“.God is always and everywhere in the business of taking the worst things that happen to us, and going to work on them for the purposes of multiplying wholeness and blessing. Because God is in the story, we can hope for the resurrection of all things. There will be another turn, another chapter, another path, another grace.” ~Debi Thomas

Jesus doesn’t mince words: “Love your enemies” (Luke 6:27). The plain speaking Jesus of Luke’s Gospel continues his Great Sermon on the Plain with very specific, apparently literal descriptions of the ways of love. Jesus’ teachings in Luke 6:27-38 are not easy and clearly run counter to the ways of the world. Fighting back, opposing, punishing, and hurting the hurtful are the primary relationship patterns for many in our contentious world.

The sum of Jesus’ teachings says that love breaks old patterns and creates new patterns. The old pattern of our enemies bringing the worst out in us is replaced by our enemies bringing the best out in us. Jesus’ response to someone who gives us a hard time: “respond with the energies of prayer for that person’” (Luke 6:28, The Message).

When we face attack, the most important question we can ask ourselves (even in the heat of the moment) is: What is the most loving thing I can do right now? For myself? For the enemy?

How do we balance the difficult teachings of Jesus with the difficult realities of our lives? Is there a place for holy anger? I believe so. Yet sometimes it is difficult to walk the fine line between holy anger and hellish rage.

Let me make one thing clear: I don’t believe for a minute that Jesus is calling us to roll over and be victims or to passively remain in abusive situations. That’s not love and that’s not what Jesus teaches. In her reflection on this text, T. Denise Anderson quotes Zora Neale Hurston: “If you are silent about your pain, they’ll kill you and say you enjoyed it.” Hurston is right. So, even as Jesus says love your enemies, let’s also be clear about what Jesus is not saying.

1. Jesus is not saying to be silent about pain.
2. Jesus is not saying to stay in abusive relationships.
3. Jesus is not saying that forgiving the abuser means returning to the abuser.
4. Jesus is not saying to give over our sacred power to those who abuse power.

Yep, this is a tough scripture. Much of it is both hard to chew and hard to swallow. And there is a lot more here. We’ll talk about it further on Sunday at 10:30

By Faith,

Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson

9 am Spiritual Engagement Hour

Be Angry Without Wrath

Join us Onsite, Online and later On Demand for 9am ET Spiritual Engagement Hour.

This Sunday’s Highlights:

We are called to offer support in the midst of these difficult and painful times.

Countless people are impacted by unjust executive orders and continual threats.

We seek to care for others, and also for ourselves.

This Sunday we’ll look at Psalm 37: 1-11, 39-40:

”Do not fret because of the wicked.” (Psalm 37: 1a)

“. . .forsake wrath. Do not fret—it leads only to evil” (Psalm37: 8b)

“God will make your vindication shine like the light and the justice of your cause like the noonday.” (Psalm 37:6)

+You are invited to share your writings, scriptures or other resources/ideas with the group.

MCCDC Chapel Onsite, Online & On demand.

Here are three ways to participate :

Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
Call In, +1 301 7158592 Meeting ID:850 0797 0818

In Person 474 Ridge St., NW, Washington, D 20001

MCCDC Black History Concert Freedoms Journey

Come Join your MCCDC family for our Annual Black History Concert, February 22nd at 6:00 p.m., Saturday!

Come Join your MCCDC family for our Annual Black History Concert, February 22nd at 6:00 p.m., Saturday!

This year’s concert is featuring MCCDC’s Worship Arts Ministries and special guests’ artists!

Join us Onsite, at 474 Ridge Street NW, Washington DC , Online and later On Demand at: live.mccdc.com

Special Guest Artist,AhSa-Ti Nu Ford

In Memoriam

Rose Williams
Sunrise: August 24, 1941
Sunset: February 02, 2025

It is with a sad heart to announce that long time member of the MCCDC Family Rose William passed away February 02, 2025.

Funeral Services will be held at:
From the Heart Churches,
4949 Allentown Rd, Camp Springs, MD 20746

Thursday, February 27, 2025
Viewing will be :10 am to 11 am
Funeral Services will start at: 11 am

Click here to go to the church’s web site

Ash Wednesday Service

Join your MCCDC Family for Ash Wednesday Service March 5, 2025:

12:30 PM onsite MCCDC Chapel OR
7 pm EST via Zoom link below

Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID : 828 6453 6731
Dial 1 301 715 8592 by phone, Meeting ID 828 6453 6731

MCCDC 54 & 55th Anniversary

MCCDC will be celebrating the 54 and 55 Anniversary and needs volunteer’s to help plan and organize this event.?

If you are interested in helping and like to join the Anniversary team please email Rev Dwayne at: revdwayne@mccdc.com.?

Noah Play at Sight and Sound Theater Trip

MCCDC’s Older Adults Ministry is sponsoring a bus trip to see the play:
Noah 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, 13 September 2025.

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 10 August 2025.

ALL PAYMENTS ARE FINAL AND NON-REFUNDABLE.

Go to oam.mccdc.com to pay

Questions? Contact Dale L. Madyun-Baskerville via email, oam@mccdc.com

2024 MCCDC Giving Statement

We have begun preparing complete giving statements for the
2024 tax year. We will be sending giving statements via email, in phases, starting this week and continuing through March 1st.

For those who don’t have a working email address on file with MCCDC, or don’t have access to email, these documents will be sent via postal mail (USPS), or they can be picked up on-site after an MCCDC Sunday worship service.

Please contact Dr. Carla Sherrell at drcarla@mccdc.com if you have any questions.

2025 Forums & Congregational Meeting

We will be holding our annual Forums and meeting on dates listed below:

Congregational Forum: March 16, 2025, 12:00 pm On Site and & Zoom

Congregational Meeting: March 30, 2025, 12:00 pm
On Site and & Zoom

We invite you to join other MCCDC members in the planning on how we’ll grow our generous home in 2025.

Here are three ways to participate :
Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
Call In 1301715859, Meeting ID: 849 4265 4825
In Person 474 Ridge St., NW, Washington, D 20001

Writing Ministry

MCCDC’ s Writing Ministry gather on the 3rd Saturday , of each month at 10:00 am EST via zoom link posted on MCCDC Calendar.

Whether you are an experienced writer or want to begin writing please consider joining us. Contact Greg Snyder at gcsnyder01@aol.com for more information.

Click Here to go to calendar.mccdc.com and
click on the 3rd Saturday for the Zoom Link

Generosity Corner #3, “Excerpt from my Prosperity Journal”

by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter

“Keep your face always to the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you.” ~ Walt Whitman A Praise, (ref: Psalm 145)

God, we praise you for your mighty works throughout the earth. Every day is a new beginning, a blessing to witness your generosity in all that you have created—trees swaying in the breeze, trees that yield their harvest year after year, seas with billowing waves tossing upon shores again and again—all are controlled by your mighty hand. Soaring mountains testify to your majesty. You have clothed the earth with unending beauty and marvelous wonders—huge deserts, thick, dense forests, animals of every kind that populate the seas and the earth and the air. You paint a rainbow across the sky after a rain.

Your greatness is immeasurable. Your generosity is unlimited! We are thankful to be recipients of your mercy, forgiveness, and unconditional love. When we fail in our comings and goings, you always give us another chance to repent and start over again. When we cry out in distress, you give us the strength to endure. If we should cease to worship you, the rocks would sing praises in their own language and glorify you! We are grateful to be stewards in charge of all you created on earth. Thank you, God, for making us worthy of your grace.

“People will speak of the might of your awesome acts; and I will declare your greatness.” Psalm 145:6 (NIV)

About

Walter Whitman Jr. was an American poet, journalist, and essayist who is considered a central figure in American literature. He’s often called the “father of free verse” for his innovative style that broke away from European structures and British-influenced poetry. His most well-known work is Leaves of Grass, a poetry collection he continuously revised until his death.

Born: May 31, 1819, West Hills, NY

Died: March 26, 1892 (age 72 years), Camden, NJ

Influenced by: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Abraham Lincoln · See more

Siblings:

 

Hospitality Ministry

MCCDC Hospitality Ministry needs your help!

Please donate:
· Donate/Volunteer your time once a month on Sunday to coordinate, setup or clean up during Hospitality time.
· Donate supplies:
· Food Items: Individually package cookies, Granola bars, Fresh fruit, Yogurt, Coffee, Sugar, Water, tea bags, and juices (Individually cartons)
· Dry Goods: Coffee cups, 8 inch plates, 6 inch plates, paper towels, Clorox Cleaning Spray, dish clothes and dish towels.

Drop off all supplies Sunday morning at the kitchen window. To Volunteer see Dale Madyun-Baskerville on Sunday morning or email oam@mccdc.com

Prayer Corner

Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:

* Daniel Scearce’s sister Ronda McBride * Clara Carter’s sister, Phyllis Carter Lewis *
* Joe Dawson * Betsy Kramer * Palestinian People in Gaza * Ukrainian People * Cecilia Hayden Smith and Esther Smith’s health * Michael Washington *Bill Campbell * Jerry Giem * Tim Helm * Rose Williams * Delores Fowler * Vernessa D. Wilson * Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline * Glenn Conway * Evelyn Jones * Earline Budd *Prayers for our country. * Prayer for the Hunter family * Kappy Majekodunmi, * Michael Cunningham * Dr. Rev Teresa Tygart and partner Sue for healing

 

“Church Ministries”

 

MCCDC Voices

Join us 9 AM onsite at 474 Ridge ST NW, Washington, DC to sing and rehearse for worship.
Make new friends and enjoy a sense of musical belonging.

“Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God” ~Colossians 3:16

Please email at pastors@mccdc.com for more information.

Scripture Reading

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 oam.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).

Please email at pastors@mccdc.com for more information.

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!