This Week’s Reflection
And there’s a God that moves over the earth,
Who’s searching for a heart that is desperate,
And longing for a child that will give of their all,
Give it all, God wants it all.
And God says love me, love me with your whole heart,
God wants it all today.
Serve Me, serve Me with your life now
God wants it all today. ~ “He Wants It All” by Dominique Jones
The world around us can be a place filled with beauty, wonder, and amazement. I’ve been in conversations with MCC folx from all over the world. The question recently about the environment and what weather patterns people were experiencing. For some, the season of fall is about to come into bloom indicated by the changing leaves, or the rain, or the falling temperatures. For some in the Southern Hemisphere, the season is becoming spring with its bud and promise of fresh, new, life. For some, the heat of the season has not broken and there is no end in sight to the heatwave.
Wherever you find yourself geographically, Psalm 19 reminds us that the “Heavens are declaring God’s glory; the sky is proclaiming God’s handiwork. One day gushes the news to the next, and one night informs another what needs to be known. Of course, there’s no speech, no words—their voices can’t be heard—but their sound extends throughout the world; their words reach the ends of the earth.”
We have the opportunity to lift our spirits, our voices, our intentions with the heavens in recognizing and proclaiming God’s handiwork throughout creation. Each of us is a part of that handiwork, that achievement. Oh, the wonder of the thought that, we are God’s achievement, God’s accomplishment. Some might be inclined to think that they can’t be God’s achievement because of shame or negativity they’ve been taught, or a developed belief that a particular action or thought might somehow disqualify us because we didn’t give our all at some point. Such “all or nothing” thinking takes us down a murky path right from the start. I’ve come to believe that in addition to the blacks and whites of thinking, there are shades of gray. In the midst of the purples to red there can be shades of chartreuse.
This Saturday October 7th at 5pm ET MCC’s musical group Eclectic Praise will be offering a concert that emanates from their hearts. Please plan on coming to support them. One of the songs they are scheduled to offer is “He Wants It All”. Some of which is quoted above. God wants all that we can give to God. The song reminds with words like “searching”, “longing”, “serve me” of the potential hope and possibility in relationship with the God of your understanding. God wants it all and we can give our all as the absolute best we can without guilt or shame or fear. God wants loving relationship with each of us and between us. Our second scripture reading on Sunday is taken from Philippians 3:3-14. We learn of some the apostle Paul’s “all or nothing” thinking and just a part of his journey and testimony to us about being “all-in”.
Join us in person, virtually, or on demand for the Eclectic Praise concert on Saturday October 7th at 5pm ET. Then join us on Sunday October 8th for service at 9am ET and 11am ET
Peace,
Rev. Cathy Alexander
Associate Pastor
Eclectic Praise Concert
Join us for an Eclectic Praise Experience filled with music to take you on a spiritual journey!
Saturday, October 7, 2023, 5pm EST
Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, DC 474 Ridge St NW, Washington DC or join us Live Stream at: live.mcccdc.com
MCCDC Leadership Opportunity
Are you looking for a new way to serve your MCCDC community? Can you envision yourself in a leadership position? Then we might have just the right opportunity for you!
The Board of Directors is looking for motivated and qualified candidates to run for two positions that will be open due to term expirations in 2023.
If you feel called and have been a member of MCCDC in good standing for the past six months, you are eligible to run. Please submit a brief resumé and letter of interest to revdwayne@mccdc.com and churchoffice@mccdc.com.
2023 Forum & Congregational Meeting
Mark your calendars! We will be holding our annual Form and Congregational Meeting on the below dates:
• 12 November: Forum In-Person & Zoom
• 19 November: Congregational Meeting In-Person & Zoom
We invite you to join other MCCDC members in electing new Board Members, recapping 2023 and planning how we’ll grow our generous home in 2024.
OVERFLOW SUNDAY
On 29 October, the 5th Sunday of the month MCCDC like you to consider a special Overflow Gift to MCCDC Church and ministries. As we come out of summer our expenses are below our income, compounded by critical capital repairs. Click here to read a special message from the board.
These gifts help us to adapt our changing times on line and in-person ministries. For example, 43 people recently enjoyed the Atlantic City Bus Trip for all ages sponsored by our Older Adult Ministry. Together we can address this challenge!
Pray this prayer: “God, what would you have me do?” Then simply respond in faith. Every gift of every amount will make a positive difference.
To give, visit donate.mccdc.com, text GIVE to 202-999-3841 or mail your gift to MCCDC, 474 Ridge St NW, Washington DC 20001. Feel free to email questions or comments the Board at board@mccdc.com or Pastor Dwayne at revdwayne@mccdc.com. Let’s make October strong!
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).
If you received one of these emails DELETE the email or report it as spam to reportphishing@apwg.org or CLICK HERE TO REPORT IT TO GMAIL Abuse Web site
To read advice from the FTC on to how to recognize “phishing” scams click here. Never reveal personal or financial information via email. Do not click links if you don’t recognize the sender. Don’t just check their name, inspect the email address by hovering your mouse over the ‘from’ address. Make sure no alterations (like additional numbers or letters) have been made
Older Adult Ministry
The Older Adult Ministry will be holding our quarterly meeting on 29 Oct 2023, at 12:30 PM in person, Church Chapel or join via zoom link below.
This meeting topic will be projected OAM schedule for 2024 and 10 Dec 2024 Christmas Pot luck.
· 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
Contact Dale L. Madyun-Baskerville at baskerd6109@gmail.com
Mary’s House Lunch and Learning Workshop
Join Mary’s House for one of their FREE workshops listed below on key topics:
• October 11 – Probate Issues
• October 25 – Medicare Open Reenrollment Period
• November 15 – Legal Hotline Services
FREE Lunch will be provided. Please email Dr. Carla Sherrell, csherrell@maryshousedc.org Your email is REQUIRED to CONFIRM your registration and your lunch.
Pathways 2 Generosity, Prayer #79 by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
Dear God, thank you for the past, and the spirit to move forward in faith to complete the vision and mission you have for us. Help us to leave behind those times of “when . . .” and set our sights on the new and greater things that you have for us as a beloved community. Thank you for trusting us to share generously of all that we have—financial gifts, talents, skills, time, and treasures, to further spread the gospel into every corner of the world.
Thank you, God, for helping us to begin each day and end each day with gratitude in all things, and for all things. You are our Provider! Should we ever feel alone, the Holy Spirit dwells within to comfort and help us, even when we have no idea of what’s coming next—all we have to do is take the first step in faith and you are right there to guide us through.
We are ever grateful for Metropolitan Community Church of Washington DC, the leaders, and the ministries; and for all spiritual places of worship where everyone can gather to worship and glorify you in different languages and rituals. Thank you for people of all colors, races, cultures and denominations. Help us move forward into a committed purpose to carry out your great works. We give thanks in your many precious names. Amen.
“Forget the events of the past, ignore the things of long ago! Look, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth—can’t you see it? I’m making a road in the desert and setting rivers to flow in the wasteland.” ~ Isaiah 43:18-19 (The 1st Egalitarian Translation)
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
The Jackson Family in the passing of their beloved Denee Jackson * Bill Campbell * Jerry Giem * Tim Helm * Denise Wright, loss of her sister Felicia * Rose Williams * Cecilia Hayden-Smith and Esther Smith’s health * Delores Fowler * Vernessa D. Wilson * Family of Ms. Brittany Harrell * Kia Murphy * Veronica Franklin her brother Andrews as he transition to the Lord* Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline * Glenn Conway * Anthony Goode * Randy Punley * 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 * Angela Terrell * Mike Washington * Buck Carlson * Lolita Gleaton for healing from her cancer * Mezyi Choir * Johanna Hardy * Doris Carter Washington of Alexandria * Loss of Melvin Moore Adams’ sister Krissandra Moore * John Hylton * Summer Allen
“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.
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
Watch on YouTube
