This Week’s Reflection
“Something profound is at work. It is akin to devotion; it is the sheer joy in thanksgiving that God is God and the soul is privileged and blessed with the overwhelming consciousness of this. It is the kind of thanksgiving that sings itself to the Lord because God is God.” ~Howard Thurman
(40 Day Journey w Howard Thurman, p68, alt: devotion = adoration is his original)
God is doing something in our souls. Often the work of God is quiet, even behind the scenes, moving on a level deeper than our ordinary perceptions. Other times the work of God is so brilliant as to leave one open-hearted and wide-mouthed, grasping to comprehend.
The work of God is literally brilliant In this Sunday’s Gospel from Matthew 17:1-9. On a high mountain, Jesus’ face shines like the sun and his clothes become dazzling bright. Then, Moses and Elijah appear and start talking to Jesus. Then, as Jesus is speaking to them, a bright cloud overshadows them and from the cloud a voice speaks: “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!”
This story is so important that it appears in all three synoptic Gospels and is the culmination of the liturgical season of Epiphany, known as Transfiguration Sunday. It is a burst of brilliance before the turns and shadows of Lent, which begins next Wednesday, February 22.
The Transfiguration of Jesus seems unbelievable. Indeed, when Peter later told the story, he emphasized it was not a myth, tale, or exaggeration. Peter said that along with Jesus, he and James and his sibling John were “eyewitnesses of Majestic Glory” and “We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain” (2 Peter 1: 18).
What are we to do with this brilliant and mysterious manifestation from God and transfiguration of Jesus? Peter writes: “You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dim place, until the day dawns and morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19). It is an invitation to the enduring gift of devotion.
Devotion is fixing one’s inner and outer gaze on the holy, without becoming so fixed that one becomes closed. Rather, devotion is an opening. Devotion is abiding in the presence of God and making choices based on God’s presence.
Join your Beloved Community this Sunday at 9a.m. and 11a.m. ET in the Sanctuary, online, or later on demand. In the meantime, reflect on how devotion may be an entry to our transfiguration, our metamorphosis. Eugene Peterson writes, “What happens to Jesus happens to us. But it happens to us by the renewing of our minds. As we listen to Jesus, as we look at him, as we linger with him, a transformation occurs. And the beauty that is Jesus becomes our beauty.”
Grace and peace,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
Senior Pastor, MCCDC
Ash Wednesday
Please plan to join your MCCDC family for a special Zoom Worship service on Ash Wednesday, February 22, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.
Here are three ways to connect via zoom on 22 February:
· Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
· Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 830 5252 3783
· Dial by phone +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC), using the same Meeting ID
Calendar Link
MCCDC now has a short cut to their web calendar. This makes it easier for you to see the current events that is going on in our church community.
Simply go to: calendar.mccdc.com
Annual Giving Statements
We have begun preparing giving statements for the 2022 tax year. We will be sending giving statements via email, in batches, beginning January 25th and continuing through March 3rd.
If we don’t have a working email address on file for you, or if you don’t have access to email, we will mail your giving statement via USPS, or you can pick it up in-person after an MCCDC Sunday worship service. Please contact Chocolatté Miller at chocolatte.miller@outlook.com if you have questions.
Black History Concert
We’ll celebrate Black History Month with our annual concert on Saturday, February 25th at 6:00 p.m. ET. This year’s theme is “DC Style” and will feature MCCDC Community Voices, Eclectic Praise, Drama Ministry and Moving Spirit, Shirli Hughes, Michelle Lanchester, and Arthur Diggs, Guest Soloists. Join us in person at 474 Ridge St. N.W. Washington, DC or by live stream via live.mccdc.com.
Borderfree Worship Update
Effective Tuesday, November 1, MCCDC adopted a flexible masking policy. That means when you enter the church at 474 Ridge St NW, you have the flexibility to choose* to wear or not to wear a mask.
• · Please continue to social distance. Respect personal space.
• · Respect personal masking choices. Others may be at high risk.
• · Be responsible. If you don’t feel well, have tested positive for COVID, or are otherwise sick; stay home and join us online.
*Note: Individual ministries or other activities/events at MCCDC may still require masks under certain circumstances
Worship Volunteer
We still need volunteers to sustain in-person worship. Please visit volunteer.mccdc.com and fill out the form for the dates and positions in which you can serve your church. Have questions about roles and responsibilities? Contact Chocolatté Miller, chocolatte.miller@outlook.com
Pathways 2 Generosity, Prayer #51, by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
“There is something in every one of you that waits and listens for the sound of the genuine in yourself. It is the only true guide you will ever have. And if you cannot hear it, you will all of your life spend your days on the ends of strings that somebody else pulls.” — Howard Thurman
Dear God, we are grateful for the enduring gifts of your grace, your mercy, and the joy of life to continue moving forward in your strength. When the toils of life threaten to overthrow our spirit, our feelings of distress, you are right there holding us up with your right hand. We are thankful that you enlarge our vision of doing even greater works and sharing the gifts of the Holy Spirit to carry out your purpose.
We are thankful for the gifts of legacy left by loved ones to continue your work in the years now and the years before us. God, thank you for Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, DC, and all places of spiritual worship where the gathering of souls come to worship and encourage each other in community, your Beloved Community.
In your many precious names, we pray that people everywhere come to accept the enduring gift of eternal life that you granted us through your Son and our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are so grateful, Amen!
“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” — Habakkuk 2:3
Support for Tim Helm
Beloved longtime MCCDC member Tim Helm is recovering from spinal and back wound complications at BridgePoint Hospital on Capitol Hill. Tim welcomes your calls in the afternoon and evening at (202) 368-9877.
Tim, our love and prayers are with you!
~Your MCCDC Family
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
Johanna Hardy• Jerry Giem • Tim Helm • Min. Diedre Gray • Bill Campbell • Denise Wright, her mother Lucy Mae Coombs and her Aunt Lottie Mae King. • Rose Williams• Cecilia Hayden-Smith and Esther Smith’s health• Delores Fowler • Vernessa D. Wilson • Family of Ms. Brittany Harrell • Veronica Franklin• Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline • Glenn Conway • Michelle Lax •Anthony Goode • Valeria Myers’ children Chantelle & Donald • George Kerr, III • Randy Punley • Lynn Sulyma • Marcus Garnett •Renee Valentine’s brother • Arden Shutt • Evelyn Jones• Steve Sloane • Jeffrey Luckenbach • Cathy Batson’s niece Lisa • Cynthia Melman •Kim Battle • Joshua Benkins’ father Isaac •Elaine Durden-Hunter’s recnet loss of her mother Earline • Angela Terrell • Mike Washington •Carol Washington mother’s health •Angela Dodd for healing •Buck Carlson •Lolita Gleaton for healing from her cancer • Mezyi Choi request prayer for her success healing from surgery • Lost of Melvin Moore Adams’ sister Krissandra Moore •Kia Murphy • Doris Carter Washington of Alexandra, Va. request prayer • Loss of Melvin Moore Adams’ sister Krissandra Moore • Patricia Ryan due to the loss of her brother Mickey
“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
Meets Monthy
For more information, contact Jacqueline Laughlin at yemayah@icloud.com.
Barnabas Culture Sessions
Barnabas Culture, Session 7:00 p.m. Eastern, Thursday. Click Here to Join The Zoom Thursday Nights. For more information contact MCCDC Ministry Intern Rev. Teresa Tygart at Email preachertygart@gmail.com.
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
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