from Rev. C. Nels Ledwell

 

 

Peter Prange tells a story about how he was afraid to ride a roller coaster.

 

What do you think about roller coasters? When I was a kid, I was deathly afraid of them. We didn’t live too far from Great America, which was the big amusement park in our area. So we would go down there about every summer, but I would never go on a roller coaster with my brother or sister. They would always say, “Come on, you have to try it to see if you like it,” but I was happy riding the bumper cars and the merry-go-round. The psychologists call that having a type B personality. Type A personalities are those folks who love roller coasters. That’s what my sister Susan is like. She’s a definite type A. Type B personalities like me tend to shy away from anything too exciting.

 

But then my senior year in high school came. I was on the student council, and the student council always went to Great America at the end of the year. I hadn’t been there in quite a few years, and so I was looking forward to it. But still I had never ridden on a roller coaster, and for some reason I admitted that to my friends. They couldn’t believe it. “You’ve never ridden on a roller coaster? Well, you’re going to ride on one now.” So I did, and I really did enjoy it. I was excited and terrified at the same time. After that first ride, my friend sitting next to me had one piece of advice. He said, “You know, it’s even more fun if you open your eyes.” You’ve probably heard it said before, “If you don’t keep your eyes open, you’re bound to miss something.” That was me on the roller coaster. It’s a good encouragement that we all need to hear once in a while: Open your eyes.

 

That’s the encouragement that our God is giving us every time we study or hear His Word. He says to the disciples of Jesus – you and me – Open your eyes and look at the glory of Jesus. This Sunday, we will learn about his glory and how to listen and experience huge things.

 

See you in Church or online this Sunday!

 

Your Pastor,
Nels

 

Sunday, March 2, 2025 – 10 AM
Transfiguration Sunday

Holy Communion Service

Scripture Lesson: Luke 9: 28-43a
Message: “Mystic Moments that Turn on the Ears”

Installation of Church Officers

O Wondrous Sight! O Vision Fair
Shine Jesus Shine
Be Present at Our Table Lord
Be Thou My Vision
Anthem: We Worship You

 

The MMC church officers were installed at the February 23 service. As you can tell from Jim Hick’s smile the council is ready to start working on organization and continuing our missions and investigating some new missions.  

 

For a complete list of committees and the leaders, go to 

 

Listening to some gospel music recently, I was amazed at the performance of singer/songwriter Bradley Walker, who was born with muscular dystrophy and has been in a wheelchair all of his forty-plus years. One song that he performed, “The Lighthouse”, especially caught my attention.

 

It brought to mind a cassette tape that I had many years ago – I don’t remember the name of the artist, but I definitely remember that song – The Lighthouse – on the tape – it was the first time I had heard it – but not the last, because I played it many, many more times!

 

I have no idea where that cassette tape is today nor would I have a player to listen to it if I did, so I especially enjoyed hearing Bradley’s version of the song after so many years. Jesus, of course, is the Lighthouse referred to in the song, and I could only imagine how much this song meant to the singer as he faced many difficulties in his life!

 

When I first heard the song many years ago, I had similar thoughts about how much it probably meant to the cassette tape’s previous owner, because when I acquired it, I learned it had been confiscated from a prison inmate. I imagined that its message had probably touched that person’s heart just as it did mine, and I prayed for that to be so!

 

I would like to share that song with you in case you haven’t heard it – even if you have, I’d like you to experience the talent of this young man – I think you will like it. Thank God for the Lighthouse! Just click on the link below:

 

 

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 feel drawn to support their mission financially you can write a check, payable to MMC and noted Uganda Mission and put it in collection plate, bring it by the office, or mail to the church (McCormick Methodist Church, PO Box 267, McCormick, SC 29835).

—or—

 

 

We left Jonesville, SC at 11am Tuesday the 18th and arrived in Bugiri, Uganda today Friday the 21 st at 6 pm. (With all of our luggage which is an amazing thing).

 

God was so good to us on this journey.

 

Every prayer, call, text was felt and appreciated.

 

Wilbur finally got to see the place we prayed and talked about for months and we had to take a pic of his first run through the yard.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Methodist men will be meeting on March 4,2025. John Yerdon will be cooking the dinner. Jim Hicks will be doing the devotion. We are still working on finalizing a speaker. We will be discussing Fund raising events for spring and summer months. First Trunks for Gold for May 3, and Gold rush for September 20,2025. See you at 6pm for dinner.

 

No need to sign up.. bring a friend or two! Bob Rennie

 

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 are available on the round table in the Fellowship Hall or you can complete this form and return to the Church office.

 

Church address is:

P.O. Box 267

McCormick SC 29835.

 

Make checks payable to MMC and note Easter Lilies.

 

This announcement is for anyone excited about Christian Fellowship and having fun!! Games with Friends will start on March 20th and continue each 3rd Thursday of the month. We’ll meet from 1:30-3:30PM in the fellowship hall and decide on the games of the week to play.

 

The chancel choir will be singing a musical for Easter, BECAUSE HE LIVES. This will be at the 10am service at the church.

 

Lindy Stahlman would like to get six narrators to read between the songs. The lines are not long (some very short). You will be using the mike down on the floor, no climbing the stairs to the altar. You will not be wearing a costume. She would love to involve six from our church family to narrate (no memorizing!) the musical for us. Won’t you join us?

 

There is a sign up on the round table in the Fellowship Hall, sign up today!

 

Baby Bottles for Crossroads Women’s Center (Greenwood)
The baby bottles for the Crossroad Baby Bottle Campaign are in the Fellowship Hall. There will be a sheet to show who has taken a bottle to fill with coins. Funds raised enable CPC to offer free pregnancy tests, counseling, classes, ultrasounds, Bible Studies, and material assistance such as diapers and clothing. Bottles need to be returned by March 30.

 

The women’s luncheon will be March 14 at Liberty Hill. There will be a buffet for $15. We will meet at 11 a.m. in the church parking lot. All are welcome to bring a friend. There is a sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall so we can give Liberty Hill a head count.

 

Beginning this new year, we’re embarking on a transformative yearlong churchwide study focusing on scripture, Christian living, and discipleship. Designed to inspire spiritual growth and build deeper connections within our church family, this study is available through the McCormick Methodist digital library on RightNow Media.

 

• Sunday School Integration: Adult Sunday school classes will adopt this study as part of their curriculum.
• Small Groups: Small groups are encouraged to participate by incorporating the study into their gatherings. This would be a great small in home group study. If you would like to participate in this study let Kim Jackson know and she’ll help get you started.
• Individuals: Individuals can participate on their own devices/tvs. Need help? Contact Kim Jackson

 

For additional information and links to study resources go to https://www.mccormickmc.org/yearlong-bible-study-2025/

 

Please sign up on the chart across from the office for a week that works best to supply the flowers for the sanctuary. Patsy will sign you up if you want, just give her a call at the Church office!