This Week’s Reflection
“Every time God’s active, stretching, searching, healing love finds someone and calls that person back home, it does not mean there is less for the rest of us. It means there is more. More wine. More eating. More music. More dancing. It means another, and now a bigger, party.” ~Rodney Clapp, Daily Feast, Year C, 197
There is a stark line in the scripture for Sunday: “Here I am dying of hunger!” (Luke 15:17). It is a cry that calls for compassion. This voice of hunger is from the younger son in Jesus’ story that is traditionally titled, “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.” However, I admit that compassion is not my first thought. By impulse I start to raise a pointed finger and say: “Your hunger is your own fault. You chose to leave your wealthy family, inheritance in hand. You chose to waste it all on luxury.”
Then, I stop myself in mid finger pointing. I too have been in painful situations I’ve brought on myself. And — and this is a BIG ‘and’ — this acknowledgement is not about guilt. Rather it is about grace: God’s grace is greater than even the worst choices.
The prodigal father embraces the prodigal son with a prodigal feast. Yes, extravagance, with all the appearances of wastefulness, is everywhere in this story. It is full to the brim with grace beyond what I can wrap my head around. Jesus invites me to relax the pointed finger into an open hand, which he holds with love then gently places over my heart. By grace, accusation shifts to affirmation.
I wonder what the world would be like if we became more like the prodigal parent? The father in this story of Jesus sees the hungry child from a great distance. Then, not caring how undignified he appears, the father runs to greet his son, embraces him, and kisses him. This grace on the run becomes pure joy: “Let us eat and celebrate! For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” (Luke 15:23-24).
This Sunday at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Eastern on livestream, and later on demand, we’ll consider the many angles of prodigal grace that overflows with love.
Grace & Peace,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
MCCDC Senior Pastor
Our church building is closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Our COVID-19 Advisory Team and Board of Directors will re-evaluate community risk after New Year’s.
Seeking Worship Volunteers
Help us open our sanctuary! Please visit volunteer.mccdc.com and fill out the form for the dates and positions you can serve your church. Have questions about roles and responsibilities? Contact Chocolatté Miller, chocolatte.miller@outlook.com. We’re planning volunteer training for Sunday, April 10th but can make alternate arrangements for those who can’t attend.
Support LGBTQ+ Ukrainian Refugees
The Metropolitan Community Churches have organized an effort to directly benefit the LGBTQ+ people of Ukraine, and their extended families. Donate through the link below and our denomination will cover all costs associated with the administration of this fundraising campaign so that 100% of your gift will go directly to refugees. Ukrainian Refugees
Denomination Annual Report
Click here to review our denomination’s 2021 annual report. It highlights of the many ways that MCC is making a difference in the world.
MCC Moderator Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston writes “Our local churches are the heart of everything that we do and this report shows how the ministries of the MCC staff, Governing Board and Council of Elders work to support MCC congregations and church leaders, as well as reaching out to the wider world. We hope that this report will give you more insight and understanding about MCC’s ministry and we welcome your feedback.”
Shaping our Church
We’ve planned a series of important conversations about how MCCDC can continue ministering to our church community, our city, and our world. We invite you to join us in prayerful discernment about where our journey will take us next, as we celebrate our 51st anniversary.
• Conversation with our Pastors: Sunday, March 20
• Congregational Meeting: Sunday, March 27
All three discussions will be held via Zoom at 12:30 p.m. EDT, after Sunday worship. Here’s how you can participate:
• Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
• Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 849 4265 4825
• Dial (301) 715-8592 by phone, using the same Meeting ID
Church members will receive a separate email with an information packet ahead of this Sunday’s forum. Please contact Rev. Cathy, revcathy@mccdc.com, if you don’t receive the packet
Interactive Worship Features
Beginning this Sunday, we’ll offer a period of quiet reflection during our 9:00 a.m. Borderfree Worship. At 11:00 a.m., we’ll invite everyone to share comments or questions in the YouTube or Facebook chat. Our A/V team will relay messages to the pastors to answer during service. Please address ay questions to Rev. Dwayne and Rev. Cathy at revdwayne@mccdc.com or revcathy@mccdc.com
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
• Glenn Conway’s cousin Trey • Rev, Dennis Johnson • Delores Fowler •Dale Madyun-Baskerville’s brother, Mike Washington • Tim Helm • Maria Hill • Evelyn Jones • Bob Jones & son Chuck & wife Karen • Jerry Giem & son, Jason & nephew, Travis • Dr. Veronica Franklin for healing • Valeria Myers’ children Chantelle & Donald • Michelle Lax • George Kerr, III • Kim Battle • Randy Punley • Rose Williams’ healing •Lynn Sulyma •Marcus Garnett •Renee Valentine & brother •Arden Shutt •Steve Sloane •Glenn Conrad •Anthony Goode •Jeffrey Luckenbach •Cathy Batson’s niece Lisa •Bill Campbell •Mark Kelly •Joshua Benkins’ health of Isaac David Benkins, father •Elaine Durden-Hunter healing for her dog, Angel •Angela Terrell •Elaine Durden-Hunter’s mother, Earline T.Green •Donna and Karen Payne-Hardy at the death of Donna ‘s mother • Jason family at the death of his mother Sheryl Jedlinski• Cecilia Hayden-Smith for healing from upcomming medical procedure • Cecilia Hayden-Smith for Granny comfort and a painless transitioning • Esther Smith for continue health
“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 PRAYER FROM NOON TO 12:30 PM Monday thru Saturday
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7078722334
Meeting ID: 707 872 2334
The dial in is 301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 7078722334
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
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
