WORSHIP WITH US – SUNDAY 10AM
Online Giving
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
The Vulture and the Hummingbird: Be Careful How You Live – Ephesians 5:15-20
This Sunday I will be preaching on wisdom using texts from 1 Kings and Ephesians. To help you prepare I offer you this little mini-sermon based on Ephesians 5: 15-20. Sunday I will talk about King Solomon and how he sought wisdom from God for help as the King of Israel. The mini-sermon is below and begins with a symbolic illustration (Parable) about the vulture and the hummingbird.
There are two birds that fly over our nation’s deserts: One is the hummingbird and the other is the vulture. The vultures find the rotting meat of the desert, because that is what they look for. They thrive on that diet. But hummingbirds ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals. Instead, they look for the colorful blossoms of desert plants. The vultures live on what was. They live on the past. They fill themselves with what is dead and gone. But hummingbirds live on what is. They seek new life. They fill themselves with freshness and life. Each bird finds what it is looking for. We all do.
That is the essence of Paul’s teaching: In life, there are two birds. The one bird looks for foolishness and stupidity, the other looks for wisdom. The vultures seek to fill themselves with the rotting flesh of drunkenness and debauchery, the hummingbird sobriety, freshness, and the Spirit. In the desert of this world you have your scavengers who are angry and ungrateful, but you also have those who hum a grateful hymn of thanksgiving. The irony is that you find what you are looking for.
In the fifth chapter of Ephesians Paul outlines proper behavior for good living. In our short passage he admonishes his readers to be careful how they live. He is brief and to the point. Three things we must do: Be wise, be sober, and be thankful. It’s a short list but if we can orient our daily lives around these three—be wise, be sober, be thankful—we will transform not only our lives but also the lives of our family, friends, church, and neighbors. Amen!
We will learn more about the value of seeking God’s help and wisdom this Sunday in Church.
See you there on online. It will be huge!
Your Pastor,
C. Nels Ledwell
C. Nels Ledwell
Preparing for Worship
Sunday, August 18, 2024 10:00 AM
Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Scripture Lesson: 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14
Reference Text: Ephesians 5: 15-20
Message: “The Art of Asking”
Acts of Kindness
Kindness Update – “Too Sick to Forgive!”
During the Advent Season in 2004, McCormick Methodist Church published an Advent devotional guide filled with stories from members of the congregation. I ran across my copy of this booklet the other day and enjoyed reminiscing as, other than myself, there were only two other current members among the contributing authors – Emilee Groh and Lindy Stahlman. Centered on Ephesians 4:32, my story was about kindness – “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.” Now 20 years later, since most of you would not have read it before, I’d like to share with you my kindness lesson from my grandson back then! And, as we say here in the South, “Bless his heart!”
“God sometimes uses the people in our lives that we would least expect to get our attention. In one such incident, that person for me was my grandson Ross, who was five years old at the time. While riding with me to run some personal errands that involved making about five stops at the homes of friends, Ross became impatient with his grandmother. Finally, as we drove up at the last stop, he had had about as much as he could take.
‘Me-Ma’, he said in a pitiful voice that only your grandchild could use, ‘you’re making me sick’. I turned around and looked at him as he sat slumped in the back seat. I then told him that I was sorry and asked if he could forgive me. He looked at me very seriously and replied, ‘No, Me-Ma, sick people can’t forgive!’
Because I think that everything he does is just too cute, I couldn’t help but be amused. Then, I thought, he really hit the nail on the head! How many times are we guilty of giving in too easily to the personal “sickness” of pride and jealousy that keep us from being kind to one another, from mending relationships with friends and family members? It truly does seem that sometimes we are too sick to forgive others.
In this scripture from Ephesians, we are reminded that, because God has forgiven us, even though we are sinners, by sacrificing His only Son Jesus Christ … so then should we forgive one another. When we put our trust in Him, He will heal our personal “sickness” and show us how to love each other.
This week’s Kindness entry: The son of one of my bridge buddies noticed that the screened wire was coming loose in two different areas of my screened in porch when he came to pick his mother up. He couldn’t help but notice the wooden shelving unit that I had propped up against the screen to keep it from tearing even more! Not only did he offer to repair the screen for me, but he also actually returned on that next Saturday with nails, hammer, and a staple gun in hand! And I, in response to his prompt act of kindness, couldn’t help but cry! He had it fixed in about 30 minutes!
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!
CONGRATULATIONS TO
CARLITO WIDEMAN
2024 CREIGHTON SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
The scholarship committee is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2024 Creighton scholarship, Carlito Wideman.
Carlito thanked his mother for encouraging him to work hard in school. He is off to USC to study Marine Biology on Saturday. Pastor Nels invited Carlito to come back and visit us, so we look forward to hearing about college life as a Gamecock! Good Luck, Carlito!
JOIN THE MMC STEPHEN MINISTRY TEAM
We are considering training a new class of Stephen Ministers this fall. We need at least 6 people to have a class. To find out more about becoming a Stephen Minister, we wear those blue nametags when we are at church.A Stephen Ministry Job Description and Application are on the Stephen Minister Bulletin Board and in our church mailbox by the church office. To hand the application in, place it in the Stephen Ministry Mailbox by the church office, hand it into the office, or give it to one of the Stephen Ministers. Applications are due by August 1st.
Want to learn more? Check out this website!
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.
Letter to the American Church
AUGUST 18 AT 4PM
FELLOWSHIP HALL
Everyone is welcome! On Sunday, August 18 at 4PM you can watch Eric Metaxas’ movie “Letter to the American Church” in the Fellowship Hall.
Eric Metaxas, as many of you know is an American author, speaker, and conservative radio host. Greek Orthodox by birth, he has also been a long-standing parishioner at Calvary-St. George’s Episcopal Church. He sticks with the basics of faith, from a basic ecumenical Christian view.
BREWER MIDDLE SCHOOL
LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS
Students at Brewer Middle School in Greenwood need volunteer(s) to help them with their Garden Club. If interested, please contact Rico Salliewhite, Brewer Middle School Principal and member of McCormick Methodist Church. Thank you!
SCHOOL SUPPLIES NEEDED
The Mary & Martha group (M & M’s) is collecting supplies for McCormick Schools. There is a blue container in the fellowship hall with a list of items needed for each grade. Please help by purchasing items and placing them in the container.
MMW RETREAT
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 & SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
10AM TO 4PM
You are cordially invited to our Women’s Retreat! Join us for an enriching and inspiring weekend at Elijah Clark State Park as we delve into the themes and stories of Anita Diamant’s book, The Red Tent. This retreat promises to be a time of fellowship, reflection, and personal growth.
RETREAT DETAILS
Location: Elijah Clark State Park
Dates: September 6th & 7th
Time: 10 AM – 4PM each day
Cost: $20.00 per person (includes meals)
PREPARATION
To make the most of our time together, we suggest that you read, The Red Tent by Anita Diamant beforehand.
You also may want to check it out on-line, depending on your streaming service, you may be able to watch it at home. These viewings will provide a visual and narrative backdrop that will enrich our discussion during the retreat.
If you have additional questions please contact
Karen Hicks or Maxine Dunn.
FRIDAY CARDS & GAMES RESCHEDULED
There have been a few changes to the Friday Card/Games events. Please add to your calendar!
September Cards & Games will be changed to the 3rd Friday afternoon (Sept. 20) because of the Women’s Retreat that is scheduled for 6th & 7th.
October Cards & Games will be changed to the 3rd Friday afternoon (Oct. 18) because of the Art & Craft Show that is scheduled for October 5.
PICNIC AND WORSHIP
BAKER CREEK STATE PARK
SEPTEMBER 22 – 10AM
Mark those calendars! The church picnic will be on Sunday, September 22.
It will start with a service at 10AM. Plan to bring a neighbor or new friend!
More details to follow!
CRAFT SHOW AND COOKIE FACTORY
OCTOBER 5 – 9am to 2pm
VENDORS NEEDED
OUTSIDE VENDORS NEEDED
The spots in the Fellowship Hall have been filled, and there is a waiting list!
We can still take about three more in tents outside.. then we will stop taking vendors and do up a waiting list in case of cancellations.
Tents are wonderful in that there is more room, wares do not have to be hand-done (however, many are!), and it only costs $25! You do have to provide your own tents, but we have men available to help you put them up and take them down. This is perfect for groups. The Lions Club is returning to sell afghans and brooms. .plus talk to folks about their group’s mission.
If you are interested, or know of someone who is interested, contact Barb Shelley.
HOBO SUPPER
OCTOBER 19 3:30PM
MEYER’S FARM
The church family has been invited to a “Hobo Supper” at the Meyer’s Farm! More details to follow… but meanwhile, add to your calendar! You won’t want to miss the fun!