A Message from Our Pastor

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Church Family!

Rejoice in the birth of our Lord and Savior.
May the blessings of Christ be upon you and your loved ones
this season and into the New Year.

Love, Pastor and Mrs. Watson

P.S. We want to see your Christmas photos! Submit them to the Daily Bread here!
If you missed the Messiah, both parts are available here!

Upcoming Worship

Stewardship

Mail: Metropolitan Baptist Church – 1200 Mercantile Lane, Suite 115 B, Largo, MD 20774
Online: https://metropolitanbaptist.org/donate/
Text any amount to: 301-888-6225
REALM (Our Church App):  https://onrealm.org/MetropolitanBap/give/now
Cash App: $MetropolitanBaptist

To learn more about our 5 giving options, visit: https://metropolitanbaptist.org/donate/

Our Tithing Affirmation

We are a tithing church because:
The Word of God teaches tithing.
Our experience gives witness to tithing.
Our obedience to God requires tithing.

Questions about giving? Contact  Rev. Brenda Girton-Mitchell.

OUR WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL

What Christmas Is About

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. ~Isaiah 9:7

As we look at our world today, we realize that part of the promise of  Isaiah 9:6 –7 has not yet been fulfilled. The Son has been given. The Child has been born. But He has not yet taken the government upon His shoulders. We do not yet have peace with judgment and justice. But the good news is that there will come a day when Christ will return. He will establish His kingdom on this earth. And it will be the righteous rule of God Himself.

Before Jesus could take the government upon His shoulder, He had to take the Cross upon His shoulder. Before He could wear the crown of glory as King of Kings, He had to wear the shameful crown of thorns and give His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. The first time, a star marked His arrival. But the next time He comes, the heavens will roll back like a scroll, all of the stars will fall from the sky, and He Himself will light it.

Christ came to this earth. God came near to you so you can come near to Him—to give your life purpose and meaning, to forgive you of your sins, and to give you the hope of heaven beyond the grave. Christmas is not about tinsel or shopping or presents. Christmas is not about the gifts under the tree. Rather, Christmas is about the gift that was given on the tree when Christ died there for our sins and gave us the gift of eternal life.

Excerpted from crosswalk.com
Written Anonymously

At Home with Care: A Church Family Check-In

Family, we want you to check-in with us! The Coronavirus pandemic is forcing us to connect more and in unique ways. Keep sharing your stories and photos of how you are spending your days involved in ministry virtually or from a distance.  #MetropolitanCares

Bereavement Ministry

Caregivers Ministry

Christian Discipleship Council

Register here to go to Sunday School!  You can join us by phone, too!   Dial-in: 1-929-205-6099 Meeting ID: 488 950 666 Password: 077390 Sunday School is offered online on Sundays at   8:45 AM    (EST) via Zoom.  All are invited to attend.    Upcoming Lessons Quarter Theme: Called in the New Testament Unit 1: The Beginning of a Call December 27, 2020 Called to Prepare the Way Bible Background: Matthew 3 Devotional Reading: John 1:19-34 Unit 2: Jesus and Calls in His Ministry January 3, 2021 Called to Proclaim Bible Background: Luke 4 Devotional Reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-11 January 10, 2021 Called to Significance Bible Background: Luke 5:1-11 Devotional Reading: Luke 9:57-62 January 17, 2021 Called to Heal  Mark 2:1-12 Bible Background: Mark 2:1-12 Devotional Reading: Psalm 103:1-14 January 24, 2021 Called as the Intercessor  Bible Background: John 17:14-24 Devotional Reading: I Timothy 2:1-7 Unit 3: The Call of Women  January 31, 2021 Prophesying Daughters Bible Background: Luke 2:36-38; ACTS 1:12-14; 2:16-21, 21:8-9 Devotional Reading: Joel 2:28-32 February 7, 2021 Called to Evangelize Bible Background: John 4:25-42 Devotional Reading: John 1:37-51 February 14, 2021 Mary Magdalene: A Faithful Disciple  Bible Background: Mark 15:40; 16:1-9; Luke 8:1-3; John 20:10-18 Devotional Reading: Romans 4:13-25 February 21, 2021 Priscilla: Called to Minister Bible Background: Acts 18:1-26; Romans 16:3-4; 1 Corinthians 16:19 Devotional Reading: Colossians 4:7-15 February 28, 2021 Lydia: Called to Serve Bible Background: Acts 16:11-15, 40; 1 Corinthians 1:26-30 Devotional Reading: Psalm 33:1-12

Diaconate Ministry

EMERGE Young Adult Ministry

Health and Wellness Ministry

IAMA Counseling Ministry

Kingdom Kids and Elevate Youth Ministry

The Kingdom Kids and Elevate Youth Ministries would like to thank all of our children, youth, and parents for supporting our Paint & Sip events. Please enjoy viewing the artwork created by our talented students.

Matthew 25 Ministries

Men’s Ministry

Metropolitan Studio & Store and Multimedia

Women’s Ministry

Chair Yoga
As we navigate the unrest of our country and our world, we must continue to seek peaceful moments in our daily lives. The Women’s Ministry invites you to join us virtually, on the second Saturday of each month at 8:45 AM for Chair Yoga and Yoga Nidra. Our guide will be our very own Sister Jennifer Cover Payne and it is open to women and men. Chair Yoga will focus on appropriate stretching while using our chairs and Yoga Nidra will be guided meditation that will allow us to reflect on the blessings of God while reaching a peaceful state. Please register on REALM at least 24 hours in advance to receive the Zoom details. 

Prayer Call
The Women’s Ministry invites our MBC Sisters to join us for a  weekly virtual prayer call, on  Saturdays at 8 AM EST. The virtual prayer calls have both a video and audio option which will work on computers, laptops, or any mobile devices (phone or tablets). To join, first register on  REALM!  We will send out the link via REALM and hope you will consider joining via the video option. We want to see you…and you don’t have to worry about being made up unless you want to! Just come as you are. For more information on how to join Zoom, please click here.

We look forward to SEEING you on Saturday mornings at 8 AM. Feel free to email your prayer requests to women@metropolitanbaptist.org. 
For more information or questions, please email women@metropolitanbaptist.org.

Do you know persons in need of prayer while they are healing and recovering? Submit their names to the  Daily Bread! Just email the name of the persons in need of prayer and we will add them to our prayer list! 

Please keep Elder Reba Diggs and Family in prayer in the passing of her husband Deacon Raymond Diggs on Saturday, December 19, 2020. Deacon Raymond Diggs was a faithful member of Metropolitan for many years. He and Elder Reba were married for 68 1/2 years. Please pray for her strength, comfort and peace. Final arrangements are pending at this time.

Please lift in prayer Mrs. Julia Jones and Family in the passing of their beloved, Mr. Hilliard Jones , who went home to be with the Lord. Mr. Hilliard for many years worked in our Multimedia Ministry, and was always faithful until sickness set in. Final arrangements are pending at this time.

Please be in prayer for Mrs. Yvette Williams and Servant Tony Williams and Family in the passing of Yvette’s mother, Mrs. Shirley Thompson.

Final arrangements:
Celebration of Life Service:
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Walker Memorial Baptist Church
120 E. 169th StreetBronx, New York 10452
(718) 588-4262
Rev. Dr. J. Albert Bush, Pastor
Viewing: 9 – 9:45 A.M.
Service: 10 AM – 12 Noon
Burial: Calverton National Cemetery, Riverhead, New York

The cemetery has a no flower or plant restriction, therefore please consider donating to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to Leukemia Lymphoma Society.
*Due to the coronavirus pandemic guidelines, the family has reserved the limited seats for and contacted the attendees. A Zoom link will be provided at a later date. *

Please keep Mrs. Charlotte Brookins Hudson and Family lifted in your prayers in the passing of Mrs. Mabel Isabella Turner, a beloved friend and “DC Mom” of 46 years, who God blessed with 90 years of life. Final arrangements are pending at this time.

Please lift Mrs. Dionne Savage Williams, her husband Alexander and Family lifted in your prayers in the passing of her brother, Mr. David Savage . Final arrangements are pending at this time.

Please keep Elder Joyce Jones and Family in prayer in the loss of her brother, Deacon James Yates , of Landover, MD. Deacon Yates was a member and Deacon at the First Baptist Church of Highland Park. Homegoing service arrangements are pending at this time.

Please keep Sister Jackie Washington and Servant Jeffrey Washington and Jovanni and Family lifted in prayer in the passing of their dear sister Ms. Charlot Washington Powell Glass. Her Homegoing Service was held on Tuesday, December 22, 2020, in Petersburg, VA.

Please keep Mr. John Caldwell and Family in prayer in the passing of Metropolitan’s beloved Servant Robert J. Caldwell, a faithful member of the Metropolitan Diaconate Ministry. His Homegoing Service was held in Queens, NY on Tuesday, December 22, 2020.

Community Resources and Events

Northern Virginia Baptist Association Eviction Fund Below is information on the Northern Virginia Baptist Association Eviction fund. They are awarding money to assist persons living in the Fairfax County, VA area who may be facing eviction. They have to use these funds by December 31, 2020 or lose them. Apparently, they may be able to pay rent that is in arrears as well.  If Congress fails to act this month, certain moratoriums on evictions will expire. These funds can help someone in need. This information is from Northern Virginia Baptist Association, Inc. Subject: Eviction Assistance Funds Cornerstones have $670k for eviction assistance they need to use by December 31, 2020. The funds must be used by the end of the year or they will lose the money. If you know anybody facing eviction in Fairfax County, please ask them to call Fairfax County Help Line at 703-222-0880 asap. Let them know the wait time on the phone will be long, but stay on the line.   If Fairfax County residents’ eviction is COVID-related, please call. In fact, call even if it is not. God’s favor always outweighs man policies. They pay up to four months. In some cases, up to $10k was paid . Since it is December, they may even pay rent in arrears. Call ASAP and pray while you wait to speak with a representative.