This Week’s Reflection
I will put my Instructions within them and engrave them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 They will no longer need to teach each other to say, “Know the LORD!” because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD; for I will forgive their wrongdoing and never again remember their sins. Jeremiah 31: 33-34
Throughout this Lenten season, our series question, “What makes you come alive?” can provide a nudge to each of us to notice, and reflect on, the day-in day-out habits, and very unexpected occurrences of living. This includes, as has been explored in previous messages, times of overwhelm, numbing out, and of staying awake and balanced in the ebb and flow of life events and the meaning we make of them. It also includes noticing and recalling when and how we experience times of enlivenment. Our sacred texts for this week remind us that, in all of these experiences, we are not alone. They speak to the promise of God to be in relationship with us in love and forgiveness—a covenant of belonging. They also call up the expression of this covenant in the ministry and impending death and resurrection of Jesus, modeling love and justice that transcends social and power affiliations, and led the way to belonging, in secular and in spiritual communities that would become the church.
Whether we are most reminded of the promise and experience of belonging offered by the Creator in times of distress or joy, we might ask ourselves how we respond to the offer of love, relationship, and belonging from the divine. In John 12:21, two visitors at the Passover festival ask of Jesus’ disciples, “Please, we would like to see Jesus. Can you help us?” They are present seeking what Jesus offers. What did it mean for them based on what they had heard of Jesus? What did this step/move mean for each of them personally? What risks were they each taking? Was the experience of seeking and getting to this moment enlivening for them?
Do we each want to see Jesus? To engage in the covenant of belonging? Are we already engaging in doing so? What are we hoping to find? In what ways is imagining doing so risky for each of us? For us as a church? Are there ways we can do more of really engaging this covenant within MCCDC and beyond our walls? Where and how are you/we being enlivened by this covenant of love, relationship, and belonging?
Can we see Jesus today, right now, in this realm? What does that mean to and for us individually and as a church community of MCCDC and for all of our communities? Please join us Sunday, in-person or by live stream at 9a.m. and 11a.m. and later on demand as we explore coming alive as communities of belonging.
Blessings,
Dr. Carla Sherrell
Holy Week Services!
Invite your friends and family to join MCCDC during Holy Week.
Palm/Passion Sunday: March 24th at 9:00 & 11:00 am or join live stream at live.mccdc.com
Maundy Thursday: March 28th at 6:00 p.m., via Click here to join Zoom!
Good Friday: March 29th at 6:00 p.m., via Click here to join Zoom!
Resurrection Sunday: March 31st at 9:00 & 11:00 a.m., live.mccdc.com
Both Sunday Services are “borderfree,” offered virtually as well as in-person at our Sanctuary at Fifth and Ridge St NW.
2024 Congregational Meeting
We will be holding our annual forum and Congregational Meeting at 12:30 EST on the below date:
• · 24 March : Congregational Meeting In-Person & Zoom
We invite you to join other MCCDC members , recapping 2023 and planning how we’ll grow our generous home in 2024.
Here are three ways to participate:
Attend the meeting in person at 474 Ridge St NW
Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
Dial 1 301 715 8592 by phone, using the same Meeting ID 849 4265 4825
Bible Study, Labyrinths History & Walk
MCCDC’s Bible Study ministry will gather in person at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, 16 March 2024 and resume our annual Labyrinths Walk.
Learn about labyrinths history and walk the MCCDC Labyrinths!
Here are four ways to participate!
In Persona 474 Ridge St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
Call In /Dial 301 715 8592, Meeting ID: 434 566 329
Contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at mccdcbiblestudy@mccdc.com for more information
Writing Ministry
MCCDC’s Writers’ Ministry will gather on Saturday, 16 March 10:00 via zoom link listed below. Whether you are an experienced writer or want to begin writing, or do more, please consider joining. For more information contact Greg Synder at gcsnyder01@aol.com.
Click Here to Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 865 7622 1632
Passcode: 146039
Sight and Sounds Theater
MCCDC’s Older Adults Ministry is sponsoring a bus trip to see the play
Daniel at Sight and Sound Theater
, located at 300 Hartman Bridge Road, Ronks, Pa. We’ll depart from 474 Ridge St NW, Washington DC at 1:00 p.m. and return at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2024.
Tickets cost $160 and include round trip coach bus ride, ticket for premium theater seats, and a stop at Amish Miller Smorgasbord Restaurant (MEAL COST NOT INCLUDED).
Payments can be made in three installments of $54 each, or one payment of $160. Anyone using the payment plan must pay in full no later than May 31, 2024.
ALL PAYMENTS ARE FINAL AND NON-REFUNDABLE. Go to danieltrip.mccdc.com to pay
Questions? Contact Dale L. Madyun-Baskerville via email, oam@mccdc.com
Pathways 2 Generosity, Prayer #99 by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
“With praise and thanksgiving, we accept the riches of God to guide, govern, protect and prosper our spiritual place of worship to serve in harmony according to God’s purpose.”~ Anonymous
Dear God, we are thankful for your unconditional love. Every day is a new beginning and we are grateful to wake up each morning and live each moment of the day to its fullness, for through the guidance of the Holy Spirit we are made new day after day. Thank you for blessing us with opportunities to let go of self-limitations and live a more joyful life by loving who we are and others unconditionally. We pray to willingly obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit and to trust you in all things for the outcome.
We are grateful for all spiritual places of worship throughout the world. We pray for increased wealth, not for personal gain only, but to continue sharing generously with our spiritual gathering place, Metropolitan Community Church of Washington DC. We are thankful for the wisdom and the responsibility of being good stewards of your abundance within the spiritual beloved community. We are grateful for everyone sharing generously of their financial gifts, talents, time, skills, treasures, and helping others with kindness and respect. We pray to always be thankful according to what you have for us to accomplish within the spiritual beloved community. Thank you in your many names. Amen.
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to divine will, God hears us.” 1 John 5:14 (NIV; alt.)
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
* Bill Campbell *Jerry Giem * Tim Helm *Rose Williams *Cecilia Hayden-Smith and Esther Smith’s health *Delores Fowler * Veronica Franklin * Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline * Glenn Conway * Anthony Goode ?Randy Punley * Marcus Garnett *Evelyn Jones * Steve Sloane * Jeffrey Luckenbach ? * Cathy Batson’s niece Lisa * Cynthia Melman *Kim Battle *Joshua Benkins’ father Isaac *Mike Washington * Buck Carlson * Doris Carter Washington of Alexandria * John Hylton * Summer Allen * Ruth Kappy Makekodunmi
“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
Join other MCCDC writers in our monthly Zoom Writing Ministry meeting.
This month’s meeting is 17 Feb at 10:00 am EST . For info, contact gcsnyder01@aol.com.
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
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