This Week’s Reflection
“God is your refuge. There is nothing that can separate you from God, or could keep God from gathering you in, protecting you fiercely. No matter how much we try to separate ourselves from God, God will run to protect us. God’s love for us is fuller than we can imagine.” ~ Ashley DeTar Birt
When I think of being full to the brim, I immediately think of the heart of Jesus. Jesus lived with a full heart, a heart longing for and extending reconciliation. Jesus sees the pain of people, including the pain of separation. In our scripture for Sunday from Luke 13:31-35 Jesus laments, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem… How often I have wanted to gather your people just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you didn’t want that.”
Jesus, courageous and vulnerable, wanted more than others were willing to give. Yet he continued his long, courageous movement of unconditional love. Even when his love was not returned, Jesus showed the way to fullness through his generous and abundant heart.
The life of Jesus was the deepest expression of God’s own heart. Is it possible that God could be vulnerable enough to feel what the poet Edna St. Vincent Millay describes when she writes, “They say when you are missing someone that they are probably feeling the same, but I don’t think it’s possible for you to miss me as much as I’m missing you right now.” Could God be missing you and longing for you at this moment?
Our hearts are designed to love God and others. We live with fullness when God’s loving presence becomes our first priority. Then, filled to the brim, we share that loving presence with others. This Sunday at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Eastern on livestream—and later on demand—we’ll worship in Love’s Presence.
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.
Daylight Saving Time
It’s time to spring ahead! Remember to set your clocks one hour ahead before you go to sleep this Saturday, or you’ll be late to church. Don’t forget to change your smoke detector batteries while you’re at it.
Shaping our Church
We’ve planned a series of important conversations about how MCCDC can continue ministering to our church community, our city, and our world. We invite you to join us in prayerful discernment about where our journey will take us next, as we celebrate our 51st anniversary.
• Congregational Forum: Sunday, March 13
• Conversation with our Pastors: Sunday, March 20
• Congregational Meeting: Sunday, March 27
All three discussions will be held via Zoom at 12:30 p.m. EDT, after Sunday worship. Here’s how you can participate:
• Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
• Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 849 4265 4825
• Dial (301) 715-8592 by phone, using the same Meeting ID
Church members will receive a separate email with an information packet ahead of this Sunday’s forum. Please contact Rev. Cathy, revcathy@mccdc.com, if you don’t receive the packet
Writers’ Ministry
We invite you to read this letter from Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline, our Writer-Theologian in Residence, about his upcoming sabbatical. Please address any questions to Rev. Dwayne at revdwayne@mccdc.com.
Our Writers’ Ministry will meet via Zoom at 3:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, March 19. Click Here to Join via Zoom:
2021 Giving Statements
MCCDC’s Church Administrator and Assistant Treasurer have finished emailing 2021 giving statements to everyone for whom we have a valid address. If you expected your statement via email and have not yet received it, please email treasurer@mccdc.com.
We continue sending paper statements via US Mail to those we cannot reach via email. Call 202-638-7373 with questions.
Interactive Worship Features
Beginning this Sunday, we’ll offer a period of quiet reflection during our 9:00 a.m. Borderfree Worship. At 11:00 a.m., we’ll invite everyone to share comments or questions in the YouTube or Facebook chat. Our A/V team will relay messages to the pastors to answer during service. Please address ay questions to Rev. Dwayne and Rev. Cathy at revdwayne@mccdc.com or revcathy@mccdc.com
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
• Glenn Conway’s cousin Trey • Rev, Dennis Johnson • Delores Fowler •Dale Madyun-Baskerville’s brother, Mike Washington • Tim Helm • Maria Hill • Evelyn Jones • Bob Jones & son Chuck & wife Karen • Jerry Giem & son, Jason & nephew, Travis • Dr. Veronica Franklin • Valeria Myers’ children Chantelle & Donald • Michelle Lax • George Kerr, III • Kim Battle • Randy Punley •Cecilia Hayden-Smith and Esther Smith’s health • Rose Williams’ healing •Lynn Sulyma •Marcus Garnett •Renee Valentine & brother •Arden Shutt •Steve Sloane •Glenn Conrad •Anthony Goode •Jeffrey Luckenbach •Cathy Batson’s niece Lisa •Bill Campbell •Mark Kelly •Joshua Benkins’ health of Isaac David Benkins, father •Elaine Durden-Hunter healing for her dog, Angel •Angela Terrell •Elaine Durden-Hunter’s mother, Earline T.Green •Donna and Karen Payne-Hardy at the death of Donna ‘s mother • Jason mother for continue healing
“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
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
