“I alone know my plans for you, says the Lord. My plans are for your prosperity and my purpose is not to harm you. My purpose is to give you hope with a future in it.” ~Jeremiah 29:11
God holds a future for each of us and for our congregation. The impulse is to try to predict it and then control the path that leads us there. That’s only human. Our scripture this Sunday from 2 Kings 2: 1-12 invites us to be determined in our moves towards the future, while tenaciously aligning and re-aligning ourselves with the presence of God in the present moment.
God’s love, leading us into the future, is love for now. Leaning into God’s love for now is one way to release control and stay faithful to the process.
To prepare for Sunday, I invite you to reflect with me on these questions:
+How do we live beyond the impulse to try to force the future?
+How might we be changed by faithful persistence in our journeys with God and one another?
+Am I courageous enough to ask for what I need to more fully follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit?
This Sunday we will consider the interplay of persistence, discernment and vulnerability that are at work as we move with God into the future our hearts desire. The closer we are to God, the more God’s desires will become our desires. Through it all, I’m grateful to you, my friends and partners, on this path to the future. As the poet Rumi says: “We’re all just walking each other home.”
Faithfully, Rev Elder Dwayne Johnson
“UP COMING EVENTS”
MCCDC PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY
The Pastoral Care Ministry (PCM), under the guidance and leadership of Senior Pastor, Dwayne Johnson and Assistant Pastor, Cathy Alexander, provides itself in loving service to the congregation of MCCDC. This dedicated ministry team has been inspired and empowered to Expand Their Faith Journey and ”Step outside their Comfort Zones” in order to support the ongoing spiritual care needs of the MCCDC congregation.
What services of support does the PCM contribute to MCCDC’s ministry?
With spiritual passion and a dedication to service, the PCM Team carries out the following services that continue to enrich our MCCDC’s communities: (These are only a few of the life-changing acts of service carried out by the PCM Team)
• Being the Candlewick of Inspiration and Leadership in order to enrich a variety of Community Endeavors
• Attend monthly Collaborative Team Building and Training Sessions
• Conduct Home and Hospital Visitations
• Provide Prayerful Intercessions/Assistance for congregational members in need via Telephone/ e-mail
• Provide Strategic planning for evolving, new and innovative PCM Ministry Endeavors
• Conduct and participate in Spiritual Growth Exercises, both individually and collectively
• Provide Pastoral Care Ministry during 9:00am and 11:00am Sunday Services
What gifts and talents can you add to the Pastoral Care Team?
• Prayers for people seeking God’s presence for comfort, renewal, strength, and wisdom to handle various situations
• The gifts of your mindfulness, uniqueness, presence, personality, and perspective on new and innovative PCM ministry opportunities
• Offering volunteer support for ongoing service programming
• Participate in Home and Hospital Visitations
• Spiritual Awareness and Openness during weekly services
• Spiritual Empowerment and/or Enhancement, through prayers and nonjudgmental support efforts
Ash Wednesday Service, February 14, at 7 pm
Please come join us for Ash Wednesday Service. This year, Ash Wednesday is observed on February 14th which is also Valentine’s Day. The Christian observance marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day season of fasting that is considered preparation for Holy Week and the celebration of Easter.All are welcome. Please come join us for Ash Wednesday Service. All are welcome.
Protect, Sustain, Grow: Best Practices for Handling Your Church’s Money Conference & Livestream
This event provides practical advice, best practices, and resources for pastors, finance committee members, church treasurers, financial secretaries, and bookkeepers – all those charged with the sacred trust of protecting, sustaining, and growing the resources God has entrusted to your church.
Sessions: * The Ministry of Financial Management * Protecting Your Church’s Money through * Oversight and Integrity * Sustaining Your Church’s Ministry through * Paying Attention * Growing Your Church’s Money through New * Sources and Means of Giving
Summary of Board Meeting, January 2018
The Board discussed the proposal to sell the M Street NW lot and the establishment of the Far Reaching Faith Trust Fund. In preparation for the Congregational Listening Post and in follow up to concerns expressed at the Congregational Forum, the Board had consulted with SunTrust around the sale and the mortgage, scheduled a first Trustee meeting and prepared a presentation as a basis for discussions with the congregation and visits of all ministries. The Board also received an update on the strategic planning process, the visit of MCC’s Interim moderator, and discussed a proposal to rent church space for a day care center. The Board accepted the Treasurer’s report and authorized a payment to the pastors’ pension funds to cover 2017 obligations. Finally the Board voted that the 2018 Congregational Forum be held on November 4th and the Congregational Meeting on November 18th.
MCCDC Worship Arts Ministry Event, Saturday, February 24, 2018, 6 PM at MCCDC
HOW WE GOT OVER! Come Join us in our celebration of black history month.
Black History Month Theater Outing,February 25th @ 8PM
Stories & Songs from Music’s Revolutionary Women
Conceived and performed by Roz White
Acclaimed actor and MetroStage favorite Roz White pays tribute to Alberta Hunter, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Abbey Lincoln, Roberta Flack, and Nina Simone, depicting their hardships and challenges, and their revolutionary influence on music and pop culture. Empowered by their determination, talent and artistry each has a story to tell and music to be celebrated. If you are interested please Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.comor 202-638-7373. Tickets are $55 and due at the time of sign up. Deadline for sign up is Feb 20th
MCC General Conference Registration is open.
Please Click Here to Check Out this Amazing Conference and Celebration
Please click here to check out this amazing conference and celebration
Forum with MCC Interim Moderator Forum with MCC Interim Moderator REV. ELDER RACHELLE D. BROWN has been moved to March 11 at 1230.
he meeting with the MCC Interim Moderator, Rev. Elder Rachelle Brown, has been moved to March 11 at 1230. We encourage all of you who are able to attend to do so. Please contact Rev. Dwayne if you have any questions or concerns.
Security Awareness Training, March 03, 2018, 10am to 12 pm,
The Metropolitan Police Department will be conducting security awareness training to assist everyone in being more alert before, during, and after worship service?
This training will cover how to create a safer house of worship. Topics include:
Safety Team and Building Security
Responses to Active Violence
Crime Reporting
Emergency Preparedness
This training is OPEN to ALL!!!!
For questions or more information contact please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville or Rev. Cathy Alexander at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
Communion Celebrant Training March 10, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Interested in altar setup, praying and distributing Holy Communion to the congregation during Sunday services at 9am and 11 am? Then Communion Celebrant Training is for you! For questions or more information please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
Usher Training, March 10, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Are you interested in welcoming and serving our congregation during church services? Consider becoming an Usher. For questions or more information, please contact Louis Hicks at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
CHURCH NEWS
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
MCCDC You Are Loved By God
Stay current on our video postings and help us in our goal of more than 100 subscribers to qualify for a custom MCCDC link that will help us reach more people.”
The Information Station Ministry Needs You!
We are in need of Information Station volunteers for both 9am and 11am worship services. It’s a very easy commitment of one (1) Sunday a month. No experience needed just your time and willingness to serve. Volunteering includes: greeting & directing MCC attenders, providing information about church events, and more. Please sign up at the Information Station or contact Chocolatté Miller at Chocolatte.Miller@outlook.com.
Join MCCDC AV ministry
If you have questions, please contact Johanna Hardy at nerd4mit@aol.com
MCCDC Share Program Needs You!
Middle Adults Ministry
It’s Official!!! The Middle Adult Ministry, AKA The Yelders will have their first fellowship on Sunday, February 25th. We will meet for lunch after the 11:00 service (approximately 1:00pm) at Carmine’s Italian Restaurant at 425 7th St NW, Washington DC. Here we will get to know one another better and plan upcoming events. All are welcome to attend. ( If you cannot afford to come but would like to attend, please see Jules.) For more information or to add your name to our contact list, please contact Jules Christian @ enjoyingtoday@hotmail.com or 336-419-7579.
MCCDC Intercessory Prayer Team (IPT)
Are you a Prayer Warrior? Do you desire to connect and support others through prayer practices? Do you want to make a difference in our church, city, nation and world? Come join the Intercessory Prayer Team! The IPT will meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM to have a Spirit-led time of prayer. We will also host a quarterly prayer event. For more information please contact Rev. Jules Christian at enjoyingtoday@hotmail.com or 336-419-7579.
Keith Richardson is in a nursing home near the church. Please continue to hold him in your prayers.
Join our Worship and Arts Ministry!
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TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Please join the Tuesday Night Bible Study from 7-8 PM in the Welcome Hall. A time of community, fun learning and sharing. For more information please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
MCCDC LIVE STREAMING
MCCDC is live! We have an opportunity to use of our AV system to reach outside our walls to many people who may not be able to join us in person. To make this happen we must have a subscription service that will provide us the ability to stream our services, concerts and special events, and expand opportunities for participation in our bible studies and other activities remotely. The testing done so far with streaming has generated a lot of excitement, particularly by those who have been unable to visit our church.
You can be a part of making this happen in a number of ways: (1) pray for our reach beyond the walls of our church (2) join others in donating to cover the one-time annual cost of the service and associated AV training for our volunteers; and (3) consider joining the AV ministry.
Click to Donate!
You can contact the church office with questions at 202-638-7373 or churchoffice@mccdc.com.
ELECTRONIC GIVING
With EasyTithe, supporting the church is as simple as clicking a mouse or whipping out your smart phone.
Our new online system allows you to make a financial donation to the church with your credit card or direct debit from your banking account.
You’ll be asked to set up your MCCDC EasyTithe Account. You can set it up to make a one-time/anytime donation or make a recurring donation.
Click to Donate!
You also can give by text 202-999-3841. Please contact the church office with questions at 202-638-7373 or churchoffice@mccdc.com.
