The Scriptures for next week are:



Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18

Psalm 1

Matthew 22:34-46

Words to Ponder

from last week's message

Can you honestly say that you recognize Sabbath time in your own life?

Mission Giving for October

Our missional giving for October will go the Brennecke Family to support the mission work that they do. Plese make a note to designate you offering to this if that is your wish.

See the latest update from them below.

"Greetings, Friends at Grace! Here’s a brief update on our family and ministry.

First, we celebrate that the Lord continues to “send forth workers into his harvest.” This summer our Candidate Seminar was a week of training for ten new missionaries who will serve in Chad, Romania, Brazil, and Slovakia. Others will serve in a campus ministry known as “Campus Bible Fellowship” in South Bend, Indiana. One couple will serve in a retirement village for Gospel workers known as “Missionary Acres.” Finally, one candidate will serve as a Bible translation consultant with Bibles International, our Bible Translation team, which is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. All these met in July in our Global Ministry Center here in Cleveland. They will now begin the process of deputation as they raise a team of interested churches and individuals who will support and pray for their ministries. 

During the week of Candidate Seminar, we get to know the new missionaries, and we learn the lesson once again that missions is not a calling for an elite few, but a step of faith for ordinary people who respond to God out of worship and obedience.

I continue to serve as CEO of Baptist Mid-Missions Foundation and as Stewardship Administrator for Baptist Mid-Missions. In those capacities I work with a constituency of “unsung heroes” who give sacrificially so that the effort to send and support missionaries can move forward. I enjoy interacting with these donors about the “ABC’s of ‘RMDs’ and ‘QCDs’ from their IRAs”! (What would we do without an alphabet?)

Kim and I are getting used to being “empty nesters” … sort of. Our youngest two, Gunnar and Natalie, are in college, so they “fly from the nest” nine months of the year, stopping in for holidays and summer. Their brief stays at home are a blessing and a reminder of God’s care for them as they begin to set out on their own. It is also a wonderful blessing to us as we both want them to go out and succeed in life, while at the same time we miss them. But launching kids into adult life is the whole point of parenting, right? The older three are busy: Nic & Kristin and their four kids are nearby, so we enjoy the energy of wonderful grandchildren! Brennan & Lydia are in Dodgeville, Wisconsin where they are busy working and enjoying life with Bandit, their German shorthair. And Kaye & Cody are planning for a wedding next fall between Cody’s deployments with the Air Force. Kaye is here in Cleveland, while Cody begins a year-long tour in South Korea.

That’s an update! Thanks for your supportive friendship through the years!

Blessings,

Steve & Kim Brennecke"

Local Events of Interest

Winter clothing collection taking place at Eagle View Elementary School. Details here Clothing Drive This drive continues through October.

Annual Christmas Tour of Homes to benefit the LAFS is coming up! Details here Tour of Homes. Happening next weekend, tickets still available.

Movie "night"--October 15th, 430pm in the sanctuary. The movie that will be shown is on the history of the song, "Amazing Grace".

Christmas will be here before you know it!

If you are interested in helping with this year's "Children's Shop Day", there will be a short meeting after Fellowship time this Sunday the 15th. At this meeting, a future planning date will be chosen, as well as the day to hold this event.

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 began again this past week. Our plan is to meet every other Wednesday evening at 6pm. We begin with dinner, followed by games. *above--they were trying to balance dice on a popsicle stick.

Warning! If you challenge this group to see who can eat the most pizza, they will definitely accept this challenge! The number of fingers they are each holding up is how many pieces each one had. Two of them hit double digits!

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 received last week. The words meant more to me than you might imagine. Thank you 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 is ringing again every Tuesday at 1030am in the bell room. If you are interested in becoming part of this music ministry, you can be taught in one-on-one classes, please contact Ardie Morris 218-330-8565.

The Choir's mission statement says it all--Purpose and Fun! "The purpose of the Grace Handbell Ministry is to; enhance worship for the congregation and players by lifting up the Lord through music--and -- to bring fellowship and joy among players."

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.

-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