Thursday, July 30 • 6:00 PM • 2017 Main St., Houston
This Thursday, Church Meets the Street
Street Church is back this week, friends—and this time we're taking our faith to the pavement. Our target: welcome and feed 150 neighbors in downtown Houston, serving pre-event snacks and sharing the love of Christ, one conversation at a time.
One quick note: we will not be leading worship on this visit—our whole assignment is hospitality. Show up, hand out snacks, learn a name, and let the love of Jesus do the rest.
Two ways to help: Drop off pre-event snacks at class Sunday, or simply bring them with you Thursday night. Riding together? The carpool departs the HFBC southeast parking lot at 5:23 PM—sharp!
— SNACKS, SMILES, AND A 5:23 DEPARTURE
Count me in! Call or text Karen: 713-204-8384
150 neighbors are waiting. Let's meet them where they are.
★ ★ ★
Newsletter Milestone
A New Chapter Begins
For nearly a decade, the Foundations Newsletter has been an important part of the ministry of the Foundations Class—encouraging, informing, and connecting our class each week. What began as a printed newsletter has grown into seven years of weekly online publication, one edition at a time, one week at a time.
A Decade
Of Faithful Connection
377
Online Editions Since April 2019
100,000
Lifetime Views — Nearly!
As we prepare for our fall study of Hebrews 11—The Great Hall of Faith, we’re excited to begin a new chapter of our own.
“The same God who worked through the heroes of faith is still writing stories of faith today.”
Foundations of Faith • Coming This Fall
In the coming weeks, we’ll introduce Foundations of Faith, a new recurring feature highlighting God’s work in the lives of members of our class. Through personal testimonies, answered prayers, favorite Scriptures, “God sightings,” and lessons learned along the way, we’ll celebrate the faithfulness of the same God who continues to work in and through His people.
Thank you, friends, for making the Foundations Newsletter part of your week. We look forward to growing together in God’s Word, encouraging one another, and sharing the stories of faith that continue to unfold among the Foundations Class.
Let’s continue to gather, grow, give, and go—together in faith!
★ ★ ★
New Feature • Set Free: Galatians
New This Week: Lesson Review Video + Crossword Challenge
Friends, Sunday's lesson doesn't have to end when the closing prayer does. Starting this week, the newsletter includes a brand-new Lesson Review — a short video recap of the week's teaching from our Galatians series, paired with a crossword puzzle built straight from the lesson itself.
Here's how it works: watch the video below to revisit the key points, then scroll down and put your memory to the test. Every clue in the crossword comes from the lesson — the passages we studied, the truths we unpacked, and the freedom we're finding in Galatians. Whether you were in the Rehearsal Hall on Sunday or catching up from the road, this is your chance to let the Word sink in a second time.
Watch the Lesson Review
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”
— Galatians 5:1
★ ★ ★
Now, Take the Crossword Challenge
Think you caught it all? Every answer is hiding in this week's lesson. Grab a cup of coffee, invite a friend to race you, and see how many clues you can crack without peeking at your notes. No grades, no pressure — just a fun way to hide the Word a little deeper in your heart.
Look for the Lesson Review each week right here in the newsletter. Watch it, play it, share it — and come Sunday, you'll be ready to dig even deeper with us at 10:45 AM in the Rehearsal Hall.
Pastor's Message • Sunday, July 19, 2026
Holy: Jesus is our High Priest
Pastor Gregg Matte opened week two of our Leviticus series with a story you won't forget: a Sunday-night dinner in Orlando that ended with a ride in a chaplain's cop car—past the parking lots, past the gates—straight to Main Street at Disney, just in time for the fireworks. No ticket. No credentials. Just a friend who could take him where he couldn't go on his own. That, friends, is the whole message of Leviticus 8.
In the ordination of Aaron we see the high priest called by God, cleansed with washing and sacrifice, and clothed in holy garments—with blood placed on his ear, thumb, and toe, so he would hear God's word, serve God's things, and walk in God's ways. Yet Aaron was only a man; the golden calf proved it. He could represent the people, but he could not redeem them. We needed a higher High Priest—and His name is Jesus, who heard perfectly, served without sin, walked in complete obedience, and gave Himself as a ransom so that unholy people could have full access to a holy God (Hebrews 4:14–15).
Leviticus 1:1—God speaks from outside the tent. Numbers 1:1—God speaks from inside the tent. 1 Corinthians 6—we become the tent, the very dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.
— THE JOURNEY OF LEVITICUS
And the story doesn't end with access—it ends with assignment. Because of our High Priest, 1 Peter 2:9 calls us a chosen race and a royal priesthood, a people for God's own possession. There's no JV and varsity in Christianity; every believer now carries others on their heart and invites them into the tent. Who are you inviting in?
Praise report: Before the message, Pastor Gregg celebrated the safe return of all 325 middle school students after flooding washed out the road to camp—and thanked the long list of helpers, from volunteer fire departments to federal officials, who got our kids home. They were never in danger, and God was faithful through every mile.
★ ★ ★
This Sunday in the Set Free Series
You Began by the Spirit — Why Turn Back?
This Sunday, Jeff Pennington leads us into Galatians 3:1-5 with Lesson 6 of our Set Free series: “Spirit and Power Through Faith.”
Paul doesn’t ease into this passage — he opens with a rebuke. The Galatians had received the Holy Spirit, witnessed real power, and experienced God’s grace, all through faith. Yet now they were drifting back toward a system of law and works to earn what God had already freely given. So Paul fires off five piercing questions, each one designed to snap them back to reality.
“Did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”
— Galatians 3:2
It’s a question worth asking ourselves, friends. If we started this journey by faith, why would we try to finish it by our own effort?
Join us Sunday at 10:45 AM in the Rehearsal Hall (Level 2) as Jeff walks us through one of the most direct — and most freeing — passages in Paul’s letter.
★ ★ ★
Sun, Aug 9 • 12:30–2 PM • The Gym
Every Journey Needs a PathMaker
The new Life Bible Study year begins soon, and it kicks off with the Adult LBS Leadership Luncheon on Sunday, August 9. Whether you lead a group today or feel God nudging you toward serving, friends, there's a seat at this table for you.
Every meaningful journey begins with a destination in mind. Successful journeys rarely happen by accident—they take preparation, anticipation, and a willingness to follow the right path. The same is true for Life Bible Study. Every Sunday, people walk into our rooms from different places in life: some searching for hope, some for community, some for a deeper relationship with Christ. Wherever they begin, God has a destination in mind.
What can God accomplish in just one hour? A first-time guest finds a welcoming community. Someone takes their next step in following Christ because a leader invested in them. A grieving heart finds hope through the compassion of fellow believers.
— ONLY HE KNOWS
Come connect, be encouraged, and be equipped to serve as a PathMaker—creating welcoming environments, pointing people to God's truth, and helping them take their next step toward Christ. Lunch is on the table and the vision is ready; all that's missing is you.
Prefer a personal touch? Just let Butch or Karen know you're coming.
Then mark your calendar: Kickoff Sunday is August 16—another year of helping people know Christ, grow in Christ, and make disciples who make disciples.
★ ★ ★
Foundations Fellowship • Save the Date
We Love Our Sundays — But Have You Tried Our Sundaes?
The sundae truck is rolling back around — Friday, September 11!
Every Sunday, the Foundations Class gathers around something sweet — God's Word and great friends. But on Friday, September 11 at 7:30 PM, we're gathering around the other kind of sundae. Back by popular demand, our How Sweet It Is dessert fellowship returns, hosted by the Butchers!
Here's the plan — and it starts before dessert is served. Plan a dinner meet-up first! Gather a small group and head out for dinner together earlier that evening. Invite a class member you've been wanting to know better. Invite a guest or a friend — from church or beyond — who could use some fellowship. This is a wonderful opportunity to open a seat at the table and make room for new and growing Christian friendships.
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”
— Proverbs 25:11 (ESV)
Sometimes the sweetest word fitly spoken is simply, “Come join us for dinner.” Who will you invite?
Then, after your dinner meet-ups, everyone comes together at the Butchers' at 7:30 PM for a sweet after-dinner fellowship — sundaes, floats, toppings galore, and laughter in every room. If you were there last time, you already know. And if you missed it, here's your second scoop!
How Sweet It Is — Dessert Fellowship
Friday, September 11 • 7:30 PM
Hosted by the Butchers • Plan your dinner meet-up first! Address and details on GroupMe
Our friendships aren't just for Sunday mornings. Start planning your dinner group now — because dessert is always better shared with friends.
★ ★ ★
Encore Ladies · Women Helping Women
Every Gift Wraps Up Hope
There’s a baby shower coming — and here’s the beautiful twist: the guest of honor isn’t one mom. It’s every mom who walks through the doors of Houston’s Pregnancy Help Center needing a little help getting started. Some showers celebrate one arrival; this one celebrates dozens we’ll never meet this side of heaven.
Taking part is simple: open the invitation below for the full gift list — everything from diapers and onesies to strollers and car seats — then pick something, wrap it, and bring it on the 18th. Can’t attend? Wrapped gifts can be dropped off at the office, Room 256.
“Women helping women — one wrapped gift at a time.”
Benefitting Houston’s Pregnancy Help Center
Baby Shower — Women Helping Women Mission Project
Tuesday, August 18 · 1:00–3:00 PM · Loop Campus, Room 132 (Reception Room)
Please bring a wrapped gift · Can’t attend? Drop off at Room 256
★ ★ ★
Fall 2026 Series Announcement
Coming This Fall: Hebrews 11 — The Hall of Faith
Every great story deserves a great trailer, and our next series just got one. This fall, Foundations begins a 14-week journey through Hebrews 11 — the Hall of Faith — walking the chapter’s roll call of ordinary people who trusted an extraordinary God: Noah building before the rain, Abraham answering before he knew the destination, and walls that fell because somebody kept marching.
And if the movie-trailer-style announcement looks a little familiar… let’s just say one of our own may have been spotted on set alongside the heroes of the faith.
Share the trailer with a friend, a neighbor, or anyone looking for a Bible study home this fall. Hebrews 11 reminds us that faith isn’t reserved for spiritual giants — it’s for everyone willing to take the next step without seeing the whole staircase. Full schedule and details coming soon.
★ ★ ★
Midweek · Every Wednesday
The Midweek Refreshment of Shared Prayer
Join our community as we pause together for the Sweet Hour of Prayer every Wednesday at noon. Please send your prayer requests to Karen at 713-204-8384 by Tuesday so they may be included.
★ ★ ★
Giving Opportunity · Family Camp
A Seat at the Campfire — Reserved by You
Every year, Family Camp gives single-parent and blended families at Houston’s First something the calendar rarely allows: a weekend to exhale. Three days to step away from the daily grind, strengthen relationships, grow in faith, and discover they are not walking their road alone.
Last year, nearly 50 families gathered around the theme Endure. They heard Philip and Elizabeth Varjas share how God carried them through hardship — and you could feel the room lean in. Kids tackled the ropes course, went fishing, and braved the putt-putt. Parents finally rested over an ice cream social. By Sunday morning, families who had arrived worn down left with renewed joy, new friendships, and one anchoring truth: God’s Word endures forever (Isaiah 40:8) — and through Christ, so can we.
This year, several families would love to come but can’t cover the cost. And here’s the part worth sitting with:
A scholarship of just $50–75 per person is often the only thing standing between a struggling family and a weekend that could change their year.
That’s the whole gap. We can close it.
Would our class sponsor one or more campers? Every gift — any amount — removes a financial barrier and hands a family a weekend they’ll carry home in their hearts. Your generosity can have an eternal impact.
We’ve created a Foundations Class GroupMe message center as a convenient, real-time way to share prayer requests, announcements, and encouraging messages. Join or leave anytime — no pressure. Mute notifications if you prefer silence, or jump into the conversation when something grabs your heart.
Foundations friends at The George Theater for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Last Saturday, a colorful crew of Foundations friends filled the seats at The George Theater for an afternoon matinee of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat — and yes, the coat lived up to its billing! From the first note to the final bow, there was plenty of laughter, toe-tapping, and joy shared all around.
Of course, this show has roots we know well. The musical retells the story of Joseph from Genesis 37–50 — the favored son, the coat of many colors, the brothers' betrayal, and God's faithful hand guiding it all toward good. What a joy to watch a familiar story from God's Word come to life on stage, and a fitting reminder of a truth Joseph himself declared: what others meant for evil, God meant for good.
“Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors.”
— Genesis 37:3 (ESV)
Afterwards, the group kept the fellowship going over a delicious meal at Christie's Seafood & Steaks — a true Houston institution that has been "Feeding Houston for Over 109 Years." Great food, deep roots, and even better conversation around the table.
Whether we are studying the Word or sharing a day out together, moments like these remind us that our community extends far beyond Sunday mornings. We love seeing our friends do life together!
★ ★ ★
Foundations Fellowship • Save the Date
We Love Our Sundays — But Have You Tried Our Sundaes?
The sundae truck is rolling back around — Friday, September 11!
Every Sunday, the Foundations Class gathers around something sweet — God's Word and great friends. But on Friday, September 11 at 7:30 PM, we're gathering around the other kind of sundae. Back by popular demand, our How Sweet It Is dessert fellowship returns, hosted by the Butchers!
Here's the plan — and it starts before dessert is served. Plan a dinner meet-up first! Gather a small group and head out for dinner together earlier that evening. Invite a class member you've been wanting to know better. Invite a guest or a friend — from church or beyond — who could use some fellowship. This is a wonderful opportunity to open a seat at the table and make room for new and growing Christian friendships.
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”
— Proverbs 25:11 (ESV)
Sometimes the sweetest word fitly spoken is simply, “Come join us for dinner.” Who will you invite?
Then, after your dinner meet-ups, everyone comes together at the Butchers' at 7:30 PM for a sweet after-dinner fellowship — sundaes, floats, toppings galore, and laughter in every room. If you were there last time, you already know. And if you missed it, here's your second scoop!
How Sweet It Is — Dessert Fellowship
Friday, September 11 • 7:30 PM
Hosted by the Butchers • Plan your dinner meet-up first! Address and details on GroupMe
Our friendships aren't just for Sunday mornings. Start planning your dinner group now — because dessert is always better shared with friends.
★ ★ ★
Pastor's Message
Holy: Rhythms of Connection
Pastor Gregg Matte is home from sabbatical — and on Sunday, July 12, he returned to the pulpit refreshed from weeks of study at the Lanier Theological Library in Oxford, England, ready to launch a new series through a book most of us have been avoiding: Leviticus. His promise to the church? It will be the best message you've ever heard on Leviticus — because it's probably the first.
Often skipped as dry and difficult, Leviticus turns out to be filled with pictures of Jesus, all answering one essential question: how do sinful people draw near to a holy God? Pastor Gregg showed us that holiness — not love — is God's primary attribute, the wellspring from which His love, grace, intimacy, and justice all flow. The angels in heaven don't cry “love, love, love” — they cry “holy, holy, holy.” And the journey of Scripture is breathtaking: in Leviticus 1:1, God speaks to Moses from the tent of meeting. By Numbers 1:1, He speaks in the tent. And because Jesus fulfilled the law completely, the New Testament declares that believers are the tent — the very dwelling place of God's Holy Spirit.
From the burnt offering, Pastor Gregg drew a challenge for today: bring God your best, not your leftovers — just as God gave His very best for us in His Son. And through the offerings and feasts of Leviticus, he showed how heartfelt, sincere rhythms — daily prayer, time in the Word, worship, generosity, gathering with God's people — are what preserve our values and keep us anchored when life grows loud.
“The great danger of the Christian life is not outright rebellion, but a slow drift.”
— Charles Spurgeon, quoted by Pastor Gregg
The sweetest moment came from the side of an English road. When a rock left the Mattes with a flat tire and no spare, a roadside mechanic named Ricky came to the rescue — and Pastor Gregg saw a ministry opportunity coming his way. As Ricky changed the tire, he admitted he believed in an afterlife but assumed there was “a stairway somewhere.” Kneeling by that tire, phrase by phrase, Ricky prayed to receive Jesus Christ as his Savior. As Pastor Gregg put it: on sabbatical, but always on mission.
“It's not a staircase you've got to climb. It's a staircase Jesus came down.”
— Pastor Gregg Matte
The series continues through Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy in the weeks ahead — and Pastor Gregg suggests reading Hebrews alongside Leviticus to see Christ on every page. Come expectant: the same God who moved Moses from outside the tent to inside it now makes His home in us.
Watch the full message below:
“Be holy, because I am holy.”
— Leviticus 11:44
Set Free: Our Summer in Galatians
Paul's Conversion & Commission
Galatians 1:10–2:10 • Taught by Carol Pierce • Sunday, July 12
Armed with hand-made maps of Paul's missionary journeys — fresh from a newly discovered graphics program, no less — Carol Pierce led us through one of the most personal stretches of Galatians: Paul's own story. Facing false teachers in Galatia, Paul opens by establishing his credentials, and they're unlike anyone else's. His gospel didn't come from men, and neither did his calling: “I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:12). The zealous persecutor of the church, at the head of his class in Judaism and steeped in its traditions, was transformed on the road to Damascus — and the churches of Judea glorified God because of the change they heard in him.
Carol lingered on a detail easy to read past: after years in Arabia and Damascus, Paul went to Jerusalem and spent fifteen days one-on-one with Peter. Two of the church's strongest personalities, side by side for two weeks — a relationship that would matter later when the two apostles disagreed sharply and truth prevailed. Fourteen years on, Paul returned to Jerusalem to set his gospel before the apostles, and they gave him and Barnabas “the right hand of fellowship” — full agreement that the gospel Paul preached to the Gentiles was the same gospel Peter preached to the Jews.
And what was at stake? The Judaizers were insisting Gentiles must first become Jews — be circumcised — before they could become Christians. Faith plus something. Carol was direct: that battle never ended; only the “something” changes. Whether it's baptism, good works, or earning God's notice, adding any requirement to salvation by grace through faith is a false gospel — and the true gospel, she reminded us, is a hill to die on. The good news cuts both ways: if you cannot add anything to gain your salvation, you cannot do anything to lose it. As Jesus said, no one can snatch His sheep from the Father's hand — and no one means no one, not even yourself (John 10:27–29).
“A testimony is not just ‘I was saved this way.’ A testimony is what has happened since you were saved.”
— Carol Pierce
The most tender moment came from Carol's own story. Saved at age seven, she once envied friends with dramatic before-and-after testimonies — until the Lord taught her that a lifetime of His faithfulness is a testimony. Paul's changed life gave his preaching credibility; ours does the same. Carol closed with the old hymn that asks the question worth carrying into the week: Let Others See Jesus in You. Your life's a book before their eyes — does it point them to the skies?
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? … If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
— Galatians 1:10 (ESV)
This Sunday's Lesson • Set Free: Our Summer in Galatians
Even Apostles Drift: A Confrontation Over the Gospel
“Paul Confronts Peter” • Galatians 2:11–21 • Taught by Don Sweat
This Sunday, Don Sweat takes us into one of the most uncomfortable — and most important — scenes in the New Testament: the moment Paul opposes Peter to his face.
Here's the drama: in Antioch, Peter had been freely eating with Gentile believers — living out the gospel's freedom. But when members of the circumcision party arrived, he quietly pulled back and separated himself, and his hypocrisy swept up even Barnabas. Paul saw exactly what was at stake. This wasn't a personality clash or a difference in style; conduct was contradicting the gospel itself. “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile… how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” (Galatians 2:14).
What follows is one of the most treasured declarations in all of Scripture — that we are justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law — capped by Paul's soaring testimony:
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
— Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
The lesson for us cuts close: if even Peter could drift under peer pressure, so can we. Come Sunday ready to ask the summer's central question — are you relying on your own works, or the grace of God?
Join us Sunday at 10:45 AM in the Rehearsal Hall (Level 2) — and bring a friend. There's always a seat for one more.
Foundations takes it to the pavement again — Thursday, July 30 at 6:00 PM, 2017 Main St. Drop off snacks at class July 19 and 26, or bring them with you.
On Thursday, July 30, Foundations returns to Street Church — and it’s our serving turn. As always, we alternate with another ministry from visit to visit: they host the praise and worship and bring the message this time, and we take the post we know well — serving the pre-event snacks and sharing the love of Christ.
It’s a good rhythm, and don’t underestimate our half of it. We’re the first face every neighbor meets: the smile before the song, the handshake before the sermon. For someone who’s had a hard week on hard streets, an orange and a honey bun handed over with genuine kindness may be the first “you matter” they’ve heard in days. Our target: welcome and feed 150 neighbors.
Here’s how to be part of it: bring oranges and honey buns to class on Sundays, July 19 and 26 — or bring them with you on the 30th. Then come ready to serve, learn a name or two, and encourage.
“Encouragement is a ministry that needs no microphone.”
There’s a baby shower coming — and here’s the beautiful twist: the guest of honor isn’t one mom. It’s every mom who walks through the doors of Houston’s Pregnancy Help Center needing a little help getting started. Some showers celebrate one arrival; this one celebrates dozens we’ll never meet this side of heaven.
Taking part is simple: open the invitation below for the full gift list — everything from diapers and onesies to strollers and car seats — then pick something, wrap it, and bring it on the 18th. Can’t attend? Wrapped gifts can be dropped off at the office, Room 256.
“Women helping women — one wrapped gift at a time.”
Benefitting Houston’s Pregnancy Help Center
Baby Shower — Women Helping Women Mission Project
Tuesday, August 18 · 1:00–3:00 PM · Loop Campus, Room 132 (Reception Room)
Please bring a wrapped gift · Can’t attend? Drop off at Room 256
★ ★ ★
Fall 2026 Series Announcement
Coming This Fall: Hebrews 11 — The Hall of Faith
Every great story deserves a great trailer, and our next series just got one. This fall, Foundations begins a 14-week journey through Hebrews 11 — the Hall of Faith — walking the chapter’s roll call of ordinary people who trusted an extraordinary God: Noah building before the rain, Abraham answering before he knew the destination, and walls that fell because somebody kept marching.
And if the movie-trailer-style announcement looks a little familiar… let’s just say one of our own may have been spotted on set alongside the heroes of the faith.
Share the trailer with a friend, a neighbor, or anyone looking for a Bible study home this fall. Hebrews 11 reminds us that faith isn’t reserved for spiritual giants — it’s for everyone willing to take the next step without seeing the whole staircase. Full schedule and details coming soon.
★ ★ ★
Midweek · Every Wednesday
The Midweek Refreshment of Shared Prayer
Join our community as we pause together for the Sweet Hour of Prayer every Wednesday at noon. Please send your prayer requests to Karen at 713-204-8384 by Tuesday so they may be included.
★ ★ ★
Giving Opportunity · Family Camp
A Seat at the Campfire — Reserved by You
Every year, Family Camp gives single-parent and blended families at Houston’s First something the calendar rarely allows: a weekend to exhale. Three days to step away from the daily grind, strengthen relationships, grow in faith, and discover they are not walking their road alone.
Last year, nearly 50 families gathered around the theme Endure. They heard Philip and Elizabeth Varjas share how God carried them through hardship — and you could feel the room lean in. Kids tackled the ropes course, went fishing, and braved the putt-putt. Parents finally rested over an ice cream social. By Sunday morning, families who had arrived worn down left with renewed joy, new friendships, and one anchoring truth: God’s Word endures forever (Isaiah 40:8) — and through Christ, so can we.
This year, several families would love to come but can’t cover the cost. And here’s the part worth sitting with:
A scholarship of just $50–75 per person is often the only thing standing between a struggling family and a weekend that could change their year.
That’s the whole gap. We can close it.
Would our class sponsor one or more campers? Every gift — any amount — removes a financial barrier and hands a family a weekend they’ll carry home in their hearts. Your generosity can have an eternal impact.
We’ve created a Foundations Class GroupMe message center as a convenient, real-time way to share prayer requests, announcements, and encouraging messages. Join or leave anytime — no pressure. Mute notifications if you prefer silence, or jump into the conversation when something grabs your heart.
The Coolest Spot in Houston This Sunday: After-Class Lunch!
It's July in Houston. The parking lot is 98 degrees. Your car is 130. Your steering wheel is a skillet.
Meanwhile, a few minutes down the road at Los Tios, there's a glass of iced tea sweating harder than you are — and a table full of your Foundations freinds saving you a seat.
Cold Topo Chico. Warm chips. Queso doing that slow drip. And an hour of the kind of conversation and laughter that no thermostat can produce.
Class ends at noon. The AC is already running.
“The tea is ice cold. The welcome is even better.”
This quarter, the Foundations Class turns its focus to the names of God — beginning with Jehovah Jireh, "The LORD Will Provide." Each name of God in Scripture reveals something of His character, and this one reminds us that our Father sees our need before we ever speak it.
Alongside our study, we're committing to scripture memory together. Our Q3 memory verse is Romans 8:28 — write it down, post it on the fridge, and let's hide it in our hearts as a class:
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
— Romans 8:28
The LORD will provide — and He already has. Let's learn His names and treasure His Word together this quarter.
★ ★ ★
Encore Group Event
Strikes, Burgers & Fellowship: Encore Rolls into the FRC Bowling Alley July 16
Some evenings you just can't spare — and this is one of them. The Encore Group is rolling into an evening of connection on Thursday, July 16, from 4:30 to 7:00 PM at the FRC Bowling Alley on the Loop Campus.
Your $15 ticket covers lane time and a premium Red Robin Burger Box — so come hungry, bring a friend, and don't worry one bit about your score. The fellowship is the real prize.
With Pastor Gregg Matte on sabbatical, author and pastor Robert J. Morgan filled the pulpit on Sunday, July 5 — and delivered a message tailor-made for America’s 250th birthday. Drawing from his book 100 Bible Verses That Made America, Dr. Morgan traced seven scriptures woven into the founding of our nation, stories he says have quietly disappeared from the history books.
The journey began in a Puritan pulpit, where Thomas Hooker preached from Deuteronomy 1:13 — that the people should choose their own leaders — an idea that became the first colonial constitution and the prototype for the Constitution of the United States. It continued through Jonathan Mayhew’s famous sermon on Romans 13:1, which John Adams called the catechism of the revolution, and into the anxious first session of the Continental Congress, where the appointed Anglican reading for the day happened to be Psalm 35: “Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.” The delegates felt the passage had been placed in Scripture just for them.
“If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it likely that an empire can arise without His aid?”
— Benjamin Franklin, Constitutional Convention
Perhaps the most remarkable moment came when the Constitutional Convention was on the verge of collapse — and it was Benjamin Franklin, of all people, who stood and quoted Psalm 127:1: “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” A prayer service followed, and James Madison would later call the Constitution that emerged nothing short of a miracle. Dr. Morgan closed with Acts 4:12 and the little-known deathbed conversion of Alexander Hamilton, who repented, received the Lord’s Supper, and told his grieving wife with his final words to remember that she was a Christian.
Dr. Morgan’s charge to the congregation: the same God who guided a fledgling nation through impossible odds is still at work today — and the question for each of us is whether we will build our lives on His foundation.
Watch the full message below:
“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”
— Proverbs 14:34
And the conversation didn’t end in the sanctuary. Later in the Rehearsal Hall, the Foundations Class picked up right where Dr. Morgan left off — with his book open on every table.
★ ★ ★
Foundations Class • Independence Day Lesson
Three Groups Dig Deep Into the Faith of Our Founders
Talk about providential timing. For the fourth year running, the Foundations Class marked Independence Day with lessons drawn from Robert J. Morgan’s 100 Bible Verses That Made America — and this year, the author himself was preaching in the sanctuary that very morning.
The format was a class favorite: three groups, three stories from American history, and time to dig deep. Each group studied its story at the table — identifying the key figure, the foundational verse, and the takeaway for today — then came to the front to present its findings and close with a historic American prayer.
The first group unpacked the prayer that saved the Constitution: with the Convention deadlocked and near collapse, Benjamin Franklin called the delegates to seek God, anchored in Psalm 127:1. George Washington later led the delegates to a church service where Rev. William Rogers prayed over them — and agreement soon followed. The group’s takeaway rings just as true in 2026: when we’re deeply divided, pray first. They closed with Washington’s prayer for the thirteen new states, with its unmistakable echoes of Micah 6:8.
The second group explored the story of Elias Boudinot, founder of the American Bible Society, and the call of 1 Peter 3:15 — always being ready to give an answer for the hope within us. Their report ranged from the Christian character of the original state constitutions to George Whitefield and the Great Awakening, and closed with prayers from Colossians 1:9–12 and from our own Pastor Gregg Matte, asking God to fill the hearts, homes, schools, and workplaces of our country with spiritual wisdom.
The lesson also launched our new quarter, with a new Name of God focus — Jehovah Jireh, The Lord Will Provide — and a new memory verse the class will carry through the season:
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
From Persecutor to Preacher: Carol Pierce on Paul’s Case for His Gospel
After pausing last Sunday to look back at the faith of our founders, the Foundations Class returns to the Summer Galatians Series this week with Carol Pierce at the podium — and the letter is about to get personal. This week she teaches Lesson 4, Paul’s Conversion and Commission, covering Galatians 1:10–2:10.
So far in our study we’ve covered the background of the Galatian church, the dangers of the false teaching creeping in, and the chronology of Paul’s remarkable life. Now Paul takes the stand in his own defense. Accused of preaching a watered-down, secondhand gospel, he answers with his own story: he received his message not from any man, but “through a revelation of Jesus Christ” — and his life proves it. The man who once violently persecuted the church, advancing in Judaism beyond all his peers, was set apart by God before he was born and transformed into its boldest preacher. As the churches of Judea put it: “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
The passage follows Paul from Damascus to Arabia, through his first visit with Peter in Jerusalem, and — fourteen years later — to the meeting where James, Cephas, and John, the “pillars” of the church, examined his gospel and added nothing to it, extending instead the right hand of fellowship. Paul’s message needed no correction, because it never came from man in the first place.
And that raises the question Paul opens with — one worth carrying into Sunday:
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
— Galatians 1:10
Join us this Sunday at 10:45 AM in the Rehearsal Hall as Carol Pierce walks us through Paul’s testimony — and what it means for whose approval we’re living for.
Foundations takes it to the pavement again — Thursday, July 30 at 6:00 PM, 2017 Main St. Drop off snacks at class July 19 and 26, or bring them with you.
On Thursday, July 30, Foundations returns to Street Church — and it’s our serving turn. As always, we alternate with another ministry from visit to visit: they host the praise and worship and bring the message this time, and we take the post we know well — serving the pre-event snacks and sharing the love of Christ.
It’s a good rhythm, and don’t underestimate our half of it. We’re the first face every neighbor meets: the smile before the song, the handshake before the sermon. For someone who’s had a hard week on hard streets, an orange and a honey bun handed over with genuine kindness may be the first “you matter” they’ve heard in days. Our target: welcome and feed 150 neighbors.
Here’s how to be part of it: bring oranges and honey buns to class on Sundays, July 19 and 26 — or bring them with you on the 30th. Then come ready to serve, learn a name or two, and encourage.
“Encouragement is a ministry that needs no microphone.”
There’s a baby shower coming — and here’s the beautiful twist: the guest of honor isn’t one mom. It’s every mom who walks through the doors of Houston’s Pregnancy Help Center needing a little help getting started. Some showers celebrate one arrival; this one celebrates dozens we’ll never meet this side of heaven.
Taking part is simple: open the invitation below for the full gift list — everything from diapers and onesies to strollers and car seats — then pick something, wrap it, and bring it on the 18th. Can’t attend? Wrapped gifts can be dropped off at the office, Room 256.
“Women helping women — one wrapped gift at a time.”
Benefitting Houston’s Pregnancy Help Center
Baby Shower — Women Helping Women Mission Project
Tuesday, August 18 · 1:00–3:00 PM · Loop Campus, Room 132 (Reception Room)
Please bring a wrapped gift · Can’t attend? Drop off at Room 256
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Fall 2026 Series Announcement
Coming This Fall: Hebrews 11 — The Hall of Faith
Every great story deserves a great trailer, and our next series just got one. This fall, Foundations begins a 14-week journey through Hebrews 11 — the Hall of Faith — walking the chapter’s roll call of ordinary people who trusted an extraordinary God: Noah building before the rain, Abraham answering before he knew the destination, and walls that fell because somebody kept marching.
And if the movie-trailer-style announcement looks a little familiar… let’s just say one of our own may have been spotted on set alongside the heroes of the faith.
Share the trailer with a friend, a neighbor, or anyone looking for a Bible study home this fall. Hebrews 11 reminds us that faith isn’t reserved for spiritual giants — it’s for everyone willing to take the next step without seeing the whole staircase. Full schedule and details coming soon.
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Midweek · Every Wednesday
The Midweek Refreshment of Shared Prayer
Join our community as we pause together for the Sweet Hour of Prayer every Wednesday at noon. Please send your prayer requests to Karen at 713-204-8384 by Tuesday so they may be included.
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Giving Opportunity · Family Camp
A Seat at the Campfire — Reserved by You
Every year, Family Camp gives single-parent and blended families at Houston’s First something the calendar rarely allows: a weekend to exhale. Three days to step away from the daily grind, strengthen relationships, grow in faith, and discover they are not walking their road alone.
Last year, nearly 50 families gathered around the theme Endure. They heard Philip and Elizabeth Varjas share how God carried them through hardship — and you could feel the room lean in. Kids tackled the ropes course, went fishing, and braved the putt-putt. Parents finally rested over an ice cream social. By Sunday morning, families who had arrived worn down left with renewed joy, new friendships, and one anchoring truth: God’s Word endures forever (Isaiah 40:8) — and through Christ, so can we.
This year, several families would love to come but can’t cover the cost. And here’s the part worth sitting with:
A scholarship of just $50–75 per person is often the only thing standing between a struggling family and a weekend that could change their year.
That’s the whole gap. We can close it.
Would our class sponsor one or more campers? Every gift — any amount — removes a financial barrier and hands a family a weekend they’ll carry home in their hearts. Your generosity can have an eternal impact.
We’ve created a Foundations Class GroupMe message center as a convenient, real-time way to share prayer requests, announcements, and encouraging messages. Join or leave anytime — no pressure. Mute notifications if you prefer silence, or jump into the conversation when something grabs your heart.
