Featured Events
CAT Congregational Assessment Tool
Survey Link
Take 30 minutes, and complete the CAT (Congregational Assessment Tool) SURVEY between October 10 & 31 @:
If there is only one email address for all members of your household, it may be tempting to have one person take the survey on behalf of the family. However, please make allowance for all persons in your home 9th grade and older to complete the survey themselves. INDIVIDUAL INPUT is key to our gaining insight into overall perceptions and experiences. NO! You do not need to be a “member” of this church to provide valuable input! We are asking ALL participants of Grace Church to complete and submit an assessment!*
Please set aside enough time to answer all the questions. This will take about 30 minutes. All survey responses are strictly anonymous. If more than one person in your household is using the same link, you will need to “submit” a completed survey; leave the site; and re-enter for the next person.
If you would prefer to take the Assessment using a paper copy, they are available on the big table in the Narthex; or you may call the office (712) 262-5970 and we’ll get one to you.
If you have questions, please contact Candace Daniels or you can contact the church office.
Many thanks,
Staff Parish Relations Committee: John Cotton, Candace Daniels, Lenny Heerdt, Jackie Huckfelt, Elaine Orthmann, Mitch McCann, Natasha Mohror, John Rahn, Pastor Paul
LIVESTREAMING - Sunday Worship
Watch Sunday at 9:30 AM
To watch Grace UMC Worship service, click on the link below.
It will take you to the Spencer-Grace Church YouTube Channel.
Worship begins at 9:30 AM.
LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICE LINK
It will take you to the Spencer-Grace Church YouTube Channel.
Worship begins at 9:30 AM.
LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICE LINK
Pastor Appreciation Month
Thank you Pastor Paul & Jane
October is Pastor Appreciation Month.
Thanks to Pastor Paul Frederiksen and Jane Moen for all they do here at Grace UMC.
Join us in celebrating by sending them a card or note of thanksgiving anytime this month.
Grace United Methodist Church
311 2nd Ave West- Spencer, IA 51301
Pastor Paul Frederiksen & Jane Moen
222 West 4th Street - Spencer, IA 51301
Staff Parish Relations
Thanks to Pastor Paul Frederiksen and Jane Moen for all they do here at Grace UMC.
Join us in celebrating by sending them a card or note of thanksgiving anytime this month.
Grace United Methodist Church
311 2nd Ave West- Spencer, IA 51301
Pastor Paul Frederiksen & Jane Moen
222 West 4th Street - Spencer, IA 51301
Staff Parish Relations
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 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? Are you interested in learning more about dementia and relating better to individuals with dementia?
The Dementia and the Church webinars continue with four webinars 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 4: Essential Documents for Protecting You and Your Loved One Living with Dementia – Nov 5 @ Noon
Exploring the Bible-New Testament
Sundays at 10:45 am and Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
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! 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.
There are two sessions to pick from, Sunday morning after worship or Wednesday evenings.
Interested? Talk to Pastor Paul.
There are two sessions to pick from, Sunday morning after worship or Wednesday evenings.
Interested? Talk to Pastor Paul.
The Wired Word
Sundays at 10:45 am
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. The Wired Word class meets socially distanced Sunday at 10:45 am in the Fireside Room. John Rahn is the leader.
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.
Youth Time
Sundays: 8:38 AM to 9:19 AM
YOUth 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 also spend time sharing life’s highs and lows and support one another during this crazy time.
No need to get up early… We’ll have simple breakfast foods available (i.e. granola bars, muffins, juice).
Start Sundays off right!
PIT STOP - WED WORSHIP & MEAL
Pit Stop is scheduled two Wednesdays a month. Upcoming dates are October 21, November 4, November 18, December 2 and December 16.
Pit Stop starts at 5:30 pm with ½ hour worship time in the Sanctuary. Same guidelines for in person Sunday worship apply – you will need to physically distance at least 6’ and wear masks!
Boxed meals will be available after worship to those who call (262-5970) or email the office (office@spencergumc.com) by Monday at noon. Meals may be eaten in small groups or taken home.
MENUS
October 21 - Pizza Hut personal pan pizza (choice of pepperoni, sausage, canadian bacon, supreme), tossed salad, & dessert
November 4 – Tator tot casserole, fruit cup, dinner roll & dessert
November 18 – Lasagna, garlic bread, green beans & dessert
December 2 - Chicken Noodle soup, slider (ham/cheese), carrot sticks, & dessert
December 16 - KFC Pot Pie, biscuit & dessert
A freewill offering will be taken to offset the cost of the meals.
Questions, contact Jane Moen at 262-5970 or janedshipcoordinator@spencergumc.com
The Table
Free Community Meal
Tuesday, October 27, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
No dine in. Sacked homemade hot meals will be handed out.
All are welcome!
No dine in. Sacked homemade hot meals will be handed out.
All are welcome!
Grief Share Support Group
Surviving the Holidays
Sunday, November 22, 2020
1-3 PM Session available face to face or by Zoom
$5.00 for book
Facilitators: Dorothy DeGroot & Sheryl Larson
1-3 PM Session available face to face or by Zoom
$5.00 for book
Facilitators: Dorothy DeGroot & Sheryl Larson