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That Time of Year
It is that time of year — time to write thank you notes. My parents raised me to always write a thank you note for every gift I received. Whether it was from a relative I never saw or a friend down the street, it didn’t matter. If I received a gift, I was to write a thank you note. Now I must admit, that was not always what I wanted to do, particularly as a young boy. And admittedly, some of my thank you notes reflected my lack of enthusiasm:
“Dear Nana, Thank you for the neat pair of socks. Love, Trey.”
“Dear Jim, I really love the compass you gave me for Christmas. Love, Trey.”
However, to this day, I am grateful for the discipline of writing thank you notes that my parents instilled in me. The last time I checked, we all appreciate hearing a word of thanks.
Therefore, my message this week is one of THANKS. Thank you for your continued faithfulness. Thank you for your patience throughout the construction process. Thank you for your prayers for me and the staff. Thank you for your prayers for Grace. Thank you for your words of encouragement and appreciation for how our campus is taking shape. Thank you for volunteering on Sunday during GKM and at Christmas for the City. My list is endless!
This time of year also invites us to remember the most precious gift we have ever been given. Of course, it is the gift of life we have in Jesus Christ. However, unlike a pair of “neat socks” or a plastic compass, Jesus is the gift that keeps on giving. He is the One who gives sight to the blind. He is the One who heals the broken hearted. He is the One that loves the unlovable. He is the One who gave His life in order that we might have life eternal.
I am reminded of the story of one Christmas morning when a little girl named Lisa unwrapped a beautiful golden-haired doll her grandmother had given her. “It’s such a pretty doll,” Lisa squealed excitedly, hugging her new toy. “Oh, thank you, Grandma!"
Lisa played with her new doll throughout the day. But as bedtime approached, she put it down and sought out one of her old dolls. Its hair had come off, its nose was broken, one eye was gone, and an arm and leg were torn. But Lisa cradled the tattered old doll in her arms. “Well, well,” smiled Grandma. “It looks as though you like that old doll the best.” Lisa said, “No Grandma, I like the beautiful new doll you gave me, but I love this old doll the most, because if I didn’t love her no one else would.”
Friends, each of us is tattered in various ways yet God loved us when no one else would. What a gift!
How will you say “thank you” to the Lord today?
I hope to see you Sunday.
Peace,
Trey
P.S. Thank you, in advance, for your year-end giving to Grace. It will make a difference!
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SOMETHING IS BREWING AT GRACE!
Beginning Sunday, December 22, we are thrilled to announce the soft opening of Sacred Heart Coffee in our newly renovated Welcome Center.
Sacred Heart Coffee is a social enterprise of our mission partner, Attack Poverty. They produce premium hand-roasted coffee while providing needed employment, skill development, and connections for the under and unemployed of the Houston Community. Our unique partnership with Sacred Heart Coffee enables us to make Jesus visible right here on campus as well as throughout the city.
The coffee bar will feature regular and decaf coffee and espresso drinks, teas, seasonal beverages, and occasional pastries and treats. Prices will range from $2-5, and they will accept cash or debit/credit cards.
Sacred Heart Coffee will be open each Sunday morning and will expand additional hours in the new year.
Please note, Grace will continue to offer complimentary coffee, water, lemonade, and cookies on Sunday mornings.
CHRISTMAS EVE HOURS: Sacred Heart Coffee will be open from 2:45-8 p.m.
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MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOURS!
Today's edition of Grace Weekly is the next-to-last one for the year. Next week, we pray you may fully experience the beauty and majesty of Christmas. Our final Grace Weekly for 2019 will appear on Tuesday, December 31.
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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 at 3 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Come join us early at 2:45 p.m. for a Christmas Countdown! We’ll have games, prizes, and Christmas shenanigans before the Kids Christmas Celebration starts at 3 p.m.
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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Gingerbread House Decorating Day
Saturday, December 21, 10-11:30 a.m., Massey-Tucker Fellowship Hall
We are so excited to decorate Gingerbread Houses with you on Saturday. Your response has been incredibly “sweet.” Our registration deadline is TODAY at 5 p.m. For more information, contact Traci Baudin (tbaudin@gpch.org; 281-610-0769). Register HERE.
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Create a Canned Food Christmas Tree
Tuesday, December 24, 3 p.m.
in the sanctuary
Help create a special Canned Food Christmas Tree during the offering at the Kids’ Christmas Celebration service. Bring canned food items for WHAM (West Houston Assistance Ministries) to give to families in need. Let’s “grow” the biggest Christmas tree we can out of your canned goods! For more information, contact Lisa Ann Henkel (lhenkel@gpch.org; 713-267-5015).
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Thank You
From Children's Ministries
The entire Children's Ministries team thanks everyone for their participation in and support of GKM and the Kids' Meals projects for Christmas for the City! Our GKM performers began rehearsing for the service back in October and were AMAZING on Sunday! Also in October, our Sunday school small groups began decorating lunch bags for the 7,000 meals we packed this weekend! Then we had preschoolers, teens and adults show up and show off for God by donating toys, wrapping those toys, and making more than 500 Christmas ornaments to give to Kids' Meals families. Check out all the photos on our Facebook pages: www.facebook.com/gpchelementary/ and https://www.facebook.com/gpchpreschool/.
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December 29 Worship - One Service At 10 a.m.
Our worship service on December 29 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 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 also are 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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Stewardship
Although the official Stewardship season will commence in February, please keep in mind that your generosity is important to Grace's year-end giving.
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Children's Ministries Sunday School -
December Schedule
12/22 - Sunday School - The Nativity Story - Pajama Party Birthday Bash (wear your jammies to The Backyard and TreeHouse; we will!)
12/29 - No Sunday School - Jazz Sunday
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High School
Sunday Mornings
10:15-11 a.m.
Massey-Tucker Hall, Room 207
All high school students and their friends are invited to join us for food, a fun game, and a devotion on Sundays mornings.
12/22 - Reindeer Games
12/29 - No Sunday School - Jazz Sunday
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Middle School
Sunday Mornings
10:15-11 a.m.
Massey-Tucker Hall, Room 201
All middle school students and their friends are invited to join us for food, a fun game, and a devotion on Sunday mornings.
12/22 - Reindeer Games
12/29 - No Sunday School - Jazz Sunday
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New Sunday School Class for January 2020
Beginning January 12, 10:15-11 a.m. Massey-Tucker Hall, Room A
A new Sunday School class will launch with elder Jerry Hanlon facilitating a discussion of Dallas Willard’s book, Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God. For 47 years, Dr. Willard was a Professor of Philosophy and Theology at the University of Southern California. In Hearing God, Dr. Willard explains how we might discern the will of God in and for our lives. The book’s original title, In Search of Guidance is a good four-word summary of the book’s purpose. For more information, please contact Denise Phelps (dphelps@gpch.org; 713-267-5063).
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Confirmation 2020
Sundays, January 19 - May 10, 2020
Confirmation is open to all students 8th grade and above who are interested in going through the confirmation process. The class 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.
Confirmation will meet on Sunday mornings starting January 19 through May 3 in LC 206 from 10:15-11:15 a.m. with a mandatory retreat the weekend of April 24-26. Confirmation Sunday will be held on Sunday, May 10. Students will be recognized at both the contemporary (9 a.m.) and traditional (11:15 a.m.) services. Cost is $50. Each student will receive a journaling Bible and Confirmation packet. For details and registration, click HERE. For more information, contact Phil Warman (pwarman@gpch.org; 713-267-8704).
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Here's What We're Learning in The Backyard
Bible Story: O Night Divine (Jesus Is Born) • Luke 2:1-20
Bottom Line: You can have joy because God sent His Son.
Memory Verse: Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful! • Philippians 4:4 (NIrV)
Life App: Joy — Finding a way to be happy, even when things don't go your way
Basic Truth: I can trust God no matter what.
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Here's What We're Learning in TreeHouse
Bible Story Focus: God gave us Jesus because He loves us. (Happy Birthday Jesus!) • Luke 2:1-20
Memory Verse: God has given a son to us. • Isaiah 9:6, NCV
Key Question: How do we know God loves us?
Bottom Line: God gave us Jesus.
Basic Truth: God loves me.
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Registration For Inspire Spring Bible Studies
Now Open
Join us in the Spring as we connect with one another in authentic community. Our goal is not just fellowship but to equip ourselves for living to make Jesus visible! We have weekly study opportunities for women of all ages and stages of life beginning the week of January 14. To register, please click HERE. For more information, contact Gina Enriquez (genriquez@gpch.org; 713-267-5046).
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Help Feed
Our Student Ministry
on Sundays
Everyone knows that students love to eat, so can you help feed them to make their Sunday mornings extra sweet? Please click on this Sign Up Genius to contribute. Thank you in advance for your help and for your support in making Sunday mornings an awesome time for our students!
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WHAM Food Drive
Help collect food and other necessity items for WHAM (West Houston Assistance Ministries). 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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Houston Food Bank
Saturday, January 25 from 8 a.m.-noon. Portwall Warehouse
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 (paulmancillas@gmail.com; 832-260-8329).
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Feeling Down?
Stephen Ministry Can Help
Stephen Ministers aren’t just there for “big” crises. They are also available for the little ones, because many times the little things can really add up, especially at this time of year. So don’t wait until you have a really big crisis. Consider Stephen Ministry if the little things have you feeling down. If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time, contact Denise Phelps at dphelps@gpch.org or Susan Jernigan at 713-582-3332.
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Cole Knight Missions Scholarship Nomination Form
Due January 12
The Cole Knight Missions Scholarship Fund helps pave the way for individuals in 8th -12th grade who display a servant heart and passion for serving God through serving others. Did you have an awesome teen helper at VBS? Have you seen students serving in the worship service or in other ministries at Grace or outside of Grace? Now is your chance to encourage them by nominating them for this scholarship. More information and the nomination form can be found HERE. Nominees must be in 8th-12th grade. Forms are due January 12.
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Christian-Based
Counseling Available
at Grace
Thursdays, 1-5 p.m.
Christian-based counseling sessions are available through a Licensed Professional Counselor at Grace Presbyterian Church on Thursdays from 1-5 p.m. for a nominal fee. For more information/appointments call 281-881-8512 or email donnasullivan6697@gmail.com.
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Looking Ahead in 2019… SAVE the DATE!
December 21, Gingerbread House Decorating Day
December 22, Children's Pajama Party Birthday Bash in Sunday School
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 Service 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 29, ONE worship service at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary
January 5, ONE worship service at 10 a.m.
Reception Honoring the marriage of Rev. Dr. Trey Little and Niki Smith
WHAM Food Drive
January 26, Preschool FX |
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