This Week’s Reflection
“Please savor the Sermon on the Mount. Read the rest of the Scriptures through its teaching and let the texts inform one another. Then share your readings with your friends, and your enemies. If you let the Sermon be your guide, you will not only have one foot in the kingdom of heaven but also be able to experience the kingdom in your life and in your heart.” ~Amy-Jill Levine
On June 6th, we’ll begin the First Sunday of Pridetide and we are excited about our new theme, God Knows Your Name. And… our Eastertide series, Bring Heaven to Earth continues to reverberate. Our study of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) concludes this coming Sunday. Yet it remains unfinished. There is so much yet to explore and learn. This sermon is not finished with us yet. It offers a lifetime of spiritual exploration.
We’ve been inspired by Jewish New Testament scholar Amy-Jill Levine and her book Sermon on the Mount: A Beginner’s Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven. She invites us to take seriously the Sermon on the Mount, knowing that in so doing we will bring heaven to earth, around us and within us.
When we have victory over bitter anger, heaven comes to earth. When we direct that anger to productive justice work, heaven comes to earth. When we love our neighbors with generosity, AND also our enemies, heaven comes to earth.
Heaven is both internal and external, within us and among us. When we practice our faith not to impress others but to love others, heaven comes to earth. When we find treasure through lasting values, heaven comes to earth. Our entire lives are characterized by daily transformation.
Ultimately the Sermon on the Mount is not simply an eight week worship series; it is a way to live for the rest of our lives. By the rest of our lives I mean two things: the remainder of our lives and lives that are marked by a sense of purposeful rest as we live with deep trust and blessed connection.
By Faith,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
MCCDC Senior Pastor
Celebrate Dad
As we continue practicing social distancing, many of us still want to celebrate father’s Day with our dad and dad-figure, whether blood or chosen. MCCDC wants to celebrate and remember with you, so we invite you to email a headshot of your mom with his name. Feel free to include yourself in the picture too. We will fill the sanctuary with cut-outs of dads across our church family.
Please send your pictures to Melvin Moore via email, churchoffice@mccdc.com, by Sunday, June 13th.
Congregational Forum & Meeting
Save the dates for MCCDC’s annual Congregational Forum and Meeting. At 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 20th, we’ll host a forum to discuss the church budget and operational issues. Then, at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 27th, we’ll have our annual Congregational Meeting to approve the proposed 2021 budget and expenditures from our Far Reaching Faith Trust Fund. Please plan to join us!
Older Adult Ministry, June 06 at 1 PM
Older Adult Ministry will be holding it monthly meeting via Zoom. June 06, at 1 PM. This month topic Wills & Legacy Giving .
Guest Speaker for this months meeting is: Murray Scheel, Senior Staff Attorney, mscheel@whitman-walker.org.
Click Here to Join Zoom Meeting
Call In,
+13017158592,,82495523942# US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 824 9552 3942
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
The family of Louis Hicks, Sr. • The family of Terry Blackstone • Bob Jones • Jerry Giem • 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 • Arden Shutt • Buck Carlson • Delores Fowler • Elaine Durden-Hunter’s mother, Earline T. Green • Evelyn Jones • Valeria Myers’ son Donald • Bob Jones’ son Chuck & wife Karen • Jerry Giem’s Son, Jason and Nephew, Travis • Steve Sloane • Glenn Conrad • Anthony Goode • Renee Valentine’s brother • Juanita Dara • Jeffrey Luckenbach • Elaine Durden-Hunter’s friend Saint Williams • Cathy Batson’s niece Lisa • Cynthia Melman • Kim Battle
• Rose Herring
C19 Vaccine
Have you been vaccinated yet? Everyone 12 years or older — including undocumented immigrants — is now eligible. Visit vaccines.gov to find a location near you and make an appointment.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing reimbursements up to $9,000 for funeral expenses incurred as a result of C19. To apply, visit FEMA’s website.
“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
Writer’s Ministry
The MCCDC Writers’ Ministry mission is to offer to our church and the world more reflections and devotionals throughout the year. If you’d like to join this project, now or in the future, please contact Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline, Writer-Theologian in Residence, at writer@robinhawleygorsline.com
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
