“I Don’t need to be afraid when I succumb to temptation. I can simply begin again. In Lent, and anytime.”
~ Nurya Love Parish
We are in the early days of the 40 days of Lent. Where is the Spirit leading you for these 40 days preceding Easter? And why 40? It is a number of holy invitation. It invites us to consider the flood in Genesis that lasted forty days and forty nights. It connects us with our forebears of Israel who wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. We go with Moses to spend 40 days and nights on Mt. Sinai. And in our Gospel this Sunday from Matthew 4:1-11, the holy invitation is to see what Jesus shows and teaches us through his 40 days in the desert fasting, praying, and facing the tempter.
Since the fourth century, Christians have observed the forty days before Easter (other than Sundays) as a time of prayer, confession, self-examination and discernment. For many, the season is somber. In some traditions, the word “hallelujah” is not used during Lent. I believe we can take the season seriously, while keeping a joyful tone. I see Lent as a time to consider what it means to live well and love well. Jesus shows us how, especially during difficulty and trial.
In our scripture this Sunday Jesus is tempted to put himself first, rather than God. He is tempted to feed his body to the neglect of his spirit. He is tempted to test God rather than trust God. His response to the temptations offers us a spiritual approach to the pushes and pulls that we face. This Sunday, in a very real to life message, I’ll offer some thoughts on living well and loving well when we, like Jesus, face temptation.
I invite us to stretch ourselves spiritually this season. And to support each other in the stretching. One means of support is our “Lenten Lunchtime Prayer” by phone or in person from Noon to 12:40 each Wednesday during Lent. In our Ash Wednesday gathering this week, several shared how they are stretching themselves this season. For example, one is fasting from sunrise to sunset each day. Another is reaching out to say “I love you” to someone each day. Many are setting aside a specific time for prayer and devotion.
Lynn Sulyma, an MCCDC member now living in New York, joined by phone and shared a prayer she wrote that she is using each morning. It reminds her that each day is a blessing given through God’s grace to do God’s work and speak God’s word for one more day. I invite you to also pray this prayer as part of your Lenten practice:
“Bless me Lord as I go forth into the world today. Bless all my words and actions. First that I may do no harm to anyone intentionally or unintentionally. Rather may all I say or do this day only reflect my faith and your eternal love. Amen.”
Through prayer and practice, may we live well and love well each day. See you Sunday!
By Faith, Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
UPCOMING EVENTS MARCH 2017
MCCDC Celebrates Women’s History Month
Women’s Program for all who identify as woman …women in ministry… women in worship
Please Join Us in our Women’s Gathering
Sunday March 19
12:30-2:30PM
Click Here for On line Spiritual Gift Tools:
THE OLDER ADULTS MINISTRY POTLUCK, March 5, 2017, 12:30 PM, LOWER LEVEL
The Older Adult Ministry Monthly Pot Luck will be held today. All Older Adults 50 and above are welcome to attend.
NEW FOR 2017,Ignite Worship Service March 26th
1925 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
Ignite is a new monthly Sunday Night Worship. The mission of this new service is to create a worship space that celebrates the diverse tapestry of God’s creation, seeking to explore innovative ways to interact with the Divine who lives in us all. Mark your calendar now and stay posted for more information!
You’re Invited
“Lenten Lunchtime Prayer”
You are invited to join in the Weekly Wednesday Lunchtime Prayer throughout the Lenten season. During this time you can call into pray or present prayer requests or offer scripture or testimony
Call in number: 857-232-0476, Passcode 976702
This phone service, will run for 40 minutes (representing the 40 days Christ spent in the desert) starting at noon and ending a 12:40pm each Wednesday from Ash Wednesday until Easter week – from March 1 until April 12. Please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or call 202-638-7373
MCCDC Goes to the Theater
Join us on Friday April 28th at 8PM at the Area Stage Theater. If you are interested, please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373. Tickets are $50 yet limited scholarships are available. Confirmation and payment deadline is March 26th. Seats are limited so don’t wait to sign up.
CHURCH NEWS
Your’re Invited to Tyrone Stanley Debut in the “Wiz”
Morgan State University
2201 Argonne Drive Baltimore, MD 21251
For show times and Ticket Purchase call
Murphy Fine Arts Center 443-885-4440 or Ticket Master 800-551-seat
2017 Lenten Daily Devotionals — Please Contribute!
During the month of February, we are seeking participants to create the content for MCCDC’s 2017 Lenten Daily Devotionals. For 40 days beginning on Ash Wednesday, March 1, these Lenten Daily Devotionals will be simultaneously published on MCCDC’s Facebook page and distributed by email to the congregation. Our theme this year is taken from MCC’s Denominational Office of Church Life and Health — “Naked Faith: Revealing Resurrection.” Please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or Frank Wirmusky at fwirmusky@aol.com or call 202-638-7373 if you would like to participate, have ideas on how to broaden participation, or thoughts on how best to articulate the theme through words, music, or video.
Communion Celebrant Training
Interested in altar setup, praying and distributing of the Holy Sacraments to the congregation during each church service each Sunday? Communion Celebrant training is being offer on March 12, 2017 at 12:30 pm upstairs in the chapel.
BIBLE IN 90 DAYS COMMUNITY
Wednesday, 7 PM
Please go to this blog page for more instructions and to follow along: Click here to enter the blog
The call in number for our community meeting times will be (641) 715-0632, Access Code: 190766, yet we encourage you to attend in person if you can.
Click here to see upcoming schedule: 2017-bible-in-90-days-schedule
If you have questions, contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373. Please call or email to let us know if you plan to participate. All are welcome.
Anti-Racism Workshop
The Eastern Network of MCC has a terrific opportunity in March to participate in a workshop designed to re-frame our work against racism and to galvanize our faith community to engage in racial justice.
MCCDC will host Rev. Dr. Jennifer Harvey on Sunday, March 26 from 3:30p-8:00p in the lower level conference room. You can find out more about Rev. Dr. Harvey and her work at the following links:
Jennifer Harvey Huffington Post
Suggested registration donation of $25 per participant, more if it’s possible and less if
needed. You can visit the registration page You can visit the registration page to sign up, to contribute through PayPal, or to make a commitment. Please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline at revrobin@mccdc.com if you have questions.
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Come Join Us!!! Tuesday Night Bible Study is going to the movies to see: “The Shack”!!!
March 4, 2017, 1:30 pm show. Meet at 12:30 PM at the AMC Hoffman Center 22 Theater on 206 Swamp Fox Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. Contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com.
Tuesday night bible study is currently reading the book “The Shack”. The movie is Based on the New York Times best-selling novel, The Shack takes us on a father’s uplifting spiritual journey. After suffering a family tragedy, Mack Phillips [Sam Worthington] spirals into a deep depression causing him to question his innermost beliefs. Facing a crisis of faith, he receives a mysterious letter urging him to an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Despite his doubts, Mack journeys to the shack and encounters an enigmatic trio of strangers led by a woman named Papa [Octavia Spencer]. Through this meeting, Mack finds important truths that will transform his understanding of his tragedy and change his life forever
Save this date! Easter Spring Bazaar
For More Information contact C.C. Petee at 240-305-9922 or Fenicia Ballard at 540-841 1633
Come Join Us! MCCDC Older Adult Ministry,Free Computer Classes
The second class will be Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 – Essentials, Sunday, March 26th ,from 12:30 – 2:30 pm in the Computer Lab, lower level.
Course Description :Discover how to create and edit presentations from scratch in Microsoft PowerPoint. Find out how to insert and modify clip art and spell check your presentation, as well as how to format, edit and proof presentation text. Learn how to create a custom layout for your slides, apply background styles, add speaker notes and copy text and slides between multiple presentations. Find out the different options for printing presentation data and how to utilize Outline view as well as slide sorter view to make organizing your slide text easier
MCCDC LIVE STREAMING
MCCDC is going live! We have an opportunity to use of our AV system to reach outside our walls to many people who may not be able to join us in person. To make this happen we must have a subscription service that will provide us the ability to stream our services, concerts and special events, and expand opportunities for participation in our bible studies and other activities remotely. The testing done so far with streaming has generated a lot of excitement, particularly by those who have been unable to visit our church.
You can be a part of making this happen in a number of ways: (1) pray for our reach beyond the walls of our church (2) join others in donating to cover the one-time annual cost of the service and associated AV training for our volunteers; and (3) consider joining the AV ministry.
Click to Donate!
You can contact the church office with questions at 202-638-7373 or churchoffice@mccdc.com.
ELECTRONIC GIVING
With EasyTithe, supporting the church is as simple as clicking a mouse or whipping out your smart phone.
Our new online system allows you to make a financial donation to the church with your credit card or direct debit from your banking account.
You’ll be asked to set up your MCCDC EasyTithe Account. You can set it up to make a one-time/anytime donation or make a recurring donation.
Click to Donate!
You also can give by text 202-999-3841. Please contact the church office with questions at 202-638-7373 or churchoffice@mccdc.com.
YOGA CLASSES
YOGA Classes at MCCDC! There is room for you!
To nourish your physical body in addition to your spiritual body. Yoga is held on Mondays from 7-8 PM. Hope to see you then. If you have questions or desire additional information please contact Rev. Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
~ Namaste (“The Spirit in me honors the Spirit in you”)
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.
Jonah at Sight and Sound Theater
The Tuesday night Bible Study Ministry is sponsoring a trip to see the stage production of Jonah at Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, PA. The trip will be on Saturday Aug 19 leaving MCCDC by caravan at 8 AM and returning to MCCDC around 8 PM. This production will also complement the Tuesday Night Bible Study focus on the prophet Jonah in August. For more information please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at baskerd6109@gmail.com or 202-638-7373.
Click here to find out more information from about the show.
