This Week’s Reflection
The title of our current worship series, Bring Heaven to Earth, has offered us the opportunity to explore Jesus’ teachings as presented in the Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5-7 and discussed in the book by Professor Amy-Jill Levine.
From Rev. Dwayne’s inspiring message on The Prayer That Jesus Taught—or, as discussed, The Prayer That Jesus Teaches—this week we return to the Beatitudes with exploration of the second one: Blessed are those who are mourning, for they will be consoled (Matthew 5:4).
I have heard this text preached throughout my life with the focus on the end of grief and loss that is to come with the transition from this world to the realm of God. One scripture often utilized in connection to this profound change is Revelation 21:4: “God will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. There will be no mourning, or pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
In thinking about this passage, one might wonder about the relationship between it and the second Beatitude. What is Jesus telling followers of his time, and telling us in 2021, about the connection between mourning in this realm and Bringing Heaven to Earth?
The Sermon on the Mount and Jesus’ broader ministry is filled with reminders of who and what we must not forget to pay attention to. He so often focused on speaking the unspeakable and lifting up those who were outcasts, not just to be controversial or to get attention for himself, but in service to love, justice, and the work of building beloved community. Perhaps Jesus mentions those who are mourning because he wants us to pay attention to the impact of the loss—emotionally, spiritually, physically, including access to basic resources—that can come with the passing of a loved one or an otherwise important person in one’s life. To know that the grieving are blessed and that our attention to their care and comfort is a step/move of living into God’s kindom now, right here on Earth.
Please join us via livestream this Sunday at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Eastern as we continue to explore these invitations to kindom living.
Blessings,
Dr. Carla Sherrell, Ed.D.
MCCDC Clergy Intern
Church Budget Meeting
This Sunday, May 16th, at 12:45 p.m. Eastern, MCCDC Treasurer Terri Neal will host a budget planning session via Zoom. All are welcome to join the conversation about how we can fulfill our aspirations and God’s purpose for our church. Contact Terri at treasurer@mccdc.com to learn more.
Here are three ways to join Sunday’s discussion:
• Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
• Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 828 1182 2750
• Dial (301) 715-8592 by phone, using the same Meeting ID
Writers’ Ministry
The MCCDC Writers’ Ministry will meet on Saturday, May 15th from 10:00 a.m. to noon Eastern. We gather monthly to support and inspire each other in our personal writing. Whether you are an experienced writer or want to begin writing, or do more, please consider joining us. Contact Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline, Writer-Theologian in Residence, at writer@robinhawleygorsline.com.
C19 Vaccine
Public health officials are urging us to help ensure people who are 65 and older know that they are eligible for the C19 vaccine. (Depending on your location, people with certain underlying health conditions are also eligible.) For more information, visit these links—District of Columbia, Maryland & Virginia —for vaccine procedures and answers to frequently-asked questions.
Another Web site reported by News 4 today helps you manage/plan your C19 appointment in one place no matter what state you live in. Click here to go to the web site.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is providing reimbursement to individuals for funeral expenses incurred as a result of COVID up to $9,000. To apply click here to visit FEMA’s Funeral Assistance website: Funeral Assistance FAQ | FEMA.gov
Celebrate Dad
As we continue practicing social distancing, many of us still want to celebrate father’s Day with our dad and dad-figure, whether blood or chosen. MCCDC wants to celebrate and remember with you, so we invite you to email a headshot of your mom with his name. Feel free to include yourself in the picture too. We will fill the sanctuary with cut-outs of dads across our church family.
Please send your pictures to Melvin Moore via email, churchoffice@mccdc.com, by Sunday, June 13th.
“Church Ministries & Events”
Virtual Choir
Come and join the Virtual Voices of MCC Choir! Lift your voice in our virtual rehearsals while singing from the comfort of your home. For more info, email Music Minister Deidre Mouton Gray at msdeedeemusic@gmail.com.
Spiritual Gifts, Get Involved!
Your’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 me at revdwayne@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).
Singing to God
Join the Virtual Voices of the MCC Choir. Lift your voice in our virtual rehearsals while singing from the comfort of your home. Email Music Minister Diedre Gray at msdeedeemusic@gmail.com
JOIN REV. DWAYNE IN PRAYER FROM NOON TO 12:30 PM Monday thru Saturday
Phone Number: 646-558-8656, Code: 407 740 6668
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
Writer’s Ministry
The MCCDC Writers’ Ministry mission is to offer to our church and the world more reflections and devotionals throughout the year. If you’d like to join this project, now or in the future, please contact Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline, Writer-Theologian in Residence, at writer@robinhawleygorsline.com
“Ministry Spotlight”
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
Click here to see more MCCDC Videos
LiveStream Volunteer’s Needed!
Volunteer! No experience is required. We will train you or someone you recommend. (Perhaps a student interested in picking up new skills?) Opportunities include:
o Producing the livestream itself on Sundays and for special events (greatest need)
o Assisting on Sundays by video recording and managing cameras
o Video editing (this requires access to your own computer and video editing software)
Share our message! Inspired by Rev. Dwayne’s spiritual instruction? Moved by a praise & worship song? Post it on Facebook. Send a link to friends and family. They can tune-in to our livestream or watch worship services on demand at livestream.com/mccdc, through our website at mccdc.com, or browse clips on our YouTube Channel.
Click here to visit MCCDC YouTube channel
Email Johanna at mccdclive@gmail.com or talk to any one of the AV team members to volunteer or for more information
The Soundboard Ministry Needs YOU!
Soundboard volunteers are needed for 9 am and 11 am services. No experience needed!
You will be trained on a state of the art soundboard and learn how to set up mics for services.
Ideally, you will train at the 9 am service and continue training at the 11 am service, but we are flexible.
Please contact Michael Cunningham at mjcunningham2013@gmail.com or stop by to talk with any soundboard volunteer.
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
*Jerry Giem’s Son, Jason and Nephew, Travis * Valeria Myers’ daughter Chantelle * Michelle Lax * George Kerr, III * Mama Cee’s sister and niece
* Rose Williams * Randy Punley * Lynn Sulyma * Esther Smith * Marcus Garnett * Renee Valentine * Rose Herring * Elaine Durden-Hunter’s mother, Earline * T. Green * Evelyn Jones * Valeria Myers’ son Donald * Bob Jones’ son Chuck & wife Karen * Steve Sloane * Glenn Conrad * Arden Shutt * Renee Valentine’s brother * Kim Battle * Juanita Dara * Jeffrey Luckenbach * Anthony Goode *Diedre Gray * Elaine Durden-Hunter’s friend Saint Williams family * Cathy Batson’s niece Lisa * Cynthia Melman * Delores Fowler * Bill Stanclift’s brother James, niece Krista, nephew Paul, and several cousins *Buck Carlson at the loss of your husband,
