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What's Love Got to Do with It?
I have been doing some thinking lately—scary thought, I know—but it has actually been healthy. I have been reflecting on this word LOVE—not just because today is Valentine’s Day—but also because it is such a powerful word. Love can disappoint; love can energize; love has costs; love can hurt, and love can bring abundant joy. In our culture today, I wonder if we take for granted the depth of love—both our expectations for it as well as our capacity to receive it. Perhaps that is why I have been so convicted by this question: “What’s love got to do with it?”
In 1 Corinthians 13, it seems as though Paul just suddenly begins talking about the characteristics of LOVE? Why would he spend so much time talking about the various gifts given by the Spirit and then throw a description of LOVE in there? Why would he spend so much time discussing the Church and its similarities to the human body—many parts but still one body…and then talk about LOVE?
What’s love got to do with it? I think Paul would answer: “Love has everything to do with it!”
Here is why. Take a look at what Paul said as the lead-in to what he had to say about love. He said at the end of chapter 12: “And yet I will show you the most excellent way.” The Greek for “excellent way” is more literally translated “beyond comparison.” The way that Paul was getting ready to share with the Corinthian church was a way like no other—it was a way to live and be the church that had no match. It was and still is the way that was modeled by our Lord. It was and is a way of AGAPE—love that is not an emotion but instead an action. It is unconditional, selfless—servant love.
Notice that Paul didn’t write: “Trey is patient, John is kind. Kim doesn’t envy nor does she boast, Lori isn’t proud.” Nor did Paul write, “Jane is not rude, she is not self-seeking, Jim is not easily angered, he keeps no record of wrong.” Nor did he write, “Robert does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Mark always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres—Lynn never fails.”
Just put your own name there in 1 Corinthians 13 where you see the word LOVE—soon you, like me, will be made a deceiver. We can’t love like this on our own. This kind of love is one WE cannot yield, but God’s love is also a love we cannot resist!
What’s love got to do with it? Love has everything to do with everything. The key to this kind of love is living as loved people. It’s having a deposit made before you ever write a check. It is being filled up with a love that is worth giving. 1 John 4:19 says, “We love because He first loved us.” You see, the love about which Paul wrote is not ours—it is God’s.
We can build another building or another five buildings—but if there is not love in them—they are just buildings. We can teach a Sunday school class—but if there is no love—we are simply talking heads. We can cook 500 meals and serve them to the homeless—but if there is no love, it is simply KP duty. We can quote Bible verses to new Christians—but if there is no love it comes across as pious. We can continue to grow in the number of people who call Grace their church home—but if there is no love, we are nothing more than a social club.
I challenge you to consider the question again: “What’s love got to do with it?” I can tell you this—it had everything to do with my forgiveness and salvation—what about you?
Peace, Trey |
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Stewardship 2019
Last Sunday was 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
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). |
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 1
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. Traditional worship, The Founders’ Chapel
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 17
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 help me.
The Centurion • Matthew 8:5-13 |
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. |
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.
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 17
Bible Story: Give a Little Bit (Feeding 5,000) • John 6:1-13
Bottom Line: Use what you have 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
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 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. |
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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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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 23, World Water Day 5K and Living Water Open
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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