“I shall not die, but I shall live and recount the deeds of the Lord.” ~Psalm 118:17
Seeds of the resurrection are deeply planted in the Hebrew Scriptures, including the praise springing forth from Psalm 118, the Psalm for Resurrection Sunday. Every day we awaken to news of violence and death. Yet the Good News of the Psalms and the Gospels is the God News of life that prevails.
Easter invites us to embody cultures of life beyond the cultures of death. Each day we are invited to give voice to life. We are invited to answer the question we’ve been pondering through Lent: “What makes you come alive?”
In Sunday’s gospel from Mark 16:1-8, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome come to the tomb with spices to anoint the body of Jesus. They are wondering how they are going to get through their loss. Their spirits are thick with grief. They are even overwhelmed with the logistics when they say to one another in Mark 16:3: “Who’s going to roll the stone away from the entrance for us?” Fear and death are at the center. What they are soon to discover is that the resurrection of Jesus de-centers death and re-centers life. With life at the center, the tomblike places in them are opened, and they become free to really live.
A word of promise from Mark 16: 7 says: “Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you.” The promise that was true for the women and the early friends of Jesus is true for us as well. During these uncertain times, when we are not sure what
lies ahead, we can trust that Jesus has already gone ahead. I find hope in that. And where there is hope, there is life.
The days ahead in 2024 will be difficult. But Jesus will meet us there and join us there, no matter how difficult. Jesus will calm and comfort us. Jesus will also transform us. Then Jesus will help us to believe that we can do what previously seemed impossible, stretching us to confront death and open tombs in their many forms.
Let us live and recount the deeds of the Lord, and then participate in life-giving actions.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
Holy Week Services!
Invite your friends and family to join MCCDC during Holy Week.
Maundy Thursday: March 28th at 6:00 p.m., via Click here to join Zoom!
Good Friday: March 29th at 6:00 p.m., via Click here to join Zoom!
Resurrection Sunday: March 31st at 9:00 & 11:00 a.m., live.mccdc.com
Sunday Services are “borderfree,” offered virtual as well as in-person at our Sanctuary at Fifth and Ridge St NW.
Building Our Generous Home
MCCDC invites you to prayerfully consider ways to share your generosity in 2024.
Please click on the form below fill it our and email it to pastors@mccdc.com or mail it to 474 Ridge St., Washington, DC 20001 to share those ways with us.
Click here to print the Generosity 2024 Intention Form March 2024
Older Adult Ministry
The Older Adult Ministry will meet after worship on Sunday, -April 14 at 1:00 p.m. ET. Experts from Whitman-Walker Health attorneys,
DC Long Term Care Ombudsman’s Office, June Fan- a private estate planning attorney will join us to discuss wills and estate planning.
All are welcome!
Join in person at 474 Ridge Street, Washington, DC or via zoom link below:
· Click here to open Zoom Link
· Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 824 9552 3942
· Dial (301) 715-8592 by phone, using the same Meeting ID
Sight and Sounds Theater
MCCDC’s Older Adults Ministry is sponsoring a bus trip to see the play
Daniel at Sight and Sound Theater
, located at 300 Hartman Bridge Road, Ronks, Pa. We’ll depart from 474 Ridge St NW, Washington DC at 1:00 p.m. and return at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2024.
Tickets cost $160 and include round trip coach bus ride, ticket for premium theater seats, and a stop at Amish Miller Smorgasbord Restaurant (MEAL COST NOT INCLUDED).
Payments can be made in three installments of $54 each, or one payment of $160. Anyone using the payment plan must pay in full no later than May 31, 2024.
ALL PAYMENTS ARE FINAL AND NON-REFUNDABLE. Go to danieltrip.mccdc.com to pay
Questions? Contact Dale L. Madyun-Baskerville via email, oam@mccdc.com
Wesley Seminary Survey
You’re invited to help Wesley Seminary Student Marshay Winston with her survey of parenting/Caregivers in the MCCDC community.
Please click here to start this short 15 min survey to help this seminary student.
If you have any questions, please email Innovation@wesleyseminary.edu or contact ev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com.
Pathways 2 Generosity, Prayer #101 by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
“. . .Find out where joy resides, and give it a voice far beyond singing, for to miss the joy is to miss all.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
Dear God, thank you for peace and joy within our hearts during these chaotic days. May we not get so burdened by life’s challenges and obstacles that tend to overwhelm us. We desire to live within your loving grace that makes us come alive. We pray to exercise gratefulness for all you have done in our lives that we have taken for granted. You are God of everything created. Thank you for the ability to use technical skills, give generously of financial gifts, talents, time, and treasures to share with spiritual places of worship, and with others in need, all because of your unconditional love and kindness.
We are grateful for our gathering space, Metropolitan Community Church of Washington DC, and for all spiritual leaders who diligently teach and guide us to live according to your purpose.
We are alive because of the everlasting joy and eternal life given to us through the sacrifice of your son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you, God, for the breath of life that you have blessed us to breathe every waking and sleeping moment granted to us. We are grateful for this prosperous miracle and the gift of eternal life! Thank you, in your many precious names. Amen.
“May the God of hope fill you with such peace and joy in your faith, that you may be filled with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (The First Egalitarian Translation)
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
* Bill Campbell *Jerry Giem * Tim Helm *Rose Williams *Cecilia Hayden-Smith and Esther Smith’s health *Delores Fowler * Veronica Franklin * Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline * Glenn Conway * Anthony Goode ?Randy Punley * Marcus Garnett *Evelyn Jones * Steve Sloane * Jeffrey Luckenbach ? * Cathy Batson’s niece Lisa * Cynthia Melman *Kim Battle *Joshua Benkins’ father Isaac *Mike Washington * Buck Carlson * Doris Carter Washington of Alexandria * John Hylton * Summer Allen * Ruth Kappy Makekodunmi
“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 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.
This month’s meeting is 17 Feb at 10:00 am EST . For info, contact gcsnyder01@aol.com.
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
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