THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MOTOWN # 3 of 3!
I’ll Be There/I Want You Back
“Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter
Togetherness, well that’s all I’m after
Whenever you need me, I’ll be there
I’ll be there to protect you,
with an unselfish love I respect you
Just call my name and I’ll be there.”
~ From “I’ll Be There” by the Jackson 5
When Motown records released “I’ll Be There” on August 28, 1970 they could not have imagined the hit it would become, one of the top sellers of all time. Many came to know the song by heart. Fewer know that Matthew 18:20 is one of the inspirations of the song when Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
In the message Sunday I’ll complete “The Gospel According to Motown” series by juxtaposing Psalm 27, Luke 13: 31-35, and the Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There” and “I Want You Back.”
The heart of Jesus was a heart longing for and extending reconciliation when he laments, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem. . .How often I have wanted to gather your people just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you didn’t want that” (Luke 13:34b, c).
Jesus, strong and vulnerable, wanted more than others were willing to give. Yet he continued his long, courageous walk of unconditional love.
The life of Jesus was the deepest expression of God’s own heart. Is it possible that God could be vulnerable enough to feel what the poet Edna St. Vincent Millay describes when she writes, “They say when you are missing someone that they are probably feeling the same, but I don’t think it’s possible for you to miss me as much as I’m missing you right now.” Sunday, we will consider the presence of God as expressed in courageous vulnerability. See you at 9AM & 11AM
By Faith,
Rev Elder Dwayne Johnson
THIS WEEK FEBRUARY 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.
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 Madyun-Baskerville at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
USHER TRAINING RESCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 20,2016
Ever thought about adding your gifts to the Sunday morning services? Do you feel called to welcome all who enter out doors to this community of faith? Have you considered joining the ministry of ushering? If so, come and check out what these ministries are all about.
We will conduct training on Saturday, February 20, 2016 from 10-12. Light refreshments will be available. Please contact Rev. Cathy Alexander with questions at revcathy@mccdc.com or call 202-638-7373.
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.
The YAM will be hosting fabulous in February Movie Night.
Showing: “The Devil Weards Prada” Date: Saturday, February 20th, 2016 @ 7:00 pm, Location: MCCDC Lower level Conference Room Light refreshments will be provided. Please contact Chocolatte Hatcher-Miller at chocolatte.miller@outlook.com or John Merriwether at JMrthr@aol.com for futher information.** Monetary donations are welcome.**
MCCDC Computer Training
The computer training theme this year is Using Social Media!! The classes will be focused on the basic use of these very popular tools. We hope you will be able to join us in the Computer Lab on the lower level at MCCDC.
2/21 Facebook Basics
TBA For March Twitter Basics
4/17 Facebook Basics
5/22 Twitter
6/19 Using Droid Smart Phones & Tablets
7/17 Home Computer Security Basic
8/21 Using Droid Smart Phones & Tablets
CHURCH NEWS
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.
The Black History Month Concert is FREE. A love offering will be taken.
UNID@s SPANISH SPEAKING MINISTRY WORSHIP FEBRUARY 28,2016 SUNDAY AT 1PM
Join the UNID@s Ministry FEBRUARY 28,2016 at 1pm in the Chapel for worship services.
The Election of the Moderator for Metropolitan Community Churches
The denominational Moderator’s Nominating Committee has announced the slate of candidates for MCC’s next moderator. General Conference’s Clergy House and Lay house will vote on our next moderator. The conference will be held July 4-8, 2016. Click Here to Read a message from the Moderator of the nominating committee and to see bios and statements from the 4 candidates:
Rev. Elder Diane Fisher
Rev. Elder Darlene Garner
Rev. Elder Héctor Gutiérrez
Rev. Dr. Irene Laudeman
MCC Statement of Faith
A revision to MCC’s statement of Faith will also be voted on at this year’s general conference. The denomination’s Commission on the Statement of Faith has published the next installment of theological conversations contained in the statement. Please take a moment to read it. Please click here to read
The current draft of the Statement of Faith is also posted for your review and consideration and comment. Click Here to Read
MCC Governing Board Nominating Committee
MCC will elect 5 members to the Governing Board at the July conference, 3 clergy and 2 laity. The Board is responsible for the governance of the denomination between triannual general conferences. If you are interested in running for the board please read information from the nominating committee and contact the chair of the committee, MCCDC Vice Moderator Mark Kornmann at mark@mccdc.com.Click Here to Read
If you have questions about General Conference please contact your MCCDC lay delegates or Rev Cathy 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.
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.
