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Love Does
Bob Goff, author of Love Does, said: “If mess-ups were push-ups I would be totally ripped!”
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, a day when many men, like me, will be trying our best not to “mess up.” This quest begins with remembering that tomorrow is Valentine’s Day! It continues with the search for the perfect card filled with the most eloquent words, followed by the purchase of a thoughtfully chosen gift or beautiful bouquet of flowers. Finally, an outing to enjoy an elegant dinner will surely be the icing on the cake. All of which is done to express our love for our “Valentine.”
But what if we didn’t do all of that? Would that be a “mess-up?” I guess it depends who you ask.
It seems to me that what is of paramount importance is that we LOVE. Love does amazing things with mess-ups.
Romans 5:8 reminds us: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.”
God’s love for you cannot be purchased at a store nor is it limited to a Hallmark day on the calendar. God loves you because it is who God is. He chose to love you, mess-ups and all, in order that you would be a winsome lover of people. When we know beyond a shadow of doubt that we are loved, it frees us up to fiercely love others.
However, love is more frequently something we say rather than something we do. Our approach to love can be like a blink of an eye, something we think will just happen. It’s like a breath; we just assume love is going to be there when we need it. But love also can be like an extension cord. It has the possibility to bring electricity to far-away places but if it is not plugged in, it is useless.
You may be wondering what your sweetheart is going to get you. But you may also be dreading tomorrow because you are in a season in which there is not a sweetheart in your life. Wherever you find yourself on that spectrum, please see yourself as LOVED.
1 John 4:15-16: “If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so, we know and rely on the love God has for us.”
My hope and prayer for you today -- and tomorrow -- and every day, is that you will never forget what God’s love has DONE for you. But also, I hope that remembering this will propel you to love others well.
Rick Warren puts it this way: “No matter how you’ve loved or been loved in the past, you can become amazing at loving others.”
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
Peace,
Trey
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For the month of February, we are excited to gather together in our 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Sanctuary worship services as we explore our new sermon series, “But Wait, There’s More.” This sermon series will highlight incredibly powerful Stories of Grace each week, and we believe it blesses the body of Christ to experience the power of these testimonies together. Our 9 a.m. Traditional Chapel service resumes on Sunday, March 1.
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Watch Our Stories of Grace
The past two weeks in worship, we have heard powerful Stories of Grace from Grace members. If you missed them, watch them here:
Week 1 with Terry Looper and Jenny Gottschalk -- Click HERE (Start at 50 min mark).
Week 2 with Liz Mayberry --Click HERE (Start at 30 min mark).
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Ash Wednesday Worship and Lunch
February 26, 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 MT Fellowship Hall following the service for a suggested donation of $7.
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Starting Point
Sunday, March 1
Interested in joining the Grace church family? Meet the Session elders at the front of the Sanctuary after the service that morning.You’ll find out more about Grace, complete some simple paperwork, be received into membership of this amazing church by the elders and learn about next steps. For more information, contact Beth Craig (bcraig@gpch.org, 713-267-5012).
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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.
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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Calling All
Dramatic Readers!
If you have a heart for scripture and a voice that is willing to read expressively and publicly, we would love to have you serve in worship. People of all ages, stages and abilities are welcome. If you are interested, please email Heather Kaemingk.
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Sacred Heart Coffee
at Grace!
We hope you have had a chance to enjoy Sacred Heart Coffee in our newly renovated Welcome Center. Sacred Heart Coffee is a social enterprise of our mission partner, Attack Poverty. 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 features regular and decaf coffee and espresso drinks, teas, seasonal beverages, and occasional pastries and treats. We are thrilled they will be expanding their hours of operation in March.
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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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Rec Sports
Baseball/T-Ball/Softball
Registration Open Now
Registration is open now through February 20 for Spring baseball, T-ball, and softball. Click HERE for more information and registration.
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How to Do Lent
with the Family
Sunday, February 16, 10:15 a.m.
LC-207
The Children's Ministries team will visit the Foundations/Home Improvement Sunday School class to share ways to make Lent a tender time for your family. For more information, contact Lisa Ann Henkel (lhenkel@gpch.org).
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Here's What We're Learning in TreeHouse
February 16
Bible Story Focus: Jesus is our friend even when no one else is. (The Unloved Woman) • John 8:2-11
Memory Verse: Love each other as I have loved you. • John 15:12, NIV
Key Question: Who does Jesus love?
Bottom Line: Jesus loves everyone.
Basic Truth: Jesus wants to be my friend forever.
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Here's What We're Learning in The Backyard
February 16
Bible Story Focus: Never Gonna Give You Up (Love Your Enemies) • Matthew 5:43-47
Bottom Line: Love others because they matter to God.
Memory Verse: Here is what love is. It is not that we loved God. It is that he loved us and sent his Son to give his life to pay for our sins. • 1 John 4:10 (NIrV)
Life App: Choosing to treat others the way you want to be treated
Basic Truth: I should treat others the way I want to be treated.
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MS/HS Sunday School This Week
February 16
We will have our regular MS/HS Sunday school schedule in MT-201/207. However, we will NOT have confirmation class. (Eighth graders should go to MS in 201.)
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No Crowded House
February 16
Crowded House will not meet this Sunday night, but will return on Feb. 23 at the same homes as January.
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Mandatory Meeting for Confirmation Class Parents
Sunday, February 23, 10:15-11:05 a.m. Middle School Room, MT-201
Darren Price, principal of Houston Christian High School, will speak on “Teens andTechnology.” Parents of middle school and high school students are also invited to join the discussion. For more information, contact Phil Warman (pwarman@gpch.org) or Dorothy Hobbs (dhobbs@gpch.org).
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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 support in making Sunday mornings an awesome time for our students!
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Encore Day Trip
to Houston Livestock Show & Fairgrounds
March 16, 9:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Grab your boots and hats as we travel to the Houston Livestock Show and Fairgrounds. Please be at the church at 9:15 a.m. for a 9:30 a.m. departure. We will return to Grace around 3:30 p.m. Cost is $17, and payment is due by Sunday, March 1. For more information, contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091).
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Student Mission Sunday
Join Student Ministries as they Tee Up for Student Mission Sunday! There are many ways to get in on the fun:
- Donate tickets, vacation homes, hunting opportunities, or creative works to our Silent Auction.
- Purchase golf balls in the Welcome Center for a chance to win $1,000 at the Ball Drop!
- Register a team or just register yourself for some fun and friendly competition at Top Golf.
- Try your hand for a Hole in One at the event for a chance to win $10,000.
Do you just wonder what Student Mission Sunday is all about? Ask students and organizers at the Welcome Desk on Sundays. All proceeds from the day's events benefit this summer's student mission trips equipping our students to make Jesus visible. For more information, please click HERE or contact Phil Warman (pwarman@gpch.org; 713-267-8704).
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Middle School/High School Summer Mission Trips
Middle School: June 21-26,
High School: July 19-24
Grace Middle and High School Ministries will partner with Blueprint Ministries in San Antonio this summer. Blueprint Ministries is a non-profit organization in urban San Antonio providing servant leadership training for youth and adults while restoring homes for elderly, disabled and low-income residents. Register HERE. For more information, contact Phil Warman (pwarman@gpch.org; 713-267-8704).
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Graduating Seniors Mission Trip
June 20-27
Grace Student Ministries’ Graduating Seniors will partner with Yucatan Peninsula Ministries (YPM) in Leona Vicario, Quintana Roo, Mexico (35 mins. SW of Cancun). Register HERE. For more information, contact Phil Warman (pwarman@gpch.org; 713-267-8704).
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VBS Save the Date
Are you ready for VBS 2020? It’s almost time to “Focus: Take a Closer Look” at God’s love for us. Plan to join us June 8-11. Registration for volunteers and kids will open on April 1.
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Books for Development Needs Volunteers
February 15, 1-3 p.m.
leaving Grace at 12:15 p.m.
Books for Development collects used books from the Houston area to give to kids in third world countries. The organization needs volunteers to sort and pack books for Stu Ross and other missionaries who provide them to primary and secondary students. A sign-up sheet is in the Connection Center (Welcome Center breezeway) for our first trip to the book warehouse on February 15 from 1-3 p.m. Our group will leave Grace at 12:15 p.m. For more information, contact Diana Peper (713-291-0325).
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Guatemala Mission Trip Meeting
Sunday, February 23, 10:15-11:05 a.m. MT Fellowship Hall B
Do you want to be part of an incredible mission that will impact the lives of hundreds of Guatemalan children? Come to this information meeting to hear about the progress on building a school, a financial revenue update, and how to join the mission trip team. The trip is planned for April 18–25, just one week after Easter — a perfect time to live out the great commission.
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Hearts Beading for Kenya
Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m.
Massey-Tucker Hall Rm. 102
Hearts Beading for Kenya is back! Join us Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. New beaders are welcome, and no experience is necessary. Come for fun and fellowship. We meet in Massey Tucker, Rm. 102. For more information, contact Margaret Ellis (713-501-5140).
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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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School Market Food Pantry at Revere Middle School
Friends of Westchase and The Houston Food Bank have partnered to bring a mobile School Market food pantry to Paul Revere Middle School on the first and third Tuesday of each month. The market is open to anyone in the community and provides fresh and frozen food as well as shelf stable and personal items. The market is run by students but adult volunteers are needed to help with client intake and general assistance. A brief training is required for volunteers. Please contact Ellen Gonzalez (Ellen.stitzer@gmail.com) if you are interested in volunteering!
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English as a Second Language at Walnut Bend Elementary
Friends of Westchase is starting an English as a Second Language (ESL) class at Walnut Bend Elementary School for members of our community who wish to learn or improve their English. Volunteers are needed to help provide teaching support and assistance with the weekly classes which are held at WBE from 3-4 p.m. on Wednesdays. No teaching experience is necessary. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Nancy Bailey (nancy@friendsofwestchase.org).
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Welcome Home Jazzie, Igor, and Mila Claire!
Mission Partners Jazzie and Igor Mukha along with their daughter Mila Claire will be in Houston to visit with their Grace family February 14–March 3. When you see them, please welcome them and find time to hear ministry updates. Jazzie (from Serbia) and Igor (from Ukraine) serve with YWAM (Youth With a Mission) and have been in France since 2008. Their ministry includes building relationships with people in their community through evangelism, small groups, Bible studies, programs like VBS bilingual camp for children and Christmas concerts. Their desire is to see God’s kingdom come in Europe with many lives changed and transformed by the power of Gospel! If you would like to connect with them while they are in Houston, please contact Chris French.
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Feeling Down?
Stephen Ministry Can Help
Stephen Ministers: The After People
People often ask, “What exactly is a Stephen Minister?” One way to put it is that Stephen Ministers are the After People.
Stephen Ministers are there:
…after the phone call you hoped you’d never get.
…after the funeral, when everyone has left and the emotions you’ve held at bay come crashing in on you.
…after the doctor says, “I’m sorry, but there is nothing more we can do.”
…after the nursing home director shakes your hand and says, “Welcome to your new home.”
…after the last child honks the horn, waves, and drives away—and the house seems suddenly empty.
…after the gavel comes down, the handcuffs go on, and your loved one is led away.
…after the baby arrives, demanding more of you than you ever dreamed possible.
…after you find a pink slip with your final paycheck.
…after your family and friends have heard your story one too many times, but you still need to talk it out.
Stephen Ministers are the After People. They are ready to come alongside you—or your friends, neighbors, coworkers, or relatives—and provide comfort and support for as long after as needed.
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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Looking Ahead in 2020… SAVE the DATE!
February 15, Parents' Night Out
February 23, Confirmation Parent Meeting
February 23, Guatemala Mission Trip Meeting
February 26, Ash Wednesday Service and Lunch
March 16, Encore Day Trip
March 29, Student Mission Sunday
June 8-11, VBS
June 20-27, Graduating Seniors Mission Trip
June 21-26, Middle School Mission Trip
July 19-24, High School Mission Trip
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