This Week’s Reflection
“God is more than a companion and more than a memory. God is the path itself. That is why all our journeys are sacred. The ground over which we travel, whether we realize it or not, is holy ground.” ~T.R. Swears, Weavings (Volume IV, Number 1) 34
We continue on a sacred journey through the seasons of Advent, Christmastide and Epiphany. Our theme, Follow the Star, aligns with these seasons and is a theme that leads us into 2022.
This Sunday, we will follow the star of the magi, the wise ones, who set out to offer homage to the Christ child. This caravan of travelers was a community on a search for discovery. Their journey was a long one, perhaps two years or more. I wonder what they discussed on the journey. I imagine lively conversations around campfires eating the best hummus ever. And I imagine there was some self-doubt with perhaps one of the wise ones asking: “Are we sure we’re really wise?” Perhaps another chimed in: “Are we guided or deluded?”
Whatever the scope of their conversations, they were compelled to journey on. With humility, following a star greater than themselves, they journeyed with longing and expectation. They were courageous enough to make one move after another, trusting that a celebration awaited them. Ultimately, they came to the place where they discovered the child and “They were overjoyed at seeing the star and, upon entering the house, found the child with Mary, his mother. They prostrated themselves and paid homage” (Matthew 2:9-11).
Not only did the wise ones follow the star, in a sense they were stars. Their lives were a kind of shining, sharing the light of generous gifts and the celebratory awe of heartfelt worship. They received the light of guidance, including heeding the warning from a dream to disobey an order to report their discoveries to Herod. Instead, with shining wisdom, “they went back to their own country by another road” (Matthew 2:12).
Join us online this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Eastern for our first worship service of 2022. The service will also be available on demand. We will join the wise ones and “Follow the Star to Celebratory Discovery.” Together, we begin 2022 with a willingness to be led and to be stars reflecting and sharing God’s love.
Grace & Peace
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
MCCDC Senior Pastor
Our church building is closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Our COVID-19 Advisory Team and Board of Directors will re-evaluate community risk after New Year’s.
Older Adult Ministry, 09 Jan 2022 @ 1 PM
Older Adult Ministry will be holding it monthly meeting via Zoom.
Protect yourself against romance, lottery, and sweepstakes scams. These may come via telephone or email and victimize millions of Americans each year. Our Older Adult Ministry will gather via Zoom on Sunday, January 9th at 1:00 p.m. ET. We’ll watch a video from the AARP about financial fraud and confidence schemes.
• Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
• Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 824 9552 3942
• Dial (301) 715-8592 by phone, using the same Meeting ID
Contact Dale L. Madyun-Baskerville at mccdcbiblestudy@mccdc.com
Bible Study Tuesdays @ 7:00 p.m. (On Christmas Season Break until 11 Jan 2022)
Contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville
mccdcbiblestudy@mccdc.com or go to the Church Calendar
https://mccdc.com/event-calendar/ and get the zoom link to attend.
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
Bob Jones & Bob Jones’ son Chuck & wife Karen • Jerry Giem & Jerry Giem’s son, Jason and nephew, Travis • Valeria Myers’ daughter Chantelle & son Donald• Michelle Lax • George Kerr, III • Dr. Veronica Franklin • Celecila Hayden-Smith and Esther Smith health. Rose Williams continue healing• Randy Punley • Lynn Sulyma • •Marcus Garnett • Renee Valentine & Renee Valentine’s brother • Arden Shutt • Delores Fowler • Evelyn Jones • Steve Sloane • Glenn Conrad • Anthony Goode • Jeffrey Luckenbach • Cathy Batson’s niece Lisa • Kim Battle • ABilly Jones-Hennin • Bill Campbell • Mark Kelly • Joshua Benkins’ prayers for health of Father Isaac David Benkins • Elaine Durden-Hunter asks for prayers of healing for her dog, Angel • Elaine Durden-Hunter’s mother, •Earline T. Green, •Angela Terrell,• Maria Hill •Marvin White’s step mother passed of COVID19• Tim Helm • Micheal Washington
“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
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
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
