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A Little Thought
"Increase Sales"
I have been a member of the Houston Golf Association (HGA) for over 25 years. The HGA exists to make a difference in the Houston community, and its youth, through golf and charity. HGA members are expected to volunteer to serve during the PGA Tour event we host each year (March 26-April 1, 2018) as well as in various other opportunities. But also, there has long been an expectation that members of the HGA will participate in selling sponsorships throughout the year to generate resources in order to increase our ability to impact the lives of young people. To date, the HGA has contributed over $69 million to local charities.
Several years back I received an email from the HGA that asked the question, “What is the BEST way to make a sale?” Then there was a list of the 6 “BESTS”: (1) “The BEST way to make a sale is to become friendly before you start. (2) The BEST way to make a sale is to find some common ground before you begin the selling process. (3) The BEST way to make a sale is to ask intelligent questions that draw out both needs and motives. (4) The BEST way to make a sale is to relax throughout the sales conversation. (5) The BEST way to make a sale is to ask for some type of commitment to move forward, after you have removed all the risks and barriers from your prospect’s decision-making process. (6) The BEST way to make a sale is to create an atmosphere where the other guy wants to buy from you.”
As followers of Jesus Christ, each of us has been given the privilege and responsibility to make disciples. We have been commanded to share the Good News. Each and every day we are presented with opportunities to tell others of God’s amazing grace found in Jesus. So the question is, what’s the BEST way to “increase sales” for the Kingdom?
Well, it seems to me that we should be friendly with people. We should engage in conversation and get to know others. We should ask questions but also allow others to ask questions of us. But also, when we are telling others about our relationship with Jesus or inviting them to join us at Grace, it should be a very relaxed conversation. However, we should also be clear to point out that following Jesus is a life-long commitment not just for Sundays. Most important, others should see in us that we actually believe what we are saying. In other words, our testimony should be so visible in our daily lives that others can’t help but want to own for themselves what they see in us.
Please don’t misunderstand me, I am not suggesting that we are to “sell” the Gospel. In fact, that is completely counter to the core of the Gospel. The Good News of Jesus actually compels people to surrender and follow. However, Jesus did say, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” According to Jesus’ plan, you are the BEST way to “increase sales!”
There is one thing I failed to mention earlier about the email I received from the HGA. The closing line on the email read: “If we don’t sell it, it won’t get sold!”
Who will you show Jesus to this week? Who will you invite to join you in worship at Grace this Sunday?
I look forward to seeing you Sunday.
Peace,
Trey
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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 Relief List:
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 relieflist.com/gpch.
- Connect with our HARVEY MEAL TRAIN:
If you love to cook and would like to join the Harvey Meal Train prep team, please contact Debbie Kaplan debbiekaplan@att.net. Please provide your zip code and the name of your subdivision to help better coordinate the effort. If you’re in need of homemade meals, we have an amazing team who would like to feed YOU! They will even coordinate and customize with you to meet dietary preferences. Again, 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.
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Sing For Six Begins Wednesday, November 1
Sing for Six with the Chancel Choir returns soon! To participate in our annual Christmas Festival Concert with choir, bells, and the full orchestra on Monday, December 18 at 7:30 p.m., join us for our 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 at jroman@gpch.org or 713-267-5031.
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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!
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Starting Point—
A New Class
Begins on October 15, 6-8 p.m., McKechnie Dining Room
Want to get connected? Learn about our beliefs and ministry? Join the church family? Begin at the “Starting Point.” During the Starting Point class, we’ll enjoy fellowship, community, and a meal. You’ll learn more about who we are as a church, how to grow in your faith, and the many life-giving ways you can be a part of the Grace Presbyterian Church family. This includes the opportunity to make this your home church through membership. Join us for a casual dinner and conversation—it’s a great place to start!
For more information and to RSVP, contact Beth Craig, bcraig@gpch.org or 713-267-5012. Child care is available by contacting Debbie Kay, dkay@gpch.org.
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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: www.gpch.org/dadsofgracecampout.
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Foundations Sunday School Class for Parents
Begins October 8, 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 kicks off on Sunday, October 8 with a study of the book "Parenting Beyond Your Capacity" by Reggie Joiner and Cary Nieuwhof.
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Middle School and
High School Project Home
Saturday, October 14, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Bless our neighbors across Houston at the Houston Food Bank. It’s a super awesome CHURCH-WIDE event! Please meet at 7 a.m. sharp in the Welcome Center at Grace Presbyterian Church. There are 25 STUDENT spots available. Students will be served a delicious Chik-fil-A lunch when we return to the church. Please be sure to be picked up promptly at 1 p.m. Questions? E-mail Lindsey McDonald: lmcdonald@gpch.org.
To register, please visit gpch.org/ministries/students/high-school/high-school-project-home.
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THE SISTERHOOD… a new program for High School ministry!
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. Come to Sunday School on October 8 to learn more! For more information, contact Angie, awilliamson@gpch.org.
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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. For more information, contact Reed, rbrentlinger@gpch.org.
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Here's What We're Learning in Treehouse
October 8
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 anywhere.
David protects the sheep (1 Samuel 17: 34-37)
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Inspire!
Women's Bible Studies
It's not too late to participate!
Ladies, come whenever you can! Studies have begun, but there is still a warm chair and a loving, supportive group of women waiting for you. In the midst of the post-Harvey world, there will be times when you just need to hit the pause button and get some spiritual refreshment. That is exactly what our Inspire groups offer! In an hour or so, you can spend time in God's Word, share joys and sorrows, and pray with other women of faith. We have groups (day and evening) for women of all ages and stages of life. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED! Newly updated information can be found at gpch.org/inspire.
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Parents’ Night Out
Saturday, November 4, 5-9 p.m.,
$10 per child
PNO provides a safe, fun, Christian environment for children while parents enjoy some much-needed time together. Ages are three months to 5th grade. Space is limited to registrants only. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept walk-in registrants. For more information visit: gpch.org/ministries/children/special-events.
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Women of Grace
Think! Pink Luncheon
Monday, October 16 at 11 a.m. (10:45 a.m. sign in), Massey-Tucker Fellowship Hall
Think! Pink A luncheon and program on breast cancer awareness and a celebration of cancer survivors. Featuring special guest speaker, Chris Noble, from The Rose.
Make your reservations by Monday, October 9. You may register with your circle at The Filling Station on Sunday mornings or online at gpch.org/thinkpinkluncheon. Cost of the luncheon is $8. Email dkay@gpch.org by Monday, October 9 for free childcare.
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Join Children's Ministries!
Children’s Ministries needs 7 volunteer leaders (3 in preschool and 4 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).
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Grace Kids Music
Begins October 8, 1-3 p.m.
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 for kids 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., starting October 8 through our final performance on December 3. To register, please visit gpch.org/gracekidsmusic. For more information please contact icastle@gpch.org.
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Trunk or Treat
Friday, October 27, 6-7:30 p.m.
Grace Athletic Field Parking Lot
Come to a night of FUN for the whole family! The parking lot will be full of decorated car trunks, loaded with candy, prizes, and lots of other fun treats. Chick-fil-A will be served for $5/meal. There will be prizes for best costumes and trunks. Register to decorate your trunk or for meals at http://gpch.org/trunk.
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Here's What We're Learning In The Backyard
October 8
Bible Story:
God’s World (The earth belongs to the Lord) • Psalm 24:1
Bottom Line:
Remember, everything belongs to God.
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:
I can trust God no matter what.
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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.
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Grace Day
at the Houston Food Bank
October 14, 8 a.m-12 p.m.
Bless our neighbors across Houston while in fellowship with Grace at the Houston Food Bank. For more information and to register, please contact Paul Mancillas, 832-260-8329.
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WHAM Food Drive -
Thank You!
Last week, our Grace family collected 265 pounds of food for our friends at West Houston Assistance Ministries! Thank you for helping us make Jesus visible through the gift of food for those in need.
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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 713-267-5091 or bmorris@gpch.org bmorris@gpch.org or visit www.gpch.org/postdisastersupportgroups.
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