The Scriptures for next week are:

Revelations 7:9-17

Psalm 34:1-10 ,22

Matthew 5:1-12

On Sunday October 29th, we will be taking a special moment to lift up and remember those that have passed away in the past year or so. We will light candles to celebrate their lives and offer prayers of gratitude for their impact on our lives.

Words to Ponder

from last week's message

“It is hard to hear God’s voice when you’ve already decided what you want him to say.”  Be wary of putting words in God's mouth.

"Neighbor is not a geographic term, but a moral concept."

--Rabbi Joachim Prinz

Mission Giving for October

Our missional giving for October will go the Brennecke Family to support the mission work that they do. The Brenneckes are the daughter and son-in-law of Doris and John Longnecker. Please make a note to designate you offering to this mission if that is your wish.

See the latest update from them below.

Free and open to the public! Trunk or Treat at Grace UMC on Saturday October 28th from 10-1.

Tell your friends and neighbors with little ones to come over for some safe fun and treats.

There is still room for you to join the fun with a trunk too (see details below).

There are so many ways to get involved and volunteer within the church!

We are in need of help in the tech booth, this is NOT as difficult or technical as you might think! The camera moves with a joystick, and slides advance with the touch of a button. Huge thank-you to Marsha and Gary for their continued work with this critical ministry. Thank you also to Lauris for learning to run the cameras.

We need someone willing to take over as communion steward. This job involves getting bread each month in collaboration with the pastor to match our needs, and filling the individual cups used for service monthly. Thank you to Barb Wallace for filling this role so faithfully for so long.

While we do have two people who help with youth group, we are very open to having other adults that want to hang out and eat pizza with us! Speak with Pastor Jen if you are interested (a "Safe Gatherings" sign-off is required to regularly help with this group).

We are always looking for people willing to help serve communion, usher, and read scripture. If you have other gifts that don't seem to match with the needs mentioned here, take some time to meet with Pastor Jen to find your niche.

Christmas will be here before you know it!

If you are interested in helping with this year's "Children's Shop Day", mark your calendars to help on December 2nd. There will be more details about this event shared here in the coming weeks. This is a big effort of love for our community and it takes many hands to make it work!

It's time to get creative! Trunk or Treat will be happening at Grace on Saturday October 28th. Dress up, decorate your trunks, stock up on treats, and get ready for some fun! Ideally, we would like to have at least 10 "trunks".

There is a sign-up sheet for this in the Narthex. We could still use a few more cars, the more the merrier

Thank you for the donations of candy to be used that day that have already been brought in! If it is more convenient for you, we are also accepting cash to purchase treats.

If you live in an area that does not get any trick or treaters, helping on this day is a fun way to see the area kids in their costumes!

How do I watch the Grace UMC livestream for worship?

1-go to our website at www.graceumcpequotlakes.org

2-Along the top of the page, you will see a tab of options.

--on the right is a tab that says "Sundays"

--choose the "Grace Church Livestream" option

--this will take you to a collection of our services by date, where you can choose the most recent service, or others that you may have missed; when you have clicked the one that you want to view, you should see an arrow to click to make it play. It may be necessary to adjust your volume, based on your own computer system.

Youth Group has begun. Our plan is to meet every other Wednesday evening at 6pm. We begin with dinner, followed by games. Next Youth Group is October 25th.

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. Grace staff members are Jacki Kline (Accompanist), Casey Dirksen (Substitute Accompanist), Ann Hutchings (Congregational Care Assistant), Joan Oscarson (Treasurer). In addition, we have three "volunteer" staff members - Ardie Morris (Hand Bell Director), Doris Longnecker (Financial Secretary),

Staff-Parish Relations Committee

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee has developed 2 new job descriptions for a Media Technician and a Music Leader. We are seeking people to fill these roles and need to do so as soon as possible.



 The Media Technician will be responsible for all the technology needs and will recruit, train, equip and oversee volunteers to assist with Tech Room duties during services and events.  

The Music Leader will plan, coordinate and implement music for all worship services throughout the year, as well as recruit, train, and equip volunteers/musicians within this ministry for both choir and Praise Team.

If you know of anyone who might be looking for such a part-time position, please let us know.

Thank you for your continued “grace” as we navigate these changes.

Grace SPRC Team.



I am so grateful for the kind words, hugs, gifts, and cards that I have received this month. The words have meant more to me than you might imagine. Thank you so very much. I am very fortunate to serve alongside you at Grace UMC.

--Pastor Jen

 "I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers" Philemon 1:4

The "Bells of Grace" handbell choir are ringing every Tuesday at 1030am in the bell room. If you are interested in becoming part of this music ministry, please contact Ardie Morris 218-330-8565.

The church office is open Monday through Thursday, 9am until noon. The building and office are closed on Fridays and Saturdays.



Contact/Email Information: 218-568-5755

·      Church office (for all general inquiries and administrative/clerical duties)– graceumcpequotlakes@gmail.com

·      Pastor Jen Matthees – jenmatt20@gmail.com

·      Ann Hutchings-Congregational Care Assistant- graceumccare@gmail.com

The weather is changing, and some of you are already heading south!

If you will be leaving, we would love to be able to stay in touch with you over the winter months. As you make your final arrangements to be gone, please drop Ann a note at graceumccare@gmail.com or call the office so we can make a note of how best to stay in touch.

Safe Travels!

If you have something that should be added to this newsletter from your group or mission, please speak with Pastor Jen or email the details to her at jenmatt20@gmail.com. The E-Grace is generally completed by noon on Thursdays, so articles need to be received by Thursday 10am at the very latest.



If you wish to connect with me directly and it is not an emergency, please know that I will respond as needed during pretty regular office hours. I am generally in the church on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from at least 10-1, call the office to be sure, as my weeks may vary. I check my emails frequently throughout the day, and this is the best way to contact me. Friday is my day off as needs allow.

-Pastor Jen

Important note

If you are mailing something to the church, you must use our P.O. Box for the address. We do not receive mail at the church, and if you use the physical church address it will get returned and could delay your notices to us or offerings.

P.O. Box 276

Pequot Lakes, MN 56472