This Week’s Reflection
“Pray and wait. Wait and pray. As much as you can, be patient. Be Still. Hope fiercely. Deep in the gathering dark, something tender is forming. Something beautiful—something for the world’s saving—waits to be born.” ~Debi Thomas
Our theme for Advent and Christmas is “Christmas Hope in Chaotic Times.” Though songs and movies portray the ideal Christmas, real life Christmas is often troubled. Troubles don’t pause on December 25. Christmas shows up no matter what is going on. Christmas doesn’t wait to show up when things are more hopeful and it “feels” more like Christmas. Christmas doesn’t wait, yet we do. We wait, watch and work for hope. Christmas comes into the midst of what is, including the chaotic global realities of 2023.
How many times in the last few years have we heard it said: “We live in unprecedented times”? I’ve heard it so many times it has begun to lose its impact. I’ve gotten tired of the unprecedented use of the word unprecedented. Yet maybe one of the invitations of Advent is to linger with the word. As we linger with the word unprecedented, perhaps hope will emerge in the lingering. Advent takes us on a journey to something truly unprecedented: the birth of Jesus.
Never before had something so unexpected happened in such an unexpected place. In the out of the way town of Bethlehem, a new way was born. The universe moved. It was a divine shift. It was Divine Love, showing up as a vulnerable infant. The coming of Jesus was and is God’s greatest act of unconditional love. This gift of God’s love reminds us that we are worthy to receive the fullness that God holds for each of us. This gift reminds us that we too are gifts. We are each called to share the gift of God’s love with others by opening our lives. We become agents of hope.
In Sunday’s scripture for the First Sunday of Advent from Mark 13: 24-37 Jesus says, “What I say to you, I say to all: keep watch!” For what are we watching? For whom are we watching? The invitation of Jesus is to keep our hearts and minds watchful for the next unprecedented thing God will do. I believe the unprecedented thing could be renewed hope, emerging true and strong during unprecedented times.
In Christmas Hope,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
P.S. Worship is at 9a.m. and 11a.m EST in the Sanctuary and online/on demand.
37th Walk & 5K to End HIV
Please plan to join MCCDC in the 37th annual Walk & 5K to End HIV on Saturday, December 2nd at 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Gateway DC Pavilion, 2700 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE. You can still participate virtually as well. Click here to donate or join MCCDC Team. Contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at baskerd6109@gmail.com for more information
CHRISTMAS HOPE
MCCDC Seasonal Services
Please join us for the following Seasonal Services:
• 24 December, 10 am Christmas Eve Morning: In Person and Live Stream.
• 24 December, 5 pm EST Christmas Eve with Candles: In Person ONLY
• 31 December, 10 am EST, New Year’s Eve Morning:In Person and Live Stream.
Join us in person at 474 Ridge St NW, Washington DC or live stream at live.mccdc.com
MCCDC Church Wide Christmas Potluck
Come Join your church family on 10 December at 12:30 pm/EST for a Potluck meal. The Older Adult Ministry and the Pastoral Care Ministry are sponsoring the meats.
The following items are still needed: soda, bottled water, four-10 lbs. bags of ice, paper plates, paper bowls, foil pans, Streno to heat food and napkins.
Coordinate with Cecelia Hayen-Smith at the welcome hall table on what you are bringing or email Dale Madyun-Baskerville at oam@mccdc.com.
2023 Giving Statements Are Coming Soon!
The treasurer and assistant treasurer are preparing your giving statement for tax year 2023. Giving statements will be emailed in phases during the coming weeks. For those who do not have a working email address on file or who do not have access to email, the 2023 giving statement will be sent out via postal mail.
Please contact treasurer@mccdc.com with questions.
Christmas Reflection
During the holiday season we reflect on many events that has occurred throughout the year.
Please join us on Tuesday December 5th and 12th at 7pm, via Zoom for a Special Bible Study to gather, grieve, honor and remember those who have lost loved ones during the holiday season.
Click here to join or go to calendar.mccdc.com and click on the dates listed above for the bible study zoom link.
Come 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.
End of Year Gift
Make your End of Year Gift TODAY! Help MCCDC to go into 2024 year strong.
Go to donate.mccdc.com and select End of Year Gift from the menu. This gift will count toward your tax-free contribution for 2023.
Pathways 2 Generosity, Prayer #87 by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
“I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.” ~ Mary Oliver
Dear God, thank you for bringing us into this world to learn about You and live our purpose according to your plan for us. Help us to not to worry about things that we cannot control, but to make right decisions and follow-through courageously, trusting you each step of the process even when it’s too dark to see the next step. When we are tempted to give up, we pray to overcome fear, let go of excuses, procrastination, doubt, and other stumbling blocks we may confront. We want to carry your Light within us for the whole world to see that it is not by our works alone but by faith with works and trusting You, our goals and dreams are accomplished.
Thank you for our spiritual gathering place, Metropolitan Community Church of Washington DC, and all spiritual places of worship. We are grateful for the financial gifts, talents, skills, time, and treasures shared in gathering souls for your realm.. Thank you for the strength to march on in faith, believing, and accepting wholeheartedly the mission and vision before us to bless a prosperous church “without borders.” Praise your many holy names. Amen.
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through divine mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20 (New Living Translation)
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
Bill Campbell * Jerry Giem * Tim Helm * 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 * Anthony Goode * Randy Punley * 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 * Mike Washington * Buck Carlson * Johanna Hardy * Doris Carter Washington of Alexandria * Melvin Moore Adams* John Hylton * Summer Allen
“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.
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
Watch on YouTube
