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Hungry
Pastor Mark Driscoll wrote a humorous, yet insightful, blog article titled “How to Interpret Christianese.” The premise of his article is that, as Christians, we often use terminology that may have hidden meanings to the unsuspecting recipients.
For example: when you hear someone say, “I prayed about it…” Driscoll says, “This is what a Christian means when they are about to throw a fit but want it to look spiritual instead of childish. He or she is hoping that saying the word ‘pray’ will overwhelm you with awe at their deep spirituality and cause you to fall into a catatonic state where you nod your head and agree to let them say or do whatever they want.”
Or one more—when someone says in Christianese: “I know you are really busy, but…” what they are really saying is, “I am more important than anyone in this ministry. I am more important than your family. I am more important than your health. Whatever else you have to do, you need to drop it all right now and take care of me.”
Do you ever say, “I am hungry?” My hunch is that you do and thereafter begin to ponder where you might go to be fed. I recently read that there are more than 11,000 restaurants in Houston, proof that we are never without choices in terms of where to eat. Nevertheless, consider how many times you find yourself in a quandary in terms of where to dine. Will it be Mexican or Chinese cuisine? Is it a fast food or rotisserie chicken kind of day? The myriad of choices can more often be a distraction rather than a blessing.
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
For some, Jesus’ words may seem like “Christianese.” However, I see His words as an invitation to dine with Him. When we are hungry for His love, we seek Him. When we are thirsty for His glory to wash over us, we spend time with Him. When we are craving compassion and comfort, we call on Him. When we are starved for and empty of His righteousness, He is ready to provide what we need.
Dale Bruner puts it this way, “The meaning of ‘hungering and thirsting’ is this: these persons do not believe they can live until they find or see righteousness. They long for what is right, they crave justice, they cannot live without God’s victory prevailing; for them right relations in the world are not just a luxury or a mere hope but an absolute necessity if they are to live at all.”
Are you hungry? Perhaps we can meet at Grace this Sunday for a meal together?
Peace,
Trey
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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
October 7, World Communion Sunday - ONE Worship Service at 10 a.m.
October 12-14, Together Forever
November 6, Wood Memorial Golf Tournament
December 16, Grace Kids Musical & Christmas 4 the City Habitat Build – ONE Worship Service at 10 a.m.
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Officer Nominations
Now Being Accepted
Nominations for deacons, elders, and trustees to serve a three-year term beginning January 2019 are now being accepted. Please complete nomination forms online at gpch.org/officer. Forms are also available in the Narthex and may be turned in at the Welcome Center by May 15. |
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 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 email or phone (mike@mikefanning.com; 210-710-6234).
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Project Home:
World Water Day 5K
May 5, 7:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
In partnership with Living Water International’s World Water Day, all Middle School and High School students are invited to walk, run, or cheer with us for a chance to win free Chick- fil-a for a year. We’ll be supporting an incredible organization seeking to bring clean water to people around the world in Jesus’ Name. We will meet at the race grounds of Kingsland Baptist Church at 7:30 a.m.The address is 20555 Kingsland Blvd, Katy, TXUS 77450.Registration is $35 (includes a free t-shirt and goodie bag). To register, please click HERE.
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Here's What We're Learning In The Backyard
May 6
Life App: Honesty—Choosing to be truthful in whatever you say and do
Memory Verse: “Anyone who lives without blame walks safely. But anyone who takes a crooked path will get caught.” Proverbs 10:9, NIrV
Basic Truth: I need to make the wise choice.
Bible Story: Beware of Scam (Naaman and Elisha’s Servant, Gehazi) • 2 Kings 5
Bottom Line: When you’re not truthful, you lose trust. |
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 is 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, please contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091).
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Sisterhood Connection Dinner
Sunday, May 20, at 5 p.m.
All High School girls and their friends are invited to our monthly dinner. We're heading over to Cathy Finck's house for delicious food and great conversation. Register HERE!
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Middle School
Mission Trip
June 3-8
All 6th and 7th grade students are invited on the Middle School Mission Trip! From June 3-8, we are so excited to be partnering with TEAMeffort Missions in Alvin, Texas, about 45 minutes southeast of downtown Houston. Our main work projects will focus around hurricane disaster relief - bringing hope to a hurting community by rebuilding homes and helping families reestablish their lives. For more information and registration, click HERE.
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Here's What We're Learning In The Treehouse
May 6
Basic Truth: God made me.
Key Question: Who has a plan for you?
Bottom Line: God has a plan for me!
Memory Verse: “The plans of the Lord stand firm forever.” - Psalm 33:11
Bible Story Focus: God has a plan for me.
Genesis 37; Jeremiah 1:5 • Joseph Gets a Coat and Goes to Egypt. |
D3-Every Wednesday
7-8:30 p.m.,
Massey-Tucker 207
All High School students are invited to join us every Wednesday night for our weekly Bible study. D3 begins with dinner and games. We end with an amazing Bible study!
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High School
Mission Trip
June 24-29
All incoming 9th grade students – graduating seniors are invited on the High School Mission Trip! On June 24-29, we are heading to Corpus Christi. We will be partnering with Renewing Grace Together and First Presbyterian Church Corpus Christi. Our work projects will consist of many hurricane relief projects: anything from rebuilding homes, to flooring, framing, yard work, painting, drywalling, and more. For more information and registration, click HERE.
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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 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 2018
Livin’ Loud Lab…
Where God’s Love
Ignites a Chain Reaction
that Changes the World!
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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 needed 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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WHAM Food Drive
Sunday, May 6
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 and canned fruit, soups and crackers.
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Scholarships Awarded
The Grace Presbyterian Church Endowment Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the third year of scholarship awards from the Grace Church’s endowment funds. The board has awarded scholarships to four students attending Grace School and twenty-five students attending fourteen different US colleges and universities.The funds for these scholarships come from the General Endowment fund for Grace Church and the McKechnie Scholarship Fund. The scholarships are funded from the income produced by these two Endowment Funds, so funds available are totally dependent on the income produced from the two fund balances.
If you want to make a gift to the Grace Church General Endowment Fund to assist in building the capacity of the endowment to fund these scholarships and other needs of Grace Church outside of the annual operating budget, you may contact Hardie Morgan (hmorgan@gpch.org; 713-267-5028). The McKechnie Scholarship Fund is closed to new gifts, so all new gifts will need to be made to the General Endowment Fund.
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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 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 (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091). |
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Common Ground
Do you assist a family member or friend with daily caregiving tasks? If you answered 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 the Molly Ann Smith building. This opportunity can help you take care of yourself. For more information, please contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091).
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