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from Rev. C. Nels Ledwell
Understanding Grace
Rev. Maxie Dunnam tells a wonderful story about understanding grace.
A fifteen-year-old girl went to a youth conference in Oklahoma. She was short and a bit overweight. She was not too attractive, and she had been crippled from birth. When a dance was held one night at the conference, she simply put her crutches by a chair nearby, sat down in another chair and spent the evening watching the others dance. All the time smiling, but who knows the pain that was going on inside.
My friend, Norman Neaves, who tells the story says, “The music was the kind that peals the skin off your face and overloads the auditory nerve, and the floor was full of teenagers moving with the rhythm.” Then a very special thing happened. In the middle of the dance program that evening, a slow number was played by the band, and a tall 16-year-old boy went over to this girl, held out his hand and said to her, “Please, would you dance with me?” She looked up with unbelieving surprise, and with a smile quivering on her face, she said, “Yes.” Together they began dancing. The young man held her tightly, and she held on to him tightly, lest she stumble and fall. It was a beautiful sight to behold.
“Later that evening, one of the leaders went to the young man and told him how special he thought it was for him to do this, and how much he admired him. And he said, “As the two of you were dancing, I noticed that she whispered something in your ear. Do you mind if I ask what it was?”
And the teenager said, “You’re not going to believe this, but she said that this was the first time that anyone had ever asked her to dance in her whole life.” (Norman Neaves, quoted by Donald Shelby, “Eureka”.
That’s a picture of grace. All grace.
Can you imagine how that young woman felt? Unattractive, crippled, never having been asked to dance. And then came Prince Charming and it happened. Can you imagine how she felt? If so, then you are beginning to understand grace.
See you in Church or online this Sunday where we can experience God’s grace!
Your Pastor,
Nels
Preparing for Worship
Sunday, January 28, 2024
Fourth Sunday After the Epiphany
Scripture Lesson: 1 Corinthians 8: 1-13
Fourth Sunday After the Epiphany
Scripture Lesson: 1 Corinthians 8: 1-13
Reference Text: Mark 9: 42
Message: “A Disciple’s Protective Instinct”
Message: “A Disciple’s Protective Instinct”
Acts of Kindness
Kindness Update – Kindness Fills Our Cups!
The Widows Connection’s Bible study is First Corinthians – Living Love When We Disagree by Melissa Spoelstra. For the fourth DVD session this week, “Beyond Ourselves”, the author/speaker used a teapot to illustrate God’s Love and how it flows through us to others.
She emphasized how God wants to fill us up! As He does so, the “steam” (as from the hot tea in the teapot) represents His Holy Spirit that causes us to want to pour that love out to others – it’s a continuous process! Now if that’s not a recipe for Kindness, I don’t know what is!
Of course, she used the analogy of “I’m A Little Teapot” to demonstrate her point very effectively. However, I was also reminded of the old hymn, “Fill My Cup, Lord” – “I lift it up, Lord … come and feed the thirsting of my soul! Bread of Heaven, feed me ‘til I want no more … Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!” I didn’t look that up, but I think that’s the way the song goes!
God uses us as agents of His Love in a world that desperately needs it, and He wants our lives to be a pleasing aroma to Him and to others. May our cups overflow!
Kindness Entry: “I saw this on Face Book and thought I should pass it along: “Kindness is loaning your strength to others instead of reminding them of their weakness.”
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!
MMC WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
A warm family welcome to Jim and Karen Hicks! They have been livestreaming us since COVID, around four years. They attended the ALPHA classes and are now officially part of the family! They like to say they have “lived everywhere”, and many of us understand that!
Jim is into hiking, biking, bocce, and the outdoors. Karen likes to read, play Bunco and cards. They both enjoy camping and traveling. They have four children who live in 4 different states so most of their traveling is to visit them!
The church family is also excited to welcome Judi and Ron Bouchard, who just moved here last November! They used to spend the winters in Florida, and the rest of the time in North Carolina. We are happy they are now half-way between the two!
Ron was a hospital administrator at the University of Virginia teaching hospital before retiring. Judi worked in human resources in several state universities. Ron is an avid golfer, and Judi describes herself as a gym rat! They both love to travel and are voracious readers.
We are excited to be growing, especially with four super-friendly folks! Welcome to Judi, Ron, Jim and Karen!
EASTER LILIES
DEADLINE FEBRUARY 12
Easter lilies symbolize purity, hope, innocence, and virtue. They represent the purity of Jesus, who was free from sin.
Our worship committee has arranged to have Easter lilies in the sanctuary. The cost is $8.50 for a lily in a 6 inch pot.
If you would like to order lilies in honor of, or in memory of loved ones. Forms will be available starting Sunday, January 28 on the table leading into the sanctuary (ask the usher) and on the table in the Fellowship Hall. There will also be a form in the bulletin on Feb 4.
You are welcome to send (or bring by) your order to the office. Church address is P.O. Box 267, McCormick SC 29835. Make checks payable to MMC and note Easter Lilies.
LENTEN LUNCHEONS
LECTURE SERIES LED BY REV NELS
BEGINNING FEBRUARY 14
Join us, starting on Wednesday, February 14, for a light lunch and a Lenten lecture series led by Pastor Nels Ledwell. The series will span seven weeks, ending on March 27.
There is a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall. Hope you can join us!
For questions, contact Kim Jackson
SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 11
Souper Bowl Sunday is a fun way to support one of our missions, McCormick BACKPACK MINISTRY. This ministry provides weekend food for preschool and school-aged children who have been identified by school personnel as in need of nutritious weekend foods. The number of children varies on a monthly basis, based on family needs and people moving into or out of the area. The identity of these children is kept confidential.
Watch for more details about Souper Bowl next week!
Once we know the two super bowl teams, you will need to pick a team. The Missions team will have two labeled kettles, one for each team. You will put your change, dollars, or checks into the pot of your choice! (If putting in a check, please make it payable to MMC and note Souper Bowl). One large check will be sent to the Backpack ministry.
If you will not be in church on Feb 11, feel free to send your contribution to the office, along with your favorite team name. Again, please make your check payable to MMC, note Souper Bowl and your favorite team and send it to MMC P.O. Box 267, McCormick SC 29835.
You may also contribute to Backpack Ministry online.
There will be two winners on Super Bowl Sunday.. the winning team and Backpack Ministry!
2024 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
It’s a New Beginning.. time to share your talents! You do not to be a member, just have the time and willingness to help! Read below and sign up for as many as you feel you can do! MMC is fortunate to be able to keep contributing to the works of God in so many ways.
SIGN UP TO USHER TODAY!
We need singles, couples, and pairs to sign up to usher! Once we have the names, I will send out a calendar and we will work together to cover all the Sundays. We will need subs as well.
With the creation of the Security team, you will not be responsible for locking the fellowship door or the side doors. They take care of monitoring the cameras, as well.
You will be asked to lock the door by the stairs and the front door to the church. You will need to greet everyone, count the folks in attendance, and light/extinguish the altar candles. You might be asked to do Communion. We are in the process of rewriting the duties of the ushers and will help those who are new to ushering to “learn the ropes”.
Contact Barb Shelly to sign-up.
FLOWER CALENDAR ACROSS FROM OFFICE
When you sign up on the calendar across from the church office, you are responsible for the flowers for that Sunday. You are welcome to bring in your own plant or arrangement from home, or you can arrange with one of the florists listed below. They will bring the arrangement for you and set it up on the pedestal in the sanctuary on Saturday night. You can take the flowers home after the service or perhaps you’d like to take it to someone who needs some cheering up!
Patsy will call or email you prior to your date to get the information you want in the bulletin. The arrangement might be in celebration of an event or in memory of a loved one(s).
Thank you for helping to make our services “huge”!
MMC PRAYER GROUP
LOOKING FOR MEMBERS
Anyone who has desire to pray for the needs of our church family, community, our country or world is welcome to be part of this group. We will have access to prayer concerns shared in church or in the news.
There will be times we will gather as a group and pray together. If you are interested in knowing more, please contact Patty Kriger.
2024 LAY READERS
February through December needed! Sign up is across from the office, next to the Flower Sign up or call/email Lindy Stahlman.
You will be sent the scripture and order of worship earlier in the week to allow you to read it through. If you can sub or only do a few weeks one month, let Lindy know, she will work your schedule!
SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR
SIGN-UP SHEET IN FELLOWSHIP HALL
Thank you for signing up to set up, clean up, and bring a COUPLE treats to enjoy with coffee and tea after church service. We’d like to keep it simple, just a couple treats to enjoy with coffee, tea, and fellowship after the church service. We are trying to avoid leftover food being put in the refrigerator and eventually thrown out.
We are asking for two hosts, just sign up and someone will sign up with you, or ask someone to sign up with you!
Please call Marge Radosevich or Lindy Stahlman if you have questions or need some help! There is now a fund to help with purchase of treats. Thanks in advance for your help this year!
DINNERS FOR EIGHT
It is time to advertise dinners for eight again. Three groups of eight just wrapped up a fun season of building new friendships and sharing lots of laughs.
Sign up for the next round will be in the fellowship hall starting Sunday 1/14, and runs February through May.
For newcomers to MMC, this is a wonderful way to get to know folks and it is so easy….just dinner once a month at someone’s home. Each pair hosts one month by providing the main course and beverages, and the other 3 pairs bring the appetizer, salad and dessert. So, pair up with someone and sign up now through Sunday 1/28.
On the 28th, Julianne Coleman will coordinate with the groups to get the round of dinners started in February.
Contact Julianne to sign up or ask questions.
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.