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Belonging
Think back to times when you have “joined” something. It could have been student council or an academic club in middle school or high school. Perhaps it was a social or service organization in college. You may even be a member of organizations affiliated with the industry in which you work. Supper clubs, country clubs, bridge clubs, Bible studies — there are countless opportunities for us to join. Regardless of which groups you choose, however, there is one thing that remains constant: there is a difference between joining and belonging.
Joining is just the first step toward belonging. Joining something is an access point to something more. We really belong to something when we invest in it, not only financially, but also with our time and with our lives. It is like that familiar statement we have heard all of our lives: “you get out of it what you put into it.” This is applicable in all aspects of life, including, but not limited to, the church.
Romans 12 reminds us: “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member BELONGS to all the others” (Romans 12:3-5).
As a pastor I have the unique privilege of being invited into many of your lives. It is truly humbling to be allowed to be there when your children are born, when you celebrate the gift of marriage, when you have that “big game,” when you are not feeling 100% and just want someone to pray with you, and even those special times when we celebrate the heavenly birth of a loved one. I am truly humbled by your generosity.
Oftentimes we fail to realize how much we need each other because we are taught to be independent. Many of us long for a safe place where we can be vulnerable, and yet we don’t want to appear weak. We hunger for community and yet remain famished. We need help, but we don’t ask for it. We need to know we are loved but often look for that affirmation in all the wrong places.
So here is my challenge to us moving forward. Let’s move from joining to belonging. Perhaps you have joined Grace — what steps can you now take to BELONG? Perhaps you joined your life with another in marriage — where do you need to invest more in that relationship now? Maybe you are feeling nudged by the Lord to invest in another person’s life — reach out to them and invite them to lunch now. We are created for community — within each of us resides a desire to belong — we need each other.
There is nothing in this world that says you have to be here, or that you have to walk with the Risen Lord, or that you should continue to grow spiritually. But, consider it this way: the day will come when the Lord is going to hold us accountable for how we lived our lives on this earth. Will He say we simply “joined” Him or that we “belonged” to Him?
I am thankful for you and hope to see you Sunday.
Peace, Trey
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Join Us in Prayer
Join us in praying for our middle and high school students and leaders as they are serving in Lineville, AL all next week!!! May God use them mightily to serve and bless and may their faith be deepened by this amazing week together! |
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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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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
June 23
Basic Truth: Jesus wants to be my friend forever.
Key Question: Who gives you the power to do everything?
Bottom Line: Jesus gives me the power to do everything
Memory Verse: “We can do everything by the power of Christ” • Philippians 4:13 NIrV
Bible Story Focus: When Jesus is your friend, He gives you the power to be patient. (Simeon at the Temple) • Luke 2:22-29
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Here's What We're
Learning In The Backyard
June 23
Bible Story: Peaceful Easy Feeling (Don’t Worry) • Matthew 6:25-27
Bottom Line: You can have peace because God is in control.
Memory Verse: The fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful and gentle and having control of oneself. • Galatians 5:22-23a, NIrV
Life App: Life App—What God is doing in you to change the world around you
Basic Truth: I can trust God no matter what.
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No Sundae Fundae
June 23!
We will NOT meet this Sunday, June 23. Please join us next Sunday, June 30, 6-8 p.m. All middle and high school students are invited to join us for fun, games, fellowship, and ice cream! This weekly gathering is an opportunity for students to stay connected and deepen their friendships with each other and the staff. We hope to see you there! |
Combined Middle School & High School Sunday Class
Sundays, June 23 and June 30
Middle School and High School classes will be combined THIS Sunday, June 23, and next Sunday, June 30. Please remind your 6th-12th grade students to go to the high school room, Massey-Tucker 207, from 10:15-11:30 a.m. |
June Encore Trip: Alley Theatre, Ken Ludwig's
"The Three Musketeers"
June 30, 1:30 - 5 p.m.
All for one and one for all! A swashbuckling romp of romance, danger, and comedy, perfectly suited for the whole family. Alexandre Dumas’ timeless tale springs to life as the young D’Artagnan, joined by his sister Sabine, discovers honor amid intrigue and high-stakes adventure when he meets the famous Three Musketeers. En garde for this action- and humor-packed summer hit. The cost is $25. Payment is due now. To register, contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091). |
Grace Student Ministries Summer Small Groups
We have Bible study opportunities for middle and high school students this summer. This is a great opportunity for students to dig into scripture, deepen friendships, and learn to stay rooted in their faith. For more information, please email Lindsey McDonald (lmcdonald@gpch.org).
- Middle School Girls - Wednesday, July 10 & 24, 1:30-3 p.m. Meets @ TreeHouse, 14008 Memorial Dr
- Middle School Guys - Wednesday, July 10 & 24, 1:30-3 p.m. Meets in Massey-Tucker 207
- Freshman Girls - Tuesday, July 2, 9, 16, & 23; 6-8 p.m. Meets @ La Madeleine in Town & Country
- High School Girls - Monday, July 8, 2-4 p.m. meet @ The Frazelle’s, 14538 Bramblewood
- Monday, July 22, 6-8 p.m. Ponder Bible Study & Dinner
High School Guys - Tuesday, July 2, 9, 16, & 23; 6-8 p.m. Meets @ The Henkel’s, 13722 Queensbury |
Inspire!
Summer Bible Studies
Registration Now Open
Summer is a time to relax, sit by the pool, go to the beach, and join us in one of our refreshing Summer bible studies. So, mark your calendars and click HERE to sign up for one of our women’s bible studies: Faithful, Abundant, True by Kay Arthur, Priscilla Shirer & Beth Moore or Proven by Jennie Allen. Both meet at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays in Massey-Tucker 201 and Massey-Tucker 207. |
Summer College-Age Sunday School
Sundays, 10:15 a.m. in LC 212
All college students home for the summer are welcome to visit a new college-age Sunday school class. Weekly Sunday classes will continue through the summer. Newly graduated high school seniors are encouraged to join as well! For more information, contact Matt Davis (mdavis@gpch.org; 713-267-8704). |
Triumph Sports Camps
For more information about the camps Triumph Sports will offer July 8-11, visit HERE. Sign up now if you're interested! |
Newly Graduated
High School Seniors!
July 21: Senior Commissioning Dinner
To show our appreciation to our graduates this year, we have planned a family dinner on July 21. The dinner gives us an amazing opportunity to honor our Seniors well and share the ways that we’d like to keep in touch with them. We’ll also introduce them to the College Elders and chat about life after High School. This will be an opportunity to honor our Seniors and their families with dinner, conversation, and fellowship. For more information, contact Matt Davis (mdavis@gpch.org; 713-267-8704). To register for the dinner, please click HERE. |
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Coping After Harvey
June 20, 7 p.m.
Please join the educational session held at Grace to learn more about normative and concerning responses to disaster. This project between Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and the American Red Cross is partnering with leading faith communities in the Houston area to provide expert-led educational workshops to adults focused on responses to disaster. This project will also offer peer-led groups, which will lead you and others through an evidence-based protocol helping you identify helpful coping responses to disaster. Please RSVP HERE. For more information please email HERE.
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Support WHAM
this Summer
Please help WHAM help our neighbors in need by donating items to sell in our Second Blessing resale store. Funrniture, household goods, and clothing (for infants through adults) are particularly needed at this time, and we also accept gently used shoes, toys, electronics, books, and artwork. For free pick up of large donated items, Tuesday-Saturday, call 832-301-0753 or email . Drop off donated items Tuesday-Friday, 10am-5pm, and Saturdays, 9am-4pm, in our convenient drive-through on the south side of the storefront. Every donation and purchase benefits the families we serve!
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Houston Food Bank
Saturday, July 13 from 8 a.m. - noon Portwall Warehouse
Bless our neighbors across Houston while in fellowship with Grace at the Houston Food Bank. For more information and to register, contact Paul Mancillas (paulmancillas@gmail.com; 832-260-8329). To register, please click HERE.
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Looking Ahead in 2019… SAVE the DATE!
June 22-28, Middle and High School Mission Trip
June 30, Encore Trip
July 7, WHAM Food Drive
July 8-11, Triumph Sports Camps at Grace
July 13, Grace Day at Houston Food Bank
July 21, Graduated High School Senior Commissioning Dinner
August 4, WHAM Food Drive
September 18-30, Kenya Mission Trip
October 6, World Communion Sunday, ONE Worship Service at 10 a.m.
November 4, Grace Golf Tournament at Pine Forest Country Club
December 8, Grace at 50 Anniversary Celebration, ONE Worship Service at 10 a.m.
December 15, Grace Kids Musical & Christmas for the City Habitat Build -
ONE Worship Service at 10 a.m.
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