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Profession without Performance
Profession without performance.
Perhaps this has happened to you. It happened to me on the golf course. I showed up on the first tee to play in a charity event—I was dressed to the “T” (whatever that means), and I certainly looked like a golfer. I put on my brand-new golf glove, opened up a new sleeve of golf balls and stepped out to the tee. Small talk began and one of the guys in my group asked, “So, do you play much golf?” I replied in a proud, yet humble voice, “I play a little.” Then another guy in the group asked, “What is your handicap?” To which I responded, “I am about a 9 handicap.” I was proud to profess I knew a thing or two about golf.
Well, that was as far as it went. I had dressed the part, I talked the part, but I certainly didn’t play the part. It may have been one of the worst rounds of golf in the history of mankind. I am sure the other three in the group were wondering if I had ever actually played golf prior to that day.
Profession without performance.
Many of us face this every day in our daily lives as followers of Christ. We profess a faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior and yet we often fail to “perform” for His glory. I don’t mean perform like an actor/actress or an athlete; I mean performing like a true servant. I mean performing like a person who has been richly blessed and can’t hardly wait to be a blessing. I mean performing like someone who has been set free to live in abundant joy. The truth of the matter is we all too often allow the comments and or expectations of others to distract and derail us.
If you think about it—performance has a love connection. Love creates a passion to perform—because I love the game of golf, I have a passion for the game—a passion to give it everything I have, every time I play—even when I don’t quite play my “A” game. Is your love for Jesus leading your life? Is your profession guiding your performance?
John Ortberg wrote, “I want to ask you to exercise your imagination for a moment. Imagine that your life is over, and you are led to a small room. There are two chairs in the room, one for you and one for God (who gets a very large chair), and there’s a VCR. God puts a tape into the machine. It has your name on it and is labeled “What Might Have Been.” Imagine watching all that God might have done with your life if you had let Him” (John Ortberg, If You Want To Walk On Water You Have To Get Out Of The Boat, p. 47).
Hebrews 12:28 says, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
Friends, only God can take the stuff we like the least of ourselves and redeem them to make them the best for Himself. Only God can turn our hearts toward Him in the midst of the swirling winds of life. Only God can meet us right where we are and take us exactly where He is. Because ONLY GOD truly KNOWS us and only God has SEARCHED us to our very depths.
Peace, Trey |
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Mark Your Calendars for Christmas Eve at Grace
Christmas Eve Worship, December 24
- 3 p.m. Kids Christmas Celebration: A Not-So-Silent Night! service at 3 p.m.
in the Sanctuary
- 3 p.m. Traditional service with Communion in the Founders’ Chapel
- 5 p.m. Contemporary service with candle lighting in the Sanctuary
- 7 p.m. Grace en Español service with Communion and candle lighting
in the Founders’ Chapel
- 7 p.m. Traditional service with candle lighting in the Sanctuary
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Christmas Poinsettia Donations
Every Advent, the Grace Sanctuary is filled with poinsettias given in honor or in memory of someone. Now through December 16, you may purchase a poinsettia on the website: gpch.org/poinsettia. Donations that do not accompany the proper form cannot be guaranteed for inclusion in the Christmas Eve bulletin.
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Surprise Wall
The sermon series for Advent and Christmas is “While We Wait.” Together, the Grace family will explore ways to prepare for the promise of this season while we wait for birth of our Savior. There will be a Surprise Wall display in the narthex through December 23. On that wall will be tags that will provide simple, meaningful ideas of ways to surprise someone with an unexpected blessing this Advent season. Please be encouraged to choose a “Surprise Tag” each week and commit to making Jesus visible “between Sundays” while we are waiting for Christmas. Share your stories on social media of how you are making Jesus visible in the waiting days of Advent with #whilewewait.
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December 30 Worship
One Service at 10 a.m.
Our worship service on December 30 will feature Christmas carols led by the Chancel Choir accompanied by the group Jazz Sunday, a Houston-based jazz combo. Sunday school classes will not meet this day. Child care is available for children ages newborn through kindergarten.
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Christmas in the Courtyard
December 2, 9, 16, and 23
Join us anytime from 8:30-11:30 a.m. to celebrate the season with Christmas in the Grace Courtyard, complete with a hot chocolate bar and cookies, and opportunities to support Christmas for the City, Kendleton Farms/Elijah Rising (pecans and decorative candles), the Guatemala School Project, and the Grace Girls High School in Kenya.
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Christmas for the City
December 16
We are excited for the entire church to come TOGETHER for our 3rd annual Christmas for the City. This year will feature the return of our Habitat for Humanity wall build, assembling meals with Children’s Hunger Fund and some new exciting additions to our time together. We will worship together, eat lunch together, and serve together! This year, TOGETHER we will build the walls for FIVE Habitat homes for Houston families and package 36,000 meals for people in our city. Look for more information coming soon with ways to support and participate!
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Stewardship
December 16
Although the official Stewardship season will commence January 27 through Commitment Sunday on February 24, please keep in mind that your generosity is important to Grace’s year-end giving.
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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 – through November 28, 7:15 – 8:45 p.m.
Sing our special Christmas music with the Chancel Choir by rehearsing 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 18
Bible Story: Stand by You (Jesus Heals the Paralytic / Four Friends) • Luke 5:17-26
Bottom Line: Work together to help someone in need.
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 should treat others the way I want to be treated. |
Children's Ministries
Drop & Shop
December 8
Need a couple of hours to get ready for the holidays without your sweet children “helping” you? Grace Children’s Ministries will host a Drop & Shop event on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. for children 3 months through fifth grade. For $10 a child, Children’s Ministries child care workers and volunteers will feed them pizza and watch a movie, while you shop for all the things, wrap presents, clean the house, or maybe even meet up with friends. Sign up now, before the wait list begins. For more information and to register, click HERE.
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The Backyard
and TreeHouse
Mission Project:
Children's Hunger Fund
We want our Preschoolers and Elementary Students to give big this holiday season, because we believe that even little kids can create BIG change!
Now through Dec. 2, we will participate in Project Coin Pak through Children's Hunger Fund. Kids have received their coin boxes in Sunday School but if your family needs extras, please take one from the welcome cart just outside The Backyard!
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 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. If you pre-registered and paid please be at the church by 1:30 p.m. for a 1:45 p.m. departure.
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Children's Ministries Events:
- We have Sunday school EVERY week in November.
- Dec. 2 — Phases: Parent Conversations at 10:15 a.m. in adult Sunday School classes
- Dec. 8 — Drop & Shop from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Registration available online
- Dec. 16 — Grace Kids Musical (GKM) 4 the City at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary
- Dec. 24 — Children's Christmas Eve Service at 3 p.m. in the Sanctuary
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Here's What We're Learning in the TreeHouse
November 18
Basic Truth: God made me.
Key Question: Who are you thankful for?
Bottom Line: I am thankful for people who help me.
Memory Verse: “Always give thanks to God.” • Ephesians 5:2
Bible Story Focus: I am thankful for people who help me when I’m hurt.
Good Samaritan • Luke 10:25-37 |
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). |
Middle School Girls' Christmas Party
December 9, 4-6 p.m.,
Angie Williamson's Home
There will be snacks. There will be presents. There will be candy. There will be Santa. Maybe! There will definitely be a crazy sock exchange. Don’t forget to wear your Christmas sweater! Register HERE! |
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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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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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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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Stephen Ministry
They Are Among Us. No, we’re not talking about angels or aliens. We’re talking about individuals who care about others. The Scriptures describe their service well: “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Hebrews 13:3). If you or someone you know wants to do more as a Christian caregiver, consider Stephen Ministry. This is our congregation’s one-to-one caregiving ministry. Training begins Tuesday evening, January 15, 2019. Please contact Denise Phelps (dphelps@gpch.org;713-267-5063) for more information.
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Looking Ahead in 2018… SAVE the DATE!
November 22, Operation Turkey at Grace Presbyerian Church
December 2, Phases: Parent Conversations
December 8, Drop & Shop
December 16, Grace Kids Musical & Christmas for 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. Kids Christmas Celebration: A Not-So-Silent Night!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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