SOTP-Newsletter Archives - Shepherd of the Prairie

April Note

From Pastor Mark

Well Easter is over and yet it is not…the Easter Season continues for seven weeks. Some say as well, that “every Sunday is Easter Sunday!”

Ever wonder how the word Easter entered our Christian vocabulary?

The term “Easter” is based on the name of a Saxon goddess of fertility and sunrise who was remembered at the time of spring. This coincided with Passover, which marks the Christian story of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.

When the Saxons became Christian, they kept the old name for the season. So, in English, this strange word “Easter” came to identify the most important Christian story in Scripture.

And it’s spring, of course … although today, as I am writing this note, it feels more like early winter.

Of course, the story of Jesus’ resurrection isn’t just another springtime story. It’s a strange story, really, about rising from the dead. In the cycle of life, the dead leave behind children and grandchildren who continue the next generations. The dead don’t defy the grave by rising back to life again. Yet this is what the Christian witness tells us.

Jesus, who was killed by crucifixion and buried, is risen from the dead.

Can you think of anything in your life that compelled you to go out and tell the neighbors what happened?

I remember when the Chicago Bears made a block buster trade for a new quarterback and our son Seth was so excited he ran outside and jumped in snow pile shouting “Cutler is our quarterback!” Or how about a birth? Or a new job or promotion. First chair violin in the orchestra. Does anything come to mind that you just had to tell someone?

Matthew records the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We imagine the first experiences of confusion, perplexity, and then joy at the empty tomb where Jesus had been buried. And then we wonder if this story has anything to do with us.

Jesus’ resurrection is said to be the first glimpse of God’s eternal Kingdom of power and glory that overcomes death and the grave. We hear the refrain once again, “O death where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?” (I Corinthians 15:55). Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies are okay. But they are nothing compared to the grace, forgiveness, hope, and new life that we celebrate in Jesus’ resurrection!

Happy Easter! May this news embolden us to go out, maybe not jump in a snow pile, but be ready to tell why the resurrection matters to us! Death has no hold over us, it is life in Jesus name!

Pastor Mark

Email Pastor Mark: pastormark@sotpmail.com

April Note

From Donna Kelly

Recently I have been walking with several people through a season of sadness, and we have certainly had a season of sadness here at SOTP as we have several members die, and some of our members have had loved ones die. One thing I hear often from them and others is the idea that being sad is somehow a bad thing. Sadness is a very valid and appropriate emotion to feel when we have experienced some type of trauma or loss. That loss could be the death of a loved one, loss of a job, a relationship that has been broken, the loss of physical health, a financial set back, the loss of a pet, a dream that has ended and many other things.

When we experience a loss, we often think that showing our sadness is a sign of weakness. My late husband’s father died when Russ was only 8 years old. When he started to cry at the visitation, he was taken aside by a family member who told him roughly to stop crying because Kellys don’t cry! He learned early that sadness was weakness. (Luckily as an adult he learned it wasn’t true). Unfortunately, so many of us do believe sadness is weakness to be true. In the past, society, especially our northern European cultures tell us to “chin up”, “stand tall”, “don’t let it get the best of us”, “be strong”, and “put on a happy face”. We think we are doing well when we don’t let our emotions show.

But sadness is just as essential an emotion as joy or hope. Granted sadness is not as pleasurable to go through as feelings we deem more positive; but sadness is important and even valuable to experience during an appropriate time in our lives.

When you are grieving any kind of loss, it is normal to feel sad, in fact it might even be necessary to feel that sadness. Sadness gives us time to slow down, pause and experience our loss for what it is. I believe the only true path to the healing of our heart, mind and spirit after a trauma or loss is to embrace the painful feelings, give ourselves permission to feel them and then to begin letting go of them. The pain and sadness that goes alongside loss doesn’t just go away because we decide it’s time to do so. Grief and sadness often come in waves, like the waves in the ocean. Sometimes the waves are high and mighty and wind driven, and they knock us down when they hit us. At others times they may be gentler and just tickle our feet as the come in. As time goes on and we begin to heal, the waves that come tend to be more of the gentler kind and there are fewer high and crushing waves.

Part of sadness is tears. As I walk with those in sadness, I encourage them to give way to their tears. Tears are like a cleansing agent. When we allow ourselves to cry, the tears can be like taking a refreshing shower, where we empty ourselves of the stored-up pain and anguish, take a deep breath and take a few steps forward. And don’t forget to give yourself permission to feel ok or even good when that’s how you are feeling. Feeling happy at times during or following a trauma is just as valid as the sadness. have found that more quickly and deeply you can embrace your sadness, the more quickly you can learn how to live with it or move past it. So, embrace your sadness so that soon you can embrace your joy!

Donna Kelly

Email Donna: donna@sotpmail.com

National Nutrition Month

10 Health Tips

Fresh fruits and vegetables are a great quick food choice since they are loaded with important nutrients.

Test your knowledge of the nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables

True or False: Eating cabbage can help reduce the risk of some cancers.

TRUE: The National Institute of Health recommends eating cabbage, as well as other cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and kale to reduce the risks of certain type of cancer.

True or False: A chili pepper has more vitamin C than an orange.

TRUE: One fresh chili pepper contains almost 40 percent more vitamin c than an orange.

True or False: Calcium cannot be found in vegetables.

FALSE: Broccoli, bok choy, and dark leafy greens (kale, mustard, and turnip greens) are all good sources of calcium.

True or False: Fresh fruits and vegetables contain almost no sodium.

TRUE: Almost all fresh fruits and vegetables are naturally low in sodium.

True or False: The amount of water used in cooking vegetables won’t affect their nutritional content.

FALSE: When cooking vegetables, use as little water as possible to avoid losing nutrients in the cooking liquid.

True or False: The deeper the color of the vegetable, the more beta-carotene it contains.

TRUE: The more beta-carotene in a food, the richer its yellow, orange, or green color. Eating foods rich in beta-carotene may reduce the risk of some forms of cancer.

True or False: Fresh fruits and vegetables are composed mostly of water.

TRUE: An average apple is 85 percent water plus vitamins, minerals, and complex carbohydrates.

Shop for produce and other perishables once or twice a week so you have enough to get you through the week. Keep fruits and vegetables on hand for low-fat, low-calorie snack options.

Fruit and Veggie Recipes:

Apple and Peanut Butter Dip

Sometimes you want something sweet. This is the perfect dish for that moment. It’s not only sweet but it also has protein and fiber.

Ingredients:

2/3 cup low-fat vanilla Greek yogurt
¼ cup powdered peanut butter
1 apple

Mix the yogurt and peanut butter powder together. Serve with the sliced apple

Zucchini Pizza Bites

Ingredients:

1 medium zucchini sliced
½ cup marinara sauce
½ cup shredded mozzarella
½ tsp Italian seasoning

Preheat the oven to 450. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the zucchini in to ¼ inch slices. Place onto the prepared baking sheet. Evenly distribute the marinara sauce and mozzarella on top of each zucchini slice, and then sprinkle on the Italian seasoning. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the cheese becomes bubbly.

Contact: Jamie Patel at jamie.patel@nm.org

Get Involved

So Many Ways to Participate in Our Community

God’s Work, Our Hands

Are you looking for ways to use your talents and participate in our church family?

Here are some ideas and who to contact for more information for each one:

Adult Choir—Jane McMullen, jane@sotpmail.com
Adventure Club—Jill Gillming jill@sotpmail.com
Annual Church Picnic – Sharon Little skl55little@mac.com
Assisting Minister (9am) – Donna Kelly donna@sotpmail.com
Artist Series – Jane McMullen jane@sotpmail.com
A/V Team – Matt Morrison, matt@sotpmail.com
Barnabas Ministry—Donna Kelly, donna@sotpmail.com
Bell Choir (Adult & Youth) —Jane McMullen, jane@sotpmail.com
Communion Assistants—Donna Kelly, donna@sotpmail.com
Communion Set Up & Take Down—Judie Symbal, judie.symbal@att.net
Community Outreach—Tara Mackey, rtmackey10@yahoo.com
Counters—Ralph Wehnes, ralphwehnes@sbcglobal.net
Crafting, Gifts for Sr. Citizens & Homeless Blankets—Alice Hallett, agrndmom3@gmail.com
Food Drives – Annette Petersen petersenannette12@gmail.com
Greeters—Elaine Gillam, suggillam@aol.com
Habitat for Humanity – Sandy Hupert sandyhupert@gmail.com
Kids Academy – Amy Stech amc_stech@yahoo.com
Kids Connect (Sunday Mornings) – Jill Gillming jill@sotpmail.com
Mission Team – Sandy Hupert sandyhupert@gmail.com
Newsletter Mailing Prep—Michelle Rankin, michelle@sotpmail.com Sign up at: www.bit.ly/SOTPfolders
Next Step Fellowship (Single Seniors Fellowship) – Dave Stangle, dstangle.ds@gmail.com or Phyllis Thomson, phyllisthomson@aol.com
Prairie Crafters – Lori Paeth lpaeth@gmail.com
Property Team—Mark Frendreis, SOTPproperty@gmail.com
Prairie Quilters—Bev Kenny krkbjk@comcast.net
Prayer Shawls—Jeanne Henley cjhenley2003@yahoo.com
Public Relations—Matt Morrison matt@sotpmail.com
Readers—Donna Kelly donna@sotpmail.com
Stewardship – Mike McCann michealmccann71@gmail.com
Ushers—Ed Cuttle edschn28@comcast.net
Vacation Bible School – Jill Gillming jill@sotpmail.com
Welcome Center—Tara Mackey, rtmackey10@yahoo.com
Worship Band (Singing & Instrumental)—Jeff Moore, jeff@sotpmail.com
Youth – Pastor Ryan Mackey pastorryan@sotpmail.com