Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Sewing for Missions • These special MDPC ladies work on sewing-related proj-ects for local community needs, such as preemie blankets and walker caddies for the Medical Center, as well as for global missions, such as clothes for Lulwanda Children’s Home in Uganda. • To get involved, contact Pat Ikard at 713-461-3654.
Spring Branch Community Health Center • Spring Branch Community Health Center is the primary provider of comprehensive healthcare services to indigent and low-income patients in Spring Branch. The need is so great, today they have six clin-
ics seeing close to 20,000 patients a year. • sbchc.net
MDPC Field Partner Rev. Dan McNerney works with Frontier Fellowship, which seeks to bring the Gospel to unreached people groups all over the world. His ministry includes teaching, preaching and mobilizing in local churches on the principals of frontier mission from a Biblical perspective. • frontierfellowship.com
11612 Memorial Drive | Houston, Texas 77024 | mdpc.org | 713-782-1710Loving God. Proclaiming Christ. Living Generously. Engaging All.
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATEas of 11/03/19
2019 Annual Budget $ 12,240,000
Actual Income to Date $ 7,435,194
Needed to Meet Budget $ 4,804,806
TODAY’S MESSAGE: Lost Sheep, Lost Coins, Lost SonsLuke 15:1-32 • Alf Halvorson preaching
* Please stand if able. CCLI # 182374
11:15 AM TRADITIONAL MUSIC
PRAISE & WORSHIP • CONFESSION • MESSAGE • OFFERING
Musicians in these services: Meliza Gómez and Michael Middleton, worship leaders Daniel Amaya, bass • George Heathco, guitar • Daniel Martinez, keys • Asher Pudlo, drums
Covenant Sunday, November 3, 2019
8:30 AM BLENDED & 9:45 AM CONTEMPORARY
Today Is Covenant Sunday This annual MDPC tradition is the day that our congregation, in an act of corporate worship, pledge our financial commitments to God for the following year. When prompted in the service, please bring your Covenant Cards forward and place them in the baskets at the front of the room. Additional Covenant Cards and privacy envelopes may be found in the pews in front of you.
MDPC Media ResourcesMDPC has a wide variety of audio recordings and podcasts available at media.mdpc.org. Be encouraged during that long commute in the car by listening to topical Bible studies, guest speakers, or self-help podcasts. Listening on the go is even easier with the new MDPC app. From the app Dashboard, click on “Sermons and Media.”
Newly-elected MDPC Officers: On Sunday, October 27, the congregation elected a slate of new MDPC Elders and Deacons. To see a full list of Officers, visit nominations.mdpc.org. A limited number of paper copies are available at the Connection Center this morning.
INFO AT MDPC
PRELUDE Elegy Dimitri Shostakovich (1906-1975)
CHORAL INTROIT Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty arr. Hausmann
*HYMN OF PRAISE, #263 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise, verses 1, 3 & 4 ST. DENIO
OFFERTORY Amazing Grace arr. Jack Schrader/White
ANTHEM OF DEDICATION A Covenant Prayer Dan Forrest/arr. White
POSTLUDE Rondeau Jean-Joseph Mouret (1682-1738)
Musicians in this service: Alberto Graulau, Bill Lundgren, violin; Kathryn White, piano/organ; Charles Hausmann, conductor; Sanctuary Choir
Pastoral TeamDan AikinsAssistant Pastor, Alpha Hub Director Clay Brown Equipping PastorBeth Case Caring Ministries PastorMauricio Chacón Spanish Language PastorAlmir DiasPortuguese Language PastorAlf Halvorson Senior PastorBrett Hurst Relationships PastorRachel PoyskyChildren’s PastorDave Steane Executive Pastor
Dave Peterson & Gary Bowker Pastors Emeritus
ConnectContact Us Website: mdpc.org Front Office: 713-782-1710Prayer Chain: 713-953-2558
Follow UsFacebook: facebook.mdpc.orgInstagram: instagram.mdpc.orgVimeo: vimeo.mdpc.org
MDPC Family Updates: Robert Lemer passed away Oct. 2, 2019.
MDPC AppFor a quick download link for Apple and Android, text “APP” to 832-742-1832.
MDPC Worship8:30 AM • Blended • Chapel9:45 AM • Contemporary • Sanctuary11:15 AM • Traditional • Sanctuary 11:15 AM • Spanish Language • Chapel6:00 PM • Portuguese Language • Chapel
The New Member Classes are taught by Pastors and Elders, and include a Saturday service project at one of the organizations
supported by MDPC.
Sundays, November 10 – December 811:00 AM-12:15 PM • Parlor
This is a no-pressure opportunity to meet Pastor Alf
and learn about MDPC.
Today, November 3 10:45-11:10 AM • Gathering Room
Drop-ins welcome!
New Member ClassesDiscover MDPC with Alf
Interested in MDPC Membership?
MDPC Worship8:30 AM • Blended • Chapel9:45 AM • Contemporary • Sanctuary11:15 AM • Traditional • Sanctuary 11:15 AM • Spanish Language • Chapel 6:00 PM • Portugeuse Language
To God. To Others. To You.
GENEROSITYmatters
Visit pledge.mdpc.org.
ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES AT MDPC
Walking Through Luke with the Pastors Stand-alone lessons following the “Transformed by Hope” study. Choose either 9:45 or 11:15 AM, Amphitheater.Today: Clay Brown, Equipping Pastor, Luke 7:36-8:21
Spring Recreational Classes (REACH)! Spring classes include Abrakadoodle, Art, Ballet, Basketball, Bridge, Coder Kids, Dance, Little Geniuses Chess Class, Mini-Star Sports, Music Together, Piano, Soccer Shots, Tumbling and Gymnastics, Voice, Woodworking, and Yoga. For a complete listing, or to register: reach.mdpc.org or 713-490-9564
Gingerbread House EventEnjoy a wonderful event to start the Christ-mas season! Two hours of creativity and fel-lowship while designing a masterpiece for the holidays. There will be a snowstorm of icing and the largest candy buffet anywhere to help your family create your own special gingerbread house! Saturday, December 7 • 9:00-10:30 AM Location: Fellowship Hall • Cost: $36Contact: reach.mdpc.org or 713-490-9564
Young Adult Fall RetreatCome join our community of Young Adults as we retreat from the city and enjoy the tranquility of the country alongside some great friends. We will leave Friday after work and get back around lunch-time Sunday. Food and room are provided! November 15-17 | Montgomery, TX$145 for a bunk | $85 for campersRegister: yaretreat.mdpc.org
Family Movie NightJoin us for Dinner and a Movie. Food trucks will be available on campus for those who wish to buy dinner before the movie. On a giant blow-up screen on the ball field, we will show The Secret Life of Pets 2. Bring lawn chairs and a blanket. We will be col-lecting pet supplies to donate to CAPS.November 15 | 5:30-7:30 PMContact Rachel Poysky: [email protected] or 713-490-9269
Family Christmas FestivalThe Family Christmas Festival is a great way to kick off the holiday season! Participants will enjoy dinner, Bingo, Christmas Amazing Race, crafts, face painting, Advent wreaths, hot cocoa bar, cookie decorating, Advent calendar jar, and a service project.December 8 • 4:30-6:30 PM Cost $8.00 adult, $4.00 kidsContact Rachel Poysky: [email protected] or 713-490-9269
Turn Good Friday into Bless FridayMake plans with your friends and family to share God’s love through our annual Bless Friday projects, with both at-home and ministry partner service opportunities. Friday, November 29Learn more at blessfriday.mdpc.org.
Light of Hope Ethiopia Vision TripVisit Light of Hope, one of our global out-reach partners that is bringing the Good News of God’s love to the Arssi Oromo peo-ple. On this trip, you will witness how God is at work in Ethiopia through the building of village schools, the planting of churches, and the translating of the Bible into local dialects. February 23-March 2 • Cost: $1,800Contact Kelsi McCormack: [email protected].
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES AT MDPC
Two Ways to Bless a Child this Christmas! Visit cfk.mdpc.org for more details.
MDPC is off ering two opportunities to bless children this Christmas season: 1) Register in the Breezeway on Sundays, November 3-24, to sponsor a child by purchasing and wrapping three gift s; 2) Purchase new, unwrapped gift s for ages infant-18 years old. Leave gift s at the Toy Train, located outside Outreach Ministries, November 10-December 10.
MDPC MDPC
Help Fight Childhood Hunger through Monthly Opportunities at Houston Food Bank Recent studies reveal 1 in 4 children in Houston often go without meals. Many more lack the good nutrition needed to thrive developmentally. A very simple way you can help is to prepare meals at Houston Food Bank (HFB). Last year, MDPC volunteer teams prepared tens of thousands of meals that were distributed by HFB to after-school programs throughout Harris County. Now, we need your help to keep the fight against childhood hunger moving forward! Will you please join us?Next Service Date: Monday, November 11 • 8:00 AM-NoonRegistration & details: hfb.mdpc.orgQuestions? Contact Suzanne Fitch ([email protected])
“The Big Ten” Bible Study: Taught by pastors Beth Case, Rachel Poysky, and Clay Brown. This “Big Ten” walks us through the Ten Commandments and reveals their continuing insight for today’s world. No homework or pre-registration. Tuesday Morning Bible Study is back! Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00 AM | MC 122
Second Family: Second Family is a ministry of care circles made up of volunteers that offer friendship, assistance, and encouragement to MDPC members who are dealing with illness or disability and have limited family support. Whether you need support, or have a desire to volunteer, please let us know! Contact Beverly Fluke: [email protected], 713-490-9542
Outreach Ministries Needs You… MDPC Local Outreach is looking for 25 committee volunteers, beginning February 2020. The members go out in teams of two annually to visit, review, and pray with our local outreach partners. The reviews inform consideration for MDPC financial support. It is a unique blessing to see God at work through these hardworking, com-passionate ministries.Is God calling you to local outreach? Contact Jan Roe: [email protected]
Treats For Your feast!Order by Thursday, November 24
Treats.mdpc.orgPumpkin Pie $12 • Pecan Pie $16
Chocolate Fudge $14 (With Pecans)
Cranberry Bread $7 (with or without nuts) Chocolate Chip Cookies $6 (Half-dozen $6)
Pick up Nov. 26-27 • 8:00 AM-2:00 PM
All-Church LunchSunday, November 17
Bring a friend or neighbor to church and stay for a
Thanksgiving-themed All-Church Lunch. Your guest’s
meal will be complimentary.
Friends-giving Friends-giving
Everything Holiday! For a more comprehensive look at MDPC’s seasonal opportunities, pick up a copy of the latest FOCUS, found on bulletin boards around campus, or visit holiday.mdpc.org.
Sunday, November 3, 2019
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church11612 Memorial Drive | Houston, Texas 77024 | mdpc.org | 713-782-1710
SERMON NOTES
Lost Sheep, Lost Coins, Lost Sons| Luke 15:1-32 | Pastor Alf Halvorson
The last two weeks, looking at the three Feasting Parables in Luke 14, Jesus lets us know that we have all been invited to the Kingdom Party. Do we show up seek-
ing the places of honor to get connections and patronage from benefactors (Parable 1)? And if we throw our own parties, whom will we invite? Will we invite just our friends, family, and rich colleagues, or those who can’t repay us (Parable 2)? And most importantly, will we accept the invitation and actually attend, or let other urgent mat-ters get in the way? Will we give excuses? Will other matters get in the way of the most important matter (Parable 3)?
Now in Luke 15, there are again three parables which seem to answer the question, “what if we are too weak or hurt or confused or broken or sinful to attend on our own? What then? What if we are the people from Luke 14:21-23? Does God really, truly, actually, unbelievably seek after us?
1. In your mind, what does it mean that the three parables (The Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and The Lost Sons) are Jesus’ response to the complaints and grumbling of His critics in Luke 15:1-2?
2. In verse seven, Jesus finishes the first parable with certain words that will appear again in similar words in verse 10. How do you picture the joy in heaven? What does it include/entail?
Note: Repentance is the Greek word, metanoia, which means “to turn around” or “to go in the opposite direction”—to do a 180. In our world, give some true and false ex-amples of repentance.
3. In the three parables, Jesus uses numbers (99/1), 10/1, 2/1) and different subjects (sheep, coins, and sons) to intensify the plot and help us think about our own lost-ness. Why/How are sheep different from coins; and both different from people? How do people in general get lost? And how in particular have you been lost?
4. How is the elder brother like the Pharisees and Scribes from verse 2? Where are you like the elder brother? Where are you more like the younger brother?
5. In the third parable, Jesus doesn’t finish the story. Does the elder brother join the party or not? Where might you finish the story in your own life? (Where do you need to repent? What party do you need to join? Where could you go “home”?)
6. And how does this relate to generosity and Covenant Sunday? React to these state-ments: Only if we realize we have been forgiven (and given) much, will we be radi-cally generous in return. Only the found are willing to give in order to help the lost--and show gratitude to the finder.
