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Making History
Some are referring to it as the “game of the century.” Whether you are a fan of LSU or Texas A&M or neither, you have likely heard that the two teams played quite a game on Saturday night. They battled for 4 hours and 53 minutes — including 7 overtimes. In the end, Texas A&M pulled off a victory with a final score of 72-74.
Granted, as a Texas A&M graduate, I was thrilled with the eventual outcome of the game. Admittedly, though, I had given up on my Aggies when Kellen Mond, the quarterback for the Aggies, appeared to have thrown an interception with only 29 seconds left on the game clock to seemingly secure the victory for LSU. However, in the midst of my discouragement, a family member shouted from the other room, “Trey, come back—it’s not over yet!” Obviously, as is often the case, there are differing opinions on the call that preceded the “second chance” for the Aggies; however, the rest is history. You see, Texas A&M may have secured the victory on Saturday — but both teams made history.
As I reflect on last week, my thoughts turn to others who made history. Grace was a host church for Operation Turkey on Thanksgiving Day, welcoming to our campus more than 300 volunteers who helped prepare and deliver more than 1,300 Thanksgiving meals to homeless people in Houston. While there wasn’t television coverage or printed stories about the event, I believe each person involved made history that day.
You see, every day presents opportunities to make history. This Sunday is the first Sunday of the Advent season — the time of year when we are filled with preparation, expectation, and anticipation of the coming of Jesus. While we wait… why not make history?
Perhaps you will make history in the way you welcome guests to Grace over the coming weeks. Perhaps you will extend unforgettable hospitality to them.
Perhaps your story will involve your generosity. As is the case this time of year, Grace’s annual budget relies heavily on year-end giving. Perhaps you make history by making a contribution in the next several weeks to our operating budget, which in turn assists us in making history for the Kingdom.
Perhaps you will participate in making history by participating in the Grace for the City opportunities on December 16. This year, the Grace family will build all of the walls for five Habitat for Humanity homes as well as partner with Children’s Hunger Fund to pack 36,000 meals, which will be distributed to those in need in and around Houston
Ephesians 4:1 reminds us,“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”
Friends, the point is – we are all on His team. So, while we wait, let’s make history together.
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 the 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. Please visit gpch.org/christmasforthecity to support this event and to register to participate!
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Stewardship
Although the official Stewardship season will commence January 27 through Commitment Sunday on February 10, 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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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 25
Bible Story: All Together Now (One Body but Many Parts) • 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Bottom Line: Work together to point others to Jesus.
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 more information, 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 are collecting change for 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!
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Encore December Day Trip to The Alley Theatre
Sunday, December 2, 1:30 p.m.
If you registered to attend Houston’s seasonal favorite A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas, please be at the church Dec. 2 by 1:30 p.m. for a 1:45 p.m. departure.
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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! |
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.
- Dec. 16 — Grace Kids Musical (GKM) for the City at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary
- Dec. 24 — Kids Christmas Celebration: A Not-So-Silent Night! worship at 3 p.m. in the Sanctuary
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Here's What We're Learning in the TreeHouse
November 25
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 give me food.
Elijah and the Widow • 1 Kings 17:7-16 |
Women of Grace Christmas Lunch - "Hark the Herald Angels Sing"
December 3, 10:45 a.m.
Please join us for a wonderful lunch featuring entertainment by The Sacred Harp Ensemble and a devotion by Denise Phelps.Tickets are $10.Please email Debbie Kay by November 26 for complimentary child care. Register for the lunch at The Filling Station on Sunday mornings.
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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). |
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While We Wait | Blessing Opportunities
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WHAM Collection -
Meals and Blankets
Provide Christmas Meals
Please donate food items or $25 HEB or Kroger gift cards. Families in need will receive a gift card plus all the fixings to accompany the main dish they will purchase with the gift card. Please donate: canned vegetables, canned fruit and yams, potatoes or stuffing mix, broth, canned fruit pie fillings, cake mix and icing, canned or dry gravy mix. Please bring items to Grace on Sunday, Dec. 2 or drop off at WHAM’s main entrance that faces Meadowglen anytime throughout the month. Please ring the doorbell if the attendant isn't there, and ask for Sonya Scott or Kim Hill.
Donate New Warm Blankets
for the Homeless
Please provide a nice warm blanket (fleece, flannel, or cotton) to be shared with the homeless this holiday season. Blankets can be dropped off at WHAM’s main entrance that faces Meadowglen. Please ring the doorbell if the attendant isn't there, and ask for Sonya Scott or Kim Hill. Questions? Contact Judy Dewey at judydewey@att.net or 713-502-1945.
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Christmas Bike Build 2018
If you are looking for an AMAZING family project to do this season that will bless both you and others, check out www.cyclehouston.org. CYCLE is a children's charity that rewards students with new bicycles for achieving better academic performance in the classroom.You and your family will get to assemble new bikes at NRG – all you need to do is Register for the Build a Bike! The Williams family has attended for the past couple years and is happy to answer any questions you may have! They are planning to attend this year on December 5, from 5-8 p.m., so sign up on the same day and make it a Grace family service night! For questions, please contact Ed Williams at ed@aggiehouse.com or 281-914-7875.
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Star of Hope Drive -
Cases of Water
Star of Hope’s supply of water bottles to be handed out to the homeless is extremely low. To meet this need, Star of Hope has asked Grace to collect cases of water bottles for Christmas. Please bring a case of twenty-four 12-ounce water bottles to Grace. Water bottles can be dropped off on the pallet in the courtyard on Sundays and inside Massey Tucker Hall during the week. Please help us reach our goal of 84 cases. The last date to donate is Sunday, December 16. For more information, please contact Chris French (cfrench@gpch.org; 713-267-5039).
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Young Lives Initiative
of Young Life – Prepare and Serve a Christmas Meal
Manna, a ministry of Grace, invites you to prepare a Christmas meal for Young Lives. Young Lives is a ministry of Young Life especially for teen moms and their babies. Young Lives provides teen girls with timely encouragement, guidance and ongoing support by modeling Jesus Christ’s love through the investment of time and walking alongside teen moms through their lives. The date to serve is the evening of December 13. To sign up, please contact Debbie Kaplan at debbiekaplan@att.net.
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California Wildfire Response -
Donate Gift Cards
Please donate gift cards (Target, Walmart or general VISA gift cards) to the people of California. Let us join together to offer hope and encouragement to those navigating the destruction and loss from the current raging California wildfires covering more than 150,000 acres. Grace Presbyterian will make sure donated cards are distributed by a local church to people in the impacted areas. Please drop off gift cards on Sunday mornings at the Welcome Center in the sanctuary foyer or at the receptionist desk during the week. For more information, contact Karen Anderson at karenanderson10@aol.com or 281-989-3812. |
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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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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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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!
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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