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Garbage Trucks
Summer has arrived! Kids are out of school, joyful sounds are echoing from neighborhood pools and the smell of backyard grilling wafts through the air. But there is something else that summer tends to usher in—garbage. Perhaps this is only true in my home, but it sure seems that I am taking out the trash more often in the summer.
I was standing in my front yard the other day and noticed the garbage truck that runs through my neighborhood. Every Wednesday and Saturday, the faithful crew show up like clockwork. They are friendly, hard-working people who dedicatedly pick up all of our garbage. It occurred to me, how often do we ever make the time to thank them for dealing with our trash?
I am reminded of a story—it involves a man who one day hopped in a taxi and took off for the airport. As they were driving along in the right lane going down Main Street, suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of them. The taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches. The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at them. The taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.
Well, the passenger in the taxi didn’t quite know what to make of the taxi driver’s reaction so he asked, “Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!” This is when the taxi driver taught the passenger a valuable lesson—a lesson he would later call: “The Law of the Garbage Truck.”
The taxi driver explained that many people are like garbage trucks. “They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, full of disappointment, full of pride, full of insecurity. As their garbage piles up they need a place to dump it and sometimes they’ll dump it on you. Don’t take it personally. Just smile and wave and wish them well and move on. Don’t take the garbage and spread it to other people at work, or home, or church, or the baseball field, or the streets.”
The bottom line is this: Don’t let garbage trucks take over your day.
Love the people who treat you well and pray for the ones who don’t. While you’re at it, why not pray for the people who love you and love on the people who don’t.
Ephesians 4:29 says this: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Now that puts an entirely different perspective on the “sounds of summer.”
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday.
Peace,
Trey
One Worship Service, June 10th at 10 a.m.
Join us for delicious pancakes beginning at 9 a.m., followed by one combined worship service in the Sanctuary at 10 a.m. We'll get a sneak peek into VBS and Senior Pastor Trey Little will share an exciting update from our Session about our bright future together at Grace.
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Looking Ahead in 2018…SAVE the DATE!
June 10, Annual Pancake Breakfast and ONE Worship Service at 10 a.m.
August 26, Harvey Remembrance - ONE Worship Service at 10 a.m.
September 23, Phases: Parent Conversations at 10:15 a.m.
October 7, World Communion Sunday - ONE Worship Service at 10 a.m.
October 12-14, Together Forever
November 6, Wood Memorial Golf Tournament
December 2, Phases: Parent Conversation at 10:15 a.m.
December 16, Grace Kids Musical & Christmas 4 the City Habitat Build – ONE Worship Service at 10 a.m.
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Next Starting Point Class
Sunday, June 10, 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 is available by contacting Debbie Kay (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
Our Senior Pastor,
Rev. Dr. Trey Little
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 email or phone (mike@mikefanning.com; 210-710-6234).
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Here's What We're Learning In The Backyard
June 3
Theme: Livin’ Loud Lab (A VBS Preview)
Bottom Line: Where God’s Love
Ignites a Chain Reaction
that Changes the World
Memory Verse: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world. He sent his Son to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 (NIrV)
Basic Truth: I can trust God no
matter what. |
Commissioning Service
for Student Ministry Mission Trips
Sunday, June 3, 9 a.m., Sanctuary
All students and leaders who are attending a Grace Mission Trip will be commissioned during the 9 a.m. Sanctuary service. This will be a great opportunity for the Grace family to fellowship and pray over all who are attending these trips.
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Inspire! Summer Bible Studies
June 19 - July 31
This summer we are excited about our two new studies: Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer and Church of the Small Things by Melanie Shankle.We look forward to having you there. For more information and registration, please click HERE. |
Encore Day Trip in July
Alley Theater
Saturday, July 21, 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Join us for a trip to the Alley Theater. Holmes and Watson is a riveting new adventure from award-winning writer Jeffrey Hatcher. Three years after the mysterious death of beloved detective Sherlock Holmes off Reichenbach Falls, Dr. John H. Watson receives a telegram that suggests his old friend may still be alive. The mysterious wire was sent from a doctor who states that three patients in his asylum’s care have each claimed to be the late Sherlock Holmes. Watson embarks on a journey to disprove these claims. Could Sherlock Holmes really be alive after all this time?
COST: $25. Registration and payment deadline is Sunday, July 8. Be at the church by 1:30 p.m. We will return to Grace by 5:30 p.m. Seating is limited. If you have questions you can contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gphc.org; 713-267-5091). |
Middle School
Pool Party
Help us welcome the incoming 6th graders at this awesome pool party. We’ll swim, eat tons of snacks, and hang out.
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Student Ministries
Lunch Bunch
June 11-14
Every day after VBS, we’re heading out to lunch for some delicious food, great conversations, and awesome friends. Meet us on the second floor of Massey-Tucker!
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Here's What We're Learning In The Treehouse
June 3
Basic Truth: God made me. God loves me. Jesus wants to be my friend forever.
Key Question: What tells you which way to go?
Bottom Line: The Bible tells me which way to go!
Memory Verse: “Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.” (Psalm 25:4)
Bible Story Focus: The Bible shows me the way.
The Bible Shows the Way • Psalm 119:105 |
High School
Pool Party
We’re heading over to the Shea-han’s house for some swimming and delicious food. Bring a friend!
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Save The Date!
Vacation Bible School 2018
Livin’ Loud Lab…
Where God’s Love
Ignites a Chain Reaction
that Changes the World!
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VBS Needs You!
Grace welcomes more than 500 students to Vacation Bible School, and we need 50 more ADULT volunteers to make it happen! Livin’ Loud Lab opens June 11-14, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Visit gpch.org/vbs to register. For more information, contact Children’s Ministries (mcvejanovich@gpch.org;713-267-5011). |
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Every year, Vacation Bible School at Grace is blessed by very generous donations from our congregation! Pick up a list of supplies that Children’s Ministries needs for VBS next time you’re in the Narthex or at the reception desk in the Welcome Center. Your donation of any item will be GREATLY appreciated and help make Jesus visible to everyone this summer. You can drop donations off in the Welcome Center or in the Children’s Ministries offices on the second floor of Massey-Tucker Hall.
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T-shirts and CDs
On Sale Now!
Pick up the new Live Loud shirts and Chain Reaction CD, featuring 5 original songs by our own Ivy Castle Simpson in the Filling Station/Library or the Children’s Ministries office anytime during the week. Shirts are $15 and come in three styles. CDs are $10. All proceeds offset the cost of providing VBS to the community.
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When Helping Hurts Seminar
Massey-Tucker Fellowship Hall A
(Closest to the Massey-Tucker Lobby & Elevators)
You are invited to explore a different framework for thinking about poverty and its alleviation. Rather than simply defining it as a lack of material things, we will consider the roots of the issues: broken relationships with God, self, others, and the rest of creation. We will unpack the basic principles of poverty alleviation in an accessible way. We will continue to meet for the next three consecutive Sundays, June 3-17, followed by a dinner on Wednesday, June 20. The class will meet at 10:15 a.m. in the Massey-Tucker Fellowship Hall A (closest to the Massey-Tucker Lobby & Elevators). Books will be provided. For more information, contact Chris French (cfrench@gpch.org; 713-267-5039).
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WHAM
Food Drive
Sunday, June 3
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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