“Courage is the virtue that moves us from being weak-souled (pusillanimous) to being great-souled (magnanimous). It enables us to overcome obstacles to doing the work of the saving God in this world.” ~Rosemary Broughton
Mary was just a teenager, yet she was great-souled beyond her years. Pregnant with the Christ Child, she was also pregnant with prophecy, hope and a deeply centered joy that empowered her to fulfill her world changing purpose. Abiding in joy, she lived with courage.
Sunday’s Gospel from Luke 1:46-55 is beloved, known by many as “Mary’s Song” and “The Magnificat.” A favorite of liberation theologians, the song has echoed through the ages, beginning with praise: “My soul proclaims your greatness, O God, and my spirit rejoices in you, my Savior.” Then, praise turns to a call to action to reverse the conceit of the powerful to a lifting up of the down.
Mary’s song is a song of courage by declaring the truth of inequality. She has the courage to take the risk to speak truth to power, endangering herself and many who have since sung the song. The Magnificat exposes injustice and exposes those weak-souled individuals and corporations that profit from oppression. The courageous call reveals power from on high that will not be muted.
In the message Sunday we’ll continue to build on our 2019 Advent/Christmas theme, “Repeat the Sounding Joy.” Relentless actions for soul, wholeness, and fairness are one way to repeat the sounding joy on a daily basis.
PAUSE: Reflect on the dynamic of courage in your life. How could courage help you face inner and outer challenges? Draw inspiration by thinking back to a moment or event when you acted with courage. Where do you need courage now?
ACTION: Aspire today to do something that needs to be done. Ask God to give you the courage to do it.
PRAYER: God of strength, give me the courage to overcome blocks and fears that undermine my love for You, others and myself. Help me to do what must be done to co-create a better world and live the prayer of Jesus for your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
By Faith
Rev Elder Dwayne Johnson
“UP COMING EVENTS”
Thank You !
Thank you to all who assisted in bringing toys to our adopted families.
There will be a party to hand out the gifts sponsored by the East River Family Collaborative. All are welcome to attend. ( See Flyer below for details)
Annual Christmas Tree Winter Wonderland, 14 December, 12 pm to 4 pm
Silent Night Christmas Eve service
There will be a Christmas Eve service on December 24th at 7 PM. All are welcome to come out and invite the Christ child in.
CHRISTMAS HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE
We invite you to remember someone you love with a Remembrance. The names of those remembered will be included in our Sunday bulletin. Please attach a check payable to MCCDC to the form and place it in the communication box (next to the front door) or mail it to the church (474 Ridge St, NW Washington DC 20001) (Please be sure to print the names clearly and legibly) or use the kiosk .
Click Here to pay on our web site
The deadline for being included in the bulletin is Tuesday December 18th
MCCDC Cake Sale, December 22nd after the 9 am and 11 am service
Come One! Come All!
Buy Mamma Cee’s Assorted
Home Made Cakes!
Made with Love and Care!!!
$20.00 each!
Get them while
they last!
“CHURCH NEWS”
Advent Devotionals Again this Year! Time to Submit Yours!
Advent begins Sunday, December 1 this year, and once again we are collecting and publishing daily devotionals from members and friends. You are invited to contribute your wisdom, stories, hopes, dreams, etc. Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline, Writer-Theologian in Residence, will be coordinating the collection and editing of submissions.
Our Advent theme this year is “Repeat the Sounding Joy,” based on the 300th anniversary of the composing of “Joy to the World.”
Click here to view a Trailer for Advent produced by Dr. McFee
The words of the hymn are by English writer Isaac Watts, based on Psalm 98 Psalm 96:11–12 and Genesis 3:17–18. The song was first published in 1719 in Watts’ collection The Psalms of David: Imitated in the language of the New Testament.
Watts’ interpretation of Psalm 98 invites us to sing a“new song”–-and it is a powerful cosmic performance of all creation being renewed and freed. Rather than “joy” being yet another word for “happiness,” the depths of joy can be found especially in the midst of suffering, the work of justice, and the presence of compassion–-all part of the coming of Jesus to this world and a message the world still so desperately needs.
As in past years, you are encouraged to offer devotionals/meditations in various forms: stories from your past (or right now), prayers, poems, etc. They can be texts or on video of you speaking or singing (or both or even all three). We are very open to all forms of expression.
Rev. Robin is happy to offer editing guidance on the written texts. Our excellent A/V folks will be helpful with videos—either filming you at church or taking your own video and making sure it plays well online. They also responsible to publish the written texts, too. It works best if you can submit your devotionals to Rev. Robin earlier than you think is necessary—to allow time for editorial feedback and to give the staff ample time to get the messages ready.
Please send any questions to him (or call 240/565-3441) and submit your offering(s) to writer@robinhawleygorsline.com
LiveStream Equipment Needs!
We also have an aspirational goal of an additional $3,000 to replace and upgrade aging equipment. In-kind donations are also welcome. Our most critical needs are a new Mac Mini ($1,900), two video capture cards ($300) and professional studio headphones so we can better-balance audio levels ($300). If you are able and interested in providing in-kind donations, please see email Johanna at mccdclive@gmail.com to confirm specifications for what is needed.
Volunteer!
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
MCCDC Bible Study goes to Sight and Sounds Theater for the Play: QUEEN ESTHER
300 Hartman Bridge Road,Ronks, PA 17572 (800) 377-1277
Click On picture above to see QUEEN ESTHER 2020 Video Clip
When August 15, 2020
Time: Carpool leaves 9 am from MCCDC to Sight and Sounds
Cost: $79.00
SHOW STARTS AT 3 PM
NOTE!!!
INDIVIDUALS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DRIVING OR COORDINATING A RIDE TO AND FROM THEATER LOCATION!!!!
All Money Due No Later Than 28 June 2020!!!
Contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville baskerd6109@gmail.com or call 202-638-7373 for question or information.
Event Rental Space at MCCDC
Are you or someone you know planning an upcoming event? Are you looking for a reasonably priced rental space with easy access to public transportation? Look no further.
Call MCCDC today at 202-638-7273 for rates and availability.
Click Here for more Information
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
Stay current on our video postings .
Click here to see more MCCDC Videos
Inspiration Videos, Metropolitan Community Church of Washington DC
“Ministry Spotlight”
MCCDC Bible Study
A time of community, fun, learning, and sharing!
Tuesdays, from 7:00 – 8:00 PM in the Welcome Hall
For more information please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at the churchoffice@mccdc.com or call (202) 638-737.
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Prayer Corner
Please continue to hold in your prayers Keith Richardson who is in a Nursing Home.
Join our Worship and Arts Ministry!
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