This Week’s Reflection
“The Joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you.” ~ John Greenleaf Whittier
The invitation of this Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent, is to follow the star to restorative joy. Sometimes I hear someone say, “I have lost my joy.” I believe that joy cannot be lost because joy is always at the heart of who God created us to be. Joy is always at the center. Yet joy can seem lost. Joy can feel numbed due to stress, grief, overwork, or difficult circumstances. How do we restore during such times? One possibility is to explore the restorative capacity of joy.
In our scripture for Sunday the prophet Zephaniah comes to a people who thought all joy was lost (Zephaniah 3:14-20). The prophet reminded them that God was in their midst—and where God is there is joy! According to the prophet their joy was not lost—they just needed to reawaken to it. Joy, unlike happiness, is there even when things are not going well. It is possible to be unhappy for a while, even a long while, yet remain grounded in the eternal place of joy.
Joy has the potential to restore happiness. Happiness cannot be forced, yet doing joyful actions opens the possibility. Joyful actions, especially in service to others, may renew feelings of happiness. This is what John the Baptist was conveying in Luke 3:11 when he said “Let the one with two coats share with the one who has none. Let those who have food do the same.”
In the message Sunday, we will further explore the dimensions of joy, and how joy restores us through a variety of actions and practices such as a simple act of kindness, giving toys to children, celebrating a wedding, building a friendship over a meal, and many more. See you Sunday at Borderfree Worship at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. ET in house, online, and anytime on demand.
In spiritual preparation for Sunday, I invite you to join me in reflecting on this quote by the poet Rabindranath Tagore: “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.”
By Faith,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
MCCDC Senior Pastor
If you plan to join us in person this Sunday, please remember to visit checkin.mccdc.com and let us know you’re coming!
Love Offering
After another year full of challenges and uncertainty, we want to say thank you to our Pastors, Music Ministers and Staff at MCCDC for their dedicated, loving and spirit-led service to our community. They have been a blessing to all of us throughout the year.
Love Offering 2021 MCCDC Staff.
Please consider showing your appreciation by reaching out to them and by contributing to a Love Offering that we will take this Sunday, December 12. Please mark any donation towards this special offering as “Love Offering 2021.” We’ve added it as a fund choice in EasyTithe, donate.mccdc.com. Thank you for your generosity
Christmas Concert & Tributes
Our annual Christmas concert will premiere live on YouTube at 7:00 p.m. ET this Saturday, December 11th. You can download the concert program here or on our livestream webpage.
We also invite you to remember someone you love with a tribute this Christmas. Their names will be included in our Sunday worship folder and displayed at the end of Sunday worship. We suggest a donation of $20.00 per tribute. Here’s an online form to pay with credit card or electronic debit. You can also print this form and mail it with a check.
Membership Class
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a member of MCCDC, a membership class will be offered on Sunday December 12th from 12:30 pm ET to 2 pm ET.
Click here to Join Zoom Meeting
Call In/ Phone: +13126266799, Meeting ID: 830 5559 7749
Blue Christmas
Christmas time is not always joyful for everyone. We invite you to join Rev. Dwayne, Dr. Carla, Rev. Dr. Robin and Rev. Cathy via Zoom at 7:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 7th and 14th for a time of meditation, sharing and ritual for the season.
Topic: MCCDC Bible Study
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/434566329
Meeting ID: 434 566 329
Call In:
+13017158592,
Meeting ID: 434 566 329
Advent Candle Lighting
We invite you to enjoy Bobbi Strang and Elodie Huttner lighting the second Advent candle in our sanctuary last Sunday. “Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.” –Psalm 85:10-11
Experiencing the Miracle of Light
As we approach the winter solstice and the daylight hours decrease, Mary’s House for Older Adults invites you to celebrate family traditions as an LGBTQ+SGL community. Join us via Zoom on Monday, December 20th at 4:00 p.m. ET as we highlight how we and our allies survive and thrive—even amidst Covid, isolation and aging.
Click here to sign up for the Zoom event.
Joan Cunningham 1932-2020
MCCDC will host a celebration of life for Joan Cunningham, who passed into eternal life last December. Please join us at 11:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, December 28th, either in person at Fifth & Ridge or via livestream, live.mccdc.com.
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
“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!
