Visit our website or Facebook page to worship online at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning!

A note about last weekend's website hiccup:
We called our website host (sharefaith) on Monday morning to ask about our website crash. As you can imagine there is a large increase of weekend traffic on church websites compared to website traffic just three weeks ago. They worked over the weekend and throughout this week to expand their server space. We are hopeful that the website will work without any failure but if it does we ask for continued patience. People all around the country, and around the world, are doing their best with all these unexpected changes. We will also be posting a worship link on Facebook and if our site does crash we will send an email as soon as possible with an alternative link. Thanks for your continued understanding, grace, and support as we learn through this.

Tips for preparing for Sunday's worship online:
  1. On Sunday morning pour yourself a cup of coffee, get a candle, and go to the worship website or Grace's Facebook page.
  2. If you would like to follow along with the scripture reading have your Bible nearby.
  3. At 9 a.m., find a comfy seat, take a deep breath, light your candle, and press play.
Order of Online Worship:
Sunday, March 29

Welcome

Opening Song
"Come, Now is the Time to Worship"

Scripture Reading
Psalm 130 and Matthew 21:23-27

Message
"Heaven or Human Origin?"

Special Music
"Oh My Soul"

Closing Hymn
"Great is Thy Faithfulness"

Note: At this time we are exploring online giving. Until that is set up, offerings can be mailed to Grace UMC at P.O. 276, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472.
Building Use & Cancellation Update:
Due to the recommendations from the CDC and the Minnesota Annual Conference, in-person worship and all Grace meetings, events, activities, and rehearsals are cancelled until further notice. Worship will be available online on Sunday mornings. In addition, because of the "Stay at Home" executive order, the building will remain closed and the office will not be staffed regularly. Messages and emails can still be left for Ann Hutchings, our church secretary, and she will periodically be checking voice messages and email. If you have an immediate need please contact Pastor Gary Liker or Andrea Langhoff via email or cell.
Children's Message:
Weekend Edition
This week's children's message is in the form of family-led discussions and activities that can be done throughout the weekend. Day one is about prayer. Day two is a listening walk. Day three is a spring observation project.

Update from Bishop Ough
Bishop Ough states "after much consultation, prayer, processing of data, and seeking to comply with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and our three state governments, I am extending my earlier request and now asking that all our congregations suspend in-person worship until at least May 10, in compliance with the CDC’s eight-week ban on gatherings of 50 people or more and the closure of schools and many public places in the Dakotas-Minnesota Area. I will of course continue to monitor new data and directives, or relaxed restrictions, and update or modify my request as appropriate."

Lakes Area Food Shelf
Our parking lot neighbors are in need of our support! Tammy Larson, the new director of the Food Shelf, expressed concern about their low checking account balance and the likelihood of an increased need to serve area residents. During the past two weeks they have seen more new clients and families come through. As a reminder food shelves can stretch cash donations as they are able to access discount products and programs. Donations for the Lakes Area Food Shelf can be mailed to church, or directly taken to the Food Shelf on Tuesday or Thursday morning (9 a.m. to noon).

On-Call Volunteers Needed:
In addition to financial support, we are also going to be providing the Food Shelf with on-call volunteers. Many of the regular Tuesday/Thursday volunteers are in the 60+ range (at-risk due to age). Andrea Langhoff will be coordinating on-call volunteers. Twice per week we will check in with the Food Shelf to see if they need volunteers.

Requirements for on-call volunteers:
  • Under the age of 60 (for protection of those volunteering)
  • Have not traveled in the last 14 days
  • Available Tuesday or Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon
If you are interested in being an on-call food shelf volunteer text (715-470-3131) or email Andrea.
Community Support
Thank you to those who have signed up to lend a hand. Grace family, if you need assistance with anything let us know! This week people of Grace volunteered and made donations to the food shelf, called and checked-in on each other, prayed for each other, donated supplies for first responders, donated to the women's shelter, and much more. Please continue to reach out. Use this form or contact Pastor Gary, Andrea, or the church. We have helpers ready to assist!

Contact Information
 Grace United Methodist Church 
29318 Patriot Ave - P.O. Box 276
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
Phone: 218-568-5755
Email:  graceumc@tds.net