This Week’s Reflection
One of the most evocative passages in scripture is the story from Luke 24:13-36, often described as The Road to Emmaus.
?In this scene it is Resurrection Day yet few have received the good news. And many who have received the news, don’t believe it. Two friends who had placed their hopes in Jesus are sadly walking the seven miles from Jerusalem to their home in Emmaus. A simple line summarizes their feelings of broken trust: “We had been hoping that Jesus was the One, you know, the One who would liberate all Israel and bring God’s promises” (v21).
This scene shares the characteristics of the scenes that follow the resurrection. They all defy expectations. One might expect the resurrected Jesus to rise up with a great show of power, riling up the masses to revolt against Rome. Actually, this is what many had been hoping for all along. Or one might expect Jesus to return to the temple to preach a sermon even greater than the Sermon on the Mount. Perhaps Jesus will seize the opportunity to point a finger in the faces of many of the religious leaders and say: “I told you so!” Instead, the resurrected Jesus shows up in quiet ways. Jesus tells stories, joins people where they are, and even prepares breakfast for his disciples.
Jesus, the one born in a manger rather than a palace, now shows up on a back road. Jesus, the one who hung out with the marginalized and reached out to the forgotten, now joins two disoriented souls trying to find their way through the twists and turns of tested hope. Jesus appears to them not in their ideal life as they had planned it, but in life as it had turned out to be.
As is often true in the gospels, this story is our story. And the questions raised over 2,000 years ago continue to linger. The story of the road to Emmaus has raised this question for me: “How does Jesus teach us the ways of trust in a world where trust is often broken?”
Join us this Sunday in the Sanctuary at 9 a.m. and 11a.m. ET, or online, or later on demand. As companions on the journey, I invite you to join me in this prayer of preparation:
“Jesus, you continue to redefine our expectations. During these Great Fifty Days of Eastertide, keep us open to the many ways you show up. Help us to open our hearts that like those early companions, our hearts may burn with the revival of trust resurrected. Amen.”
Grace and peace,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
Estate Planning
Join your MCCDC family in learning more about estate planning, wills and legacy giving. The seminar will be on Sunday April 23, 2023 at 1230 EDT by zoom. Attorney Michelle Lanchester will also offer appointments for a free individual consultation.
Join us via zoom after 11 am worship service.
* Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
* Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 814 2530 8574
* Dial (301) 715-8592 by phone, using the same Meeting ID
Writers’ Ministry
Whether you’re an experienced writer or just curious, join the MCCDC Writers’ Ministry via Zoom Monday, April 17th at 10 am Clara Joyfully will facilitate the group’s this month.
The next writers’ ministry will be SATURDAY MAY 13th from 10AM Creating the Generative Story of Your Time.
Azar Jackson will facilitate the group’s in May.
• Click Here to join the zoom automatically for both meetings.
Parking Lot Gate Repaired
We’ve recently completed repairs to our parking lot gate. It will be open for worship on Sundays. If you need access at other times, please contact Melvin in the church office.
Handicap Access
For those visitors and members who require handicap access to the church. The parking lot door will be open for your use during Sunday Services.
Pathways 2 Generosity, Prayer #58 by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
“And this is the strangest of all paradoxes of the human adventure; we live inside all experience, but we are permitted to bear witness only to the outside. Such is the riddle of life and the story of the passing of our days.” — Howard Thurman
Dear God, it is so marvelous to have been created by you! You made us perfectly human and indwelled us with your divine nature. Thank you in everything that we do: the breathing of fresh air, shopping among crowds, traveling by various means of mobility, and taking care of loved ones. We are grateful for your protection as we perform life’s daily routines and rituals.
Thank you for blessing Metropolitan Community Church of Washington DC, and all places of spiritual worship with the spirit of generosity and the commitment to share your goodness through talents, a willingness to serve others, the giving of financial gifts, and treasures. We are grateful for spiritual leaders who teach and guide us according to the plan you have for a beloved community surrounded by your unconditional love.
We pray to continue doing all things to glorify You so that we bear witness to all that you give us. Thank you, in your many precious names. Amen.
And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not LOVE, I am nothing. 1st Corinthians 13:2
Worship Volunteer
We still need volunteers to sustain in-person worship. Please visit volunteer.mccdc.com and fill out the form for the dates and positions in which you can serve your church. Have questions about roles and responsibilities? Contact Chocolatté Miller, chocolatte.miller@outlook.com
Support for Tim Helm
Beloved longtime MCCDC member Tim Helm is recovering from spinal and back wound complications at BridgePoint Hospital on Capitol Hill. Tim welcomes your calls in the afternoon and evening at (202) 368-9877.
Tim, our love and prayers are with you!
~Your MCCDC Family
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
Johanna Hardy• Jerry Giem • Tim Helm • Min. Diedre Gray • Bill Campbell • Denise Wright, her mother Lucy Mae Coombs and her Aunt Lottie Mae King. • Rose Williams• Cecilia Hayden-Smith and Esther Smith’s health• Delores Fowler • Vernessa D. Wilson • Family of Ms. Brittany Harrell • Veronica Franklin• Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline • Glenn Conway • Michelle Lax •Anthony Goode • Valeria Myers’ children Chantelle & Donald • George Kerr, III • Randy Punley • Lynn Sulyma • Marcus Garnett •Renee Valentine’s brother • Arden Shutt • Evelyn Jones• Steve Sloane • Jeffrey Luckenbach • Cathy Batson’s niece Lisa • Cynthia Melman •Kim Battle • Joshua Benkins’ father Isaac •Elaine Durden-Hunter’s recnet loss of her mother Earline • Angela Terrell • Mike Washington •Carol Washington mother’s health •Angela Dodd for healing •Buck Carlson •Lolita Gleaton for healing from her cancer • Mezyi Choi request prayer for her success healing from surgery • Lost of Melvin Moore Adams’ sister Krissandra Moore •Kia Murphy • Doris Carter Washington of Alexandra, Va. request prayer • Loss of Melvin Moore Adams’ sister Krissandra Moore • Patricia Ryan due to the loss of her brother Mickey
•John Hylton • Summer Allen • Healing and recovery for our 9:00 a.m. interpreter Ashley P.
“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
Writing Ministry
Meets Monthy
For more information, contact Jacqueline Laughlin at yemayah@icloud.com.
Barnabas Culture Sessions
Barnabas Culture, Session 7:00 p.m. Eastern, Thursday. Click Here to Join The Zoom Thursday Nights. For more information contact MCCDC Ministry Intern Rev. Teresa Tygart at Email preachertygart@gmail.com.
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
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