This Week’s Reflection
“Jesus shows us what it looks like to move in wisdom, to become adept at parsing out the many demands that call for our allegiance. If we are to be like Jesus, we must begin by first opening to the voice of God at our center. This voice tells us, above all and after it all, we are God’s Beloved. When we know this, we filter out so much of the silt and grit that traps us. We release ourselves into the arms of love. We make space for the work of transformation to be born in us.” ~Rev. Danielle Shroyer of Sanctified Arts
“Jesus shows us what it looks like to move in wisdom, to become adept at parsing out the many demands that call for our allegiance. If we are to be like Jesus, we must begin by first opening to the voice of God at our center. This voice tells us, above all and after it all, we are God’s Beloved. When we know this, we filter out so much of the silt and grit that traps us. We release ourselves into the arms of love. We make space for the work of transformation to be born in us.” ~Rev. Danielle Shroyer of Sanctified Arts
Who we open ourselves to deeply influences who we are. In our scripture for Sunday from Matthew 4:1-11 the tempter comes to Jesus in the wilderness and attempts to sway Jesus from his true identity. Exhausted, Jesus is vulnerable to the offers of easy, feel-good “solutions.” The quick fix to address his hunger was temptation at its strongest. Yet Jesus drew on his inner resources. Jesus held true.
Many influencers seek to shape our choices, our purchases decisions, our time, our energy and ultimately our identity. Identify theft is a growing concern. So we are invited to purchase identity protection. One company promises “Protection for who and what matters.” Really? While such services may reimburse us for funds lost to fraud, the deeper issues of identity protection are related to what really matters—matters of spirit and faith.
This Sunday at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. ET in the Sanctuary, online and later on demand, we’ll consider the influencers in our lives. We’ll look to Jesus in the wilderness and consider how he navigated the attempted theft of his identity and how we can apply his story to our lives.
In preparation for the First Sunday in Lent, I invite you to reflect on these words of Jesus from Matthew 4:4: “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Grace and peace,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
Senior Pastor, MCCDC
Black History Concert
We’ll celebrate Black History Month with our annual concert on Saturday, February 25th at 6:00 p.m. ET. This year’s theme is “DC Style” and will feature MCCDC Community Voices, Eclectic Praise, Drama Ministry and Moving Spirit, Shirli Hughes, Michelle Lanchester, and Arthur Diggs, Guest Soloists. Join us in person at 474 Ridge St. N.W. Washington, DC or by live stream via live.mccdc.com.
Congregational Forum & Meeting
Please save the date and plan to join us after worship at 12:30 p.m. EST for our Congregational Forum on Sunday, March 12th and our Congregational Meeting on Sunday, March 26th. Contact Rev. Cathy, revcathy@mccdc.com, with question
Calendar Link
MCCDC now has a short cut to their web calendar. This makes it easier for you to see the current events that is going on in our church community.
Simply go to: calendar.mccdc.com
Annual Giving Statements
We have begun preparing giving statements for the 2022 tax year. We will be sending giving statements via email, in batches, beginning January 25th and continuing through March 3rd.
If we don’t have a working email address on file for you, or if you don’t have access to email, we will mail your giving statement via USPS, or you can pick it up in-person after an MCCDC Sunday worship service. Please contact Chocolatté Miller at chocolatte.miller@outlook.com if you have questions.
Borderfree Worship Update
Effective Tuesday, November 1, MCCDC adopted 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 #51, by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
“There is something in every one of you that waits and listens for the sound of the genuine in yourself. It is the only true guide you will ever have. And if you cannot hear it, you will all of your life spend your days on the ends of strings that somebody else pulls.” — Howard Thurman
Dear God, we are grateful for the enduring gifts of your grace, your mercy, and the joy of life to continue moving forward in your strength. When the toils of life threaten to overthrow our spirit, our feelings of distress, you are right there holding us up with your right hand. We are thankful that you enlarge our vision of doing even greater works and sharing the gifts of the Holy Spirit to carry out your purpose.
We are thankful for the gifts of legacy left by loved ones to continue your work in the years now and the years before us. God, thank you for Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, DC, and all places of spiritual worship where the gathering of souls come to worship and encourage each other in community, your Beloved Community.
In your many precious names, we pray that people everywhere come to accept the enduring gift of eternal life that you granted us through your Son and our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are so grateful, Amen!
“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” — Habakkuk 2:3
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 • Tim Helm • Min. Diedre Gray • Bill Campbell • 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 recnet loss of her mother Earline • Angela Terrell • Mike Washington •Carol Washington mother’s health •Angela Dodd for healing •Buck Carlson •Lolita Gleaton for healing from her cancer • Mezyi Choi request prayer for her success healing from surgery • Lost of Melvin Moore Adams’ sister Krissandra Moore •Kia Murphy • Doris Carter Washington of Alexandra, Va. request prayer • Loss of Melvin Moore Adams’ sister Krissandra Moore • Patricia Ryan due to the loss of her brother Mickey
“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!
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