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I Escaped
“I Escaped” were the words written across the sticker I was handed on Monday of last week. Although it is true that I had experienced a “prison break,” it may not be exactly what you might envision.
The venue was The Escape Game in CityCentre. The occasion, a Christmas fun day with the Grace staff. If you have never done this — you have to give it a try. We were divided up into teams and then immersed into a setting where we had one hour to work with our team to overcome challenges, find clues, solve puzzles and finish the story. If all of this occurred successfully, you then could boast “I Escaped.” We had so much fun.
I must tell you, there were surprising twists along the way. There were things that didn’t play out quite the way we expected. It was paramount that we worked together as a team in order to accomplish our mission.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are living on mission. No doubt, there will be surprises along the way and things will not always go as we expect. However, this Great Adventure is fun and exhilarating. But there is no doubt we must work together.
My hope for us at Grace is that we will all embrace the truth that each of us plays a role in the future of Grace. Together we will continue to look for clues that will unlock ways for us to bless others across the street and around the world. Together may we strive to show the joy we have in Jesus to all with whom we come in contact. Together may we come alongside of one another and assist as needed. Perhaps you will be the one who invites another person to Grace during this Advent season. Maybe you have a neighbor who feels trapped, and you can show them how the Gospel can set them free.
I love Paul’s words, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Friends, the truth is — it is by the grace of God in Jesus Christ that we can all say, “I Escaped.”
How will you live in freedom today?
I hope to see you Sunday — one service at 10 a.m. and Christmas for the City to follow — it is going to be a great day at Grace!
Peace, Trey |
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One Worship Service in the Sanctuary at 10 a.m.
No Sunday School, Child Care Provided fo Kindergarten and Under
This Sunday is going to be an amazing day at Grace! In our combined worship service at 10 a.m., we will celebrate our Savior through the eyes of our children as they present the Grace Kids Music program in worship. We will also celebrate the ordination and installation of our church officers and deacons.
Immediately following worship, we will come TOGETHER for our 3rd annual Christmas for the City project. This year will feature the return of our Habitat for Humanity wall build, assembling meals with Children’s Hunger Fund and some new exciting additions to our time together. We will worship together, eat lunch together, and serve together! This year, TOGETHER we will build the walls for FIVE Habitat homes for Houston families and package 36,000 meals for people in our city. Please click HERE to support this event and to register your entire family to participate. Don’t miss this incredible day at Grace!
Mark Your Calendars for Christmas Eve at Grace
Christmas Eve Worship, December 24
- 3 p.m. Kids Christmas Celebration: A Not-So-Silent Night! service
in the Sanctuary
- 3 p.m. Traditional service with Communion in the Founders’ Chapel
- 5 p.m. Contemporary service with candle lighting in the Sanctuary
- 7 p.m. Grace en Español service with Communion and candle lighting
in the Founders’ Chapel
- 7 p.m. Traditional service with candle lighting in the Sanctuary
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Christmas Poinsettia Donations
Every Advent, the Grace Sanctuary is filled with poinsettias given in honor or in memory of someone. Now through December 16, you may purchase a poinsettia on the website: gpch.org/poinsettia. Donations that do not accompany the proper form cannot be guaranteed for inclusion in the Christmas Eve bulletin.
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Surprise Wall
The sermon series for Advent and Christmas is “While We Wait.” Together, the Grace family will explore ways to prepare for the promise of this season while we wait for the birth of our Savior. There will be a Surprise Wall display in the narthex through December 23. On that wall 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” while we are waiting for Christmas. Share your stories on social media of how you are making Jesus visible in the waiting days of Advent with #whilewewait.
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Christmas in the Courtyard
December 16 (9:30-10 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)
December 23 (8:30-11:30 a.m)
Join us to celebrate the season with Christmas in the Grace Courtyard, complete with a hot chocolate bar and cookies, and opportunities to support Kendleton Farms/Elijah Rising (pecans and decorative candles), the Guatemala School Project, and the Grace Girls High School in Kenya.
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Stewardship
Although the official Stewardship season will commence January 27 through Commitment Sunday on February 10, please keep in mind that your generosity is important to Grace’s year-end giving.
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December 30 Worship
One Service at 10 a.m.
Our worship service on December 30 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.
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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. |
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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: on our homepage or live on our Facebook page.
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The Backyard
and TreeHouse
Mission Project:
Children's Hunger Fund
We have collected more than $600! That’s 2,400 meals! Thank you Preschool and Elementary Families! Bring back all your change for Project Coin Pak (Children's Hunger Fund) THIS SUNDAY, Dec. 16. Every 25 cents added to the box provides 1 meal for a hungry child! |
Confirmation 2019
January 6-May 12, 2019, 10:15-11:30 a.m.
Learning Center, Room 206
We will utilize Scripture and the Church Creeds to guide students through the story of God and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and a member of His church. Each student will come to understand the scope of the narrative of Scripture, write a personal Story of Faith, and answer the 40 Questions of Faith from their Catechism journal. The class will be led by The Rev. Chad Erb and the Student Ministries staff: Lindsey McDonald, Reed Brentlinger, Angie Williamson, and Matt Davis. Upon successful completion of the class, your student will become a full member of Grace Presbyterian Church. For more information and registration, please click HERE. |
Inspire! Spring Bible Study
Registration Open Now
The Christmas season is rich with opportunities to learn how God's relentless love for us gave us the perfect gift. Women’s Ministries members encourage you to slow down this season and ponder the Greatest Gift of All: Immanuel — God with Us — Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We also look forward to sharing more of God’s great love story in 2019. So, mark your calendars and sign up HERE for our women’s bible studies that will start in January. Until then, our prayer is that the hope, love, joy and peace of Christmas will surround you, and you will be the light that brings this Good News to those who need to hear it. |
Children's Ministries Events:
- Dec. 16 — Grace Kids Musical (GKM) for the City at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary
- Dec. 23 – The Backyard and TreeHouse Sunday School Pajama Party
- Dec. 24 — Kids Christmas Celebration: A Not-So-Silent Night! worship at 3 p.m. in the Sanctuary
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High School
Spring Break Ski Trip
March 9-15, 2019
Grab your mittens and beanie, dust off your snow boots, and wash your long-johns because we are going skiing! We are excited to announce that Grace’s High School Ministry is headed to Monarch Mountain in beautiful Colorado for Spring Break. For more detailed information, please click HERE. A $200 non-refundable deposit is due upon registration. Registration closes January 15, 2019. For more information, please contact Matt Davis (mdavis@gpch.org; 713-267-8704). |
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While We Wait | Blessing Opportunities
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West Houston Assistance Ministries Collection
Provide Christmas Meals
Donate food items or $25 HEB or Kroger gift cards. Families in need will receive a gift card plus all the fixings to accompany the main dish they will purchase with the gift card. Please donate: canned vegetables, canned fruit and yams, potatoes or stuffing mix, broth, canned fruit pie fillings, cake mix and icing, canned or dry gravy mix.
Donate New Warm Blankets
for the Homeless
Provide a nice warm blanket (fleece, flannel, or cotton) to be shared with the homeless this holiday season.
Blankets can be dropped off at WHAM’s main entrance that faces Meadowglen (10501 Meadowglen Lane, Houston 77042). Please ring the doorbell if the attendant isn't there, and ask for Sonya Scott or Kim Hill. For additional information, please contact Judy Dewey (judydewey@att.net; 713-502-1945).
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California Wildfire Response -
Donate Gift Cards
Please donate gift cards (Target, Walmart or general VISA gift card) to the people of California. Let us join together to offer hope and encouragement to those navigating the destruction and loss from the current raging California wildfires covering over 150,000 acres. Grace Presbyterian will make sure donated cards are distributed by a local church to people in the impacted areas. Please drop off gift cards on Sunday mornings at the Welcome Center in the Sanctuary foyer or at the receptionist desk during the week. For questions, please contact Karen Anderson (karenanderson10@aol.com; 281-989-3812). |
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Star of Hope Drive -
Cases of Water
Please help us reach our goal!
Star of Hope’s supply of water bottles to be handed out to the homeless is extremely low. To meet this need, Star of Hope has asked Grace to collect cases of water bottles for Christmas. Please bring a case of 24 twelve-once water bottles to be dropped off in the courtyard on Sundays or inside Massey-Tucker Hall during the week through December 16. Please help us reach our goal of 84 cases. For more information, contact Chris French (cfrench@gpch.org; 713-267-5039).
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Young Lives Initiative
of Young Life – Prepare and Serve a Christmas Meal
Join with others from Grace to prepare a Christmas meal for Young Lives. Young Lives is a ministry of Young Life especially for teen moms and their babies. Young Lives provides teen girls with timely encouragement, guidance and ongoing support by modeling Jesus Christ’s love through the investment of time and walking alongside teen moms through their lives. The date to serve is the evening of December 13. To sign up, please contact Debbie Kaplan at debbiekaplan@att.net.
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The Santa Tree is Back
Share the joy of Christmas by simply sending a card. There is a small tree adorned with lights and Christmas labels in the Sanctuary Lobby. On each label, there is the name and address of members who would be blessed by receiving a call or a card during the Christmas season. We invite you to make Jesus visible by sharing the love this Christmas. |
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Mission Trip Opportunity: Haiti with Living Water International
Grace is excited to send two teams to Northern Haiti in 2019. Team One will travel February 10-16 and Team Two will go March 24-30. Each team will drill a clean water well, lead hygiene and sanitation classes and share the gospel with the local community. For more information, answers to commonly asked questions, and to watch a video about the need for clean water in Haiti, please click HERE. |
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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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Stephen Ministry - Get in On the Action
Would you like to be part of a ministry that makes a real difference in others’ lives when they need it most? Consider becoming a Stephen Minister. Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who provide one-on-one caring ministry to people experiencing grief, divorce, loneliness, job loss, hospitalization and many other life difficulties. Stephen Minister training equips you to do an excellent job as a Stephen Minister as well as to improve the quality of all your own relationships. Once equipped, Stephen Ministers are prayerfully matched with people going through a stressful time or life difficulty. A Stephen Minister meets with this person once a week for about an hour to listen, care, encourage and pray. If you want to learn more about how to become a Stephen Minister, call Susan Jernigan at 713-582-3332 or Denise Phelps (dphelps@gpch.org; 713-267-5063).
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Looking Ahead in 2018… SAVE the DATE!
December 16, Grace Kids Musical & Christmas for the City Habitat Build – ONE Worship Service at 10 a.m.
December 24, Christmas Eve Services:
• 3 p.m. Traditional worship with Communion in The Founders’ Chapel
• 3 p.m. Kids Christmas Celebration: A Not-So-Silent Night! in the Sanctuary
• 5 p.m. Contemporary worship in the Sanctuary
• 7 p.m. Traditional worship in the Sanctuary
• 7 p.m. Grace en Español worship in The Founders’ Chapel
December 30, ONE worship service at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary
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