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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

 

 

A certain public school superintendent passed down a verbal set of instructions to his assistant concerning the appearance of Halley’s Comet a few years back. The superintendent said:

 

Next Thursday at 10:30 a.m., Halley’s Comet will appear over this area. This is an event that occurs only once every 75 years. Call the school principals and have them assemble their teachers and classes on their athletic fields, and explain the phenomena to them. If it rains, then cancel the day’s observation and have the classes meet in the auditorium to see a film about the Comet.

 

The assistant superintendent telephoned the school principals with this message: By order of the superintendent of schools, next Thursday Halley’s Comet will appear over your athletic field at 10:30 a.m. If it rains, then cancel the day’s classes and report to the auditorium with your teachers and students, where you will be shown films, a phenomenal event which occurs only once every 75 years.

 

The principals told their teachers the following: By order of the phenomenal superintendent of schools, at 10:30 a.m. next Thursday, Halley’s Comet will appear in the auditorium. In case of rain over the athletic field, the superintendent will give another order — something which occurs only once in every 75 years.

 

The teachers then told their students: Next Thursday at 10:30 a.m., the superintendent of schools will appear in our school auditorium with Halley’s Comet — something which occurs every 75 years. If it rains, the superintendent will cancel the Comet and will order us out on our phenomenal athletic field.

 

By the time the message was taken home to parents by the students and it sounded like this: When it rains next Thursday at 10:30 a.m. over the school’s athletic field, the phenomenal 75 year-old superintendent of schools will cancel all classes, and appear before the student body in the auditorium, accompanied by Bill Haley and the Comets.

 

When we fail to listen, we misinterpret or modify what we have heard. It is then that chaos and confusion come in. We practice selective listening and hear only what we want to hear! Good Christians listen carefully, attentively, and intentionally to the voice of the God through the Holy Spirit. In listening to Jesus, we hear the instruction, guidance, and sensitivity we need in relating to our lives and the world around us.          – Adapted from a sermon by Lori Best Sawdon

 

See You in Church or Online this Sunday where I pray you will listen. Read your newsletter so you will know what is happening in the Church. Prepare for Church by reading the scripture lessons listed in our newsletter. Come, prepared to worship and hear God’s message!

 

Your Pastor,
Nels

 

Fourth Sunday After Easter

Scripture Lesson: 1 John 3: 16-24

Reference Text: 1 John 4: 7-21
Message: “Measuring Up to the Love Command”

 

A big shout-out goes to Dot Baggett this week! She placed the beautiful arrangement above in church this past Sunday – April 14. What is extra special about these flowers is that the bulletin noted that the flowers were placed on the Altar to the Glory of God and in recognition of Good Deeds Day – Sunday, April 14. With that Dot issued a challenge to each of us to do a good deed!

 

Online I found that Good Deeds Day takes place annually on a chosen Sunday in April — this year, it fell on April 14. This initiative seeks to promote people giving back to their community however they can. You can volunteer, donate to a charity, or help people in your area whichever way you see fit. The beauty of Good Deeds Day is that there’s no set way to celebrate it. The goal is to help others and do good for your community, fostering a sense of kindness and compassion around us. Acts of charity are never forgotten by their recipients, so it’s good to spread the love on this special holiday!

 

Dot’s beautiful flowers achieved two good deeds. Not only did we enjoy their beauty during Morning Worship, but afterwards Dot took them to Forest View Manor so that residents there could enjoy them! Thank you, Dot – hopefully, we will respond to your challenge that is also one we find in scripture:
Hebrews 13: 16 – “Do not forget to do good and to help one another, because these are the sacrifices that please God.”

 

This week’s kindness entry reminds us how God’s Loving Kindness is revealed to us: In the restroom at Walmart the other day, I stood behind an elderly lady who was standing there waiting behind her walker. She said, “when you finish, come out so you can watch my pocketbook”. Out of the stall came a smiling special needs young lady who went and stood behind her grandmother’s walker. I couldn’t help but speak a silent “thank you” to God for in His infinite wisdom and loving kindness He put those two people together to make their way in this world!

 

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!

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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.

 

Widows Connection meeting time for April has been changed from the fourth Monday to the fifth Monday – the next meeting will be on Monday, April 29 at 5 p.m. The meeting location is also changed to the home of Linda Kidd on 106 S. Maple Street in McCormick. Since we have completed our spring study of First Corinthians – Living Love When We Disagree, we will spend time enjoying food and fellowship together – will also plan what our next study will be! Any women who would like to have this experience are encouraged to join this group for our April meeting– we would love to have you! If you have any questions, please contact Toni Graham.

 

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. 

 

There will be special envelopes on Sunday, May 12, but you may contribute any time by writing a check, payable to MMC and noted Epworth Children’s Home. Feel free to drop in the collection plate or bring by the office. You may also mail your check to the church. MMC P.O. Box 267 McCormick SC 29835.  You may also donate online.

 

For more information about Epworth Children’s Home, visit them online at www.epworthchildrenshome.org .

 

When you sign up on the calendar across from the church office, you are responsible for the flowers for that Sunday. You are welcome to bring in your own plant or arrangement from home, or you can arrange with one of the florists listed below. They will bring the arrangement for you and set it up on the pedestal in the sanctuary on Saturday night. You can take the flowers home after the service or perhaps you’d like to take it to someone who needs some cheering up!

 

Patsy will call or email you prior to your date to get the information you want in the bulletin. The arrangement might be in celebration of an event or in memory of a loved one(s).