Quick-Step Guide (PDF) for setting up your account and making your first donation.

 

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

 

 

Gary Nicolosi offers us a lesson on reaching out to new people.

 

In the United Methodist Church of Moore, Oklahoma (a part of metropolitan Oklahoma City), a young man in his late twenties by the name of Bill experienced a renewal of faith on a weekend retreat. When he returned to his church, Bill was determined to revitalize the Men’s Group by reaching out to the young men in the community. He discovered that a lot of young men in his community like to gather in the fall to watch Monday Night Football on television, but the only places providing that setting were bars. Bill wondered if the Men’s Group could bring a large screen television into the church’s fellowship hall on Monday nights and host unchurched men. He asked an acquaintance with long hair, a left earring, and a motorcycle if guys would be interested in watching Monday night football at their church. The fellow replied, “I would like to, and I could bring other guys.” When Bill proposed this Monday night agenda to the Men’s Group president, he heard the reply: “Sure, we could meet on Monday nights, but we like dominos more than football; invite them to come and play our game.”

 

Now, I’m not suggesting that all the men in our church start wearing jewelry in their ears. But I am asking whether you and I are willing to do whatever it takes to win people to Christ and his Church? Paul said, “To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I became all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.” This is to say that St. Paul understood that in order to minister to people in Christ’s name, we must meet them where they are, not where we are.

 

This means we can share anywhere there are people. You never know when you will be the vessel God uses to save a soul.

 

See you in Church or online this Sunday!

 

Your Pastor,
Nels

 

Sunday, February 4, 2024
Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany

Holy Communion
Scripture Lesson: Mark 1: 29-39

Reference Text: 1 Corinthians 9: 16-23
Message: “Dealing with Demons, Demands and the Destination”

 

Cindy was born and raised in Columbia, SC. She attended USC, and yes, she does support the Gamecocks! She says she was “dragged” to PA, her husband’s home state. They lived in Altoona until they retired and moved here (seven years ago). . She is happy to be away from snow country!

Cindy enjoys gardening. Veggies and flowers are her favorites. However, the deer have deterred her some each year.

 

 

Jessica sends a Big Thank You to her Church Family for your many, many remembrances of her on her Big 40th Birthday on January 17 – you made her feel very special indeed!

 

Her official birthday party was held this year at Pizza Hut in Greenwood – she, Bop and Sprinkles are shown in the photo above with her friends who joined her for this special celebration!

 

Dear McCormick Methodist Church (and Lola),

 

We would like to thank you and your church for the years of support by supplying goods and making Native American Elder Baskets! Many folks do not realize that Food Stamps can only be used for food. This leaves many struggling to obtain daily items needed, like personal hygiene items, or basic cleaning items. So the laundry baskets filled with paper products, dish soap, laundry detergent, shampoo, bar soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and food were shared with grateful tribal recipients around the state. The average cost of a filled basket has risen to about $45. So, even just a few baskets adds up quickly. The baskets are such useful gifts and are greatly appreciated at a time of the year when added demands strain budgets.

 

So, thank you for your obedience to be servants for Jesus by ministering tangibly to those in need! Being a good steward while serving humbly shines the light of Jesus through your spirit, thus bringing relief and hope to those in need! All glory, honor, and praise to our Lord, our Savior, our Hope Eternal! Amen and A’ho!

 

Mark10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

 

1Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s Grace in its various forms.

 

Thank you for following Jesus’ example of being a servant by helping further Native American Ministries.

 

Love and Blessings,

Lee Ann Lamar & NAC

 

A big “thank you” goes out to our fellow church member who shares this week’s kindness story, as it reminded him of Pastor Nels’ sermon this past Sunday entitled “A Disciple’s Protective Instinct”. It also reminds me of Pastor Nels’ story about grace in last week’s Blast plus last week’s kindness entry about the strength of kindness–it does pull us all together!

 

Today, we’re sharing a story from reader Matthew S. in Arizona.

 

 

 

 

Our faith helps us to do that when we remember the words of Isaiah 40: 29 – “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

 

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!

 

 

 

Easter lilies symbolize purity, hope, innocence, and virtue. They represent the purity of Jesus, who was free from sin.

 

Our worship committee has arranged to have Easter lilies in the sanctuary. The cost is $8.50 for a lily in a 6 inch pot.

 

If you would like to order lilies in honor of, or in memory of loved ones. Forms will be available starting Sunday, January 28 on the table leading into the sanctuary (ask the usher) and on the table in the Fellowship Hall. There will also be a form in the bulletin on Feb 4.

You are welcome to send (or bring by) your order to the office. Church address is P.O. Box 267, McCormick SC 29835. Make checks payable to MMC and note Easter Lilies.

 

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.

 

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 commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and begins the series of observances focusing on the events of Holy Week.

 

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.

 

Souper Bowl Sunday is a fun way to support one of our missions, McCormick BACKPACK MINISTRY. This ministry provides weekend food for preschool and school-aged children who have been identified by school personnel as in need of nutritious weekend foods. The number of children varies on a monthly basis, based on family needs and people moving into or out of the area. The identity of these children is kept confidential.

 

The Missions team will have two labeled kettles, one for San Francisco Forty-Niners, and one for Kansas City Chiefs. You will put your change, dollars, or checks into the pot of your choice! (If putting in a check, please make it payable to MMC and note Souper Bowl). One large check will be sent to the Backpack ministry.

 

If you will not be in church on Feb 11, feel free to send your contribution to the office, along with your favorite team name. Again, please make your check payable to MMC, note Souper Bowl and your favorite team and send it to MMC P.O. Box 267, McCormick SC 29835.

 

You may also contribute to Backpack Ministry online.

 

There will be two winners on Super Bowl Sunday.. the winning team and Backpack Ministry!

 

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”!

 

It is time to advertise dinners for eight again. Three groups of eight just wrapped up a fun season of building new friendships and sharing lots of laughs.

 

Sign up for the next round will be in the fellowship hall starting Sunday 1/14, and runs February through May.

 

For newcomers to MMC, this is a wonderful way to get to know folks and it is so easy….just dinner once a month at someone’s home. Each pair hosts one month by providing the main course and beverages, and the other 3 pairs bring the appetizer, salad and dessert. So, pair up with someone and sign up now through Sunday 1/28.

 

Julianne Coleman will coordinate with the groups to get the round of dinners started in February.

Contact Julianne to sign up or ask questions.

 

 

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.