Visit our website / Facebook page to worship online on Sunday morning.

Bishop Bard has turned the dial to Yellow. View letter here.Bishop’s pastoral letter: COVID precautions amid surge in cases (minnesotaumc.org)
Check this link for the phased plan details from the MN
Phased Re-Gathering Plan for Churches (minnesotaumc.org) https://www.minnesotaumc.org/regatheringplan

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(10/28), Crow Wing county is at 13.3%, Cass county is at 13.2%. If you are following along, the numbers change daily, but have not dropped below 10% in quite a while. 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.
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.
-Pastor Jen
Happy older parents with adult daughter using electronic devices_ phones_ looking at laptop screen_ smiling grandparents and granddaughter watching funny video or reading news in social network
Watching our services.

Currently, if you are not able to be with us in-person on Sundays, the easiest way to watch is through our website at www.graceumcpequotlakes.org
If you choose to access it through our Facebook page, simply click the blue "watch video" tab, and it should open up.
A link to our website is also available on our Facebook page or through the link at the bottom of our weekly newsletter.
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All Saints

On Sunday November 7th, we will be celebrating the lives of those who have passed in the last year. Names will be read, and a candle lit for each. A letter should be received by families soon with an invitation to this service. If you do not receive a letter, or simply want to be sure that your friend or family member is in our records, please call the office and speak with Ann.
UMW--meetings and event on Thursday November 4th

  • 9:00am - Executive Board Meeting in the fellowship hall, led by Marsha Mower.
  • 10:00am - General Meeting in the sanctuary, led by Marsha Mower. We will collect our annual World Thank Offering and Pledges for 2022.
  • 11:00am - Program in the sanctuary. We will view a video about The Creation Museum and a full-scale replica of the Biblical Ark, founded by Ken Ham and located in northern Kentucky. This video overflows with faith-strengthening images and commentary about the amazing features found throughout the 70,000 sq. ft. facility; gives the "inside" story about the hand-crafted Tree of Life; includes animatronic dinosaurs who move and roar, the Stargazer's Planetarium and a full-scale section of Noah's Ark. Take a chronological walk through history and understand as never before, the effects of sin on our world today. Throughout the video we will be reminded "how we have been 'knitted" together through God's creation.



Bells are Ringing!

The 'Bells of Grace Choir' began weekly rehearsals on Tuesday, Oct 12th after almost 2 years of no "ringing". How wonderful to make music together again! They will continue to rehearse each Tuesday at 4:30 in the Narthex. Please contact Ardie Morris if interested in learning to ring or chime. 218-330-8565
November Mission Focus

Our Missional giving for the month of November supports the Lakes Area Food Shelf.
Our local food shelf does some really great work for this community. If you have never been inside, or it has been a while, I encourage you to check it out. If you see it, you will want to support their work. Please contact Pastor Jen if you want to learn more. There will be an opportunity this month to take a tour after worship some Sunday soon.
Please note on your offering to direct your gift to LAFS.
In the News-
Links to articles in red.

There is a complete list of Community Education offerings and all of the are activities in this week's paper. Check it out here. Events

Pine River UMC is handling "Children's Shop Day" in a new way. Check out the details here, PR share if you know someone in that community who could benefit from this program.

Congratulations to the 8th grade girl's Volleyball team for taking 1st in mid-state. Included in this picture are Presley Crawford and Avery Amsden. VB

Reminder--10 digits required for 218 area starting on October 24th.
Residents in the 218 area code will be required to dial 10 digits (area code + phone number) for all local calls.
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Sunday School, Confirmation, Youth Group---Oh My!

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 November 3rd. Watch this space and emails for details.

Parents, if you missed the confirmation meeting on the 13th, please reach out to Pastor Jen, so she can better plan for numbers and curriculum. If your child is in 6th-8th grade and has not been confirmed, now is the time:)
The next night of Confirmation class will be the November 10th, 6-715pm.
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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--6pm, bi-monthly(? tbd). 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 group. Our first meeting will be Nov. 8th.

Tuesday--9am. This group meets to discuss the scriptures for the upcoming Sunday service, and begins with a time of prayer and fellowship.

Wednesday-Adult Bible study-6pm. Ken Quass will be leading this study. They will meet every other week beginning November 3rd. Bring your Bible, this group will meet in classroom G. The first week or two will be an introduction and focus on bible basics and the resource materials available to laypersons to enhance bible study as well as formats for bible study. There will some hands-on exercises on how to use the reference materials so as to become familiar with them in personal study and meditation. Emphasis will be on you making your own personal decisions. You will not be told what you must do, only to provide you with what is available.
Beginning week 2 (Nov. 17th) we will begin the selection process of what interests you. This may be by topic such as the Beatitudes; the Lord's Prayer; the Ten Commandments or on books of the Bible or on abstract concepts such as Wisdom versus Knowledge, Redemption versus Salvation, Slave versus Servant. It could also include subjects such as how to raise a Christian family, or how to deal with an adult parent with care problems, or who to turn to locally when a spouse passes on for legal, practical, and economic counsel.

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 was on 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
Upper Room

The latest Upper Room devotional books for Nov/Dec are now available. You can pick one up on Sundays or during office hours this week.
PEO program invite

 Monday, November 1st-1pm at Grace fellowship hall.
The Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) since 1869 has been promoting educational opportunities for women. For this month's meeting, a representative from the Mid-Minnesota Women's Center will be giving an informational program. Grace members and friends should call the church office (218) 568-
5755 Monday morning if you plan to attend. 
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TRUNK OR TREAT

Thank you to those who have volunteered to decorate a trunk for the Grace "Trunk or Treat" event! It is not too late 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.

Thank you for the very generous gifts of candy!!!

What a great way for us to invite the community for a fun "Trunk or Treat" experience! Hope for a boo-ti-ful day!

We will share pictures next week.
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Contact us concept with wood block and symbols at_ e-mail address and phone
Contact Information
 Grace United Methodist Church 
29318 Patriot Ave - P.O. Box 276
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
Phone: 218-568-5755