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Spring Forward
Personally, I have been looking forward to this coming Sunday for months. It may bring joy to your heart or a frown to your face. The “Fall back” was on November 5, and this Sunday we will “Spring forward.” I much prefer this time of year. We have more daylight in the afternoons; temperatures are getting warmer; grass is turning green; flowers are blooming. With more daylight, there are also more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors after a full day at the office. I am so excited about the months ahead! How about you?
However, there is another reason for my anticipation of the months ahead and interestingly enough it is interwoven with “springing forward.” I am excited to report that, once again, the Grace family has responded with great enthusiasm. Your generosity allows us to spring forward with the life and ministry in which God continues to call us to be a part. Praise the Lord!
To date we have received 353 pledges totaling $3,258,830 toward our RSVP stewardship initiative. Coupled with our projections of pledges yet to be received as well as expected non-pledged contributions, this puts expected 2018 operating contributions at approximately $4.5 million.
I am reminded of Paul's words to the church in Philippi:
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to the completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:3-6).
Let us pray for the Lord’s wisdom and direction for how we can have the greatest Kingdom impact. Let us pray for the Lord to continue to stir within each of us a spirit of generosity with our time and resources. Let us pray for courage to step out in faith when the Lord calls us to participate in His bigger vision. Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to continue to develop within this amazing congregation a partnership in the gospel. I humbly ask you to join me in prayer as together we spring forward into God’s will for our lives and the life of Grace Church.
I remain optimistic about our future together. I am truly thankful for each of you.
Don't forget to "Spring forward." I don't want you to miss a single minute of our time together this Sunday.
Peace,
Trey
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Holy Week and Easter Schedule
Maundy Thursday, Thursday, March 29, 7 p.m., Sanctuary
Good Friday, Friday, March 30, 7 p.m., The Founders’ Chapel
Easter, Sunday, April 1:
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
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Lily Dedications
Every Easter the Grace Sanctuary is filled with lilies given in honor or in memory of someone. Dedications may be made through March 19. The cost is $10. You may purchase a lily online at: gpch.org/lily.
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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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Encore Day Trip
Bluebonnet Tour and Brenham Trip
Thursday, April 5, (Depart Grace at 9 a.m. and return around 2:30 p.m. )
We will head to the hill country to see beautiful wildflowers! We will stop at Washington on the Brazos to explore the birthplace of Texas, then head to Brenham for shopping and lunch at Must Be Heaven Sandwich Shoppe. Registration deadline is March 25. There is no charge for the tour, lunch is on your own. Please arrive by 8:45 a.m. For more information or to sign up, please contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091).
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Here's What We're Learning In The Backyard
March 11
Bible Story: Walk on By (Isaac’s Wells) • Genesis 26:1-6, 12-22, 26-31
Bottom Line: Prove you care more about others by walking away from a fight.
Memory Verse: “So let us do all we can to live in peace. And let us work hard to build up one another.” Romans 14:19 (NIrV)
Life App: Peace — Proving you care more about each other than winning an argument
Basic Truth: I should treat others the way I want to be treated. |
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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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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Candy Donations
Children’s Ministries needs your CANDY to get ready for the Easter Egg Hunt on April 1. If you would like to help, please bring a bag (or two or three!) of individually wrapped candy to Grace anytime in the next two weeks. We have donation baskets behind the receptionist desk in the Welcome Center during the week and in the Narthex on Sundays. Remember these two simple guidelines:
- Individually Wrapped Candy (save loose candy for home)
- No Nuts or Peanut Butter (allergies are NO April Fool's Joke!)
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Here's What We're Learning In The Treehouse
March 11
Basic Truth: Jesus wants to be my friend forever.
Key Question: Who can you follow?
Bottom Line: I can follow Jesus.
Memory Verse: “’Come and follow me,’ Jesus said.” Matthew 4:19, NIrV
Bible Story Focus: Jesus says, “Follow Me.”
Andrew and Peter; John and James • Matthew 4:18-22
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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, Texas, 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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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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Thank You for
Supporting WHAM!
Last week, Grace members donated 342 pounds of canned goods, cereal, and other food items for our monthly food drive! Last month, The Souper Bowl of Caring yielded 721 pounds of food items for WHAM (West Houston Assistance Ministries). Many thanks for your generous support!
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Manna From Grace
Saturday, March 10 | 9 a.m.
(At the home of Sharon Collins)
Twice a month folks gather to have fun and fellowship while they prepare food for those in the family of Grace who are going through a time of illness or trial. While some of the meals are delivered, many are put in the church freezer, located right inside the portico door. These are for anyone to take when they know someone who could be blessed by one of these meals. If you would like to know more about Manna from Grace, volunteering or receiving meals, please contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091). |
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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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Revere Mentors
Meet & Greet
March 18 | 10-11 am
(Massey-Tucker Fellowship Hall Lobby)
Meet some of the Grace family mentoring students at Paul Revere Middle School! Administrators from the school will also be with us, excited to meet you and share insights into life at Revere. Hear about the program, ask questions, and learn more about the extraordinary relationship between Revere and Grace. |
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McKechnie Scholarships
The Trustees of the Grace Presbyterian Church (GPC) Endowment Committee are pleased to announce that funds are available for the GPC McKechnie Scholarships to be awarded in May 2018. These scholarships were established in honor of Dr. David McKechnie, upon his 25th anniversary as a pastor of Grace. Applications will be available online from the church web-site on February 15, and the application deadline is March 30.
Scholarship requirements: Parent, guardian or student must be active in the life of GPC, Houston, Texas. Student must be enrolled or accepted into an accredited primary or secondary school or college or university for which scholarship application is submitted. Applicants will need to demonstrate satisfactory academic standing which includes a minimum 2.5 GPA (on a four-point scale) or equivalent and successful class completion rate. A short essay is part of the application.
Please click HERE to download the application. Save your answers and email to: Monica Cvejanovich (mcvejanovich@gpch.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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