This Week’s Reflection
We are entering the Advent season with its themes of Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace. This period of preparation and anticipation is the time that leads to Christmas. It is a time during the church’s liturgical calendar when we are asked to reflect on, and anticipate, both the arrival of the Christ child and the next coming of Christ. So often in our daily lives, as is the case in Christian worship, we celebrate and anticipate. We celebrate, commemorate, and remember the past, and what has already happened. And we anticipate the “not yet,” the yet to be, that which is promised and expected. This is our reminder each year at Advent.
We can use these markers in the church calendar as reminders to “try on” and “try out” spiritual practices, to reflect on what we might keep, what we might try on, and what we might change in our relationship to God and each other. We can also take this time to recommit ourselves to serving the God of our understanding. I invite you to commune with your God in ways that are special and significant to you while you seek closeness, answers to prayer and invigoration.
Our theme for the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany season is “Follow the Star.” We look forward to the season that reminds us that there was a star in the sky leading the way and marking the location of the Christ Child. The “already and not yet” of the season ushers us to the manger birth of the incarnate Emmanuel. The Word became flesh and chose to live among humanity. At the same time in this season, we are also encouraged to look forward to a time of the coming Christ. Some call this event the second coming of Christ, not as a child yet as a regal agent of change.
Wherever your belief in God leads you during this season, move boldly into that in-between space. Embrace the place of knowing and not knowing, of trusting and expecting the hopeful possibilities of what may be in store for us as individuals and as a community of faith. We hope you will join your MCCDC family in person or online at 9:00 or 11:00 a.m. ET, or on demand any time as we draw our conversation from three scripture passages of preparation: Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-28, 34-36a.
Peace,
Rev Cathy Alexander
Associate Pastor, MCCDC
If you plan to join us in person this Sunday, please remember to visit checkin.mccdc.com and let us know you’re coming!
Remembering Matthew Shepard
The Washington National Cathedral is planning several special events in honor of what would have been Matthew Shepard’s 45th birthday. Next Wednesday, December 1st, let us remember Matthew, reflect on his commitment to a more caring and just world, and resolve to embrace the dignity and equality of all people. The National Cathedral will host an online prayer at 7:00 a.m., visitation at Matthew’s final resting place (from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., masks required), and an evening service at 5:30 p.m., which will be streamed on YouTube.
Christmas Concert & Tributes
Mark your calendar for 7:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 11th. We’ll host a Zoom “watch party” for the live premiere of our “Follow the Star” Christmas concert on YouTube. We will not host an in-person event because of the ongoing threat posed by Covid-19.
We also invite you to remember someone you love with a tribute this Christmas. Their names will be included in our Sunday worship folder and also displayed at the end of Sunday worship throughout the Advent season. We suggest a donation of $20.00 per tribute. All gifts matter. Here’s an online form to pay with credit card or electronic debit. You can also print this form and mail it to the church with a check.
“Email Scam Alert”
Someone has been sending email claiming to be Rev. Dwayne and requesting people buy gift cards. This is a scam! (Rev. Dwayne has only one email address, revdwayne@mccdc.com). Delete the email or report it as spam.
Click here for advice from the FTC about how to recognize “phishing” scams. Never reveal personal or financial information via email. Do not click links if you don’t recognize the sender. Don’t just check their name, inspect the email address by hovering your mouse over the ‘from’ address. Make sure no alterations (like additional numbers or letters) have been made
Membership Class
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a member of MCCDC, a membership class will be offered on Sunday December 12th from 12:30 pm ET to 2 pm ET. Please contact Rev Dwayne (revdewayne@mccdc.com) or Rev Cathy (revcathy@mccdc.com) if you would like to attend or have questions.
Joan Cunningham 1936-2020
MCCDC will host a celebration of life for Joan Cunningham, who passed into eternal life last December. Please join us at 11:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, December 28th, either in person at Fifth & Ridge or via livestream, live.mccdc.com.
C19 Booster Shots
COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are now available for anyone age 65+ who received the Pfizer vaccine more than six months ago. Most pharmacies offer walk-in service. (Guidance for Moderna and J&J recipients is forthcoming from the CDC.)
Booster shots are authorized for people 18-64 with underlying medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, obesity; people 18-64 who work in high-risk settings including healthcare, schools and grocery stores. Additional doses are also recommended for immunocompromised individuals.
Find your vaccine card or access your vaccine record by visiting myir.dc.gov (DC), md.myir.net (Maryland), vdh.virginia.gov (Virginia); call your healthcare provider to discuss your options for a booster, or visit vaccines.gov to find a location near you.
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
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
“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!
