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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

 

 

Edwin Peterson tells a story. Several years ago a couple of reporters conducted an experiment on the streets of Miami, Florida. They printed up a copy of the Bill of Rights in the form of a petition, put it on a clipboard, and then stopped people on the sidewalk and asked them to sign it. As you know, the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution are the Bill of Rights, and they were adopted and put into effect in December of 1791. The reporters were surprised at people’s reaction when asked to add their names to the so-called petition. Most people glanced at the document, shook their heads, and walked on by without signing. Several people became angry with the reporters and accused them of being radical enemies of the American way of life. In fact, the experiment ended when the reporters found themselves surrounded by a dozen or so passers-by who were shaking their fists at them and calling them subversive Communists who ought to be thrown in jail.

 

What the experiment demonstrated is what we already know. Many citizens of the United States pay lip service to their country and its heritage. They claim to be loyal and patriotic in every way. They say they are proud to belong to a country as great as ours. And yet at the same time they haven’t the vaguest notion what the United States Constitution actually says, and they consider the Bill of Rights to be a radical, anti-American document. In other words, these people claim citizenship, but they have not internalized the basic meaning of being a citizen. They claim the privilege, but they will not eat and drink the ethos of United States of America.

 

The same sort of thing is described in this week’s Gospel. Jesus says, I am the living bread that came down from heaven. . . Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Most people probably think Jesus is talking only about communion. He is saying much more. He’s talking about the difference between external lip service and internal embodiment. He’s talking about the difference between admiring him and actually taking up one’s cross and following him. He’s talking about the difference between acting like a Christian on the outside and being a Christian on the inside. He is talking about following him as our Savior and Lord. This Sunday, we will talk about how we can make this journey with Jesus even more meaningful without out losing our courage.

 

See You in Church or online this Sunday!

 

Your Pastor,
Nels

 

Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Scripture Lesson: John 6: 58-69

Reference Text: Ephesians 6: 10-20

Message:  “That Human Urge”

 

With the exception of more serious interpretive dance, a word that most often describes the art of dancing is joy, and that was my thought when I viewed Judi Bouchard’s recent email “Dance like everyone is watching!”. It included a link to a video of movie stars dancing to the popular song, “I’m So Excited!” Watching it convinced me that today’s hip hoppers and break dancers are “copycats” of yesterday’s swing, boogie woogie, Charleston, quick step and jive! It was such fun to watch!

 

The scripture above from Psalm 30 links dancing with joy, and that seems to be what the non-profit organization Life Vest Inside did when they began an Annual Dance for Kindness event that is held each year during Worldwide Kindness Day in November! Begun in 2012, their 10th annual event had 23 countries to participate and marked a Decade of Kindness. In all, over 65 countries/360 cities worldwide have participated.

 

Life Vest Inside asks the question, “Who is your life vest? – who is that person who extends to you a “lifeline of kindness” – who sends you hope when you need it?” The slogan of Life Vest Inside is “Because Kindness Keeps The World Afloat”. The purpose of Dance for Kindness is to look beyond ourselves – beyond the boundaries of our country, beyond our culture, our race, our religion and realize that we are citizens of the world, and that kindness is the common thread that unites us all.

 

When you click on the link below, you can view a promotional video about Dance for Kindness. It also is fun to watch! When you watch it, you might be reminded of the One who is our Life Vest and our reason for “dancing, clothed with joy, as we sing praises to Him!” May we all “dance with God”!

 

 

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.

 

 

It’s time to think about baking! There will be a sign up starting next week, asking for goodies!

We rehearse on Wednesday nights (7:30pm) and before the service on Sundays (9:30am). We use sheet music, and Lindy Stahlman, our awesome director, often sends us tracks to use to rehearse at home! No auditions! Being able to read music helpful, but not required.

 

We would love a few more men, and a few more women! We understand many of you travel and cannot be at church every week, and that is fine, we all have our busy schedules! If you have any questions, please contact Lindy.

 

You are cordially invited to our Women’s Retreat! Join us for an enriching and inspiring weekend at Elijah Clark State Park as we delve into the themes and stories of Anita Diamant’s book, The Red Tent. This retreat promises to be a time of fellowship, reflection, and personal growth.

 

Location: Elijah Clark State Park

Dates: September 6th & 7th

Time: 10 AM – 4PM each day

Cost: $20.00 per person (includes meals)

 

 

You also may want to check it out on-line, depending on your streaming service, you may be able to watch it at home. These viewings will provide a visual and narrative backdrop that will enrich our discussion during the retreat.

 

If you have additional questions please contact

Karen Hicks or Maxine Dunn.

 

Gordon Waine will be doing the cooking. He will also be conducting the meeting.

 

We have an interesting speaker. Martha Croswell, from Crossroads Women’s Center in Greenwood, will be our speaker.

 

CrossRoads Women’s Center (CWC) is a non-profit organization focused on saving lives and supporting men and women through love and hope found in Jesus Christ. Established in 1988 as Greenwood Women’s Center, CWC has been serving Greenwood and the surrounding five counties for over 30 years!

 

“Our mission is to support men and women dealing with an unplanned pregnancy through life-affirming services that offer alternatives to abortion while offering a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

CrossRoads offers free services without regard to the race, creed, color, national origin, age, and marital or economic status of our clients.

 

 

Mark those calendars! The church picnic will be on Sunday, September 22.

 

It will start with a service at 10AM. Plan to bring a neighbor or new friend!

 

More details to follow!

 

 

The spots in the Fellowship Hall have been filled, and there is a waiting list!

 

We can still take about three more in tents outside.. then we will stop taking vendors and do up a waiting list in case of cancellations.

 

Tents are wonderful in that there is more room, wares do not have to be hand-done (however, many are!), and it only costs $25! You do have to provide your own tents, but we have men available to help you put them up and take them down. This is perfect for groups. The Lions Club is returning to sell afghans and brooms. .plus talk to folks about their group’s mission.

 

If you are interested, or know of someone who is interested, contact Barb Shelley.

 

The church family has been invited to a “Hobo Supper” at the Meyer’s Farm! More details to follow… but meanwhile, add to your calendar! You won’t want to miss the fun!

 

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 goups presenting their music in the sanctuary.

 

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

 

Mark you calendars!