July 9, 2020

Positive

We have so many wonderful opportunities to make Jesus visible!
Please scroll down to see all of our announcements and highlights
in the Gather, Connect, and Bless sections of Grace Weekly.
gather
Gather

Regathering ReVision

Our focus remains on Jesus and His command to love God and love our neighbors. Our unwavering commitment to act out of deep compassionate love for each other means our response to the current spike of COVID-19 cases in Houston is to simply press pause on regathering on the Grace campus for worship.

The Session voted unanimously on June 23 to press pause on our plan to regather for in-person worship through July 12.

It does not mean we press pause on our mission to be disciples who make disciples.

We long to regather as a Grace Family. We hunger to be together as the body of Christ. But, no one predicted we would be facing such uncertain and everchanging times. Yet, this season has reminded us that the Church is so much more than a building. The Church has always been and will continue to be a body of believers called, equipped, gifted, and sent. We must continue to move forth in that mission together.

Click HERE for a detailed look at our phased plan for regathering.

Church Offices Close Temporarily
in Response to Recent COVID-19 Spike

Given the current state of COVID-19 cases in Houston, we have made the decision to close the church offices temporarily. Church employees will work from home. We will continue to broadcast our services at 10 a.m. (11 a.m. for Grace en Español) each Sunday. If you need to reach someone at the church, you may call the main number to be connected to the voicemail of the pastor on call. For administrative or financial matters, you may contact Hardie Morgan (hmorgan@gpch.org; 713-267-5028).

Some of you drop off your financial offerings at the church, and a receptionist will able to receive them at the desk in the Welcome Center. Also, gifts can be made online at www.gpch.org/give,or you can mail a check to: Grace Presbyterian Church, 10221 Ella Lee Lane, Houston, TX 77042.

Our leadership will continue to closely evaluate the local information and recommendations, and church offices will re-open accordingly.

Virtual Sunday Worship and House Worship Liturgy Guide

We continue to have one worship service in English at 10 a.m. each Sunday. The link to watch on Vimeo, YouTube, or Facebook will be posted each week on our website and social media.

We also have a House Worship Liturgy guide that you can use during our time together. You can download it HERE.

Pressing Pause On Outdoor Grace Family Worship On The Lawn

Due to the current “code red” status issued in Harris County, a decision has been made to press pause on our Outdoor Grace Family Worship event previously scheduled for July 12. We look forward to offering this event for our Grace Family when it is safe to do so.

Moments of Grace
Online Tool

Moments of Grace is an online tool to share where you see good things happening and God at work. It’s a safe place to “snapshot” a short story, a great picture, a praise, some kindness—wherever you see Jesus visible. Just click on the link HERE to write a short description of your moment and upload a picture (optional). We would love for our Grace family and beyond to see how God is moving through the moments of our congregation.

The Power of Prayer

We would love to pray for you! Click HERE to submit your prayer needs.

 

Grateful for Your Continued Support

Please know that your faithful giving to Grace’s annual budget will continue to empower us to make Jesus visible in very tangible ways.

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 HERE. Follow the prompts to create or login to your giving profile, and in just a few clicks, your contribution is made. As always, you also can mail your check to Grace (10221 Ella Lee Lane, Houston, TX 77042).
Connect
Connect

Conversations

Sunday mornings, 11:15 a.m.

This is a time when we long to be connected to the body of Christ. Our "togetherness" is a good way to fight discouragement and to keep us focused on what is real, good, and right in our lives. The Kingdom of God is breaking through in this world; we are called to be a part of the glory of God.

One of the ways we can connect together is through the new opportunity on Sunday called Conversations. Conversations will follow the sermon series by asking three questions. These questions reflect on how our lives and the Word of God come together or how they could come together when we put thought and determination in our actions. There are no deep theological questions, but there may be a few deep interpersonal reflections. These Conversations will last approximately 30-45 minutes.

We become our best selves as we grow in community that is rich in God's Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit and centered on the truth of our Savior. We hope your conversation groups will create even more questions. If they do, we have a plan. The pastor preaching on the passage will have a short video to answer all the deep questions. Again, the goal of Conversations is a discussion, more of how we live out our walk with Jesus and being honest with one another in the struggle.

Here’s how to get involved in these new Conversations:

  • If you would like to serve as a host in your neighborhood or small group, please click HERE.
  • If you would like to join on Zoom following the sermon Sundays at 11 a.m., please click HERE.

Ponder Farm-to-Table
Class is Online

Sunday mornings, 11:15 a.m.

Want to experience the freshness of God’s fruit of the Spirit? Join the Farm to Table class on Zoom at 11:15 a.m. on Sundays to Ponder a verse or two that relates to the Sunday Sermon. No preparation is necessary, but you will want your Bible and a pen and paper. Click HERE to join the Zoom.

 

Pick-Up Plans for Virtual VBS Supply Boxes

If you missed our Supply Box pick up times, come by this Sunday, July 12, from 1-3 p.m. We’ll be under the porte-cochère in front of the Welcome Center. If you haven’t registered for our Virtual VBS yet, you have one last chance! Do it before Sunday so you don’t miss the best week of the summer! Register now by clicking HERE, so we can get your supply box ready!

Celebrate with CDs

The VBS CD is available HERE and on all music streaming platforms. It includes Ivy Castle Simpson’s song “Lord’s Prayer” from our recent Sunday worship services and "Love Story" which is in this week's Worship Service!

Small Groups July 12

We WILL have Small Groups this Sunday. Visit the Children's Ministries Resources page HERE for the links for your child's group.

Videos & Activities
for TreeHouse & Backyard Kids

Find all our Children's Ministries Resources HERE. Use the Parent Guides, activity pages, and our personalized Bible Story videos to share God's love with your family.

  • Preschool at 11:15 a.m.
  • Elementary (K-3rd) at 11:30 a.m.
  • Preteens (4-5th) at 11:45 a.m.

Bible Study for Preteens: Rising 5th and 6th Graders

Preteen Girls

Children’s Ministries and Students Ministries are teaming up for an exciting Bible Study collaboration! We invite our Preteen girls and their moms (or mother figures) to register now for a short summer series beginning after VBS. We’ll Zoom together at 11 a.m. so grab a quick snack or early lunch and join us as we learn more about how “Treasured” we are by Jesus! Click HERE to register.

Preteen Guys

Children’s Ministries and Students Ministries are teaming up for an exciting Bible Study collaboration! We invite our Preteen boys and their dads (or father figures) to register now for a short summer series beginning after VBS. We’ll Zoom together at 11 a.m. so grab a quick snack or early lunch and join us as we learn more about how Jesus’ love helps us to “Level Up!” Click HERE to register.

Inspire! Summer Bible Study Now Open

Tuesdays at 10 a.m. or 7:15 p.m.
via Zoom

Just because we have to physically distance doesn’t mean we have to socially do so. Sign up to join the summer small groups for five stand-alone Bible studies by Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Lisa Harper, Kelly Minter, and Jennifer Rothschild. To register please, click HERE.

Student Ministries
Leads by Example

Until further notice we are pausing our IN-PERSON events, but we are staying connected with technology!

Summer Nights
Bible Studies

Thursdays, 7 p.m.

Middle School: July 16, 30
High School: July 9, 23

Our Summer Nights Bible studies are happening on Zoom from 7-8 p.m. Use the links below to join us:

  • Boys — Link HERE
    • Meeting ID: 868 9263 5714
    • Password: 8A$Dqm2+
  • Girls — Link HERE
    • Meeting ID: 781 867 1202
    • Password: girlsRul3!

Virtual Game Nights

Tuesdays, 7 p.m.

Middle School: July 21
High School: July 14, July 28

Every Tuesday we are gathering for a virtual game night! See our weekly emails for the zoom links!

Sunday Devo

Sundays, 11 a.m.

Instagram:

grace.middleschool & grace.highschool

Amber Sheffield will give a weekly lesson on the Middle School Instagram page, and Daniel Baudin will do the same thing on the High School Instagram page. As always, if you missed past lessons, or if you want to go back and watch them again, we post them on our YouTube channel as well HERE.

Student Ministries
Mission Experiences

Are YOU ready to serve the Houston community? We are too! We are planning a two-day Mission Trip experience for our students, (observing any country restrictions), and we want YOU to be a part of it! There are only 25 spots available for each trip. Contact Phil Warman if you have any questions! GET EXCITED!

High School:

July 29-30, Register HERE

Middle School:

August 4-5, Register HERE

Middle and High School Summer Mission Experiences are back for summer 2020! Join us in making Jesus visible in our local communities. We can't wait to serve alongside one another, with appropriate social distancing and masks, as we learn and serve others in the city of Houston. More details to come!
Bless
Bless

Blood Drive With Free COVID Antibody Test

Friday, July 24, 12:30-4:30 p.m., Saturday, July 25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Massey-Tucker Hall

Once again, we are thrilled to partner with our friends at the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. Did you know that you can save three lives with one blood donation? Due to social distancing, appointments are required. Register for an appointment HERE. When registering, please use code #1403. All donors will receive a free COVID-19 Antibody test! For more information, contact Denise Phelps (dphelps@gpch.org; 713 267-5063)

Friends of Samburu Charity Garage Sale

What a great success! Thanks to the Grace community and others who not only donated items to the sale, but braved the pandemic and helped work the sale itself. There were many moments when it was evident that God was present; one of the buyers even sang a gospel song. What a blessing! 

The event (sales + donations) raised more than $7,000 and has enabled the distribution of food rations for one month to 300 families who live in the village of Kiltamany, located just outside of the Samburu National Park. Save the date for another fundraising garage sale in October, the “Everything Holiday." You will be able to buy festive items for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and/or Easter.  More than likely, food insecurity for the time being will be an ongoing problem. Please keep the Samburu tribe of Kenya in your prayers.

Friends of Westchase

July 16, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Friends of Westchase is hosting a drive-thru food distribution at Grace on July 16. Volunteers will help sort, pack and load food for approximately 250 families! To ensure the health and safety of all, volunteers are asked to sign up in advance. Click HERE to join us!

McKechnie Scholarships Awarded

The Grace Presbyterian Church Endowment Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the fifth year of scholarship awards from the Grace Church’s endowment funds. The awards are being made by the trustees during an unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the face of a great deal of financial uncertainties. The trustees hope that the scholarship grants are a source of encouragement to the recipients.

The funds for these scholarships come from the General Endowment Fund for Grace Church and the David G. McKechnie Scholarship Fund, which are invested at the Texas Presbyterian Foundation in the Balanced 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 ability for the Endowment Trustees to grant these scholarships in 2020 is due to an income spending policy that averages the amount available for distribution over twelve quarters (three years) and not just the most recent fund balances, so that near-term balance fluctuations have a normalizing effect on the amount of distributions available.

This year the board has awarded scholarships to two students attending Grace School, three attending private Christian high schools in Houston and 20 students attending 13 different colleges and universities.  

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) may be made by contacting 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.

Love Your Neighbors

As much as you are able, within the suggested guidelines with care and compassion, reach out to your neighbors and the vulnerable to see how you can help make Jesus visible to them. The simple gesture of being connected and in community will provide great comfort to those who feel most isolated.

Social Isolation:
The Risks, Consequences and How you can Help

July 29, 12-1 p.m.

Did you know that one in five older adults suffer from social isolation? Social isolation can lead to adverse health effects including heart disease, high blood pressure, and earlier onset of dementia. There are also risk factors that lead to social isolation. During COVID-19, social isolation is becoming even more prevalent. Amazing Place’s Faith Care Connection team is presenting a Zoom presentation on July 29. If you are concerned about an older adult in your family or an older adult friend, and want to learn more about how to help, please register HERE. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

West Houston Assistance Ministries - West Houston Resource Center

Grace and Friends of Westchase are strengthening our partnership with WHAM. Here are three ways to partner with them:

  1. VOLUNTEER: Please serve at their food distribution. Sign up HERE.
  2. ONLINE: Donate much needed supplies by making a purchase on WHAM’s Amazon wish list. Items will be directly delivered to WHAM.  If you give online to WHAM, please type Grace Campaign in the comment section of the donation page.
  3. IN PERSON: Donations can be be dropped off at the food pantry from
    10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Monday-Friday at 10501 Meadowglen Lane, Houston, TX 77042. For an updated list of needed items, please click HERE.
  4. DAILY PRAYER: Check out their Facebook page and then pray specifically.

Community Resources

If you need help with supplies, counseling, safety situations or anything else, please reach out to us or to the following resources:

  • WHAM for West Houston: (713) 780-2727
  • NAM for Northwest Houston: (281) 885-4555
  • Mental Health Services: (713) 871-1004 (offered by Hope and Healing Institute)
  • Family Violence 24-Hour Hotline: (281) 885-4673
  • Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255

How can we Pray for and Help You?

Please know that we are praying for you and want to help in any way if we can. Are you able to get out of your home and get groceries/gas/other supplies? Do you have face masks or need any? Can we pray for you in a specific way or add you to our prayer team list? Do you just need to talk out all that you’re feeling at the moment? Reach out to us HERE.