March is here! Check out the newest E Grace

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

Family Discussion Questions from Today's Service:

Here are some questions related to the service to help spark some discussion amongst family members and/or friends.

Did you give up anything for Lent? If so, what has been the hardest part?

What does "grace" mean to you?

Do you think that Christians in other parts of the world pray for you?

Grace Financial Giving

Thank you to those who continue to give regularly to Grace UMC. We gratefully appreciate it! If you would like to give online (via PayPal) please visit our website. Offerings can also be mailed to Grace UMC at P.O. 276, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472.

Lenten Devotional

-As promised, this space includes pieces that were cut off or missing from the devotional. -Pastor Jen

The week was ending for youth campers at Frontenac Methodist Camp beside Lake Pepin, between Red Wing and Lake City, MN. Having previously been a Frontenac youth camper from my home church in West Concord, I was now a volunteer helper.

Evening vespers along the lake were always spiritually uplifting. This time I would be leaving Frontenac and Minnesota. My destination was Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico. I would be teaching second grade in the Base School. Psalm 121 went with me from Vespers by Lake Pepin that evening and has been with me all these years.

Psalm 121 NIV

I lift up my eyes to the hills—

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—

he who watches over you will not slumber;

Indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you––

the Lord is your shade at your right

hand;

The sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm––

he will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and

going

both now and forevermore. Elaine Leach

World Day of Prayer

World Day of Prayer takes place internationally on the first Friday of March every year. This is a time to celebrate in symbolic solidarity with women around the world! This year due to the coronavirus, St. Christopher’s will not be able to host our local gathering.

This year's country is Vanuatu, a group of 80 islands in the South Pacific. If you would like to view the video made by the women of Vanuatu describing their beautiful country and the challenges they face, go to https://wdp-usa.org/. This year's bible verse is Matthew 7:24-27. Jesus tells a story about the kingdom of heaven using the image of a house and the land on which the house is built. Choosing the land on which to build the house is an important decision for people in Vanuatu. The combination of considering the terrain and the climate is crucial in a tropical archipelago located in the South Pacific Ocean prone to earthquakes, cyclones, volcanic eruptions and rising sea levels.

Grace UMW invites you to pray along with the women of Vanuatu on March 5th or whenever possible. Their prayer is for employment and opportunities for young rural women and maternal and children's health.

May the Lord bring us together next year in person to pray!

Lenten book study

The Conference is encouraging churches and individuals to join together in reading the book Love is the Way, by Bishop Curry. This is the link to this week's study from the Conference.

Love is the Way: Chapters 5&6 on Vimeo

Food Shelf Challenge

The Food Challenge Continues!

Thank you for giving to the Food Drive Challenge. Continue to participate. A reminder that Week 3 is cereal or boxed cake and muffin mixes. Week 4 is tuna.

Some of us are “snowbirds” and some are in Minnesota, but unable to deliver food donations to the church. Those of us not able to deliver food donations to the church can still participate by sending in monetary donations. The need is great and we can do something to help.

We (Gary and I) are following along with the Minnesota Annual Conference Lenten Study using the book “Love Is The Way” by Bishop Michael Curry. Bishop Curry says that love is a verb. He states, “Love as an action is the only thing that has changed the world.” Let’s help change the world! Please consider helping with this cause.

Greetings from Arizona!

Kathy Bochman (and Gary)

for the Outreach Team

Check out the latest article in the Echo! Food drive.pdf

EASTER FLOWERS:

Order forms for Easter flowers are available on a table in the narthex. All order forms MUST include payment at the time of ordering. Last day to order is Sunday, March 14. If you need an order form emailed to you, contact Marsha Mower (m.mower@sbcglobal.net). Thanks for helping make the church beautiful for Easter!

Click here to access the order form.

Grace Community in the News

Congratulations to the Pequot Lakes High School Speech Team on their success last weekend!

Click here to access the article.

March Missions

Grace Missions for the month of March is the "Lakes Area Food Shelf". Money designated for the missions fund will go towards that program. Our Food Shelf challenge ends mid-month, but we encourage missional donations to LAFS throughout March.

We Need Ushers

If you are willing to come to church for worship, would you be willing to help usher? Two people are needed to greet and usher each Sunday. Please call Larry @ (218) 963-3765 or lpjohn@charter.net. Thank you!

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Upper Room-March/April

The latest Upper Room devotional is available in the Church office. You may pick up a copy if you stop in, or on Sunday mornings. If you would like a copy mailed to you, please contact the office.

Family looking for a rental home

Dean and Emilie Fitch have family members who are in need of a rental home beginning this May. They are a mature couple who know how to take care of a home with a daughter in her final years of high school. Have interest in purchasing the right property. Please contact Dean or Emilie if you have such a property at 612-743-0809 or 218-821-5364.

Our Bishop has turned the dial back to Orange. Woot!

We returned to in-person worship on January 31.

Check this link for the phased plan details from the MN https://www.minnesotaumc.org/regatheringplan

Visit our website

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