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With Joy
This week we find ourselves in the middle of the Season of Advent. The third candle focuses our attention on joy, which reminds us that we can joyfully celebrate the birth of our Savior as we wait with joy for Christ’s promised return at the end of time.
But what is joy? And how can we have it? I recently read this quote: “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things.”
Psalm 16:11 states, “...in God’s presence there is fullness of joy.” Having joy comes from being in the presence of the Lord. It is being face to face with the radiance of God that assures us that our Lord is in control when things all around us seem messy and disruptive. When we position ourselves before Jesus, who is Emmanuel -- God with us -- we can have a perspective of joy... a sincere gladness.
This perspective of joy propels us to live for Christ. These past couple of weeks I have seen this joy beautifully displayed through YOU, the people of Grace.
The week before Thanksgiving more than 280 hot meals were prepared and served by YOU, which included 50 Grace volunteers of all ages from 5 to 70. This was made possible by the people of Grace, their contribution of more than $500, and our significant partnership with West Houston Assistance Ministries.
Then on the morning of Thanksgiving, beginning at 6 a.m., YOU and more than 250 volunteers from the greater community prepared and personally delivered 1,403 Operation Turkey Thanksgiving meals to those in need across West Houston.
This past Sunday, YOU, through your purchases & donations, contributed nearly $10,000 through Christmas in the Courtyard to support:
This Sunday, December 15, YOU have another opportunity to come into the presence of God and serve together at our fourth annual Christmas for the City event. We will gather to worship for one single service at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary. Grace Kids Music, the contemporary worship band, and the chancel choir have been collaborating to create an environment of worship that will indeed bring us face to face with the Lord and His joy will propel us out to serve together with Habitat for Humanity and Kids’ Meals Inc., to bless others across the city of Houston.
As of this morning, we have 250 people registered. We need YOU! Please sign up ASAP HERE. Registration closes Thursday at midnight.
Thank you for joyfully giving your time, talents, and money! I look forward to worshiping and serving alongside of you this Sunday.
Peace,
Chris
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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
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 For The City
T-Shirt Sales
Sunday, December 15,
8:30-9:30 a.m., Grace Courtyard
You can purchase official Christmas for the City shirts for $10 this week! We have both adult and children’s sizes available.
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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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Toy Drive
For Christmas For The City
Put on your Santa hats and let's load up his sleigh! Help us provide a toy for a child at the Kids' Meals Christmas Party. Bring new, unwrapped toys to the donation boxes near the reception desk now through Dec. 15. We'll sort and wrap everything during Christmas for the City. For more information, contact Lisa Ann Henkel (lhenkel@gpch.org; 713-267-5015).
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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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Gingerbread House Decorating Day
Saturday, December 21, 10-11:30 a.m., Massey-Tucker Fellowship Hall
Children’s Ministries invites EVERYONE to our Gingerbread House Decorating Day! And by everyone, we mean families, couples, your best girlfriends group..., you get the idea. Register your whole party, and pay for the number of houses you want to take home. Every $15 gets you a pre-baked, pre-built house with icing and enough holiday candy to create your perfect Christmas creation. Buy one house for the group, or get everyone their own and make a friendly competition to see who can come up with the most creative concoction. We’ll clean everything up at the end! For more information, contact Lisa Ann Henkel (lhenkel@gpch.org; 713-267 5015). Register HERE.
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Christmas For The City
Sunday, December 15
We are excited for the entire church to come together for our 4th annual Christmas for the City. This year will feature the return of the wall build with Habitat for Humanity, continue our relationship with Kids’ Meals, Inc. to pack meals and wrap gifts, and support our partnership with West Houston Assistance Ministries as we collect blankets, jackets, and socks.
Here is our schedule:
- 10:00 a.m. Worship: One combined worship service featuring Grace Kids Music
- 11:15 a.m. Check-in and purchase your lunch
- 11:30 a.m. Lunch catered by Demeris BBQ
- 12:30 p.m. Welcome & Prayer before Work projects begin
- 4:30 p.m. Wrap-up and clean-up
There will be service opportunities for all ages. You can register to serve and to provide financial support for our efforts HERE. The service registration deadline is TOMORROW, December 12, at midnight.
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Christmas Donation Sunday
Sunday, December 15
This year your donations will support our partner West Houston Assistance Ministries. Bring all your donations with you on our Christmas for the City big day! Many of WHAM’s clients sleep outside during the winter, unprotected from the cold. They need our help. Let us blanket them with love by donating:
- blankets
- jackets, and
- socks for homeless men and women.
Donations will be collected in designated bins on December 15. For more information, contact Nancy Bailey at nbailey@gpch.org; 713-267-5035).
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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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Now You Can Give
On the Go!
In less time than it takes to write a check, you now 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
12/15 - No Sunday School - GKM and Christmas for the City
12/22 - Sunday School - The Nativity Story - Pajama Party Birthday Bash for Jesus (wear your jammies to The Backyard/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.
12/15 - No Sunday School - GKM and Christmas for the City
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 Sundays.
12/15 - No Sunday School - GKM and Christmas for the City
12/22 - Reindeer Games
12/29 - No Sunday School - Jazz Sunday
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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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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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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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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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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 15, Grace Kids Musical & Christmas for the City:
ONE Worship Service at 10 a.m.
December 15, WHAM Christmas Donation Day
December 15, Christmas for the City: Habitat Build and Kids' Meals, Inc. projects
December 21, Gingerbread House Decorating Day
December 22, Pajama Party Birthday Bash for Jesus in The Backyard/TreeHouse — wear jammies to 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 |
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