“Rather than trusting in money, stuff, or power, the righteous will trust in the steadfast love of God, who has acted faithfully. If that is how God wants faithful people to live, how do we do it?” ~Linda McKiernam-Allen “
Now what do we do? Now how do we live? The ancient teachings describe the best spiritual practices to help us live our best lives. Psalm 52 contrasts untethered living with rooted living. The untethered are easily swayed by consumerism and ego. The rooted live with truth, blessing and gratitude.
“Those who live in truth,” writes Nan Merrill, “will know the joy of Love Divine. They will see the emptiness of those who turn from Love, who put their trust in abundant riches, who seek security in wealth.”
Our invitation is to live the ways of true security. This requires an awareness of the pressures and pulls of false security. False security feeds fear and stifles generosity. The generous life that culminates Psalm 52 is a life of blessing. Nan Merrill’s description exudes beauty and hope: “Blessed are those who are like the strong oak in the house of the Beloved. Blessed are those who trust in the gentle love of the Counselor and receive the Message of Love.”
Our view of God influences our life choices. Imagine how our lives would be if we fully embraced these descriptions of God: Love Divine, Counselor, Message of Love, Beloved.
How do we live for the rest of our lives? How do we grow with deep roots like strong oaks? We’ll explore these questions this Sunday at 10:30 AM Eastern on-site, on-line and later on-demand.
Divine Love, you have given us life. Thank You! And now we pray that you will teach us how to live our best lives. Help MCCDC to be a community of generous people, supporting each other in countering the greed of our times and living together true and strong. Amen.
By Faith,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
9 am Spiritual Engagement Hour
Jesus and the Disinherited
Join us on-site, on-line and later on-demand for 9 AM ET Spiritual Engagement Hour.
This Sunday’s Highlights:
+We live in times that are impacting mental health. At MCCDC we offer support.
We are aware of stigma and seek to create a space for open conversations
to help us learn from each other in a spiritual context.
+This Sunday we’ll draw from Howard Thurman’s book, “Jesus and the Disinherited.”
+To prepare, reflect on this quote from Howard Thurman:
“To those who need profound succor and strength
to enable them to live in the present with dignity and creativity,
Christianity often has been sterile and of little avail.
The conventional Christian word is muffled, confused, and vague.
Too often the price exacted by society for security and respectability
is that the Christian movement in its formal expression
must be on the side of the strong against the weak..”
(Jesus and the Disinherited, page 132)
+Bring your favorite poems or other writings.
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
2025 Special Congregational Forum & Meeting
Mark your calendars! We will be holding a Special Form and Congregational Meeting at 7 pm on the below dates:
17 July : Forum Zoom Only
24 July Congregational Meeting Zoom Only
This meeting is being held to review our finances .
Click here to JOIN MCCDC FOR Zoom Link
Join the Generosity Team
Help MCCDC Grow Financially, Spiritually and in Membership
Help MCCDC Grow Financially, Spiritually and in Membership
Your generous gifts and ideas will be a blessing
For more information email Rev Dwayne at revdwayne@MCCDC.com or Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com
MCCDC NEW GIVING SYSTEM
MCCDC continues to transition to a new giving system called SubSplash.
This change is intended to be more user friendly than our current easy tithe system.
Some SubSplash Features are:
* Web Giving
* Recurring giving
* Text GIVE4UNITY to 1-888-364-GIVE (4483)
* And phone App giving (Android and iPhone Friendly)
Click here to see a video on Frequently Ask Questions for SubSplash Giving system.
Contact MCCDC Treasure Chocolatte Miller with any questions or concerns at treasurer@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
A ticket only option is available for $94.00 HOWEVER you will be responsible for your own transportation to and from Sight and Sounds. 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
Pathways to Generosity, Prayer #150
by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear.” ~ Mark Twain
Dear God, we pray to remain steadfast in faith and lean on You to renew our strength. Let us be courageous and trust in your power to help us get through the day-to-day living in a chaotic environment. You breathed life into us before we were formed; and you know our every thought, our fears, our strengths, our dreams and our aspirations. Let us not be influenced to give into fear by what we hear through the media but help us to remain steadfast, trust in you, and be willing to follow your guidance in doing the right things for others and ourselves.
God, thank you for blessing us with an abundance of gifts expressed through love, kindness, charity, compassion, hope, faith, talents, skills, and beauty. We are grateful for the opportunities to share these generous gifts to serve You, spread the gospel, and to help others in need. Your abundance is varied as the flowers that grow wild in the field or cultivated in a garden, each with its own special fragrance and color as we have our own ethnicities, and our multi-genders that distinguish us within your Beloved Community. O God, bless our lives and help everyone to have freedom and find peace in this world. Thank you, in your many precious names! Amen.
“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17 (KJV)
Overview
Mark Twain, the pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, was a celebrated American writer, humorist, and essayist. He’s best known for his classic novels The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), which some call the “Great American Novel”. Twain’s works are known for their humor, vivid details, and memorable characters. He was also a steamboat pilot, newspaper reporter, publisher, lecturer, and entrepreneur.
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
MCCDC Bible Study Summer Break
MCCDC Bible Study is on summer break starting July 01,2025. Bible study will resume on September 09,2025. Email Dale Madyun-Baskerville, with any questions at mccdcbiblestudy@mccdc.com.
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 Health and her sister, Phyllis Carter Lewis
* Joe Dawson * Betsy Kramer * Palestinian People in Gaza * Ukrainian People * Cecilia Hayden Smith and Esther Smith’s health * Bill Campbell * Jerry Giem * Tim Helm * 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, *’Prayers for Rose William Family
“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!
