Saturday, December 27, 2025

Newsletter December 27 2025

A Pause Before the Journey Continues 

There will be no Life Bible Study class this Sunday, December 28, 2025, as we take a short pause during the week between Christmas and the New Year. 

When we return, our next gathering will be a meaningful time of class planning and organizing our thoughts for the year ahead — an opportunity to reflect, share ideas, and prepare our hearts for what’s coming. 

Following that, we’ll conclude our current series with the final lesson in The Gospel in the Stars, before beginning our new study in Ecclesiastes, The Lasting Things, later in January. 

We look forward to gathering again soon — refreshed, focused, and ready — as the journey continues.

Pastor's Message Sunday December 21, 2025:
The Story - Part 2: Wise Men

Message Notes:

In a thoughtful and deeply challenging lesson, Jeff Pennington guided our class through the heart of Future Grace, a work that reshapes how believers understand grace—not merely as something received in the past, but as God’s active, sustaining power for the future. 

Drawing from 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12, Jeff emphasized that grace is far more than undeserved favor. In Piper’s framework, grace is power—the divine fuel that produces faith, obedience, perseverance, and joyful satisfaction in God. While many Christians look back on grace with gratitude, Future Grace calls us to look forward with confidence, trusting that God will supply everything needed for faithful living moment by moment. 

Jeff highlighted a key insight that resonated deeply: God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him. When believers live by “future grace,” faith grows stronger, good works flow naturally, and lives become aligned with God’s calling rather than driven by self-effort or spiritual exhaustion.

This lesson was not a call to try harder—but to trust more fully. It left many encouraged to revisit how grace shapes daily life, spiritual growth, and long-term obedience. For those seeking a fresh perspective on faith, endurance, and joy in Christ, Future Grace offers rich ground for reflection and renewal.

With Grateful Hearts 

 Karen and I want to express our sincere thanks to our Foundations Class for the generous love offering and the thoughtful note of appreciation shared with us last Sunday. 

We were truly humbled and deeply encouraged—not only by the gift itself, but by the love, kindness, and affirmation it represented. To serve alongside such a faithful, caring, and Christ-centered group is a joy and a blessing we do not take lightly. 

Foundations is far more than a class to us; it is family. Walking together through Scripture, prayer, laughter, challenges, and seasons of life has been one of the great privileges of our journey here. 

Thank you for your generosity, your support, and most of all, your friendship. We are grateful to be part of what God is doing in and through this class—and we look forward to the road ahead together. 

With heartfelt appreciation! 
                           Butch & Karen


An Invitation to Share What Truly Lasts 

As a new year approaches, many people quietly begin asking the deeper questions of life: What really matters? What will last? Is there more to this season than simply getting by?

Chances are, someone you know is asking those very questions — a friend, neighbor, or family member who feels unsettled, reflective, or longing for clearer purpose. On January 18, our class begins a new study, The Lasting Things, a walk through the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon’s honest reflections on joy, work, loss, success, and meaning speak powerfully to hearts searching for direction — especially in this stage of life. 

This year, we’re making it easier to extend an invitation. A tri-fold series invitation is embedded below that you may print at home and share in the meantime (print in color, two-sided). Printed copies will also be available at the Welcome Center in the foyer. 

Would you pray about who the Lord might place on your heart? Sometimes a simple, personal invitation — a quiet “come sit with me” — can open the door to meaningful conversation and new direction. 

On Sunday, January 18, consider bringing someone along — because in the end, it’s the lasting things that matter most.

A celebration of the life of Michael Mann will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 11:00 AM 
at Houston’s First Baptist Church. 

 Michael was a cherished member of our Foundations Class, and we give thanks for the faith and kindness he shared so generously. Please continue to keep Adriana in your prayers as we honor his life and rejoice in the hope of his homegoing.

Sweet Hour of Prayer 
– Wednesday, December 31st @ Noon 

Join us midweek for a peaceful moment of worship and intercession during our Sweet Hour of Prayer on Wednesday, December 31st at 12:00 PM. 

Send your praises and prayer requests to Karen before Wednesday morning so they can be included and shared for prayer time. Whether you're pausing at home, in the office, or gathered with others, let’s lift our hearts in unity—celebrating God’s goodness and leaning on His strength together. 
💬Text your requests to Karen 713-204-8384 and let’s pray together as a class family!

Encore Happenings:  For Encore Information Click Here: https://3zs8.short.gy/Encore

Stay Connected – Or Quietly Step Back. You're in Control with Our 
New Foundations GroupMe! 

We’ve created a Foundations Class GroupMe message center as a convenient, real-time way to share prayer requests, class announcements, event updates, and uplifting messages—all in one place. This is a great way to stay connected throughout the week, it’s designed to put you in control: Join or leave anytime—no pressure! Mute notifications if you prefer silence, or jump into the conversation when something grabs your heart. Stay informed without having to check email or social media. 
 Sign up now using this link: 
👉https://3zs8.short.gy/FoundationsGM 
 You can also scan the QR code (Below) to connect instantly.
 Let’s make it easy to stay connected—and just as easy to opt out when needed. It’s all about flexibility, care, and building a stronger Foundations fellowship.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Newsletter December 27 2025

A Pause Before the Journey Continues  There will be  no Life Bible Study class this Sunday, December 28, 2025 , as we take a short pause dur...