from Rev. C. Nels Ledwell

 

 

James W. Moore shares this story for all who need a reminder of how the Body of Christ loves her members.

 

It was a cold Christmas Eve a few years ago. Will Willimon, Dean of the Chapel at Duke University, was rushing his family to get in the car. They were running late for the communion service. “Where are the sermon notes? Where is the pulpit robe? Don’t forget to turn off the lights. Everybody get in the car and be quiet!”

 

On the way to the church… rushing through the traffic, their 5-year-old- daughter, Harriet, got sick at her stomach and she up-chucked all over the car. “Great!” Will Willimon thought, “If people only knew what preachers go through.” He wheeled into the church parking lot and jumped out of the car, leaving his wife, Patsy, to clean up the car and get the kids into the church… and he thought, “If people only knew what preachers’ spouses go through.”

 

His wife, Patsy, led a still unsteady and pale Harriet into the church. They sat on the back pew in the darkness… just in case Harriet got sick again. Their son, William, age seven, ran down to the front of the church to sit with his grandparents. Will Willimon threw on his robe, took a deep breath, and joined the choir for the processional. He made it through the first part of the service… and the sermon. Then came Holy Communion. Will Willimon’s wife, Patsy, came down to the altar to receive the sacrament, but she left 5 year old Harriet on the back pew. Harriet was still so pale and so weak and so sick. But then something beautiful happened. Seven-year-old William got up and came back to the communion rail. “What on earth is he doing?” wondered his parents. “He’s already received communion once. What is he up to?” They watched him race to the back of the church and scoot down the pew toward his sister. He opened his hands… revealing a small piece of bread. “Harriet,” he said, “This is the body of Christ given for you.” Without hesitation, little Harriet picked the bread out of her brother’s hands and plopped it into her mouth and said, “Amen.” And in that moment Holy Communion had never been more holy. Then 7-year-old William patted his 5-year-old sister Harriet on the head. He smiled. She smiled. And then he turned and ran back down to the front of the church to re-join his grandparents. (The Christian Ministry, July-August 1989, p. 47)

 

Think of that. Her 7-year-old brother William thought to include her. Either because she wasn’t being included or he thought it might help her feel better he reached out to his sister with what really mattered—the body of Christ in the form of communion. There’s a name for that… it’s called LOVE! What a beautiful thing it is when our children rise to the occasion and teach us once again the power of love, the wonder of love, the miracle of love.

 

This Sunday we will talk about the Body, Love and have communion together.

 

See you in Church or online this Sunday.

 

Your Pastor,
Nels

 

Sunday, February 2, 2025 10 AM
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

Holy Communion
Scripture Lesson: 1 Corinthians 12: 12-28
Message: “Body Building”

Jesus Call Us
Come, Thou Almighty King
Be Present at our Table Lord
Where He Leads Me
Go Now in Peace
Anthem: Come, Come Unto Me

 

Browsing the Good News Network as Super Bowl LIX approaches, it was refreshing to find the kindness story below that puts things in proper perspective in light of all the media hype that is associated with pro football these days. I enjoyed it and thought you might as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Week’s Kindness Entry: Walking out into the grocery store parking lot the other day, I saw a woman near my car waving her arms in the air. Drawing near, I realized it was an old friend I hadn’t seen in many years. She had locked her keys in her car and needed a ride to the Blood Connection where her husband was making a platelet donation and could drive her back over to her vehicle when finished. We caught up on old times on the way, and when she got out, she said, “your kindness to me should be reported to someone”. I told her I knew just what to do to take care of that!

 

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!

 

In the Methodist Church we have a position called Lay Leader, and I’m happy to say I’m filling this position! The Lay Leaders’ primary job is to connect with the people of the church, the leadership of the church and the local community. I’m looking forward to talking to you and finding out how you wish to participate in our church activities. Please call me anytime, if you know me, you know I love to talk!!!

 

I’ll be meeting with each of our groups to see what their needs are and how they wish to move forward to help the growth of our church in 2025. At this point I’ve met with our new Worship Leader, Deb Wissinger and the new Fellowship gals, Toni Graham & Nancy Vereb.

 

The fellowship gals have made the decision to take over the decorating of the fellowship hall and Deb from the Worship Team agrees. So, if you have questions regarding what’s happening in the fellowship hall please reach out to Toni &/or Nancy. Please discuss any fellowship hall decorating or needs with them. They’re coming up with some new directions for any volunteer who wants to sign up for the coffee hour which they’ll add to the detailed notebook that’s available for the kitchen help you might need to do a fellowship Sunday.

 

We’re hoping that some of our “groups” or Sunday schools or committees will sign up this year. Fellowship is a major part of any church and is as important as any committee and hopefully easier to do!!!

 

Wendy Kvale

Lay Leader 2025

 

Being an Usher is a great way to connect with your church family and be one of the first smiling faces people see when they visit us! Ushers provide an invaluable service. Thank you to all who served in 2024! Past ushers, please watch for an email from Shannon Stewart to coordinate the February 2025-end of January 2026 Usher schedule, and let her know the month you would like to serve! Also, if anyone wants to become an usher, please let her know.

 

Ushers are NO LONGER responsible for security (A different group handles security!).

 

Usher responsibilities include handing out bulletins, lighting the candles for service, locking the door nearest your station once service begins, lighting and extinguishing candles, and (once a month) assisting with communion. What a lovely way to be Christ’s servant!

 

If interested, call or text Shannon Stewart.

 

 

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—

 

Following the service, several like to go to the Fellowship Hall and grab a cup of coffee and a sweet, and enjoy the fellowship of the MMC family.

 

We need folks to host. This means setting up the coffee (there are specific directions on the counter), and providing some cookies, muffins, or fruit to share.

 

Sign up to help (usually two sign up for one Sunday). The sign-up is on the table in the Fellowship Hall.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Beginning this new year, we’re embarking on a transformative yearlong churchwide study focusing on scripture, Christian living, and discipleship. Designed to inspire spiritual growth and build deeper connections within our church family, this study is available through the McCormick Methodist digital library on RightNow Media.

 

• Sunday School Integration: Adult Sunday school classes will adopt this study as part of their curriculum.
• Small Groups: Small groups are encouraged to participate by incorporating the study into their gatherings. This would be a great small in home group study. If you would like to participate in this study let Kim Jackson know and she’ll help get you started.
• Individuals: Individuals can participate on their own devices/tvs. Need help? Contact Kim Jackson

MEN N MINISTRY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4 6PM

• Do you feel “done” with your loved one’s substance use issue?
• Are you compelled to understand why they are using?
• Do you long to stay in a relationship with your loved one but aren’t sure how to do that?
• Do you want to help but don’t know how?

McCormick Methodist Women Meeting
Wednesday, February 5 – 3PM

SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY

FEBRUARY 9

MMC FOOD PANTRY
NEEDS RESTOCKING

• Small jars of peanut butter or peanut butter with jelly mix
• Cream soups for casseroles
• Boxes or bags of pasta (plain)
• Small cans of fruit

 

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!