Featured Events
LIVESTREAMING
Watch online.
To watch Grace UMC Worship service. Click on the following link. It should take you to our YouTube Channel. Worship beings at 9:30 AM.
Have a wonderful time in Worship.
LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICE LINK
Have a wonderful time in Worship.
LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICE LINK
Ponderings
Pastor Paul Frederiksen
You can relate. I need to write this article. The sermon and worship service awaits and needs MUCH attention yet! The technology has not yet allowed us to access the sample livestream recording. I thought I recorded music but, alas, I must not have had the microphone plugged all the way in so I recorded… silence. And then the thermometers were creeping up. The AC chillers weren’t kicking on. Got some fans collected for the office. Checked the boiler room: oil all over the floor. Called Dave Decker and he came in and pronounced the verdict on the AC: “Dead.” Go buy 120 lbs. of cat litter to clean the boiler room floor. Got back and there was a guy who needed to confess. (It’s been over four years so I decided it wouldn’t hurt if he had to wait a few more minutes.) He stuck around until the cat litter was spread. By that time the AC fix-it guy was here. Talk with him. Took the confession. Talked to the guy on the phone about the 2021 Walk to Emmaus scheduling. Scheduled a funeral with Warner Funeral Home. Three hours later, I start this note.
See? You can relate. You’ve had days like that. A list of things to do but, wow, there seems an endless list of events that, at first glance, interrupt. Jesus had days like that too, but his attitude and emotions seem to have been different than mine can be. For him, they weren’t “interruptions” but opportunities! Like, this story, from Luke 8:
the crowd welcomed Jesus, for they were all waiting for him. Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying. As he went, the crowds pressed in on him…
In Luke’s intriguing story Jesus’ response is ‘interrupted’ by the “woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for 12 years.” She touched his robe and Jesus, already on an urgent mission, stopped. He made time for her; listened to her story; was amazed at her faith; and sent her on her way, healed.
In the story, Jesus’ original mission then goes on through the end of chapter 8. And Luke writes that Jesus “ordered them to tell no one what had happened.” It was, we might say, an ordinary day in Jesus’ ordinary life!
Lord God, fill me with such Spirit! Fill us with such Spirit! Amen. May it be so.
Pastor Paul Frederiksen
Dementia & the Church - New Webinar Series
More than 16 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. An estimated 5.8 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s and that number is climbing. What can churches do to be more welcoming of those with dementia? How can churches equip caregivers? Do you interested in learning more about dementia and relating better to individuals with dementia?
The Dementia and the Church webinars continue with four new webinars, which began July 10, to explore these questions. You may watch any of the four webinars from your own computer by registering on this link: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/webinar-series-dementia-and-the-church OR watch them in a socially-distanced groups in the Narthex on the dates/times they are scheduled. The four webinars from this past winter are also available for viewing through this link.
Session One: Normal vs. Not Normal Aging and Keys to Connecting with Someone Living with Dementia – this webinar was held July 10. A recording may be found at: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/july-10-2020-normal-vs-not-normal-aging-and-keys-to-connecting-with-someone-living-with-dementia
Session Two: Tools for Connecting with People Living with Dementia when Behaviors are Challenging –this webinar was held Aug 21. A recording may be found at: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/august-21-2020-tools-for-connecting-with-people-living-with-dementia-when-behaviors-are-challenging
Session Three: Common Challenges in Nursing Homes and Memory Care and How to Avoid Them – this webinar was held Sept 17.
Session Four: Essential Documents for Protecting You and Your Loved One Living with Dementia – Nov 5 @ Noon
The Table Community Meal
Free Community Meal
The Table Free Community Meal
Grab to Go Meal to take home
Thursday, September 24
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
We will have meals packed and ready to go for those who come through the line. There is no dine in at this time.
If you know of someone in need of a great homecooked meal please share this information with them.
Exploring the Bible
New Testament
This class has begun but there’s room for more students of the Bible, either in-person or online via Zoom… from anywhere in the world! There are two sessions to pick from, Sunday morning after worship or Wednesday evenings.
This is a challenging but very accessible study that is guaranteed to help you become a more astute student of the Bible AND will give you confidence to allow the Bible to be a daily aid for living. If interested or even curious talk to Pastor Paul.
The Wired Word
Discipleship Group
The Wired Word
The Wired Word class meets socially distanced Sunday mornings at 10:45 am in the Fireside Room.
John Rahn is the leader.
The Wired Word lessons link two current events with relevant scripture and discussion questions. The Wired Word provides great thought-provoking reading for individuals and/or small groups.
Contact the church office with your current email address at office@spencergumc.com or 262-5970 if you’d like to receive these lessons. You do not need to be a part of the group to receive these lessons.
Mission Rummage Sale
More details to come....
We’ve decided to move ahead with the planning for the fall missions rummage sale with additional precautions due to the pandemic.
The sale will be held Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17. Additional information will be in the October newsletter. You may bring items to the church beginning Monday, October 12. The deadline to bring donations for the sale is 6:00 PM, Wednesday, October 14. Clean up will be Saturday, October 17, at 11:00 AM.
If you are interested in helping with set up, the sale itself, or clean up, please contact Gina Kohrs or sign up in the church office. Our goal is to do this sale safely during this season, so we’ve added additional precautions.
GUIDELINES FOR THIS YEAR’S SALE:
- NO clothing and NO large items (i.e. furniture, lawn equipment, bikes, or old TVs) will be accepted.
- We are unable to pick up items from your homes.
- We will not provide a meal or refreshments for shoppers.
- ALL items must be clean and “like new” or “gently used”.
- Ask yourself “Would anyone purchase these items in this condition?” If the answer is no, please throw them out or recycle them.
We hope that this sale will help you to get rid of some of the excess you may have discovered this season. Thank you in advance for your support of this event.
Youth Study
Sundays: 8:38 AM to 9:19 AM
YOUth will gather Sunday mornings to connect with one another and talk about Bob Goff’s new book, Dream Big.
Bob shares entertaining stories that will help you to find and reach your biggest dreams. We’re also planning time to share life’s highs and lows and support one another during this crazy time.
We’ll start September 20, in the YOUth Room.
No need to get up early… We’ll have simple breakfast foods available (i.e. granola bars, fruit).
Start Sundays off right!