Order of Worship: Sunday, October 10th
Prelude
Welcome
Call to Worship
Opening Songs
"Come Into the Holy of Holies"
"These Are the Days of Elijah"
Scripture Readings:
Habakkuk 1:1-6,2:1-4,3:1-2
Psalm 37:1-9
Luke 17:5-10
Praise Song: "I Come to the Cross"
Message: How Long, O Lord
Pastor Jen Matthees
The Word in Song: "Have Thine Own Way Lord"
UMH 382
Prayers of the People & Lord's Prayer
Closing Song "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing"
UMH 57, vs 1-5
Blessing & Postlude
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This Week at Grace:
Tuesday: Bible Study 9am
Bells of Grace rehearsal 430pm
Wednesday: Confirmation meeting 6pm
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If you are planning to meet at Grace please call ahead of time to reserve space and get your meeting on the church calendar.
Church Office Phone:
218-568-5755
Grace Office Hours
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. to noon
Worship
Online-anytime
In-Person--Sunday mornings at Grace
9am
Masks required indoors at Grace currently
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Check this link for the phased plan details from the MN
Recent Updates
A return to yellow involves more things than just a return to masking. The direction from the Conference is to continue to monitor the county numbers and make changes as needed. If the positive case number is over 5% we should follow all of the yellow protocols. At this time(10/7), Crow Wing county is at 19.1%, Cass county is at 17%. If you are following along, the numbers change daily, but have not dropped below 10% in quite a while, and this week have actually jumped up quite a bit. As the numbers continue to rise and fall, please prayerfully consider how to keep yourself and those around you safe. If the positive case numbers go above 20%, we may need to make some adjustments to our building protocols and worship experience.
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Masking is the easiest thing that we can do. Everyone is still expected to wear a mask within the building please. We are monitoring the county numbers closely and changes may happen rapidly. Please join me in prayer for our local school leaders, teachers, students and families as they deal with tough decisions.
-Pastor Jen
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Service Opportunity
The group that has been volunteering regularly for YEARS, on behalf of Grace UMC, at the Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen in Brainerd is stepping away. See full letter here Soup Kitchen. If you are part of a small group, community group, or would like to gather with a group of friends to serve this worthy ministry, please contact John Luce for more information. |
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January-September 2021
Income= $161,386.57
Expenses= $146,613.71
Obviously this is a very bare bones picture of where we are at. Questions or a more complete detail of our numbers can be addressed by speaking to our Finance chair Tim Perrine or Pastor Jen.
Our income has benefitted from a large gift received last month. Our numbers would not be quite as healthy without it.
Thank you so much for your continued gifts and prayers for our church and its ministries!
--Pastor Jen
*Our Finance Team is in need of at least 2 new members. If this topic interests you please speak with Tim Perrrine, Peggy Johnson, or Pastor Jen for more information.
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October Mission Focus
Our Missional giving for the month of October supports the Brennecke family and their work as missionaries.
Click her to read the latest update from Brennecke. Please note on your offering to direct your gift to their work.
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Going away for the winter? Please call or email the church office with
your winter address and the dates you are leaving and coming back. This
will ensure you receive church mailings while you are gone. The post
office doesn't forward mail any longer. (218) 568-5755 or graceumc@tds.net
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Please Contact the Church Office
IF:
-You have moved, so we have your current address
-You have changed your phone number(and you want us to have it!)
-You have a student in your family who is not living at home, but would like to receive the newsletter--we can mail or email it to them
-You no longer wish to receive the weekly newsletter
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In the News-
Links to articles in red.
Check out the fun pics of the Pequot Lakes Homecoming Court and our own Sonja Palmer.
Upcoming Red Cross Blood Drives
-October 19, 12-6 @ Gull Lakes Center-Grand View Lodge in Nisswa
-December 1 Pequot Lakes High School
Call 1-800-733-2767 for details and appointments
The need is great, please help if you can!
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Sunday School has begun!
Littles through fourth grade are invited to head to Sunday School after our opening worship songs for a lesson and fun.
Youth Group has started!
Currently, we are meeting every other Wednesday night from 6pm-7pm. Please come dressed for the weather in case our activities happen outside. The next gathering is October 20th, unless too many are gone for MEA. Watch this space and emails for details.
Confirmation will be beginning soon. Wednesday October 13th there will be a student/parent meeting to discuss the plans for this year at 6pm. If you are unsure if your student should be in confirmation, please contact Pastor Jen.
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Small Group Opportunities
We haven't discussed small groups in a while, but there are some happening, and some new ones beginning soon.
Monday--evenings, time to be determined by group, to meet once or twice a month. Women's book study using the book The Best Yes. This study is suggested for women aged 25-60. Please speak to Pastor Jen for details about this future group.
Tuesday--9am. This group meets to discuss the scriptures for the upcoming Sunday service.
Wednesday--Adult study coming soon that will meet at 6pm, led by Ken Quass. A start date will be set soon.
Thursday--1pm. Women's book study using the book The Spirituality of Age. This study is most appropriate for women that are 50 and above. We have room for more to join this group. The first meeting will be October 21. Speak to Pastor Jen about joining or picking up a book.
Thursday--mornings. Men's Bible/Book study. Please speak to Dean Fitch or Ken Quass for details about this group.
If you have an idea for a study or activity based group, I would love to support you! Reach out to me at pastorjen@tds.net
--Pastor Jen
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TRUNK OR TREAT
Thank you to the NINE Grace families who have volunteered to decorate a trunk for the Grace "Trunk or Treat" event! It is not too late to sign up to join the fun :)
Saturday, October 30 - 11-1pm
Cars will drive-thru the parking lot to look at the trunks and then receive a bag of candy for each child riding along.
We need lots of candy! Last year we handed out almost 500 bags of treats! Please bring your candy donations to the table in the Narthex by Tuesday, October 27th.
What a great way for us to invite the community for a fun "Trunk of Treat" experience! Hope for a boo-ti-ful day!
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October is CHURCH EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION MONTH. Our church community is blessed with great staff! The Staff Parish Relations Committee invites you to send notes of encouragement and thanks to our staff. This past year and a half has not been easy for any of us with the pandemic running rampant and causing our lives to be altered in so many ways. Pastor Jen has led our team of staff and volunteers in incredible ways and we recognize her on Sunday, October 10. The other Grace staff members are Brad Wallace (Director of Music), Jacki Kline (Accompanist), Casey Dirksen (Substitute Accompanist), Ann Hutchings (Administrative Assistant), Joan Oscarson (Treasurer), Barb Wallace (Sound Tech). In addition, we have three "volunteer" staff members - Ardie Morris (Hand Bell Director), Doris Longnecker (Financial Secretary), Jackie Tappe (Assistant Financial Secretary).
We also have a team of incredible volunteers at Grace and should take time to appreciate them every chance we get! Grace is truly blessed by all these people.
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Every week at the bottom of this newsletter is an invitation to "Visit our website". If you have not checked out the website lately, please do!
www.graceumcpequotlakes.org
Gary Bochman has done a wonderful job of freshening up our site and keeping things updated. Thank you very much Gary!
If you have news or pictures to share that could go onto our website, please send them to Pastor Jen or Gary B. (We reserve the right to use as appropriate)
pastorjen@tds.net
updated email for Gary is garybochman@gmail.com
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Grace United Methodist Church
29318 Patriot Ave - P.O. Box 276
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
Phone: 218-568-5755
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