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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

 

 

Several years ago I heard a story that galvanized me. It’s a story of some Catholic nuns in Cleveland, Ohio. I don’t know the name of their Order, but they have committed their lives to working in the Catholic schools in Cleveland’s inner city. Day after day after day, they focus their faith and energy on the education of inner-city youngsters, youngsters whose lives are at risk in so many areas.

 

One day, out of nowhere, a wonderful gift was given to these nuns. The gift was to pay for the entire Order to go on a vacation. Vans were supplied, and all the necessary money for their trip was contributed anonymously. So, that summer, the nuns closed their Order house and headed to the vacation spot of their choice, the Rocky Mountains.

 

Most of them had never seen the Rockies, except in their imaginations. They were awed by the glory of the mountains. They would stop and ponder and behold and not be able to take their eyes off the majesty they were experiencing. They noticed, however, that every time they stopped, Sister Margaret, one of the smallest members of their Order, would move to the edge of the group, and then disappear for a while. She’d return sometime later. They didn’t know what she was doing.

 

So on one particular occasion when they had stopped to behold a majestic view, they decided they would follow her. She stole away from the group and made her way down into a gully. They watched her as she walked into the gully. She bent down and reached under a sizable rock, and then turned the rock upside down. She brushed her hands and turned around to walk back up the trail. When she looked up, the entire Order of nuns was watching her. “Margaret, what are you doing?” they asked. “I’m turning over a rock.” she replied. “Why?” they asked. “Do you do that every time?” She answered, “Yes.” “Why do you do that?” And she replied: “Because I will never pass this way again, and it’s my intent to have made a difference while I was here. So I turn some rocks over so that this place is different because I passed here.”

 

What rocks does a church like McCormick Methodist have to turn over in the city of McCormick for the good of the common society? What rocks do we need to turn over inside of us in order for the Kingdom of God to make its way through all of the barriers that we put up? I think there needs to be some rock-turning going on inside of each of us in order that we can, with the help of a truth-teller like John the Baptizer, maybe taste and smell the real experience of Jesus’ birth – in the interior manger of our lives.

 

See you in Church or online this Second Sunday of Advent!

 

Your Pastor,
Nels

 

*This article was inspired by Douglass M. Bailey in his message called Hard Truth for Advent

 

Second Sunday of Advent
Holy Communion

Scripture Lesson: Mark 1: 1-8

Reference Text: 2 Peter 3: 8-15a
Message: “Becoming a Little Like John”

 

 

Brightly wrapped packages, Christmas trees, holiday parties, holly and the scent of pine, unending upbeat carols in shops and malls, visits from friends and family, baking and cooking, food everywhere–and the awesome, hushed joy of welcoming a tiny Infant to our world and our hearts–these are the images and memories of Christmas most of us celebrate and treasure.

 

But these joys are not felt by everyone. Each year there are people … the grieving, the ailing, the struggling, and the lonely … who dread the holiday season. They are not moved by the carols, not made hungry by the smells of things baking in the oven or a turkey in a roaster, not excited about the shopping, don’t want to decorate their Christmas tree. Instead, they are overwhelmed by feelings of despair … they dread the hustle and bustle, the anticipation, and the excitement.

 

Some of these people in our church and community have a Stephen Minister to help them cope, but many do not … and appear to be doing just fine, but are struggling. If you know of someone having a difficult holiday season, reach out to them.

 

And remember … If it’s you experiencing a difficult holiday season 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 MMC Missions, Evangelism and Worship committees thanks you for volunteering and attending the Journey to Bethlehem last Friday Night!

 

To see photos, go to https://www.mccormickmc.org/journey-to-bethlehem-2023

 

 

We are so very thankful for all the wonderful items and monetary donations that came in! The people in this church and beyond are incredibly generous and we are very grateful!! It was especially touching to see donations come in from our Girl Scout Troop 6318 as well. It put a smile on all our faces!

 

You did it!! This was our biggest year since we started this campaign in 2018. More items were donated and the monetary donations surpassed all previous years!! Awesome!!! Praise be to God!!

 

We filled “24” baskets with overflowing items, along with extra paper towels, toilet paper, 24 larger bottles of detergent, and extra items. Cash donations of $1,470.00 allowed us to enhance the baskets and purchase missing items. We will, also, send a check of $400.00 to Cathy Nelson (Director of Keeper of the Word) to create more baskets for Elders in need.

 

Many thanks to Polly Prather, Maxine Dunn, Patty Kriger and Janet Smith for all your help in sorting, organizing, and buying the rest of the items needed to finish filling the baskets!

 

Also, many thanks for the help of Don Smith, John Horner, Marc Heyman, Bernie Tarrant and Wendy Kvale in loading the “24” baskets so we could deliver them to the home of Lee Anne Lamar in Camden, SC.

 

We were met by Lee Anne, her husband Rick, and Mark Two Blades Williams, Vice Chief and Keeper of the Flame of the PAIA Lower Eastern Cherokee in Lauren’s County. Mark took 12 of our baskets with him back to Lauren’s County. He thanked us profusely!!

Lee Anne and her husband delivered our other 12 baskets to the Catawba Tribe in Rock Hill, SC.

 

Lee Anne remarked about our baskets and not just the quantity, but the quality of the items we provided. These are her words: “Thank you for your consistent dedication in sharing so generously with the Native Americans in our area of SC! May all the blessing be multiplied! All praises, honor, and glory to our Creator, Savior and Holy Spirit! A’Ho & Amen”

 

Thank you everyone and God Bless you all!!

The Native American Awareness Committee

 

1 John 3:17 “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?

 

In the midst of the mad Christmas shopping rush for gifts, it’s good to read stories about reaching out to those who are experiencing very difficult times right now, especially when they are done in a big way. Such is the following story that is reprinted from a November 26 release in the Good News Network:

 

 

 

 

 

These large organizations are to be commended for carrying out God’s tradition of gift-giving at Christmas, and not only are the recipients blessed by their kindness but so also are we blessed by their example to us.

 

This Week’s Kindness Entry: I misplaced my cellphone while shopping last week and traced my steps back to the counter where I made my purchase with no luck. I traced my steps back to the bathroom and checked with a lady coming out with no luck, but she offered to help my search by walking all over the store and dialing my number continuously, which she did. While waiting in line to check with the store clerk at the customer service counter, I heard a cellphone ring. When the clerk opened the drawer, there it was! When I got outside, I called the helpful stranger whose number appeared on my caller ID – we had a nice conversation, and I had the chance to let her know how very much I appreciated her help!

 

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!

 

 

Worship Service -10am
Come & Adore Him … a Christmas Musical
By MMC Chancel Choir (Lindy Stahlman, Director)

 

Christmas Eve Service – 3pm
Candlelight and communion service celebrating the Birth of Jesus Christ

 

Ladies, You are invited to a Christmas Cookie Exchange in the Fellowship Hall on December 9 at 2pm. We will work as a team to decide the amount of cookies we will bake and swap. The important thing is to sign up on the easel in the Fellowship Hall if you are interested in getting together and enjoy each other’s cookies and fellowship!

 

Carol Tummons will be calling those who sign up and let you know.

 

Ladies of McCormick Methodist Church, mark your calendars for a delightful evening of revelation and celebration! On December 12th at 5:30, we’ll gather for our long-awaited Secret Sister Christmas Party.

 

This heartwarming event is the grand reveal, where each participant will finally discover who their Secret Sister has been all year. Since last December, each one of us selected a random name and anonymously shared surprises, thoughtful birthday gifts, and tokens of love for various special occasions.

 

This initiative, the first of its kind at McCormick Methodist Church, has been a beautiful journey. It’s our hope to make this an annual tradition, creating lasting bonds and spreading joy within our community.

 

The evening promises to be filled with joy and fellowship as we enjoy a delightful dinner and scrumptious desserts. It’s an opportunity to share in the Christmas spirit, as we unite to reveal our Secret Sisters and present them with a special Christmas gift.

 

Let’s come together to celebrate the spirit of giving and sisterhood on this special evening. If you are a Secret Sister please RSVP by signing up in Fellowship Hall.

Barb Jeffers and Kim Jackson.

 

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.

 

It’s wonderful to see our guests and our church family sit down together with a cup of coffee and a treat after church! Many new friendships are developing!

 

It’s time to sign up to be the hosts for October, November and December. Please take a minute on Sunday to sign up for a time to bring some goodies. They do not have to be home-made, remember! If you have any questions, please contact Carol Myers.

 

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.