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Labor Day
"Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” For many, today may be the start of the Labor Day weekend, a time for you to rest and relax and perhaps even experience a personal revival.
By definition a “REVIVAL” is: “a bringing or coming back into use, attention, or being, after a decline.” Another definition, perhaps more familiar, is: “a stirring up of religious faith by fervid evangelistic preaching at public meetings in order to stir up professions of renewed faith.”
For some, the time following the Labor Day weekend will be a “coming back into use” time—the summer will be over, and we are now ready to re-engage. It's precisely why I like the word “revival.” My hope for each of us is that our faith will be stirred up, and we will be energized by a renewed faith. I say, let the revival begin.
“In the 1850s, the United States was in a weak spiritual state, as people were preoccupied with concern for material things. In 1857 a quiet forty-six-year-old businessman, Jeremiah Lamphier, felt led to start a noon-time weekly prayer meeting in New York City, in which business people could meet for prayer. Anyone could attend, for a few minutes or for the entire hour. On the first day Lamphier prayed alone for half an hour. But by the end of the hour six men from at least four denominational backgrounds had joined him. Twenty came the next week and forty the week after. Soon they decided to meet daily and the group swelled to over one hundred. Pastors who came started morning prayer meetings in their own churches. Soon similar meetings were being held all over America. Within six months there were more than ten thousand meeting daily in New York City alone. This was the start of what is now termed “The Great Awakening” in North America. It is estimated that in a two-year period (1857-1859), two million people were led to Christ.”
Friends, I continue to pray for the Lord to revive us. I pray that our faith journey would not feel like a job but instead a privilege. I pray that we will embrace the opportunities before us to participate in God’s will and mission for our lives, recognizing that He alone is the One who can and will stir us to be the people we have been called to be. Simply put, I am convinced He is readying us for a bright future.
Thank you for your contributions to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of Grace. Enjoy your weekend.
Peace,
Trey
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Two-Service Sundays
in September
These are exciting days in the life and ministry of Grace with the launch of a capital campaign on the horizon. To ensure that the entire Grace family has the opportunity to hear directly from our Senior Pastor, we are making a temporary change in the Worship schedule from Sept 9 – 30. There will be two services in the sanctuary only at 9 a.m. (Contemporary) and 11:15 a.m. (Traditional) – as well as the Grace en Español service. The hope is that those who normally worship in the Chapel will instead attend one of the services in the Sanctuary. By offering just the two services, we can be certain that the Grace family all has the opportunity to hear the same message from the same voice as united we ready ourselves for a bright future. |
Volunteer for the
Usher Team
Guest Services relies heavily upon volunteers. Quite simply, Sunday mornings could not happen without our amazing team of volunteers. Guest Services volunteers welcome all guests who enter the church. In addition to greeting people, volunteers answer questions and help guests find their way around the church. Guest Services volunteers are the very first impression our guests will have of our church.
One of our Guest Services teams is our Usher Team. The Usher Ministry team exists to be “ministers of hospitality.” In this age of always connected-always on, a handshake and a bulletin are not enough to make the first-time guest feel welcome. Our Usher teams serve our guests in the Sanctuary Lobby initiating contact with a warm greeting, friendly presence and offering worship bulletins or other informational materials and clear directions to a seat. We would love to enlarge our Usher team. For more information and to sign-up, please click HERE. |
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Now You Can Give
On the Go!
In less time than it takes to write a check, you can now make contributions using your smartphone at church or anytime. Mobile giving is a quick, easy, and convenient way to support the ministries and missions of Grace.
Online giving is easy to set up, and you can make a one-time gift or automatic recurring contributions with your designated bank account or credit card. You are also able to view your complete giving history.
Using your smartphone’s camera or code reader app, you can scan this QR code to go straight to the secure Grace online giving webpage. Follow the prompts to create or login to your giving profile, and in just a few clicks, your contribution is made. |
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: on our homepage or live on our Facebook page.
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Starting Point Class
September 23, 6 p.m.,
Massey-Tucker Fellowship Hall,
Room 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 starting point.
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 is available (dkay@gpch.org). To RSVP or for more information, contact Beth Craig (bcraig@gpch.org).
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An Evening with
Melanie Shankle
September 16, 6:30-8 p.m.,
Massey-Tucker Fellowship Hall
Join us for a girls’ night at Grace with Melanie Shankle. We will enjoy food, fellowship and glean some words of wisdom from the author of Church of the Small Things. It’s sure to be a night of fun and a great way to kick off our fall season of women’s ministry! Register HERE.
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Encore September
Day Trip
Wednesday, September 19, 8:45 a.m.
Last Spring, a wondrous local attraction was unveiled. It’s called the Cistern, and that’s just what it is: an underground concrete cistern the size of one and a half football fields – nearly two acres – that once held 15 million gallons of Houston drinking water. Join us for a tour of this remarkable Cistern. Following the tour, lunch will be on your own at the Cleburne Cafeteria. After lunch, we’ll continue with a tour of The Rienzi Museum, a MFAH house museum for European decorative arts, situated in the beautiful historic River Oaks neighborhood. COST: $12. Be at the church by 8:45 a.m. We will return to Grace by 3 p.m. Space is limited, and payment is due by Sept. 9. For more information, please click HERE. If you have questions, contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091).
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Encore October Day Trip
to Moody Gardens Thursday, October 11, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Please join us as we tour The Aquarium at Moody Gardens. We will have lunch at the Garden Restaurant followed by an hour cruise on a paddlewheel boat. The cost is $20 plus lunch. Registration and payment due by Sunday, Sept. 23. Arrive at the church at 8:30 a.m. for an 8:45 a.m. departure. We will stop briefly at Buc-ee’s.
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Encore November Day Trip to George H.W. Bush Library and Museum
Thursday, November 8, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Houston’s seasonal favorite returns! A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas is a family-friendly re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic story, which follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey with the three ghostly spirits who visit him on Christmas Eve. A Christmas Carol instills a powerful message about redemption and the spirit of the holiday season. Please be at the church by 1:30 p.m. for a 1:45 p.m. departure. The cost is $25. Registration and payment are due by Nov. 11.
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Encore December Day Trip to The Alley Theatre
Sunday, December 2, 1:30 p.m.
Join us as we tour the beautiful George H.W. Bush Lbrary and Museum in College Station. Exhibits will include: Mapping Texas: From Frontier to the Lonestar State and Leonardo Da Vinci Machines in Motion. Lunch will be on your own at Koppe Bridge. Please be at the church by 9:15 a.m. for a 9:30 a.m. departure. The cost is $8. Registration and payment are due by Oct. 28.
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Rec Sports Soccer Registration Now Open
Rec sports is a ministry of Grace Presbyterian Church and open to all children PreK 4 through 5th grade as part of the West Houston Christian Sports Association. Every year we offer boys and girls soccer, basketball and softball/baseball. For questions, contact Wendy Wray, Grace Recreational Sports Coordinator, (wwray@gpch.org; 713-248-2670).
Soccer Online Registration is open now through August 25. No late registrations can be accepted. Click HERE to register. Scroll down on the registration link for more information on the parent's volunteer positions and code of ethics. Parents are required to volunteer in the capacity of team parent, assistant coach or coach.
- Girls and Boys PreK 4 to 5th (Players MUST be in PreK 4 at the time of registration)
- Practice is once a week at Grace (after 5 p.m. either Monday, Wednesday, or Friday), beginning September 3
- Games on Saturdays (September 22-November 10); Location TBD
- Team Game Schedule will be available on September 18
- Fee $125 (includes: Jersey, hat/visor, trophy, individual & team picture)
- Player is responsible for providing their own: pants, batting helmet w/chin strap, bat, glove & cleats
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Bethel Bible Course Beginning September 9
The 2018-2019 Bethel Bible Course will begin on Sunday, September 9. Elder Jerry Hanlon will lead this forty-lesson course which covers the Bible with twenty Old Testament and twenty New Testament lessons. This popular and life-changing course is a must for those who have always wanted to read the Bible, seek greater Biblical literacy and find God’s unimaginable plan of redemption through Jesus Christ from Genesis to Revelation. Classes will be held at 10 a.m. on Sundays in Massey-Tucker Fellowship Hall, Room A. The cost for the course materials is $100 ($50 for Old Testament, $50 for New Testament). Please register online HERE. Please do not let money prevent you from attending this great study. Thanks to a generous donation, scholarships are available. If interested, please contact Chad Erb at cerb@gpch.org |
Inspire!
Women's Bible Studies
It’s time to get INSPIRED! The Fall women’s Bible studies will be starting up the week of September 10 with a great lineup of engaging and powerful studies. No matter the season of life, Inspire! has a group excited to encourage and equip women as they study and connect with one another. To register and to find out more information regarding the days, times, and studies, please click HERE. |
Thursday Morning
Bible Study
Beginning September 13,
in the Heritage Room
Join us on Thursday mornings to study The Path to the Cross, a Bible Study by Ray Vander Laan, a renowned teacher, ordained minister, historian and professor. In his videos, which are filmed on location in the Middle East, he illuminates the historical, geographical, and cultural context of the Scriptures. The class has a discussion lesson and daily Scripture lessons. For information, call Pat Irwin at 713-461-2757 or Gina Axtell (gxtell@gpch.org; 713-267-5046). |
Bridge at Grace
Meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, 11:30 a.m. (lunch - $5 optional) and 12-3 p.m. (bridge)
Come enjoy an afternoon of social bridge at Grace with church friends or make new friends! No partner required but reservations are required for lunch and bridge. Contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091). For more information, call Toni or Harry Watson at 713-468-6006. |
Preschool Needs
Small Group Leaders
Love Jesus? Love preschoolers? Then Children’s Ministries has the perfect place for you to share your faith — in our youngest Sunday School classes! We provide the lessons and the materials and the preschoolers, you provide a familiar, loving face who helps our 2, 3, and 4 year olds understand God’s plans for them. For more information, contact Gianna Tiedemann in Children’s Ministries (gtiedemann@gpch.org; 832-647-6645).
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Parents' Night OutSeptember 8, 5-9 p.m.
Parents' Night Out (PNO) is a program offered by Grace Church to church, school, and community families that provides a safe, fun, Christian environment for children while parents enjoy some much needed free time. Ages are 3 months to 5th grade. The next PNO will be Saturday, September 8, from 5–9 p.m. The cost is $10 per child. Your child will enjoy pizza, games, and a movie. The deadline for registration is noon on September 5 or until we reach our childcare capacity. Cancellations for a refund are accepted if received by this deadline. Space is limited to registrants only. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept walk-in registrants. Register HERE.
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Save the Date:
Colorific Preschool FXFriday, September 21
Children’s Ministries kicks off a new season of Preschool FX (Family Experience) events on Friday, Sept. 21. Bring the whole family as our preschoolers explore God’s love and the colors He created for us. Look for registration information in next week’s bulletin!
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New Children's Sunday School Classes
Check out the schedule and room listings for Preschool and Elementary Sunday School classes HERE.
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Mentors Needed for
New School Year
We invite you to become a mentor at Paul Revere Middle School. Mentors meet with students on Friday mornings for one hour. Mentors remind the student that someone cares about them, assure them they are not alone in dealing with daily challenges, and remind each student that he or she matters. Mentoring has a powerful, positive effect on students personally, academically, and on their future dreams. For more information or to apply, click HERE..
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New Ministry Opportunity:
Friends of Westchase
Saturday, September 1, 8 a.m. -12 p.m.
We will gather to build relationships and rapport with our neighbors in Westchase. Teams will be prepared and given assignments to conduct interviews to assess the needs and assets in the community. We will start at Grace for a brief time of preparation, coffee, and pastries at 8 a.m. Then, we will go to the Monte Carlo apartment complex to conduct assessments. We will finish up back at Grace no later than noon. Please consider joining the team and receive your very own Friends of Westchase shirt. For questions, please contact Chris French (cfrench@gpch.org; 713-267-5039).
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Post-Harvey
Home Blessings
As they move back into their restored homes or relocate to different permanent homes, flooded families may request a team of Grace members to offer prayers of blessing. We have created a "walk-through" prayer pamphlet that the blessing team uses from the front door throughout the home to pray a hedge of protection and God's glorification in this journey.
You may request a home blessing by completing this form. Denise Phelps will contact you to schedule a blessing time and put together a team.
If you would like to be a part of a home blessing prayer team, you can volunteer by completing this form. It offers options for the days, times of day, and zip code where you might be a blessing to our flooded families. We will be in touch with you when an opportunity arises that meets with your availability.
We remain committed to walk alongside families still recovering from the aftermath of Harvey. Prayers continue to be lifted for continued healing, restoration, and rebuilding.
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WHAM Food Drive
Sunday, September 2
Help collect food and other necessity items for WHAM (West Houston Assistance Ministry). 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 canned fruit, soups and crackers.
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Kenya Mission Trip Interest Meeting
Sunday, September 9 at 5 p.m.,
Church Library
Join us as Stu Ross shares information about the trip itinerary, travel, projects, and ministry opportunities in Kenya. We will discuss the cost, the deadlines, and the trip dates for this exciting opportunity to continue our 20+ year partnership of building churches and schools with the Kenya Christians, Stu Ross, and the Outreach Foundation. Please RSVP to Gina Axtell. For questions, please contact Chris French (cfrench@gpch.org; 713-267-5039).
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Help Welcome
Refugee Families
in Houston
Grace’s ministry friend, Houston Welcomes Refugees helped resettle 121 refugees across 26 families from six different countries this past year. HWR is preparing for more arrivals in the coming months. HWR is looking to mobilize 80 volunteers who can form 10-12 new Welcome Teams to partner with refugee families arriving through February 2019. Please consider attending an upcoming training and orientation on Monday, Aug. 27, 7-8 p.m. or Tuesday, Sept. 11, 7-8 p.m. to become part of a Welcome Team. To learn more and sign up, please contact Chris French (cfrench@gpch.org; 713-267-5039).
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Do it All in Jesus’ Name -Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministers bring distinctively Christian care to those in need. They use both words and deeds to express Christ’s care for others—listening and comforting, calling on the training they have received and employing the tools of faith. If this job description fits your personal goals for ministry, consider becoming a Stephen Minister. A training class is starting soon. For more information, contact Denise Phelps (dphelps@gpch.org; 713-267-5063).
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Save the Date!
Flu Shots Available
September 16
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Looking Ahead in 2018… SAVE the DATE!
September 8, Children’s Ministries Parents Night Out 5-9 p.m.
September 9, 16, 23, 30, Two-Service Sundays in the Sanctuary (9 a.m. Contemporary and 11:15 a.m. Traditional)
September 16, An Evening with Melanie Shankle 6:30 p.m.
September 21, Colorific Preschool FX (Family Experience) 6-7:30 p.m.
September 23, Phases: Parent Conversations at 10:15 a.m.
October 7, World Communion Sunday - ONE Worship Service at 10 a.m.
October 12-14, Together Forever
October 26, Trunk or Treat
October 28, Blood Drive 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
November 5, Wood Memorial Golf Tournament
December 2, Phases: Parent Conversations at 10:15 a.m.
December 16, Grace Kids Musical & Christmas 4 the City Habitat Build – ONE Worship Service at 10 a.m.
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