoms that allow us to worship openly, gather in community, serve our neighbors, and share the good news of Jesus Christ. Yet Independence Day also invites us to reflect on a deeper freedom—one that no government can grant and no circumstance can take away.
Our summer sermon series has encouraged us “back to the basics of faith.” For the weekend of July 4 and 5 we will hear in our Gospel reading Jesus extending a simple yet powerful invitation: “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” While political freedom is precious, many people still carry burdens of anxiety, grief, guilt, loneliness, uncertainty, and the relentless pressure to prove themselves.
The Gospel reminds us that our worth is not earned through achievement or success. We are beloved children of God, saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. In Christ, we find freedom from fear, freedom from shame, and freedom from the exhausting belief that we must save ourselves.
As we celebrate our nation’s anniversary, let us pray for our country and give thanks for its blessings. Above all, let us receive Christ’s promise of rest and remember that the deepest freedom of all is found in the love and grace of God.
I’ll look forward to being with you in 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.
