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WORSHIP WITH US – SUNDAYS AT 10AM
from Rev. C. Nels Ledwell
Please God, Bless America with Your Grace
As fireworks explode and light up the night sky and the barbecue fills our bodies, Americans across the nation come together to celebrate the Fourth of July. It’s a day marked by patriotism, freedom, and the remembrance of our nation’s history. But for Christians, Independence Day holds a deeper significance, intertwining faith with the principles of liberty, justice and the freedom of having opportunities for joy and abundance. At its core, the Fourth of July commemorates the birth of a nation founded on the ideals of freedom, equality, and justice for all. These principles are not only enshrined in the founding documents of the United States but are also
emphasized throughout the Bible. As Christians, we believe in the inherent dignity and value of every human being, created in the image of God, and endowed with certain unalienable rights.
emphasized throughout the Bible. As Christians, we believe in the inherent dignity and value of every human being, created in the image of God, and endowed with certain unalienable rights.
The Bible teaches us about the importance of freedom, both spiritual and temporal. In Galatians 5:1, we read, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Through His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus Christ has liberated us from the bondage of sin and death, offering us the ultimate freedom in Him.
As we celebrate Independence Day, we also reflect on the blessings of liberty that we enjoy as citizens of a free nation. However, we recognize that true freedom is not merely the absence of external constraints but the presence of righteousness and justice.
In Micah 6:8, we are reminded, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
For Christians, the Fourth of July is an opportunity to express gratitude for the freedoms we have been granted and to reaffirm our commitment to live out our faith in the public square. It is a day to pray for our nation and its leaders, to advocate for the marginalized and oppressed, and to strive for justice and reconciliation in our communities.
As we gather with family and friends to celebrate Independence Day, let us remember that our ultimate allegiance is not to any earthly kingdom but to the Kingdom of God. May we use our freedom responsibly, as instruments of God’s love and grace in a world that is longing for redemption. We love the United States of America. May we pray daily for our nation and her peoples. The love of God can make nations great. Please God, bless America with your grace!
See you in Church or online this Sunday!
Your Pastor,
Nels
Preparing for Worship
Sunday, July 6, 2025
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Communion
We welcome Dewaine Wright as our worship leader. Dewaine comes to us as a resident of McCormick and we are blessed to have him lead us in worship this morning. With Dewaine, we praise the Lord in worship.
Scripture Lesson: 2 Kings 5: 1-15
Message: “A Simple Prescription of Free Grace” – Pastor Ledwell
Hymns and Anthem: Guest Dwaine Wright
Volunteer to Host Coffee Hour
July Volunteers needed. Sign up sheet is in the Fellowship Hall.
FOOD PANTRY
Our Food Pantry is in need of supplies:
Small jars of peanut butter
Small jars of jelly
Canned fruits
A variety of vegetables
Case of water
Small jars of jelly
Canned fruits
A variety of vegetables
Case of water
Donations may be placed in the Food Pantry Room. Thank you!!
MATTHEW AND KRISTI SCALES
MISSION IN UGANDA
Update from the Scales Family
Wow that went fast!
The month of June came in hot and fast. So much has happened here in Uganda that we don’t even know where to start, so we will start here. God is GOOD, POWERFUL, and fully ABLE. Go tell someone today about HIM!!! We can hardly believe the month of June is almost over. This month for us has been full of first times. We were invited to our first Ugandan wedding (Wylie and Matt served as groomsmen)! We celebrated our first baptism service here where over 40 people were baptized (PRAISE GOD!). We enjoyed watching 25 girls graduate from the ministry center last Friday, and what a joyous day of seeing fruit from labor it was. We are now in our first harvesting season here, beans are ready, g nuts and corn will be soon, and we are all waiting to see if the watermelons will grow! The farm workers continue to come daily for devotions, with plenty of questions for Matt everyday about the Bible. Kristi just wrapped up a 6 week Bible study at church and is praying about next steps.
As we sit here writing this, we can’t help but be amazed at God. Ecclesiastes 7:13 says, “Consider the work of God, who can make straight what He has made crooked?” Did you know that Kristi wanted to be a missionary since she was a young girl? Matt however never felt that particular call until a few years ago. We felt it came at the most inconvenient time. It felt crooked to us. We were happy, settled, surrounded by a great community, loved our 9-5 jobs. But God had and still has plans! As we walked into baptismal waters a few weeks ago, we both couldn’t help but marvel at that. In a foreign country, away from our normal, definitely not feeling settled, God let us glimpse part of His plan for bringing us here. In a world that feels sometimes like God is done and has left, we saw that He is CERTAINLY NOT DONE! He still saves, He still changes communities, He is very much alive. Mukama Yebazwibwe! (PRAISE GOD!)
As we sit here writing this, we can’t help but be amazed at God. Ecclesiastes 7:13 says, “Consider the work of God, who can make straight what He has made crooked?” Did you know that Kristi wanted to be a missionary since she was a young girl? Matt however never felt that particular call until a few years ago. We felt it came at the most inconvenient time. It felt crooked to us. We were happy, settled, surrounded by a great community, loved our 9-5 jobs. But God had and still has plans! As we walked into baptismal waters a few weeks ago, we both couldn’t help but marvel at that. In a foreign country, away from our normal, definitely not feeling settled, God let us glimpse part of His plan for bringing us here. In a world that feels sometimes like God is done and has left, we saw that He is CERTAINLY NOT DONE! He still saves, He still changes communities, He is very much alive. Mukama Yebazwibwe! (PRAISE GOD!)
Wylie finished the 6th Grade this week. He is getting a few weeks break and has plans for the summer involving planting Okra, swimming, and going to a missionary kid camp.
James finished the 4th grade this week. She is enjoying a break, but reading books more and loves spending time with the children at preschool. She has decided she wants to be a teacher when she grows up!
Wilbur is in his second term of preschool here in Uganda. He is doing well, his writing is getting better and he has made friends with classmates. He turns FIVE years old on July 16th and if you know Wilbur we have been counting down to this day for around a year! He wants a pirate party this year which is challenging given Uganda is land locked, pirates aren’t really a thing here.
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
GREEN JACKETS BASEBALL GAME – July 10
John Yerdon will have tickets to the Green Jackets baseball game on Sunday July 6. The game will be July 10 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $12 for those that signed up and he will collect this when you pick up your ticket. The address for the stadium is: 187 Railroad Ave., N. Augusta, SC 29841.
Kerri Bowser Concert
Sunday, July 20 – 3pm
Celebrate the Message of God’s Word Through Music!
Kerri Bowser (Cauthen) In Concert
Sunday, July 20 – 3 P.M., MMC Sanctuary
Ice Cream Social in Fellowship Hall Afterwards
Kerri’s CD’s Available at No Charge/Love Offering Appreciated
Bring Your Friends and Neighbors!
Kerri Bowser (Cauthen) In Concert
Sunday, July 20 – 3 P.M., MMC Sanctuary
Ice Cream Social in Fellowship Hall Afterwards
Kerri’s CD’s Available at No Charge/Love Offering Appreciated
Bring Your Friends and Neighbors!
Women’s Retreat Coming Soon
Friday, August 15th and Saturday, August 16th
A study of Esther, “For Such a Time as This” will be presented on Friday, August 15th and Saturday, August 16th. You’ll not want to miss our special guest speaker from Florida!! Please plan on spending time with us each day, here at our own Church, from 9AM to 3PM. Lunch will be included. Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall and give your $20.00 check to Karen Hicks or Patsy in the office.
MMC CRAFT SHOW AND COOKIE FACTORY
OCTOBER 4 – 9am to 2pm
VENDORS NEEDED
Lindy Stahlman and Cindy Klausman are the new chairpersons for the Craft Show. Carol Tummons will be leading the bakers for the Cookie Factory.
Sue Wurtzbacher and Marge Radosevich will be asking for plants to sell in the Atrium. Watch for more details!
PLANT SALE If you are planning on repotting, separating plants, or rooting new plants, and would like to share your bounty, please consider sharing your plants by donating to the MMW Craft Show Plant Sale.
Marge and I will set up several tables (depending on how many plants we get) in the Atrium.
Also if you have extra pots you no longer need (no plastic) or garden accents we would love to accept them also.
We usually have the plants dropped off at the church Friday (Oct 3). If for some reason you need to bring them sooner, we can work something out.
We usually have the plants dropped off at the church Friday (Oct 3). If for some reason you need to bring them sooner, we can work something out.
Thank you in advance for sharing.
Marge Radosevich and Sue Wurtzbacher
VENDORS If you or a friend or neighbor is interested in participating in this year’s Craft Show, please email Lindy Stahlman. Lindy will send you the pricing information and registration form. Don’t hesitate, the spots fill up quickly!
Indoor tables (8 ft) cost $40 and all crafts must be handcrafted. We also offer tent space (you supply the tents) for $25. Items do not have to be handcrafted.
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/
2025 Flower Calendar
Please sign up on the chart across from the office for a week that works best to supply the flowers for the sanctuary. Patsy will sign you up if you want, just give her a call at the Church office!