This Week’s Reflection
Life can only be understood backwards, but it can only be lived forwards.”
~ Soren Kierkegaard
This Sunday MCCDC is open for New Year’s Day Worship with one service at 10a.m. Eastern. Our Borderfree Worship will be in the Sanctuary, online, and later on demand. Our scriptures from Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 and Revelation 21:1-6 point to the opportunities for 2023. We learn from the realities of 2022 and we look forward to 2023. As we continue to celebrate home, we are grateful that we have the support of our beloved community to be with us, whatever life may bring.
The poet of Ecclesiastes reminds us that “There is a season for everything and a time for every matter under the heavens” (3:1). For some in the MCCDC community, this New Year is a time for giving birth. For others it is a time for searching. Among us there are those living the range of times: “a time for crying and a time for laughing, a time for mourning and a time for dancing. . .” (3:4-5).
Through tears, laughter, mourning and dancing, we are here for each other. Wherever you find yourself during this time, life can only be lived forward. Living forward, during low times or high times, is a choice.
MCCDC is here to partner with you through the seasons. We are also here to strengthen your spiritual tools to empower you to make consistent choices for a stronger future. We are here to support each other. Looking ahead to 2023, what no longer serves you and needs to be released? What new choices will help you move forward? Let us continue to celebrate our spiritual home. And let us each offer support to strengthen our home of love and wholeness.
In preparation for Sunday, I invite you to join me in reflecting on these lines from a Sanskrit poem, written over 2,000 years ago.
The wisdom offered is timeless.
For yesterday is but a memory,
and tomorrow a vision,
but today well-lived
makes every yesterday
a memory of hope
and every tomorrow
a vision of hope.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
Holiday Schedule
Join us online or in the Sanctuary at Fifth and Ridge St NW for our borderfree Sunday worship service, at 10:00 a.m. ET, on January 1st. Please plan accordingly.
Planning Your Legacy
What will your Legacy be? Consider leaving a legacy gift to honor your life as a member of the MCCDC family. Your gift will ensure the continuation of our church, both now and in the future. Meet with our Generosity Team after Sunday worship services in the new year. We’ll host conversations at 12:30 p.m. Eastern in person on Sunday, January 22nd and via Zoom on January 29th. We’ll answer your questions about how to remember the church in your estate plans. Contact Rev. Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com for more information.
Bible in 90 Days
We invite you, your family and friends to join us on our every-other-year journey in reading the entire Bible cover-to-cover in 90 days. In 2023, participation will be virtual, so join us from wherever you are! To sign up or get more information, visit mccdc.com/b90 or email mccdcin90@gmail.com.
Older Adult Ministry
Our Older Adult Ministry will meet for Virtual Bingo via Zoom at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, 4th of December Contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at for more information at mccdcbiblestudy@mccdc.com
Here are three ways to connect:
· Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
· Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 824 9552 3942
· Dial (301) 715-8592 by phone, using the same Meeting ID
Email Scam Alert
Someone has been sending email claiming to be Rev. Dwayne and requesting people buy gift cards. This is a scam! (Rev. Dwayne has only one email address, revdwayne@mccdc.com). Delete the email or report it as spam to . reportphishing@apwg.org. or report to GMAIL at the following link Click here to report to GMAIL
Barnabas Culture
One by the name of Joseph, in Acts 4:36 was called “Barnabas” by the Apostles, because he had an encouraging spirit. His words consoled and encouraged those who heard him. For those interested in learning more about Barnabas Culture, MCCDC Ministry Intern Rev. Teresa Tygart will host training sessions 7:00 p.m. Eastern, Thursday. Click Here to Join The Zoom Thursday Nights For more information or questions Email preachertygart@gmail.com.
Borderfree Worship Update
Effective Tuesday, November 1, MCCDC will adopt a flexible masking policy. That means when you enter the church at 474 Ridge St NW, you have the flexibility to choose* to wear or not to wear a mask.
• · Please continue to social distance. Respect personal space.
• · Respect personal masking choices. Others may be at high risk.
• · Be responsible. If you don’t feel well, have tested positive for COVID, or are otherwise sick; stay home and join us online.
*Note: Individual ministries or other activities/events at MCCDC may still require masks under certain circumstances
Worship Volunteer
We still need volunteers to sustain in-person worship. Please visit volunteer.mccdc.com and fill out the form for the dates and positions in which you can serve your church. Have questions about roles and responsibilities? Contact Chocolatté Miller, chocolatte.miller@outlook.com
Pathways 2 Generosity, Prayer #44, by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
“In whatever sense this year is a new year for you, may the moment find you eager and unafraid, ready to take it by the hand with joy and gratitude” — Howard Thurman
Dear God, thank you for keeping us this year through the joyful days and the sad days; and for helping us to continue trusting you through the doubts and griefs that tended to overwhelm us. Whatever the circumstances are, You stand at the door of our hearts letting us know that you are always there, that you will not forsake or leave us.
Thank you, God, for the birth of your Son Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb given to die on the cross for the sins of the whole world. Because of this we live under the grace of your generosity.
During this holiday season, we hope that people everywhere be thankful for God’s loving and generous gift of God’s Beloved Jesus. We pray to continue being more generous this upcoming year in sharing our God-given resources to further the gathering of souls for your spiritual realm, our home. Thank you in your many names. Amen!
“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV)
Support for Tim Helm
Beloved longtime MCCDC member Tim Helm is recovering from spinal and back wound complications at BridgePoint Hospital on Capitol Hill. Tim welcomes your calls in the afternoon and evening at (202) 368-9877.
Tim, our love and prayers are with you!
~Your MCCDC Family
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
Johanna Hardy• Jerry Giem at the recent passing of his partner Bob Jones • Tim Helm • Min. Diedre Gray • Mark Kelley and Bill Campbell • James Newkirk ? Denise Wright, her mother Lucy Mae Coombs and her aunt Lottie Mae King. • Rose Williams• Cecilia Hayden-Smith and Esther Smith’s health• Delores Fowler • Vernessa D. Wilson • Family of Ms. Brittany Harrell • Veronica Franklin• Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline • Glenn Conway • Michelle Lax •Anthony Goode • Valeria Myers’ children Chantelle & Donald • George Kerr, III • Randy Punley • Lynn Sulyma • Marcus Garnett •Renee Valentine’s brother • Arden Shutt • Evelyn Jones• Steve Sloane • Jeffrey Luckenbach • Cathy Batson’s niece Lisa • Cynthia Melman •Kim Battle • Joshua Benkins’ father Isaac •Elaine Durden-Hunter’s mother Earline • Angela Terrell • Carol Washington for the peaceful transition of her mother • Mike Washington •Angela Dodd for healing •Buck Carlson •Lolita Gleaton for healing from her cancer • Cameron & Sabrina Beauford for the health of their unborn baby • Mezyi Choi request prayer for her success healing from surgery
“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
Writing Ministry
Meets Monthy
For more information, contact Jacqueline Laughlin at yemayah@icloud.com.
Barnabas Culture Sessions
Barnabas Culture, Session 7:00 p.m. Eastern, Thursday. Click Here to Join The Zoom Thursday Nights. For more information contact MCCDC Ministry Intern Rev. Teresa Tygart at Email preachertygart@gmail.com.
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
