What child IS this? The birth of Jesus was a rebirth of love. It was made possible by risk takers. Joseph and Mary had reasons to fear, yet they responded to divine guidance and acted through and beyond their fears.
In Matthew 1: 18-25, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Joseph, heir to the House of David, don’t be afraid to wed Mary; it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived this child. She is to have a son, and you are to name him Jesus—‘Salvation’—because he will save the people from their sins.”
Surely Joseph felt a sense of overwhelm and fear. Yet, he took a risk on love and followed divine guidance. Had Joseph refused to act, the story of love would have stalled. Love moved through Joseph and his willingness to act.
Mary was also willing to take a risk on love. When the angel came to her she was confused, disturbed and afraid. She noticed these inner realities. And, she did not let her inner tensions stymie her outward movement.
The angel Gabriel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God!” (Luke 1:30). Mary’s soul opened and she proclaimed a prayer that includes “For You, the Almighty, have done great things for me, and holy is Your Name. Your mercy reaches from age to age.”
Holy One, you call us, similar to Joseph and Mary, to open ourselves to what you seek to do through us. Sometimes your call comes with a measure of fear. Help us to feel our fear and do it anyway. Help us to know that taking a risk is often an entryway into love. Amen.
Through Grace,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
Church Calendar
Sunday, December 21
—09:00 am Spiritual Engagement Hour Zoom
—10:30 am Unified Worship Service
Monday, December 22
—12:00 pm Prayer Call with Rev. Dwayne
Tuesday, December 23
—12:00 pm Prayer Call with Rev. Dwayne
NO Bible Study -Christmas Break
Wednesday, December 24
—12:00 pm Prayer Call with Rev. Dwayne
—06:00 pm Christmas Eve Service
Thursday, December 25
—12:00 pm Prayer Call with Rev. Dwayne
Church Office Closed
Friday, December 26
—12:00 pm Prayer Call with Rev. Dwayne
Church Office Closed
Saturday, December 27
—12:00 pm Prayer Call with Rev. Dwayne
Sunday, December 28
—No Spiritual Engagement Hour Zoom
—10:30 am Unified Worship Service
9 am Spiritual Engagement Hour
Howard Thurman on Tender Mercies and Joy
Join us on-site, on-line and later on-demand for 9 AM ET Spiritual Engagement Hour.
This Sunday’s Highlights:
We live in times that are impacting mental health. At MCCDC we offer support.
We are aware of stigma and seek to create a space for open conversations
to help us learn from each other in a spiritual context.
+To prepare, reflect on these lines from Howard Thurman:
“. . .love has essential materials with which to work.
And contrary to the general religious teaching,
people would not need to stretch themselves out of shape in order to love.
On the contrary, a person comes into possession of themselves more completely
when they are free to love another.”
+Bring your favorite poems or other writings.
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
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
Clara Carter’s sister, Phyllis Carter Lewis * Joe Dawson * Betsy Kramer* Palestinian People in Gaza* Ukrainian People* Cecilia Hayden Smith and Esther Smith’s health * Bill Campbell *Jerry Giem* Tim Helm * Delores Fowler* Vernessa D. Wilson and Jackie Lois * Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline * Glenn Conway * Evelyn Jones* Earline Budd *Prayers for our country* Kappy Majekodunmi, * Michael Cunningham *Dr. Rev Teresa Tygart and partner Sue for healing * Cathy Batson Niece Lisa* Denita & Dale Daughter-in-law Marci Brooks for health * Emily Berry for healing. *Elaine Durden-Hunter for the loss of her pet Angel. * Prayer for Denita & Dale friend Kendall Fulton as she continues her journey with cancer.
Many Paths to Generosity !!
Join your MCCDC Family and Friends in the many path to generosity.
Giving of yourself, time, talent, treasure is important to your MCCDC Faith Community.
Please click here and fill out your MCCDC Generosity Intention Form.
Every gift matters and is greatly appreciated!
Bible Study is on Christmas Break!!!
Bible study is on Christmas break from December16 to January 06, 2026???
Join The Search
Wanted! MCCDC Music Ministry Team Members to help find the next Part-Time Music Ministry for MCCDC Services.
Help take our worship services to new horizons through team work and vision on what music can be in our church.
Contact Rev Dwayne at revdwayne@mccdc.com for more information.
Grow Our Church
Join the MCCDC Church Growth and Membership Team to reach out to your friends, family and community throughout the DMV and on line.
Brain storm with fellow church members on how to better reach people.
Contact Rev Dwayne at revdwayne@mccdc.com for more information
Board of Directors Opening
The Board of Directors continues to look for a motivated and qualified candidates to apply for an appointment on the board of directors.
If you feel called and have been a member of MCCDC in good standing for the past six months, you are eligible for appointment.
Please submit a brief resumé and letter of interest strong>to revdwayne@mccdc.com and churchoffice@mccdc.com.
MCCDC Monthly Board Meeting
MCCDC will hold it monthly board meeting Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 06:30 pm
Click here to join the zoom zoom meeting
MeetingID: 879 5141 2353
Call In Phone number +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Volunteer Worship Folder Coordinator
After many years of service Darryl Walker is stepping back as the Worship Folder Coordinator for MCCDC.
We invite you to share your talents in preparing worship Folders each week. This encompass gathering information, designing, and producing weekly worship folders or bulletins, which includes orders of service, hymns, readings, and announcements.
Pleases reach out to Rev Dwayne at revdwayne@mccdc.com or revcathy@mccdc.com if you are interested in this position.
Join the Generosity Team
Help MCCDC Grow Financially, Spiritually and in Membership. Join the team on Thursday at 6:30 via Zoom.
Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
Call In: 13017158592,,84890359051#
Meeting ID: 848 9035 9051
Share your generous gifts and ideas with your church family. Every gift matters and is greatly appreciated.
Click here to complete Many Paths of Generosity Intention Form
For more information email RevDwayne@MCCDC.com or RevCathy@mccdc.com
Mental Health Awareness
Some Mental Health Resources
If you or someone you know are struggling — having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, experiencing relationship problems, feeling overwhelmed, anxious, lonely, just need someone to talk to
Helpline resources are available in support
Some HELPLINES in operation 24 hours a day/7 days a week
(Primarily US based)
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Life Line | Call or Text 988 |
| Crisis Text Line | Text HOME to 741741 |
| Trans Life Line | Call U.S. 877-565-8860 Canada 877-330-6366 |
| LGBTQ+ youth (under 25 years old) | 1-866-488-7386 |
Some Worldwide HELPLINES in operation
Accessed by country search
| FIND A HELPLINE | Find a Helpline |
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.
MCCDC Bible Study
Come join us for Bible Study on Tuesday@ 7PM. Go to calendar.mccdc.com for the Zoom Link or email Dale Madyun-Baskerville, with mccdcbiblestudy@mccdc.com questions.
Pathways to Generosity, Prayer #91
by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.” ~Emily Dickinson
Dear God, thank you for hope that gives wings to faith and trust in you for all things. We celebrate the birth of your son, Jesus Christ, your most precious gift you gave to save the whole world. Jesus was a most prosperous being who did not need for anything. He knew You as his Provider for anything that he needed. He knew who he was and his purpose for being born into a hopeless world. He performed miracles—turned water into wine, healed the sick, raised the dead, and fed five thousand people with two fish and five loaves of bread, just to name a few.
We are filled with gratitude for your blessings upon Metropolitan Community Church of Washington DC, and all spiritual places of worship where everyone gathers to be a blessing to others, obey your word, and find purpose for their lives. Thank you for instilling a generous spirit within us to share and give of ourselves in dedication to building a prosperous and beloved community to perform great works in your name. We willingly share generously of our financial gifts, service, time, talents and treasures to help grow a better world. We are thankful for your generosity of gifts—peace, love, joy, grace, faith, trust, perseverance, endurance, hope. . . Thank you in your precious names! Amen.
“And such a hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5 (The First Egalitarian Translation)
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
“Church Ministries”
MCCDC Voices
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
Please email at pastors@mccdc.com for more information.
Scripture Reading
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 oam.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).
Please email at pastors@mccdc.com for more information.
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!
