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Increase Your Thankfulness
The opening line of one of my devotionals this week simply read, “Ask Me to increase your thankfulness” (Sara Young, Jesus Always, p. 89).
That phrase seems so pertinent this Holy Week. For some this week may seem like just another week—business as usual. For others this week is filled with the pressure of meeting deadlines and responsibilities that at times seem completely unrealistic. Still for others, loneliness or discouragement makes this a solemn week. Wherever we are this week, emotionally and physically, it is appropriate for us to ask Jesus to increase our thankfulness.
My devotional went on to remind me, “Gratefulness opens not only your heart but also your eyes.” Where do you need to allow your thankfulness to open the eyes of your heart?
Perhaps you will be joining us this evening at Grace for our Maundy Thursday service, which will begin at 7 p.m. This service will offer an opportunity for us to gather together to remember the life of Christ but also to invite Him to increase our thankfulness for all He sacrificed on our behalf. Additionally, the Good Friday service on Friday at 7 p.m. is the opportunity for us to gather together in our Founders' Chapel to reflect on the magnitude of what Jesus accomplished on the cross and how that should drastically impact our thankfulness. Finally, on Easter Sunday there are multiple opportunities for us to come together and thankfully shout, “He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed.” This indeed is a special week!
I look forward to seeing you over the next few days. In the meantime, please know how thankful I am for you.
Happy Easter!
Peace,
Trey
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Holy Week and Easter Schedule
Maundy Thursday, March 29, 7 p.m., Sanctuary
Good Friday, March 30, 7 p.m., The Founders’ Chapel
Easter, Sunday, April 1:
8:30-11:30 a.m.
Join us for an Easter continental breakfast in Massey-Tucker Fellowship Hall
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
10:20 a.m.
Under Twos
10:30 a.m.
Twos through Pre-K
10:40 a.m.
Kindergarten through Fifth Grade
11:15 a.m.
Traditional worship, Sanctuary
11:15 a.m.
Grace en Español, The Founders’ Chapel
Please Note: Sunday school classes will not meet, but childcare is
available for children
birth through kindergarten. We invite you to bring flowers for our “Living Crosses” in our Courtyard.
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Organ and Voice Concert
April 29, 5 p.m., Sanctuary
Grace organist James Roman and his wife, soprano Grace Roman, will present a concert of music for voice and organ. The concert will feature a variety of music including pieces that depict stories of Circe from Greek mythology, settings of quirky middle English texts about chickens and bad husbands, settings of familiar hymn tunes, and more. |
Starting Point Class
Sunday, May 6, 6-8 p.m.,
Massey Tucker Hall 103
Want to get connected? Find a CORE Community? Learn about our beliefs and ministry? Join the church family? Where do you begin? At the start.
During the Starting Point Class, we’ll enjoy a meal and have great conversation together. You’ll learn more about who we are as a church, how to grow in your faith, and the many life-giving ways you can be a part of our church family, including the opportunity to make this your home church through membership. Join us for a casual dinner and conversation—it’s a great place to start! Child care available (dkay@gpch.org; 713-267-5084). To RSVP or for more information, contact Beth Craig (bcraig@gpch.org; 713-267-5012).
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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: You can always watch or listen to the sermons on our homepage or you can watch us live on our Facebook page.
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"In His Steps"
Tour of Israel with Trey
December 28 - January 6
A trip to the Holy Land is a bucket list adventure. To walk where Jesus walked is a life-giving opportunity, which will shape your faith journey. Trey would love for you to join him for what is sure to be a memorable trip to Israel. It will include a visit to sites such as the Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Sea of Galilee, and Capernaum. For more information and to register, please visit: gpch.org/inhissteps. You may also discuss the details of the trip with the trip leader, Mike Fanning, by phone or email (mike@mikefanning.com ; 210-710-6234).
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Encore Day Trip
The Lone Star Flight Museum
Tuesday, May 15, 9 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
The Lone Star Flight Museum, located next to Ellington Airport, is an aerospace museum that displays more than 40 historically significant aircraft and many hundreds of artifacts related to the history of flight. The museum's collection is rare because most of the aircraft are flyable. Please join us as we explore the history of flight! Price of the tour is $14, lunch on your own at Cracker Barrel. Please be at Grace by 9 a.m. Departure is at 9:20 a.m. and we will return by 2:15 p.m. Payment is due by Sunday, May 6. Seating is limited. If you have questions you can contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091).
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"Phases:
Parent Conversations"
Sunday, April 8, 10:15-11:30 a.m.,
The Backyard
Family Ministries is excited to announce the next “Phases: Parent Conversations" event. Once a quarter, the Family Ministries Team hosts parents of children and students during the Sunday school hour for a topical, research based presentation followed by an open discussion.
Our next conversation will be held on April 8. The topic for this meeting will be "A Conversation in Real Life about our Conversations in the Digital World." The Bible speaks about our tendency to use our mouths as both a weapon and a tool – in our modern technological age, that truth applies also to our keystrokes. Together, we will consider the ways in which disciples of Jesus can and should Make Jesus Visible in the digital world. Then, in September, our Phases conversation will delve into this topic more specifically and discuss important questions that every parent wrestles with, like: “Which social media platforms are appropriate for my child?” and “When is it ok for my kids to have a cell phone?”
Mark your calendars for the other dates this fall: September 23, December 2.
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Middle School
Spring Retreat
April 27-29
All Middle School students and their friends are invited on the Spring Retreat as we head back to Camp Cho-Yeh this year. 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. This year’s theme is "Forgotten God.” We will be walking through who and what the Holy Spirit is and how it impacts our lives. The cost for this retreat is only $100. There are 80 spots available! Click HERE for more information and to register. Questions? E-mail Reed Brentlinger (rbrentlinger@gpch.org; 713-267-5076).
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Parents' Night Out
Saturday, April 14, 5-9 p.m.
“Our next Parents Night Out (PNO) event will be Saturday, April 14, from 5-9 p.m. The cost is $10 per child, ages 3 months through fifth grade. Your children will enjoy pizza, crafts, games, and the movie “Ferdinand.” The deadline for registration is noon on April 11 or until we reach our maximum child/adult ratio. For more information and to register, click HERE.
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High School
Spring Retreat
April 27-29
All High School students and their friends are invited to our annual Spring Retreat. We’re heading back to the Frazelles’ lake house in New Braunfels, for a weekend of relaxing, boating, tubing, volleyball, fishing, s’mores, delicious food, worship, and more. We’ll even take a pitstop at Buc-ee’s! The cost for this retreat is only $75. Click HERE for more information and to register. Questions? Contact Angie Williamson (awilliamson@gpch.org; 713-267-5083).
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Senior Mission Trip:
The Bahamas
July 14-21
All graduating High School Seniors and college students are invited to join us on this year’s Senior Mission Trip. We will be heading to the Bahamas to serve both the local people as well as the displaced Haitian refugee community. We’ll work with Praying Pelican Missions, a short-term international missions organization that partners with and serves indigenous churches, pastors, and communities around the world. To find out more about Praying Pelican Missions go to their webpage. The cost of the trip is $1,200. This includes airfare, lodging, meals, and ministry supplies. For more information and registration, click HERE.
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Save The Date!
Vacation Bible School
June 11-14
Online Registration opens April 6
Livin’ Loud Lab…
Where God’s Love
Ignites a Chain Reaction
that Changes the World!
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WHAM Food Drive
Sunday, April 1
Help collect food and other necessity items for WHAM (West Houston Assistance Ministry). Collection bins will be located inside the Chapel and Sanctuary entrances and in the Massey-Tucker Hall Lobby. Focus items will be peanut butter and jelly, canned pasta, canned fruit, soups, and crackers.
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Students Need You!
There are still middle school students who need mentors. Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders request a mentor from the social worker at Paul Revere Middle School every week. Will you please give an hour of your time each Friday morning to meet with a student who needs your influence? Play games; encourage the student; listen to them. The time is up before you know it, and you will be looking forward to seeing the student again the following week! Contact Becca Lehde (blehde@gpch.org;
713-267-5013).
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Mark Your Calendars
for the next Grace Day
at the Houston Food Bank
April 7 from 1-4 p.m.
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).
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Prayers for Guatemala Mission Trip
April 7-14
Please include our Guatemala Mission Team in your prayers! Join us in praying for: Wayne Basler, Ron Collins, Margaret Ellis, Randy Fannin, Jan Knight, Brian Mees, Debbie Reitsema, and Larry Reitsema. |
Harvey Support Group
As care continues for those who have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey, we are offering a counselor-facilitated support group for ages 14 and above. We will meet on the third Monday of each month beginning Monday, April 16, from 7-8:30 p.m. in the McKechnie Dining Room. This group will provide support, share resources and help in processing the many losses related to all aspects of Hurricane Harvey, as well as asking for God's amazing presence through prayer in all of these areas. To ensure adequate space is available for all who plan to attend, please register through Becky Morris (713-267-5091 or bmorris@gphc.org). |
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Common Ground
Do you assist a family member or friend with daily caregiving tasks? If you answer YES, we offer a caregiver’s support group to share and help called “Common Ground.” It meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in Molly Ann Smith. Please contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091). This opportunity can help you take care of yourself. |
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