from Rev. C. Nels Ledwell
Only One Plan
It has been pointed out that the Church is always one generation from extinction. If we don’t spread the Gospel, it will be just one generation away from disappearing from the face of the earth. It’s a compelling idea, isn’t it? It enhances our sense of Christian responsibility. We need to get out there and work for the Gospel or the Church could fade into history.
Perhaps you have heard the old story about Jesus appearing in heaven just after his resurrection. Jesus is giving a progress report on all that has happened while he was on earth. Moses is there and he asks him, “Well Jesus, did you leave things in capable hands?”
Jesus responds, “I did. I have left behind Mary and Martha and Peter and the other disciples.”
Moses said, “What if they fail?”
Jesus said, “Well, I have established the Church and filled it with the Holy Spirit and they will carry on.”
And Moses said, “What if they fail? What is Plan B?”
Jesus replied, “I have no other plan.”
Jesus replied, “I have no other plan.”
There’s a great tension there. God is at work here in our church but we’ve been given the keys of the Kingdom. We have work to do and Christ calls us to it. The prophet Micah put it this way: “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with thy God.”
May we pray to keep the Main Thing in making disciples our Main Thing!
See You in Church or online this Sunday!
Your Pastor,
Nels
Nels
Preparing for Worship
Sunday, August 27 – 10AM
Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Scripture Lesson: Matthew 16: 13-20
Message: “Who Do You Say…?”
THANK YOU TO LINDY, RICH, WENDY AND PEGGY
MMC is very fortunate to have folks who can (and are willing) to fill in for Nels, so he can be with his family when needed. If you missed the service this morning, be sure to go to the archives and watch it!
Many thanks to Wendy Kvale for keeping us organized and leading us in prayer, Lindy Stahlman for working with Peggy Thomas to lead us in seven hymns in a row (such fun!). And to Rich Jackson, who shared his encouraging testimony with us.
It was quite a morning, and we all left feeling the presence of God’s love!
SUPPORT FOR MAUI
MMC Missions team will be announcing on Sunday that they will be collecting donations to be sent to UMCOR for the people of fire ravaged Maui.
Wind-driven wildfires on Maui prompted evacuations and caused significant loss of life and widespread damage.
UMCOR awarded an emergency grant to the California-Pacific Annual Conference, which includes the Hawaiian UMC, to provide shelf-stable food, water, hygiene items and tools to help survivors recover belongings.
UMCOR awarded an emergency grant to the California-Pacific Annual Conference, which includes the Hawaiian UMC, to provide shelf-stable food, water, hygiene items and tools to help survivors recover belongings.
As first responders continue to provide initial aid, please join UMCOR in prayer and by making a gift to this and other disasters in the U.S.
Here are the ways you can contribute:
CHECK If using a check, please make out to MMC and write Maui on the subject line. You can bring by to the office, put it in the collection plate, or send to the office (MMC P.O. Box 267, McCormick SC 29835).
CASH Every penny is appreciated! If you clean out your change bowls, bring it in to church! No amount is too small!
NEW BEGINNINGS
Love Offering
Donations made through this “Love Offering” will be used to offset disaffiliation costs.
Ways you can contribute..
CHECK If using a check, please make out to MMC and put Love Fund on the memo line. You can bring by to the office, put it in the collection plate, or send to the office (MMC P.O. Box 267, McCormick SC 29835)
CASH Every penny is appreciated! If you clean out your change bowls, bring it in to church! No amount is too small!
ONLINE Donate Online
Acts of Kindness
Kindness – is Bearing Each Other’s Burdens!
One of the best outcomes from having this weekly “kindness blog” in the Blast is that we become people who are looking for the goodness we see around us and we want to share that goodness with one another, creating that “ripple effect”. When this happens again and again, my heart fills with gratitude for Toni Graham, Church Council Chair, and this idea she had several years ago!
This week’s kindness link is shared with us by Connie Tremsky, and it tells of the effect of a random act of kindness that was shown to a caregiver whose husband is battling a debilitating disease. That caregiver is Emma Heming Willis, wife of Bruce Willis, very successful actor who has appeared in more than a hundred films, but whose popular quote (as father of five daughters) is, “I’m much more proud of being a father than being an actor.”
Thanks for sharing this, Connie! We are reminded of the words of Paul in Galatians 6: 2: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” We all have burdens to carry – our burdens vary – but, as we see in this video, sharing the Love of Jesus with each other can really make a difference in someone’s life!
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!
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 MUMC.
If you would like to take advantage of the ‘presence’ of a Stephen Minister, start by calling Pastor Nels or one of the Stephen Leaders thru the church office at (864) 852-2394.
COFFEE HOUR FELLOWSHIP
GOODIES AND HOSTS NEEDED
Plenty of room for volunteers to host! You can ask a partner to join you as host. Goodies do not have to be home-made, store-bought are just fine! There is a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall, Also, if you have not done it before, Carol Myers would be happy to work with you!
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.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
School has started again! The M&Ms will be collecting school supplies for McCormick Schools. You will find a large blue container in Fellowship Hall with several copies of the list of needed supplies. Please help by buying some school supplies and putting them in the container.
Contact Gail Gore if you have any questions.
Contact Gail Gore if you have any questions.
WHAT IS ALPHA?
Alpha is an 11 week course designed to create a space for honest conversation around some of life’s biggest questions. It is designed to provide guests, churched and unchurched, an opportunity to connect with one another while providing the opportunity to share thoughts, ideas, and opinions in a safe and caring environment. Alpha helps bring people together while providing the chance to encounter Jesus.
Each week consists of a meal together, viewing a video taped talk and then breaking into small discussion groups. You will hear more about the program in the weeks to come. Please start to think and pray for those you would like to invite who may not yet know Jesus. Both Rich and Kim Jackson attended the Alpha Course in 2010, feel free to ask them any questions you may have.
The Alpha Course will be offered to our church and community beginning September 10, 2023 at 5:30 pm.
Sign up sheets will be in Fellowship Hall.
Weekly Topics
Sep 10 – Is There More to Life Than This?
Sep 17 – Who is Jesus?
Sep 24 – Why Did Jesus Die?
Oct 01 – How Can I Have Faith?
Oct 08 – Why and How Do I Pray?
Oct 15 – Why and How Should I Read the Bible?
Oct 22 – How Does God Guide Us?
Oct 29 – Who is the Holy Spirit?
Oct 29 – What Does the Holy Spirit Do?
Oct 29 – How Can I Be Filled with the Holy Spirit?
Sep 10 – Is There More to Life Than This?
Sep 17 – Who is Jesus?
Sep 24 – Why Did Jesus Die?
Oct 01 – How Can I Have Faith?
Oct 08 – Why and How Do I Pray?
Oct 15 – Why and How Should I Read the Bible?
Oct 22 – How Does God Guide Us?
Oct 29 – Who is the Holy Spirit?
Oct 29 – What Does the Holy Spirit Do?
Oct 29 – How Can I Be Filled with the Holy Spirit?
Nov 05 – How Can I Resist Evil?
Nov 12 – Does God Heal Today?
Nov 19 – What About the Church?
Nov 12 – Does God Heal Today?
Nov 19 – What About the Church?
Please pray for the Alpha Course. Pray that our church family members see this as an opportunity to evangelize to their friends and neighbors.
MINISTRY WITH THE FORGOTTEN
This is a great class for Stephen Ministers and our Congregational Care Team, as well as anyone who wants to learn more about dealing with dementia.
“Pastors and congregations will be better equipped to minister with people affected by dementia, receiving their gifts and responding to their unique needs. They will learn how people with dementia contribute to the community and the church’s life and mission, discovering practical ways those contributions can be identified, nurtured, and incorporated into the church’s life and ministry.” (Shared on the website)
Tranquil UMC, Greenwood, will be offering the Lay Servant Ministry Advance class Ministry with the Forgotten on Sept 11 & 25, Oct 9, 23 & 30 from 10:30am till 12:30.
Please call or email Wendy Kvale if you’d like the registration form for this class. The deadline for this class is September 1. Registration fees are $20.00.
The book needed is:
Ministry with the Forgotten
Dementia through a Spiritual Lens
Kenneth L. Carder
ISBN: 978-150188-024-7
Ministry with the Forgotten
Dementia through a Spiritual Lens
Kenneth L. Carder
ISBN: 978-150188-024-7
DINNER FOR EIGHT
STARTS AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER
MMC is proud to bring back a favorite activity…….Dinner For Eight!
These great opportunities to get to know each other better will restart in September.
Julianne Coleman is coordinating.
Groups of eight will meet for dinner once a month for 4 months (Sept thru Dec) at the host’s home. Each month another couple (or individual and friend) will host. The host is responsible for the meat or main course and beverages, and the others will bring the rest (side dishes, desserts, appetizer, etc).
Sign up sheet is in the fellowship hall so sign up now.! We anticipate three or more groups will join the fun! If you have any questions, please contact Julianne Coleman.
CHURCH PICNIC
SEPT 24
BAKER CREEK
Mark your calendars… Sept 24 at 10am.. service, followed by picnic at Baker Creek!
More details when we get closer.
MMC CRAFT SHOW AND COOKIE FACTORY
OCTOBER 7 9AM TO 2PM
Update.. Looks like only one more tent space remains… if your group is interested, please have then contact Barb Shelley as soon as possible.
We are able to offer tent space in the parking lot to service groups, like Lions Club. The items they sell do not have to be handcrafted, and many have brochures available on their group missions. The cost is $25. If your group is interested contact Barb Shelley.
Marge Radosevich will be running the Plant Sale in the atrium. If you would like to contribute or have any questions, please contact Marge.