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Clarity
There are times when we think we know something, but we don’t really.
I am reminded of the story of a young boy, who for the third day in a row comes home from school with his pants torn. In exasperation, his frustrated mother says, “Take the pants off and go into the living room and sew them up yourself and don’t leave until it’s done.” A little later she comes back into the living room and there are the unmended pants on the living room floor and no boy. She just knows that her son has snuck out and is playing outside. Sure enough, she hears a noise in the backyard, and she goes to the back door and opens it and says, “Are you out there funning around without your pants on?” Then she hears a big deep male voice say, “No ma’am, I’m just checking the gas meter.” She knew, but she didn’t know.
Do you know why we have a Commitment Sunday every year?
It seems, more and more, that people are curious why we ask for a commitment. Why not just trust that people will give what they can give? Some say asking for a commitment is too “old school.” It’s not the way the younger generation does things. Whether it is or not, it should be — regardless of your generation, not just for practical reasons but for spiritual ones as well.
One practical reason, of course, is that financial commitments provide Grace with at least a good estimate of the church budget and how we can plan for ministry. Another practical reason is that it helps the church make commitments to others who seek our financial support.
There are also spiritual reasons—both between you and Grace and you and God. Making a commitment is both a privilege and a responsibility of being a Covenant Partner. All who call Grace their church home are integral parts of the life and ministry of Grace; together we count on each other’s commitment to realize the vision the Lord has put before us as a church. We are not just visitors or consumers, we are followers of Christ living to make Him visible.
But also, by making a prayerful commitment you are really making an offering to the Lord in an act of worship — it is a sacred agreement between you and Him. Every year, you have an opportunity to recommit to your relationship with the Lord. I am convinced that our giving is an act of worship: it is a statement of faith in Him and to Him.
Clarity: “The quality of transparency or purity.”
Friends, this Sunday at Grace is Commitment Sunday—my hope and prayer for the Grace family is that our commitments will be made with great clarity.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday.
Peace, Trey |
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Join the Choir Family
Make this your New Year’s resolution! Now is the perfect time to join the choir family. No experience necessary, and you’ll have the BEST seat in the house every Sunday! For more information, contact Stephanie Clarke (sclarke@gpch.org; 713-267-5031). |
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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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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Here's What We're Learning in
The TreeHouse
February 10
Basic Truth: Jesus wants to be my friend forever.
Key Question: Who loves you?
Bottom Line: Jesus loves me.
Memory Verse: “How wide and long and high and deep is the love of
Christ.” • Ephesians 3:18
Bible Story Focus: Jesus wants to spend time with me.
Mary and Martha • Luke 10:38-42 |
Phases: Parent Conversations
Sunday, February 10
Grace Family Ministries invites you to “Phases: Parent Conversations” this Sunday, Feb. 10, during the Sunday school hour. Our staff will visit the adult Sunday school classes to listen to parents and their needs. For more information, contact Lisa Ann Henkel (lhenkel@gpch.org; 832-808-4255). |
Middle School Galentine's Lunch
February 10, 12-2 p.m., La Madeline (10001 Westheimer)
All Middle School girls and their friends are invited to lunch at La Madeleine’s for Galentine’s Day. We’ll have some fun surprises for you, so don’t miss out. Only 25 spots available! Register HERE. |
Auction Donations Needed for Student Missions Sunday
March 31
Do you have tickets to the Astros? Do you own a fabulous vacation home? Do you have great taste in jewelry? Donate to our Student Missions Sunday Silent Auction where donations will help raise funds for Student Ministries Missions and other student programs throughout the year. Donations and donation forms may be dropped off to Angie Williamson in the Student Ministries offices and are due by Sunday, March 17. For more information about Student Missions Sunday, please click HERE. |
Save the Date! VBS 2019
June 10-13, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
This year our theme is LEVEL UP!... How are YOU gonna play the game? Mark your calendars now for the best week of the summer! |
Baseball, Softball & T-Ball Online Registration Now Open
February 1-25
Baseball, Softball and T-Ball registration is open for girls and boys in PreK4-fifth grade. Players must be in PreK4 at the time of registration. Practice begins March 4. For more information and to register, please click HERE. |
Middle School
Spring Retreat
April 5-7
We are excited to head back to one of our favorite spots in Texas with some of our favorite people, Camp Cho-Yeh! Come join us as we hang out with friends and make new ones. We will eat WAY too many snacks, play games, have awesome worship, and dive into God's Word together. Space is limited so sign up today!
We will meet at Grace on Friday, April 5, at 5 p.m. We will eat Chick-Fil-A for dinner, load up the buses and head out to Cho-Yeh. We will return on Sunday, April 7 at noon. The cost is $100. For more information, contact Reed Brentlinger (rbrentlinger@gpch.org; 713-267-5076). Register HERE. |
Encore Day Trip:
84th Annual River Oaks
Garden Club Azalea Trail
Friday, March 1
9:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Join us for a beautiful way to celebrate Spring! Following the trail tour, we will enjoy lunch at Black Walnut Cafe. The cost for the tour is $25. Payment and reservations are due by February 17. Please be at the church by 9:45 a.m. for a 10 a.m. departure. For more information, contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091). |
Here's What We're Learning in
The Backyard
February 10
Bible Story: Give Love (Meet People’s Needs) • 1 Peter 4:10-11
Bottom Line: Look for ways to serve others.
Memory Verse: “Jesus sat down and called for the 12 disciples to come to him. Then he said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last. They must be the servant of everyone.’” • Mark 9:35, NIrV
Life App: Service—Lending a hand to help someone else
Basic Truth: I should treat others the way I want to be treated. |
World Water Day 5K & Open House
Saturday, March 23, 2019, 7:30 a.m., Living Water International
Grace Student Ministries will partner for the third year in a row with Living Water International for the World Water Day 5K. This year the race will raise money to share safe water with the people of Plaine du Nord, Haiti, the same place our church will be sending a team with Living Water in both February and March.
The 5K Run/Walk: Meet us at 7:30 a.m. at Living Water International. The race starts at 8 a.m. This will be a chip-timed race with awards for the top three participants in each age group (14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and over). Stay after your run/walk to enjoy the Open House and tour the Living Water International office, meet the staff, and hear the stories of thirsty people whose lives you’ve forever changed! This activity will be fun for the whole family. Guests are welcome to stop by anytime between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Details and registration can be found HERE. Contact Lindsey McDonald (lmcdonald@gpch.org; 713-267-5067) to let us know you are participating or with any questions/comments. |
Confirmation 2019
Sundays through May 12
10:15-11:30 a.m.
Learning Center, Room 206
It’s not too late to sign up! 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. |
College Ministry
The Bridges Sunday School class is now coordinating our college ministry events throughout the year. If you have college-aged children, please contact Carey Dow (careydow@me.com; 713-822-3981) to make sure that we have their contact information so that we can let them know when events are planned. |
Sisterhood February Dinner
February 24, 5-7 p.m., home of Cathy Finck
All High School girls and their friends are invited to The Sisterhood Dinner at Cathy Finck’s house. We’ll eat some delicious food, listen to an amazing testimony, and make cards for the Arbor School Book Drive. For more information, please contact Angie Williamson (awilliamson@gpch.org; 713-703-5083). Register HERE. |
Student Ministries
Summer Mission Trips
Registration is now open for all of our Student Ministries summer mission trips. Information and registration links may be found HERE. |
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Manna from Grace
Saturday, February 9, 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Twice a month folks gather to have fun and fellowship while they prepare food for those in the family of Grace who are going through a time of illness or trial. While some of the meals are delivered, many are put in the church freezer, located right inside the portico door. These are for anyone to take when they know someone who could be blessed by one of these meals. If you would like to know about Manna from Grace, volunteering OR receiving meals, contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091). |
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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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Kenya Mission Trip Opportunity - Interest Meetings
Sundays, Feb. 10 and 17,
10-11 a.m., Church Library
Please stop by the church library and learn more about the trip to Kenya. It truly is an opportunity of a lifetime to make Jesus visible. On Feb. 10, Stu Ross will be present. We are excited that Grace is sending a team to partner with Ross, one of our Grace missionaries, to build a church and classrooms for Grace Girls School. The trip will take place on September 18 to 30. For more information, please contact Chris French (cfrench@gpch.org; 713-267-5039).
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Support Dress for Success Houston
Women of Grace will host representatives from Dress for Success Houston at our February 11 luncheon, and we need your help! Did you begin the new year by cleaning out closets? Consider donating an outfit (or two or more) to Dress for Success, which helps low-income, job-ready women prepare for interviews with coaching and clothing.
Your donations of gently used professional attire (including suits, separates, blouses, shoes, handbags, and jewelry) will make a difference in a woman's life as she takes steps to self-sufficiency. Bring your items to the Filling Station on February 3. For more information, contact Denise Phelps (dphelps@gpch.org; 713-267-5063).
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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 2019… SAVE the DATE!
February 10, Stewardship Commitment Sunday
February 10, Phases: Parent Conversations
March 1, Encore Day Trip
March 23, World Water Day 5K and Living Water Open
March 31, Student Missions Sunday
April 5-7, Middle School Retreat
June 10-13, Vacation Bible School
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