CONGRATULATIONS
REV. ELDER J. DWAYNE JOHNSON
FOREVER GOD
“God’s Spirit blows wherever it wishes. You hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. It’s the same with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” ~ John 3:8
Nicodemus was a powerful leader. Well educated and in charge, he thought he had everything under control. Then he met Jesus. He didn’t know that in Jesus he had met someone who would take him beyond all that he had learned as a respected teacher and authority.
Nicodemus tried to wrap his head around the concept of being “born anew” as stated by Jesus. Jesus responded not with clever rhetorical device, but by inviting Nicodemus to a new place.
This new place is a Spirit place. It is the living realm of the Forever God. No single description is adequate. For Isaiah, the Forever God filled the Holy Temple with quaking and sacred presence like an all-consuming fire. Isaiah heard the voices from heaven shout to one another: “Holy! Holy! Holy is the Lord God of heavenly powers! All the earth is filled with God’s glory!” (Isaiah 6:3).
In my message this Sunday at 9AM and 11AM, we will reflect further on Nicodemus and Isaiah and their experience of the Forever God. We too will be invited to experience power beyond ourselves, and be born again to a new place where the Spirit leads beyond and through.
Together, our hearts will find resolve in proclaiming, “Forever God is faithful, forever God is strong. Forever God is with us.”
Faithfully,
Rev. Dwayne
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OLDER ADULTS POOL PARTY
2nd Annual Older Adults Pool Party
Saturday, July 11, 2015 from 4:00 to 9:00
Complete Buffet, Good Music, Dancing, and Swimwear Contest
On the first Sunday, $10 tickets and RSVPs at the Welcome Station after the 9:00 and 11:00 services, and at the Older Adult Brunch.
Great social opportunity for your family and friends to meet your MCCDC family.
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ALAN DINSMORE WINS CELEBRATION OF LIFE AWARD
Congratulations to MCCDC’s Alan Dinsmore is receiving the Mary’s House for Older Adults 2nd Annual Celebration of Life Award for his contribution and work in trying to eliminate isolation among LGBT Elders. Congratulations Alan!!!
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PRIDE INTERFAITH SERVICE
The annual PRIDE Interfaith Service will take place on June 9, 2015, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at All Souls Unitarian Church at 16th St. and Columbia Road N.W. Please come out to support and participate as this year’s theme is Racial justice in LGBT communities of faith. The Featured speakers:
Rev. Cedric A. Harmon, Co-Director, Many Voices
Lisbeth Melendez-Rivera, Religion and Faith Program Director of Latino and Catholic Initiatives, Human Rights Campaign
For more information see:
Pride Interfaith Service 2015 on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/768458196571818/
Center Faith on Twitter:
Our page on the Capital Pride website:
http://www.capitalpride.org/interfaith-service
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LET’S MAKE THIS A SUMMER
TO REMEMBER!
We are heading into summer and we are halfway through the budget cycle for 2015. To date, we are trending slightly behind the approved budget. As of last week, our plate and weekly offerings totaled $145,527. This is roughly $3,888 behind the approved budget.
Summers at MCCDC are usually a time we see a dip in giving because of vacations and time away from church. We ask that this summer, you be faithful in your giving and make sure you are consistent with your tithes. Given our 472 delays and construction, it is really important that we stay on track with our giving. This will help make sure we meet our financial obligations and avoid any cuts in the budget.
If you will be out of town, use our electronic Easy Tithe giving to make your tithes. You can give by going to www.mccdc.com/donate. You may also send multiple payments into the church office at MCCDC Summer Giving, 474 Ridge Street NW, Washington, DC 20001.
Thanks for your faithfulness and your giving to MCCDC.
MCCDC STAFF, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND TRUSTEES
