New Summer Series • Begins This Sunday
Set Free: Our Summer in Galatians Starts Now
Paul wrote to a church that had tasted freedom — and was quietly trading it back in for a list of rules. His response is one of the boldest letters in the New Testament. This summer, the Foundations Class traces that same road to freedom through grace in Galatians: Freedom in Christ.
We kick off this Sunday with an introduction to the letter — who the Galatians were, what was at stake, and why Paul's message still cuts straight to the heart today. It's the perfect Sunday to walk in fresh: no catching up required, just bring your Bible and a curiosity for what it means to actually be free.
Know Someone Looking for a Bible Study?
The tri-fold is available just below — print it to hand out, or send it straight to a friend or family member. It's a simple, no-pressure way to invite someone to join us at the very start of a brand-new series, the easiest week of the year to jump in.
Sundays at 10:45 AM • Choir Rehearsal Room • Houston's First Baptist, Loop Campus
Galatians is Coming — Get Your Guide!
This summer the Foundations Bible Study Class explores Galatians: Freedom in Christ — nine powerful Sunday sessions starting June 14 at 10:45 AM.
Your trifold guide is ready!
- Print it yourself — full print-ready PDF available
- Pick one up in class — limited copies available
- We'll have copies placed in the Visitor Kiosks in the Foyer
The Sound of the Series
No Longer I — Christ Alive in Me
Before we open the first page of Galatians, listen. "No Longer I" takes the heartbeat of Paul's letter and sets it to music — an ancient road, a letter that burned with the truth of God, and a freedom that comes not by works or heavy chains, but by grace alone.
The song lives right where our study begins — Galatians 2:20 and 5:1. It traces the path from being bound to being set free, from striving to surrender, until the only thing left to sing is the heart of the whole letter: it is no longer I who live.
"I have been crucified with the Savior who died… Christ is alive in me."
Press play, then come trace the road to freedom with us — Galatians begins this Sunday at 10:45 AM.
Sunday Message Recap • June 7, 2026
Day 17: When Rescue Breaks Through
With Pastor Gregg on sabbatical, Dr. Bill Blocker brought a powerful word from John 20 — and opened it with the 2010 Chilean mine collapse, where 33 men sat trapped half a mile underground for 69 days. They couldn't dig out or climb out. Rescue had to come from above. And even when the drill finally broke through on day 17, he reminded us of a hard truth: being found is not the same as being freed.
From the locked room where the fearful disciples were hiding, Jesus walked straight through the door and handed them four keys to freedom — peace for our fear, purpose for our failure, power for our weakness, and, when doubt still lingers like it did for Thomas, the master key of faith: trusting when we cannot yet see.
"Being found is not the same as being freed."
Jesus, he reminded us, is the rescue capsule — the One who reaches into our darkness and carries us into the light. The only question left to answer isn't when will I get my life together? It's simply: will you get in?
Lesson Review • Ecclesiastes 12 • June 7, 2026
Under the Sun, Under the Son
To close out our long journey through Ecclesiastes, there was no one better to bring it home than Carol Pierce — red stool and all. Chapter 12 opens with a single command that holds the whole book together: remember your Creator in the days of your youth. Solomon then paints aging in unforgettable poetry — dimming eyes, trembling hands, bent legs, the almond tree in white bloom — until the silver cord finally snaps and dust returns to dust.
It could read as the most depressing chapter in Scripture — and Carol named that honestly. But she drew the line that changes everything: a life lived under the sun, chasing youth and pleasure, ends in vanity. A life lived under the Son ends in victory. The same years, the same body wearing out, but an entirely different destination.
"Fear God and keep His commandments — for this is the whole duty of man."
Solomon's final word, Carol reminded us, isn't despair — it's direction. The words of the wise are like goads, prodding us toward righteous living, and the Bible itself is still the best teacher of the Bible. To walk to the end of life able to say "by and large, I have walked with the Lord" — that is a victory beyond anything the world can offer.
And with that, Ecclesiastes is complete. Next Sunday we open Galatians — our summer journey into freedom in Christ.
Encore Group Event
Bring Your A-Game (and Your Appetite)
Strikes, burgers, and fellowship — roll into an evening of connection with the Encore community. Whether you bowl a perfect game or gutter every frame, the real win is the time spent together. Your ticket covers lane time and a premium Red Robin Burger Box, so come hungry and ready to laugh.
WHERE FRC Bowling Alley (Loop Campus)
TICKETS $15 per person — includes lane time + Red Robin Burger Box
Spots fill up — grab your lane before they're gone.
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.
Connecting Through Encore Activities
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.
Sign up here: https://3zs8.short.gy/FoundationsGM →
No comments:
Post a Comment