Hebrews 11:17–19 | Taught by Jay and Rachel Mathew
What happens when God’s instructions seem to contradict His promises?
God promised Abraham offspring through Isaac — then told him to offer Isaac up. After years of waiting for the son of promise, Abraham obeyed, convinced God could raise him from the dead — and, figuratively speaking, received him back.
We know what it is to hold something precious with open hands: a child we’ve prayed for for decades, a future we can’t control. What lets a person trust the Promiser that completely?
This Sunday, we welcome Jay and Rachel Mathew as they lead us through this story. Join us at 10:45 in the Choir Rehearsal Room — and bring someone who needs to hear it.
“He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead.”
HEBREWS 11:19
Join us this Sunday
November 1, 10:45 AM, Choir Rehearsal Room. Come a few minutes early and bring your Bible — if you don’t have one, we’ll get you one.
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Election Day · Tuesday, November 3
Vote Your Values
Early voting has ended — if you haven’t voted yet, Tuesday is the day. Pastor Gregg’s 3 P’s of Voting booklet is a helpful guide as you head to the polls.
Brookwood Cafe fills up fast for the holiday season! Call or text Karen at 713-204-8384 to reserve your seat NOW.
Carpool departs at 10:30 AM from Karen’s for the trip to Brookshire.
We only have 10 spots reserved, so don’t delay! Let us know quickly if more need to be added.
Discover More About the Brookwood Community
Learn about the incredible work and mission of the Brookwood Community. Click here to explore.
Last Sunday | October 25, 2026
The Hope of Exiles
Hebrews 11:13–16 | Taught by Don Sweat
Living Today with Eternity in View
Last Sunday, Don Sweat continued our Faith Beyond Sight series with a powerful reminder: Our hope in God’s promised future shapes how we live faithfully today.
Don revisited the examples of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah, emphasizing that biblical faith is more than believing God’s promises — it is trusting Him enough to act on them. Faith is not a blind leap but an informed step grounded in the reliability of God’s Word.
Turning to Hebrews 11:13–16, Don highlighted how the patriarchs saw God’s promises from afar, were assured of them, and embraced them, even though they would not see their complete fulfillment during their lifetimes.
Key Takeaways & Life Applications
Trust beyond what you can see. Keep praying, serving, and investing in others, even when the results may come beyond your lifetime.
Let tomorrow’s hope strengthen today’s obedience. God’s promises give us courage to remain faithful through present difficulties.
Live with open hands. Enjoy God’s earthly blessings with gratitude, but remember that our true home is in heaven.
Make your faith visible. Our choices, generosity, and willingness to serve can demonstrate Christ’s presence to those around us.
Keep moving forward. When staying comfortable seems easier, take the next step of faith wherever God is leading.
Don closed by drawing attention to Hebrews 11:16: “Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God.” What makes that possible? Faith.
The challenge for this week: We may not see every promise fulfilled in our lifetime, but we can live today in confident expectation of God’s faithfulness. What step of faith is He calling you to take?
Missed Sunday? Watch the full lesson here.
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The Pastor’s Message | October 25, 2026
Two Steps That Change Everything — Repent and Be Baptized
Acts 2:36–41 | Pastor Gregg Matte
On Sunday’s special Day of Baptism, Pastor Gregg stepped away from the Numbers series to deliver a powerful message about two essential steps in our walk with Christ: repentance and baptism.
Drawing from Peter’s sermon in Acts 2, Pastor Gregg asked the same question the crowd asked after hearing the Gospel: “What should we do?” Peter’s answer was simple: Repent and be baptized.
Key Points & Life Applications
Repentance changes our direction. More than feeling sorry for sin, repentance is a change of thinking that changes our living — turning away from sin and toward Jesus Christ. As Romans 2:4 reminds us, God’s kindness leads us to repentance.
Salvation comes through grace, not works. We cannot earn forgiveness through good deeds, church attendance, or religious rituals. We must personally trust Jesus Christ as Savior.
Baptism makes our faith public. Pastor Gregg described baptism as “an outward expression of an inward change.” It symbolizes our identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection — not the means of salvation.
Obedience follows belief. Pastor Gregg emphasized believer’s baptism by immersion as the biblical pattern: first trusting Christ, then publicly declaring that faith through baptism.
Sharing his own testimony, Pastor Gregg celebrated the 40th anniversary of his salvation on October 21, 1986, reminding us that following Jesus begins with a personal decision and continues through obedience.
The takeaway: God’s spiritual to-do list is not about checking boxes or earning His approval. It is about responding to His grace with faith and obedience.
A question worth considering: Have I personally trusted Christ as my Savior, and am I living unashamedly as His follower?
Missed the message? Watch it here.
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Sweet Hour of Prayer
WEDNESDAYS AT NOON
Join us each Wednesday at noon as we pray for one another. Send your prayer requests to Karen at 713-204-8384 by Tuesday.
Gather — Fellowship
Men’s BBQ Trail · This Week
Come Hungry. Bring a Friend.
Thursday, November 5 · 11:20 AM · Terry Black’s BBQ, 1329 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX
The trail continues this Thursday — join the men of the class for great barbecue and even better fellowship.
Men's BBQ Trail
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2026 | 11:20 AM
The trail continues — next stop: Terry Black's BBQ, 1329 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX. Join the men of the class for great barbecue and even better fellowship.
Friendsgiving on the Lawn
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2026 | RIGHT AFTER CLASS
Our annual fall gathering — food, fellowship, and friends on the lawn. Invite someone who’s been visiting our class.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
JEREMIAH 29:11 · SCRIPTURE MEMORY
Names of God Focus: Yahweh (yah-WEH) — LORD, the covenant name of God
This week Abraham trusted Yahweh with the son of promise himself. When the promise you hold feels most fragile, come back to this: Yahweh, your covenant LORD, has plans to give you a future and a hope.
Join us for dinner celebrating what God is doing through Mission X, and share vision as we look ahead. Please RSVP. Questions? info@missionxmission.org
Shangri-La Botanical Gardens Day Trip — Orange, TX
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6 | MEET 8:00 AM, DEPART 8:30 AM, LOOP WEST PARKING LOT
Only 4 spots left! Lunch on your own at the Old Orange Cafe & Catering Co. Register at HoustonsFirst.org.
Christmas Cookies & Bingo
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 | 1:00–3:00 PM, ROOM 144 (CONNECTION CENTER)
Enjoy some Christmas pastries, coffee, and wassail! Register at HoustonsFirst.org.
Bayou Bend Christmas Village
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16 | $25 PER PERSON | MEET 3:30 PM, DEPART 4:00 PM
Discover an immersive Christmas experience at Bayou Bend Collections & Gardens. Early dinner at Black Walnut Cafe (on your own). Limited space — register at HoustonsFirst.org.
AD Players @ The George Theater
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19 — MATINEE | $46 PER TICKET, ORCHESTRA TIER | MEET 12:30 PM, DEPART 1:00 PM, LOOP WEST PARKING LOT
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” Limited tickets — register at HoustonsFirst.org.
Give — Service and Generosity
Christmas on Mission
COLLECTION THROUGH SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Our class is providing 26 gifts for children ages 0–2 for the Christmas Store. Bring your gifts to class or drop them off in the Christmas Store collection bin by November 22.
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Election Day · Tuesday, November 3
Vote Your Values
Early voting has ended — if you haven’t voted yet, Tuesday is the day. Pastor Gregg’s 3 P’s of Voting booklet is a helpful guide as you head to the polls.
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Stay Connected · GroupMe
You’re in Control — Join or Step Back Anytime
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.
We GATHER in fellowship ·We GIVE in service and generosity ·We GROW in God’s Word ·We SHARE the Good News of Jesus.
Room Change | Sunday, October 25, 2026
This Sunday: We’re Meeting in The Chapel
Heads up, class — this Sunday we’re meeting in The Chapel, not the Choir Rehearsal Room. Please spread the word to anyone who might walk to the wrong door.
This Sunday | October 25, 2026
The Hope of Exiles
Hebrews 11:13–16 | Taught by Don Sweat
Look at the picture. A whole company on the road — everything they own loaded on donkeys, last night’s camp already behind them. Nobody is home yet. And nobody is turning back.
By this stage of life, you know something about that road. You’ve buried people you love. You’re carrying prayers for children and grandchildren that are still unanswered — some you may not live to see answered. And the world you grew up in feels less like home with every passing year.
That is not the epilogue of the life of faith. That is the life of faith. Hebrews 11:13–16 calls people like that strangers and exiles — who saw the promise from afar, and greeted it anyway.
This Sunday, Don Sweat teaches “The Hope of Exiles” in our Faith Beyond Sight series. Come hear why God says He is not ashamed to be called their God — and come ready: Don will challenge us with one unfinished sentence: “Because I belong to God and trust His promised future, this week I will…”
“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar.”
HEBREWS 11:13
Join us this Sunday
October 25, 10:45 AM, The Chapel — note the change: our usual Choir Rehearsal Room is being used for the Day of Baptism. Come a few minutes early and bring your Bible — if you don’t have one, we’ll get you one.
THIS THURSDAY — STREET CHURCH (OCT 29, 6 PM) Wear your Kingdom Come t-shirt · Bring honey buns & oranges · Practice the songs below
Share — The Good News
Street Church — Go, Love, Serve
THIS THURSDAY | OCTOBER 29, 2026 | 6:00 PM
This is the week — our final push! Pre-event snacks, worship, message, and prayer as we take church to the streets. Meet us at 2017 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002. Here’s how to be ready:
Carpool departs at 5:20 PM from the HFBC Southeast parking lot (across from the Fitness and Recreation entry).
Wear your Kingdom Come t-shirt.
Bring honey buns and oranges.
Practice the song(s) below — we’ll practice in class this Sunday too, so we can sing with confidence on the streets.
Street Church Worship — Learn the Songs
WE PRACTICE IN CLASS THIS SUNDAY
Charlotte has prepared these 3 songs — listen now so we can sing them with confidence on the streets:
Song 1 — “It Is Well with My Soul”
Song 2 — “Amazing Grace”
Song 3 — “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling”
Last Sunday | October 18, 2026
Faith in the Impossible
Sarah | Hebrews 11:11–12 | Taught by Carol Pierce
Last Sunday Carol Pierce brought us Sarah’s portrait in our Faith Beyond Sight series — a woman who waited 65 years barren, then 25 more years after the promise, and finally held Isaac at 90. Her faith had a single anchor: she considered him faithful who had promised (Hebrews 11:11).
1. A long road to the promise. Born in Ur of the Chaldeans, married young to Abraham, some 50 years in Haran — then a 500-mile walk to Canaan at age 65, still childless in a culture that read barrenness as a curse. Sarah gave up home twice and kept walking.
2. A faith that stumbled — and still made Hebrews 11. At 75, Sarah got ahead of God with the Hagar plan (Genesis 16) — consequences, Carol said, “we’re still living with today.” At 90, she laughed at the promise. Yet there she is in the hall of faith. As the class discussion landed it: you don’t have to be perfect — it’s not perfection God’s looking for, it’s our faithfulness. Faith, one member put it, is the overcoming of doubt.
3. Her own story of the impossible. Carol shared a story from her own family — years of infertility and miscarriages, a high-risk pregnancy the doctors said shouldn’t have carried — ending with a baby born at 36 weeks who went home the same day: “answer to prayer only.”
4. How to wait: look up, look back, look forward, look down. Carol’s closing formula for the wilderness of waiting — look up to God (know where to look when He feels far); look back at His faithfulness (“when the present seems desolate, plunder the past for hope”); look forward to His promises; look down at the path in front of you and walk it — “wait on the Lord through productive activity.”
“By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.”
HEBREWS 11:11
Sarah’s story ends where ours begins — waiting. “None who wait for him shall be put to shame” (Psalm 25:3). The question she leaves us: what are you waiting for — and will you judge him faithful while you wait?
Missed Sunday? Watch the full lesson here.
The Pastor’s Message | October 18, 2026
God Provides
Numbers 20:1–12 | Pastor Gregg Matte
Pastor Gregg opened Numbers 20 — the 40th year of the wilderness journey. Miriam has just died, there is no water, and two million people are quarreling against Moses and Aaron. Their problem was legitimate; their conclusion was not: they decided God had led them out to die — faithful to begin, but not to finish.
His central line: a legitimate problem does not justify an illegitimate conclusion about God. A dry season does not mean an absent God. For the believer, God’s character is never in doubt — He is always faithful, kind, good, loving, just, and holy.
When provision is hidden, seek the Provider and His plan. Moses and Aaron fell facedown at the tent of meeting (Numbers 20:6 — “circle it in your Bible”). Don’t run from God in your frustration; run to Him. Gregg’s own tent of meeting: a 2 a.m. ottoman and a morning chair with his Bible and his coffee.
Speaking is not striking. God said speak to the rock (Numbers 20:8) — not strike it, as in Exodus 17. Same God, different methods: “God doesn’t use formulas. God uses faithfulness.” Trust His word, not your strength.
Let your obedience be greater than your frustration. Moses spoke to the people instead of the rock, called them rebels, and struck twice in anger — and it cost him the Promised Land. “Mad decisions are bad decisions.” Three helps for anger: realize it doesn’t work long-term (it’s selfish, and it’s a secondary emotion — ask what’s underneath: hurt? fear? insecurity?); repent and ask God for help; walk with God so you walk in the fruit of the Spirit.
And the grace note: the water still flowed. “God’s grace, not our anger, brings God’s provision.” The Rock was struck once — on the cross — so that we can simply speak: “Jesus, save my soul.” He is the living water (John 7).
Try this week. Name your “no water” place — the legitimate need where you’re tempted to draw an illegitimate conclusion about God — and take it to your tent of meeting instead of your anger. And ask his closing question: where are you cottonmouthed in your soul? Turn to Jesus, the living water.
Missed the message? Watch it here.
Sweet Hour of Prayer
WEDNESDAYS AT NOON
Join us each Wednesday at noon as we pray for one another. Send your prayer requests to Karen at 713-204-8384 by Tuesday.
Gather — Fellowship
Men's BBQ Trail
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2026 | 11:20 AM
The trail continues — next stop: Terry Black's BBQ, 1329 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX. Join the men of the class for great barbecue and even better fellowship.
Friendsgiving on the Lawn
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2026 | RIGHT AFTER CLASS
Our annual fall gathering — food, fellowship, and friends on the lawn. Invite someone who’s been visiting our class.
COLLECTION DAY: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2026 | THE LOOP
Our class has been assigned 26 gifts for boys and girls ages 0 to 2. This season we celebrate Christmas by being the hands and feet of Jesus, locally and globally. Gifts may be dropped off at any service — 9:15 AM, 11:00 AM, or 4:00 PM at The Lawn. We may give more than our assigned number if we wish.
Vote Your Values
EARLY VOTING UNDERWAY THROUGH OCTOBER 30 | ELECTION DAY: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3
Early voting is happening now. Pastor Gregg wrote a free booklet, 3 P’s of Voting, to help believers pray, examine, and participate — read it right here:
The Promiser and The Promise · Our Quarter Theme
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
JEREMIAH 29:11 · SCRIPTURE MEMORY
Names of God Focus: Yahweh (yah-WEH) — LORD, the covenant name of God
The patriarchs lived as strangers and exiles — and never doubted they belonged to God. This week, when the world doesn’t feel like home, come back to this: Yahweh, your covenant LORD, has plans to give you a future and a hope.
Around Our Church
Worth a look this week
Day of Baptism — tomorrow, Oct 25. If you’ve been putting off that step, this is the week to say something — and a baptism Sunday is always a great Sunday to bring a friend. Reminder: our class meets in The Chapel this Sunday; the Choir Rehearsal Room is being used for baptisms.
Night of Prayer, Mon Oct 26, 7–8:30p, Chapel. This month we pray for the persecuted church — and Chick-fil-A starts at 6:30p. Fits our class’s prayer culture to a T.
Night of Worship, Sun Nov 1, 6:30p, Worship Center. An evening of corporate singing, reflection, and prayer with the Houston’s First worship band, team, and choir.
The Chosen — Season 6, Episode 1: special early-access showing Sun Nov 8, 5:15p on The Lawn.
Encore folks: Monday Morning Mingle, Mon Oct 26, 10a–Noon, Rm 132 — special guest Maria Estrella, HFBC’s Director of HR. And the Shangri-La Botanical Gardens day trip, Fri Nov 6 — meet 8a, depart 8:30a from the Loop West lot; lunch on your own at the Old Orange Cafe. Limited space for both — register at HoustonsFirst.org.
Save the dates:Then Sings My Soul hymn-sing, Nov 11 (6:30p, The Loop). An Evening with Dr. Peter J. Williams: Can We Trust the Gospels? — Nov 13 (7p, Downtown). TOYMAKER, the new interactive Christmas musical, Dec 11–13 — tickets on sale now. And the AD Players’ The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Sat Dec 19 matinee ($46, orchestra tier) — limited tickets, worth an early decision.
For the grieving:Surviving the Holidays meets Nov 10 (6:45p) — gentle support heading into the holidays. Share it with someone who needs it.
One-liners:LoopedIn! is the church’s new digital updates channel — worth a follow. And Let Freedom Ring: A Guide for Christian Voters is available ahead of the Nov 3 election.
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Ministry · Encore Activities
Connecting Through Encore
Encore is our church’s ministry for adults 55+, with trips, retreats, and gatherings all year long.
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.
We GATHER in fellowship ·We GIVE in service and generosity ·We GROW in God’s Word ·We SHARE the Good News of Jesus.
This Sunday | October 18, 2026
Faith in the Impossible
Sarah | Hebrews 11:11–12 | Taught by Carol Pierce
By faith, Sarah — barren and long past the age of childbearing — received power to conceive. She did not lean on her circumstances; she leaned on the character of the One who promised. Her faith had a single anchor: she considered him faithful who had promised.
This Sunday, Carol Pierce continues our Faith Beyond Sight series with the faith of Sarah. When every earthly reason said impossible, Sarah’s faith said otherwise — and from one man, Abraham, “as good as dead,” came descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
Carol Pierce teaching in the Foundations Class
“By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.”
HEBREWS 11:11
Come ready to consider: what impossible thing is God asking you to trust him for — and will you judge him faithful?
Join us this Sunday
October 18, 10:45 AM, Choir Rehearsal Room. Come a few minutes early and bring your Bible.
Last Sunday | October 11, 2026
The Call and the Pilgrimage
Abraham | Hebrews 11:8–10 | Taught by Bill Wright
Last Sunday Bill Wright opened Abraham’s portrait in our Faith Beyond Sight series with a plain question: what does faith actually do? From Hebrews 11:8–10, he drew five lessons.
1. Faith leaves the comfort zone. Abraham lived in Ur — at the Tigris-Euphrates crossroads, the “cradle of civilization,” wealthy, able to avail himself of anything. God calling him out was like being told to leave Paris for Laredo. Bill kept bringing it home: how would you pitch that to your wife? Abraham was a real man with a family, fears, and roots — not a stained-glass figure.
2. Faith knows no age limits. “God does not have a retirement plan.” Abraham was 75 when God called him. Caleb was 85 when he said, “Give me the mountains” — the Anakim, the giants — “Bring on the big guys.” Colonel Sanders, Sam Walton, Toni Morrison, Grandma Moses: all late bloomers. At this season of life, we may be more valuable than ever — most experienced, most available, most able. All of life before may be preparation for what God wants now.
3. Faith obeys when it can’t figure it out. Abraham didn’t know where he was going, how long it would take, or what he would find. Gideon — a frightened farmer threshing wheat in a wine press at night — was called “mighty warrior,” then watched his army cut to 300 and received a battle plan of jars and trumpets. Lord, is there a plan B? The proof of faith is obedience when you can’t figure it out.
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”
HEBREWS 11:8
4. Faith always brings reward. The Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12) promised four things: a great nation, a great name, blessing on those who bless and cursing on those who curse, and blessing to all nations through him — ultimately the Scriptures and the Messiah. Israel today: 10 million people on land smaller than New Jersey, yet in the headlines every day. Balaam was hired to curse Israel and ended up blessing her instead.
5. Faith endures hardship with an eternal perspective. Abraham lived in tents — tabernacles — after a fine house in a fine city. He could, because he was looking for a city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be.” Bill told of a stockbroker asking his father-in-law, “Have you made any provision for what’s going to happen after this life?” — and leading him to faith on the spot. Abraham had.
The walk this week
God does not have a retirement plan, and faith is obedience when you can’t figure it out. Where is God calling you to step out this week — and will you trust the One who called, even without the map? Pack light. He knows the way.
Missed Sunday? Watch the full lesson here.
This Week’s Walk | October 18, 2026
Name Your Impossible
Sarah looked at the impossible odds on one side, the Promiser’s character on the other — and reached a settled conclusion: He is faithful; therefore it is possible. Her faith was not optimism about outcomes; it was arithmetic about character.
“Is anything too hard for the LORD?”
GENESIS 18:14
This week, name your “impossible” — the thing you’ve stopped asking for because the math doesn’t work. Then do Sarah’s reckoning: weigh the human impossibility against the divine impossibility of God breaking His word. As Warren Wiersbe put it, stop asking “How can this be?” — the question of doubt — and start asking “How shall this be?” — the question of surrendered faith. God reserves His greatest work for the point where our resources end.
The Pastor’s Message | October 11, 2026
What Got You Here Will Not Get You There: Seeing Differently
Numbers 13 | Dr. Stephen Trammel
Dr. Stephen Trammel opened Numbers 13 and the spies’ report: life gets blurry when the next step is unclear. He gave three essentials for seeing clearly — explore the land God has put in front of you, recognize that fear distorts your vision while faith clarifies it, and let God’s past faithfulness fuel your trust today. And when fear pulls you under, like Peter stepping out of the boat, cry out to Jesus — whatever is over your head is beneath His feet.
Try this daily. Dr. Trammel gave us three movements to build into our morning quiet time — smile first (you’re awake, it’s a new day), then:
Eyes — two fingers to your eye, then open them: “Lord, help me see differently.”
Heart — cupped hand over your heart: “Lord, help me trust deeply.”
Hand — cupped hand forward, as if receiving from God: “Lord, help me to move forward in faith by your grace.”
Missed the message? Watch it here.
Mark Your Calendar | Fall 2026
Upcoming Events
Share — The Good News
Street Church — Go, Love, Serve
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2026 | 6:00 PM
Pre-event snacks, worship, message, and prayer as we take church to the streets. Meet us at 2017 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002 — and wear your Kingdom Come t-shirt!
Street Church Worship — Learn the Songs
SONG 1 | WE PRACTICE IN CLASS THIS WEEK
Charlotte is preparing three songs for worship at Street Church. We’ll practice the first one in class this week — listen now so we can sing it with confidence on the streets:
Songs 2 and 3 coming in next week’s edition.
Gather — Fellowship
Men's BBQ Trail
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2026 | 11:20 AM
The trail continues — next stop: Terry Black's BBQ, 1329 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX. Join the men of the class for great barbecue and even better fellowship.
Friendsgiving on the Lawn
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2026 | RIGHT AFTER CLASS
Our annual fall gathering — food, fellowship, and friends on the lawn. Invite someone who’s been visiting our class.
COLLECTION DAY: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2026 | THE LOOP
Our class has been assigned 26 gifts for boys and girls ages 0 to 2. This season we celebrate Christmas by being the hands and feet of Jesus, locally and globally. Gifts may be dropped off at any service — 9:15 AM, 11:00 AM, or 4:00 PM at The Lawn. We may give more than our assigned number if we wish.
Vote Your Values
EARLY VOTING: OCTOBER 19–30 | ELECTION DAY: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3
Voter registration is available at all campuses. Pastor Gregg wrote a free booklet, 3 P’s of Voting, to help believers pray, examine, and participate — read it right here:
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Quarter Memory Verse · The Promiser and The Promise
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
JEREMIAH 29:11
This Quarter · Scripture Memory & Names of God Focus
The Promiser and The Promise
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
JEREMIAH 29:11 · SCRIPTURE MEMORY
Names of God Focus: Yahweh (yah-WEH) — LORD, the covenant name of God.
This quarter we’re hiding Jeremiah 29:11 in our hearts — the promise that the God who plans is the God who keeps His promises. When the week feels uncertain, come back to this: the Promiser has not forgotten you.
Around Our Church
Worth a look this week
Day of Baptism, Oct 25. Sarah's story reminds us that what God calls impossible, He makes possible — and baptism is how we say it publicly. If you've been putting off that step, this is the week to say something. A baptism Sunday is always a great Sunday to bring a friend.
Night of Prayer, Oct 26 at 7p. A church-wide evening of prayer. Fits our class's prayer culture to a T — mark it and bring a prayer partner.
“Is anything too hard for the Lord?”
GENESIS 18:14
Save the dates:Then Sings My Soul hymn-sing worship night, Nov 11 (6:30p, The Loop). An Evening with Dr. Peter J. Williams: Can We Trust the Gospels? — Nov 13 (7p, Downtown), an apologetics evening that feels made for our class. And TOYMAKER, a brand-new interactive Christmas musical, Dec 11–13 — tickets are on sale now.
For the grieving:Surviving the Holidays meets Oct 22 and Nov 10 (6:45p) — gentle support heading into the holidays. Share it with someone who needs it.
Encore folks: Hunt Retreat Day Oct 22, Monday Morning Mingle Oct 26, and the Shangri-La Gardens day trip Nov 6. Mark your calendar for Christmas on Mission Collection Day, Nov 22 — a simple way to put feet on your faith.
One-liners:LoopedIn! is the church's new digital updates channel — worth a follow. And Pastor Gregg's Let Freedom Ring: A Guide for Christian Voters is available ahead of the Nov 3 midterms — Prayer, Policies, Partnerships, Person, Participate, and Peace.
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Midweek · Every Wednesday
The Midweek Refreshment of Shared Prayer
Join us 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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Ministry · Encore Activities
Connecting Through Encore
Encore is our church’s ministry for adults 55+, with trips, retreats, and gatherings all year long. Coming up: the Hunt Retreat Day on October 22 and the Monday Morning Mingle on October 26.
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.
