Jesus said, “Live ecstatically. Move out of that place of death and toward life because I am the God who is living. Wherever I am, there is life, there is change, there is growth, there is increase and blossoming and something new. I am going to make everything new.”
~ Henri J.M. Nouwen
“Live Well. Love Well.” Our theme for Lent is not just a tagline. Nor is it a spiritual bypass from real life. Often, life hurts. Often, life is messy. Often, life is overwhelming. That is true in our text this Sunday from John 11:1-46. In this multifaceted story of the raising of Lazarus, we see raw grief and pain, mixed with confusion, accusations and unmet expectations. How does one flourish when bad news converges? How about when a bad situation gets worse? I invite you to reflect on John 11:1-46 in preparation for Sunday. And consider these questions:
~How have I experienced God’s activity in my life during times of struggle?
~Why didn’t Jesus unbind Lazarus?
Instead, Jesus asked others to do so: “Unbind him and let him go” (v.44).
~How is God calling you and your community to flourish?
Lori L. J. Rosenkvist offers a prayer for us to pray together: “Loving God, we turn to you in times of joy and sorrow. You know us through and through. Help us to trust your deep and abiding care for us in death and in life. Amen.” See you Sunday at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
By Faith, Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
UPCOMING EVENTS APRIL 2017
LANDSCAPING DAY of SERVICE – 9am-1pm, SAT., APRIL 1st!
Join other MCCers to beautiful our church’s property for Spring and Easter. We’ll rake and collect debris, trim bushes, pull weeds, plant flowers and make our church and neighborhood prettier. This is a great way to connect to someone you may not yet know. Join us for fun and building community with each other. If you can, please bring your landscaping tools (rakes, brooms, gloves, clippers, etc.).
We’ll have some light breakfast foods to fuel us. Please RSVP to Greg Snyder, gcsnyder01@aol.com, 202-427-6313, if you can join us.
MCC Eastern Network Spring Gathering. All are Welcome!
MCC Eastern Network Gathering 2017 Agenda
8:30 – 9:00 am Gathering and Registration (Light breakfast)
9:00 – 9:10 am Opening Prayer – Welcome
Leadership team and Pastor Kenny
9:10 – 9:40 am Church/Organization Sharing and Updates
9:40 – 10:00 am DC Rape Crisis Center Presentation for Sexual Assault Awareness Month
10:00 – 10:15 am Break and Picture
10:15 – 11:45 am Rev. Elder Tony Freeman, OCLH Presentation on Church Revitalization
11:45 – 12:00 pm Break and Set up for Worship
12:00 – 12:45 pm Worship
12:45 – 2:00 pm Working Lunch
Clergy, Lay Delegates, Non Parish based clergy, Ministry Leaders and participants, BoD/Treasurers, Young Adults [Local church resource sharing and Network future setting]
2:10 – 3:00 pm Roundtable Discussion Facilitated by Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
3:00 – 3:10 Break
3:15 – 3:55 pm Special Event featuring Music, Word and Spirit facilitated by David North
4:00 pm Sending Forth
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
In the United States April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). During April people raise awareness about sexual violence and how to prevent it. Since 2001, NSVRC has provided resources to help individuals and organizations plan SAAM activities in their communities and play a role in prevention throughout the year.
You can contact organizations in your state or community to learn more about activities planned for SAAM.
Click Here For More Information
Learn more about the history of SAAM.
Click Here For More Information about the History
Learn more of how you can get involved.
Click Here For More Information
MCC Conference for People of African Descent(PAD)
MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS!
Today I registered for the MCC Conference for People of African Descent, Friends and Advocates (PAD). This is the 9th PAD Conference. Through the years, I have been challenged and inspired at these conferences. I have received tools to help me be a better though imperfect advocate. I have also made friendships that provide mutual nourishment to keep doing the difficult yet joyful work of justice. I would like for at least twenty people from MCCDC to join me from August 3-5 in St. Louis.
See You in St Louis! Rev. Elder Dwayne
Click Here for Registration and Conference Information
“Lenten Lunchtime Prayer”
You are invited to join in the Weekly Wednesday Lunchtime Prayer throughout the Lenten season. During this time you can call into pray or present prayer requests or offer scripture or testimony
Call in number: 857-232-0476, Passcode 976702
This phone service, will run for 40 minutes (representing the 40 days Christ spent in the desert) starting at noon and ending a 12:40pm each Wednesday from Ash Wednesday until Easter week – from March 1 until April 12. Please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or call 202-638-7373
MCCDC Goes to the Theater
Join us on Friday April 28th at 8PM at the Area Stage Theater. If you are interested, please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373. Tickets are $50 yet limited scholarships are available. Confirmation and payment deadline is March 26th. Seats are limited so don’t wait to sign up.
11AM music director Tyrone Stanley is performing in “The Wiz”
Morgan State University
2201 Argonne Drive Baltimore, MD 21251
For show times and Ticket Purchase call
Murphy Fine Arts Center 443-885-4440 or Ticket Master 800-551-seat
Soccer Night Out with the Young Adult Ministry
For more information contact the MCCDC Yams at MCCDCYAMS@gmail.com
CHURCH NEWS
MCCDC 46th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Saturday May 6 at 6 p.m., Sunday May 7 at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
INVITATION TO TRANSFORMATION
Special Preaching Guest
Rev. David North
Plan to join us for special 46th Anniversary services. Saturday night will be a time of sharing a meal, lots of music, and a Spirit-led word from Rev. David North. Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. and flow into a great time of worship. Our Sunday services will celebrate our stories and the people who have made MCCDC a place of transformation through the years. The service will also include special music and a some surprises to inspire us forward to continue our journey of transformation.
Join the National Center for Transgender Equality
Join the National Center for Transgender Equality on Friday, June 9th for a Transgender Lobby Day on Capitol Hill!
NCTE works hard in Washington D.C. to fight anti-trans legislation and promote trans inclusive policies, but we need you here too. Your presence and personal stories provide the human experiences that change hearts and minds. When you make your voice heard, your lawmakers take note!
This year, we want legislators to know the trans community and understand that we are a powerful force for progress. We must make it clear that the trans community is strong and organized and stands in solidarity with other communities under attack around the country.
Sign up here to meet with your representatives one-on-one.
Sign up here to meet with your representative one-on-one
When: Thursday, June 8th – Friday, June 9th, 2017
Where: Washington, DC
Who should register?
• Transgender people
• Parents and families of transgender people
• Transgender rights advocates and allies
What to expect
You will connect with a network of advocates and supporters of trans equality while gaining the tools necessary to effectively lobby your representatives in D.C. and your home state.
Join dozens of others who will walk the halls of the U.S. Congress sharing personal stories and encouraging legislators to do the right thing by supporting transgender rights.Limited travel and housing assistance is available. We want legislators to hear your voice.
Click Here For More Information
If you have more questions about this or anything else related to Lobby Day, contact me at kmasen@transequality.org.
Kory
Kory Masen, Lobby Day Organizer
National Center for Transgender Equality
CONNECT WITH NCTE
National Center for Transgender Equality
1400 16th St. NW, Suite 510
Washington D.C. 20036
BIBLE IN 90 DAYS COMMUNITY
Wednesday, 7 PM
Please go to this blog page for more instructions and to follow along: Click here to enter the blog
The call in number for our community meeting times will be (641) 715-0632, Access Code: 190766, yet we encourage you to attend in person if you can.
Click here to see upcoming schedule: 2017-bible-in-90-days-schedule
If you have questions, contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373. Please call or email to let us know if you plan to participate. All are welcome.
THE OLDER ADULTS MINISTRY POTLUCK
April 2, 2017, 12:30 PM, LOWER LEVEL
The Older Adult Ministry Monthly Pot Luck will be held today. All Older Adults 50 and above welcome to attend.
THE YOUNG ADULTS MINISTRY POTLUCK
The Young Adults Ministry (YAMs) of MCCDC will be hosting a Potluck/Ministry meeting on Sunday, April 9th at 12:30pm in the Lower Level Conference room. We will be discussing and planning upcoming events. Please RSVP to MCCDC.YAMs@gmail.com to let us know if you are planning to attend and what item(s) you would like to contribute.
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Tuesday night bible study is currently reading the book “The Shack” the New York Times best-selling novel, The Shack takes us on a father’s uplifting spiritual journey. After suffering a family tragedy, Mack Phillips [Sam Worthington] spirals into a deep depression causing him to question his innermost beliefs. Facing a crisis of faith, he receives a mysterious letter urging him to an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Despite his doubts, Mack journeys to the shack and encounters an enigmatic trio of strangers led by a woman named Papa. Through this meeting, Mack finds important truths that will transform his understanding of his tragedy and change his life forever
Please join the Tuesday Night Bible Study from 7-8 PM in the Welcome Hall. For more information please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
Save this date! Easter Spring Bazaar
For More Information contact C.C. Petee at 240-305-9922 or Fenicia Ballard at 540-841 1633
MCCDC LIVE STREAMING
MCCDC is going 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.
YOGA CLASSES
YOGA Classes at MCCDC! There is room for you!
To nourish your physical body in addition to your spiritual body. Yoga is held on Mondays from 7-8 PM. Hope to see you then. If you have questions or desire additional information please contact Rev. Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
~ Namaste (“The Spirit in me honors the Spirit in you”)
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
Adult Sunday School is held from 10:15 to 10:50. Please bring your coffee or tea to the upstairs conference room for the brief yet powerful time together. For more information contact Rose Herring at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
Jonah at Sight and Sound Theater
The Tuesday night Bible Study Ministry is sponsoring a trip to see the stage production of Jonah at Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, PA. The trip will be on Saturday Aug 19 leaving MCCDC by caravan at 8 AM and returning to MCCDC around 8 PM. This production will also complement the Tuesday Night Bible Study focus on the prophet Jonah in August. For more information please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at baskerd6109@gmail.com or 202-638-7373.
Click here to find out more information from about the show.
