Independence Day • July 4, 2026
Endowed by Their Creator: America at 250
Two hundred fifty years ago, fifty-six men signed their names — and staked their lives — on a truth that still stands: all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with rights no government can take away.
That’s not just history. That’s theology. The founders anchored liberty in the character of God — and 250 years later, that anchor holds.
So before the fireworks fly tonight, pause and thank God for the freedom to gather, worship, and open a Bible on Sunday morning. Millions around the world still can’t.
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
— 2 Corinthians 3:17
Happy 250th, America — and happy Independence Day, Foundations freinds!
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This Sunday — July 5, 2026
This Sunday: The Verses That Built a Nation
The fireworks may fade Saturday night, but the celebration continues Sunday morning. This week, Foundations returns to one of our favorite class traditions: our special Independence Day lesson, gathering in groups to uncover the defining moments that shaped America’s enduring foundation of faith.
As in years past, our guide is Robert Morgan’s 100 Bible Verses That Made America — the book that’s introduced us to McGuffey’s readers, John Jay’s walk with God, the college students who sparked the Second Great Awakening, and the scripture behind the rebirth of Israel. Each table takes a story, digs in together, and brings it to life for the class.
And this year, in honor of America’s 250th, we’re adding a brand-new companion: Americans Who Pray, the book we recently received after worship. New stories, same great discovery — that our nation’s foundation is not just political, but profoundly spiritual.
Come ready to dig, discuss, and maybe even sing a little “God Bless America” before we’re done. Sunday, 10:45 AM, Choir Rehearsal Room. Bring a friend — there’s a seat at the table waiting.
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Q3 2026 Focus
Our Q3 Focus: Jehovah Jireh & Romans 8:28
A new quarter brings a new focus for Foundations — and this one comes with a promise attached. Through Q3, we’re centering on one of the most reassuring names of God in Scripture: Jehovah Jireh — The LORD Will Provide. First revealed on a mountain where Abraham learned that God Himself supplies what faith requires, this name isn’t ancient history. It’s a promise with your name on it.
Alongside it, our scripture memory for the quarter:
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
— Romans 8:28
Provision isn’t always what we expect — but it’s always what we need, right on time. Let’s spend this quarter hiding this verse in our hearts and watching Him provide.
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Sermon Review
Challenges & Joys: Joy Amid Hard Times | Daniel Ritchie
If you missed Sunday’s message, it’s worth every minute. Guest speaker Daniel Ritchie — born without arms and told his whole life what he’d never do — opened Romans 15:13 with a testimony that made the text impossible to dismiss.
From Paul’s prayer, he drew three truths: There is hope in this chaos — God doesn’t just give hope, He is hope, and we know how the story ends. Joy and peace are built in faith — rejoicing is a choice tied to our Savior, not our circumstances, and peace belongs to people of prayer and practice. Our hope overflows so it can be shared — God’s plan A for reaching the world is ordinary people whose hope spills out everywhere they go.
“You don’t have to be awesome for God to use you. You just have to trust the God who already is.”
— Daniel Ritchie
A fitting word as we begin our Jehovah Jireh quarter: the God who provides doesn’t just supply our needs — He supplies our hope.
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Lesson Review — June 28, 2026
Believe the Messenger: The Making of the Apostle Paul
Bill Wright likes to joke that our class newsletters read like movie trailers and his lessons can’t live up to the hype. Sunday proved him wrong. Stepping aside from our verse-by-verse walk through Galatians, Bill took the class into the life of the letter’s author — because, as he framed it, you can’t believe the message unless you first believe the messenger.
Starting from Paul’s bold invitation — “Imitate me, as I imitate Christ” — Bill traced how God prepared His messenger stop by stop: Damascus, where Saul learned there is a God and Jesus is His name; Arabia, where God does what He always does before sending someone out — He prepares them; and Troas, where Paul learned to wait. Not idle waiting, either. Paul preached right where he was until the Macedonian call came, proof that God’s plan is always bigger than ours and arrives on His timing, not ours.
Two takeaways landed hard. First, from Paul’s confrontation with Peter: speak the truth in love — truth without love tears apart relationships that God intends to build. Second, a sobering word on calling:
“If you could cry in heaven, when you see the plan God had for your life and the plan you settled for, you would cry.”
— shared by Bill Wright
Don’t settle. God has a plan for every believer — and its purpose is to bring glory to Him and blessing to others.
Thank you, Bill, for a lesson that more than lived up to the hype.
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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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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 →
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Series Booklet · Read or Print
The Galatians “Set Free” Study Booklet
Can’t see it? Open or print the booklet here.
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Your Turn · Share the Good News
Do You Have a Testimony? (You Do.)
Before we closed, the class was handed a simple challenge: be ready to tell your story. Every believer has one, and telling it clearly may be the most important tool we carry. As the best coaches do, we went back to basics — “Gentlemen, this is a basketball.” For us, the basics are the gospel itself: we’ve all sinned, Christ died for us, and salvation comes by trusting Him alone.
Suzanne Messersmith shared how it looks lived out. Pat, a friend of more than forty years, had lived a full and lovely life but had never met Christ — she didn’t even own a Bible. Through patient friendship, honest conversation, and one long lunch spent “marrying the need to the provision,” she came to faith. She was baptized last Sunday. As longtime soul-winner Ken Lowrimore — Lindsay Blessing’s grandfather — likes to ask: “If you died today, do you know where you would spend eternity?”
That’s our assignment this summer. New care groups of four to six are forming — not for dinners and obligations, but for simple connection: a call, a text, a word of encouragement, a prayer. Know the gospel. Know your story. And be ready to share it.
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Fellowship · Bowling & Burgers
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.
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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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Ministry · Encore Activities
Connecting Through Encore Activities
For Encore information click here →
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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 →
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