As we enter Lent some are asking, “How are we going to get through this time of pandemics?” Our Lenten theme offers this affirmative response: Love Makes a Way! The purpose of our theme is to explore the central message of our faith: love. What has become a cliché in many popular cultures is much more. Love is more than gooey feelings and romantic sentimentality.
• It is with love that God created the heavens and the earth.
• It is with love that God invited our ancestors to the freedom of holy covenant in the Promised Land.
• It is with love that the ancient prophets called wanderers back to truth.
• It is with love that the journey of Jesus that we follow through Lent, to Holy Week to Easter opens new windows into love.
In our scripture for this Sunday from Mark 1:9-15 we see how love makes a way for Jesus. First, John baptizes Jesus, opening the way for Jesus to see the heavens open and to hear a voice of transforming love: “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness” (Mark 1:11; Common English Bible).
Next we see the role of the Holy Spirit in the life and ministry of Jesus. Love often takes difficult turns, and this is a difficult relationship as the Spirit forces Jesus to a difficult place: the wilderness. Jesus struggles there for forty days, yet in that struggle finds his voice: “Now is the time! Here Comes God’s community! Change your hearts and live, and trust this good news!” (Mark 1:15; Common English Bible).
By Faith,
Rev. Elder Dwayne
MCC Blessing of the Elders
Join our broader denomination, the Metropolitan Community Churches, in blessing the outgoing Elders—including Rev. Dwayne—along with the new incoming Elders. The service will be live streamed at this link next Tuesday, February 23rd at 3:00 p.m. EST
Writers’ Ministry
MCCDC’s Writers’ Ministry gathers this Saturday, February 20th, from 10:00 a.m. to Noon EST. Join them via Zoom or contact Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline for more information.
C19 Vaccine
Public health officials are urging us to help ensure people who are 65 and older know that they are eligible for the C19 vaccine. (Depending on your location, people with certain underlying health conditions are also eligible.) For more information, visit these links—District of Columbia, Maryland & Virginia —for vaccine procedures and answers to frequently-asked questions.
Another Web site reported by News 4 today helps you manage/plan your C19 appointment in one place no matter what state you live in. Click here to go to the web site.
MCC Denominational Events
Click here to explore events presented by our denomination and other MCC churches throughout our country and the world. (To sign up for this info via email, click here and subscribe to “MCC General News_ENG.”)
2020 Giving Statements
The treasurer and assistant treasurer have completed your giving statement for tax year 2020. Giving statements have been emailed out. For those who do not have a working email address on file or who do not have access to email, the 2020 giving statement was be sent out via postal mail.
Please contact treasurer@mccdc.com with questions.
“Church Ministries & 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).
Singing to God
Join the Virtual Voices of the MCC Choir. Lift your voice in our virtual rehearsals while singing from the comfort of your home. Email Music Minister Diedre Gray at msdeedeemusic@gmail.com
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
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:
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 *Diedre Gray * Elaine Durden-Hunter’s friend Saint Williams family * Cathy Batson’s niece Lisa * Cynthia Melman * Delores Fowler * Bill Stanclift’s brother James, niece Krista, nephew Paul, and several cousins *Buck Carlson at the loss of his husband Keith Richardson
