Order of Worship: Sunday, November 28th
Prelude/Welcome
Call to Worship
Opening Songs
"Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates"
"Emmanuel, Emmanuel"
Children's Message
Lighting of the Advent Candle
Song: Light the Advent Candle (v1)
Scripture Readings:
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:1-10
Luke 21:25-36
Special Music: Jacki Kline
Message: Coming Attractions
Pastor Jen Matthees
The Word in Song: "Jesus, Name Above All Names"
Prayers of the People & Lord's Prayer
Closing Song: "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus"
Blessing & Postlude
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This Week at Grace:
Monday: Small group 6pm
Tuesday: Bible Study 9am
Bells rehearsal: 430pm
Wednesday: Confirmation 6pm Adult Bible Study 6pm
Thursday: UMW meeting and program (see note within)
Friday: set-up for Shop Day 330-?
Saturday: Kids Shop Day 10-1
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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Our Advent journey begins November 28th.
Please join us each Sunday as we prepare ourselves for the coming of our Savior!
Scripture for this week:
--Jeremiah 33:14-16
--Luke 21:25-36
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Check this link for the phased plan details from the MN
Recent Updates from the Conference office
re:COVID Numbers
"You will notice the COVID numbers are increasing to an all -time high in Minnesota. We are keeping our phasing in Yellow, mostly because so many folks are vaccinated so the risks are different than they were a year ago. But we do strongly urge, if you are not already, masking indoors and limiting congregational singing until the positivity rate drops below 5%. If the positive case number is over 5% we should follow all of the yellow protocols."
At this time (11/23), Crow Wing county is at 13.5%, Cass county is at 12.7%. If you are following along, the numbers change daily, but have not dropped below 10% in months. 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.
- We are a people that do no harm. We practice physical distancing to minimize harm to others, especially the vulnerable.
- We are a people that do all the good we can. We care for the spiritual and physical needs of our neighbors, providing food, emotional support, and supporting our health care system.
- We are a people that stay in love with God. When we love God through prayer, praise, and worship, we grow in love of our neighbor. Love of God and love of neighbor are inseparable.
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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.
-Pastor Jen
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Stewardship 2022
The annual stewardship letter was mailed out to friends and members of our church last week. A pledge card was included, and there are extras at church. We ask that you prayerfully consider how you can best share your gifts and talents to the church in the coming year, and return your pledge intentions as appropriate.
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Dear Ladies of Grace,
Mark you calendars now, and, plan to attend the special UMW program and Christmas tea on Thursday, December 2nd, at 10:00 a.m.
We will first worship together with a service of carols and scripture. Then, we'll watch an amazing documentary on the "Star of Bethlehem." The documentary explores the exciting truth of scripture and, reveals the evidence for God's existence as seen in the stars above. The presenter walks us through Biblical and historical clues revealing the incredible significance of this celestial event as well as the vastness of God's creativity. We will see how the "announcement" of Christmas through the Bethlehem Star, is the world-changing event the "knits" our world together for God's good work.
Following the program, a Christmas tea will take place in the narthex. Christmas cookies and small group fellowship at "card tables" will be enjoyed as we listen to Christmas music by the "Bells of Grace."
- 9:00 a.m. - Executive Board Meeting, led by Elaine Leach
- 10:00 a.m. - Service of Carols and Scriptures in the sanctuary, then the documentary of "The Bethlehem Star"
- 11:15 a.m. - Christmas Tea and Christmas Music by "The Bells of Grace" in the narthex
We hope to see you on Thursday, December 2nd, at 10:00 a.m.!
As of this writing, masks are still required, but social distancing is not.
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Here I Am Lord
CALLING FORTH NEW LEADERSHIP: Each year the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) is called to look within its congregation for persons who may feel a greater calling to serve God through ordination. These people may have heard God's calling in a dramatic way or through a gentle growth experience. SPRC wants to encourage anyone who may feel they have the potential for spiritual leadership to contact Pastor Jen for a deeper understanding of the responsibilities and requirements of ordination within the Methodist community of faith and service.
-Marsha Mower
------p.s. from Pastor Jen--Take it from someone who received a call later in life and was supported by her home church and this Conference, don't assume that He can't use you!
Due to the circumstances around COVID 19, all 2020 Grace Leadership positions were held over in 2021. Thank you to each and every one of you for agreeing to do that and for serving during this unusual year. Now, it is time to assemble the 2022 Grace Leadership Team!
* If you would like to continue serving in your present position,
* If you would NOT like to continue serving in your present position,
* If you are feeling a desire to be a member of the Trustees, the Finance Committee, any of the Ministry Teams (Membership, Worship, Outreach, Discipleship), or volunteer in any other way,
*If you are interested in teaching Sunday School, or helping with Youth Group, leading Fellowship Time, or being on the Library Committee.
Prayerfully consider how you can be a part of all the great things that are happening here at Grace Church. Consider becoming a participant in the Leadership Team that will make plans as we transition to new ways of doing things in the future.
Make a call to Pastor Jen soon. Thank You!
-Peggy Johnson
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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 to take a tour after worship some Sunday soon.
Please note on your offering to direct your gift to LAFS.
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In the News-
Links to articles in red.
Community events and Nisswa festival of lights.
Reminder--10 digits required for 218 area started 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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Upcoming Blood Drive
-Wednesday December 1, 2021,12-6pm
-Pequot Lakes High School
Please call 1-800-Red Cross for appointments.
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Sunday School, Confirmation, Youth Group---Oh My!
Sunday School has been offered for the last 10 weeks leading up to Advent. We will resume some sort of programming after the holidays.
Youth Group has started! (Pic is the old school game, Musical Chairs, on the 17th!)
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 December 8th. Watch this space and emails for details. This may be a longer get-together, emails will be sent.
Confirmation meets every other week, alternating with Youth Group. We will not be meeting on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, as a number of kids are gone. The next class will be December 1st.
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Small Group Opportunities
Monday--6pm, Women's book study using the book The Best Yes.
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. The next meeting is December 1.
Thursday--1pm. Women's book study using the book The Spirituality of Age.
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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Attention Prayer Warriors!
If you feel called to be a part of the prayer chain, please let Pastor Jen know. We would simply ask that prayer requests are kept confidential(unless they have been made publicly), and that you spend some time in intentional prayer for the needs sent through the chain.
We are also aware that some people may be receiving prayer chain requests that no longer have the time to be an active part of this chain. Please let Pastor Jen or Doris Longnecker know, so that you can be added or removed as an active part of the prayer chain.
Can we pray for you?
If you are in need of prayer for yourself or someone that you care about, please reach out to Pastor Jen, Ann(in the office), or Doris Longnecker. We will add your name to the prayer chain. You are welcome to share as much or as little about the exact needs that you are comfortable with.
pastorjen@tds.net
dorislong@tds.net
Grace UMC office-graceumc@tds.net or 218-568-5755
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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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