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Fall Back
Life is full of ups and downs. We are not always in control of our circumstances. On any given day we must choose our attitude. We can choose to be bitter or better.
Case in point, after enjoying a nice lunch with a few other members of the Grace staff, it came time for my favorite part—the fortune cookie. Don’t ask me why, but I always look forward to reading my fortune. I can’t explain my excitement around the words found on that little strip of white paper tucked inside those somewhat tasteless and often stale cookies—but it’s there. However, on this particular day, I was incredibly disappointed.
My fortune read: “Even a broken clock is right two times a day.”
Of course, that is a true statement but what a colossal fortune let down. My initial response was, “What is that supposed to mean? How is that an encouraging fortune for my future? Why is it that I had to draw such a lame fortune?” My discouragement was amplified when I recalled that I have a broken clock hanging in my house!
However, in an effort to “choose my attitude” I decided to use my disappointing fortune in a positive way. I recalled the good news that we will be changing our clocks this weekend. Despite my broken clock, Daylight Savings Time will have ended when I wake up on Sunday morning, and I will have enjoyed an extra hour of sleep. My disappointment was replaced with encouragement because we get to “fall back” this Sunday!
Perhaps you are in a season of disappointment. You may be in the midst of a crisis in your life and are wondering if there is anyone who cares. Perhaps you are under a tremendous amount of pressure and are anxious about how you can possibly meet the expectations that have been set before you. The point is, we all have issues in our lives that can leave us feeling broken.
Deuteronomy 33:27 says, “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
Friends, wherever you are today—whether you are experiencing grief or joy, anxiety or peace, fear or comfort—God is your refuge. Daily we are privileged to “fall back” into the everlasting arms of God and receive all He promises us. What an encouraging fortune!
Times are changing, to be sure. However, there is great comfort in the fact that our Lord is the same “yesterday and today and forever.”
I hope to see you Sunday.
Peace, Trey |
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Reminder! Daylight savings time ends this weekend! Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour on Saturday night.
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Starting Point Class
November 4, 6 p.m.,
Massey-Tucker Hall, Room 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 starting point.
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 (dkay@gpch.org). To RSVP or for more information, contact Beth Craig (bcraig@gpch.org). |
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. |
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Sing on the Second
Wednesdays – October 31 through November 28, 7:15 – 8:45 p.m.
Sing with the Chancel Choir with our special Christmas music by rehearsing for five Wednesday nights in the Choir Rehearsal Room. This year’s Christmas music will be presented during worship on Sunday, December 2, at 11:15 a.m. Please join us! We will have music ready for you!
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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: on our homepage or live on our Facebook page.
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Here's What We're Learning in The Backyard
November 4
Bible Story: Come Together (Building the Tabernacle) • Exodus 25:8-9; 28:1, 3; 31:1-11; 35:21, 25, 34; 39:42-43
Bottom Line: God wants us to work together.
Memory Verse: “Two people are better than one. They can help each other in everything they do.” • Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NIrV)
Life App: Cooperation—Working together to do more than you can do alone
Basic Truth: I can trust God no matter what. |
Trunk or Treat Thank You!
Children’s Ministries wants to say a HUGE thank you for joining us for Trunk or Treat! We had the largest number of trunks EVER (you came through like champs when we needed it!) and more than 400 people came to share in all the fall fun! If you haven't seen the pictures on our Facebook page, please check them out HERE. |
The Backyard
and TreeHouse
Mission Project:
Children's Hunger Fund
As we enter November, one thing is at the top of our minds: giving. We want our Preschoolers and Elementary Students to give big this season, because we believe that even little kids can create BIG change!
This season, through Dec. 2, we will participate in Project Coin Pak through Children's Hunger Fund. If your child hasn't received a cardboard bank box in Sunday School -- or if your family needs extras -- please take one from the welcome cart just outside The Backyard!
You can fill these boxes with all that spare change in the backseat of your car or from in the crevices of your couch. Every 25 cents added to the box provides 1 meal for a hungry child! On Dec. 2, bring your boxes full of coins (dollars too!), to us in The Backyard. We will collect them and place them in boxes to be sent back to the organization on Dec. 16 during the Habitat for Humanity Build! |
Encore November Day Trip to George H.W. Bush Library and Museum
Thursday, November 8, 9:15 a.m.-6 p.m.
Join us as we tour the beautiful George H.W. Bush Library and Museum in College Station. Exhibits will include: Mapping Texas: From Frontier to the Lonestar State and Leonardo Da Vinci Machines in Motion. Lunch will be on your own at Koppe Bridge. Please be at the church by 9:15 a.m. for a 9:30 a.m. departure. The cost is $8. Registration and payment are due now.
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Encore December Day Trip to The Alley Theatre
Sunday, December 2, 1:30 p.m.
Houston’s seasonal favorite returns! A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas is a family-friendly re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic story, which follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey with the three ghostly spirits who visit him on Christmas Eve. A Christmas Carol instills a powerful message about redemption and the spirit of the holiday season. Please be at the church by 1:30 p.m. for a 1:45 p.m. departure. The cost is $25. Registration and payment are due by Nov. 11.
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Here's What We're Learning in the TreeHouse
November 4
Bible Story Focus: I am thankful for people who give me clothes. (Tabitha) • Acts 9:36-39
Memory Verse: “Always give thanks to God.” • Ephesians 5:20, NCV
Key Question: Who are you thankful for?
Bottom Line: I am thankful for people who help me.
Basic Truth: God made me. |
Sisterhood Dinner
Sunday, November 18, 5-7 p.m.
at the Finck Home
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. Don’t miss your chance to hear Cathy’s testimony and be inspired by her story of being faithful to God’s call. To register, please click HERE. For more information, please contact Angie Williamson (awilliamson@gpch.org)
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High School
Spring Break Ski Trip
March 9-15, 2019
Grab your mittens and beanie, dust off your snow boots, and wash your long-johns because we are going skiing! We are excited to announce that Grace’s High School Ministry is headed to Monarch Mountain in beautiful Colorado for Spring Break. For more detailed information, please click HERE. A $200 non-refundable deposit is due upon registration. Registration closes January 15, 2019. For more information, please contact Matt Davis (mdavis@gpch.org; 713-267-8704). |
Student Ministries
Project Home at
Brookwood Community
December 15, 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Student Ministries will be going to the Brookwood Community on Saturday, December 15. We will help lead and assist the residents in some Christmas Music Aerobics. Come full of Christmas cheer and wearing your most fun Christmas apparel (Santa hats, reindeer antler headbands, tacky Christmas T-shirts, Christmas socks – think fun & Christmassy)! If you have never visited Brookwood, this will be a wonderful opportunity to learn and serve this incredible organization that provides spiritual, educational & vocational opportunities for adults with special needs. To register, click HERE. For more information, contact Lindsey McDonald (lmcdonald@gpch.org; 713-267-5067). |
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WHAM Food Drive
Sunday, November 4
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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2018 Dolores and Alan Wood Memorial Golf Tournament
November 5, 12 p.m.,
Sugar Creek Country Club
Join us for this great event to share with friends, coworkers, and neighbors to introduce them to the vision and mission of Grace Presbyterian Church. This year’s tournament will benefit two mission partners who help make Jesus visible in Houston and Kenya.
There are three registration levels:
- Gold (4 players) for $1,500
- Silver (2 players) for $750
- Individual (1 player) for $150
The tournament includes: a golf polo shirt, lunch, dinner, and awards. There also will be a putting contest. The winner will take home a Scotty Cameron Golo 6 Putter and Vokey SM6 Spin Milled Tour Chrome Wedge. For more information, contact Chris French (cfrench@gpch.org; 713-267-5039). To register, click HERE. |
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Post-Harvey
Home Blessings
As they move back into their restored homes or relocate to different permanent homes, flooded families may request a team of Grace members to offer prayers of blessing. We have created a "walk-through" prayer pamphlet that the blessing team uses from the front door throughout the home to pray a hedge of protection and God's glorification in this journey.
You may request a home blessing by completing this form. Denise Phelps will contact you to schedule a blessing time and put together a team.
If you would like to be a part of a home blessing prayer team, you can volunteer by completing this form. It offers options for the days, times of day, and zip code where you might be a blessing to our flooded families. We will be in touch with you when an opportunity arises that meets with your availability.
We remain committed to walk alongside families still recovering from the aftermath of Harvey. Prayers continue to be lifted for continued healing, restoration, and rebuilding.
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Kenya Mission Trip Interest Meeting
Sunday, November 4 at 10:15 a.m.
Massey-Tucker 3rd Floor Conference Room
If you are interested in learning more about joining a team to Kenya, come hear about the September 2019 trip itinerary, travel, projects, and ministry opportunities. The discussion will include the cost, the deadlines, and the trip dates for this exciting opportunity to continue our 20+ year partnership of building churches and schools with the Kenya Christians, Stu Ross, and the Outreach Foundation. RSVP to Gina Axtell (gaxtell@gpch.org; 713-267-5056). For more information, contact Chris French (cfrench@gpch.org; 713-267-5039).
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Manna from Grace
Saturday, November 10, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., at the home of Ann Gentle
(713-783-7008)
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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Mission Trip Opportunity: Haiti with Living Water International
Grace is excited to send two teams to Northern Haiti in 2019. Team One will travel February 10-16 and Team Two will go March 24-30. Each team will drill a clean water well, lead hygiene and sanitation classes and share the gospel with the local community. For more information, answers to commonly asked questions, and to watch a video about the need for clean water in Haiti, please click HERE. |
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Hurricanes Florence and Michael Disaster Relief
In addition to praying for our friends in the Carolinas and Florida affected by the recent hurricanes, we have established a designated fund to support disaster relief efforts. You may support these efforts and designate additional funds to Hurricane Disaster relief by donating online HERE. What a privilege it is to bless others across the street and around the world.
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Operation Turkey 2018
November 22, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Are you looking for a place to bless others for Thanksgiving? For the past few years, Grace has partnered with and hosted Operation Turkey to prepare and deliver meals to those in need on Thanksgiving Day. The Houston goal is to provide 75,000 meals this year. You can volunteer to prepare, package, or deliver Thanksgiving meals from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at Grace on Thanksgiving Day. Kids are welcome and encouraged to come out with parents or guardians. To learn more, click HERE. To sign up, visit their website HERE and click on “Get Involved.” If you have any questions, contact Chris French (cfrench@gpch.org; 713-267-5039).
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Looking Ahead in 2018… SAVE the DATE!
November 3, Parents' Night Out
November 5, Wood Memorial Golf Tournament
November 22, Operation Turkey at Grace Presbyerian Church
December 2, Phases: Parent Conversations
December 16, Grace Kids Musical & Christmas 4 the City Habitat Build – ONE Worship Service at 10 a.m.
December 24, Christmas Eve Services:
• 3 p.m. Traditional worship with Communion in The Founders’ Chapel
• 3 p.m. Children’s Service in the Sanctuary
• 5 p.m. Contemporary worship in the Sanctuary
• 7 p.m. Traditional worship in the Sanctuary
• 7 p.m. Grace en Español worship in The Founders’ Chapel
December 30, ONE worship service at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary
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