This Week’s Reflection

“Don’t be surprised that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’ God’s Spirit blows wherever it wishes. You hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going.” ~Jesus, John 3:7-8, Common English Bible

If you’re doing well, why would you consider beginning again? Nicodemus was a respected teacher and leader. His presence conveyed success and power. He was a person of precision. He believed in showing up on time, measuring things correctly, and being precise in his theology. Yet something he could not precisely define or measure pulled him to Jesus. At night. And so at night he came to Jesus in search of something more.

Our gospel text from John 3:1-17 is an invitation to the wild side of Lent. It is open territory. Jesus offers Nicodemus something mysterious and messy, with imprecise terms such as “born anew,” “water and Spirit,” and “God’s Spirit blows wherever it wishes… you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going.” If Nicodemus was coming to Jesus for a well ordered to-do list, he left frustrated.

I imagine Nicodemus, like most of us, liked to know where he was going and what was coming next. Jesus didn’t offer turn by turn directions to Nicodemus. Instead Jesus offers some confusing descriptions. After Jesus completes his descriptions of the spiritual life, the text does not offer Nicodemus’ response or his further questions. Perhaps Jesus has opened so many cans of worms that Nicodemus walks away overwhelmed, beyond words. Without further explanation or description, John 3:22 flatly moves to the next scene: “Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside.”

Join us for the Second Sunday in Lent for Borderfree Worship in the Sanctuary or online at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. ET or later on demand.

In preparation for Sunday, join me in reflecting on this quote by Dan Clendenin: “True religion requires lifelong conversion—often from my own religious ideas and practices. I must be born again. From above. Like Nicodemus… Again and again, all my life long. In my thoughts, in my words, and in my deeds. May it begin again this Lent.”

Grace and peace,

Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson

Senior Pastor, MCCDC

Congregational Forum & Meeting

Please save the date and plan to join us after worship at 12:30 p.m. EST for our Congregational Forum on Sunday, March 12th and our Congregational Meeting on Sunday, March 26th. Contact Rev. Cathy, revcathy@mccdc.com, with question

Older Adult Ministry

MCCDC’s Older Adult Ministry will meet after worship this Sunday, March 5th at 1:00 p.m. ET. Experts from Whitman-Walker will join us to discuss wills & estate planning. All are welcome!

Join us in person at 474 Ridge Street NW or by Zoom, using one of these:

Click here to open Zoom Link
Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 824 9552 3942
Dial (301) 715-8592 by phone, using the same Meeting ID

Annual Giving Statements

We have begun preparing giving statements for the 2022 tax year. We will be sending giving statements via email, in batches, beginning January 25th and continuing through March 3rd.

If we don’t have a working email address on file for you, or if you don’t have access to email, we will mail your giving statement via USPS, or you can pick it up in-person after an MCCDC Sunday worship service. Please contact Chocolatté Miller at chocolatte.miller@outlook.com if you have questions.

Borderfree Worship Update

Effective Tuesday, November 1, MCCDC adopted a flexible masking policy. That means when you enter the church at 474 Ridge St NW, you have the flexibility to choose* to wear or not to wear a mask.

• · Please continue to social distance. Respect personal space.
• · Respect personal masking choices. Others may be at high risk.
• · Be responsible. If you don’t feel well, have tested positive for COVID, or are otherwise sick; stay home and join us online.

*Note: Individual ministries or other activities/events at MCCDC may still require masks under certain circumstances

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

Pathways 2 Generosity, Prayer #52, by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter

“The movement of the Spirit of God in the hearts of men and women often calls them to act against the spirit of their times or causes them to anticipate a spirit which is yet in the making. In a moment of dedication, they are given wisdom and courage to dare a deed that challenges and to kindle a hope that inspires.” ~Howard Thurman

Dear God, thank you for all you do for us, with us, and through us. We are committed to continue spreading the good news of your enduring gifts of love, wisdom, mercy, compassion and forgiveness throughout the world. We pray to remain a shining light of your goodness that shines in the darkest corners of the earth and all people will come to know that you are God of all creation.

We are grateful for Metropolitan Community Church of Washington DC, and all spiritual places of worship gathering souls for your beloved community. Thank you for the enduring gifts of generosity that inspire us to share talents, skills, financial gifts, time, and treasures for the work you have ordained us to perform for your glory. We shout hallelujah and claim the victory in your many names. Amen!

“But thanks be to God! God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear siblings, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” ~Romans 15: 57, 58

“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” — Habakkuk 2:3

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

“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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