Order of Worship: Sunday, December 5th
Prelude--Bells of Grace
-"Do You Hear What I Hear?"
"Twas in the Moon of Wintertime"
"Silent Night"
Welcome and Announcements
Lighting of the Advent Candle
Song: Light the Advent Candle (v1, 2, and 3)
Call to Worship
Opening Songs
"Good Christian Friends Rejoice"
"The First Noel"
Children's Message--Peggy Johnson
Scripture Readings:
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18
Special Music:
Casey Derksen
Message: Bearing Joy
Pastor Jen Matthees
Praise Song: "In the Bleak Midwinter"
Communion
Prayers of the People & Lord's Prayer
Closing Song: "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"
Blessing & Postlude
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This Week at Grace:
Monday: Small group 6pm
Tuesday: Bible Study 9am
Wednesday: Confirmation 6pm
Adult Bible Study 6pm
Thursday: Small Group 1pm
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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Bells of Grace
Sunday December 12th, the handbell choir will be bringing our prelude music before our time of worship.
Special thanks to this group for meeting over the last few months to prepare for this day. Bells of Grace members are:
Millie Amundson, Nancy Macnamara, Joyce Morreim, Marsha Mower, Ginny Arvig, Patti Erickson, John Luce, Dena and Angelina Doughty. They are directed by Ardie Morris.
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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 (12/8), Crow Wing county is at 19.6%, Cass county is at 15.3%. If you are following along, the numbers change daily, but have not dropped below 10% in months. These are some of the worst numbers that we have seen.Minnesota is considered to be in the SEVERE level for Covid at this time. 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.
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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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Chrismons, meaning "Christ monograms," traditionally are white and gold designs made from Christian symbols that signify Christ. Often displayed on an evergreen tree during the Christmas season, symbols such as stars, crosses, fish, crowns, and the alpha and omega remind us of Christ's identity, his story, and of the Holy Trinity.
Many churches display a Chrismon tree during the Advent and Christmas season decorated with handmade ornaments.
It was fun and meaningful to put these special ornaments up this year!
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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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Kid's Community Shop Day
A very large group of volunteers made Shop Day happen last Saturday. A number of kids came through and selected special gifts for their friends and families. The stories that have been shared by the people who worked at the shop day have all shared a common theme--JOY.
Due to safety measures put in place, the kids were asked to shop with just a volunteer. It is a bit scary to walk away from your folks to go shop alone! They had very specific ideas for the gifts that they were looking for, and they shopped with real intention. It was fun to watch them tell stories to the volunteers that were wrapping the gifts, as they explained each item and who it was for. When they had all of their packages wrapped up, they were eager to run back down the hall with their secret treasures. It was clear that they left with joy over the presents they had chosen, and left joy in their wake for the volunteer team. A long day feels shorter when viewed thru the lens of a child, thru the lens of joy!
Thank you very much to everyone who played a role in this successful event!
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December Mission Focus
Our Missional giving for the month of December supports three different areas. The gifts will be split between The Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen in Brainerd, Mid-Minnesota Women's Shelter, and the Pastor's discretionary fund.
Please note on your offering to direct your gift for December missions.
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Prayers requested.
As many of you know, we support the Brennecke family in their missional work. Kim Brennecke was diagnosed with Covid a few weeks ago. She was hospitalized with pneumonia. She is home recovering now. Please pray for continued healing and strength each day.
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In the News-
Links to articles in red.
Holiday Community Happenings.
Santa's Bobbin into Town 12/11, Pine River Parade of Lights 12/11, and more! Details in the link.
This week's EJ Faith column was submitted by Pastor Jen. Fatih Column
The front page of the paper had a story full of JOY in this season, about the Holiday Gnomes that were shared around town. Gnomes
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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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! Currently, we are meeting every other Wednesday night from 6pm-7pm. The next gathering will be on the 22nd.
Confirmation meets every other week, alternating with Youth Group. The next class will be December 15th.
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The Youth Group went shopping on the 8th to choose gifts for a special family. It was a very successful trip! Pizza, shopping and all wrapped up in just over 2 hours.
Merry Christmas!
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Christmas Eve
We will be having a service of story, carols, and candlelight on Christmas Eve December 24th at 7pm.
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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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