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Keeping Pace
“I don’t know how you maintain this pace.” Those were my mother’s sentiments when she recently stayed in my home for a couple of days while in town for a visit. She observed my daily schedule that includes early morning beginnings that often extend into late evenings. I would like to think that she just caught me at a busy time, but the reality is that kind of pace is more the norm than the exception.
Throughout my life, I have been a driven person with an abundance of energy. That combination may seem like a positive, but if I am being honest, it can be exhausting. Likewise, there are times I wonder who is actually determining my pace of life. Do I feel a need to be busy all of the time for the sake of appearances; does that determine importance or work ethic? Am I concerned that if I were to intentionally slow down my pace of life, I would be viewed as an underachiever?
How is your pace of life?
Ash Wednesday is March 6, which marks the beginning of the Lenten season: a 40-day period of repentance and renewal in preparation for the joyful celebration of the Risen Lord. Over the years, many Christians have considered Lent as a time to “give up” something. Some choose to give up chocolate while others give up alcohol. Some may give up soft drinks while others choose to give up pizza. The idea is that in giving something up, we will be experiencing just a taste of Jesus’ suffering on our behalf. But perhaps we can take the time to focus on the significance of Christ’s passion as well as His sacrificial death and life-giving resurrection.
This Lenten season I would like to suggest that you consider your pace of life. Rather than “giving up,” what if we choose to “take up” a Sacred Pace? What if we take up the privilege of living as people who have been given life through Christ’s death and resurrection? What if we take up the countless opportunities to bring value into this world rather than allowing a frantic pace to compromise our values? You see, often times our decision making is negatively impacted as we try to keep up the frenzied pace.
Therefore, I want to invite you to join me on a 40-day journey — a Sacred Pace, if you will. I encourage you to read the book titled Sacred Pace: Four Steps to Hearing God and Aligning Yourself with His Will. The author of the book is Terry Looper, a member of Grace as well as an Elder in our church. Thirty-five years ago, his fast-paced life came to a screeching halt. Out of this experience came a deep longing to know God and to live differently. Sacred Pace traces his journey of slowing down to discern God’s will and outlines a biblically based approach to decision-making.
You may choose to read this book alone or with neighbors, friends and/or co-workers. My only request is that you read it!
For your convenience, we will have books available for purchase on Sunday, March 3 for $10. I should also point out that all the proceeds from the books we sell here at Grace will go toward supporting the mission component of Grace’s Vacation Bible School this June.
Friends, together may we learn to keep pace — Sacred Pace, that is. I look forward to our journey together.
Hope to see you on Sunday.
Peace, Trey |
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Stewardship 2019
Two weeks ago we celebrated our Stewardship Commitment Sunday! If you have not turned in your pledge card, it’s not too late! You may mail it to the church office, bring it to worship on Sunday, or pledge online at www.gpch.org/gratitude. God’s grace is powerfully at work here. There are new members, new conversions, new ministry opportunities all rising up from God’s grace at work in and through people like you. What a privilege it is to be able to respond. Thank you for committing your time, talents and treasures to the mission and ministry at Grace. |
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Ash Wednesday
Worship and Lunch
Wednesday, March 6, Noon
The Founders' Chapel
Invite co-workers and friends for a 30-minute service to mark the beginning of Lent in worship with the imposition of ashes. Lunch will be served in the Church Library following the service for a suggested donation of $7. |
Join the Choir Family
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). |
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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Holy Week and Easter Schedule
Maundy Thursday, April 18
7 p.m., Sanctuary
Good Friday, April 19
7 p.m., Sanctuary
Easter Sunday, April 21:
6:30 a.m. Sunrise worship, the Courtyard
9 a.m. Contemporary worship, Sanctuary
10:15-11 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt for Children, Grace Athletic Fields
11:15 a.m.Traditional worship, Sanctuary
11:15 a.m. Grace en Español, The Founders’ Chapel |
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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Here's What We're Learning in
The TreeHouse
February 24
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 loves me no matter what. (The Thankful Woman) • Luke 7:36-50 |
Sisterhood Dinner
in February
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. |
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. |
Baseball, Softball & T-Ball Online Registration
Now Open
Deadline February 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. |
McKechnie Scholarships
The Grace Presbyterian Church Endowment Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the fourth year of scholarship awards from the Grace Church’s endowment funds. In 2018, the board awarded scholarships to four students attending Grace School and 25 students attending fourteen different US colleges and universities. The funds for these scholarships come from the General Endowment Fund for Grace Church and the David G. McKechnie Scholarship Fund. The scholarships are funded from the income produced by these two Endowment Funds, so funds available are totally dependent on the income produced from the two fund balances. The application for 2019 scholarships is available HERE.
If you want to make a gift to the Grace Church General Endowment Fund to assist in building the capacity of the endowment to fund these scholarships and other needs of Grace Church outside of the annual operating budget, you may contact Hardie Morgan at the church office. The McKechnie Scholarship Fund is closed to new gifts, so all new gifts will need to be made to the General Endowment Fund. |
Here's What We're Learning in
The Backyard
February 24
Bible Story: Secret Service (Give in Secret) • Matthew 6:1-4
Bottom Line: Serve others without looking for applause.
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. |
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! |
World Water Day 5K & Open House
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. |
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. |
Encore Day Trip:
84th Annual River Oaks
Garden Club Azalea Trail
Friday, March 1
9:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
If you have registered for this trip, 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). |
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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 2019… SAVE the DATE!
March 1, Encore Day Trip
March 6, Ash Wednesday Worship Service & Lunch
March 23, World Water Day 5K and Living Water Open
March 31, McKechnie Scholarship Deadline
March 31, Student Missions Sunday
April 5-7, Middle School Retreat
April 18, Maundy Thursday Service
April 19, Good Friday Service
April 21, Easter Services
June 10-13, Vacation Bible School
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