The angel said to Mary, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. . .'”
~Luke 1:35
This Sunday is the Third Sunday of Advent, continuing with our Advent series, “Sing a New Song!” Our message will be “New Song of the Spirit.” The role of the Holy Spirit is usually not strongly associated with Advent and Christmas. Instead, the wonderful stories of shepherds, magi, Mary, and of course the Christ Child take center stage. After all, it wouldn’t be Christmas without these wonderful stories. And, it came to me in my reflections: it wouldn’t be Christmas without the Holy Spirit!
It was the angel Gabriel’s promise of the coming Holy Spirit that moved Mary past her fear and inspired her to believe in impossible dreams. It was the Holy Spirit that conceived a rebirth of salvation through the coming of Immanuel. In the Hebrew Scriptures it was the Spirit of the Lord that came upon the prophet Isaiah with the anointing to bring good news to the poor and to heal broken hearts.
Why wait until Pentecost to proclaim the role of the Holy Spirit? We need the Spirit now, and in our scriptures it is a joy to behold the Spirit of Christmas birthing something new for such a time as this.
Join us this Sunday at 9 AM and 11 AM to experience the beauty and inspiration of the season in our sparkling sanctuary. Music highlights include guest artists AhSa-Ti Nu at 9 AM and 11 AM and Rick Brown at 11 AM. Come expecting a new song of the Spirit to sing the fullness of joy into our lives. See you Sunday at 9 AM and 11 AM!
Faithfully, Rev Elder Dwayne Johnson
“UP COMING EVENTS”
Children’s Christmas Toy Drive
Thank you to our partner Mary’s House for Older Adults and our MCCDC friends and family who contributed time, talent and toys to support the East River Family Strengthening Collaborative Children’s Toy Drive. MCCDC, you provided toys and money to support 200 children. Thank you for your generosity.
Christmas Toy Wrapping Party
Toy Transfer and Check Presentation to East River Representatives
Our friends at the East River Family Strengthening Collaborative have invited MCCDC to their children’s appreciation party being held on Saturday Dec 16th from 1-3 PM at the Chateau Remix located at 3439 Benning Rd, NE, Washington 20019. Please rsvp to Rev Cathy so they will know how much food to prepare. This is an opportunity to meet and celebrate with children and families. If you have questions, please contact Rev Cathy with at 202-638-7373 or revcathy@mccdc.com
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING,Sunday, December 17 at 12:30 pm.
The Board of Directors is thankful for all who attended our Annual Forum on November 5 and Congregational Meeting on November 19. At the Congregational Meeting on November 19th the congregation elected Jim Garner, Linda Hornsby and Bobbi Strang to the Board of Directors. Reports were also received by vote. The congregation voted to table the proposed sale of the adjacent lot and 2018 Budget.
At the December 17th meeting the Board is proposing to the congregation to approve a short term continuation of the budget at 2017 levels through February 11, when another Congregational Meeting will be held. During this time, the Board will continue to communicate with the congregation on the proposed sale of the adjacent M Street lot and the proposed 2018 budget. Please stay posted for upcoming opportunities to share your concerns, praises, ideas and ways to involve more of our beloved community in the work and ministries of MCCDC. If you have questions, please email Board@mccdc.com
MCCDC Christmas Eve Services
Please join your MCCDC family as we celebrate Christmas eve. There will be three services on Sunday December 24th, 9AM, 11AM and 7PM candle light service.
Creating Change Conference,January 24-28, 2018
MCCDC is looking for volunteers to support this effort. Please contact Rev. Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373 if you are interested.
Click here for more detail Information On the Conference
MCCDC 2018 Offering Envelopes
For 2018 we will be using a different system for offering envelopes. New envelopes will not have numbers. Packets will be distributed
starting Sunday December 17th. For your giving envelopes please see Sonia Grant at the information station after service or call 202-638-7373.
CHURCH NEWS
Come Join MCCDC Bible Study to see the Play Jesus at Sight & Sound Theatres -” Where they Bring the Bible to Life on Stage”
Sight & Sound Theatres
300 Hartman Bridge Road
(Route 896)
Ronks (Strasburg), PA 17572
800-377-1277
When August 18, 2018
Cost $79.00
Money due by Feb. 6 2018
Leave from MCCDC Church at 8 am
Car Pool to and from location
Buffet Lunch is separate
Contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville :baskerd6109@gmail.com or 202 638-7373 for payment in CASH OR CHECK ONLY.
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
MCCDC: Together Rising: Who We Are — May 2017
Stay current on our video postings and help us in our goal of more than 100 subscribers to qualify for a custom MCCDC link that will help us reach more people.”
Seasons Greetings from The Threshold Singers
Seasons Greetings from our Partner Organization who has a global mission to offer their voices at tender times. We follow a long tradition of singing a cappella at times of living and dying — for hospice patients, those who are healing, and others facing challenges. The singers rehears monthly at MCCDC.
WELCOME OUR NEW TREE!
“Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice . . . . Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy.”
Psalm 96: 11-12
A new tree has been planted in the tree box on 5th Street NW. It is a Willow Oak (Quercus phellos), a native to this area
and should grow to 65 – 100 feet tall. Although it’s an oak tree, its leaves look like a willow tree, hence its name Willow Oak.
We will do a formal dedication for it in the Spring. For now, please enjoy this newest member of our congregation and pray for its presence in our midst. Thanks for Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline for the botanical info.
MCCDC SHARE Angel
Looking for a more meaningful gift this holiday season? Become a SHARE Angel and sponsor a friend, family member, or neighbor for next month’s SHARE box. The SHARE box provides 3 weeks’ worth of healthy, delicious food and will be far more appreciated than another cat sweater.
See SHARE booth in the fellowship hall for more information or contact Sonia Grant at 202-638-7373 or email churchoffice@mccdc.com
Join MCCDC AV ministry
If you have questions, please contact Johanna Hardy at nerd4mit@aol.com
Middle Adults Ministry
Soliciting Interest in a Middle Adults Ministry!
We are looking to judge the interest in forming a group focused on persons between those who affiliate with the Young Adults Ministry and the Older Adults Ministry–the Middle Adults. This would be place for middle adults to share their common experiences, joys, fears and of course, to form deeper friendships and have fun. It would primarily be a social ministry, but it could be a place for much more. It would also be an avenue to welcome middle adult persons coming into our church.
There will be an organizational meeting to explore forming this ministry sometime in January, 2018. Look for future announcement as to its date and time. If you are interested in coordinating the Middle Adult Ministry, or have any questions, please contact Jules Christian at enjoyingtoday@hotmail.com or 336-419-7579 or Greg Snyder at gcsnyder01@aol.com
MCCDC Intercessory Prayer Team (IPT)
Are you a Prayer Warrior? Do you desire to connect and support others through prayer practices? Do you want to make a difference in our church, city, nation and world? Come join the Intercessory Prayer Team! The IPT will meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM to have a Spirit-led time of prayer. We will also host a quarterly prayer event. For more information please contact Rev. Jules Christian at enjoyingtoday@hotmail.com or 336-419-7579.
Theological Study to Liberia
Help Lauren’s Angels travel to Libera by donating to her travel:
Join Lauren’s Angels:
Our Intern, Lauren Bennett is going to Liberia as a part of her MDiv at Wesley Theological Seminary. This immersion trip will be led by Rev. Dr. Asa Lee. Founded in 1820 by American emancipated slaves, students will learn about Liberia’s deep and intertwined history with the US and the American Protestant church; from support in the 19th Century from benevolent Christian missionary societies to contemporary support in the face of Civil War, poverty, and Ebola. The pivotal role of the church in areas of economic development, healthcare and education will be of central interest on this immersion and Liberia’s resilience and perseverance will be instructive and formative to participants in this immersion. When Lauren returns she will host an event to share of her time abroad.
You can help her raise the $3,600 needed for the trip by becoming one of her angels. Angels will receive special updates and readings before and during her immersion. Anyone can become an angel at any level $1 to $1,000!
Thank you for your support through prayer and finances!
Join our Worship and Arts Ministry!
|
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Please join the Tuesday Night Bible Study from 7-8 PM 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.
MCCDC LIVE STREAMING
MCCDC is 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.
