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

Order of Worship: Sunday, October 24th


Prelude
Welcome

Call to Worship

Opening Songs
"Come, Now is the Time to Worship"
"I Could Sing of Your Love Forever"


Scripture Readings:
Psalm 15
Luke 10:38-42
Philippians 4:4-8

The Word in Song

Message: The Mary and Martha in Each of Us
Pastor Jen Matthees

Praise Song: "I Love You, Lord"
TFWS 2068

Prayers of the People & Lord's Prayer

Closing Song "To God Be the Glory"
UMH 98

Blessing & Postlude
This Week at Grace:

Tuesday: Bible Study 9am
Bells of Grace rehearsal 430pm
Wednesday: Confirmation 6pm
Thursday: Small group 1pm-Spirituality of Age
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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


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(10/21), Crow Wing county is at 13.3%, Cass county is at 19.8%. 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
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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.
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
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.
In the News-
Links to articles in red.

The front page of the Echo Journal this week had a very interesting article about the "supply chain" issues impact on the school nutrition program. Our own Patty Buell is quoted in the story. I was not aware of just how much thought and care goes into balancing out a healthy menu for our kids! Thank you to these workers! School Services

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

Veterans Day is coming up on November 11th, but there is a lovely piece on thanking our veterans in this week's paper. Thank a Veteran

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, chances are great that we each know someone who has been affected by this disease. Check out these tips and articles shared in the EJ this week. Breast Cancer Awareness

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.
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 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 first night of Confirmation class will be the October 27th, 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--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 those 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!
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. The 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.
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