“’Go on your way; your faith has made you well’ is a description of a life of blessing for the church: as we go on our way, we rejoice and give thanks; for in giving thanks in all things, we find that God, indeed, is in all things.” ~ Kimberly Bracken Long
Gratitude has become trendy. A quick search offers a wide selection of gratitude APPs. Online stores offer a huge selection of books, coffee mugs, t-shirts and journals that focus on gratitude. I guess one could say gratitude sells. I wonder whether the marketing of gratitude also trivializes it. On the other hand, our troubled world could use as many expressions of gratitude as possible, even if it is a refrigerator magnet that says, “Too Grateful to be Hateful.”
On a deeper level, gratitude, especially expressed to God, points us beyond trivialization. Have you thanked God today? Where have you seen God’s grace today? Note it and say, “Thank you, God!” Make it a spiritual practice, at least twice a day: morning and evening. Naomi Annandale writes, “To give thanks to God brings the ability to see the in-breaking of God’s grace even in the midst of suffering. To give thanks to God is to acknowledge the utter vastness and freeing power of that grace.”
I believe that gratitude heals. This becomes clear in Sunday’s scripture from Luke 17 which describes one of ten lepers healed by Jesus who “came back praising God in a loud voice, then fell down at the feet of Jesus and offered thanks” (v. 16-17). Gratitude is woven throughout the scriptures, including Psalm 66 where the poet praises: “Sing a joyful song to the Lord all the earth, and praise Love’s name. . .O God, how magnificent are your ways: so great is your power that fear and doubt vanish before you.”
This Sunday we continue our “Many Paths of Generosity” series as part of our 2025-2026 generosity focus. Generosity is not what God wants from us, but what God wants for us. The path of gratitude is one way to receive what God wants for us.
This Sunday at 10:30AM Eastern on-site, on-line and later on-demand, we’ll reflect on the positive impact of gratitude. When’s the last time you said “Thank You, God!” How about expressing it now!
By Faith,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnso
Church Calendar
Sunday, October 12, 2025
—09:00 am Spiritual Engagement Hour Zoom
—10:30 am Unified Worship Service
—12:00 pm OAM Meeting/Zoom
Monday, October 13
—12:00 pm Prayer Call with Rev. Dwayne
Tuesday, October 14
—12:00 pm Prayer Call with Rev. Dwayne
—07:00 pm Bible Study
This week topic: Why are there so many disagreements in the Christian faith?
Wednesday, October 15
—12:00 pm Prayer Call with Rev. Dwayne
—06:30 pm MCCDC Mental Health Group
Thursday, October 16
—12:00 pm Prayer Call with Rev. Dwayne
—06:30 pm Generosity Team Meeting
Friday, October 17
—12:00 pm Prayer Call with Rev. Dwayne
Saturday, October 18
—12:00 pm Prayer Call with Rev. Dwayne
Sunday, October 19
—09:00 am Spiritual Engagement Hour Zoom
—10:30 am Unified Worship Service
9 am Spiritual Engagement Hour
Henri Nouwen on Radical Prayer
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.
+To prepare, reflect on this quote from Henri Nouwen:
“Prayer is such a radical act because it asks us to criticize our whole way of being in the world, to lay down our old selves, and to accept our new self, which is Christ. This is what Paul has in mind when he calls us to die with Christ so that we can live with Christ. It is to this experience of death and rebirth that Paul witnesses when he writes: ‘I live now not with my own life, but with the life of Christ who lives in me’(Galatians 2:20).”
+Bring your favorite poems or other writings.
+Source: “The Essential Henri Nouwen” edited by Robert A. Jonas, 169
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
Komen Breast Cancer Walk!
Please plan to join MCCDC Breast Cancer team in the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s annual More than Pink Walk to End Breast Cancer on Sat. Oct. 11, 2025 at 08:am
National Harbor, MD
Southpointe at National Harbor
802 National Harbor Boulevard
Oxon Hill, MD, 20745
Click here to donate or join team MCCDC.
Contact for more information at revcathy@mccdc.com
Older Adult Ministry
The Older Adult Ministry will be meeting In Person, 2nd floor Chapel and Zoom October 12,2025 at 12:00 pm .
This month we will have a guest speaker Greg McCoy briefing on Medicare / Medicaid help for Seniors in DMV. We will also take a look at the OAM 2025 and 2026 Calendar
Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
Call In, 301-715-8592, Meeting ID: 824 9552 3942
In Person 474 Ridge St., NW, Washington, D 20001
Fall Cook-Out
You’re invited by the Generosity team to a fall cook out Sunday, October 26 at Noon
You’re invited by the Generosity team to a fall cook out Sunday, October 26 at Noon
The Generosity team will provide the mains, dishes and you bring the sides.
More information to come.
Halloween Eve Happy Hour at MCCDC
You’re invited by the Generosity team to a Halloween Eve Happy Hour Thursday, October 30 at 7PM to 8:30 EST
Come enjoy fresh donuts and Apple Cider, games, fun and friendship
More information to come.
Board of Directors Elections/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!
During the November 23 Congregational Meeting the Board of Directors will be holding an Election.
The Board of Directors is looking for motivated and qualified candidates to run for two three-year positions and one two-year position up for election.
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.
Volunteer Worship Folder Coordinator
After many years of service Darryl Walker is stepping back as the Worship Folder Coordinator for MCCDC.
We invite you to share your talents in preparing worship Folders each week. This encompass gathering information, designing, and producing weekly worship folders or bulletins, which includes orders of service, hymns, readings, and announcements.
Pleases reach out to Rev Dwayne at revdwayne@mccdc.com or revcathy@mccdc.com if you are interested in this position.
Join the Generosity Team
Help MCCDC Grow Financially, Spiritually and in Membership. Join the team on Thursday at 6:30 via Zoom.
Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
Call In: 13017158592,,84890359051#
Meeting ID: 848 9035 9051
Share your generous gifts and ideas with your church family.
For more information email RevDwayne@MCCDC.com or RevCathy@mccdc.com
MCCDC Mental Health Support Group
Your invited to join the MCCDC Mental Health Group on Wednesday at 06:30 PM for the next 8 weeks to help face today’s stressful climate.
The group offers suggested ways to address and manage these feelings. The group meets in person only at MCCDC Chapel. If interested email Dr Veronica Franklin at 9540leavitt21@gmail
Suicide Prevention Awareness
Some Mental Health Resources
If you or someone you know are struggling–having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, experiencing relationship problems, feeling overwhelmed, anxious, lonely, just need someone to talk to–these Helpline resources are available in support.
HELPLINES in operation 24 hours a day/7 days a week (Primarily US based)
· Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
· Trans Lifeline: Call U.S. 877-565-8860 Canada 877-330-6366
· The Trevor Project: Text START to 678-678 or call
1-866-488-7386; for LGBTQ+ youth (under 25 years old)
Join the MCCDC Team!
MCCDC currently has an immediate opening for a part-time custodial position.
Responsible for cleaning and maintaining all areas of church facility. Some grounds work will be required. We offer flexible hours and fair pay. Contact Melvin Moore at 202-638-7373 or email churchoffice@mccdc.com or Rev Dwayne Johnson at 202-638-7373 or email revdwayne@mccdc.com.
MCCDC Bible Study
Come join us for Bible Study on Tuesday@ 7PM. Go to calendar.mccdc.com for the Zoom Link or email Dale Madyun-Baskerville, with mccdcbiblestudy@mccdc.com questions.
This week topic is: Why are there so many disagreements in the Christian faith?
Pathways to Generosity, Prayer #161
by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
“If you want love and abundance in your life, give it away.” ~ Mark Twain
Dear God, thank you for your generosity. Help us to willingly share of your generosity in ways that are pleasing to you. We are thankful for the willingness to share our abundance through the gifts of financial wealth, talents, skills, time, and treasures to spread the gospel and perform great works to glorify You. We are grateful for the timeless and immeasurable gift of mercy and grace you grant everyone each day. We accept your generosity that abounds in so many ways, and we are committed to share it for the gathering of souls into your realm and to help people in need to magnify your love for all people throughout the earth.
Let our hearts be glad for the opportunity to help someone through an act of compassion and kindness—a smile, words of encouragement, a meal, a shoulder to cry on, a sympathetic ear, praying together with someone, or spend quality time with someone or sit in meditational silence with loved ones. God, your generosity is so great that our gratitude is not able to exhaust the list of your goodness. Thank you, Lord, for all spiritual worship places for the gathering of your beloved community throughout the world. We are grateful to have direct communications with the Holy Spirit from our hearts wherever we may be. Thank you, God, in your many precious names! Amen.
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:18-19 (NIV)
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:
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 * Bill Campbell *Jerry Giem* Tim Helm * Delores Fowler* Vernessa D. Wilson and Jackie Lois * Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline * Glenn Conway * Evelyn Jones* Earline Budd *Prayers for our country* Kappy Majekodunmi, * Michael Cunningham *Dr. Rev Teresa Tygart and partner Sue for healing * Cathy Batson Niece Lisa* Denita & Dale Daughter-in-law Marci Brooks for health
“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!
