Unison Prayer
We pray for forgiveness this day.
For choosing power over service, forgive us.
For seeking glory rather than humility, forgive us.
For pushing ourselves to the front, when our presence is needed on the sidelines, forgive us.
Help us know where we are needed and how best to serve you and your people.
Guide us to your side, that we might be your hands of healing and compassion for a world in need.
In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.
| | |
Call to Worship
L: We come before God as equal in God’s sight.
P: God knows us thoroughly and loves us completely.
L: None of us is perfect and without blemish.
P: Yet God has called us God’s children and asked us to be compassionate and responsible in our caring and witness.
L: We are called to joyful obedience in God’s realm.
P: Thanks be to God who trusts us and pours God’s abundant love on us. AMEN.
| |
Scriptures for next week:
Hebrew 7:23-28
Psalm 34:1-8, 19-22
Mark 10:46-52
| |
Mission Giving for October
Our Mission Focus for October is the Brennecke family who we support in mission.
If you are giving towards these gifts, please use one of the envelopes provided at the back of the sanctuary or make a note on your check with "October mission".
There are many opportunities to give to help those affected by the storms in our nation. One of the places to give is UMCOR. Any check to Grace with UMCOR in the memo will also be added to our previous gifts and sent forward.
*UMCOR responds to natural or civil disasters of such magnitude that they overwhelm a community’s ability to recover on its own. Through UMCOR, United Methodists extend loving care to people within the United States. When disaster strikes, it is local churches that provide the first response to their communities. This basic understanding—that disaster response is local—forms the foundation for UMCOR’s US disaster training and response. When responding to a disaster in the United States, UMCOR provides training, financial assistance, expertise, community collaboration to churches and partners making them more resilient to disasters.
| |
We hold in prayer the family of Kay Draves who passed away on Saturday, October 12th. Her memorial service will be held at Grace UMC on October 24th at 11am, with a visitation one hour prior to the service.
| |
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 Derksen (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), Rick Zbikowski (Assistant Financial Secretary). Jane Christensen (Custodian) is a contractor under the direction of the Trustees.
---Staff-Parish Relations Committee
PASTOR APPRECIATION is to be celebrated during the month of October. Please join us in recognizing and celebrating Pastor Jen.
--Staff-Parish Relations Committee
| |
Grace UMC 3rd Quarter Financial Report
As Of September 30th
REVENUE 2024 Annual Budget
General Fund $114,676 $175,000
God Faith 28,500 30,000
Loose Change 2985 2,500
Rental Fees 214 1,500
Interest Earned 2,942 1,808
Rummage Sale 6,771 5,000
Total $156,039 $215,808
EXPENSES
Adm Council $23,971 $31,300
Programs 3,480 8,950
Trustees 28,918 58,050
SPR 72,008 119,853
Total $128,377 $218,153
Revenue Over $ 27,661 (2,345)
(Under)Expenses
| |
Spooks or Treats!
For Halloween this year, we will not be setting up a "Trunk or Treat" event in the parking lot. We will have all stations inside the church. No need to drive or stand outside in the cold! We will decorate the doorways down the Ed. wing hallway; we did this last year, and it was very well received.
If you would like to see the kids in their costumes and give out candy, please sign-up in the narthex. We are already collecting candy, and you can add to the treat pile any time that you are in church. We hope that you can join us for this fun event on Saturday October 26th from 10-12pm. The more of us that dress up and help to decorate the church, the more fun it will be for our community trick or treaters!
We welcome everybody who wants to come and join the fun--costume or not! There is a place for you to welcome our visitors or hand out treats!
| |
Communication Reminder..........
The church office email (graceumcpequotlakes@gmail.com) should be used to inform the office about ALL events, meetings, or use of the building you would like to schedule so they can be added to the master calendar. This enables us to avoid scheduling conflicts and make sure the areas of the building are cooled/heated as needed. The official church calendar is maintained by volunteers. Additionally, did you know the church calendar is available on our website (graceumcpequotlakes.org)? There is a tab near the top, right side you can click to see the calendar!
Our Congregational Care Assistant, Ann Hutchings, is in the office on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 9:00-noon. Her role is to follow-up with our church family, through telephone calls, notes and email, as well as greet and welcome those who visit our church and assist with any needs. Ann's email (graceumccare@gmail.com) should be used for "congregational care" needs only.
| |
Our "Snowbirds" are already heading south! If you will be heading out of our area for a few months, please reach out to the office (Ann) so that we can update our contact information. We appreciate check-ins and news of your activities during the colder months, and we can keep you in the loop about anything that may be significant from our church calendar.
| |
The church office is open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 9am until noon. Ring the doorbell and we will come to open the south door!
--Church office phone: 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
| |
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 (830-1130) and Wednesday (10-3) call the office to be sure, as my weeks and Mondays vary. You may find me here at other times too! 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
| |
On our website you can find links to past services, a spot to watch this week's service, an online link to giving, and much more!
| |
Grace United Methodist Church
29318 Patriot Ave - P.O. Box 276
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
Phone: 218-568-5755
Email: graceumcpequotlakes@gmail.com
Website: www.graceumcpequotlakes.org
| | | | |