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The Date
It seems like yesterday when we were talking about the summer and all of its fun activities: the family vacations we had planned, the break from school and studies, and the much-needed rest we were going to get. And now, on October 3, we are talking about Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Christmas!
Not a day goes by that we aren’t astounded by how time flies. We often reflect, “Where has the time gone?” Yet, do we pause enough to experience the joys, opportunities, blessings, and challenges of each DATE? It seems to me that DATES matter.
Every day may not go as you had planned, but there is never a day when you are not here for a reason. God can use all of our “DATES” for His purposeful plan for our lives. I recently read an interesting quote that is a helpful reminder:
“So why is a car’s windshield so large and the rear-view mirror so small? Because although it is important to be able to see our past; we must have a wide view of our future. So, look ahead and move on” (Author Unknown).
There is so much truth in that for me, and so many of you have played such a pivotal role in my past, present and future. You have loved me well, you have prayed for me, you have nurtured me in my faith, you have been patient with me and gracious to me even with my shortcomings… and that is precisely why I want to share one more date with you: December 28, 2019!
WE HAVE SET A DATE! Niki and I are getting married. We will be having a small wedding, only immediate family, but it is important to us that our Grace family know. We are both immensely grateful for you and for how you have embraced this exciting season in our lives. We covet your continued prayers as we step into this new and exciting future together.
Remember, there will only be one service this week at 10 a.m. for World Communion Sunday. We hope to see you!
Together, as the Grace family, I hope we will have a wide view of our future — God is not done yet!
Peace, Trey
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ONE Service to Celebrate World Communion Sunday
Sunday, October 6, 10 a.m.
Join us for an amazing day in the life of Grace Presbyterian Church. On October 6, we will celebrate World Communion Day. Dr. Amos Yong from Fuller Theological Seminary will provide the message as our guest preacher. Immediately following worship, please join us for the annual congregational meeting to consider nominations of church officers.
Following the congregational meeting, join us for an International Grace Family lunch in Massey-Tucker Fellowship Hall. Find your favorite international food prepared by members sharing their cultures or try out something deliciously new to you! Lunch is $5 per person.
Please note: Sunday school classes for adults, students and children will not meet, but child care will be provided for children Kindergarten and under.
Serve on the READY Construction Hospitality Team
We have a wonderful opportunity for you to serve the Grace family and our guests on Sunday! The good news is that it is a brief time commitment, a limited duration, requires very little training, and is a way to contribute to making your Grace a welcoming place. It's an easy – and especially important – way to invest in the life and ministry of Grace.
You are invited to help smooth the worshippers’ path on Sunday morning by volunteering for the READY Construction Hospitality team. We need 8 volunteers for each of the Sunday morning worship hours through December 8. Find more information by clicking HERE.
Tropical Storm Imelda Update
Do you need help after Tropical Storm Imelda or can you help others recovering from the floods she caused? Contact our Pastor of Missional Living Chris French (cfrench@gpch.org; 713-267-5039) or click HERE.
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Save These Dates!
ONE Worship Service Sundays
- October 6, World Communion Sunday and International Lunch
- December 8, Grace at 50!
- December 15, GKM and Grace for the City Habitat Build
- December 29, Jazz Service
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Starting Point
October 6
Interested in joining the Grace church family? Meet the Session elders at the front of the Sanctuary after the service on October 6. You’ll find out more about Grace, complete some simple paperwork, be received into membership of this amazing church by the elders and learn about next steps. For more information, contact Beth Craig (bcraig@gpch.org, 713-267-5012). |
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. |
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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Congregational Survey Results Are In!
Thank you so much for your contribution! We are grateful to have collected 557 completed church surveys on May 19, 2019. Your participation in the survey provides key data and insight that informs our strategic direction and vision for Grace.
The Congregational Survey Summary report is available to download at www.gpch.org/survey. If you have questions or comments, you may register for our Survey Debrief session:
- Sunday, October 13, 12:30-1:15 p.m., Third Floor Conference Room
So, what’s the next step? This fall, we will continue our work with our consultant from Auxano to develop greater clarity around our vision and strategy to equip people to make Jesus visible in their daily lives. |
Fuller Theological Seminary Lecture:
Ministry in a Multicultural Neighborhood
Monday, October 7, 7-8:30 p.m.
Join Fuller Theological Seminary Texas and Dr. Amos Yong for the first in a series of lectures on Monday, October 7. Dr. Yong's lecture, "Mission and Immigration in Houston: A Fresh Pentecost in the Heart of Texas," will explore ministry in our multicultural city. Houston is a global center in part because it sends people to and draws people from the ends of the earth. What does the experience of the early church have to tell us about how the church in Houston can be on mission in an era of migration and globalization? To register, please click HERE.
NOTE: Dr. Amos Yong will also be our guest preacher for World Communion Sunday on October 6. Dr. Yong serves Fuller Seminary as the Dean of the School of Theology and the School of Intercultural Studies, Director of the Center for Missional Research, and Professor of Theology and Mission. To discover more about Dr. Yong, please click HERE. |
Save the Date! Grace at 50
Sunday, December 8
Mark your calendars! Join us as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this amazing Grace campus and God’s impact through Grace on the west side of Houston… from Downtown to the Beltway and Beyond. You’ll want to be here for this one-service Sunday and lunch! |
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International Flag Processional
Sunday, October 6, 9:50 a.m. line up
Children's Ministries invites all preschool and elementary kids to be part of the International Flag Processional during the worship service. If you'd like to participate, please collect a flag or two from the Narthex tables and line up in the hallway between the sanctuary and the music suite. We will enter the sanctuary with the choir during the first song. Parents and older siblings are welcome to join us. After the processional, kids will return to their parents in the pews or to child care.
Preschool parents, please check your children into childcare BEFORE 9:50 a.m. so we can line them up for the processional. For more information, contact Lisa Ann Henkel (lhenkel@gpch.org; 832-808-4255). |
Thursday Morning
Bible Study
Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.
Join us this fall for our study of Clash of Kingdoms. Ray Vander Laan, a professor of religion, a teacher and historian, takes us by video on location to where Paul walked and taught, and reveals the culture in which Paul worked, making his message more understandable and applicable to our daily lives. For information, please contact Pat Irwin (713-461-2757) or Gina Enriquez (genriquez@gpch.org; 713-267-5046). |
Grace Kids Music: GKM Rehearsals Coming Soon
Sundays, beginning October 20, 1-3 p.m.
Calling all Kindergarten through 5th graders! We want YOU to be a part of Grace Kids Music’s big Christmas musical! Whether it’s your first time singing, or you’re a seasoned pro, this is a fantastic place for kids who want to have fun and show their love of Jesus during the Christmas season. Rehearsals are held Sundays in the Grace Choir room, by the Sanctuary, starting October 20, 1-3 p.m. through our performance on December 15 at the 10 a.m. worship service. Registration is $30 and includes a T-shirt. For more information, contact Ivy Castle Simpson (icastle@gpch.org; 713-267-5075). To register, click HERE. |
Calling All Parents
of College Students!
We look forward to connecting and ministering to our Grace college students throughout the school year. Bridges Sunday School Class sends encouraging notes, birthday cards, and care packages to Grace college students, but we need their updated school addresses. Please text your student’s name, address, email and cell number to Carey Dow at 713-822-3981, and we will add them to our list! |
October Encore Trip:
Sea Center Texas
October 17, 8:30 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Sea Center Texas is a one-of-a-kind marine fish hatchery and Visitor's Center located on 75 acres in Lake Jackson. The $13 million facility opened in March 1996 and includes a 15,000-square foot Visitor's Center housing several aquaria and educational displays of the marine life of Texas bays and Gulf waters, the largest red drum hatchery in the world which produces larvae for stocking grow-out ponds and conducting research on stressed fish stocks from Texas waters, 35 acres of grow-out ponds and 5+ acres of interpreted marsh areas. Cost is $5 for tips. Lunch is on your own at Asiel’s. Please be at the church at 8:30 a.m. for an 8:45 a.m. departure. We will return to Grace around 3 p.m. Payment is due by Sunday, Oct. 6. To register, contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091), or you can sign up in the Encore book at the receptionist desk every Sunday. |
Middle School Lock-In
Friday, November 1, starting at 9 p.m.
It is the best time of year — time for the Middle School Lock-In! All middle school student and their friends are invited to what is sure to be one of the best nights of their middle school career! This year we will begin at Grace in Massey Tucker Hall with a time of worship followed by a game of Ultimate Mafia (9 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.).
Then we will load onto buses and go to Altitude Trampoline Park in Sugarland (12 a.m. - 2 a.m.) From there we will continue the adventure to Main Event in Stafford (2 a.m. - 6 a.m.). Finally, we will return to Grace in Massey Tucker Hall for pick-up on Saturday, November 2 at 7 a.m.
Due to safety we need a certain number of leaders per students. We need your help to make this event possible, please consider volunteering for a shift when registering your student. We will not be able to take walk-ins. Please fill out the necessary waivers: Grace and Altitude. Still have questions? Please contact Lindsey McDonald (lmcdonald@gpch.org; 713-267-5067). Register HERE. |
SAVE the DATE:
An Evening
with Kara Powell
Wednesday, November 6, 7p.m.
Massey-Tucker Hall
Parents will not want to miss this evening with Kara Powell as she reveals do-able ways to help Grace change young people AND help our young people change Grace. Her talk "Growing Young: Helping Young People Discover and Love the Church” will explore the findings of a landmark investigation by the Fuller Youth Institute of more than 250 diverse congregations that uncovered the core commitments that are key to reaching and retaining young people. She also will share stories of real-life churches that are growing and thriving. In the midst of the discouraging reports about the aging and decline of churches today, what steps do savvy churches take that help them best love and serve teenagers and young adults? Let's find out together! The evening is open to everyone and specifically to parents of children of all ages but most applicable to those with students in elementary school through college. Registration information is coming soon!
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Crowded House
Sunday, October 6, 6-8 p.m.
We are so excited for the Crowded House meetings! These Bible study small groups are for ALL MS/HS students and are led by an amazing team of adult volunteers from Grace. We will meet in host homes and eat dinner together. Locations for each group this month are as follows:
- Middle School GIRLS @
1702 Cedar Creek Ct.
- Middle School GUYS @
13302 Pebblebrook Dr.
- 9th & 10th GIRLS @
345 W. Gaywood Dr.
- 9th & 10th GUYS @
14511 Carolcrest Dr.
- 11th & 12th GIRLS @
14539 Bramblewood Dr.
- 11th & 12th GUYS @
14538 Bramblewood Dr.
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Preteen Party
Friday, October 18, 6-9 p.m.
Fourth and fifth graders are invited to their own Movie Night at our Preteen Party! The cost is only $10 for three hours of games, crafts, and a movie, AND dinner and snacks. Register HERE. For more information, contact Lisa Ann Henkel (lhenkel@gpch.org; 832-808-4255). |
Trunk or Treat
Sunday, October 27, 4:30-6 p.m.
We're moving Trunk or Treat to a Sunday this year! Decorate your car/truck trunk and win fabulous prizes AND bragging rights! The event is free and dinner is available from James Coney Island for $5 (2 hot dogs or 2 chili dogs, chips, and water). Register HERE. For more information, contact Lisa Ann Henkel (lhenkel@gpch.org; 713-267-5015).
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Candy Donations
for Trunk or Treat
We need your sweet tooth and online shopping abilities! Please click on our Amazon Wish List HERE to donate candy for this year's Trunk or Treat event. If you shop at an actual brick and mortar store, you can bring your donations to the decorated trunk at the receptionist desk in the welcome center during the week or on Sundays. Please NO candy with nuts or peanut butter. |
Inspire! Fall Bible Studies -
Registration is Open Now!
Sign up and register now for the Fall Bible Studies with Inspire! Women’s Ministry. Take advantage of these great opportunities to grow deeper in your relationship with God and with others. To register and to find more information regarding days, times, and studies, visit the website and click on the Learn More button. |
Help Feed
Our Student Ministry
on Sundays
Thank you to those of you who have provided food for Grace Student Ministries on Sunday mornings! We are continuing that sweet experience for middle and high school students throughout the fall semester, and we invite the Grace family to help! Everyone knows that students love to eat, so can you help feed them to make the time together on Sunday mornings extra sweet? Please click on this Sign Up Genius to contribute. Thank you in advance for your help and for your support in making Sunday mornings an awesome time for our students! |
Two More Volunteers Needed for
"F3:Fun, Friends & Faith"
Mondays and Wednesdays
2:45-5:15 p.m.
Children's Ministries invites you to participate in our F3 ministry at the Belmont Apartments. "Fun, Friends & Faith" will provide an afterschool church camp experience for preK-5th grade students of Walnut Bend Elementary School. Volunteer once or twice a month on the day that works best for your schedule. For more information, contact Lisa Ann Henkel (lhenkel@gpch.org; 713-267-5015). |
Grace School Admissions Open House
Wednesday, October 9, 9 a.m.
We invite the community of Grace Presbyterian Church to attend Grace School’s Admissions Open House for prospective families. A student led presentation will feature our premier STEM curriculum, and a school tour will include opportunities to interact with teachers, current students, and current families. Prospective families can click here to register for the event. |
Farm to Table:
A New Ponder
Sunday School Class
Sunday, beginning October 13
10:15 a.m., Massey-Tucker C
Everyone is welcome to join a new eight-week Sunday school class, “Farm to Table,” led by Jenny Gottschalk and Doug Gleditsch. The class will utilize the PONDER Bible study format and each lesson will be “stand alone” so it’s a great opportunity to try this wonderful way to look deeply into God’s word.
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Women of Grace Luncheon
Monday, October 21, 10:45 a.m. check-in, Massey-Tucker Hall
Contact your circle leaders for more information about the Women of Grace luncheon.
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Women of Grace Teams
with Kendra Scott
Wednesday, October 30, 5-7 p.m.
Kendra Scott in City Centre
During this “Gives Back” party, 20 percent of sales during the evening benefits Women of Grace. Be sure to drop by!
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SAVE the DATE:
“Get in the Game!"
Men’s Night
with Jonathan Evans
Wednesday, November 13
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Massey-Tucker Hall
Treebeard's Dinner $15
Join us as former NFL fullback, author, chaplain and dynamic speaker Jonathan Evans seeks to impact today’s athletes and men with sports analogies and spiritual truths aimed at strengthening men of all ages with the skills they need for living victoriously. Jonathan is a dynamic speaker with a “game day, every day” attitude you will not want to miss. More information coming soon! |
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WHAM Food Drive Sunday, October 6
Help collect food and other necessity items for WHAM (West Houston Assistance Ministries). 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 and canned fruit, soups and crackers.
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Friends of Westchase Community Assessment
Saturday, October 19, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Volunteers are needed to help build relationships and rapport with our neighbors in Westchase. Teams will be prepared and given assignments to conduct interviews to assess the needs and assets in the community. We will begin at Grace for a brief time of preparation, coffee, and pastries at 8 a.m. Then we will go to the Monte Carlo apartments to conduct assessments. We will return to Grace around 11a.m. Participants receive a Friends of Westchase shirt. For more information, contact Nancy Bailey (nbailey@gpch.org; 713-267-5035).
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Hospitality on Your Street:
A Six-Week Study
Sundays through November 10
10:15-11 a.m.
Massey-Tucker Hall, Room 103
Do you know your neighbors? Do you wish you knew how to reach out? Do you have a Grace Table (or want one) but aren’t sure how to use it? Do you worry you can’t extend hospitality because you are limited by time, space, budget or chaos? Find answers to your questions in a six-week course that will help you live to make Jesus visible in your neighborhood. Led by Gindi Vincent and other teachers, we invite you to join a community in learning how to use hospitality regardless of where you live or what your personality type is. If you have any questions, please email Gindi Vincent. To sign up, please email Gina Enriquez.
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Annual Golf Tournament
Registration Now Open!
We are thrilled to host the 2019 Dolores and Alan Wood Memorial Golf Tournament that continues to honor the Woods’ life and legacy with the same goal of supporting missions and cultivating a time of connection with friends, coworkers, and neighbors. This year’s tournament will benefit: Friends of Westchase and our Guatemala School project. The tournament is Monday, Nov. 4 at Pine Forest Country Club. Tee off is at 12:30 p.m. To learn more about the tournament, to become a sponsor, or to register to play, go to www.gpch.org/golf.
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Operation Turkey 2019
We are 56 days away from Thanksgiving Day. Starting to think about your holiday plans? Make sure this year you include Operation Turkey as part of your holiday traditions. Once again this year, Grace will be hosting Operation Turkey. The goal this year is 75,000 meals delivered. At Grace we will prepare around 7,000 of those meals. To learn more and to register, go to www.operationturkey.com.
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Grace Day at the
Houston Food Bank
Saturday, October 12, 8 a.m.-noon
Portwall Warehouse
Bless our neighbors across Houston while in fellowship with Grace at the Houston Food Bank. For more information and to register, please contact Paul Mancillas (paulmancillas@gmail.com; 832-260-8329). To register, please click HERE.
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Budapest Mission Trip Interest Meetings
Monday, October 14, 5:30-6:30 p.m. or Sunday, October 20, 10:15-11 a.m.
We are excited to announce our 2020 Budapest Mission Trip. Please join us and welcome Steve Johnson, ministry partner from Budapest, to learn more about joining the team. The trip is scheduled for June 11-21. Steve will be with us for two Mission Trip Interest Meetings on Monday, Oct. 14, 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Massey Tucker Rm. 102 and Sunday, Oct. 20 during Sunday School, 10:15-11 a.m. in Massey Tucker Hall Rm. C. Please RSVP to Gina at genriquez@gpch.org.
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Why Stephen Ministry?
We have many needs for care in our congregation and community: people experiencing divorce, grief, a terminal illness, loss of a job, relocation, an empty nest, retirement, hospitalization, loneliness, and many other stresses or challenges. Often people with needs suffer silently or do not request or receive the level of care they really need. With a limited number of pastors for a congregation the size of Grace Presbyterian, you can quickly see why it would be impossible for our pastors to meet every need of every single person. Stephen Ministry expands the care Grace Presbyterian Church can offer by equipping and organizing members to provide Christian care. This gives us a larger pool of people with the gifts, skills, and calling to bring Christ’s love and care to those who most need it. And this one-on-one care is completely confidential. If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time, contact Denise Phelps (dphelps@gpch.org; 713-267-5063) or Susan Jernigan (susan.jernigan@sbcglobal.net; 713-582-3332).
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Christian-Based
Counseling Available
at Grace
Thursdays, 1-5 p.m.
Christian-based counseling sessions are available through a Licensed Professional Counselor at Grace Presbyterian Church on Thursdays from 1-5 p.m. for a nominal fee. For more information/appointments call 281-881-8512 or email donnasullivan6697@gmail.com.
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Hearts Beading for Kenya
Each Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Massey-Tucker Hall, Room 102
A new charitable fund-raising opportunity is forming at Grace. We are beading for Kenya, creating unique pieces of jewelry with African trade beads. We will meet weekly for fun and fellowship at the church. No experience necessary. Everyone is welcome, no RSVP is necessary. For more information, contact Margaret Ellis, Friends of Samburu, Kenya (silleme@swbell.net; 713-501-5140).
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Looking Ahead in 2019… SAVE the DATE!
October 6, World Communion Sunday, ONE Worship Service at 10 a.m.
October 6, WHAM Food Drive
October 12, Grace Day at the Houston Food Bank
October 18, Children's Ministries: Preteen Movie Night, 6-9 p.m.
October 27, Trunk or Treat (NOTE: This is a Sunday event.)
November 4, Grace Golf Tournament at Pine Forest Country Club
November 6, An Evening with Kara Powell at 7 p.m.
November 9, Children's Ministries: Parents' Night Out
November 13, Men's Night at Grace with Jonathan Evans
November 27, Operation Turkey Tailgate
November 28, Operation Turkey
December 1, Christmas in the Courtyard
December 7, Children's Ministries: Drop & Shop
December 8, Grace at 50 Anniversary Celebration, ONE Worship Service at 10 a.m.
December 8, Christmas in the Courtyard
December 15, Christmas in the Courtyard
December 15, Grace Kids Musical & Christmas for the City Habitat Build -
ONE Worship Service at 10 a.m.
December 21, Gingerbread House Decorating Day
December 22, Christmas in the Courtyard
December 24, Christmas Eve Services:
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3 p.m. Traditional worship with Communion in The Founders’ Chapel
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3 p.m. Kids' Christmas Celebration Service in the Sanctuary
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5 p.m. Contemporary worship in the Sanctuary
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7 p.m. Traditional worship in the Sanctuary
- 7 p.m. Grace en Español worship in The Founders’ Chapel
December 29, ONE worship service at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary
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