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March 12, 2020

Grace Family Update on COVID-19

Please click HERE to see Pastor Trey’s letter regarding COVID-19.

We have taken precautions according to protocols to prepare for you. If you are able to and desire to come and worship with us at Grace, we are ready to welcome you. In the meantime, we will continue to assess the situation and keep you informed via Grace Weekly, email, and social media. We are also creating a page on our Grace website that will be updated regularly. Click HERE to access the page.

As added precautions, we will wipe down the Sanctuary and Chapel pews between services, and we have decided to temporarily suspend serving our complimentary cookies in The Connection Center as well as communal snacks in our Student and Adult classes on Sunday mornings.

Option Period

If you have ever sold or purchased a home, then you are familiar with the term “Option Period,” a specified number of days during which the buyer has the right to have the property inspected and can cancel the contract for any reason. If you are the buyer of the home, you want the inspectors to find anything and everything wrong with the house. On the other hand, if you are the seller, you hope nothing major is discovered. I have been living in this tension for the past ten days.

Another reality for me as the seller is that I have had to keep my house in tip-top shape for all of the “guests” who have been coming through my home. Beds are made, blinds are open, flowers look fresh, the sink is free of dirty dishes, etc. In other words, I am focused on making the outward appearance look spotless. Yet, the inspections are looking inward. They are looking at the foundation beneath the house, the electrical behind the walls, and the pipes underground.

As we continue in this Lenten season, perhaps we all are in an “option period.” Perhaps this is the season when we will inspect our souls. We are invited to reveal to Jesus those cracks within us that only He can repair. Lent is a period of days that afford us the opportunity to have less focus on our outward appearance and instead intentionally look inward.

Where do you need to repent and allow Him to repair? How will you embrace the tension between your outward appearance and inward reality? The option is yours.

Perhaps you remember the story about a minister who waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the attendant motioned the minister toward a vacant pump and said, “Reverend, I’m sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip.” To which the minister chuckled and said, “I know what you mean. It’s the same in my business.”

Friends, we do not know when our “option period” will end so let’s not wait until the last minute to get right with Jesus. Beginning today, allow Him to fill you up with His love and forgiveness in order that you can live life to the fullest.

The Good News is He promises to never cancel His contract with you.

I hope to see you Sunday in God’s house or through our Facebook Live stream if you are out of town for Spring Break.

Peace,
Trey

Holy Week and Easter Schedule

Maundy Thursday, April 9
7 p.m., Sanctuary
(Child care is available by reservation; contact dkay@gpch.org before the April 1 deadline.)

Good Friday, April 10
7 p.m., Sanctuary
(Child care is available by reservation; contact dkay@gpch.org before the April 1 deadline.)

Easter Sunday, April 12:
6:30 a.m. Sunrise worship, the Courtyard
9 a.m. Contemporary worship, Sanctuary
7:30-11 a.m. Easter Breakfast Bites in The Connection Center
11:15 a.m. Traditional worship, Sanctuary
11:15 a.m. Grace en Español, The Founders’ Chapel

LILY DEDICATIONS
Every Easter the Grace Sanctuary is filled with lilies given in honor or in memory of someone. Dedications may be made through April 5. The cost is $10. You may purchase a lily online at: gpch.org/lily.
gather
Gather

"In His Steps" Tour
of Israel with Senior Pastor Trey and Niki Little

January 4-13, 2021

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 and Niki would love for you to join them 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 email or phone (mike@mikefanning.com; 210-710-6234).

 

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. 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 also are 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. 

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.
 

Sacred Heart Coffee
at Grace

Stop by Sacred Heart Coffee in the Welcome Center Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. or Sundays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. for delicious coffee drinks and new frappes! The cafe space has ample seating and WiFi and is the perfect place to catch up with a friend or do some work outside of the office. Hope to see you there!
Connect
Connect

MS/HS Sunday School Schedule

March 15

We will have a regular Sunday schedule this week:

  • Middle School will meet in MT-201.
  • High School will meet in MT-207.
  • There will be no separate Confirmation Classes until April 5. Please join Middle School in Mt-201.

Student Ministries Crowded House

No Crowded House March 15, 22 or 29.

Please Feed The Students

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 to Sunday Morning Treats.

 

Student Mission Sunday

March 29

Please help Student Ministries "Tee Up" for Student Mission Sunday!

  • Pray for students by name.(Contact pwarman@gpch.org)
  • Make/buy dinners/treats for Crowded House/Sunday mornings.
    (Contact Asheffield@gpch.org)
  • Sponsor a scholarship for a student — your generosity will bless the student and the people of San Antonio in the name of Jesus! (Contact pwarman@gpch.org)
  • Is there something you can create that can be part of the Student Mission Sunday auction on March 29? Cooking classes, D-I-Y experiences, party planning or whatever your talent is! This money goes directly to help pay one third of the mission trip cost for a student. (Contact pwarman@gpch.org) 
  • 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.

All proceeds from the day's events offset the cost for students to attend this summer's mission trips. For more information, contact Phil Warman (pwarman@gpch.org; 713-267-8704).

Middle School Retreat

April 24-26

Join Grace Student Ministries for its Middle School Spring Retreat to Camp Cho-Yeh! Space is limited so sign up today! The cost is $160, and scholarships are available. For more information, contact Amber Sheffield. Register HERE.

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).

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).

Here's What We're Learning in The TreeHouse

March 15

Bible Story Focus: Everyone can follow Jesus. (Matthew the Tax Collector) • Matthew 9:9-12
Memory Verse: "Come and follow me," Jesus said. • Matthew 4:19, NIrV
Key Question: Who can you follow?
Bottom Line: I can follow Jesus.
Basic Truth: Jesus wants to be my friend forever.

Here's What We're Learning in The Backyard

March 15

Bible Story Focus: Step by Step (Jesus Teaches on Forgiveness) • Matthew 5:1-2; 23-24
Bottom Line: Take the first step to forgive others.
Memory Verse: Put up with one another. Forgive one another if you are holding something against someone. Forgive, just as the Lord forgave you. • Colossians 3:13 (NIrV)
Life App: Forgiveness—Deciding that someone who has wronged you doesn't have to pay
Basic Truth: I should treat others the way I want to be treated.

Elementary Kids Invited
to Sing in the Sanctuary

Sunday, March 22, 9 a.m., Sanctuary

Elementary School students are invited to sing during the 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. worship services on March 22. We have begun rehearsing during Sunday school in The Backyard. If your child would like to join us, contact Lisa Ann Henkel (lhenkel@gpch.org).

Focus on VBS 2020

June 8-11

Are you ready for VBS 2020? It's almost time to "Focus: Take a Closer Look" at God's love for us. Registration for volunteers and kids will open April 1. For more information, contact Lisa Ann Henkel (lhenkel@gpch.org).

VBS T-Shirts & CDs

VBS is free for everyone to enjoy. We will have T-shirts and another Ah-Mazing CD of Ivy Castle Simpson's original music for sale in April. Get ready to hit Replay over and over again! It's SO good!

Armored Sports Will Offer After-VBS Camp

Children's Ministries is excited to partner with Armored Sports for this year's After-VBS Sports Camp. The owners Byron Bray and Tim Robinson were staff members for Triumph Sports, and Byron has been our lead contact from the very beginning. When Triumph made the decision to focus on Dallas-Fort Worth area camps this year, they mentored Byron and Tim to open their own camp. Registration will open April 1, and kids MUST be registered for Grace VBS to participate in the After-VBS camp. You will not be able to register for the After-VBS camp until April 1, but you can register for the sports camps scheduled for July 13-16 now.  For more information, visit the website HERE.
Bless
Bless

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).

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.

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, contact Nancy Bailey (nancy@friendsofwestchase.org).

Looking Ahead in 2020… SAVE the DATE!

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