This Week’s Reflection
Magnify the Lord or God! Bow low at God’s Holy Mountain because the Lord our God is holy! ~Psalm 99:9
This Sunday is “Transfiguration Sunday.” In the story found in Luke 9:28-36, we, along with disciples Peter, James, and John, catch a glimpse of Jesus’ full and other-worldly radiance and glory. We get the opportunity to experience Jesus’ brilliance. In the same moment, the voice from the cloud makes it clear that it is not the law, nor the prophets represented in Moses and Elijah, that we should cling to. The voice makes clear that we need not turn to other constructs we might build, like “booths or tents,” to receive fulfillment and wholeness. It is Jesus who is the Christ to whom we need to turn our attention and allegiance. It’s as if God’s hand is gently on our chins, guiding our faces back to center, back to the main thing.
Wherever we are in this moment, we can be changed and transformed into our best selves, our most authentic selves. We can discover how to face challenges, hardships, and trials by experiencing them through the radiance of the transformed and transfigured Jesus. And by listening to the voice of the Divine to do what Jesus says to do.
During challenging and uncertain times, I’m encouraged by a hymn that represents the sung theology of my elders, and that spiritual hand on my chin that gently turns my face back to center point, back to focusing my heart on God. In sharing this song, I acknowledge the asking for “vision” can be problematic in an including church without additional conversation and context. This song seems to be about spiritual/heart “vision.”
Be now my vision, O God of my heart;
Nothing surpasses the love you impart
You my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, your presence my light
By now my vision and by my true word;
Ever within me, my soul is assured;
Mother and Father you are both to me,
Now and forever your child I will be
Riches I need not, nor life’s empty praise;
You, my inheritance, now and always
You and you only are first in my heart
Great God, my treasure, may we never part
Sovereign of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Hear of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O God over all.
As you prepare for worship, our meditation at the 9:00 a.m. ET service and the “chat back” at the 11:00 a.m. ET service, let the scripture and the song permeate your heart to be transformed and liberated to do God’s work in this world.
Rev. Cathy Alexander
Associate Pastor
Our church building is closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Our COVID-19 Advisory Team and Board of Directors will re-evaluate community risk after New Year’s.
Black History Month Concert
MCCDC’s Black History Month concert premieres this Saturday, February 26th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. See the concert program at bulletin.mccdc.com and tune in at youtube.mccdc.com
Membership Class
Are you interested in learning about becoming a member of MCCDC? Welcome! Please plan to join our next membership class after worship on Sunday, February 27th, from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. Eastern. S
Here are three ways to participate on Sunday:
• Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
• Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 830 6935 2380
• Dial (301) 715-8592 by phone, using the same Meeting ID
Please contact Rev. Dwayne, revdwayne@mccdc.com, or Rev. Cathy, revcathy@mccdc.com, to let us know you’re coming!
Ash Wednesday
Please plan to join your MCCDC family for a special Borderfree Worship service on Ash Wednesday, March 2nd, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. We will gather via Zoom.
Here are three ways to participate:
• Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
• Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 889 0785 9261
• Dial (301) 715-8592 by phone, using the same Meeting ID
2021 Giving Statements Are Coming Soon.
MCCDC’s Church Administrator and Assistant Treasurer have finished emailing 2021 giving statements to everyone for whom we have a valid address. If you expected your statement via email and have not yet received it, please email treasurer@mccdc.com.
We continue sending paper statements via US Mail to those we cannot reach via email. Call 202-638-7373 with questions.
Congregational Forum & Meeting
Please plan to join us after worship Sunday, March 13th at 12:30 p.m. Eastern for MCCDC’s Congregational Forum. (We’ll separately send members an information packet with the agenda and reports from ministry leaders.)
Two weeks later, on March 27th, we’ll hold our Congregational Meeting to vote on church business.
Interactive Worship Features
Beginning this Sunday, we’ll offer a period of quiet reflection during our 9:00 a.m. Borderfree Worship. At 11:00 a.m., we’ll invite everyone to share comments or questions in the YouTube or Facebook chat. Our A/V team will relay messages to the pastors to answer during service. Please address ay questions to Rev. Dwayne and Rev. Cathy at revdwayne@mccdc.com or revcathy@mccdc.com
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
• Glenn Conway’s cousin Trey • Rev, Dennis Johnson • Delores Fowler •Dale Madyun-Baskerville’s brother, Mike Washington • Tim Helm • Maria Hill • Evelyn Jones • Bob Jones & son Chuck & wife Karen • Jerry Giem & son, Jason & nephew, Travis • Dr. Veronica Franklin • Valeria Myers’ children Chantelle & Donald • Michelle Lax • George Kerr, III • Kim Battle • Randy Punley •Cecilia Hayden-Smith and Esther Smith’s health • Rose Williams’ healing •Lynn Sulyma •Marcus Garnett •Renee Valentine & brother •Arden Shutt •Steve Sloane •Glenn Conrad •Anthony Goode •Jeffrey Luckenbach •Cathy Batson’s niece Lisa •Bill Campbell •Mark Kelly •Joshua Benkins’ health of Isaac David Benkins, father •Elaine Durden-Hunter healing for her dog, Angel •Angela Terrell •Elaine Durden-Hunter’s mother, Earline T.Green •Donna and Karen Payne-Hardy at the death of Donna ‘s mother • Jason mother for continue healing
“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!
