This Week’s Reflection

Because there are people who produce death,
People, human beings like us,
And they must be held responsible for the evil that they spread.
Exactly like Jesus, we must be unafraid of facing the power.
~How Do you Confront Power? From Liturgies from Below
by Claudio Carvalhaes

During this time of Advent that we are reminded to prepare our hearts, minds, and spirits for the arrival of the Holy One, let us receive that invitation with curiosity and openness. Each person in our congregation approaches the holiday season through the filters of their distant and/or immediate past. Past times that might be filled with joy, expectation, grief, grieving, turbulence, or uncertainty. During these present moments, the chaotic times, the quiet times, the even-keel times, in the moment, we are invited to lean in to all that God has for each of us. Love, presence, the potential for peace, hope and joy.

Finding or creating balance in this season may be quite easy for some and a bridge too far for others. As members of this community of faith, we can each purpose to reach out, to be present with those who may be grieving or in need, to bake the proverbial casserole, to be neighborly, kind, and compassionate. If there are needs, make them known. If there are joys, share them. If there are sorrows, pour your spirit out to the God of your understanding. I encourage you to take a brief respite right now to experience the message of Tauren Wells in his song “Hills and Valleys”. Allow the words to sink in and know that you are not alone whatever you are facing. Tauren Wells – Hills and Valleys.

The root of this Advent season is in presence and promise. Promises made and promises fulfilled. God sends Jesus in the flesh to dwell among humanity and show a different way to be in relationship to the Divine.

God shows up to be dependable, accountable, and trustworthy. Our scripture this Sunday is Isaiah 35: 1-10 which has intriguing themes of hope and joy for us to consider during this time of preparation. The passage also has ablest language that we will investigate and challenge. Please plan to join your MCCDC family at 9am or 11am ET or later on demand.

Peace,

Rev Cathy Alexander

MCCDC, Associate Pastor

Christmas Tributes

This Christmas, we invite you to remember someone you love with a tribute. Their names will be included in our Sunday worship folder and also displayed at the end of Sunday livestream 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.

Share the Love

After a year of faithful ministry, loving care, and dedicated service to our community, we want to say THANK YOU to our Pastors, Music Ministers and Staff at MCCDC. They have been a blessing to all of us throughout the year, so let us be a blessing to them! Please consider showing your appreciation by reaching out to them and by contributing to a Love Offering that we will take on Sunday, December 18th, 2022.

Please selected s “Love Offering 2022.” from the drop down menu. Click here to donate. Thank you for your continued generosity!

Blue Christmas

The holiday season is not happy and merry for everyone yet it can be a time of reflection and sacred connection.
Please join us on Tuesday December 6th and 13th at 7pm ET Zoom for a special Bible Study to gather, grieve, honor and remember those who have lost loved ones during the holiday season.

Here are three ways to participate:
Click here to join
Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 434 566 329
Call In At: 301-715-8592, Meeting ID: 434 566 329

Join us for a time of community gathering, support and encouragement. Please contact Rev. Cathy (revcathy@mccdc.com) and Dr. Carla (drcarla@mccdc.com) for more information.

Bible in 90 Days

We invite you, your family and friends to join us on our every-other-year journey in reading the entire Bible cover-to-cover in 90 days. In 2023, participation will be virtual, so join us from wherever you are! To sign up or get more information, visit mccdc.com/b90 or email mccdcin90@gmail.com.

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 to . reportphishing@apwg.org. or report to GMAIL at the following link Click here to report to GMAIL

Barnabas Culture

One by the name of Joseph, in Acts 4:36 was called “Barnabas” by the Apostles, because he had an encouraging spirit. His words consoled and encouraged those who heard him. For those interested in learning more about Barnabas Culture, MCCDC Ministry Intern Rev. Teresa Tygart will host training sessions 7:00 p.m. Eastern, Thursday. Click Here to Join The Zoom Thursday Nights For more information or questions Email preachertygart@gmail.com.

Borderfree Worship Update

Effective Tuesday, November 1, MCCDC will adopt 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 #41, by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter

“It’s what you sow that multiplies, not what you keep in the bank.” — Adrian Rogers

Dear God, we are grateful for the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington DC, where we can worship in person or online. Thank you for the audio/visual teams and the technology that enables us and all spiritual places of worship to spread the good tidings of your love and grace throughout the world “harvesting hearts” for your beloved community.

We are grateful that you bless us to sow and multiply good works in serving others so that your love is glorified through us as a shining light. We desire to continue being a cheerful giver, and trust you to supply all our needs as we share generously of our spiritual gifts and material possessions to accomplish the mission set before us. Thank you in your many names. Amen!

“Now may [the Creator] who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.” 2nd Corinthians 9:10 (NIV)

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 at the recent passing of his partner Bob Jones • Tim Helm • Min. Diedre Gray • Mark Kelley and Bill Campbell • James Newkirk ? 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 mother Earline • Angela Terrell • Carol Washington for the peaceful transition of her mother • Mike Washington •Angela Dodd for healing •Buck Carlson •Lolita Gleaton for healing from her cancer • Cameron & Sabrina Beauford for the health of their unborn baby • Mezyi Choi request prayer for her success healing from surgery

“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!