“The impossible becomes just a matter of time when courageous people embrace the call to foster change. Wisdom comes in knowing that we are not powerless over our choice to respond to whatever we face. By admitting to ourselves that we are ready for things to change, we choose a path that requires exceptional courage. The good news is that we are never alone.” ~Rev. Dr. E. Carrington Heath
The good news of the power of community is at the heart of our scriptures for this Sunday. MCCDC offers friendship in a world of isolation. People need a place like MCCDC that aspires to build relationships. Our readings from 1 John 4: 7-21 and John 15: 1-8 feature the word “abide” to convey what it means to belong to God, each other, and our true selves. Love is at the center. Love fuels courage.
Austin Shelley writing in The Christian Century notes that abide holds a deep meaning in the New Testament: to abide is to “participate in an ongoing process of renewal through one’s presence intermingled with another’s.” In biblical Greek the word for abide is active rather than passive. To abide is to actively share as a community. We are called to abide as part of the whole community “over and over again, so as to maintain a life-giving, ongoing bond that will sustain a shared mission and purpose.”
The word abide is used 41 times in The Gospel of John and over 20 times in The First Letter of John. In our brief readings for this Sunday “abide” appears 16 times, 8 in each reading. The word count may seem tedious. Yet in its repetitive use it conveys the importance of staying strong in our relationships. We need each other to make it possible to live into the fullness of the Beloved Community of God.
Together, abiding with one another, we can do the seemingly impossible. Abiding, we take on the challenging work of engaging with difficult change. Abiding, we say no and resist the voices of oppression. Abiding, we say yes to working for justice. Abiding, we move through fear to accept new opportunities to expand our positive influence. Abiding, we enter into difficult conversations. Abiding, we move forward in power.
Yes, the good news is that we are never alone, and with courage we live out the promise of 1 John 4: 18: “There is no fear in love, for perfect love casts out fear.”
Grace and peace,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
In Loving Memory
Clinton Cornell Dawson-Alston
Sunrise: May 10, 1982
Sunset: April 13, 2024
Sunset: April 13, 2024
Celebration of Life Services will be held Saturday, May 11, 2024 Ronald Taylor Funeral Home,1722 North Capitol Street, NW, Washington, DC 20002
Viewing at 10:00 a.m.
Service at 11:00 a.m.
Please keep Cornell husband, Joseph Dwawson-Alston , in your prayers.
Building Our Generous Home
MCCDC invites you to prayerfully consider ways to share your generosity in 2024.
Please click on the form below fill it our and email it to pastors@mccdc.com or mail it to 474 Ridge St., Washington, DC 20001 to share those ways with us.
Click here to print the Generosity 2024 Intention Form March 2024
Writing Ministry
MCCDC’s Writing’ Ministry will gather on Saturday, 18 May , 10:00 am EST 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
Wesley Seminary Survey
You’re invited to help Wesley Seminary Student Marshay Winston with her survey of parenting/Caregivers in the MCCDC community.
Please click here to start this short 15 min survey to help this seminary student.
If you have any questions, please email Innovation@wesleyseminary.edu or contact ev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com.
Pathways 2 Generosity, Prayer #105 by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
“We live far happier lives when we are generous in as many ways as possible.”
~ Cathy Burnham Martin
Dear God, we are grateful for your generous, prosperous gift of eternal life that you granted us through your Son, Jesus Christ many years ago. Your love reigns within us and enriches our lives to keep the faith and be encouraged in spite of chaos happening in the world today. Thank you for trusting us to carry out your purpose in the spiritual realm and in our daily lives. Thank you for the loving spirit to share generously of our talents, skills, financial gifts, time and treasures to help spread the gospel of God’s grace to everyone, help people in our communities, sit with a friend who needs comfort and encouragement, and to perform greater works in your name. Thank you for the power to live prosperously and for the innate abilities to benefit others.
God, we are grateful for the mission and vision within spiritual leaders’ hearts around the globe to continue gathering souls, and to prosper your purpose for a borderless worship where everyone is invited and welcomed. Thank you for opportunities to extend the message of God’s love and eternal life throughout the world, to help someone in need, to pray and support each other; and to forgive and encourage one another as the Holy Spirit guides us. We come to you with songs and praises of gratitude for the generous gift of new beginnings each day. Thank you in your many precious names! Amen.
“You must give according to what you have inwardly decided—not sadly, not reluctantly, for God loves a giver who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 (The First Egalitarian Translation)
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!
You’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.
For more information contact gcsnyder01@aol.com.
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
