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Focus
It is no secret that I am a golf enthusiast even if the way I play the game does not always showcase that fact. But I love the game. That is precisely why Sunday afternoon was a glorious day for me. Sunday at the Masters—it just doesn’t get any better for me. What a Sunday it was.
Patrick Reed, the eventual champion, remained focused throughout and battled his way to a one-stroke victory. Jordon Spieth made an amazing charge up the leader board that threatened a historic scoring record at the Masters. Ricky Fowler made a birdie on 18 to put a little more pressure on the leader but would end up finishing second. There are so many stories, but I won’t bore you with them all.
What impressed me about Sunday’s final round was the players’ level of focus. Whether they were trying to come from behind, hold the lead, or make a back nine charge—the ones who experienced success on Sunday maintained their focus. They stuck to their game plan, and they remained patient. They trusted and executed.
As I think about our future here at Grace Church as well as our individual spiritual journeys, I am convinced that focus is crucial. Inevitably there will be times when we will feel like we are coming from behind and that the deficit is just too big to overcome. There will be other times when we will be energized by what we see God doing in our lives and feel like we are just hitting every shot pure. And yet, there will also be times when we feel like we are stagnant in our spiritual lives and cannot possibly imagine how we could make a back nine charge. In any and all of these scenarios, we must maintain our focus.
Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Friends, we are The Master’s. Fix your eyes on Him and run with perseverance. We maintain our focus not in the hope of winning a green jacket but instead to claim the victory He accomplished on our behalf.
I am thankful for you. I hope to see you Sunday.
Peace,
Trey
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Organ and Voice Concert
April 29, 5 p.m., Sanctuary
Grace organist James Roman and his wife, soprano Grace Roman, will present a concert of music for voice and organ. The concert will feature a variety of music including pieces that depict stories of Circe from Greek mythology, settings of quirky middle English texts about chickens and bad husbands, settings of familiar hymn tunes, and more. |
Starting Point Class
Sunday, May 6, 6-8 p.m.,
Massey Tucker Hall 103
Want to get connected? Find a CORE Community? Learn about our beliefs and ministry? Join the church family? Where do you begin? At the start.
During the Starting Point Class, we’ll enjoy a meal and have great conversation together. 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 our church family, including 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! Child care available (dkay@gpch.org; 713-267-5084). To RSVP or for more information, contact Beth Craig (bcraig@gpch.org; 713-267-5012).
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Out Of Town This Sunday? Watch Us On Facebook Live Each Week!
We love gathering together each Sunday as a Grace family! But, if you are unable to join us for worship, there are two ways to join us online: You can always watch or listen to the sermons on our homepage or you can watch us live on our Facebook page.
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Officer Nominations Now Being Accepted
Nominations for deacons, elders, and trustees to serve a three-year term beginning January 2019 are now being accepted. Please complete nomination forms online at gpch.org/officer. Forms are also available in the Narthex and may be turned in at the Welcome Center by May 15. |
"In His Steps"
Tour of Israel with Trey
December 28 - January 6
A trip to the Holy Land is a bucket list adventure. To walk where Jesus walked is a life-giving opportunity, which will shape your faith journey. Trey would love for you to join him for what is sure to be a memorable trip to Israel. It will include a visit to sites such as the Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Sea of Galilee, and Capernaum. For more information and to register, please visit: gpch.org/inhissteps. You may also discuss the details of the trip with the trip leader, Mike Fanning, by phone or email (mike@mikefanning.com; 210-710-6234).
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Encore Day Trip
The Lone Star Flight Museum
Tuesday, May 15, 9 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
The Lone Star Flight Museum, located next to Ellington Airport, is an aerospace museum that displays more than 40 historically significant aircraft and many hundreds of artifacts related to the history of flight. The museum's collection is rare because most of the aircraft are flyable. Please join us as we explore the history of flight! Price of the tour is $14, lunch is on your own at Cracker Barrel. Please be at Grace by 9 a.m. Departure is at 9:20 a.m., and we will return by 2:15 p.m. Payment is due by Sunday, May 6. Seating is limited. If you have questions, please contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091).
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Here's What We're Learning In The Backyard
April 15
Bible Story: Are We There Yet? (A Patience Proverb) • Proverbs 14:29
Bottom Line: When you think you can’t wait, keep your cool.
Memory Verse: “Wait for the Lord. Be strong and don’t lose hope. Wait for the Lord!”
Psalm 27:14, NIrV
Life App: Patience — Waiting until later for what you want now
Basic Truth: I should treat others the way I want to be treated. |
Middle School
Spring Retreat
April 27-29
All Middle School students and their friends are invited on the Spring Retreat as we head back to Camp Cho-Yeh this year. Come join us as we hang out with friends and make new ones. We will eat WAY too many snacks, play games, have awesome worship, and dive into God’s Word together. This year’s theme is "Forgotten God.” We will be walking through who and what the Holy Spirit is and how it impacts our lives. The cost for this retreat is only $100. There are 80 spots available! Click HERE for more information and to register. Questions? E-mail Reed Brentlinger (rbrentlinger@gpch.org; 713-267-5076).
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Donate Supplies for VBS
Every year, Vacation Bible School at Grace is blessed by very generous donations from our congregation! Pick up a list of supplies that Children’s Ministries needs for VBS next time you’re in the Narthex or at the reception desk in the Welcome Center. Your donation of any item will be GREATLY appreciated and help make Jesus visible to everyone this summer. You can drop donations off in the Welcome Center or in the CM offices on the second floor of Massey-Tucker Hall.
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Here's What We're Learning In The Treehouse
April 15
Basic Truth: Jesus wants to be my friend forever!
Key Question: Who can tell others about Jesus?
Bottom Line: I can tell others about Jesus.
Memory Verse: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Matthew 28:19
Bible Story Focus: People can change when they know Jesus.
Saul to Paul • Acts 9:1-20; 13:9
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D3-Every Wednesday
7-8:30 p.m.,
Massey-Tucker 207
All High School students are invited to join us every Wednesday night for our weekly Bible study. D3 begins with dinner and games. We end with an amazing Bible study!
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High School
Spring Retreat
April 27-29
All High School students and their friends are invited to our annual Spring Retreat. We’re heading back to the Frazelles’ lake house in New Braunfels for a weekend of relaxing, boating, tubing, volleyball, fishing, s’mores, delicious food, worship, and more. We’ll even make a pitstop at Buc-ee’s! The cost for this retreat is only $75. Click HERE for more information and to register. Questions? Contact Angie Williamson (awilliamson@gpch.org; 713-267-5083).
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Senior Mission Trip:
The Bahamas
July 14-21
All graduating High School seniors and college students are invited to join us on this year’s Senior Mission Trip. We will be heading to the Bahamas to serve both the local people as well as the displaced Haitian refugee community. We’ll work with Praying Pelican Missions, a short-term international missions organization that partners with and serves indigenous churches, pastors, and communities around the world. To find out more about Praying Pelican Missions go to their webpage. The cost of the trip is $1,200. This includes airfare, lodging, meals, and ministry supplies. For more information and registration, click HERE.
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Save The Date!
Vacation Bible School 2018
June 11-14
Online Registration Now Open!
Livin’ Loud Lab…
Where God’s Love
Ignites a Chain Reaction
that Changes the World!
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Manna From Grace
Saturday, April 14, at the home of Ann Gentle
Twice a month folks gather to have fun and fellowship while they prepare food for those in the family of Grace who are going through a time of illness or trial. While some of the meals are delivered, many are put in the church freezer, located right inside the portico door. These are for anyone to take when they know someone who could be blessed by one of these meals. If you would like to know more about Manna from Grace, volunteering or receiving meals, please contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091).
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Brookwood will be Blooming at Grace
April 22
Join us in the courtyard to celebrate God’s work through the citizens of Brookwood! The Horticulture enterprise grows approximately 300,000 plants a year across 47 greenhouses, employing nearly 100 citizens every single day. Check out what’s new for spring and bring color and life to your yard!
Also, on April 22, the courtyard will be blossoming with opportunies to learn more about Grace Tables, to visit with the Mukha family (our missionaries from France) to see what’s in store for VBS 2018, to enjoy special refreshments, and more.
Grace Tables
Grace Tables is a ministry initiative that encourages us to create and cultivate authentic community where we live… in our neighborhoods. We are just crazy enough to believe Jesus really meant that we should love our neighbors, and we believe that Grace Tables help us do that. If you are interested in hosting a Grace Table in your yard, please come to the courtyard on Sunday, April 22 and sign up to have a table delivered to your home. For more information please visit www.gpch.org/gracetables or contact Chris French (cfrench@gpch.org; 713-267-5039).
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Common Ground
Do you assist a family member or friend with daily caregiving tasks? If you answered YES, we offer a caregiver’s support group to share and help called “Common Ground.” It meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in the Molly Ann Smith building. This opportunity can help you take care of yourself. For more information, please contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091).
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Prayers for Guatemala Mission Trip
April 7-14
Please include our Guatemala Mission Team in your prayers! Join us in praying for: Wayne Basler, Ron Collins, Margaret Ellis, Randy Fannin, Jan Knight, Brian Mees, Debbie Reitsema, and Larry Reitsema. |
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POP Lay Chaplaincy Training
April 14, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
We need you! And, you will love this ministry! Training as a POP Lay Chaplain will prepare you for visiting patients and their loved ones in hospitals. You will join a ministry that is more than 44 years old! This is a group of folks who have a heart for listening and a love for God’s people when they are lonely, sick and waiting for answers as they move through the coping and healing process of healthcare treatments. The training, your lunch, and materials will all be provided. To register, please visit the POP website. |
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Blood Drive
Sunday, April 29,
Massey-Tucker Fellowship Hall C
Share “The Gift of Life” and help Grace maintain the Life Plan II Blood Program through the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. For more information, contact Judy Dewey at judydewey@att.net or go to the website gpch.org/blooddrive. |
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Students Need You!
There are still Paul Revere Middle School students who need mentors. Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders request a mentor from the school’s social worker every week. Will you please give an hour of your time each Friday morning to meet with a student who needs your influence? Play games; encourage students; listen to them. The time is up before you know it, and you will be looking forward to seeing your student again the following week! Contact Becca Lehde (blehde@gpch.org; 713-267-5013). |
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Harvey Support Group
As care continues for those who have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey, we are offering a counselor-facilitated support group for ages 14 and above. We will meet on the third Monday of each month beginning Monday, April 16, from 7-8:30 p.m. in the McKechnie Dining Room. This group will provide support, share resources and help in processing the many losses related to all aspects of Hurricane Harvey, as well as asking for God's amazing presence through prayer in all of these areas. To ensure adequate space is available for all who plan to attend, please register through Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091). |
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