The scripture for Sunday is a garden of life. It has a little bit of everything: soil, seeds, thorns, birds, and so much more. Like so many scriptures, Jesus’ parable of the sower from Matthew 13: 1-9; 18-23 has often been taught with a slant towards works rather than grace. Too often I’ve read this scripture and ended up feeling not good enough, feeling like bad or rocky soil, and determined to work harder to become good soil.
Today I see this scripture with new eyes. I see God as a joyful sower, tossing seeds everywhere. God is generous in this parable, even frivolous. God is not calculating. God is not holding back. God the Gardner is assuming that all soil holds possibilities. When the birds swoop down and eat the seeds so indiscriminately tossed, is that actually a bad thing? The birds need to eat and in this parable the well-worn path becomes an open buffet.
I find great hope in this teaching from Jesus. When I go through rocky and thorny times or when the soil of my soul seems to lack depth, God is still sowing seeds in my life. Even when I may feel on the verge of giving up, God has not given up, still sowing wildly; I find that deeply encouraging during difficult times, like what we are experiencing now.
I also find hope in how we are called to live out this scripture on behalf of others. We too are called to be sowers. Like our wild God we are invited to spread our gifts generously, with less calculation and more creativity. Keep sowing and leave the growth to God. The seeds of time given for others are never wasted when sowed with generous love. At times I’m disappointed when I’ve given my time to people or projects and have not seen the impact. Now I can look beyond disappointment and know that something is happening to those seeds beyond what I can measure.
God sows always. And God sows all ways and everywhere. We are invited to do the same.
ACTION: In preparation for Sunday, reflect on these questions: Is there any person or situation beyond the grace of God? Is there any “soil” beyond the possibility of God’s seed taking root and growing?
Peace
Rev.Elder Dwayne Johnson
MCCDC Announcements
Innovation Team Podcast
Back in May, we asked you to vote and help name MCCDC’s new podcast. Today, we’re excited to announce the winning name of the podcast is … *drum roll* … Oh Dear What’s It Like To Be.
Thanks to all who voted. The winners of our Amazon gift card drawing are Monika Lawrence and Cathy Batson! If you’d like to get involved in the creating of the podcast, please e-mail innovation@mccdc.com. Stay tuned for updates on the official launch.
Create Music & Art with Eclectic Praise
Call for video clips! Eclectic Praise is working on our next video project and we INVITE YOU to join us!
During social distancing, we experimented with creating art together even while we are physically apart. The current EP project song is God Only Knows which has a powerful message you can be a part of conveying!
Deadline for submissions is Friday, July 10, 2020. Just send us a video clip of you doing everyday things – watching TV, cooking, reading (ideally in a horizontal view) – and your clip may be incorporated in our video!
Email us for more information or questions. Submit video clips to mccdceclecticpraise@gmail.com. See our previous projects with Click Here to See Moving Spirit: My World Needs OR Click Here to see You and Here I Am to Worship
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
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.
Older Adult Ministry Meeting 19 July 2020 at 1 pm Zoom
Older Adult Ministry will be holding it monthly meeting via Zoom. Guest Speaker for this months meeting is Kirstan Fuller
LGBTQ Program Coordinator Seabury Resources for Aging
For more information contact Dale L. Madyun-Baskerville at mccdcbiblestudy@mccdc.com for meeting informatio
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).
The MCCDC Drama Team Needs You!
No experience required! Just a willing learner. If you have a passion or artistic flare in front of camera come join the MCCDC Drama team! The Drama Ministry meets on Mondays at 6:30 om via Zoom and performs on the Second Sunday of each month. If you are interested, please contact Clara Carter at c4mcarter26@gmail.com.
Electronic Giving
Here is an opportunity to cover the electronic giving transaction fee so that 100% of your donation goes to MCCDC.
Beginning Sunday, May 24, 2020, each time that you make your donation electronically, you will have the option to add $2.00 to help cover the electronic giving transaction fee.
Just Place a check mark next to the statement:
I would like to add $2.00 to help cover the transaction fee so that 100% of my donation supports MCCDC
JOIN REV. DWAYNE IN PRAYER FROM NOON TO 12:30 PM Monday thru Saturday
Phone Number: 646-558-8656, Code: 407 740 6668
Bible Study
A time of community, fun, learning, and sharing!
Tuesdays from 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Via FREE ZOOM Video Conference Call
Click here to see the MCCDC 2020 Bible Study Schedule
Phone Call in number is: 301 715 8592 US,Meeting ID: 434 566 329
Password: Email Dale Madyun-Baskerville at mccdcbiblestudy@mccdc.com for login invitation
“Ministry Spotlight”
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
Click here to see more MCCDC Videos
LiveStream Volunteer’s Needed!
Volunteer! No experience is required. We will train you or someone you recommend. (Perhaps a student interested in picking up new skills?) Opportunities include:
o Producing the livestream itself on Sundays and for special events (greatest need)
o Assisting on Sundays by video recording and managing cameras
o Video editing (this requires access to your own computer and video editing software)
Share our message! Inspired by Rev. Dwayne’s spiritual instruction? Moved by a praise & worship song? Post it on Facebook. Send a link to friends and family. They can tune-in to our livestream or watch worship services on demand at livestream.com/mccdc, through our website at mccdc.com, or browse clips on our YouTube Channel.
Click here to visit MCCDC YouTube channel
Email Johanna at mccdclive@gmail.com or talk to any one of the AV team members to volunteer or for more information
The Soundboard Ministry Needs YOU
Soundboard volunteers are needed for 9 am and 11 am services. No experience needed!
You will be trained on a state of the art soundboard and learn how to set up mics for services.
Ideally, you will train at the 9 am service and continue training at the 11 am service, but we are flexible.
Please contact Michael Cunningham at mjcunningham2013@gmail.com or stop by to talk with any soundboard volunteer.
“CHURCH NEWS”
Coronavirus Hotline DC, MD and VA
Washington DC
After hours, please call the GW Hospital Emergency Department at 202.715.4000
GW Medical CLEVELAND PARK- Phone: 202.525.5287
GW Medical MCPHERSON SQ- Phone: 202.798.0100
1101 15th St NW
GW Medical RHODE ISLAND AVE- Phone: 202.544.7580
Click Here to go to DC Government Corona Virus Web Site
Maryland
Cough, fever, and shortness of breath, are the three symptoms together that raise the concern for coronavirus,
coronavirus hotline at 1-855-600-3453
Click Here to go to Maryland Government Corona Virus Web Site
Virginia
Cough, fever, and shortness of breath, are the three symptoms together that raise the concern for coronavirus,
coronavirus hotline at 1-855-600-3453
Click Here to go Virginia Government Corona Virus Web Site
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
* George Kerr, III * Mama Cee’s sister and niece * Rose Williams,* Lynn Sulyma, * Esther Smith * Marcus Garnett * Renee Valentine * Elaine Durden-Hunter’s mother, Earline * T. Green * Evelyn Jones,* Travis, Jerry Giem’s Nephew * Valerie Myers’ son Donald * Anthony Goode * Larry Harris recent lost of husband Ted Shaffer * Bob Jones’ son Chuck & wife Karen * Steve Sloane * Glenn Conrad * Arden Shutt *Renee Valentine’s brother *Kim Battle *Juanita Dara * Jeffrey Luckenbach * Bill Campbell, * Keith Richardson * Delores Fowler’s sister, Mrs Jenifer Keys passing * Randy Punley
