Mary: A Mother’s Worst Nightmare

John 19:25-27

Memorial DrivePresbyterian Church

Please silence all devices, and refrain from consuming food or beverages during worship.

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• easter.mdpc.org

The Fourth Sunday of LentMarch 30, 2014

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• spokenword.mdpc.org

• singles.mdpc.org

W H E B R E WS 4 : 1 2In the beginning was the Word, and the Word

was with God...

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During Holy Week, MDPC again will celebrate this special time of year by reading the Bible aloud continuously from cover to cover. Come to read. Come to listen.

Monday, April 14-Thursday, April 17 | ChapelRegistration is now open! Commit to one or more 15-minute increments by visiting spokenword.mdpc.org.

MDPC Singles & Friends: Eat and Play on the GreenKid-friendly event, but you don’t have to have kids to come! Enjoy dinner on the patio of Ruggles Green, and the kids (and grown-ups?) can play on the City-Centre green. We’ll eat, sip our drinks, enjoy the live music, play freeze tag with the kiddos, and visit with each other.Friday, April 4 | 5:30 PM | Ruggles Green-CityCentre

Would you like to learn more about MDPC and its ministries? We invite you to attend an informal meeting where you’ll hear about the vision and outreach of MDPC. No commitment required! This is a no-pressure opportunity to explore church membership and what it would mean to be part of our faith community.

Today! 10:45-11:10 AM | Gathering Room

MERCURY: Vivaldi Extravaganza

Saturday, April 12 2:30 PM | Chapel

Tickets for Mercury concerts may be purchased at the door, at mercuryhouston.org, or by calling 713-533-0080.For info, contact Tracy Curtis (tcurtis@mdpc.org or 713-490-0946) or visit concerts.mdpc.org.

Easter LiliesLilies may be purchased ($9 each) in honor

or memory of a loved one. These names will be printed in the Easter worship bulletin.

The purchase deadline is Friday, April 11.

Pick up an order envelope at the Front Office or Connection Center, or visit flowers.mdpc.org.

April is MAM Month at MDPCMDPC ministry partner, Memorial Assistance Ministries, offers items to help families stretch their budgets. Needed items include: bars of soap, 4-pack toilet paper, powdered laundry detergent, household cleaners, deodorant, disposable razors, adult toothbrushes, and 6-oz. toothpaste.

In April, please drop donations in the grocery carts located around campus, or in the Outreach Ministries office.

Celebrate With Us!

Easter Sunday*7:15 AM, Chapel – Sunrise

*8:30 AM, Sanctuary – Contemporary10:00 AM, Sanctuary – Family Service

*11:15 AM, Sanctuary – Traditional11:15 AM, Chapel – Spanish

5:00 PM, Chapel – Fifth Service

*Howard Edington preachingEmpty Tomb | John 20:1-18

Childcare is provided at all services except the Sunrise Service.

MDPC BlogCan you hear God’s voice over the clamor? In this week’s post, Miah Collins considers the importance of listening prayer.

Visit mdpcblog.org, or access the blog through the MDPC app:

* Please stand if able. CCLI # 182374

WElCoME Dave Steane

*SonGS oF PraiSE O Worship the King arr. Gardiner/ Tomlin Come, Thou Fount arr. Crowder

*PrayEr oF ConFESSion anD aSSuranCE oF ParDon Brandon Gaide

SonG oF PrEParation Desert Song Brooke Ligertwood

oFFErtory Forgiven Johnson/Moore/Riddle/Taylor

MESSaGE Mary: A Mother’s Worst Nightmare Howard Edington

SonG oF rESPonSE Cross Medley arr. Gómez

*SonG oF PraiSE Desert Song Brooke Ligertwood Come, Thou Fount arr. Crowder

*PrayEr oF ConFESSion Brandon Gaide

*SonG oF PraiSE This Is Amazing Grace Riddle/Farro/Wickham

nEW MEMBErS Dave Steane

BaPtiSMS Julie Greenwood, Sophia Greenwood, Natalie Higgins

ConGrEGational rESPonSE

WElCoME

oFFErtory Forgiven Johnson/Moore/Riddle/Taylor

MESSaGE Mary: A Mother’s Worst Nightmare Howard Edington

SonG oF rESPonSE Cross Medley arr. Gómez

PrEluDE Adagio for Strings Samuel Barber

WElCoME Dave Steane

Choral introit Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor Alfred V. Fedak

*Call to WorShiP

*hyMn oF PraiSE Ah, Holy Jesus #9; Vs. 1-3 | Herzliebster Jesu

*PrayEr oF ConFESSion anD aSSuranCE oF ParDon

*aFFirMation oF Faith from Romans 8

*ConGrEGational rESPonSE In the Cross of Christ, I Glory #84; Vs. 3 | Rathbun

anthEM Pie Jesu (from Requiem) Andrew Lloyd Webber Julie Thornton and Lisa Borik, soloists

nEW MEMBErS

oFFErtory Cross-Cry Gilbert Martin Nick Brownlee, soloist

MESSaGE Mary: A Mother’s Worst Nightmare Howard Edington

*hyMn oF rESPonSE When I Survey the Wondrous Cross #101; Vs. 1, 3, 4 | Hamburg

PoStluDE Fanfare William Mathias

SPaniSh SErviCE 11:15 AM | Chapel fuente.mdpc.org FiFth SErviCE 5:00 PM | Chapel fifthservice.mdpc.org

BLALO

CK D

RIVE

MEMORIAL DRIVE

Yellow SchoolSoccer Field

Sanctuary

Ministry Center

Fellowship hall

Community life Center (ClC)

ChapelM

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Detailed maps available

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Community life Center Amphitheater

GymYouth (The Loft)

Adult Studies

SanctuaryConnection Center

Gathering Room

Ministry Center Front Office

Adult StudiesPreschool (Ark)

Elementary (Galaxy)Summit Room

Fellowship Hall

Chapel 8:30 AM Worship

11:15 AM Adoración5:00 PM Fifth Service

Information Centers

11612 Memorial Drive | Houston, Texas 77024 | mdpc.org | 713-782-1710

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Praises and PrayersToday’s Chancel Flowers are given:

• inlovingmemoryofCarolTowsen,byherhusband, Jim Towsen.

• byCarolynMoore,inmemoryofherbrother, James Sartin.

Chancel flower dedications may be made for a $50 contri-bution. Visit the Front Office to sign up! Your dedication will be printed here on the Sunday of your choice (some exceptions apply).

Senior Pastor Nominating CommitteePlease pray for the committee and the congre-gation during this time of transition. Prayer cards are available at the Front Office. Visit pnc.mdpc.org for updates on committee progress.

Births, Deaths, and HospitalizationsPlease notify Kakki Thompson in Caring Ministries of births to parents who are MDPC members, of member deaths, and of hospital-izations: kthompson@mdpc.org or 713-490-9541

Coordinating team Mauricio Chacón | Associate Pastor for FuenteHoward Edington | Interim Senior PastorBrandon Gaide | Next Generation MinisterGinny Glass | Communications & Media Dir.Meliza Gómez | Contemporary Music Dir.Luke Gordon | Youth Ministries Dir.Charles Hausmann | Traditional Music Dir.Kristin Huffman | Associate Pastor for OutreachBrett Hurst | Relationships MinisterVictoria Jones | Associate Pastor for EquippingGena Kooken | Sr. Leadership Ministry Coor.Rick Myers | Associate Pastor for CaringRachel Poysky | Children’s Ministries Dir.Becky Riggs | Business AdministratorDave Steane | Executive Pastor & Head of StaffKathryn White | Coordinating Music Dir.Karen Winship | Human Resources Dir.

Dave Peterson | Pastor Emeritus Gary Bowker | Pastor Emeritus

MDPC FoundationFor information, contact Business Administrator Becky Riggs at briggs@mdpc.org or 713-953-2570.

Ministry Partners Pray for these MDPC partners working to make a difference in the lives of others:

ChildBuilders promotes the healthy social and emotional development of children in preschool through high school. Its services and preven-tion programs build healthy families and protect children from victimization.childbuilders.org

Children’s Activity Center (CAC) reaches Houston’s at-risk children with a mobile inter-active worship program that brings the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Houston’s most impoverished areas. CAC volunteers begin to identify needs of the kids’ families through weekly home visits. sgnh.org/childrens-activity-center

The Antioch Partners (TAP) equips and sends cross-cultural servants into the world who dem-onstrate the love of Jesus Christ in tangible ways. TAP’s goals are to see people become followers of Jesus and to foster the formation of worship-ping communities among the unreached. theantiochpartners.org

MDPC hIghlIghTs MDPC WORshIP ABOUT MDPC

8:30 BleNDeD seRvICe

9:45 CONTeMPORARy seRvICe

11:15 TRADITIONAl seRvICe

oTHeR WORshIP OPPORTUNITIes

W E EK ly Fi na nCi a l u PDatEoperating income 2014 Budget $ 10,550,000Expected Income to date $ 2,206,971Actual Income to Date $ 1,962,230Current Income Deficit $ 244,740

Walking the Mourner’s PathTransform grief into joyful living through this eight-week, Christ-centered grief program. The group is limited to ten participants, creating a safe place to share feelings with each other and with God. Two trained facilitators, along with a pastor, will guide the group.Tuesdays, April 1-May 20 | 3:30-5:00 PM | Chapel Bride’s Room 116Cost: $25 (scholarships available; no one will be turned away due to lack of funds)To register, contact Bitsy Cleveland, LPC: bcleveland@mdpc.org or 713-490-9542

new Member ClassesMDPC’s New Member Class series is taught by the associate pastors and elders. The series includes a Saturday service project at one of our local mission partners.Sundays, April 6-May 18 | Room 171-172 | 11:00 AM-12:15 PMContact Diann Turet: dturet@mdpc.org or 713-490-9553

Built to last: Fostering resiliency in Children & adolescents Presented by Jill Gilbert, MA, LPC, LMFT, as part of the Purely Parenting class series, for any adults who currently are in the parenting trenches. These stand-alone discussions are opportunities for the exchange of new ideas and proven strategies. No cost! Sunday, April 6 | 11:15 AM | AmphitheaterContact Patty Leonard: pleonard@mdpc.org or 713-490-0931

venturers: The Past, Present, & Future of the texas Medical CenterDr. Robert Robbins, President & CEO, reviews the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.Monday, April 7 | 6:00 PM | Westchase Hilton (9999 Westheimer)RSVP by Wednesday, April 2 to Chuck & Linnie Edwards: 713-785-7115

Kids’ Meals Service ProjectIn Houston, one in four preschool children goes to bed hungry. You can make sure there is one less empty tummy! Give one hour of your time, bring two loaves of bread per sandwich-maker, and make sandwiches for Kids’ Meals. That’s all it takes to make a difference.Wednesday, April 9 | 5:00-6:00 PM | Fellowship HallContact Julie Hempel: hempeljulie@gmail.com

Powerful tools for CaregiversAn educational program designed to help family caregivers (no professional caregivers, please). This program has been shown to reduce caregiver guilt, anger, and depression; im-prove caregiver self-care and communication skills; and increase use of community service.April 10-May 15 | 1:00-3:00 PM | ParlorTo register, contact Bitsy Cleveland, LPC: bcleveland@mdpc.org or 713-490-9542

Pizza Party for 4th & 5th GradeCome eat pizza and play games with your friends! Saturday, April 12 | 6:00-8:30 PMContact Mallory Moore: mmoore@mdpc.org or 713-490-9262

Prime timers presents The Styles and Colors of SpringJoin us for the annual Prime Timers Spring Fashion Show featuring the newest fashions and colors from Coldwater Creek.Tuesday, April 15 | Fellowship Hall | Free Program 10:30 AM, Lunch ($9.50) NoonYour check ($9.50) is your lunch reservation. Checks must be received at the Front Office by April 9.

Palm Sunday offering for living Water internationalMDPC will continue its tradition of collecting a special offering to benefit our ministry partner, Living Water International.Palm Sunday, April 13 | All Services

interested in starting a Married life or a Parenting life Group?Contact Relationships Ministries to get started! Brett Hurst, Minister, bhurst@mdpc.org | Jill Gilbert, Relationships Elder, jillgilbert17@hotmail.com

Loving God. Proclaiming Christ. Living Generously. Engaging All.

Entrée ($10): Stuffed Pork Loin with Artichokes and Hearts of Palm

or Grilled Salmon with Raspberry-Chili GlazeServed with Asparagus with Herb Butter,

Sautéed Swiss Chard & Spinach, and Rice Pilaf with Golden Raisins, Cranberries, & Pecans

Entrée Salad ($8.50):Tuna-Stuffed Avocado

Children’s Menu ($4):Fresh, Homemade Pizza

Join us next Sunday, April 611:00 AM-1:15 PM | Fellowship Hall

All-Church LunchApril’s Menu Celebrates Spring!

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

Sermon NOTES

Mary: A Mother’s Worst NightmareJohn 19:25-27 | Howard Edington Preaching

But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

It has been said that there is no greater sorrow than for a parent to lose a child. Even worse would be to watch that child endure crucifixion, the most brutal of executions. Who would have the constitu-tion to withstand the experience of witnessing that kind of suffering? Could there be any greater agony for a mother? In this passage, John lets us know that the mother of Jesus indeed was present witnessing these astonishing events, along with the “other” Marys. Consider Jesus’ mother attempt-ing to process, mentally and emotionally, what is unfolding before her eyes, up until the moment that her son draws His last breath. Truly, there is no more dramatic or defining moment in history…for Mary, or for us!

It was important to John, the author of this Gospel, to let the reader know that these women were present at the cross. Unlike the majority of the apostles, who fled the scene, women were safe from incrimination due to an ancient chivalrous tradition that gave them immunity from persecution. Nevertheless, John, an apostle of Christ himself, also is present for this horrific moment. This brief instruction from Jesus becomes one of Christ’s most tender moments of shepherding. With few words, and at the moment of His greatest suffering, Jesus provides for two of the dearest people in His earthly life. Both are released and “given” to one another for the purpose of mutual care.

This is not unlike the tenderness that Christ displayed earlier in the same Gospel of John with the woman caught in adultery (John 8). When Jesus doodled in the sand and then stood to face those ready to cast stones, the Lord showed His great love for all of us in spite of our ongoing rebellion. The compassionate nature of Christ was revealed when Jesus protected the woman from her accus-ers and the consequences of her own sin. Ultimately, of course, Jesus laid down His life sacrificially on the cross for all who believe. It was and is the ultimate provision for our lack and for our needs.

• WithvariancesallowedbytheGreektranslation,it’snotabsolutelyclearhowmanywomenwereactually witnessing the death of Jesus as a cluster together. We do know there were at least three present. It also is clear that these women were in close, personal relationship with one another. Can you recall a time when you experienced a traumatic event in the company of close friends or family members? How did that affect your ability to deal with the experience? In those situations, are you more frequently comforted by the actual words spoken by someone close to you? Or are you more directly comforted by their mere presence and prayers?

• Itwasnotuncommoninthosedaysofantiquityforadyingpersontoentrusthismothertoan-other with a direct charge. This was an important final responsibility of life. In that light, why do you think Paul tells Timothy (1 Timothy 5:8) that a man who does not provide for his family is worse than an unbeliever? Is this perspective shared by our culture today? Why or why not?

• NoticethatMaryischargedfirstinthisinstance,evenbeforethechargeismadetoJohn.Doyoubelieve that Jesus was also, in a sense, caring for John? How do you think it made John feel to be hand selected by his Lord to care for the mother of the Savior for the rest of their days together? Have you ever had the responsibility of caring for someone unexpectedly? What was that like? How did that experience bless or challenge you?

• Thepassage suggests thatMary, themotherof Jesus, iswidowedandwithoutmuchpersonalincome. She likely is completely dependent on her eldest son, Jesus. As she watched her oldest die, do you think she was fearful? If so, of what? What kinds of things do you think were running through her mind about her own welfare?

• WhenlifeisharditcanfeelasifGodisagainstus.Hemaybeagainsttheplansyouhave,butHeisnever against you. Read Isaiah 49:14-16. When was there a time you felt “taken care of ” by God?

Today’s Sermon Notes are adapted from Eat Pray Lent: Faces and Places Around the Cross Study Guide. Visit epl.mdpc.org for more information or to participate in the Lenten Small Group Study.

Fourth Sunday of LentMarch 30, 2014

Norma Arellano is the mother of Emily (5). She is a stay-at-home mom and loves doing crafts.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

Sunday, March 30, 2014

New MeMbers

Paul and Melanie Dulworth are the parents of Max (5) and Taylor (born March 6). Paul is involved in automotive pur-chasing. He enjoys vintage cars. Melanie is a dyslexia support teacher with Spring Branch Independent School District.

Maria Del Carmen Escobar is a housewife. She is the mother of Natalia (11) and Jose Manuel (9). She likes to attend church and work at the Food Pantry.

Pat Fortney is a retired teacher. She enjoys volunteer work at MAM and The Sunshine Shop. She also enjoys art and jewelry design. Pat is a former member of MDPC and is excited to be returning.

Doug and Pam Goodson are the parents of Grace (15) and Kyle (14). Doug is the owner of Wright Asphalt Products. He is an avid fisherman. Pam is president of the Spring Branch Independent School District Board of Trustees. She enjoys playing tennis.

Julie Greenwood is the mother of Calvin (17) and new member, Sophia (14). She is a supply chain manager for a petrochemical company. She en-joys reading, working on home projects, and going to the gym. Her favorite thing is spending time with her kids!

Sophia Greenwood is the daughter of new member, Julie Greenwood. She is a freshman in high school. Sophia is a pre-professional ballet dancer and dances eighteen hours a week. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and loves to be with children. In middle school, she enjoyed acting in theater productions and playing the oboe. Although she doesn’t have a “real job,” she believes her job in life is to help others.

New Member Classes are for those interested in membership. They are taught by the associate pastors and elders, and include a Saturday service project. To learn more, contact Diann Turet, Membership Director, at dturet@mdpc.org or 713-490-9553.

Michael and Natalie Higgins are the parents of Hayden (2). Michael is a director in the Capital One Energy Banking Group. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and cooking. Natalie is a stay-at home mom and a skin consultant. She also has a background in finance. She enjoys reading, live music, amusement park rides, and Aggie football. Michael and Natalie love playing with Hayden and spending time with friends and family.

Patrick and Jenny Holter are the parents of Dylan (12), Jack (10), Matthew (8), and Kyle (3). Patrick is a homebuilder. Jenny is a stay-at-home mom. She has taken time off from teach-ing to pursue her master’s in education. She enjoys reading, scrapbooking, and watching her boys play sports, as well as traveling and spending time with friends and family.

Rachel Huk is the mother of Julian (6 months). She is involved with market-ing for Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Rachel enjoys participating in triath-lons and has been competing for fifteen years. She loves spending her free time with her husband, Chris, and their baby.

Emmy Harper is the wife of Rev. Doug Harper. They have four adult chil-dren and nine grandchildren. Emmy opened a travel agency in 1979 for leisure travel and mission trips for pastors and churches. Her daughters con-tinue to run the business. In her younger years, she loved to play tennis. She and Doug moved to Eagle’s Trace last year and she now works on a college scholarship program committee.

Cinthia Lopez is the mother of Jaelyn (2) and Arami (1). She is a florist and would someday like to be an ultrasound technician.

Jerson Lopez is a truck driver. He is the father of Natalia (11) and Jose Man-uel (9). He likes to play soccer, participate in Bible studies, and volunteer with the church.

Christian Perez works at Kona Grill and currently is studying at HCC to become an engineer. He likes to serve at the Food Pantry and participate in family activities.

Mary Ann Ryerson has two children: Alex and new member Rachel Huk. She is an educational diagnostician with Houston Independent School Dis-trict. She enjoys visiting art galleries and art studios, working out, travel, and spending time with her family.

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