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Thank you for giving to McCormick Methodist Church. Your gifts enable us to fulfill our mission of “Reaching Up and Reaching Out”.
from Rev. C. Nels Ledwell
Made to be With the Lord
Max Lucado in his book, When God Whispers Your Name, puts it dramatically and graphically like this. He says:
“Take a fish and place him on a beach. Watch his gills gasp and scales dry. Is he happy? No! How do you make him happy? Do you cover him with a mountain of cash? Do you get him a beach chair and sunglasses? Do you bring him a Playfish magazine and a martini? Do you wardrobe him in double-breasted fins and people-skinned shoes? Of course not! So, how do you make him happy? You put him back in his element. That’s what you do. You put him back in the water. He will never be happy on the beach because he was not made for the beach.
The same is true for you and me. We will never be happy living apart from the One who made us and saved us. Just like a fish was made to live in water we were made to live in close fellowship with our Lord and nothing can take the place of that.”
Let’s bring God back into our daily lives so He can be a part of our decisions, actions and even our relationships.
See You in Church or online this Sunday!
Your Pastor,
Nels
Nels
Preparing for Worship
April 28, 2024 10:00 AM
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Native American Awareness Sunday
Native American Awareness Sunday
Scripture Lessons: Genesis 1:26,
Isaiah 35:8-10,
Matthew 7: 7-9
Message: “Walking the Good Red Road”
Speaker from Keepers of the Word
We welcome Catherine Nelson and the Keepers of the Word Drum Corp
Acts of Kindness
Kindness Update – The Bell of Kindness!
This story – entitled Two Horses – was shared with me years ago – I shared it with Jessica (who loves horses) and we wanted to pass it on – its author is unknown, but its message is definitely kindness!
Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you get a closer look, you will notice something quite interesting…One of the horses is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made him a safe and comfortable barn to live in. This alone is amazing.
But if you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. It is coming from a smaller horse in the field. Attached to the horse’s halter is a small, copper-colored bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.
As you stand and watch these two friends you’ll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting he will not be led astray.
When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, he will stop occasionally to look back, making sure that the blind friend isn’t too far behind to hear the bell.
Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect. Or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.
Sometimes we are the blind horse, being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. And at other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way.
Good friends are like this … You don’t always see them, but you know they are always there. Please listen for my bell and I’ll listen for yours. “Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle”.
Have you seen God today? If you see God at work this week, there are two ways you can share what you saw!
1) Be a blessing to others by sharing your Act of Kindness (no names please) on our website, or use this link! Then check back each week to learn how others are passing on acts of kindness! The link is https://www.mccormickmc.org/acts-of-kindness
2) There is a Kindness box in the library on the window sill, along with paper and pencil. Share your God-Wink, perhaps someone else will be inspired!
LIBERTY HILL FARM
Several were able to go to Liberty Hill Farm for a delightful lunch and to hear Kathy Michaels share her story and her dream to convert the upstairs to rooms for women.
Deb Wissinger told Kathy that we ran a Lenten Coin project that resulted in seven hundred dollars for the project/mission. Our prayers are with Kathy as she works to make her dream a reality.
For more photos, go to https://www.mccormickmc.org/liberty-hill-farm-april-2024
MCCORMICK METHODIST WOMEN
NEW BEGINNING!
Karen Hicks, our new president, met with around twenty women on April 17 to discuss suggestions for fellowship and worship. The enthusiasm was high and a lot was discussed! It was a great new beginning! (Thank you for the cookies, Karen!)
New officers were elected. Joining Karen will be Toni Graham as Secretary and Barb Shelley as Treasurer. Gaye Forney will be in charge of spiritual growth.
It was the general consensus that we would like to have several activities/events that did not necessarily involve us cooking and cleaning! We decided the first event would be to use the new TV in the Fellowship Hall! We plan to have a devotional and watch a movie together while we munch on some popcorn and/or goodies. The date is May 21 at 4pm. Watch for details!
Future events suggested included visiting the bird sanctuary in Plum Branch, Hobo Stew at Pat and Brad’s farm (include entire church membership), a fashion show using scarves from Helping Hands, and inviting speakers like Mary Tobin to share interesting presentations. If you have any ideas you would like to share and were not able to attend the meeting, email Karen Hicks.
A list of all women in our directory will be used to send out emails and notices of upcoming events, in addition to the BLAST. So watch for a MMW email within the next two weeks!
STEPHEN MINISTRY
READY TO LISTEN
If you are experiencing any type of difficulty and you need someone to listen to you, with whom you can share your feelings and receive acceptance and Christian love, please consider being in a relationship with a Stephen Minister at MMC.
Start by calling Pastor Nels or one of the Stephen Leaders and begin a ‘fellowship’ with a Stephen Minister. We may be reached through the church office at (864) 852-2394.
CONGREGATIONAL CARE COMMITTEE
The Congregational Care Committee wants you to know they are there to help you if you ever need transportation, meals or a visitor! Please contact Kim Jackson if you or someone you know needs help or if you would like to be added to the list of volunteers.
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Upcoming Events
Native American Awareness Sunday
April 28
Catherine Nelson will be our speaker and the Keepers of the Word, all female drum team, will be assisting for a very interesting and educational service!! You won’t want to miss it!!
This year, we are celebrating Native American Awareness Sunday for the first time since disaffiliating from the United Methodist Church. Instead of donating to Native American Ministry Sunday (NAMS), our donations will go to Keepers of the Word. They are an intertribal organization in South Carolina teaching Native American traditions through sharing and teaching from a Native American perspective. Outreach ministries’ include: elder comfort baskets, youth programs, drumming demonstrations, blessings/funeral/wedding ceremonies and worship services. They provide traditional ceremonial services to families requesting memorial services at no charge. They give educational programs at schools, museums and community groups.
Please join us on Sunday, April 28 for a very interesting and educational service. Please give generously to this wonderful ministry.
Donate by writing a check to McCormick Methodist Church, indicating “Keepers of the Word” on the memo line. Or donate online.
PRAYER WARRIORS
MAY 4 – 10:30AM
MMC Prayer Warriors will meet on Saturday, May 4, 10:30 at the church.
We hope the weather is good so we can use the atrium area.
If not we will meet in the prayer room. Please join us for prayer.
For questions, contact Patty Kriger.
MEN N MINISTRY
DINNER MEETING
MAY 7 6PM
Methodist Men n Ministry will be meeting on Tuesday, May 7 at 6pm. It will be our last meeting until September 10 . We have had a well-attended meetings this year. Dinners and speakers have been great.
Dinner for the May 7 meeting will be picnic style with grilled hamburgers, potato salad and other picnic items. Gordon Waine and Bob Rennie will be the chefs!
We have important business to conduct. We are going to discuss and vote on where to donate the monies we raised this year. There are several worthy organizations in need of financial help and we want to do what we can do to help our local community.
Come and be part of our gift-giving ministry! We are looking forward to another good turn-out!
Be sure to mark ….. May 7 and September 10 on those calendars!
Bob Rennie – President, Methodist Men n Ministry
WORK DAY
FRIDAY, MAY 10 – 10AM
Mark May 10 (Fri) on your calendar. Please bring your wheelbarrows, rakes, and gloves!
We will meet at 10am to spread mulch, pull weeds, and rake as needed at the church, in the Atrium and at the parsonage!
If we get a sizable crew, we will be done by noon!
EPWORTH CHILDREN’S HOME
MOTHER’S DAY CAMPAIGN
MAY 12, 2024
EPWORTH IS OUR MINISTRY! Last year Epworth Children’s Home served over 1,400 children and families through their statewide programs. Each of these children had this opportunity because of churches in South Carolina who embrace and provide for this ministry.
On Sunday, May 12th, 2024, we will participate in the annual Mother’s Day Offering to benefit the children who call Epworth home, as well as each child and family touched by Epworth’s ministries. Please be in prayerful consideration of what God is calling you to give to this valuable and life changing ministry.
There will be special envelopes on Sunday, May 12, but you may contribute any time by writing a check, payable to MMC and noted Epworth Children’s Home. Feel free to drop in the collection plate or bring by the office. You may also mail your check to the church. MMC P.O. Box 267 McCormick SC 29835. You may also donate online.
For more information about Epworth Children’s Home, visit them online at www.epworthchildrenshome.org .
CREIGHTON SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
The scholarship committee of McCormick Methodist Church is currently accepting applications for this year‘s Creighton scholarship. Applications are available at the church office Monday through Thursday, 9-1 o’clock. Application deadline is July 1.
Questions, contact Lindy Stahlman.