May 16, 2019

Equipping to Saturate

As I approach my five-year anniversary as the Senior Pastor of Grace, I continue to count it a rich blessing to be called to serve here. The Grace family is such a wonderfully imperfect body of people, and therefore, I feel right at home here. However, I remain convinced that the Lord is continuing to shape us, form us, and equip us to be a people who will saturate Houston and the world with the Good News of the Gospel.

With that in mind, I also am keenly aware of the importance of knowing where you are, why you are here, and how the leadership of Grace can wisely direct our energy —empowered by the Holy Spirit — toward building up the Body of Christ. Assessments help us see beyond staff meeting anecdotes and generalized assumptions, into an accurate survey of unity and maturity.

Paul reminds us, “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13).

As we continue to strive to be READY, I need your assistance. This Sunday, in each of our morning services, you will be asked to complete an assessment. I encourage you to be transparent and honest — after all, no names will be attached and no handwriting analysis will be performed! Additionally, we just need one response per question — think “best answer.” This assessment will take 10 minutes. There is no trick to it, and we are not trying to catch anyone, so relax and answer as best you can.

The bottom line is this: your voice matters and you matter to the present and future of Grace. We desire to continue to position ourselves to be the people God has called us to be. But also, we want to make certain that we are taking the next right steps toward growing Grace.

This is an exciting time in the life of Grace! Please make every effort to be in one of our worship services this Sunday, May 19. In advance, I want to thank you for your participation.

See you Sunday at Grace.

Peace,

Trey

gather
Gather


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.



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.

Connect
Connect

Here's What We're Learning In The TreeHouse

May 19

Basic Truth: God made me.
Key Question: Who helps you do big things?
Bottom Line:  God helps me do big things!
Memory Verse: “We have the Lord our God to help us.” • 2 Chronicles 32:8
Bible Story Focus: God helps me help others. (Aaron Helps Moses) • Exodus 17:8-13

Here's What We're Learning In The Backyard

May 19

Bible Story: Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around (Cloud of Witnesses) • Hebrews 12:1
Bottom Line: God can help you let go of what is holding you back.
Memory Verse: But those who trust in the Lord will receive new strength. They will fly as high as eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not grow weak• Isaiah 40:31 (NIrV)
Life App: Perseverance—Refusing to give up when life gets hard
Basic Truth: I need to make the wise choice.



VBS 2019

Amazon Wish List 
This year we have an Amazon Wish List for VBS supplies! You can help by providing many of the snack ingredients and craft materials that we need for 600+ kids. Please click HERE.  

Registration for Kids & Volunteers
We have more than 500 kids registered so far with 24 days left until VBS! If you haven't registered your kids or yourself as a volunteer, now's the time to do it. Teen volunteers (seventh grade and older) can receive Volunteer Service Hours. Sign up now by clicking HERE.

Volunteer Retreat Donations
Please help us stock our Volunteer Retreat with your donations of 2-liter soft drinks, chips & dips, snacks and homemade treats. Non-perishables can be dropped off at the receptionist desk in the Welcome Center anytime from now to June 9. Freshly made goodies can be delivered to the table outside the kitchen each day of VBS, June 10-13.

Behind-the-Scenes, Set-Up/Take-Down Help Needed
Can’t volunteer the whole week of VBS? We still have ways you can help! There are easy Behind-the-Scenes jobs that can be done at home with supplies that we’ll provide.

We also need all hands on deck to help set up the campus on Friday, June 7, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Then we need helpful hands to take it all down on Thursday, June 13, from 12:30-4 p.m. Register online and put your preference in the “Additional Comments” box. Sign up now by clicking HERE. For more information, contact Lisa Ann Henkel (lhenkel@gpch.org; 713-267-5015).

CDs & T-Shirts On Sale NOW
Be one of the first to get the newest VBS CD with seven original songs written by our own Ivy Castle Simpson, including two new raps by Ryan Bell! Grab one this Sunday in the courtyard, weather permitting, for just $10. Get your VBS T-shirt at the same time for $15. You can also stop by our offices in Massey-Tucker 206 if you can't wait! The CD is also available for purchase or streaming on all your favorite platforms.

Starting Point

May 19, 3-4:30 pm
Pastor Trey’s house

Want to get connected? Learn about our beliefs and ministry? Join the church family? Where do you begin? At the starting point. At the Starting Point Class, we’ll enjoy great conversation while you learn 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 join Grace through membership. To RSVP or for more information, contact Beth Craig (bcraig@gpch.org).

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 our women’s bible studies: Faithful, Abundant, True by Kay Arthur, Priscilla Shirer & Beth Moore and Proven by Jennie Allen. Both will begin at 9:30 a.m. on June 18.

Summer College-Age Sunday School

Sunday, May 19, 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. Things will kick off May 19 with a brunch and hang-out time to catch up with one another. Weekly Sunday classes will begin on May 26 and continue through the summer. Graduating seniors are encouraged to join as well! For more information, contact Matt Davis (mdavis@gpch.org; 713-267-8704)

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.

Student Ministries
Summer Mission Trips

Registration is open for all of our Student Ministries summer mission trips. Information and registration links may be found HERE.  

Triumph Sports Camps

For more information about the camps Triumph Sports will offer July 8-11, click HERE. Sign up now if you're interested!

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 by Sunday, June 9. To register, contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091).

Bless
Bless


Brookwood Will Be Blooming at Grace

Sunday, May 19

Join us in the courtyard to celebrate God’s work through the citizens of Brookwood! The Horticulture enterprise grows approximately 300,000 plants a year across 47 greenhouses, employing nearly 100 citizens every single day. Check out what’s new for spring and bring color and life to your yard! Plants will be available for purchase.

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, please contact Paul Mancillas (paulmancillas@gmail.com; 832-260-8329). To register, please click HERE.

Become a Mentor & Impact the Life of a Middle School Student Forever!

For the past seven years, Grace Presbyterian Church has partnered with Paul Revere Middle School to provide adults the opportunity to mentor students. Mentoring, at its core, guarantees students that there is someone who cares about them, assures them they are not alone in dealing with daily challenges, and reminds students that they matter. Research confirms that mentoring has a powerful positive effect on students personally, academically, and on their future dreams. Signing up involves three easy steps: filling out an application, completing a background check, and having a placement conversation. For more information or to speak to a member of the leadership team, please click HERE 

Looking Ahead in 2019… SAVE the DATE!

May 19, Brookwood Plant Sale at Grace
June 9, One Worship Service at 10 a.m.
June 10-13
, Vacation Bible School
June 30, Encore Trip
July 8-11, Triumph Sports Camps at Grace
July 13, Grace Day at Houston Food Bank