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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

 

 

Several centuries ago in a mountain village in Europe, a wealthy nobleman wondered what legacy he should leave to his townspeople. He made a good decision. He decided to build them a church. No one was permitted to see the plans or the inside of the church until it was finished. At its grand opening, the people gathered and marveled at the beauty of the new church. Everything had been thought of and included. It was a masterpiece.

 

But then someone said, “Wait a minute! Where are the lamps? It is really quite dark in here. How will the church be lighted?” The nobleman pointed to some brackets in the walls, and then he gave each family a lamp, which they were to bring with them each time they came to worship.

 

“Each time you are here'” the nobleman said, “the place where you are seated will be lighted. Each time you are not here, that place will be dark. This is to remind you that whenever you fail to come to church, some part of God’s house will be dark”

 

That’s a poignant story, isn’t it? And it makes a very significant point about the importance of our commitment and loyalty to the church. This story also illustrates the importance of each person in our Church. Your talents, gifts, service, presence and love are needed each Sunday. Without you, Church is just not the same. Without being in Church, your soul remains hungry for the Word of the Lord. Yes, You need to be a vital part of the Church!

 

See You in Church or online this Sunday!

 

Your Pastor,

Nels

Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

Living Generously Sermon Series

Reference Text: 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10

Message:  “Through the Eyes of Jesus” – Debbie Wissinger, Lay Servant and Chair of Stewardship delivering the message.

Take My Life and Let It Be
Jesu, Jesu

A Charge To Keep I Have
Open My Eyes, That I May See
Anthem: Here I Am, Lord

 

The “New Beginning” scrapbook given by Barb Jeffers is located in the Fellowship Hall for your reading pleasure.

 

Some of us have memories of being active members of 4-H Club – meetings, projects, fun summer camps, etc. The logo was a 4-leaf clover with an “H” on each leaf, representing “Head, Heart, Hands, Health”. Those memories were stirred recently when I read the Good News Network’s Backpack Giveaway article dated August 3, 2024.

 

It was about an 18-year-old Oklahoma boy – Reed Marcum – who spent his Saturday igniting school spirit by giving away 6,000 book bags stuffed with school supplies. The giveaway is part of Reed’s annual 4-H service project—and its success resulted in his being honored with the 4-H Youth in Action Award for his community-centered projects that for 9 years have collectively raised more than $3.5 million in funds and donated items.

 

The drive-thru Back-to-School Book Bag Giveaway, just one of those projects, has distributed more than 33,000 backpacks and $1.3 million in school supplies to students and families from his hometown and beyond, including across Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas. “I want to help kids get their school year started right,” said Reed, who is a rising sophomore at Oklahoma State University. “…it is so fulfilling to know we are playing a small part in getting kids excited about their education.”

 

Since 2016, Reed has also organized an annual 4-H Toy Giveaway. During last year’s toy drive, cars lined up for over three miles and Marcum distributed more than 10,000 toys to children and families in need for the holidays.

 

As a national winner, Marcum received a $5,000 higher education scholarship and has showcased his story nationally. He says he was inspired by his longtime membership in 4-H whose mission is “engaging youth to reach their fullest potential to become true leaders.”

 

“Head – Heart – Hands – Health” – how inspiring it is for us to realize that an organization that was first formed in 1912 – over 100 years ago – has such a far-reaching impact of kindness today!

 

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!

 

Epworth Children’s Home has provided care and support for over a century to the children and families of South Carolina. Epworth staff members are knowledgeable and understanding, and they benefit from training that continually expands their knowledge and approach to care. After more than 100 years of providing assistance to families, Epworth continues to expand its services to meet the needs of children in South Carolina.

 

Epworth is not an apportioned item, and it relies heavily on the offerings received on Work Day and Mother’s Day to provide quality care to the 400 plus individuals who are in Epworth’s care weekly. The special Work Day offering this year was Sunday, September 8th. This is a time to promote children’s ministry through Epworth, and to take a special offering for God’s work through Epworth.

 

It is not too late to contribute!

 

You can contribute on-line at the Epworth Workday Offering link on our website.

 

 

The Second Annual Women’s Retreat was a wonderful experience for the women who attended. The first day was at Elijah Clark State Park and the second day was in the Fellowship Hall at church. Besides the women of our church there were three from other churches.

 

De French was our leader, and many spoke of her passion which made the retreat so special. Other comments were the retreat was informative, awesome, my group was the best, and loved when sisters shared. We became more aware of women’s role in Scripture, and many felt that this retreat created strong bonds with the women who attended.

 

It was a wonderful weekend with a terrific leader, good food, and, most importantly, being with each other. Thank you Maxine, Patty, Wendy, Kim, and everyone who attended.

 

 

 

The 24:7 Small Group extends this invitation to any ladies to join them as they begin their fall study on Friday, September 20 at 10 a.m. at the church. Meetings are on the first and third Fridays. The group’s mission is mental health and luncheons and activities, including Bible study, are held throughout the year with the residents at Bell Ridge housing complex in downtown McCormick. The fall study is a DVD 6-session series entitled Church of the Small Things – Making a Difference Right Where You Are featuring best-selling author and popular blogger Melanie Shankle. In the series, she celebrates the beauty of the many small things in life that add up to make a big difference and teaches us all to savor what truly matters. In this humorous and honest Bible study, she offers the opportunity to embrace what it means to live an abundant and meaningful life by finding beauty and laughter in all the small things right beneath the surface of every moment of your life. Sign up on the signup sheet in the Fellowship Hall or Contact Linda Kidd, Group Leader, or any group member if you have questions.

 

Bells Across America is an annual celebration of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. Participants gather to ring bells, much as the church bells of Philadelphia rang out when the U.S. Constitution was first signed at 4 pm on September 17, 1787.

 

DAR has announced that Bells Across America will be held at our church on September 17. There will be a gathering and refreshments in the Fellowship Hall at 3pm. Everyone will move into the sanctuary for a program at 3:30pm. Then at 4pm, everyone will ring a bell. Everyone is welcome! Bring your own bell, or you can use one of the bells provided by DAR.

 

If you would like to volunteer to help that day, please call Gail Gore.

 

 

We will hold our service on Sept 22 at Baker Creek Pavilion at 10am. There will not be a service at the church. The service at Baker Creek is rain or shine. There are picnic tables, but you might want to bring a chair also.

 

There will be a fun picnic following! Great time to invite your neighbors to join us! We will put out an invite on Neighborlink, but an invite from you will make them feel special!

 

The church will be providing fried chicken, tea, and lemonade. We are asked to bring a casserole, salad or dessert to share.

 

There is a sign-up in the Fellowship Hall. Please indicate the number of people you are bringing (include yourself in the number) and the dish you will be bringing.

It goes without saying, this is a fun time, very casual.. time to relax and enjoy the fellowship of fellow Christians!

 

Hey Church Family!!! Do you long for the “good old days” you know…. the days before covid???!

 

Coming up Sunday September 29, 2024, is the 5th Sunday of September, and we’re going to have a “good old fashioned” 5th Sunday get-to-gather!!!”

 

All 3 Sunday Schools will be closed as the entire Church Family is invited to the fellowship hall after service on Sunday, September 29th for a lesson on The RightNow Media, along with a presentation of a Bible Study from Revelation. This short gathering will be hosted by Kim Jackson, our RightNow Media expert!!! Toni & Carol will be providing the lite refreshments so be willing to help if called upon.

 

Get excited …5th Sunday is BACK!!!

Questions, please call Toni Graham.

 

We need 7 or 8 strong folks to help with the set up on Thursday, Oct 3 at 4pm. We will be setting up the tables, removing all the chairs, etc.

 

We need 7 or 8 (or more) to help with set up on Saturday morning at 7:30am. You will be carrying out tables for the vendors, helping the outside vendors with their tents, and then setting up for the Men’s Brat sale.

 

We need 7 or 8 (or more) at 2pm on Saturday to take all the tables down, bring the chairs back into the FH, and set up for Sunday.

 

If you can help, please email or text Barb Shelley.

 

COOKIE FACTORY
Carol Tummons and Carol Fuller have put up a sign-up in the Fellowship Hall. They will need a lot of your famous baked goods, volunteers to set up, price, sell, and take down. See the sign-up sheet for what is needed!

 

PLANTS
Marge Radosevich is in charge of the plant sale, which will be held in the Atrium. Marge and Sue Wurtzbacher will work with those that are willing to donate plants. They would like you to bring your plants on Friday to the atrium so they can work on pricing.

 

If you have any questions, please contact Marge.

 

 

When:
Saturday, October 19, 2024; 3:30 PM.
Where:
Pat and Brad Meyers Farm; 4601 Upper Mill Road, McCormick, SC.
Who:
McCormick Methodist Church Family. (Sign up in the fellowship hall)
What:
Food – Unique Dinning Experience:

• Bring a can of your favorite vegetables (corn, peas, beans, mixed, other) The contents will be opened, strained, and added to a pre-prepared base in a hot boiling cauldron (Hobo Style).
• Rinse and save the can. You will need it to eat out of later. Paper bowls will also be available.
• Bring a koozie for the hot can.
• Bring a lawn chair.
• Beverages that will be available are tea, lemonade and water. If another beverage is desired, please feel free to bring it!
• Sign up in the fellowship hall.

• Games
        Ladder Ball
        Horse Shoes
        Holey Board
• Conversation
• Hobo Attire (optional)

 

Note: Please bring additional food items to help restock the MMC Food Pantry! Suggestions: small jars of peanut butter, pasta, sauces, soup, canned meats, canned meals (beef stew etc.), cereal, fruit cups or cans of fruit cocktail! Please be aware of expiration dates.

 

The Evangelism Committee is planning a Christmas Event in conjunction with Holiday on Main in McCormick. It will be held on Saturday, December 7 from 2-4pm. They are planning on having a professional Santa Claus in the Fellowship Hall, which will be decorated with child-friendly decorations. Cookies an Punch will be served.

 

There will be several different church groups presenting their music in the sanctuary.

 

They will be calling on the church family for cookies and possibly some decorations.

 

Mark your calendars!

 

 

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.