“Now is the time to climb up the mountain and reason against habit. Now is the time to renew the barren soil of nature ruined by the winds of tyranny. Now is the time to commence the litany of hope. Now is the time to give me roses, not to keep them for my grave to come. Give them to me while my heart beats. Give them today while my heart yearns for jubilee. Now is the time.”
~Mzwkhe Mbuli, South African Activist, alt.
One of our greatest gifts is the gift of time. It is both limited and limitless. It is more precious than money, power or possessions. All of those can be rebuilt. Lost time cannot be recovered. However invested time multiplies itself with exponential impact. How do we invest our time in ways that will bring fullness to our lives and the lives of those around us? How do we invest our time to be part of the fulfillment of God’s promises for our world? Our scriptures for Sunday from 1 Corinthians 7: 29-32a and Mark 1: 14-20 inform our approach to such important questions.
Paul notes that “the appointed time has grown short. . .the present form of this world is passing away. I would like you to be free of all worries” (1 Corinthians 7:29,31-32a). Worry depletes time and energy. Trust beyond worry builds spiritual fortitude to live for what is lasting, what really matters beyond striving for temporal trinkets.
In our gospel Jesus proclaims the good news of God saying, “The time is fulfilled” (Mark 1:14). Then, Jesus invites Simon, Andrew, James and John to drop their fishing nets and follow him to the time of their lives. Immediately, the Scripture says, they shift their time investment from fish to people.
How we invest our time speaks to how much we love and what we most value. The invitation of Jesus is to follow him beyond mere time management into fulfilling the eternal promise each moment holds.
In preparation for Sunday, I invite you to reflect on this quote by J.S. Mogabgab: “As we hallow our time with priorities, commitments, tasks, and relationships that acknowledge and bless God’s presence in daily affairs, we will find holiness in time.”
I’m looking forward to sharing time with you in the presence of God this Sunday at 9 AM and 11 AM
Faithfully, Rev Elder Dwayne Johnson
“UP COMING EVENTS”
Creating Change Conference,January 24-28, 2018
Creating change is an opportunity to gather, learn, respond and resist. Volunteer opportunities are available and a free day admission is available for those who volunteer 4 hours. You may volunteer to staff the Elder Suite, the MCC vendor table, the interfaith service and much more. Please see Rev Cathy for more information and how to sign up to support MCCDC and the conference. revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
Please click here to find out about the major conference sponsored by the National LGBTQ Task force
MCCDC 2018 Offering Envelopes
For 2018 we will be using a different system for offering envelopes. New envelopes will not have numbers. Packets will be distributed
starting Sunday December 17th. For your giving envelopes please see Sonia Grant at the information station after service or call 202-638-7373.
2017 End of Year Financial/Giving Statements
End of year financial statements will be available in the welcome hall from Sonia Grant starting January 14. If not picked up they will be mailed out on Jan 30, 2018
YOU90, Jan 18 – Apr 19
YOU90 encourages thoughtful consideration, learning and action surrounding the tenets of
Matthew 22: 37-40… Love God, self, neighbor. This 90 day course will provide study and community engagement opportunities to co-create spiritually, mindfully and bodily. This Discipleship Program will run from Jan 18 – Apr 19.
The first segment of the course will be to study Brene Brown’s “Rising Strong: The Reckoning, The Rumble, The Revolution”.
For more information or to sign up, please contact Rev Cathy Alexander ot revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
Young Adult Ministry (YAMS) Chili Sale
On Sunday Jan 21st the Young Adult Ministry (YAMS) will be hosting a chili sale at 12:30pm in the Welcome Hall. Bowls of Chili will be sold for $5 and cups for $3, slices of corn bread will be available for $3 each. The proceeds will help to fund the YAMS fall retreat. Please plan to support our Young Adults.
Board of Directors Listening Post
On Sunday Jan 21st the BOD will sponsor a listening post as we have had it in the past. Feel free to purchase chili from the YAMS ministry and meet in the lower level conference room for a time of prayer, opportunities for the sharing of information, feedback, comments, and open Q&A. If you have questions please contact Vice Moderator Knut Panknin at knutpanknin@gmail.com.
Forum with MCC Interim Moderator REV. ELDER RACHELLE D. BROWN, January 28,2018, 12:30
In response to the letter sent to the MCC Interim Moderator and Governing Board from many of you (Members and friends of MCCDC), the Interim Moderator has agreed to meet with us at 1230 on Sunday, January 28th. We encourage all of you who are able to attend to do so. Please see Rev. Dwayne if you have any questions or concerns.
Security Awareness Training, March 03, 2018, 10am to 12 pm,
The Metropolitan Police Department will be conducting security awareness training to assist everyone in being more alert before, during, and after worship service?
This training will cover how to create a safer house of worship. Topics include:
Safety Team and Building Security
Responses to Active Violence
Crime Reporting
Emergency Preparedness
This training is OPEN to ALL!!!!
For questions or more information contact please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville or Rev. Cathy Alexander at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
Communion Celebrant Training March 10, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Interested in altar setup, praying and distributing Holy Communion to the congregation during Sunday services at 9am and 11 am? Then Communion Celebrant Training is for you! For questions or more information please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
Usher Training, March 10, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Are you interested in welcoming and serving our congregation during church services? Consider becoming an Usher. For questions or more information, please contact Louis Hicks at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
CHURCH NEWS
Come Join MCCDC Bible Study to see the Play Jesus at Sight & Sound Theatres -” Where they Bring the Bible to Life on Stage”
Sight & Sound Theatres
300 Hartman Bridge Road
(Route 896)
Ronks (Strasburg), PA 17572
800-377-1277
When August 18, 2018
Cost $79.00
Money due by Feb. 6 2018
Leave from MCCDC Church at 8 am
Car Pool to and from location
Buffet Lunch is separate
Contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville :baskerd6109@gmail.com or 202 638-7373 for payment in CASH OR CHECK ONLY.
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
MCCDC: WHAT ARE YOU BEING BORN TO?
Stay current on our video postings and help us in our goal of more than 100 subscribers to qualify for a custom MCCDC link that will help us reach more people.”
Join MCCDC AV ministry
If you have questions, please contact Johanna Hardy at nerd4mit@aol.com
Middle Adults Ministry
Middle Adult Ministry Information Session
There will be a meeting to discuss the Middle Adult Ministry (The Yelders), on Sunday, January 14th after both the 9:00 and 11:00 services in the Chapel.
This ministry would be a place for those adults, in between the young and older adult ministries, to share common experiences, joys, fears, and of course to form deeper friendships and have fun.
This ministry will be a collaborative effort, but we are currently looking for someone who is willing to coordinate the Middle Adults. If you have any questions or are interested in coordinating, please contact Jules Christian at enjoyingtoday@hotmail.com or 336-419-7579 or Greg Snyder at gcsnyder01@aol.com
MCCDC Intercessory Prayer Team (IPT)
Kick Off The New Year With Prayer!!! The Intercessory Prayer Team is hosting an evening of Prayer and Praise as we celebrate and dedicate this new year of 2018!!!
Friday, January 12th @ 7:oo-8:30 PM. Refreshments to follow In preparation, all who wish can join us in fasting from Monday 1/8/18-Friday1/12/18. (fast as you are led by the spirit and after consulting with your Dr.)For questions please contact Rev. Jules Christian at enjoyingtoday@hotmail.com or 336-419-7579.
Tyrone Washington is in a nursing home near Dupont Circle. Please continue to hold him in your prayers
Keith Richardson is in a nursing home near the church. Please continue to hold him in your prayers.
Join our Worship and Arts Ministry!
|
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Please join the Tuesday Night Bible Study from 7-8 PM in the Welcome Hall. A time of community, fun learning and sharing. For more information please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
MCCDC LIVE STREAMING
MCCDC is live! We have an opportunity to use of our AV system to reach outside our walls to many people who may not be able to join us in person. To make this happen we must have a subscription service that will provide us the ability to stream our services, concerts and special events, and expand opportunities for participation in our bible studies and other activities remotely. The testing done so far with streaming has generated a lot of excitement, particularly by those who have been unable to visit our church.
You can be a part of making this happen in a number of ways: (1) pray for our reach beyond the walls of our church (2) join others in donating to cover the one-time annual cost of the service and associated AV training for our volunteers; and (3) consider joining the AV ministry.
Click to Donate!
You can contact the church office with questions at 202-638-7373 or churchoffice@mccdc.com.
ELECTRONIC GIVING
With EasyTithe, supporting the church is as simple as clicking a mouse or whipping out your smart phone.
Our new online system allows you to make a financial donation to the church with your credit card or direct debit from your banking account.
You’ll be asked to set up your MCCDC EasyTithe Account. You can set it up to make a one-time/anytime donation or make a recurring donation.
Click to Donate!
You also can give by text 202-999-3841. Please contact the church office with questions at 202-638-7373 or churchoffice@mccdc.com.
