“The greatest risk of all, it turns out, is not to risk anything, not to care deeply and profoundly enough about anything to invest deeply, to give your heart away and in the process to risk everything. The greatest risk of all, it turns out, is to play it safe, to live cautiously and prudently.”
~ J. M. Buchanan
We have been given much. What will we do with what we have been given? Will we protect it or risk it? In our Gospel for this Sunday from Matthew 25: 14-30 there are more questions than answers. Yet beyond the questions, on the horizon of risky action, there is the promise of more than any of us can imagine: “Well done! You are a good and faithful worker. Since you were trustworthy in a small matter, I will put you in charge of larger affairs. Come, share my joy!” (Matthew 25:21)
The invitation to follow Jesus is an invitation to an adventure of faith. There are no promises that it will be easy. The one who had no place to lay his head lived and taught with an open heart. Jesus called those who found their security in fishing nets, to release what little they had for a venture of faith that opened the way to new possibilities, for themselves and for others.
The call of Jesus is a call to invest deeply. It is to care deeply. It is to give our hearts away and to risk everything on God. To lose is to gain, says Jesus, as he invites us to ponder such paradox even while moving forward in holy ambiguity.
As you mediate on Matthew 25:14-30 in preparation for worship on Sunday, I encourage you to consider these questions: In what ways are we being called to risk as individuals? As a congregation?
And, I invite you to reflect on this quote by J.M. Buchanan: “Here Jesus invites us to be his disciples, to live our lives as fully as possible by investing them, by risking, by expanding the horizons of our responsibilities. To be his person, he says, is not so much believing ideas about him as it is following him. It is to experience renewed responsibility for the use and investment of these precious lives of ours. It is to be bold and brave, to reach high and care deeply. So the parable is the invitation to the adventure of faith: the high-risk venture of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.”
By Faith, Rev. Elder Dwayne
TALK BACK: I would love to hear your thoughts on this week’s reflection. Have you ever taken a risk that paid off? Have you ever taken a risk that came back to bite you? Email me at RevDwayne@mccdc.com
MCCDC Announcements
Congregational Forum
We will hold our annual Congregational Forum via Zoom one week from Sunday: following worship at 12:30 p.m. ET on November 15th. We will invite active members to elect new board members.
Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting
• Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 817 2861 4302
• Dial (301) 715-8592 by phone, Meeting ID :817 2861 4302
Contact Redford Salmon, churchoffice@mccdc.com, if you are an active member who did NOT receive the information packet with board candidate biographies, details on revenue and expenses, and annual reports from ministry leaders
MCCDC Engagement Survey
As we work to extend our reach “beyond the walls,” we want to hear how you’ve engaged with our church—both before and during the pandemic. Click here to take a brief, simple survey organized by Dr. Carla Sherrell, drcarla@mccdc.com, and our Virtual Ministry Working Group.
Security Awareness Training, November 22, at 1 PM
Metropolitan Police Department will offer virtual security training on home safety and personal safety after worship services. The training is open to all who attend MCCDC. Contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville, baskerd6109@gmail.com for more information.
Advent Devotionals Wanted!
We begin the Advent season on Sunday, November 29! And as in prior years, MCCDC shares a daily devotional in your inbox for the entire season (until Christmas Eve) each day. Please consider contributing one or more this year!
All of them are written by members and friends who share a story or a poem or spiritual learning and wisdom appropriate to the season. Most people write their contribution, but some record a video. Both are welcome. Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline, Writer-Theologian in Residence is coordinating the project again this year.
The theme for Advent this year as decided by Revs. Dwayne and Cathy is “You Are a Gift.” It is great if you can work with that, but these are not limited to that theme.
Our guidelines suggest a maximum of 500 words (less is good)—remember how busy everyone is and how many emails most of us receive daily—but if you absolutely cannot say what you wish to say in more, that’s okay. Just know that Rev. Robin may suggest some edits (and he may agree that your text is great as is). Please know that we also like to include an image to go with each contribution and you are welcome to share one—If not, he will add one.
Please send your submissions to Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline, Writer-Theologian in Residence, at writer@robinhawleygorsline.com as soon as possible!
Join MCCDC’s Bible in 90 Days Journey 2021!
Click Here to Join the MCCDC Slack Community
Click Here to Order B90 Bible:
“Virtual Church Events”
Virtual Choir
Come and join the Virtual Voices of MCC Choir! Lift your voice in our virtual rehearsals while singing from the comfort of your home. For more info, email Music Minister Deidre Mouton Gray at msdeedeemusic@gmail.com.
Spiritual Gifts, Get Involved!
Your’re invited to consider sharing your spiritual gifts by making a Scripture Reading Video or sharing a Video Testimony on what MCCDC means to you.
It does not have to be long and the AV team is standing by to help you with the video. Please email me at revdwayne@mccdc.com for more information.
Moving Spirit Dance Ministry
Come dance for God! No experience needed. Email Cathy Batson at cathybatson1@verizon.net for more information. Check out past performances on our YouTube channel, including “I Can Only Imagine” (April 2019) and “Mighty River”(February 2018).
JOIN REV. DWAYNE IN PRAYER FROM NOON TO 12:30 PM Monday thru Saturday
Phone Number: 646-558-8656, Code: 407 740 6668
Intercessory Prayer Team
Meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays each month at 7 pm
Contact LaMar Jenkins at 202-750-08887
Drama Ministry Practice Via Zoom
The 3rd Mondays each month at 6:30 pm Eastern
Contact Clara Carter at c4mcarter26@gmail.com for information
Bible Study
Tuesdays at 7:00 pm Eastern
Click here to Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/434566329
or Dial: (301) 715-8592 ,Meeting ID: 434 566 329
Contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at mccdcbiblestudy@mccdc.com for more information.
Pastoral Care Meeting
Meet 1st and 3rd Wednesday, each month at 6::30pm
Contact pastoralcare@mccdc.com for more information or interest in joining this vibrant church ministry this Fall
“Ministry Spotlight”
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
Click here to see more MCCDC Videos
LiveStream Volunteer’s Needed!
Volunteer! No experience is required. We will train you or someone you recommend. (Perhaps a student interested in picking up new skills?) Opportunities include:
o Producing the livestream itself on Sundays and for special events (greatest need)
o Assisting on Sundays by video recording and managing cameras
o Video editing (this requires access to your own computer and video editing software)
Share our message! Inspired by Rev. Dwayne’s spiritual instruction? Moved by a praise & worship song? Post it on Facebook. Send a link to friends and family. They can tune-in to our livestream or watch worship services on demand at livestream.com/mccdc, through our website at mccdc.com, or browse clips on our YouTube Channel.
Click here to visit MCCDC YouTube channel
Email Johanna at mccdclive@gmail.com or talk to any one of the AV team members to volunteer or for more information
The Soundboard Ministry Needs YOU!
Soundboard volunteers are needed for 9 am and 11 am services. No experience needed!
You will be trained on a state of the art soundboard and learn how to set up mics for services.
Ideally, you will train at the 9 am service and continue training at the 11 am service, but we are flexible.
Please contact Michael Cunningham at mjcunningham2013@gmail.com or stop by to talk with any soundboard volunteer.
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
* Jerry Giem’s Son, *Jason and Nephew, Travis * Valeria Myers’ daughter Chantelle * Michelle Lax *George Kerr, III * Mama Cee’s sister and niece * Rose Williams * Randy Punley * Lynn Sulyma * Esther Smith * Marcus Garnett * Renee Valentine * Rose Herring * Elaine Durden-Hunter’s mother, Earline * T. Green * Evelyn Jones * Valeria Myers’ son Donald * Bob Jones’ son Chuck & wife Karen * Steve Sloane * Glenn Conrad * Arden Shutt, * Renee Valentine’s brother, * Kim Battle, *Juanita Dara , * Jeffrey Luckenbach, * Anthony Goode,* Keith Richardson, *Diedre Gray *Saint Williams * Cathy Batson niece Lisa
