|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A Little Thought
"Rule of Anyway"
I met a friend for breakfast last week—something we try to do on a regular basis. We meet to talk about life and to be there for one another. I am always grateful for my time with him; to share some laughs and occasional tears but also to learn from him about how to live a life as a follower of Jesus. I hope you have friends with whom you share your life and consistently connect to pray together.
At any rate, I noticed a sign hanging on the wall behind the cash register as we were leaving the restaurant. It was one among many but for some reason this particular one caught my attention:
Dear Santa,
This year please bring me a BIG FAT bank account and a slim body. Please don’t mix the two up like you did last year. Thanks!
You may think there is little theological significance in those words, but I beg to differ. All too often, we “mix up” what really matters. By no means do I think large bank accounts and fit bodies are bad, I simply think that we may need to pause and observe the signs of blessing all around us.
Perhaps that could be something as simple as heat in your home or milk in the refrigerator. It may be a college student home for the holidays or a grandchild being born. It could be a friendly driver letting you in their lane during rush hour traffic or a person allowing you to go in front of them in the checkout lane at the grocery store. It may even be enjoying breakfast with a friend.
As we inch ever closer to Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Jesus, I want to encourage you to pause and observe this week. When you see a blessing—pause and give thanks to the Lord. When you see another person being a blessing—pause and tell them thank you. When you feel like your life is just ordinary—pause for a moment and remember God made you to be extraordinary.
I am so thankful for you—living and moving “signs” of God’s amazing grace. This will be so evident this Sunday as we join together for Christmas 4 the City and build all of the walls for four Habitat for Humanity homes as well as assemble 15,000 meals for hungry people around the world.
Sunday—a day to set aside to pause and observe the Lord—join us.
Peace,
Trey
|
|
|
|
Mark Your Calendars For Christmas Eve at Grace
Christmas Eve Worship, December 24
No regular Sunday morning worship services*
3 p.m.
Children & Family Contemporary service and candle lighting in the Sanctuary
3 p.m.
Traditional service with Communion in the Founders’ Chapel
5 p.m.
Contemporary service with Communion and candle lighting in the Sanctuary
6 p.m.
Grace en Español service with Communion and candle lighting in the Founders’ Chapel
7 p.m.
Traditional service with Communion and candle lighting in the Sanctuary
*With Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday this year, Grace will not have the usual morning worship services since there will be several opportunities to worship and celebrate the Lord beginning at 3 p.m. We encourage you to instead spend your morning celebrating the Savior’s birth with family and/or friends. The hope is that together you will invest that time in making Jesus visible in extraordinary ways. Join us for worship on Sundays in December when ideas will be revealed for making Jesus visible by “surprising” someone unexpectedly with a blessing on Christmas Eve morning.
|
Christmas Festival Concert— Where Peace, Hope and Love Abide
Monday, December 18, 7:30 p.m., Sanctuary
Daniel J. Fenn conducts the Grace Chancel Choir, Chancel Bells, soloists, organist Jim Roman, and the Festival Orchestra in the annual Christmas Festival Concert – the Music Ministry’s gift to the Grace family and our community. Come for a sonic blessing as we journey toward the peace that the Christ-child brings.
|
New Year's Eve Day Worship—One Service
at 10 a.m.
Our worship service on New Year’s Eve Day will feature Christmas carols led by the Chancel Choir accompanied by the group Jazz Sunday, a Houston-based jazz combo. Sunday school classes will not meet this day. Child care is available for children ages newborn through kindergarten.
|
|
|
|
Christmas
In The Courtyard
December 17
Join us anytime from 8:30-11:30 a.m. to celebrate the season with Christmas in the Grace Courtyard, complete with a hot chocolate bar and cookies, and visit tables for CORE Communities information, Joy to the World gift cards, and Kendleton Farms pecans and decorative candles.
|
Stewardship
Although the official Stewardship season will commence January 21 through Commitment Sunday on February 4, please keep in mind that your generosity is important to Grace’s year-end giving.
|
Expect The Unexpected Surprise Wall
The sermon series for Advent and Christmas is “Expect the Unexpected…Bringing the Surprise Back into the Season.” Together the Grace family will explore ways to bring the surprise back into the season. There will be a Surprise Wall display in the narthex through December 17. On the walls on either side of the sanctuary doors will be tags that will provide simple, meaningful ideas of ways to surprise someone with an unexpected blessing this Advent season. Please be encouraged to choose a “Surprise Tag” each week and commit to making Jesus visible “between Sundays” in unexpected ways. Share your stories on social media of how you are making Jesus visible in surprising, unexpected ways this season, with
#expecttheunexpected.
|
National ECO Conference: Renovate 2018
Tues-Thurs, January 23-25 at Hilton Americas Hotel
The ECO National Gathering is in Houston this year, so plan to join! Drawing on lessons from Nehemiah, meetings will convene at the Hilton Americas Hotel in downtown Houston. Featured speakers include Condoleeza Rice, Kyle Strobel, and Ed Stetzer. There are also opportunities to volunteer, as Grace is partnering with other local churches to support this event. Volunteers will receive a complimentary day pass to the event. To sign up to help, click here
|
|
|
|
|
Starting Point—
A New Class
Sunday, January 14, 6-8 pm, 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. To RSVP or for more information contact Beth Craig bcraig@gpch.org; or 713-267-5012.
|
Inspire! Spring Bible Study Registration Now Open
A brand new year is coming and it’s time to get INSPIRED! Registration is now open for the new season of women’s Bible studies. Each week, 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! INSPIRE! Groups begin in January! For more information and registration, please visit: gpch.org/inspire.
|
Core Communities 2018 Registration Now Open
CORE Communities are the primary way we CONNECT with OTHERS in authentic gospel-centered community. These RELATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS are vital to living a life that makes Jesus visible daily. These small gatherings of people cultivate a relationship with Christ and others. Please visit Christmas in the Courtyard on Sundays through December 17 or gpch.org/cc to learn more
and register.
|
Join The Children's Ministries Team!
Children’s Ministries needs just 2 more volunteer leaders to complete our team for elementary kids on Sunday mornings! If you’re feeling God nudge you to share His love with these young disciples, please contact Lisa Ann Henkel lhenkel@gpch.org,
or 713-267-5015.
|
Save The Date!
Vacation Bible School '18
June 11-14, 2018
Livin’ Loud Lab…
Where God’s Love
Ignites a Chain Reaction
that Changes the World!
|
Here's What We're Learning In The Backyard,
December 17
Bible Story:
Miracle from Heaven (Jesus is born)
Luke 2:1-18
Bottom Line:
God gave us Jesus.
Memory Verse:
“Command the rich to do what is good. Tell them to be rich in doing good things. They must give freely. They must be willing to share.” 1 Timothy 6:18, NIrV
Life App:
Generosity—Making someone’s day
by giving something away.
Basic Truth:
I can trust God no matter what.
|
Here's What We're Learning in Treehouse, December 17
Key question:
How do we know God loves us?
Bottom Line:
God gave us Jesus.
Memory Verse:
“God has given a son to us.” Isaiah 9:6
Bible Story:
The Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20)
Story Focus:
The angels tell about Jesus.
|
Confirmation Registration Now Open
Registration for Confirmation 2018 is now open! This class is designed for 8th grade students who are ready to claim their faith as their own. We’ll meet on Sundays starting January 7 through May 6. We will meet in Massey-Tucker 207 from 5-6:30 p.m. Register here: gpch.org/ministries/students/confirmation
|
High School
Spring Break Trip
March 10-17, 2018
Yosemite National Park, here we come! High School Ministries is heading to California for Spring Break 2018. We’ll leave Houston on Saturday, March 10, and be back on Saturday, March 17. We will be partnering with a Presbyterian conference center and Calvin Crest, a summer camp. Their mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ, practice biblical hospitality, invite people to experience and know God’s creation, and partner with peacemakers to bring health and wholeness. Find out more at www.calvincrest.com. This once-in-a-lifetime trip is $500. A non-refundable deposit of $100 is due at registration. All forms and payments MUST be turned in by February 15, 2018. THERE ARE ONLY 19 STUDENT SPOTS AVAILABLE! The cost for this trip includes transportation, housing, most meals, T-shirt, park entrance fees and tickets, and ministry supplies. Questions? Please email Angie Williamson:
awilliamson@gpch.org or 713-267-5083. Please register at: gpch.org/hsspringbreaktrip2018.
|
|
|
|
|
Christmas 4 The City
Sunday, December 17
Don’t miss our 2nd annual Grace 4 the City project! We are so excited about our time together Sunday as we work together to bless others. Registration closes Friday, December 15 at 5 p.m.
Register HERE
Please note the following schedule:
- 9:00 a.m. | Worship in Sanctuary and The Founders’ Chapel
- 10:15 a.m. | Sunday School for children, students, and adults
- 11:15 a.m. | Worship in Sanctuary
- 11:30 a.m. | Check-in starts in the north hall of Massey Tucker
Purchase Lunch
($7 per person, $20 family of 3 or more) & T-shirts ($5 per shirt)
- 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Lunch will
be served
- Everyone (all ages except child care) will go to the Blacktop at 1 p.m.
|
Joy To The World
Gift Card Market
We love our mission partners and missionaries AND we love giving gifts to people at Christmas. This year we can do both at the same time at the first-ever Joy to the World Gift Card Market! You can purchase a gift card on the Grace website or on Sundays through December 17 at Christmas in the Courtyard. Put the recipient of your generosity in the driver’s seat to redeem the gift card online with any of our 18 different missionaries and mission partners. Your unique gift enables the recipient to choose something they feel passionate about to receive the ultimate blessing! For more information, contact Becca Lehde blehde@gpch.org or 713-267-5013.
|
Toy Donations
Grace is collecting toys for two groups this Christmas season. First, we are collecting for young guests who come to worship with Grace en Español at the annual La Posada event to remember Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging. And then, we are collecting for West Houston Assistance Ministry (WHAM) clients to have presents for their children. You may drop a new, unwrapped toy donation in bins located around the church between now and December 17.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 or 713-267-5091 or visit: gpch.org/postdisastersupportgroups.
|
|
Cole Knight Scholarship
The Cole Knight Missions Scholarship Fund was created as a tangible way to carry on Cole’s mission — to help pave the way for individuals who display that same servant heart and passion for serving God through serving others. Each year the Scholarship Fund helps recipients cover the cost of their participation in Grace Student Ministries mission trips.
If you would like to nominate a student for this scholarship, please complete the FORM and return it to Monica Cvejanovich in the Family Ministries department by January 15, 2018.
|
|
Kendleton Farms Gourment Nuts & Decorative Candles
Grace believes our partnership with Elijah Rising’s Kendleton Farms is important. Kendleton Farms is a community for women recovering from human trafficking. You can participate in their recovery and make an impact by purchasing a variety of gourmet nuts and decorative candles to give to friends and families for the holidays. These items will be available for purchase on Sundays through December 17 at Grace’s Christmas in the Courtyard. All proceeds will directly benefit Kendleton Farms.
|
Coats & Blankets
For Star of Hope
Please care for Houston’s homeless by helping them to stay warm outdoors during the winter months. You may bring clean, new or like-new coats and blankets to place in collection bins, which will be located around the church on Sundays
in December.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
