October 19, 2017

A Little Thought

"Got Trunk?"

When was the last time you thought about the trunk of your car? Better yet, when did you last take an inventory of the contents of your trunk? The truth is, the trunk is often overlooked and underappreciated, and I think it is time we recognize a trunk’s significance. I have great news - on October 27, you have an opportunity to not only encourage your trunk but to also recognize its importance.

Grace’s Trunk or Treat is Friday, October 27, 6-7:30 p.m. in the Grace parking lot by the athletic field. We need YOU! Turn the trunk of your car, SUV, or truck into a sweet and spooky stop for Grace trick-or-treaters. Get creative -- or check Pinterest for ideas -- and get ready to win our contest for the best trunk! And don't forget to bring your favorite candy or treats to pass out.

I know that some of you may be thinking, “How does Trunk or Treat encourage or bring significance? Better yet, what does my trunk have to do with anything?” Well, as we continue to live to make Jesus visible, we do so in a variety of ways. On Friday, October 27 there will be the opportunity to make Jesus visible to families from the surrounding neighborhoods as well as people who are members of the Grace family. You will have opportunities to get to know new people and share the joy of the Lord just by showing up with your decorated trunk.

Consider these words, “Every day this week you have to decide if you want to achieve your life or receive it. If you make achieving your goal, your constant companion will be complaint because you will never achieve enough. If you make receiving the goal, your constant companion will be gratitude for all that God is achieving in your life” (Craig Barnes).

Friends, your participation in Trunk or Treat is likely not at the top of your list of things to “achieve” in your lifetime. However, it just may be something you choose to do out of gratitude for all that the Lord has achieved in your life. Trust me, there will be many people in that parking lot who will be delighted to receive. Please contact Traci Baudin at tbaudin@gpch.org and tell her you have a trunk that is excited to serve.

Please know how grateful I am to partner with you in making Jesus visible—you are greatly appreciated. I hope to see you on October 27!

Have a terrific Thursday!

Peace,

Trey

Harvey Relief Weekly Update

We remain committed to walking alongside individuals and families through their long recovery process.

Here's how you can respond in the coming week:

Utilize the Relief List website. Relief List is a website to facilitate a way for people to list needs they have and for people to meet the needs that exist. Please visit our Grace website to connect to the Relief List page or go to relieflist.com/gpch.
Connect with the HARVEY MEAL TRAIN If you love to cook and would like to join the Harvey Meal Train team to provide dinner for a family, please visit: www.gpch.org/meals. If you’re in need of homemade meals, there is an amazing team who would like to feed YOU! They will even coordinate with and customize for you to meet dietary preferences. Please contact Debbie Kaplan debbiekaplan@att.net.
Keep Praying. Keep Encouraging. Keep Supporting. This week, we encourage you to pray for families making tough decisions about rebuilding, relocating, or restoring. The gift of an encouraging word, a fervent prayer, a homemade meal, a thoughtful card can make the world of difference to our friends in the midst of this long-term recovery process. Let's keep living intentionally to make Jesus visible to those in need.

Gather

Sing For Six Begins Wednesday, November 1

We invite you to participate in the annual Christmas Festival Concert with choir, bells, and full orchestra on Monday, December 18 at 7:30 p.m. Join us for weekly Wednesday night rehearsals starting November 1 for six weeks. No Sunday morning singing is expected during this time. This opportunity is open to adults of all ages as well as high school students. For more information and a complete schedule, contact Jim Roman in the music office, jroman@gpch.org or 713-267-5031.

TOCCATAS AND TERRORS! Organ Concert, featuring James Roman, Organist

October 29, 5 p.m., Sanctuary

Here is a treat for you! It’s the perfect time of year to hear a few sinister strains from the world of classical music. Grace Presbyterian Church Organist, Jim Roman, will present some frightfully fun music including goosebump-inducing favorites such as Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor. There will be something for everyone to enjoy, so bring the family for this free event! Please, no boo-ing!

An Opportunity to Make Jesus Visible

Is your time limited during the week? Why not consider making Jesus visible by serving as an usher during the church service you attend? Consider our visitors who have been impacted by Harvey - many times an usher is the first one they encounter when they come to worship. Ushering is a great way to meet the people who worship with you; see the folks you haven't seen for a while; or just share your joy for being in worship. Men and ladies are invited to serve as ushers for any of the worship services. No experience necessary; we will train you. If you would like to help out or just find out what is required, please contact either Phil Grant philsgrant@aim.com or Harold Silver silver@txun.net.

Regular Worship Service Schedule Continues

Regular Worship Service schedule continues this month:

9 a.m.
Contemporary Worship in the Sanctuary
9 a.m.
Traditional Worship in the Founders’ Chapel
10:15 a.m.
Sunday School for Adults, Students, and Children
11:15 a.m.
Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary
11:15 a.m.
Grace en Español in the Founders’ Chapel
Childcare is available during worship for children in kindergarten and younger.

Enhancing the Grace Experience— A Leadership Development Opportunity

Tuesday, November 14 from 6 -7 p.m.

All active/inactive Elders and Deacons, Ushers, Greeters, as well as any interested Grace members are invited to join us for a leadership development dinner. We will share our strategy for enhancing the Grace Experience, from the parking lot to the pew, to make it an unforgettable one for our guests. At the end of the training, we will offer Usher/Greeter/Parking Lot Team volunteer opportunities. Reservations requested, please visit: gpch.org/graceexperiencedinner.

Connect

Fifth Annual Dads of Grace Campout

Saturday, October 21, 5 p.m.

Dads, come celebrate fatherhood with fellow Dads of Grace. Kids from Pre-K to high school are invited. Tent set-up begins at 5 p.m. on the Grace athletic fields. We will enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill followed by games, dodgeball, and s'mores. The fun continues Sunday morning with breakfast and worship together. For more information, please visit: http://gpch.org/dadsofgracecampout.

Foundations Sunday School Class

10:15 a.m., LC 207

FOUNDATIONS is an exciting new Sunday School class for parents of young children seeking to impart practical, relevant, and biblical wisdom as they support each other on the journey of parenting and strive to build a strong foundation in their homes. As Matthew 7:25 states, "The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." This class will offer a balanced curriculum, rotating between studies of God's Word and studies more focused on marriage, family, and parenting issues. This class is currently studying the book "Parenting Beyond Your Capacity" by Reggie Joiner and Cary Nieuwhof.

Middle School Bubble Soccer

Saturday, November 4, 4-6 p.m., Grace Athletic Fields

Join us on the Grace Fields for something awesome…BUBBLE SOCCER! Put on a bubble suit and run around all crazy with your friends. Cost: $10. Register online at gpch.org/msbubblesoccer. Questions? Contact Reed Brentlinger rbrentlinger@gpch.org or 713-267-5076.

THE SISTERHOOD at Grace Student Ministries

The Sisterhood is a place where high school girls can come as they are, be real and open with each other, have the opportunity to feel and know the love of Christ, and meet other young women who are trying to figure it all out too. Mark your calendars for the new October events: The Sisterhood service event with Bayou City Blessings in a Backpack on Thursday, October 19 and The Sisterhood Connection Dinner on Sunday, October 22. Register online at gpch.org/ministries/students/high-school/the-sisterhood/ Questions? Contact Angie Williamson, awilliamson@gpch.org or 713-267-5083.

Middle School 2 for 2

October 21-22

Two days. Two people. An event where students invite one of their friends to spend the night and together they have the opportunity to compete in 12 challenges at home to win fantastic prizes! On Sunday, students and their friends come to The Forge Sunday School for a party and distribution of awards. Must be present that Sunday to win. Rules and Challenges will be posted on Facebook (Grace Presbyterian Church - Middle School) on Friday, October 21, at 5 p.m. For more information, contact Reed Brentlinger rbrentlinger@gpch.org or 713-267-5076.

Here's What We're Learning in Treehouse, October 22

Basic Truth:
God loves me.
Key Question:
Who can help you?
Bottom Line:
God can help me!
Memory Verse:
“We have the Lord our God to help us.”
2 Chronicles 32:8
Bible Story Focus:
God can help me do hard things. David and Jonathan 1 Samuel 18:1-4; 20:3-42

High School Movie Night

Sunday, November 19, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

It’s Thanksgiving break, so let’s get together for the greatest MOVIE NIGHT in the world. Just head to the High School room (Massey-Tucker 207) at 6:30 p.m. We’ll hang out, have a few delicious snacks, and simply enjoy each other’s company as we watch a fun movie. Questions? Contact Matt Davis, mdavis@gpch.org or 713-267-8704. Please register online gpch.org/hsmovienight so we know how much food to order!

Parents’ Night Out

Saturday, November 4, 5-9 p.m.,
$10 per child

Let us love on your children while you get a night out. Bring us your infants (three months and older), toddlers, and elementary-age children (K-5th grade) for a night of pizza, games, crafts, and a movie in the Backyard. It's just $10 a child -- you can't hire a babysitter for that price! You do have to register – we are unable to accept walk-in/drop-in children -- and the deadline is Thursday, Nov. 2 at noon. Do it now, while you're thinking about how good one night away would feel! Following is the registration link: gpch.org/ministries/children/special-events.

Join Children's Ministries!

Children’s Ministries needs 3 volunteer leaders (1 in preschool and 2 in elementary) on Sunday mornings! If you’re feeling God nudge you to share His love with these young disciples, please contact Gianna Tiedemann for preschool (713)-267-5096,
gtiedemann@gpch.org) or Lisa Ann Henkel for elementary (713-267-5015, lhenkel@gpch.org).

Grace Kids Music

Sundays, 1-3 p.m., Grace Choir Room

Calling all kindergarten through 5th graders! We want YOU to be a part of Grace Kids Music’s big Christmas musical! Grace Kids Music (GKM) is a super fun choir where kids get to act and sing, and last year we even designed and made our own set! Whether it’s your first time singing or you’re a seasoned pro, this is a fantastic place for kids who want to have fun and show their love of Jesus during the Christmas season by putting on a great show about the biggest and best story ever. GKM meets every Sunday in the Grace Choir room by the Sanctuary, 1-3 p.m., now through the final performance on December 3. It's not too late to join us! To register, please visit gpch.org/gracekidsmusic. For more information, please contact Ivy Castle-Simpson icastle@gpch.org or 713-267-5075.

TRUNK OR TREAT—
Two Amazing Options
For Fun

Friday, Oct. 27, 6-7:30 p.m., Grace Parking Lot by the Athletic Field

1) We need YOU! Turn the trunk of your car, SUV, or truck into a sweet & spooky stop for Grace trick-or-treaters. Get creative -- or check Pinterest for ideas -- and get ready to win our contest for the best trunk! And don't forget to bring your favorite candy or treats to pass out.
2) Bring your unicorns, mini-J. J. Watts, and other costumed creatures to Trunk or Treat and let them gather all the candy and treats to carry home. Register using the link above. You can also reserve and pay for Chick-fil-A meals now. A sandwich or 8-count nugget meal is just $5.
Register to decorate your trunk or for meals at:http://gpch.org/trunk.

Here's What We're Learning In The Backyard, October 22

Bible Story:
Parable’s Got Talents (Parable of the talents) Matthew 25:14-30
Bottom Line:
Use your things wisely.
Memory Verse:
“Suppose you can be trusted with something very little. Then you can also be trusted with something very large.”
Luke 16:10a, NIrV
Life App:
Stewardship—taking care of what you have because it all belongs to God.
Basic Truth:
I need to make the wise choice.

Bless

The First and Last Annual Harvey Mulligan Classic!

Monday, November 6, 11 a.m.
at Sugar Creek Country Club

Registration opens at 11 a.m., tee time noon, reception to follow

The Grace Presbyterian Church golf tournament is coming back this fall as The First and Last Annual Harvey Mulligan Classic! In 2016, we welcomed back our annual golf tournament in memory of Dolores and Allan Wood. Hurricane Harvey has inspired us to redefine this year’s golf tournament. Our goal for the tournament will shift from an annual fundraiser to a fun, fellowship gathering. We are asking the Grace family to extend an invitation to non-member friends, neighbors, co-workers and flooded individuals to join us for a round of golf and dinner, compliments of a generous donation. For more details and registration, please visit gpch.org/golf.

Blood Drive

Sunday, October 29, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Massey-Tucker Hall C

Share ‘The Gift of Life’ and help Grace maintain the Life Plan II Blood Program through the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center.

Veterans Day Lunch

Sunday, November 12, 12:30 p.m., Massey-Tucker Fellowship Hall

Grace is hosting an all-church lunch to honor the veterans in the congregation—all are welcome to attend. Veterans will have a chance to share stories. We are compiling a list of those currently serving our country. Please contact Becky Morris, bmorris@gpch.org or 713-267-5091 with names and branches by November 2. The cost for lunch is: Adults $7, Child $3, Veterans – our guest. For more information, please visit: gpch.org/veterans.

Post-Disaster Support Groups

As hurricane relief efforts continue, we recognize the effects of Harvey are not only on our physical belongings, but Harvey also impacted us psychologically and spiritually. In response, we are offering free post-disaster support groups led by gifted counselors for adults and children. For more information, please contact Becky Morris, bmorris@gpch.org, 713-267-5091 or visit www.gpch.org/postdisastersupportgroups.

WHAM FOOD DRIVE

November 5

Help collect food and other necessities for WHAM (West Houston Assistance Ministries) the first Sunday of every month. Collection bins will be located inside the Chapel and Sanctuary entrances and in the Massey-Tucker Hall Lobby. Focus items will be peanut butter and jelly, canned pasta and fruit, soups and crackers.

unsubscribe from this list