Several years ago, I wrote a song called “Justified” based on Sunday’s reading from Romans 5:1-5. The song gratefully celebrates how God uses our faith to make available to us all of God’s universal promises. The lyrics of the song declare, “God knows all about me, but God loves me anyway! I’ve got a witness in heaven. It doesn’t matter what the world may do or say!”
Our faith is displayed each day we open our hearts and take the risk to accept the abundant and unconditional love and grace of God. Our faith, our trust in God, gives us access to peace, joy, healing, redemption, and confidence. Indeed there are many songs that express and celebrate the connection between our faith and the confidence it provides. Well-known songs like “Blessed Assurance” and “It Is Well with My Soul” put to music our declarations of confidence. Because of our faith, God encourages us to be more assertive and less timid about our spirituality and connectedness to God.
There is an unfortunate preponderance of persons with low self-esteem and self-worth. For various reasons over time, they have come to believe that they are not loved, cannot be loved, or feel lonely and abandoned. They believe that self-worth and self-assuredness are luxuries beyond their reach. This is where grace comes in. Whenever our short-comings begin to overwhelm us, and tempt us to self-condemnation, our faith taps into God’s grace, and God’s love is out-poured. Our faith IS our proclamation of our confidence in God. Then through our confidence in God, God grants US confidence based on God’s steadfast and unwavering love. We are redeemed and justified; indeed, we are stood aright by God.
The confidence we would display is not arrogant or cocky, as if we have accomplished anything of our own doing. If we were to be so bold as to erroneously base our confidence on our own good works, this would a big mistake; as if we would intentionally stand on shaky, sandy ground. Haughtiness is actually a form of idolatry. This kind of pride is destructive and detrimental to all that it touches.
Today we are celebrating a kind of pride, not in and of ourselves, but completely of God. Based solely on what God has graciously done, we can stand, unashamed, loved, and accepted. We can even boast in God’s sharing with us God’s glory. In Sunday’s gospel lesson from John 16: 12-15, Jesus speaks of the “Spirit of Truth” that comes and guides and declares, and even glorifies.
The Spirit of Truth provides us with constant and perpetual reminders that the Love of God is ever enfolding us, and God’s grace is sustaining us. This truth cannot be denied. It supports us as we live our lives for God. When you have the truth and the truth has you, there is no cowering, there is no timidity. There is standing.
Rev. David North
“UP COMING EVENTS”
June 23rd MEMBERSHIP CLASS
If you have questions about MCCDC and what membership is about, class will be held on June 23rd from 12:30 to 2:30 in the lower level conference room. 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.
This Ad is to notify the congregation that construction on the M Street lot has started and parking in that area is no longer permitted.
For more information contact Greg Snyder gcsnyder01@aol.com
“CHURCH NEWS”
Join your MCCDC family on Sunday June 16 at 11 AM as the LOVEiNSPIRED CHORAL ministers their gift of music.
The Reunion Project, Thriving With HIV Workshop, June 22,2019 ,10 am-5 pm.
A local experience for long-term survivors of HIV living anywhere in the DMV Area.
Location: Milken Institute at George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Ave. NW (Foggy Bottom Metro)
Doors open at 9 am. Continental Breakfast and Lunch will be provided.
Registration is free and confidential. Attendance is limited to 150 so register early
A local experience for long-term survivors of HIV living anywhere in the DMV Area.
Dancing * Fun * Dancing, Line Dancing! Line Dancing! It’s coming to MCCDC
LGBTQ all are welcome
Saturdays, June 15th at 12 pm,
474 Ridge Street, Washington, DC. Jerrie our instructor she’ll teach us the hottest line dances for the summer!!
Donation – $6 Per Class (cash)
Contact Robin Anderson for info
252robin@gmail.com
MCCDC Pool Party, Sponsored by Older Adult Ministry, All ages are welcome.
Saturday, July 13th at 4:00 P.M.
The home of Darryl Walker
8312 20th Avenue, Adelphi, MD 20783
You and your friends are cordially invited to the MCCDC Older Adults Pool Party. It is a social affair with home cooked food, live entertainment, great oldies music, dancing, swimming, and just lounging around poolside. The cost is $5 to cover a complete meal, soft drinks, wine, water, and munchies. Bringing a side dish is appreciated. Unused monies will be considered a fund raiser for the Older Adults Ministry. A signup sheet and tickets/RSVP are available on the last Sunday in June and the first Sunday in July at the Information Station following the 9:00 and 11:00 services.
TO RSVP and for MORE INFORMATION: Please email Darryl at darryl_1945@yahoo.com or call 202-297-688
Atlantic City Resort Hotel and Casino Bus Trip 14 Sept 2019
This event is sponsored by the Older Adults Ministry, but anyone is warmly invited to join!
Departs MCCDC promptly at 7AM and returns at 11 PM.
The cost is $50 and must be paid in advance. The deadline for sign up is Sept 1st. For more information please contact Ace Barbari at 703-303-2934.
MCC General Conference Registration is open. REGISTER NOW by clicking onthe link below.Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Metropolitan Community Churches in Orlando!
In 1968, 12 people gathered in Rev. Troy Perry’s living room to celebrate a risen Christ who includes all at His table, most especially the LGBTQ community.
General Conference 2019 will bring together MCC’ers from around the globe to worship and celebrate God’s all-inclusive love. Come, taste, and experience all that MCC is and is becoming.
Soundboard volunteers are needed for 9am and 11am services. No experience needed. You will be trained on a state of the art soundboard, setting mics up for service and learning the technical side of handling the sound board. We would like to have you train at the 9am service and continue training at the 11am service but if your prefer to train only at one service you can.
Please contact me Michael Cunningham at mjcunningham2013@gmail.com or stop by to talk with any soundboard volunteer.
MCCDC Bible Study
A time of community, fun, learning, and sharing!
Tuesdays, from 7:00 – 8:00 PM in the Welcome Hall
For more information please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at the churchoffice@mccdc.com or call (202) 638-737.
