Quick-Step Guide (PDF) for setting up your account and making your first donation.

Click or scan the icon above to make an online donation

 

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

 

 

I will begin this challenge with a funny story.

 

He was not too well-educated and his manner was somewhat rough and crude. He became a Christian and took the Lord’s requirement seriously. He kept pestering his pastor to put him to work. Finally, the minister handed him a list of ten names with this explanation: “These are all members of the church, but they seldom attend. Some of them are prominent people in the community. Contact them about being more faithful. Here is some church stationary to write letters. Get them back in church.” The man accepted the challenge with rugged determination and enthusiasm. About three weeks later a letter from a prominent physician whose name had been on the list arrived at the church office. Inside was a large check and a brief note: “Dear Pastor, Enclosed is my check for $1,000 to help make up for my missing church so much, but be assured that I will be present this Lord’s Day and each Lord’s Day following. I will not by choice miss services again. Sincerely… P.S. Would you please tell your secretary that there is only one `T’ in dirty and no `C’ in Skunk.”

 

There are hundreds of new people living in McCormick that have moved here in the past few years. There are others who have not attended church at all. None of them will not come unless you invite them!

 

As they use to say on an old TV show, “Your Mission, if you choose to accept it…” Well, your mission, is to write and invite people to attend our Church. Lent and Easter is a great time for newcomers to start attending to find Christ.

 

Remember your mission! I will ask you how many have you invited.

 

See you in Church or online this Sunday!

 

Your Pastor,
Nels

 

Third Sunday in Lent

Scripture Lessons: 1 Corinthians 1: 18-25

                                    Mark 8: 34-38

 

 

In our 40 days of self-examination during Lent, we spend time thinking of the unhealthy things we should give up – such as junk foods, but there is also a healthy trend today toward taking up some positive things as well. Below are lists of helpful suggestions for both – they were found on a website appropriately entitled The Holy Mess, which might be a good description of our lives! However we choose to handle this season of reflection, it’s important to remember the key word is UP as we look up to God for strength!

 

1. Social media, 2. TV or Netflix, 3. Gossip, 4. Complaining, 5. Worry, 6. Swearing, 7. Music in the car (use the time for prayer instead), 8. Snooze button, 9. Spending with a credit card, 10. Bragging

 

1. Donate food items to a food pantry for each day of Lent (40 items).
2. Do a random act of kindness each day.
3. Complete a Lent Bible reading plan, reading a Bible verse each day.
4. Read a Lent devotion each day.
5. Post a Bible verse on social media each day for 40 days.
6. Post something you are grateful for each day for 40 days.
7. Clear out clutter and donate 40 items.
8. Spend 15 minutes each day decluttering. Pray and thank God for your blessings of abundance.
9. Make a monetary donation to a charity of your choice, perhaps $1 or $5 for each day in Lent – (i.e. McCormick MC’s “Change for Lent” initiative!)
10. Write in a journal to reflect on all you have learned during the season.

 

This week’s Kindness entry: The lady in front of me at the Post Office counter this week grabbed her cane as she was leaving. Looking down, I noticed that the laces on one of her tennis shoes was untied (the strings were long and I thought might cause her to stumble). When I pointed it out to her she told me she knew it but she couldn’t reach down that far to tie it. I asked if I could do it, and she said, “Oh, would you?”. I had to get on my knees to do it, and for just a moment I thought of Jesus on his knees to wash the feet of His disciples. I certainly don’t consider my action in the magnitude of Jesus, but I was very thankful to have that pleasant reminder of Him!

 

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!

 

The food pantry is in need of some jelly and jams to go with the peanut butter. They request smaller jars, so the filled food bags are not too heavy.

 

They could also use egg noodles and smaller plain pastas to go with canned meats for casseroles.

 

Thank you for helping to keep the pantry filled and ready for those who stop by in need of food. Your sharing is quietly helping others in our community.

 

 

Sue Wurtzbacher and Marge Radosevich have called a meeting of all those interested in helping maintain the MMC atrium. They will be asking for suggestions as to what types of plants would be appropriate for this very special peaceful area. They would like to mainly stick with perennials, with splashes of color using annuals. Low maintenance preferable.

 

Byron Thompson has set up and maintains the sprinkler system. The soil is very easy to dig in – no clay!!!

 

If you are interested, come by the church on Thursday, Feb 29 at 9am. Bring your gloves, clippers and shovel, if we have a little time, maybe we can do some clean-up!

 

If you cannot attend, but would like to help in the future, please contact Marge or Sue.

 

Methodist Men n Ministry will be having their March meeting on March 5,2023. As always dinner will be served at 6pm. It will be followed by a devotional by Larry Ream. Dinner is being prepared by MMC’s Chef, John Yerdon and will be one of his famous pork entrees. No need to sign up, just show up. Feel free to bring a friend or neighbor!

 

Our original speaker is unavailable. We have been lucky to get a wonderful replacement.

 

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is developing 50-year plans for each of the eight planning basins including the Savannah River Basin. These will form the foundation for a new state water plan. Harry Shelley is a stakeholder member of the in the Upper Savannah River Basin Council and will provide an interim status of the developing multi-year effort for our river basin. I once heard a Chinese businessman explain his 100-year plan. The answer was one word: patience.

 

Come and obtain an understanding of the resources and knowledge needed to develop a workable plan. Bless Harry

 

Bob Rennie president, Men N Ministry

 

 

During Lent, many of us are reminded once again to examine our lifestyles and ask, “What can we do for others?” Part of faith formation at any age is compassion and offering a serving heart to our neighbors. Lent is a good time to commit to giving money to a project that helps those in need.

 

The Stewardship Committee has come up with a fun way to serve with “Coins for Lent.”

 

Go to the MMC website to view a daily guide. It will remind us of all we have and how little others may have.

 

You may want to contribute a quarter for every item on the giving calendar. You may want to simply collect loose change and give whatever coins you have for each item.

Each Sunday, pray as a family for the project and the people who will benefit from your gifts.

 

Our giving begins concludes with Holy Saturday. During Lent, Sundays are for worship and praise to God and are reflected with a weekly day of prayer.

 

There will be a box in the Fellowship hall to collect your coins, let’s watch it fill up by Easter!

 

The MMC Prayer Team invites you to join them on Sunday, March 10 in the sanctuary at 9:15am. Patty Kriger will meet you there and lead you in a prayer experience prior to the service.

 

Come, join us, everyone is welcome!

 

 

Join us each Wednesday at 12 noon for a light lunch and a Lenten lecture series led by Pastor Nels Ledwell. The series will end on March 27.

 

There is a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall. Hope you can join us! For questions, contact Kim Jackson.

 

Palm Sunday commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and begins the series of observances focusing on the events of Holy Week.

 

 

A Sunrise service will be held at Baker Creek Pavilion on Easter Sunday, March 31 at 7am. Coffee and refreshments will follow. Bring your company, neighbors and friends.

 

There will also be a service at 10am in the MMC sanctuary.

 

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).

 

 

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.

 

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.