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Launch
By definition, launch is “to start or set in motion - (an activity or enterprise).”
When I think about launching something, a rocket ship comes to mind. I harken back to my childhood days watching the coverage of the various NASA rocket launches. It never failed that I would get goose bumps when the countdown began—particularly at that moment when I heard “T minus 10 seconds.” I have always found it interesting that rockets require a countdown—quite simply because the launch of a something as complicated as a rocket is highly choreographed with dependent and sequence dependent actions, and it needs to happen at an exact time or within a tight launch window. The countdown puts the flight control team and crew into a rhythm so that they perform as planned.
D. L. Moody was a famous evangelist in Chicago in the 1800s—a powerful witness for Christ. His son wrote a book titled, The Life of D. L. Moody, sharing his father’s story of receiving the power of the Holy Spirit. “The year 1871 was a critical one in Mr. Moody’s career. He realized more and more how little he was fired by personal acquirements for his work. An intense hunger and thirst for spiritual power were aroused in him by two women who used to attend the meetings and sit on the front seat. He could see by the expression on their faces that they were praying. At the close of services, they would say to him, ‘We have been praying for you.’ Mr. Moody would ask, ‘Why don’t you pray for the people?’ They would say, ‘Because you need the power of the Spirit.’ Mr. Moody responded, ‘I need the power! Why?’”
In relating the incident years after, “I thought I had power. I had the largest congregation in Chicago, and there were many conversions. I was in a sense satisfied. But right along those two godly women kept praying for me, and their earnest talk about anointing for special service set me to thinking. I asked them to come and talk with me, and they poured out their hearts in prayer that I might receive the filling of the Holy Spirit. There came a great hunger into my soul. I did not know what it was. I began to cry out as I never did before. I really felt that I did not want to live if I could not have this power for service.”
Mr. Moody had great joy in the coming of the Holy Spirit upon him in power, yet the principal result was, in his words, “The sermons were not different; I did not present any new truths and yet hundreds were converted.”
Join us this Sunday at Grace, we will be setting into motion what God has been choreographing for years. This Sunday we will once again rely on Him to put us into a rhythm so that we will respond as He planned—courageously and faithfully. However, we will need the power of the Spirit!
T minus three days. See you soon.
Peace,
Trey
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Two-Service Sundays
Begin this Week!!!
These are exciting days in the life and ministry of Grace with the launch of a capital campaign THIS SUNDAY. We are so READY to share some amazing things with you. We also have a very special treat to give you that will READY you to share this great news. We promise…you don’t want to miss this Sunday! It’s going to be an unforgettable day for the Grace family!
Two-Service Sundays
Continue Throughout September
To ensure that the entire Grace family has the opportunity to hear directly from our Senior Pastor, we are making a temporary change in the Worship schedule from Sept. 9 – Sept. 30. There will be two services, in the sanctuary only, at 9 a.m. (Contemporary) and 11:15 a.m. (Traditional) – as well as the Grace en Español service. The hope is that those who normally worship in the Chapel at 9 a.m. will attend one of the services in the Sanctuary, instead. By offering just the two services, it can be certain that the Grace family all has the opportunity to hear the same message from the same voice as united we ready ourselves for a bright future.
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Volunteer for our
Usher Team
Guest Services relies heavily upon volunteers. Quite simply, Sunday mornings could not happen without our amazing team of volunteers. Guest Services volunteers welcome all guests who enter the church. In addition to greeting people, volunteers answer questions and help guests find their way around the church. Guest Services volunteers are the very first impression our guests will have of our church.
One of our Guest Services teams is our Usher Team. The Usher Ministry team exists to be “ministers of hospitality.” In this age of always connected-always on, a handshake and a bulletin are not enough to make the first-time guest feel welcome. Our Usher teams serve our guests in the Sanctuary Lobby initiating contact with a warm greeting, friendly presence and offering worship bulletins or other informational materials and clear directions to a seat. We would love to enlarge our Usher team. For more information and to sign-up, please click HERE. |
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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. |
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
September 9
Bible Story: I’m Working on a Building (Nehemiah Plans to Rebuild the Wall) • Nehemiah 2:11-18
Bottom Line: Don’t wait for someone else to do what needs to be done.
Memory Verse: “Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord.” Colossians 3:23a, NIrV
Life App: Initiative—Seeing what needs to be done and doing it
Basic Truth: I need to make the wise choice. |
Starting Point Class
September 23, 6 p.m.,
Massey-Tucker Fellowship 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).
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An Evening with
Melanie Shankle
September 16, 6:30-8 p.m.,
Massey-Tucker Fellowship Hall
Join us for a girls’ night at Grace with Melanie Shankle. We will enjoy food, fellowship and glean some words of wisdom from the author of Church of the Small Things. It’s sure to be a night of fun and a great way to kick off our fall season of women’s ministry! Register HERE.
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Encore September
Day Trip
Wednesday, September 19, 8:45 a.m.
Last Spring, a wondrous local attraction was unveiled. It’s called the Cistern, and that’s just what it is: an underground concrete cistern the size of one and a half football fields – nearly two acres – that once held 15 million gallons of Houston drinking water. Join us for a tour of this remarkable Cistern. Following the tour, lunch will be on your own at the Cleburne Cafeteria. After lunch, we’ll continue with a tour of The Rienzi Museum, a MFAH house museum for European decorative arts, situated in the beautiful historic River Oaks neighborhood. COST: $12. Be at the church by 8:45 a.m. We will return to Grace by 3 p.m. Space is limited, and payment is due by Sept. 9. For more information, please click HERE. If you have questions, contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091).
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Encore October Day Trip
to Moody Gardens Thursday, October 11, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Please join us as we tour The Aquarium at Moody Gardens. We will have lunch at the Garden Restaurant followed by an hour cruise on a paddlewheel boat. The cost is $20 plus lunch. Registration and payment due by Sunday, Sept. 23. Arrive at the church at 8:30 a.m. for an 8:45 a.m. departure. We will stop briefly at Buc-ee’s.
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Encore November Day Trip to George H.W. Bush Library and Museum
Thursday, November 8, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Join us as we tour the beautiful George H.W. Bush Lbrary 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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Sisterhood Dinner
September 23, 5-7 p.m.,
The Finck home
It is time for the first Sisterhood Dinner of the school year! The Sisterhood is a place where High School girls can come as they are, be real and open with each other, have the opportunity to know the love of Christ, and meet other young women who are trying to figure it all out too. We’ll be heading over to the Finck's home for delicious food and great conversation. Can’t wait to see you there! For more information, please contact Lindsey McDonald (lmcdonald@gpch.org; 713-267-5067). Register HERE.
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Grace Kids Music (GKM)
Calling all kindergarten through 5th graders! This year’s Christmas musical, “GKM 4 the City,” will be a fantastic celebration of our life here at Grace during the Christmas season. We’ll all learn the true meaning of Christmas as we sing carols with the congregation and celebrate our Grace 4 the City mission event. Rehearsals are held Sundays, starting Oct. 7, 1-3 p.m. through our performance on Dec. 16 at 10 a.m. To register or for more information, please click HERE.
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Here's What We're Learning In The Treehouse
September 9
Basic Truth: God loves me.
Key Question: Who keeps His promises?
Bottom Line: God keeps His promises!
Memory Verse: “Trust the Lord with all your heart.” Proverbs 3:5
Bible Story Focus: God’s promises are awesome!
Moses in the Sea • Exodus 13:17-18; 14
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Bethel Bible Course Beginning September 9
The 2018-2019 Bethel Bible Course will begin on Sunday, September 9. Elder Jerry Hanlon will lead this forty-lesson course which covers the Bible with twenty Old Testament and twenty New Testament lessons. This popular and life-changing course is a must for those who have always wanted to read the Bible, seek greater Biblical literacy and find God’s unimaginable plan of redemption through Jesus Christ from Genesis to Revelation. Classes will be held at 10 a.m. on Sundays in Massey-Tucker Fellowship Hall, Room A. The cost for the course materials is $100 ($50 for Old Testament, $50 for New Testament). Please register online HERE. Please do not let money prevent you from attending this great study. Thanks to a generous donation, scholarships are available. If interested, please contact Chad Erb at cerb@gpch.org |
Inspire!
Women's Bible Studies
It’s time to get INSPIRED! The Fall women’s Bible studies will be starting up the week of September 10 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. |
Thursday Morning
Bible Study
Beginning September 13, 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). |
Bridge at Grace
Meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, 11:30 a.m. (lunch - $5 optional) and 12-3 p.m. (bridge)
Come enjoy an afternoon of social bridge at Grace with church friends or make new friends! No partner required but reservations are required for lunch and bridge. Contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091). For more information, call Toni or Harry Watson at 713-468-6006. |
Grace Day at the
Food Bank
Saturday, October 6, 7:15 a.m.
Student Ministries will be participating in Grace Day at the Food Bank on Saturday, October 6. We will meet at Grace Presbyterian Church in Massey Tucker at 7 a.m. leaving by 7:15 a.m. Please wear long pants and close-toed shoes. Transportation will be provided. We will return to Grace by 12:30 p.m. Please register HERE. For more information, Lindsey McDonald(lmcdonald@gpch.org; 713-267-5067).
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Preschool Needs
Sunday School Leaders
Love Jesus? Love preschoolers? Then Children’s Ministries has the perfect place for you to share your faith — in our youngest Sunday School classes! We provide the lessons and the materials and the preschoolers, you provide a familiar, loving face who helps our 2, 3, and 4 year olds understand God’s plans for them. For more information, contact Gianna Tiedemann in Children’s Ministries (gtiedemann@gpch.org; 832-647-6645).
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Colorific Preschool FX
Friday, September 21, 6-7:30 p.m.
We are so excited to kick off this new season of Preschool FX (Family Experience) events with our first FX on Friday, September 21! An FX is a fun, interactive event for both Preschoolers and their families where they come together to learn more about God’s love and grow together in their faith. Our first FX will focus on the truth of God’s Promises through the story of Noah. Together, we will color, dance, sing, and grow in our love for God! We have a feeling it will be pretty “colorific,” and we hope to see you there! Register HERE.
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New Children's Sunday School Classes
Check out the schedule and room listings for Preschool and Elementary Sunday School classes HERE.
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Mentors Needed for
New School Year
We invite you to become a mentor at Paul Revere Middle School. Mentors meet with students on Friday mornings for one hour. Mentors remind the student that someone cares about them, assure them they are not alone in dealing with daily challenges, and remind each student that he or she matters. Mentoring has a powerful, positive effect on students personally, academically, and on their future dreams. For more information or to apply, click HERE..
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Help Welcome Refugee Families in Houston
Tuesday, September 11, 7-8 p.m.
Grace’s ministry friend, Houston Welcomes Refugees, helped resettle 121 refugees across 26 families from six different countries this past year. HWR is preparing for more arrivals in the coming months. HWR is looking to mobilize 80 volunteers who can form 10-12 new Welcome Teams to partner with refugee families arriving through February 2019. Please consider attending the training and orientation on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 7-8 p.m. to become part of a Welcome Team. To learn more and sign up, please contact Chris French (cfrench@gpch.org; 713-267-5039).
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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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Flu Shots Available
Sunday, September 16,
Church Library
Bring your insurance card - generally flu shots are covered at 100% by most insurance providers. Randalls will confirm coverage based on your card – if no coverage, flu shot rates are below. Be prepare to pay by check, credit/debit, or cash. Each person who receives a flu shot will receive 10% off of one of their entire Randalls grocery purchases. Visit www.gpch.org/flushots for more information and to download the consent form.
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Kenya Mission Trip Interest Meeting
Sunday, September 9 at 5 p.m.,
Church Library
Join us as Stu Ross shares information about the trip itinerary, travel, projects, and ministry opportunities in Kenya. We will discuss 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. Please RSVP to Gina Axtell. For questions, please contact Chris French (cfrench@gpch.org; 713-267-5039).
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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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Thank You for Making Jesus Visible to WHAM!
Thanks to your generosity, Grace donated 157 lbs. of food items to West Houston Assistance Ministries!
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Do it All in Jesus’ Name -Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministers bring distinctively Christian care to those in need. They use both words and deeds to express Christ’s care for others—listening and comforting, calling on the training they have received and employing the tools of faith. If this job description fits your personal goals for ministry, consider becoming a Stephen Minister. A training class is starting soon. For more information, contact Denise Phelps (dphelps@gpch.org; 713-267-5063).
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Looking Ahead in 2018… SAVE the DATE!
September 8, Children’s Ministries Parents Night Out 5-9 p.m.
September 9, 16, 23, 30, Two-Service Sundays in the Sanctuary (9 a.m. Contemporary and 11:15 a.m. Traditional)
September 16, An Evening with Melanie Shankle 6:30 p.m.
September 21, Colorific Preschool FX (Family Experience) 6-7:30 p.m.
September 23, Phases: Parent Conversations at 10:15 a.m.
October 7, World Communion Sunday - ONE Worship Service at 10 a.m.
October 12-14, Together Forever
October 26, Trunk or Treat
October 28, Blood Drive 8:30 a.m.-1 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.
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