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WORSHIP WITH US – SUNDAYS AT 10AM
from Rev. C. Nels Ledwell
When Shrewdness Wins the Day
Dan Miller in his book No More Dreaded Mondays tells a delightful story about a farmer many years ago in a village in India who had the misfortune of owing a large sum of money to the village moneylender. The old and ugly moneylender fancied the farmer’s beautiful daughter, so he proposed a bargain. He would forgive the farmer’s debt if he could marry the farmer’s daughter.
Both the farmer and his daughter were horrified by the proposal, but the cunning moneylender suggested that they let providence decide the matter. He told them that he would put a black pebble and a white pebble into an empty money bag. The girl would have to reach in and pick one pebble from the bag. If she picked the black pebble, she would become his wife and her father’s debt would be forgiven. If she picked the white pebble, she need not marry him and her father’s debt would still be forgiven. If she refused to pick a pebble, her father would be thrown into jail until the debt was paid.
They were standing on a pebble-strewn path in the farmer’s field. As they talked, the moneylender bent over to pick up two pebbles. The sharp-eyed girl noticed that he had picked up two black pebbles and put them into the bag. He then asked the girl to pick a pebble. Now, imagine that you were the girl standing in the field. What would you have done?
If you had to advise her, what would you have told her? Careful analysis would produce three possibilities: (1) the girl could refuse to take a pebble–but her father would then be thrown in jail. (2) The girl could pick a black pebble and sacrifice herself in order to save her father from debt and imprisonment. Or (3) the girl could pull out both black pebbles in the bag, expose the moneylender as a cheat, and likely incite his immediate revenge.
Here is what the girl did. She put her hand into the money bag and drew out a pebble. Without looking at it, she fumbled and let it fall onto the pebble-strewn path, where it immediately became lost among all the other pebbles. “Oh, how clumsy of me,” she said. “But never mind, if you look into the bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked.” Since the remaining pebble was black, it would have to be assumed that she had picked the white one. And since the moneylender dared not admit his dishonesty, the girl would have changed what seemed an impossible situation into an extremely advantageous one.
Don’t we all love stories where the good guy uses his or her wit and cunning to defeat a villain? It may disturb us when a villain uses that same wit and cunning. And yet Jesus once told his disciples a parable about a dishonest man who did just that.
This Sunday morning, Wendy Kvale will be preaching from this text that tells a similar story. It will be huge. I will be doing a homecoming service at Mesopotamia Methodist Church in Gaffney SC. The have wanted me to come for the past 2 years.
Wishing you a great experience with God this Sunday in Church or online.
Your Pastor,
Nels
Nels
Preparing for Worship
Sunday, September 21, 2025
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture Lesson: Luke 16:1-13
Message: “All that is Difficult is not Impossible” – Wendy Kvale
Hymns:
Goodness of God
Bless Thou the Gifts
Jesus Lover of My Soul
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
Anthem: God is Great, God is Good – Chancel Choir
Stewardship
Dear Church Family,
Believe it or not, there is much more to McCormick Methodist Church than what you see on Sunday morning! (Girl Scouts, Bible Studies, needlework, Stephen Ministry, a grocery pantry for our neighbors, building projects, and so much more.) All of these things are planned and prepared by leadership, staff and church family, who are deeply committed to our becoming who God is calling us to be. The ministry and mission of our church take place because of the spiritual and financial gifts of our members and friends.
Believe it or not, there is much more to McCormick Methodist Church than what you see on Sunday morning! (Girl Scouts, Bible Studies, needlework, Stephen Ministry, a grocery pantry for our neighbors, building projects, and so much more.) All of these things are planned and prepared by leadership, staff and church family, who are deeply committed to our becoming who God is calling us to be. The ministry and mission of our church take place because of the spiritual and financial gifts of our members and friends.
The decision to give a gift is a choice, but as a joyful follower of Jesus, we want to give – out of thanksgiving for what God has already done, and as a sign of commitment to be a part of the good things that God is continuing to do in our world.
Your gift matters – to you as the giver, and to the church which uses it as a resource for mission building.
As a church family, we are entering a time of deciding what missions we will support in the coming year. There is joy to be found in practicing generosity- and it begins with a simple step of commitment to be part of God’s plan for us.
As a church family, we are entering a time of deciding what missions we will support in the coming year. There is joy to be found in practicing generosity- and it begins with a simple step of commitment to be part of God’s plan for us.
Our prayer is that you will be with us during our Joy of Giving drive for 2026, maybe share a personal ‘joy of giving’ thought on 10/12, and be present for our Service and Fellowship Celebration on October 19th!
Blessings from your Stewardship team.
Volunteer to Host Coffee Hour
Sign up sheet is in the Fellowship Hall.
MATTHEW AND KRISTI SCALES
MISSION IN UGANDA
How To Support
If you feel drawn to support their mission financially you can write a check, payable to MMC and noted Uganda Mission and put it in collection plate, bring it by the office, or mail to the church (McCormick Methodist Church, PO Box 267, McCormick, SC 29835).
—or—
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.
Volunteers Needed for Congregational Care Team
Dear Church Family,
One of the most powerful ways we reflect the love of Christ is by caring for one another in times of need. Whether someone is recovering from surgery, facing a difficult season, or navigating a time of grief, small
acts of kindness—like a hot meal, a ride to an appointment, or a friendly visit—can make a world of difference.
acts of kindness—like a hot meal, a ride to an appointment, or a friendly visit—can make a world of difference.
We are currently building a list of volunteers who are willing to step in when needs arise. You don’t need to commit to every request—just let us know how you feel called to help:
Meal Ministry – Provide or deliver a home-cooked or store-bought meal to someone in need.
Transportation Help – Offer rides to church, appointments, or errands for those unable to drive.
Visitation Ministry – Visit homebound members or those in the hospital or care facilities to provide companionship and encouragement.
If you’re willing to be on our list of helpers in any of these areas, please send Kim Jackson an email or add
your name/email to the sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall.
your name/email to the sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall.
You’ll be contacted as needs arise, with the opportunity to accept or decline depending on your schedule.
Let’s continue being the hands and feet of Jesus—loving one another well in both big and small ways.
In Christ’s love,
Your Congregational Care Team
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Upcoming Events
PRAYER GROUP
Our Prayer Group will meet September 18 at 6:30 at the Church We will gather in the Fellowship Hall and go to the Prayer Room. Everyone is Welcome.
EVANGELISM TEAM
The Evangelism Team will have a space at the Gold Rush Festival at Hardy Field on September 20th from 10:00 – 5:00. If you’re there please stop by and see us.
24:7 Small Group
The group meets on the first and third Fridays of the month at 10 a.m. Their mission emphasis is mental health. 24:7 is open to all, so any who would like to be a part of this experience please do so. Please contact Linda Kidd if you would like additional information.
Widows Connection
Widows Connection resumes its meetings following their summer break on Monday, September 22 at 5 p.m. in the Church Library. At this meeting, the group will decide their course of Bible study for the fall. Any women who would like to join the group are encouraged and invited to join them for this first fall meeting September 22. Meetings are held monthly on the fourth Monday at 5 p.m. from September to May. For questions, contact Toni Graham or Linda Kidd.
McCormick Methodist Women
MMW will meet Thursday September 25 at 2 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
PICNIC – SEPTEMBER 28
Don’t forget the Annual Church Picnic on September 28 at Baker Creek at 10:00 am. Signup sheets for food are in the fellowship hall.
Let’s make Nels’ last Sunday here a special day.
MMC CRAFT SHOW AND COOKIE FACTORY
OCTOBER 4 – 9am to 2pm
Lindy Stahlman and Cindy Klausman are the new chairpersons for the Craft Show. Carol Tummons is leading the bakers for the Cookie Factory.
Again, there will be tons of baked goods in the Fellowship Hall. Watch for notices about what is needed as the year goes on.
The Men N’ Ministry will be selling brats cooked on the grill, as well as soda and chips.
It is always a fun day of fellowship while raising funds for our missions!
More details about the event are available at https://www.mccormickmc.org/craft-show-2025/
BAKED GOODS
Sign up sheets are in the Fellowship Hall! Check your recipes and sign up what you will bring to tempt the shoppers!
PLANT SALE
Keep giving those baby plants special care – they are always big sellers in the Atrium garden sale!
If you have extra pots you no longer need (no plastic) or garden accents we would love to accept them also. For more information contact Marge Radosevich or Sue Wurtzbacher.
VENDORS
All inside spaces are filled for the Craft Show but there are still great spots for tents in the parking lot Call Lindy Stahlman or Cindy Klausman if you or someone you know is interested in being part of the fun!
More details about the event are available at https://www.mccormickmc.org/craft-show-2025/