The Scriptures for next week are:

Hebrews 10:32-11:1

Psalm 22:26-31

John 21:1-14



Signs

2023/720#s

2024/1432#s

2023/$1365

2024/$4227

Mission and Outreach Team pictured, (top) left to right.

Bill, Nancy, Kathy, Marlowe, and Shirley

Lenten Food Challenge

Thank you so much for your very generous gifts to the Food Shelf!

Out totals for this year far surpassed what we gave last year, and our food donations outweighed the other churches by quite a bit. Thank you for all of the ways that you supported this mission through the donations of food and money, helping at the food shelf, prayers and spreading the word about the need!

Funds donated= $4227

Food donated= 1432#

April Missional Gifts

The missional giving for the month of April will go towards the "Pastor's Discretionary Fund". These monies are available to meet immediate needs within our congregation and community as they come up. We also use these to purchase gas cards for our neighbors in need. If you are giving towards mission, please use one of the envelopes in the back that are labeled or make a note in the memo line of your check. Thank you.

With the warmer weather, you may be ready to start your Spring cleaning; as you do, please start to gather items to give to the church rummage sale. You may bring in your donations during office hours or on Sunday mornings. Please place them in classroom G.

Reminder--no books or electronics please.

Mark your calendars for the sale-- June 20th and 21st.

Our group has been working on decorating May baskets which will be filled with yummy homemade candies. You may place orders for these baskets on the next 2 Sundays (14,21) following worship. Each basket has a cost of $5, and it is best if you can pay for them when you place your order.

This is a fundraiser for the United Women in Faith group here at Grace, with most of their proceeds going towards mission.

Order a basket for a friend, a neighbor, or a sweetheart! They will be available for pick-up, just prior to May Day.

Safety and Security

Once again, we are asking for your help with an important matter if you have access to the building during non-office hours. The building has been left unlocked twice this past week again, lights have been left on, and a sink left running in the past. There are very few things that need to happen outside of the 9-12 hours or the activities that are on the regular schedule. It is very concerning that we continue to encounter these issues.

Please, if you are stopping at the church at odd times, make sure that you secure and check the building before you leave.

It's almost time for camp!



Camping information and registration can be found online at campminnesota.org. Brochures are also available in the narthex at church.

For many years, the Grace Women in Faith (UMW), has offered a "Marnie Luce Camp Scholarship" to children, youth, families, and adults with a connection to Grace UMC that register to attend a Minnesota United Methodist Camp. This scholarship is named for Marnie Luce, mother of John Luce, who was a huge supporter of the camping experience.

There is more information on a display in the narthex about camping opportunities.

In the news,

click the red link to read.

"Old Age is Not for Sissies" seminars at the Pine River UMC, next one is Wednesday April 17th.This event will focus on Alzheimer's Seminar

The church office is open Monday through Thursday, 9am until noon. Ring the doorbell and we will come to open the door!

The building and office are closed on Fridays and Saturdays.



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, 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