WORSHIP WITH US – SUNDAYS AT 10AM
from Rev. C. Nels Ledwell
153 Fish
In Seminary students are often asked to go deep into Biblical research and interpretation. Sometimes, with the help of the brilliant faculty members, we would get so deep into the scripture and wild theories it became too easy for us to get caught up in trivial interpretations of scripture and miss the point. The Rev. Brett Blair gives this example.
Take a look at John 21:11: “Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.” Now, why in heaven’s name was there 153 fish? Have you ever wondered about that? No? Well others have.
Cyril of Alexandria in the 5th century said that the 100 represented the fullness of the gentiles, the 50 symbolized the remnant of Israel and the three of course was there for the Trinity.
Augustine’s theory (5th century) was a little more complicated. He said, there are 10 commandments and 7 is the perfect number of grace and that’s 17 right? Now if you add all the numbers from 1 to 17 together, you know 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 all the way up to 17 you’ll get 153. And not only that but if you were to arrange them with 17 fish in the first row, and 16 in the next row, and 15 in the next row, all the way down to a row of 1 you get a perfect triangle which of course symbolizes the Trinity.
Jerome, he also lived in the 5th century, suggested that there were 153 different types of fish in the sea and it was symbolic of the church reaching all the people in the world.
Here’s another theory of Rev. Blair: they had to divide them somehow, and so Peter being the Skipper he got 21% or 32 fish, and John being mate got 16% that’s 25 fish, and the other five got 10.5% each or 16 fish….
Personally, I have my own theory, want to hear it? I think that it’s mentioned because there were 153 fish in the net.
You see we can get so caught up in really trivial stuff and miss the point that we need to be obedient to Christ. The important part was they obeyed and let down their nets.
Are you ready to listen to Jesus?
See you in Church or online this Sunday!
Your Pastor,
Nels
Nels
Preparing for Worship
Sunday, May 4, 2025
Third Sunday of Easter
Third Sunday of Easter
Holy Communion
Scripture Lesson: John 21: 1-19
Message: The Reset Button of the Lord
Hymns:
Scripture Lesson: John 21: 1-19
Message: The Reset Button of the Lord
Hymns:
Christ Is Risen
Ask Ye What Great Thing I Know
Christ Is Alive
Anthems:
Ask Ye What Great Thing I Know
Christ Is Alive
Anthems:
My Lord, What a Morning
The Lord Bless You and Keep You
The Lord Bless You and Keep You
Kindness Update – The Cost of Kindness!
The article below entitled “How Much Goodness Can $20 Buy?” dated April 26, 2025,is reprinted from the Good News Network. It reminds us that kindness is free, that it multiplies the value of whatever you put into it!
It all started with heartbreak and $100 in tips, when in 2014 Kristina Ulmer’s sister headed home with the cash earned from her breakfast tables but never made it due to a car crash. Because her sister Katie was always concerned about struggling folks who were less fortunate, Kristina decided to turn the $100 from her sister’s tips into a fitting memorial that would brighten the world–just like her sister always did.
“I knew I had to do something worthwhile with it,” said Kristina, a ninth-grade English teacher near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the time her class was reading a novel about people’s obsession with their computer screens causing them to lack empathy toward each other.”
It was that novel, several years after her sister’s death, that Kristina got an idea. Everyone needed a reminder about the importance of being interconnected and the value of helping each other along the way.
So Kristina took the $100 she’d been saving from her sister’s purse, added a little more to it, and directed her students to take a $20 bill and go out into the world with a mission: Do something kind and make a video about it.
Her ‘Kindness Challenge’ has since attracted over $7,000 in donations—enough to sustain it for six straight years. And, it’s created more than 350 acts of kindness—each one unique.
Every year, new acts of kindness move Kristina to tears as she combines the videos into a montage that shares the story of her sister, along with the magic created by her students with their $20 bills.
Have you seen God today? If you see God at work this week, you can share what you saw! Be a blessing to others by sharing your Act of Kindness (no names please) on our website or use this link: https://www.mccormickmc.org/acts-of-kindness. Share what you saw; perhaps someone will be inspired to do an act of kindness themselves! Then check back each week to learn how others are passing on acts of kindness!
CHURCH AND PARSONAGE GROUNDS CLEANUP DAY
A big shout out to our intrepid volunteers for the annual Church spring cleanup on Saturday. Brad Meyers, Harry Shelley, Byron Thompson (and a friend who he persuaded to show up), Dick Whiteman, Roger Wideman, Bob Wissinger and John Yerdon spread mulch on the church grounds , Rte. 378 Parking lot and the parsonage. They also trimmed, killed weeds and picked up debris in the 378 Parking lot. Kim Jackson, Wendy Kvale, and Deb Wissinger worked tirelessly cleaning all of the inside windows in the church to a sparkling shine. Thanks again for all your great work.
MMC Trustees
MATTHEW AND KRISTI SCALES
MISSION IN UGANDA
How To Support
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—
METHODIST MEN N MINISTRY
MAY 6
Methodist Men n Ministry meeting will be Tuesday, May 6, 2025 beginning at 6pm. Ron Garling will be presenting the devotion.
Dinner will be slightly different.. We will be having an ”Italian flavor dinner”..
We will be discussing the after church Mother’s day breakfast. John Yerdon is planning scrambled eggs, sliced ham briskets with all other normal breakfast items. The other items we need to discuss is the Trunks of Gold (Saturday, May 17,2025) open community pancake breakfast.from 8am to 11am.
John will need 2-3 helpers for the mother’s day morning breakfast and another 4- 6 for the Trunks of Gold event. We will also be voting on special donations. See you all Tuesday, May 6,2025.
MMC SCHOLARSHIP
APPLICATIONS ARE READY
The Scholarship Committee of the McCormick Methodist Church is currently accepting applications for this year’s Creighton Scholarship. Applications are available at the church office Monday – Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Application deadline is July 1.
Criteria for the selection of the scholarship winner are as follows:
The candidate must be a graduating high school senior who has been accepted at an institution of higher learning and displays the traits of good character, service to others and academic excellence.
Question? Call Patsy Wilson or Lindy Stahlman.
THE CHOSEN SEASON 4
CONTINUES EACH MONDAY NIGHT
Join Us for an 8-Week Bible Study Featuring The Chosen (Season 4)!
Come be part of a special time of fellowship and discussion as we watch and explore The Chosen (Season 4) together. Each week, we’ll view an episode, then enjoy coffee, dessert, and meaningful conversation about the themes and scriptures it highlights.
Details:
When: Mondays, April 28 – June 23 (No meeting on May 26 for Memorial Day)
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Where: McCormick Methodist Church
What to Expect: Fellowship, coffee, dessert, and thought-provoking discussion
Where: McCormick Methodist Church
What to Expect: Fellowship, coffee, dessert, and thought-provoking discussion
Everyone is welcome! Let us know if you plan to join. Sign ups in Fellowship Hall.
EPWORTH CHILDREN’S HOME
MOTHER’S DAY OFFERING
SUNDAY, MAY 11, WE CELEBRATE OUR MOTHERS AND EPWORTH!
Most of the children served by Epworth will not be celebrating Mother’s Day with their birth mothers this year. Instead, they will be surrounded by loving staff or foster parents who walk with them daily to provide spiritual, educational, emotional, and physical support.
The Mother’s Day offering is our opportunity to partner with Epworth to improve the lives of the children and families they serve. For more information about Epworth, visit online at www.epworthsc.org. Please be in prayerful consideration of what God is calling you to give to help Epworth make a difference in the lives of children and families every day. For more information about Epworth, visit online at www.epworthsc.org.
If using a check please make it payable to MMC and write Epworth on the subject line.
There will be envelopes provided in the bulletin on May 11.
You may donate at any time. Place your check in the offering plate, bring to the office or mail to MMC, P.O. 267, McCormick SC 29835.
The easiest way to donate is to use the secure VANCO site on our website. Simply click on this link … https://secure.myvanco.com/YQQ5/campaign/C-106JP
MOTHER’S DAY TREAT
MEN N MINSTRY MAKING BREAKFAST
MAY 11
The Methodist men n ministry will be providing a light breakfast for church attendees after service on Mother’s day. John Yerdon and crew will be making scrambled eggs, sausage and muffins. There will be coffee and juice available.
TRUNKS OF GOLD
PANCAKE BREAKFAST
MAY 17
Methodist men will be providing a pancake breakfast on Saturday May 17, 2025. It will run from 8am to 11am, $6.00 gets you all you can eat. Blueberry and normal pancakes with sausage will be served, with all the normal breakfast items.
Trunks of Gold will be another fun activity! Come for breakfast and then go down to Main Street and check out what the vendors are selling from their trunks.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS AND ICE CREAM SOCIAL
May 18th at 3PM
Bring your animals to the Meyer’s Farm!!
Our first Blessing of the Animals will be happening Sunday, May 18th at 3PM!!!
Bring your pets, furry or not and enjoy a great afternoon as Nels blesses all our pets.
Ice cream will be served to the people and “treats” for the pets. Please keep your dogs on a leash…gotta keep the cats safe!!
MMC CRAFT SHOW AND COOKIE FACTORY
OCTOBER 4 – 9am to 2pm
VENDORS NEEDED
Lindy Stahlman and Cindy Klausman are the new chairpersons for the Craft Show. Carol Tummons will be leading the bakers for the Cookie Factory.
Sue Wurtzbacher and Marge Radosevich will be asking for plants to sell in the Atrium. Watch for more details!
PLANT SALE If you are planning on repotting, separating plants, or rooting new plants, and would like to share your bounty, please consider sharing your plants by donating to the MMW Craft Show Plant Sale.
Marge and I will set up several tables (depending on how many plants we get) in the Atrium.
Also if you have extra pots you no longer need (no plastic) or garden accents we would love to accept them also.
We usually have the plants dropped off at the church Friday (Oct 3). If for some reason you need to bring them sooner, we can work something out.
We usually have the plants dropped off at the church Friday (Oct 3). If for some reason you need to bring them sooner, we can work something out.
Thank you in advance for sharing.
Marge Radosevich and Sue Wurtzbacher
VENDORS If you or a friend or neighbor is interested in participating in this year’s Craft Show, please email Lindy Stahlman. Lindy will send you the pricing information and registration form. Don’t hesitate, the spots fill up quickly!
Indoor tables (8 ft) cost $40 and all crafts must be handcrafted. We also offer tent space (you supply the tents) for $25. Items do not have to be handcrafted.
Again, there will be tons of baked goods in the Fellowship Hall. Watch for notices about what is needed as the year goes on.
The Men N’ Ministry will be selling brats cooked on the grill, as well as soda and chips.
It is always a fun day of fellowship while raising funds for our missions!
More details about the event are available at https://www.mccormickmc.org/craft-show-2025/
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.