START STRONG: THINGS THAT LAST!
“There are, in the end, three things that last: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” ~ I Corinthians 13: 13
If you are still navigating through the impact of the historic snowfall I offer you this word of encouragement today: the snow will not last! Neither its beauty nor its inconvenience will remain. Which leads to an even greater word of encouragement: love lasts.
One positive aspect of the recent weather is that for a few days it drew media attention away from the rancor of the current presidential campaign. There will be few such breaks in the next few months. Yet, in just four short years, this race will be mostly memory and we’ll be in the thick of another. Every political speech, no matter how lofty, is like the “noisy gong and clanging cymbal” that Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13:1.
Our invitation this Sunday is to choose a better, stronger way of living. The stronger way is described in our scriptures from I Corinthians 13: 1-13 and Luke 4: 21-30.
In preparation for Sunday, in addition to reading the above scriptures, I invite you to join me in asking this question at close of day: “What did I do today of eternal value?”
If you had one of those days where you barely made a dent in your “to do” list, how you answer the above question could add helpful perspective.
No day is wasted when we lift the spirit of another. No day is wasted when we apply ourselves to the lasting value of loving God, self and others. As we start strong in 2016, we have the opportunity to live with no day wasted, simply by living each day with love.
I hope to see you at 9AM or 11AM this Sunday. The good news is that the current weather forecast predicts a mostly sunny day in the 40’s. Even better news: we’ll be together at MCCDC, the place to be! See you Sunday!
By Faith,
Rev Elder Dwayne Johnson
THIS WEEK JANUARY 2016
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
Adult Sunday School is held from 10:15 to 10:50. Please bring your coffee or tea to the upstairs conference room for the brief yet powerful time together. For more information contact Rose Herring at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
CHILI SALE THIS SUNDAY
Would you like some Chili on a cold day? On January 31 AT 12:30PM, the Young Adults will have chili for sale. You will have your choice of a cup of chili for $2 or a bowl for $5. Come and have some delicious chili and show your support for the Young Adults Ministry!
UNID@s SPANISH SPEAKING MINISTRY WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY AT 1PM
Join the UNID@s Ministry January 31st at 1pm in the Chapel for worship services.
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Please join the Tuesday Night Bible Study from 7-8pm in the Welcome Hall. A time of community, fun learning and sharing. For more information please contact Dale Madyune-Baskerville at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
CHURCH NEWS
LENTEN DAILY E-DEVOTIONAL WRITERS
We are prayerfully embarking together on the sacred task of creating 36 original written reflections in a Daily Devotional series for Lent. If you are interested in participating in this community offering, please contact Frank Wirmusky through the church office at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
NEWS FROM THE STEWARDSHIP TEAM
Happy New Year from the MCCDC Stewardship Leadership Team!
The team is charged with ensuring that the spiritual practice of stewardship – the giving of time, talent and treasure – is taught and encouraged with measurable impact throughout the year.
Throughout the New Year, you will be hearing from members of the congregation talk about their spiritual journeys and how their commitments to stewardship have played a role in their relationship with God and the church. In addition, the New Year provides a great opportunity for each of us to consider making a pledge of our anticipated giving to MCCDC in 2016.
Whether you give as part of the weekly plate offering, through the various online options, or direct deposit from your bank account — the stewardship team is here to assist you in making stewardship a part of your spiritual practice at MCCDC.
COMMUNION TRAINING SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 6
Ever thought about adding your gifts to the Sunday morning services? Do you feel called to welcome all to God’s open table? Have you considered joining the ministry of communion and sharing the feast of the open table? If so, come and check out what the Communion Ministry is all about. We will conduct training on Saturday, February 6 from 10-12. Please contact Rev. Cathy Alexander with questions at revcathy@mccdc.com or call 202-628-7373. You may be pleasantly surprised. Usher training will take place at a later date.
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE FEBRUARY 10, 7PM
Join us for this service of preparation and reflection. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Its official name is “Day of Ashes,” so called because of the practice of rubbing ashes on one’s forehead in the sign of a cross. Lent is intended to be a time of prayer, meditation and looking forward. Ash Wednesday commences this period of spiritual discipline.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH THEATER OUTING
Are you interested in going to the Theater? A group from MCCDC is attending the Alexandria Metro Stage production of “Shake Loose: A Musical Night of Blues, Moods, & Icons”. The group will be attending the Friday, February 19, 8PM performance.
Check out the story at http://www.metrostage.org/ Please contact Rev Cathy if you are interested in joining the group at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY DISCERNMENT FOR 2016
Do You CARE?
Are You Willing to serve?
Are you on the journey of spiritual maturity?
Are you able to set healthy boundaries?
Do you have a regular prayer life?
Do you have some time to commit?
Are you able to honor confidentiality?
Are you comfortable visiting hospitals and care facilities?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions perhaps you can consider PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY!
Come receive information about the Pastoral Care Ministry
and assistance with your discernment.
Meetings are being held on March 16, April 20 and May 18 @ 6pm. For more information, please contact any Pastoral Care Minister or Rev. Dwayne.
CALLING ALL WHO LIKE TO SEW, CROCHET, KNIT…
If you like to make things with your hands, Rev Cathy would like to speak with you. There is a ministry of caring that you can accomplish from your home or in a group. Making prayer shawls, stoles or scarfs. If you are interested in pursuing your ministry passion in this way, please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
TELLING THE TRUTHS OF LENT
“Lent is a journey, not a pass-fail test.” –Mary DeTurris Poust
Do you remember the first time you encountered Lent? Did you give something up? Did you ever fast? What are your hopes for Lent now? Does this preparation time before Easter have meaning for you? How do you want to spend this sacred time, what do you want to see on this spiritual journey, in preparation for resurrection in your life? Want to go deeper into this penitential season? Do you want to create a new version of Lent for yourself?
One way spiritual people connect with their hopes and dreams is to record them, to write about the process of discovery and exploration, to take them out and examine them, to dig into them to find the nuggets of Spirit that help create these dreams and hopes for more faithful and vibrant living. Writing stories, poems, word pictures and/or reflections are good ways to tap into the deep reservoirs of God within you.
You can learn more about doing that at a workshop, “Telling the Truths of Lent,” on Saturday February 13, at MCC DC from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Led by Rev. Dr. Robin H. Gorsline, the workshop involves some quiet time of guided meditation, writing on site-so bring your favorite pen and journal or your tablet-and sharing thoughts and ideas with others (you can opt out of sharing any writing if you wish, but we all benefit by giving and receiving our gifts).
You may also send any writing you have done about Lent to Rev. Robin in advance (no later than Feb 6th) and he will be glad to review it and give you feedback at the workshop so you can work on it more if you wish (if he has any suggestions for you).
Rev. Robin will provide a vegetarian soup, as well as coffee and tea.
Please contact Rev Cathy to reserve your space at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373. Don’t wait too long, space is limited to 10 people.
2016 PLEDGE CARD
We have launched the MCCDC “45 Years: We’ve Come This Far By Faith” Campaign. Please make sure you return your pledge card to the church office or you can put it in the offering plate on Sunday.
As we celebrate the 45th anniversary, let’s come together and help shape the future of MCCDC!!
NEXT MEMBERSHIP CLASS TO TAKE PLACE MARCH 6
If you have questions about MCCDC and what membership is about, class will be held on March 6 from 12:30 to 2:30 in the chapel. All are welcome to attend. A light lunch will be served. PLEASE register so that we may have enough food and materials. Contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
