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Milestones
In many ways, this past Sunday was a milestone in the life of Grace Presbyterian Church, but also in the lives of several individuals. During the two Sanctuary services, we recognized 12 graduating seniors, 26 students who completed a several-month confirmation process—3 of whom had not previously been baptized, and we celebrated their baptisms on Sunday. It was a wonderful day!
By definition, “milestone” has two meanings. It can be “a stone set up beside a road to mark the distance in miles to a particular place.” It can also mean, “an action or event marking a significant change or stage in development.” Both definitions are applicable to us today.
Consider for a moment the graduating seniors. For the past twelve years there were “stones” along the way that marked their progress. They could have been in the form of academic accomplishments or extracurricular achievements. They could also have come in the form of relationships along the way—people who have come alongside them providing direction. Undoubtedly, graduating from high school is a significant change and stage in life—it is both an end and a new beginning.
The same could be said for each of the confirmands—the confirmation classes have come to an end, but it is only the beginning. Now is an opportunity for each of the students to live out what they learned during the process. In other words, their confirmation is a mark along their spiritual formation—not the end.
Here is my question: what is keeping each of us from celebrating milestones every day?
Too often we forget the magnitude of God’s grace in our lives. I think we underestimate the milestone moment in our lives when we said “Yes” to follow Him. Like the students we celebrated last Sunday, our profession of faith was not the end—it was the beginning.
Every day offers an opportunity to take an action that will mark a significant change in our lives and the lives of others. We can honestly assess where we are in our relationship with Jesus and others and follow up with the necessary adjustments to develop those relationships. We can view events and circumstances in our lives as “stones” marking a new stage in our spiritual development.
Psalm 139: 23-24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Milestones are memorable! How will you make today unforgettable?
I hope to see you Sunday.
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 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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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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Here's What We're Learning In The Backyard
May 20
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: Planting a Virus (Haman’s Plot Against the Jews) • Esther 3; 4:8b; 5:6-10; 6:6-11; 7:1-6, 9b-10
Bottom Line: When you lie to help yourself, you hurt yourself instead. |
Encore Day Trip
Galveston
Monday, June 4, 9:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
See Galveston Harbor aboard the Seagull I, Texas Seaport Museum’s vessel. Join us for a docent-led Galveston Historic Tour of Broadway Beauties, Downtown, the Strand, the Harbor and the East End Historic District. Cost is $15; lunch is on your own at Fisherman’s Wharf. We will meet at Grace at 9:45 a.m. and depart at 10 a.m. We should return by 4:45 p.m. Payment is due by Sunday, May 20. Seating is limited. For more information or registration, please contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gphc.org; 713-267-5091). |
Encore Day Trip
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). |
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, 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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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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Here's What We're Learning In The Treehouse
May 20
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: I am part of God’s plan.
Genesis 41 • Joseph Saves the Grain. |
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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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!
Are you ready for the best four days of the year? Grace welcomes more than 500 students to Vacation Bible School, and we need volunteers to make it happen! You can work Behind the Scenes, or go all in and be a Crew Leader to a group of children who want to know Jesus. Teen and adult volunteers are needed. The 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 meet for 6 consecutive Sunday mornings from May 13-June 17, followed by a dinner on Wednesday, June 20. The class will meet at 10:15 a.m. in the Massey-Tucker Hall, 3rd floor Conference room. Books will be provided. For more information, contact Chris French (cfrench@gpch.org; 713-267-5039).
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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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