This Week’s Reflection
“For liberation we have been liberated.” ~Galatians 5:1
As we soon enter a third year of protocols due to c19, there is angry debate about freedom and rights. The result has been politicization and conflict. Sadly, there have been too few conversations about shared responsibility, loving one another, and liberty that transcends physical distancing and face coverings.
This Sunday, we begin a new worship series with the theme “Living Liberation.” We will explore the dynamics, joys and challenges of true liberty. This liberty cannot be blocked by face coverings or confined by the walls of one’s home during quarantine.
Through Spirit and faith, our liberation lives. Paul, who knew what it meant to be bound by prison walls, describes such living liberty: “Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17). Not only is this liberty living, it brings life. Paul and Silas offered songs of praise though held captive, with an enlivening ripple effect that continues to this day. This liberty is the singing of Maya Angelou’s caged bird. And Nelson Mandela lived unblocked by resentment when he wrote: “You will achieve more in this world through acts of mercy than you will through acts of retribution.”
Liberation is a daily choice. In this worship series, we’ll build our “liberty muscles,” our power to choose, knowing God created us for wholeness. We’ll also look at supporting the liberation of others, individually and collectively.
One of the greatest sources of liberty is offered by scripture. Sunday’s text from Jeremiah 1: 4-10 describes the formational, authoritative, affirmative and causative power of the word when the Eternal proclaims through the prophet: “My word will rebuild and plant anew” (Jer. 1:10).
We acknowledge that bibles have also been used to bash. This often comes up in our Tuesday Night Bible Study. For those who have experienced bible abuse, how do we reclaim the word for good?
Join us for our new Worship series online this Sunday at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Eastern, or later on demand. My prayer is that however you have been impacted by c19 and the other “confining” realities of these times, you will be lifted anew by the breath of living liberation.
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.
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
2021 Giving Statements Are Coming Soon.
MCCDC church administrator and assistant treasurer are preparing your giving statement for tax year 2021. Giving statements will be emailed in phases between January 17, 2022, and March 4, 2022.
For those who do not have a working email address on file or who do not have access to email, the 2021 giving statement will be sent out via postal mail. Please contact churchoffice@mccdc.com if you have questions.
c19 Test Kits and More
Visit covidtests.gov to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests via USPS. Every household can order four tests.
The federal government is also making N95 masks available for free. These will be distributed through pharmacies and community health centers. CVS, Walgreens and Whitman-Walker have all said they’ll announce more details when available.
You may also want to download a free contact exposure tracking app for your smartphone. These are available for the District, Maryland and Virginia and use location-based technology to notify you if you’ve been exposed to someone who tested positive.
Writers’ Ministry
Our Writers’ Ministry meets this Saturday,February 19th at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. Click here for the Zoom link and contact Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline, Writer-Theologian in Residence, at writer@robinhawleygorsline.com for more information.
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
Jason Jedlinski mother for healing • 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!
