Pastor’s message April 19:

Upside Down but Right Side Up:

Matthew Overview

This Sunday’s message brought a powerful overview of the Gospel of Matthew, revealing the big picture of Jesus’ life and mission. We were reminded that Hope, Wisdom, and Life have all come through Christ, from His promised arrival to His victory at the cross and empty tomb.

The key takeaway was clear: build your life on Jesus. When life’s storms come, they don’t test your foundation—they reveal it. The call is to lift Jesus higher, walk in humility, and live with eternity in view, even when it feels “upside down” to the world.

The Strange Wisdom of Hard Things:

Why Life’s Hardest Moments May Be Your Greatest Teacher

In this week’s Foundations Class, Paul and Cyndi Nielsen led a powerful and thought-provoking lesson from Ecclesiastes 7:1–14, challenging us to rethink what we naturally avoid—hard things. In a world that chases comfort, Solomon’s words turn everything upside down: sorrow can be better than laughter, and the end of life can reveal more than the beginning.

Drawing from the life of Solomon—a man who had everything yet discovered life’s “spiritual dead ends”—we were reminded that true wisdom is often forged not in celebration, but in reflection. Moments like funerals, loss, and hardship force us to consider what truly matters and to live with eternity in view.

The lesson highlighted three striking truths:

A good name is more valuable than success or status—it reflects a life tested and finished well.
Pain and sorrow can shape the heart more deeply than pleasure ever could.
God uses both prosperity and adversity to guide us, even when the path feels “crooked.”

Through real-life stories and biblical insight, we were reminded to embrace wise correction, guard against anger, and avoid the trap of longing for the “good old days.” Instead, we are called to trust God fully in the present moment.

The takeaway is both simple and sobering: wisdom alone is not enough. The lasting life is found in a heart that fears God and walks faithfully with Him. In the end, it’s not about how life begins—but how it finishes.

When Life Doesn’t Add Up:
Discovering Humility and Discernment in an Unpredictable World

This Sunday, April 26, Rand Wall will guide the Foundations Class through a deeply relevant and eye-opening lesson from Ecclesiastes 7:15–29 titled “Living with Humility and Discernment.” In a world where outcomes often seem unfair and unpredictable, this passage confronts a hard truth: life doesn’t always follow the rules we expect. The righteous may struggle, while the wicked sometimes prosper—and that tension can shake our faith if we’re not anchored in God’s wisdom.

Rather than offering easy answers, Solomon points us to a better way—a life marked by humility, balance, and a healthy fear of God. This lesson will explore how to avoid the extremes of self-righteousness and careless living, and instead walk the narrow path of discernment. We’ll be reminded that none of us are perfect, that grace must shape how we see others, and that God’s ways are higher than our own understanding.

At its core, this lesson invites us to stop trying to “figure everything out” and instead trust the One who already has. When life doesn’t make sense, humility steadies the heart—and discernment keeps us moving forward. Don’t miss this powerful study that will challenge your thinking and strengthen your walk.

Faith in Motion:

From the Pew to the Pavement—Let’s Go!

There are moments when faith calls us to step beyond comfort—and this is one of them.

This Thursday, April 30 at 6:00 PM, our Foundations Class is heading out for Street Church at a new location in the heart of Houston—serving, worshiping, and bringing hope to those who need it most.

Carpool departs from the Southeast Parking Lot at 5:23 PM—don’t be late! Or meet-up at the location.

We’re preparing to welcome and care for 150 people, and you can help make it happen. Please bring:
Oranges
Little Debbie cakes

If you’re not able to attend, you can still be part of the impact—bring your items to class this week or drop them off at the Butcher home.

This is more than an event—it’s faith in action.
Where worship moves beyond words into service.
Where we stop counting heads and start reaching hearts.

Let’s go together—serving, loving, and shining Christ where it matters most.

Galveston Awaits: A Day of Beauty, History, and Sisterhood

Ladies, mark your calendars for a memorable coastal escape! Join us for the Galveston Historic Homes Tour—a delightful day filled with timeless architecture, meaningful conversation, and shared joy. Stroll through beautifully preserved homes that tell stories of generations past, enjoy a relaxing group lunch, and experience the blessing of fellowship along the way. From the charm of wraparound porches to the elegance of historic interiors, this day promises inspiration at every turn. Contact Karen for more details: 713-204-8384.

Movie Night: Don’t Go Solo… It’s Solo Mio!

A quiet night alone? Not this time! Solo Mio is all about the unexpected—and it’s even better when shared.

Join us at the Butchers’ for a relaxed, laughter-filled Movie Night featuring Solo Mio. We’ll have hot dogs, popcorn, and great fellowship—the perfect recipe for a fun evening together.

Friday, May 15 | 6:30 PM | @ the Butchers’ Home

A Resource to Share

We created this landing page as something you can send to someone without having to explain everything—just pass it along.

👉 Share this with someone who needs encouragement.

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.

Walking Together Through Future Grace

This month we pause to review Section I from February and look ahead to Section II: Free and Future Grace for March. Together we are learning that grace is not only God’s gift for the past, but His strength for the days still ahead.

March’s reading points us toward deeper dependence on the Lord, reminding us that His grace is sufficient for weary hearts, humble faith, and every step yet to come.

Read Future Grace Online at This Link

Connecting Through Encore Activities

For Encore information: Click Here

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

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.