Gathering, Growing, and Giving | Sunday @ 10:45 | Houston's First Baptist Loop Campus | Meeting in Rehearsal Hall Level 2 Above Main Foyer | 713-204-8384
Saturday, July 25, 2026
Foundations Class Weekly • July 25, 2026
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.
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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!
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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