In the song, “What Child Is This,” the writer poses two questions for us to consider about Jesus and who he is: 1) “What Child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?” and 2) “Why lies He in such mean estate, where ox and ass are feeding?” Is he just a child, like any other baby, asleep on their mother’s lap? Is he just a baby, like any other baby, but one who happened to come into the world in humble or less than ideal conditions? Mary wrapped the baby in pieces of cloth; she had no layette or baby clothes to dress him in. She placed the baby in a manger, which is essentially a feeding trough that would be filled with food such as hay or grain for farm animals. She had no crib or bassinet. There were no guest rooms available in a home for them to stay in when they arrived in Bethlehem.
Is this child the one who is the long-awaited Messiah? The angels who appeared to the shepherds told them that a Savior had been born that day, that he is the Messiah, the Lord, and the Messiah was a baby that they would find wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
Or is this child the King of Kings who brings salvation, the one to whom the Magi bowed down before and brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh? That baby, who was not born into the world with the trappings of a King, a child who with his parents had to flee to a place of refuge and safety after being under the threat of a murderous decree, was all of these . . . and much more. “This, this is Christ, the King” as the songwriter proclaims, answering the questions of who Christ is, the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament, the one who came into the world because of God’s love, the one who is Immanuel, “God with us.” As we continue through Christmastide and beyond, may we remember that this child is a child of hopes, a child of peace, a child of joy, and a child of love whose story does not stop at the manger. It is just the beginning of defining and discovering who this child is and who we are in him and because of him.
Holy One, thank you for the gift of your son, who came to be because of the love you have for us. Thank you for the baby, the child of our hopes, the child of peace, the child of joy, and the child of love. Thank you for the one who is the child, born of Mary, who is the Messiah, AND who is Christ the King. Amen.
Jo-Anne Ludy,
MCC Baltimore
Church Calendar
Sunday, December 28
—Spiritual Engagement Hour Paused
—10:30 am Unified Worship Service
Monday, December 29
—12:00 pm Prayer Call with Rev. Dwayne
Tuesday, December 30
—12:00 pm Prayer Call with Rev. Dwayne
NO Bible Study -Christmas Break
Wednesday, December 31
—12:00 pm Prayer Call with Rev. Dwayne
Thursday, January 01
—12:00 pm Prayer Call with Rev. Dwayne
Church Office Closed
Friday, January 02
—12:00 pm Prayer Call with Rev. Dwayne
Church Office Closed
Saturday, January 03
—12:00 pm Prayer Call with Rev. Dwayne
Sunday, January 04
—Spiritual Engagement Hour Paused
—10:30 am Unified Worship Service
9 am Spiritual Engagement Hour
Sunday Spiritual Engagement Hour is paused on December 28, 2025, and January 04, 2026.
You are encouraged to have your own devotional time. You are invited to join January 11, 2026, at 9 am ET via zoom
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 * Emily Berry for healing. *Elaine Durden-Hunter for the loss of her pet Angel. * Prayer for Denita & Dale friend Kendall Fulton as she continues her journey with cancer.
Many Paths to Generosity !!
Join your MCCDC Family and Friends in the many path to generosity.
Giving of yourself, time, talent, treasure is important to your MCCDC Faith Community.
Please click here and fill out your MCCDC Generosity Intention Form.
Every gift matters and is greatly appreciated!
Bible Study is on Christmas Break!!!
Bible study is on Christmas break from December16 to January 06, 2026???
Join The Search
Wanted! MCCDC Music Ministry Team Members to help find the next Part-Time Music Ministry for MCCDC Services.
Help take our worship services to new horizons through team work and vision on what music can be in our church.
Contact Rev Dwayne at revdwayne@mccdc.com for more information.
Grow Our Church
Join the MCCDC Church Growth and Membership Team to reach out to your friends, family and community throughout the DMV and on line.
Brain storm with fellow church members on how to better reach people.
Contact Rev Dwayne at revdwayne@mccdc.com for more information
Older Adult Ministry Meeting
The Older Adult Ministry will be holding it meeting In Person, 2nd floor Chapel or Zoom. 11 January 2023, at 12:30 PM.
This month Ronald Taylor Funeral home will be speaking to the group about prepaid funeral plans,.
Here are three ways to participate :
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
Board of Directors Opening
The Board of Directors continues to look for a motivated and qualified candidates to apply for an appointment on the board of directors.
If you feel called and have been a member of MCCDC in good standing for the past six months, you are eligible for appointment.
Please submit a brief resumé and letter of interest strong>to revdwayne@mccdc.com and churchoffice@mccdc.com.
Volunteer Worship Folder Team Member
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. Every gift matters and is greatly appreciated.
Click here to complete Many Paths of Generosity Intention Form
For more information email RevDwayne@MCCDC.com or RevCathy@mccdc.com
Mental Health 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
Helpline resources are available in support
Some HELPLINES in operation 24 hours a day/7 days a week
(Primarily US based)
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Life Line | Call or Text 988 |
| Crisis Text Line | Text HOME to 741741 |
| Trans Life Line | Call U.S. 877-565-8860 Canada 877-330-6366 |
| LGBTQ+ youth (under 25 years old) | 1-866-488-7386 |
Some Worldwide HELPLINES in operation
Accessed by country search
| FIND A HELPLINE | Find a Helpline |
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.
Pathways to Generosity, Prayer #92
by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
“Every moment is a fresh beginning.” – T.S. Eliot
Dear God, thank you for this year of blessings that you bestowed upon Metropolitan Community Church of Washington DC, and all spiritual places of worship throughout the world. Thank you for creating everything and saying “It is good.” We have been made worthy of your grace through your Son, Jesus Christ. We pray for peace and kindness within everyone’s heart to express your love to a world in need of peace. Help us to work willingly as your hands to continue feeding the hungry and healing the sick in your many names, teaching and preaching in gathering more souls for your spiritual realm.
We look to this year of 2024 with renewed faith and hope, trusting that you are with us always, in our triumphs, through periods of grief, and in all instances of our lives. We pray that our families be bonded by love—biological loved ones, church members, and family ties of people everywhere. Bless all that we live peacefully with each other and care for each other regardless of race, culture, color, nationality, or religious beliefs—that we unite together for a prosperous world of abundance, love, and peace that is so contagious it spreads from one soul to another infecting the world with nothing but goodness. Thank you, God, in your many precious names. Amen
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (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
“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!
