“To hope in Jesus is to see the vision of his coming presence, and thus one is required by hope itself to live as if the vision is already realized in the present.” ~James Cone
This Sunday is “Hope Sunday.” We anticipate the Christ Child, the embodiment of hope. Like the magi of Matthew 2:1-12, we look for signs of hope. They saw the
wondrous star, and followed it to prophetic fulfillment: “For a child is born to us, an heir is given us, upon whose shoulder dominion will rest. This One shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Strength of God, Eternal Protector, Champion of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
In these confusing times, we receive the hope of our Wonderful Counselor. In these times that call for courage, we receive the hope of the Strength of God. In these times of violence, we receive the hope of our Eternal Protector. In these times of division and disturbance, we receive the hope of the Champion of Peace.
Surely the magi had moments of discouragement on their long journey of following the star. Surely there were moments when they almost gave up hope and turned back. Most likely they questioned their wisdom and wrestled with self-doubt. Yet they followed the star and continued the journey with hope in their hearts.
It is hope that brings us to the fourth verse of “Silent Night.” And it is hope we find therein. This is the hope verse, offering a star of light, angels singing, and the birth of Christ the Savior. Though the word hope is not used, it is expressed in the hopeful star, hopeful singing and hopeful birth.
In preparation for Sunday, I invite you to sing/pray/reflect upon verse four of Silent Night:
Silent night! Holy Night!
Wondrous star, lend thy light;
with the angels let us sing,
“Alleluia” to our King:
“Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born.”
See you Sunday at 9AM and 11AM—a day of hope!
By Faith, Rev Elder Dwayne
“UP COMING EVENTS”
Advent/Christmas HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE
We invite you to remember someone you love with a Remembrance. The names of those remembered will be included in our Sunday bulletin. Please attach a check payable to MCCDC to this form and place it in the communication box (next to the front door) or mail it to the church (474 Ridge St, NW Washington DC 20001). You can also give through the kiosk or at mcccdc.com/donate. The deadline for being included in the bulletin is Wed December 26th.
Advent- Christmas HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE052
Christmas Eve Service on Monday Dec 24th at 7 pm
Christmas Eve Service on Tuesday Dec 24th at 7pm. Come join for a time of community, peace, love and joy.
Church Chat on Sunday 30 December, at 10 am and 12:30 pm
There will be a church chat on Sunday 12/30 in the lower level conference room. Come continue the conversation about:
The M Street Lot Sale
Denominational items
Church finances
Our Aspirations and Future
Please plan on joining us for this brief meeting and bring your questions
Board Announces M Street Lot Closing Date!
~After months of hard work, negotiation, project management and prayers, your Board of Directors is pleased to announce the closing date for the sale of the M Street Lot: December 28! Please give your shout-out to all board members, with special thanks to Jim Garner, Knut Panknin, and former board member Tim Helm (now a Live Stream member from Atlanta) for 18 months of intensive effort on this project.
~What you can do now: Join the Parking Team! The Board expects the buyer to begin construction and development of the property soon after the closing. Parking in the back lot near M Street will be impacted. The Trustees have formed a Parking Team spearheaded by Greg Snyder. If you wish to join the team, or have ideas or questions, please contact Greg at gcsnyder01@aol.com.
~A Church Chat has been planned just two days after the closing on Sunday, December 30 at 10:15AM and 12:30PM. Members of the Board will be present to celebrate, share the latest updates and discuss questions, concerns, and opportunities.
“CHURCH NEWS”
CALLING ALL CREATIVE PEOPLE…YES THIS IS YOU!!for MCCDC’s 2018 Advent Daily Devotionals
During November and early December, we are seeking participants to create the content for MCCDC’s 2018 Advent Daily Devotionals. These Daily Devotionals will be simultaneously published on MCCDC’s Facebook page and distributed by special eblast. Our theme this year is “Calm and Bright,” celebrating the two hundredth anniversary of the beloved Christmas hymn, Silent Night. The first day of Advent is December 2 and it concludes December 23, so we seek 22 devotionals, one for each day. Please contact Rev Dr. Robin Gorsline, MCCDC’s Writer-Theologian in Residence, at RevDrRobin@comcast.net 1 if you would like to participate, have ideas on how to broaden participation, or thoughts on how best to articulate the theme through words, music, or video. We hope a variety of forms will help these meditations touch many, if not all, of us, at this special time.
Unity Fellowship Church, DC Watch Night Service, December 31, 8:00 pm
All are welcome to join the Unity Fellowship of Washington, DC family to celebrate New Year’s Eve. For more information call 202-380-9596 or email unityfellowshipchurchdc@gmail.com
MCC General Conference Registration is open. REGISTER NOW by clicking onthe link below.
Please click here to check out this amazing conference and celebration.
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
Stay current on our video postings .
Click here to see more MCCDC Videos
Inspiration Videos, Metropolitan Community Church of Washington DC
“Ministry Spotlight”
The Soundboard Ministry Needs YOU!!!
Soundboard volunteers are needed for 9am and 11am services. No experience needed. You will be trained on a state of the art soundboard, setting mics up for service and learning the technical side of handling the sound board. We would like to have you train at the 9am service and continue training at the 11am service but if your prefer to train only at one service you can.
Please contact me Michael Cunningham at mjcunningham2013@gmail.com or stop by to talk with any soundboard volunteer.
The Hospitality Ministry Needs Your Help!
If you have hospitality items that you would be willing to bring in and support Sunday hospitality, please contact Sonia Grant in the church office at
churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.. Items for consideration are:
Items that are needed:
White Paper Towel Rolls
Large Cans of Regular Coffee
Large Cans of Decaffeinate Coffee
Box of Coffee Straws
Napkins
Fresh Apples
Fresh Oranges
Plums
Yogurt
Granola Bars
MCCDC Bible Study
A time of community, fun, learning, and sharing!
Tuesdays, from 7:00 – 8:00 PM in the Welcome Hall
For more information please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at the churchoffice@mccdc.com or call (202) 638-737
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Prayers!
Please continue to hold in your prayers Keith Richardson and Fannie Woody who are in Nursing Homes
Join our Worship and Arts Ministry!
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