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from Rev. C. Nels Ledwell
The Power of Easter
I’m certain I have probably shared this story with you before. It is about Rev. James Moore. Enjoy this story that speaks so well about what happens to us after Easter.
Let me tell you a true story that happened some time ago: A young boy’s father died in a car wreck when he was twelve years old. He read it in the newspaper before anyone got word to him to tell him about it. When he saw that picture of the family car smashed-up on the front page of the newspaper… and read that his dad had died in that accident, he was thrust immediately and painfully into the shocked numbness of deep grief.
Strangely, one of his very first feelings were those of guilt. He had remembered how some months before at a family picnic he was showing off with a baseball. At one point he got careless and threw wildly; it hit his dad in the hand and broke his thumb. The young boy felt horrible. He said to himself, “What a terrible son I am! I have caused my dad great pain.”
It seemed that was all he could remember after his fathers death—the pain he caused his dad. Finally, the young boy went to see his pastor and told him about the deep feelings of guilt and about breaking his dad’s thumb.
The young boy… well, let me tell you in the boy’s own words, he said: I’ll never forget how my pastor handled that. He was so great. He came around the desk with tears in his eyes. He sat down across from me and said:
“Now, Jim,” that was the boy’s name, “you listen to me. If your dad could come back to life for five minutes and be right here with us… and if he knew you were worried about that, what would he say to you?”
“He would tell me to quit worrying about that,” Jim said.
“Well, all right,” the minister said, “then you quit worrying about that right now. Do you understand me?”
“Yes sir,” he said… and he did.
That minister was saying: “You are forgiven. Accept the forgiveness… and make a new start with your life.” The young boy did make a new start. And many years later, he served a 9,000 member church: St Luke’ s in Houston. The young Boy? James W. Moore, the author of over 30 books on Christian living.
That’s Easter. The Risen Lord comes back to life… and assures the disciples that they are forgiven.
- Peter had denied his Lord three times.
- Thomas had doubted.
- All the disciples had forsaken Him.
But, Christ came back, forgave them, resurrected them. He came back to share with them… He comes today, this morning, to share with you the joy, the encouragement and the forgiveness of Easter.
We are Easter People!
See You in Church or online this Sunday!
Your Pastor,
Nels
Nels
Preparing for Worship
April 14, 2024 10:00 AM
Third Sunday of Easter
Scripture Lesson: 1 John 3: 1-12
Message: “Make Me a Child Again”
Message: “Make Me a Child Again”
FIRST TUESDAY
STEPHEN MINISTRY CORNER
Have you ever wondered why Stephen Ministry is called Stephen Ministry?
Stephen was one of the first laypeople commissioned by the Apostles to provide a caring ministry. His story is told in Acts 6. As the church grew in that first century the new Christians, who were often cut off from their Jewish families for their new beliefs, depended upon each other for support. The sharing of homes, food, and resources was a necessity. The organizing of this support became overwhelming for the Twelve Apostles and so they designated seven men who were “full of Spirit and wisdom” to be in charge of this needed caring support. Stephen was one of these seven men.
Today things are not so different. The types of support needed have expanded to include struggles with things like grief, divorce, loneliness, relocation, hospitalization, serious illness, isolation … the need for spiritual food … and the need for this type of care greatly exceeds what pastors alone can provide. All Christians are called to care for and love one another … it isn’t just the Pastor’s job.
If you are one of those struggling with any issue, if you have a need for ‘spiritual food,’ we urge you to consider becoming involved in a relationship with a modern-day Stephen Minister.
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.
Acts of Kindness
Kindness Update – Hugs from God!
I thank Emilee Groh for sharing with us this week. This touching true story about the healing power of a hug and sibling love made its appearance on the Internet in April 2000, so you may have already heard about it. I had not and wanted to pass it on. It is as follows:
This picture is from an article called “The Rescuing Hug” that details the first weeks of life of a set of twins. Each was in her respective incubator, and one was not expected to live. A hospital nurse fought against the hospital rules and placed the babies in one incubator. When they were placed together, the healthier of the two threw an arm over her sister in an endearing embrace. The smaller baby’s heart stabilized, and her temperature rose to normal.
As you would expect, the twins’ photo and story got much media attention. The famous photo not only circulated on the Internet, but it was run in Life magazine and Reader’s Digest. The story of the twins – Brielle and Kyrie – became known as “the hug that helped change medicine”.
While this story truly is about a “rescuing hug” or “the hug that helped change medicine”, it also reminds me that this was a “hug from God”. As God’s creations, we all were brought into this world through the Loving Kindness of a Loving God who created us in such a way that we instinctively respond to each other’s need. His greatest hug to us — through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus – makes us want to hug others! And that’s the best hug of all!
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!
MMC PANCAKE BREAKFAST
TRUNKS OF GOLD
The Evangelism Trunks of Gold breakfast was very successful. The Methodist men served about 115 plates.
We had lots of help. As the help showed up, they sort of slid into a job and stuck with it until the end. We had good leadership in Ron Coleman, Charles Meyer, and John Yerdon. The cooking staff and servers were on top of the game. There were times we had to up our game and cook faster! We had servers, go to the store men, grill masters, syrup bottle fillers, trash picker uppers, several supervisors, equipment repairers, table cleaners and more. There was lot of talk at the full tables. Everyone was happy. Some did have second servings. One couple just kept refilling many times.
Hopefully we will see many new faces in church on upcoming Sundays.
MMC WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Harriet and Dick Whiteman
Both Dick and Harriet grew up in Illinois and met while students at Monmouth College in Illinois.
Dick is a former banker and Harriet was a librarian and owner of “Once Upon a Time,” a children’s bookstore. Her hobbies are reading and water color painting. Dick enjoys the out-of-doors and follows economics and sports activities of all kinds.
Jim and Lee Foraker
We were very pleased to have Lee and Jim join the MMC Church family this past Sunday!
Sounds like they spend a lot of time on the lake! They love to fish and are avid Cleveland Browns Fans!
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.
LAY READER CLASS
APRIL 16 10:30am
I know many of you want to deepen your spiritual life. One excellent way is to become part of the Sunday worship service. If you’ve ever wanted to be a lay reader but lacked the confidence, take my class! I’ll gladly share the confidence building techniques I learned while taking the Lay Reader class from the UM Church. Please join me on Tuesday, April 16th at 10:30AM. Men are encouraged to participate, as 9 years ago the lay reader position was mostly men. So, this class is open to all, anyone who is interested in learning about or want a little confidence building techniques…this is gonna do it!!!
Wendy Kvale
Certified Lay Speaker
Certified Lay Speaker
Native American Awareness Sunday
April 28
Cathy Nelson will be our speaker and the Keepers of the Word, all female drum team, will be assisting for a very interesting and educational service!! You won’t want to miss it!!
This year, we are celebrating Native American Awareness Sunday for the first time since disaffiliating from the United Methodist Church. Instead of donating to Native American Ministry Sunday (NAMS), our donations will go to Keepers of the Word. They are an intertribal organization in South Carolina teaching Native American traditions through sharing and teaching from a Native American perspective. Outreach ministries’ include: elder comfort baskets, youth programs, drumming demonstrations, blessings/funeral/wedding ceremonies and worship services. They provide traditional ceremonial services to families requesting memorial services at no charge. They give educational programs at schools, museums and community groups.
Please join us on Sunday, April 28 for a very interesting and educational service. Please give generously to this wonderful ministry.
Donate by writing a check to McCormick Methodist Church, indicating “Keepers of the Word” on the memo line. Or donate online.
MCCORMICK METHODIST WOMEN
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
APRIL 17 4PM
All women are invited to be part of the planning for this coming year!
Karen Hicks, our new president, would like all women to join her in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, April 17 at 4pm to toss around some ideas for missions/events and maybe even chat about possibly a new name for our women’s ministry!
She’d love to hear your ideas. We have the Craft Show and Cookie Factory to discuss, plus any activities you would like to see added. Perhaps you have thoughts on what you’d like to see in the plans. How about a night of Christmas Caroling to Shut-ins? Or maybe a trip to Greenwood for a movie and dinner? Perhaps you have a charity that needs some extra hands.
Karen invites all to attend and share! It will only be about an hour this first meeting!
LIBERTY HILL WOMEN’S SHELTER
TOUR AND DISCUSSION WITH OWNER
APRIL 18 11AM
Revenue from Coins for Lent will be given to the new women’s shelter opening in January of 2025 at Liberty Hill in McCormick County. There will be space to occupy 20 women who need recovery from broken homes and a chance to train for a job so they can become self-sufficient as the shelter has partnered with Piedmont Technical College.
The shelter will not receive government funds and is thought to be the only shelter of its kind in McCormick County. The staff of the shelter plans that its residents shall experience the love of Christ and the shelter will be a Christian Christ-Centered ministry.
We have been invited to Liberty Hill on April 18 (at 11 am) to hear Kathy tell us her story and get a tour of the farm.
We even get a lunch of croissant sandwiches, sides, dessert and drink for $8!
There is a limit of twenty, so if you are interested, please contact Deb Wissinger.
Donate to this mission by going to https://secure.myvanco.com/YQQ5/campaign/C-14PBA
EPWORTH CHILDREN’S HOME
MOTHER’S DAY CAMPAIGN
MAY 12, 2024
EPWORTH IS OUR MINISTRY! Last year Epworth Children’s Home served over 1,400 children and families through their statewide programs. Each of these children had this opportunity because of churches in South Carolina who embrace and provide for this ministry.
On Sunday, May 12th, 2024, we will participate in the annual Mother’s Day Offering to benefit the children who call Epworth home, as well as each child and family touched by Epworth’s ministries. Please be in prayerful consideration of what God is calling you to give to this valuable and life changing ministry. You may donate online.
For more information about Epworth Children’s Home, visit them online at www.epworthchildrenshome.org .