“Humility always radiates the greatness and glory of God. Through humility we grow in love. Humility is the beginning of sanctity.”
~Mother Teresa in The Joy in Loving by Edward LeJoly and Jaya Chalika
In today’s environment, wherever you find yourself on your life journey and in different situations, there is likely a strong desire and need for wisdom and discernment. The wisdom to know what to do to the best of your ability, and the discernment about timing, attitude, strength, and style. The decisions we each must make on a daily basis can be staggering and some may be life or death. How do we approach these decisions? How do we take advantage of the opportunities, training, and open doors that we are presented with (or that we force open)? Good questions as we continue our season requiring courage, faith, and love in action.
Our scripture for Sunday is 1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14 where we find a history lesson about Jerusalem’s King David’s heritage and succession plan. Here we see his son and successor, Solomon, in a conversation with God. We’re told how faithful he is to follow God’s law, yet he had some challenges in that area. He was not perfect (not unlike ourselves), he stumbled in a few key areas of his relationships, his work, and spiritual life, and still he had a close relationship with God. The writers of the passage explain his “call story” of sorts, as we find out about the origin story of his wisdom, fame, and wealth.
We are each on spiritual journeys that, at points along the way, require decisions, discernment, choices, and prayer. How will we discern or move forward? What role will I have in the future? How will I serve in the community? What is my gift to use in service to God? How do I face the situations and pressures of life, job, and relationship? As we talked about in last week’s Spiritual Engagement Time focused on the writings of Audre Lorde, we talked about the impact of silence. In our genuine humility we can be generous and concerned for and about our own and others’ well-being.
Join us on Sunday for the 9am ET engagement discussions (on site, online, on demand), 9am music rehearsal (on site), 1030am ET worship service (on site, on line, and on demand). We look forward to interacting with you and worshipping with you.
Peace,
Rev Cathy
MCCDC Associate Pastor
Spiritual Engagement Hour
Being Your Authentic Self: Knowing When to Speak and When to be Quiet
Join us Onsite, Online and later On Demand for 9AM Spiritual Engagement and Connection Time.
This Sunday’s Highlights:
+ Our conversation starter for this time of spiritual conversation dialogue is the question asked by author Parker Palmer:
“Is the life that I’m living the same as the life that wants to live in me? ”
+ We’ll share stories and resources
+We’ll share excerpts from Parker Palmer’s book:
“Let Your Life Speak”
+Rev. Cathy and Dr. Carla will continue a conversation that began last Sunday on the work of Audre Lorde. Everyone is welcome to participate on this topic of knowing when to speak and when to remain quite.
Please join us at 9am ET
MCCDC Chapel Onsite, Online & On demand.
Here are three ways to participate:
* Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
* Call In, +1 301 7158592 Meeting ID:850 0797 0818
* In Person 474 Ridge St., NW, Washington, D 20001
Re-Imagine Ensemble
Join us onsite to sing and rehearse for worship.
Make new friends and enjoy a sense of musical belonging.
“Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God” ~Colossians 3:16
MCCDC BIBLE STUDY SUMMER BREAK
Come join us for Bible Study AFTER Summer Break on 10 Sept 2024 Tuesday@ 7PM via ZOOM.
Go to calendar.mccdc.com for the Zoom
Link or email Dale Madyun-Baskerville,
with any mccdcbiblestudy@mccdc.com questions
Atlantic City Trip
MCCDC’s Older Adults Ministry will continue their annual day trip to the Resorts Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
We’ll depart from the church at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 14th. Tickets cost $65 and include $15 for slots. To reserve your seat, visit oam.mccdc.com. Please pay no later than September 9th. Contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville oam@mccdc.com with any questions.
Stronger Together: Being MCC in Politically Perilous Times in the U.S.
For U.S. Pastors, Pastoral Leaders, Network Leaders, and Lay Delegates:
?While on our journey of faith, those who live in the U.S. now find ourselves in politically perilous times. And, we know that MCCers are always STRONGER TOGETHER when we share our journey in faith, prayer, and love.
So the Council of Elders invite you to join us as we explore what we carry in our ‘spiritual backpack’ on this journey and choose to move from independence to interdependence through listening, prayer, action, and hope. We are indeed stronger together and even stronger with love.
Upcoming Schedule: August 31 / September 21 / October 26 / November 16 // 11AM ET / 10AM CT / 9AM MT / 8AM PT / 4PM BT
Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
Join the MCCDC Team!
MCCDC currently has an immediate opening for a part-time custodial position.
Responsible for cleaning and maintaining all areas of church facility. Some grounds work will be required. We offer flexible hours and fair pay. Contact Melvin Moore at 202-638-7373 or email churchoffice@mccdc.com Or Rev Dwayne Johnson at 202-638-7373 or email revdwayne@mccdc.com.
Pathways to Generosity, Prayer #110
“It is easy being grateful when things are going well. To remain grateful during difficult times builds strength and the character to endure.” ~~ Anonymous
Thank you, God, for granting us the riches and the desire to establish and maintain places of spiritual worship for borderless unity that extend beyond walls for all people throughout the whole world. We are grateful for your generous gift of grace, mercy, forgiveness and the various talents bestowed unto us—skills, treasures, financial resources, and the ability to make decisions in executing wise investments and profits to continue your work and being grateful for all things that help grow us in generosity. One of the greatest blessings is sharing prosperity in wonderful ways to help and uplift one another.
Being guided by the Holy Spirit, your peace dwells within us to help us to magnify your great works in different ways through love and acts of kindness. Having faith in you to protect and help us, we must be willing to undertake appropriate actions to accomplish what is before us. God, thank you, in your many precious names! Amen.
“There are no limits to the grace of God, who will make sure you will always have enough of everything and even a surplus for good works, . . . You will be made rich in every way for your generosity, for which we give thanks to God” 2 Corinthians 9:8,11 (The First Egalitarian Translation)
Clara Carter
MCCDC Prayer Supporter
Clara Carter
MCCDC Prayer Supporter
Lunch and Learn Series
Wednesday, August 21st at 12:30 pm
“History of the LGBT Community in DC” Part 2
Discussion led by Darryl Walker. A complimentary lunch provided RSVP to darryl_1945@yahoo.com or call 202-297-688
Hospitality Ministry
MCCDC Hospitality Ministry needs your help!
Please donate:
· Donate/Volunteer your time once a month on Sunday to coordinate, setup or clean up during Hospitality time.
· Donate supplies:
· Food Items: Individually package cookies, Granola bars, Fresh fruit, Yogurt, Coffee, Sugar, Water, tea bags, and juices (Individually cartons)
· Dry Goods: Coffee cups, 8 inch plates, 6 inch plates, paper towels, Clorox Cleaning Spray, dish clothes and dish towels.
Drop off all supplies Sunday morning at the kitchen window. To Volunteer see Dale Madyun-Baskerville on Sunday morning or email oam@mccdc.com
God of My Understanding: Becoming a Spiritual Force
Join MCCDC Bible Study of Jackie Lois book God of My Understanding starting 10 Sept 2024 at 7 PM.
You will discover opportunities for spiritual growth and community that seeks to reach out to many people who never felt at home or previously rejected by church and organized religion.
Click Here to Order Your Book!
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 * Veronica Franklin * Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline * Glenn Conway * Anthony Goode ?Randy Punley * Marcus Garnett *Evelyn Jones * Steve Sloane * Jeffrey Luckenbach ? * Cathy Batson’s niece Lisa * Cynthia Melman *Kim Battle *Joshua Benkins’ at the loss of his father Isaac *Mike Washington * Buck Carlson * Doris Carter Washington of Alexandria * John Hylton * Summer Allen * Ruth Kappy Makekodunmi * Sherry Bradshaw prayers for healing.
* Elaine Durden-Hunter loss of her sister and for healing.
“Church Ministries & Events”
Re-Imagine Ensemble
Join us 9 AM onsite at 474 Ridge ST NW, Washington, DC to sing and rehearse for worship.
Make new friends and enjoy a sense of musical belonging.
“Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God” ~Colossians 3:16
Spiritual Gifts, Get Involved!
You’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 For God
Join Re-Imagine Ensemble
Lift your voice in rehearsals at 09:00 am
On-Site 474 Ridge Street NW Washington, DC 20001
Email: pastors@mccdc.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
Join other MCCDC writers in our monthly Zoom Writing Ministry meeting.
For more information contact gcsnyder01@aol.com.
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
