The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.” ~Isaiah 35:1-2
When I was pastoring at Richmond MCC the apartments across the street from the church burned. It was a beautiful, historical, well-landscaped property, home to
long-time residents. Before the fire, pedestrians would often pause when walking by to enjoy this peaceful spot. After the fire, beloved residents were dislocated and a place of beauty became a place of desolation. I made a point to continue to walk by the property as a spiritual practice, praying for the former residents. One day, I saw that flowers had emerged through the broken structure as if in defiance of the damage. Beauty had emerged through the ashes.
In the years since the fire in Richmond those flowers have often come to mind. During times of discouragement, those flowers have reminded me to find new ways to grow. Those flowers invite me to fierce hope. On the other side of ashes the promise of blossoming awaits.
Our scriptures for Sunday hold hopeful promises. Psalm 126:6 describes the abundance of harvest and homecoming: “Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.” The imagery of Galatians 5: 22-23,25 calls us to the promise of fruitful living: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.”
Those flowers in Richmond struggled through the ashes to find nourishment. They sprouted. They grew roots. They reached skyward. Then they blossomed. We too, with holy persistence, will grow to blossoming.
By faith,
Rev. Elder Dwayne
MCCDC Announcements
Virtual Breast Cancer Walk
Join Team MCCDC in the 2020 Komen Washington DC Virtual “More than Pink” Walk to End Breast Cancer
While we may not be able to walk side-by-side, we can come together virtually to share our stories, support one another, and raise money to save lives. Click Here to Join The Teamand say you’re “in” on Saturday, September 12th. See this Q&A or contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com for more information 202-638-7373 for more information.
Giving & Generosity
Join us for an all-church generosity webinar from 10:00 a.m. to noon Eastern on Saturday, September 19th. Tom Melzoni of Horizons Stewardship will lead the session. He helps churches design and implement stewardship plans and recently explained why “Funding ministry in 2021 will be more difficult than ever.”
Join MCCDC’s Bible in 90 Days Journey 2021!
Click Here to Join the MCCDC Slack Community
Click Here to Order B90 Bible:
“CHURCH NEWS”
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
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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).
MCCDC Virtual Ministry Working Group !
A Virtual Ministry Working Group is forming now and you are invited and encouraged to join!
It is important, now more than ever, to develop our strategy for online ministry and membership – even when we are able to meet again in-person, the work we do now will help us as a community ensure we can re-imagine our ministry in a way that welcomes and engages everyone – regardless of whether they can participate in person or virtually.
If you are interested in joining the working group, or have questions, please contact Ministry Intern Dr. Carla Sherrell at drcarla@mccdc.com.
JOIN REV. DWAYNE IN PRAYER FROM NOON TO 12:30 PM Monday thru Saturday
Phone Number: 646-558-8656, Code: 407 740 6668
Bible Study
A time of community, fun, learning, and sharing!
Tuesdays from 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Via FREE ZOOM Video Conference Call
Click here to see the MCCDC 2020 Bible Study Schedule
Phone Call in number is: 301 715 8592 US,Meeting ID: 434 566 329
Password: Email Dale Madyun-Baskerville at mccdcbiblestudy@mccdc.com for login invitation
“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:
* 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,* Keith Richardson
