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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 Lenten Prayer for McCormick Methodist Church
Joel Kline wrote this prayer for the Season of Lent. I modified it for our use in this Lenten season.
Gracious God, how blessed we are to live and serve as a community of Your people. Gifted with the beauty of creation surrounding us, lead us into significant relationships that nurture and challenge us, as we experience the promise of life, and are grateful.
Lead us now, O God, as we seek, in this season of Lent, to journey with our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Lead us in righteousness, that our journey might be a journey in which we embrace Christ’s ways of compassion and justice, grace and mercy, hope and right living.
Lead us, God, in peace, as we seek to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Fill us with a peace that passes all human understanding, a peace the world cannot give to us, neither can it take away.
But, holy God, let us never be satisfied with personal peace alone. Lead us into paths of peacemaking and reconciliation. And God, we pray that You might soften the hearts of those world leaders who are far more inclined to wage war than to seek peace.
God, where there is brokenness, form us into instruments of forgiveness.
Where there is despair, make of us channels of Your hope.
Where there is division, may we be empowered to bring healing and wholeness.
Where darkness abounds, grant us courage to walk in the light, our eyes fixed on Jesus, the light of the world.
Where there is division, may we be empowered to bring healing and wholeness.
Where darkness abounds, grant us courage to walk in the light, our eyes fixed on Jesus, the light of the world.
God of healing and compassion,
We hold before You now those in special need of Your healing touch …
God, make us mindful of those among us this day who silently hold hurts and brokenness within them. Teach us to look into one another’s eyes and hearts.
We pray for those experiencing pain in their significant relationships, those who are yearning for new beginnings in life. We pray, O God, for young people facing untold pressures and challenges, and for older persons seeking to come to terms with limitations and losses. Whatever our life situations, O God, lead us in paths of right living, our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we pray. Amen.
Will you join me in making this our prayer during this Lenten Season.
See You in Church or online this Sunday!
Your Pastor,
Nels
Nels
Preparing for Worship
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Ash Wednesday Service 4 PM
Scripture Lesson: Romans 10: 9-11 1 John 1:9
Message: “Repent and Believe”
Followed by Imposition of Ashes and Repenting of Sins
Sunday, February 18, 2024
First Sunday in Lent
Scripture Lesson: Mark 1: 9-15
Reference Text: Gospel of Mark
Message: “A Dove, The Devil, to Discipling”
Acts of Kindness
Kindness Update – Welcome the Lenten Season with Kindness!
On the day before Ash Wednesday when we begin the Lenten Season of our Christian year, the calendar tells us we also begin Random Acts of Kindness Week which is February 13 – 17 with RAK Day being this Saturday, February 17. In my search to find out if there was any connection to the Lenten Season or Valentine’s Day when this day to emphasize kindness was begun over 30 years ago, I found none.
But I tend to think it might have been somewhat of a “God Wink” because, as we enter the season of remembrance of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for us, our hearts overflow with humility and kindness, a principle that is mentioned throughout the Bible. And because of God’s supreme example of kindness to us, we are called to show kindness to others. We are even called to “clothe” ourselves with it, as in Paul’s letter to the Colossians:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Looking at the Kindness Bulletin Board at church, it appears that we are indeed “clothing ourselves with kindness” as the number of hearts attached there has grown since last week – Hopefully, many more will be added this week as we reflect on God’s amazing grace and kindness toward us!
This Kindness entry came in during January: I am sure many of us can recall acts of kindness we observed during the Christmas holidays. I am so happy to report one! For our family Christmas Eve time together, my daughter invited a co-worker who had lost her fiancé to a tragic accident about six months ago. The friend’s father was deceased, her mother was not involved with her daughter’s life at all, and her only child was spending Christmas Eve with her father’s family. I was so touched by my daughter’s kindness in reaching out, and I couldn’t help but think about how many, many less lonely people there would be in the world if we all did that!
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!
ATRIUM
Thanks to the hard work of Sue Wurtzbacher and Marge Radosevich, the atrium is beautiful even in the rain! This picture was captured Sunday morning. Next time you are at church, look at all the color starting to come out. The atrium is a wonderful place to reflect, pray, or chat with friends! The door is never locked, and you are always welcome to use the table out there and enjoy!
CONGREGATIONAL CARE TEAM
VISITS FOREST VIEW MANOR
MMC Congregational Care Team thanks John Yerdon for making the beautiful Valentine’s cake that they took with them to visit Forest View Manor. It was beautiful and they loved every morsel!
It was an exciting visit in that the team got to celebrate Valentine’s day with the residents, and also they got to help celebrate one of the resident’s ninety-fourth birthday!
Obviously, a great time for every one! If you would like to join this group in the future, please contact Kim Jackson or Lynda Scott.
JIMMY SMITH TURNS NINETY!
The MMC church family wishes Jimmy an awesome birthday this coming week. Jimmy turns ninety on Valentine’s Day! We love that we could help you celebrate such a wonderful birthday!
On Souper Bowl Sunday, MMC again predicted the winners!
Backpack Ministry and Kansas City!
MMC did it again!… Kansas City bucket had $503 and San Francisco bucket had $124.
It is not too late to donate to the Backpack Ministry. You can bring or send a check, payable to MMC, to the church office. Please make it payable to MMC and note Backpack Ministry.
Church address is MMC P.O. Box 267, McCormick SC 29835
You may also contribute to Backpack Ministry online.
MMC PRAYER TEAM MEETING
SUNDAY, FEB 11 9:20AM
YOUNG AT HEART ROOM (FORMERLY CLASSROOM II)
MMC Prayer Team Meeting this Sunday, February 11, at 9:20 am.
We will gather in the Young at Heart Room (formerly Classroom II) to pray for our church family, pastor and community.
Everyone is welcome to join us! Contact Patty Kriger.
COINS FOR LENT
START COLLECTING ON FEB 14 (ASH WEDNESDAY)
During Lent, many of us are reminded once again to examine our lifestyles and ask, “What can we do for others?” Part of faith formation at any age is compassion and offering a serving heart to our neighbors. Lent is a good time to commit to giving money to a project that helps those in need.
The Stewardship Committee has come up with a fun way to serve with “Coins for Lent.”
Go to the MMC website to view a daily guide. It will remind us of all we have and how little others may have.
Now, before Ash Wednesday, make a container to collect the money. Be creative or use a jar, tub, or coin bank you already have. Place it where the entire family can see it (and contribute to it).
You may want to contribute a quarter for every item on the giving calendar. You may want to simply collect loose change and give whatever coins you have for each item.
Each Sunday, pray as a family for the project and the people who will benefit from your gifts.
Our giving begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes with Holy Saturday. During Lent, Sundays are for worship and praise to God and are reflected with a weekly day of prayer.
There will be a box in the Fellowship hall to collect your coins, let’s watch it fill up by Easter!
LENTEN AND EASTER SERVICES
Ash Wednesday
February 14 at 4pm
During Lent, we enter into a season of preparation, self-reflection and repentance when we seek to literally “turn around” and realign our lives and focus toward God. It is a time to give up things as well as take on new life-giving practices, helping us rid ourselves of distractions and our own selfish desires. By doing so, we seek to live and love as more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.
The service will be on Wednesday, February 14, starting at 4pm.
LENTEN LUNCHEONS
LECTURE SERIES LED BY REV NELS
BEGINNING FEBRUARY 14
Join us, starting on Wednesday, February 14, for a light lunch and a Lenten lecture series led by Pastor Nels Ledwell. The series will span seven weeks, ending on March 27.
There is a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall. Hope you can join us! For questions, contact Kim Jackson.
PALM SUNDAY
MARCH 24
Palm Sunday commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and begins the series of observances focusing on the events of Holy Week.
EASTER SUNDAY
MARCH 31
Easter is a time for renewal. You have two opportunities on Easter to worship and celebrate the miracle of hope and eternal life.
A Sunrise service will be held at Baker Creek Pavilion on Easter Sunday, March 31 at 7am. Coffee and refreshments will follow. Bring your company, neighbors and friends.
There will also be a service at 10am in the MMC sanctuary.
FLOWER CALENDAR ACROSS FROM OFFICE
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).
Thank you for helping to make our services “huge”!
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.