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Welcome Back to the Real World
Several years ago, I had been on vacation enjoying beautiful warm weather, a few rounds of golf on pristine golf courses, and priceless fellowship with friends. Well, as you can imagine, it was not easy to board the plane headed for home. On the plane’s final approach, I saw patches of snow on the ground and the wintry grey horizon out the window, and I knew things were about to change. What happened next was memorable. As we taxied toward the gate, the flight attendant announced six profound words over the loud speaker: “Welcome back to the real world.”
Our time of worship together this past Sunday to culminate our READY campaign was wonderful. The atmosphere was warm, and the energy in the Sanctuary was electric. It will go down as one of the most memorable days in my time in ministry and I dare say a pivotal day in the history of Grace Presbyterian Church. God is doing something wonderful among us as He continues to move us to be a READY CHURCH and READY PEOPLE.
However, please do not think that this past Sunday was the end—in fact, it was really the beginning. Now is not the time for us to adopt the attitude of, “Welcome back to the real world” but instead to continue to embrace that for which God is readying us. As I mentioned on Sunday, the READY campaign is so much more than dollars and cents; it is also about how God is readying each of us to participate in His mission in this community and around the world.
Many of you responded on Commitment Sunday. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I will send each of you a more personal thank you in the coming days. I am confident many more will respond during the next week or two. It is up to all of us if we are to reach our potential in making this vision a reality.
I hope to announce the campaign results to the congregation on Sunday October 21. Therefore, I need your help to make this possible. If you have not yet responded to the READY campaign, please do so prior to Friday, October 19.
At this point, there are three ways you can communicate your commitment. Choose the method most convenient for you:
- Place your commitment card in the offering plate on Sunday, October 14.
- Drop off your commitment card at the church.
- Use this link to make your commitment online.
Please know that every response makes a difference, and every person who calls Grace their home church makes a difference. Participation in the READY campaign is about joyful sacrifice, not equal giving.
Once again, thank you again for your enthusiastic participation in this vision to make Jesus visible across the street and around the world. I consider it a privilege to serve alongside you.
Peace,
Trey
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We don't mean to SCARE you, but we need 25 Trunks!
Sunday, October 7, 10 a.m.
Trunk or Treat depends on us having TRUNKS! We NEED you to register your trunk HERE by next Wednesday, Oct. 17. We can give you EASY ideas to help you get started! For more information, email Lisa Ann Henkel at lhenkel@gpch.org.
Invite friends and neighbors to experience Grace hospitality at Trunk or Treat. There will be prizes for best costumes and trunks. Chick- fil-A can be reserved for $5/meal. More information and registration is available HERE.
You can also help Children’s Ministries reach out to the community with your favorite Halloween candy! Please bring NO-NUT candy to fill the trunk we will have at the receptionist desk in the Welcome Center.
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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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Back to Our Regular Worship Schedule
This Week!
Join us for worship Sunday morning!
9 a.m. Contemporary worship
in the Sanctuary
9 a.m. Traditional worship
in the Founders' Chapel
11:15 a.m. Traditional worship
in the Sanctuary
11:15 a.m. Grace en Español worship
in the Chapel |
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
October 14
Bible Story: That’s All Right (Paul in Prison) • Philippians 4:11b-13
Bottom Line: God can help you be okay no matter what.
Memory Verse: “Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against wanting to have more and more things. Life is not made up of how much a person has.’” Luke 12:15 (NIrV)
Life App: Contentment—Deciding to be okay with what you have
Basic Truth: I can trust God no matter what. |
Inspire!
Women's Bible Studies
It’s time to get INSPIRED! The Fall women’s Bible studies began this week with a great lineup of engaging and powerful studies. No matter the season of life, Inspire! has a group excited to encourage and equip women as they study and connect with one another. To register and to find out more information regarding the days, times, and studies, please click HERE. |
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 by Oct. 28.
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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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Thursday Morning
Bible Study
9:30 a.m., Heritage Room
Join us on Thursday mornings to study The Path to the Cross, a Bible Study by Ray Vander Laan, a renowned teacher, ordained minister, historian and professor. In his videos, which are filmed on location in the Middle East, he illuminates the historical, geographical, and cultural context of the Scriptures. The class has a discussion lesson and daily Scripture lessons. For information, call Pat Irwin at 713-461-2757 or Gina Axtell (gxtell@gpch.org; 713-267-5046). |
Middle School
2 for 2 Challenge
October 13-14
Two days. Two people. This is a challenging and often hilarious event, where students invite one of their friends to spend the night on Saturday, October 13. The student and his/her friend will then have the opportunity to compete in 12 challenges over the course of 5 hours. Each challenge must have visual proof to submit that it was completed: either a video or a photo. The next morning, Sunday, October 14, the student and his/her friend MUST be present at The Forge (MT 201, 10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.) for a party and distribution of awards. Awards are given based on who completed the most challenges successfully. Creativity will be taken into account.
The challenges along with instructions on where and how to submit your entries will be posted on Saturday, October 13 at 5 p.m. on both the Grace Presbyterian Church - Middle School Facebook page and Instagram account, @grace.middleschool. If you have questions, contact Reed Brentlinger (rbrentlinger@gpch.org; 713-267-5076). |
Here's What We're Learning in the TreeHouse
October 14
Basic Truth: God loves me.
Key Question: Who’s got it?
Bottom Line: God’s got it!
Memory Verse: “God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
Bible Story Focus: God is always with me.
Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego • Daniel 3:10-28 |
Student Ministries
4th Annual Lock-In
November 2 (8 p.m.)-November 3 (7 a.m.)
We were challenged to try and make this year’s lock-in even better that the past year’s event, and I think we’ve done it! Our theme is Pajama Party! This year, we will be doing a MULTI-STOP lock-in by going to three unique fun and entertaining places throughout the night. We will start off at Grace, then make our way to the Altitude Trampoline Park. After lots of jumping fun, we’ll go see a private screening of a movie at Cinemark Katy. Finally, we will end the night with bowling, laser tag, and games at Main Event Katy. The cost is $75. Bring money for snacks at the movie theater. (Note: Pajamas need to be modest. No short shorts, no long t-shirts only, no tank tops or muscle shirts). Please click HERE to register and complete necessary waivers. For more information, please contact Reed Brentlinger (rbrentlinger@gpch.org; 713-267-5076).
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Grace Kids Music (GKM) Rehearsals
Sunday, 1-3 p.m.
It’s not too late to sign up your kindergartener-fifth grader for Grace Kids Music! Rehearsals are Sundays now through the performance at the 10 a.m. December 16 worship service. The registration form along with more information are available HERE.
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Ninja Warrior
Preteen Party
Friday, October 12 from 6-9 p.m.,
Massey-Tucker Hall
Today is the LAST DAY to register for the 4th and 5th grader Ninja Warrior Preteen Party! Tackle a series of inflatable obstacles courses, eat Chick fil-A, and compete for the ultimate prize: the title of Grace's First Preteen Ninja Warrior! We also will have Grace's own real-life Ninja Warrior Charlotte Eccles share her experiences of training and running the actual course! To register or for more information, click HERE.
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Parents' Night Out
November 3, 5-9 p.m.
Our next Parents’ Night Out event will be Saturday, Nov. 3 from 5-9 p.m. Drop your children off with Children's Ministries staff and volunteers and enjoy four full hours to yourselves! We'll watch the movie The Star and get everyone ready for the coming holiday season by reminding them what it's really all about. Register HERE.
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Sisterhood Dinner
October 14, 5-7 p.m., The Finck Home
We are so excited to announce the next Sisterhood Dinner with special guest Rosie Phom. Rosie Phom is one of Grace's mission partners working alongside Youth With a Mission (YWAM). Don't miss your chance to meet Rosie and be inspired by her story of being faithful to God's call. Can't wait to see you there! For more information, contact Lindsey McDonald (lmcdonald@gpch.org; 713-267-5067). Register HERE.
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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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Mission Partner Visit: Rosie Phom
Please welcome and connect with mission partner Rosie Phom while she is in Houston. She will be with us from October 5-21. We invite you to greet her at church on Sunday, October 7 during our all-church luncheon and learn more about her time with us. For questions or to schedule time with Rosie, please contact Karen Welton at kcwelton@comcast.net.
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Manna From Grace
Saturday, October 13, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.,
at the home of Linda Bell (713) 213-6227
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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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 to Budapest Interest Meeting
Sunday, October 21, 5 p.m.,
Church Library.
Please join Rosie Phom and members of the Mission Partner Team to hear about a great opportunity to be part of a team to partner with Rosie and other mission partners in Budapest. For questions, please contact Chris French (cfrench@gpch.org; 713-267-5039).
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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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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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Hurricane Florence
Disaster Relief
In addition to praying for our friends in the Carolinas affected by the hurricane, we have established a designated fund to support disaster relief efforts. To date, we have collected $11,682. You may continue to support these efforts and designate additional funds to Hurricane Florence relief by donating online HERE. What a privilege it is to bless others across the street and around the world.
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Looking Ahead in 2018… SAVE the DATE!
October 12, Grace Ninja Warrior Preteen Party 6-9 p.m.
October 12-14, Together Forever
October 14, Sisterhood Dinner
October 26, Trunk or Treat
October 28, Blood Drive 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
November 3, Parents Night Out, 5-9 p.m.
November 5, Wood Memorial Golf Tournament
December 2, Phases: Parent Conversations at 10:15 a.m.
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 with Communion in the Sanctuary
• 7 p.m. Traditional worship with Communion in the Sanctuary
• 7 p.m. Grace en Español worship with Communion in The Founders’ Chapel
December 30, ONE worship service at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary
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