Foundations Fellowship
Coats of Many Colors, Friends of One Faith
Foundations friends at The George Theater for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Last Saturday, a colorful crew of Foundations friends filled the seats at The George Theater for an afternoon matinee of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat — and yes, the coat lived up to its billing! From the first note to the final bow, there was plenty of laughter, toe-tapping, and joy shared all around.
Of course, this show has roots we know well. The musical retells the story of Joseph from Genesis 37–50 — the favored son, the coat of many colors, the brothers' betrayal, and God's faithful hand guiding it all toward good. What a joy to watch a familiar story from God's Word come to life on stage, and a fitting reminder of a truth Joseph himself declared: what others meant for evil, God meant for good.
“Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors.”
— Genesis 37:3 (ESV)
Afterwards, the group kept the fellowship going over a delicious meal at Christie's Seafood & Steaks — a true Houston institution that has been "Feeding Houston for Over 109 Years." Great food, deep roots, and even better conversation around the table.
Whether we are studying the Word or sharing a day out together, moments like these remind us that our community extends far beyond Sunday mornings. We love seeing our friends do life together!
★ ★ ★
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.
★ ★ ★
Pastor's Message
Holy: Rhythms of Connection
Pastor Gregg Matte is home from sabbatical — and on Sunday, July 12, he returned to the pulpit refreshed from weeks of study at the Lanier Theological Library in Oxford, England, ready to launch a new series through a book most of us have been avoiding: Leviticus. His promise to the church? It will be the best message you've ever heard on Leviticus — because it's probably the first.
Often skipped as dry and difficult, Leviticus turns out to be filled with pictures of Jesus, all answering one essential question: how do sinful people draw near to a holy God? Pastor Gregg showed us that holiness — not love — is God's primary attribute, the wellspring from which His love, grace, intimacy, and justice all flow. The angels in heaven don't cry “love, love, love” — they cry “holy, holy, holy.” And the journey of Scripture is breathtaking: in Leviticus 1:1, God speaks to Moses from the tent of meeting. By Numbers 1:1, He speaks in the tent. And because Jesus fulfilled the law completely, the New Testament declares that believers are the tent — the very dwelling place of God's Holy Spirit.
From the burnt offering, Pastor Gregg drew a challenge for today: bring God your best, not your leftovers — just as God gave His very best for us in His Son. And through the offerings and feasts of Leviticus, he showed how heartfelt, sincere rhythms — daily prayer, time in the Word, worship, generosity, gathering with God's people — are what preserve our values and keep us anchored when life grows loud.
“The great danger of the Christian life is not outright rebellion, but a slow drift.”
— Charles Spurgeon, quoted by Pastor Gregg
The sweetest moment came from the side of an English road. When a rock left the Mattes with a flat tire and no spare, a roadside mechanic named Ricky came to the rescue — and Pastor Gregg saw a ministry opportunity coming his way. As Ricky changed the tire, he admitted he believed in an afterlife but assumed there was “a stairway somewhere.” Kneeling by that tire, phrase by phrase, Ricky prayed to receive Jesus Christ as his Savior. As Pastor Gregg put it: on sabbatical, but always on mission.
“It's not a staircase you've got to climb. It's a staircase Jesus came down.”
— Pastor Gregg Matte
The series continues through Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy in the weeks ahead — and Pastor Gregg suggests reading Hebrews alongside Leviticus to see Christ on every page. Come expectant: the same God who moved Moses from outside the tent to inside it now makes His home in us.
Watch the full message below:
“Be holy, because I am holy.”
— Leviticus 11:44
Set Free: Our Summer in Galatians
Paul's Conversion & Commission
Galatians 1:10–2:10 • Taught by Carol Pierce • Sunday, July 12
Armed with hand-made maps of Paul's missionary journeys — fresh from a newly discovered graphics program, no less — Carol Pierce led us through one of the most personal stretches of Galatians: Paul's own story. Facing false teachers in Galatia, Paul opens by establishing his credentials, and they're unlike anyone else's. His gospel didn't come from men, and neither did his calling: “I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:12). The zealous persecutor of the church, at the head of his class in Judaism and steeped in its traditions, was transformed on the road to Damascus — and the churches of Judea glorified God because of the change they heard in him.
Carol lingered on a detail easy to read past: after years in Arabia and Damascus, Paul went to Jerusalem and spent fifteen days one-on-one with Peter. Two of the church's strongest personalities, side by side for two weeks — a relationship that would matter later when the two apostles disagreed sharply and truth prevailed. Fourteen years on, Paul returned to Jerusalem to set his gospel before the apostles, and they gave him and Barnabas “the right hand of fellowship” — full agreement that the gospel Paul preached to the Gentiles was the same gospel Peter preached to the Jews.
And what was at stake? The Judaizers were insisting Gentiles must first become Jews — be circumcised — before they could become Christians. Faith plus something. Carol was direct: that battle never ended; only the “something” changes. Whether it's baptism, good works, or earning God's notice, adding any requirement to salvation by grace through faith is a false gospel — and the true gospel, she reminded us, is a hill to die on. The good news cuts both ways: if you cannot add anything to gain your salvation, you cannot do anything to lose it. As Jesus said, no one can snatch His sheep from the Father's hand — and no one means no one, not even yourself (John 10:27–29).
“A testimony is not just ‘I was saved this way.’ A testimony is what has happened since you were saved.”
— Carol Pierce
The most tender moment came from Carol's own story. Saved at age seven, she once envied friends with dramatic before-and-after testimonies — until the Lord taught her that a lifetime of His faithfulness is a testimony. Paul's changed life gave his preaching credibility; ours does the same. Carol closed with the old hymn that asks the question worth carrying into the week: Let Others See Jesus in You. Your life's a book before their eyes — does it point them to the skies?
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? … If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
— Galatians 1:10 (ESV)
This Sunday's Lesson • Set Free: Our Summer in Galatians
Even Apostles Drift: A Confrontation Over the Gospel
“Paul Confronts Peter” • Galatians 2:11–21 • Taught by Don Sweat
This Sunday, Don Sweat takes us into one of the most uncomfortable — and most important — scenes in the New Testament: the moment Paul opposes Peter to his face.
Here's the drama: in Antioch, Peter had been freely eating with Gentile believers — living out the gospel's freedom. But when members of the circumcision party arrived, he quietly pulled back and separated himself, and his hypocrisy swept up even Barnabas. Paul saw exactly what was at stake. This wasn't a personality clash or a difference in style; conduct was contradicting the gospel itself. “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile… how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” (Galatians 2:14).
What follows is one of the most treasured declarations in all of Scripture — that we are justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law — capped by Paul's soaring testimony:
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
— Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
The lesson for us cuts close: if even Peter could drift under peer pressure, so can we. Come Sunday ready to ask the summer's central question — are you relying on your own works, or the grace of God?
Join us Sunday at 10:45 AM in the Rehearsal Hall (Level 2) — and bring a friend. There's always a seat for one more.
Series Booklet · Read or Print
The Galatians “Set Free” Study Booklet
Can’t see it? Open or print the booklet here.
★ ★ ★
Foundations on Mission · Thursday, July 30
This Time, We’re the Welcome
Foundations takes it to the pavement again — Thursday, July 30 at 6:00 PM, 2017 Main St. Drop off snacks at class July 19 and 26, or bring them with you.
On Thursday, July 30, Foundations returns to Street Church — and it’s our serving turn. As always, we alternate with another ministry from visit to visit: they host the praise and worship and bring the message this time, and we take the post we know well — serving the pre-event snacks and sharing the love of Christ.
It’s a good rhythm, and don’t underestimate our half of it. We’re the first face every neighbor meets: the smile before the song, the handshake before the sermon. For someone who’s had a hard week on hard streets, an orange and a honey bun handed over with genuine kindness may be the first “you matter” they’ve heard in days. Our target: welcome and feed 150 neighbors.
Here’s how to be part of it: bring oranges and honey buns to class on Sundays, July 19 and 26 — or bring them with you on the 30th. Then come ready to serve, learn a name or two, and encourage.
“Encouragement is a ministry that needs no microphone.”
Serve · Encourage · Be Present
Street Church
Thursday, July 30 · 6:00 PM
2017 Main St, Houston, TX 77002
Carpool departs the HFBC Southeast lot at 5:23 PM
★ ★ ★
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
★ ★ ★
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.
★ ★ ★
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.
★ ★ ★
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.
Read last year’s Family Camp recap →
★ ★ ★
Ministry · Encore Activities
Connecting Through Encore Activities
For Encore information click here →
★ ★ ★
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.
Sign up here: https://3zs8.short.gy/FoundationsGM →
★ ★ ★
★ ★ ★
No comments:
Post a Comment