from Rev. C. Nels Ledwell

 

 

I have probably shared this story with you before but I love to share it. It is a true, but humorous and slightly scandalous story that comes out of the early days of the church. When the father of Origen, a third century theologian, was arrested for being a Christian, Origen, then only 17, was aflame with the desire to follow his Dad and share in glorious martyrdom. His mother pleaded with him not to go, but the headstrong boy did not want to listen to reason. His quick thinking mother did what she could. She hid his clothes. Though Origen stormed and protested, she wouldn’t reveal where they were hidden. He couldn’t leave the house, and so he was unable to volunteer for martyrdom.

 

Isn’t it interesting? Origen was brave enough to be martyred, but not brave enough to go outside naked. Stepping outside without clothing would have sped up his arrest and imprisonment, but it was a step he was unwilling to take.

 

In a sense, I suspect that talking with a friend about our faith is, for many of us, the equivalent of going outside naked. It makes us uncomfortable. We feel exposed. We declare that we will give our lives for Christ if he should ask it, but to risk a bit of embarrassment for him seems to be beyond our level of discipleship. How sad. Are you willing to be exposed in sharing your Love for Christ?

 

See you in Church or online this Sunday where our lesson will teach us how to let go. Yes, it will be huge.

 

Your Pastor,
Nels

 

Sunday, February 9, 2025 – 10 AM
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Scripture Lesson: Luke 5: 1-11
Message: “The Urge to Leave It All Behind”

My Jesus, I Love Thee
To God Be the Glory
Go, Make of All Disciples

 

 

Are you a ‘care giver?’ Are you taking care of your spouse, your parent, your child, your grandparent …? Taking care can mean something as simple as driving to a doctor’s appointment … to something as complicated as being responsible for that someone’s every need because they cannot do anything for themselves.

 

So … you are taking care of them … but how about you? Who is taking care of you? Sometimes the care giver totally ignores their own needs and feelings and concentrates totally on their caregiving. Often the care giver needs to talk about their frustrations and feelings … but the caregiving is so overwhelming that they cannot imagine how that can be done.

 

Enter Stephen Ministry … a listening ear who will keep all you say confidential and without judgement of any kind. You need to talk, vent, scream, cry … we will find a way to be there to listen.

 

So, help take care of yourself by allowing yourself the gift of time with a Stephen Minister. The meeting can be anywhere and anytime … you and your Stephen Minister decide how you want to proceed. Start by calling Pastor Nels or one of the Stephen Leaders and begin a relationship with a Stephen Minister who wants to walk with you through whatever it is you are struggling with. Contact us through the church office at (864) 852-2394

 

Random Acts of Kindness Week, according to the RAK website, is February 9-15 this year, and Random Acts of Kindness Day is Tuesday, February 17. I’m not quite sure how they figure that, but what a great idea to make all of us aware of something we should be doing every day – forever and ever – AMEN!

 

Hopefully, you have noticed from the bulletin board at church or the display in the Fellowship Hall the Kindness Week emphasis on hugging – something we all do! The Love of Jesus is what binds our faith , and hugging puts that faith into action as we reflect God’s love for us. The act of embracing another person demonstrates care, comfort, and acceptance, mirroring the divine love we experience through our relationship with God!

 

In today’s world, the physical act of hugging is sometimes replaced by more preferable virtual connections. But the importance of this simple gesture is not diminished. The act of embracing another person goes beyond a mere display of affection; it is deeply rooted in biblical symbolism and carries great spiritual significance. We know this by the Biblical scriptures that tell us of times when Jesus hugged children, His disciples and friends.

 

Some of us may prefer heart-to-heart hugging, yet another way to be present for others and allow others to be present for us. It’s a form of emotional support, a safe space to share our joys and sorrows without judgment. These heartfelt embraces might be in the form of prayers, phone calls, greetings, etc. Regardless of how we choose to hug each other, let us embrace one another with an open heart, thus creating a world where hugging is a language we all speak fluently!

 

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!

 

The trustees worked to find contractors willing to repair the fascia boards outside. You can see in the picture that they needed very long ladders to get the job done!

The trustees also found contractors that were willing to repair the plaster popcorn ceiling in the sanctuary.. There were water stains from the hurricane in the back of the church, plus in the choir loft. Painters started early on Monday and plan to be done by Saturday night so we can worship under our newly-painted roof on Sunday morning! The job takes a lot of time since everything has to be covered; including the pulpit, windows, pews, altar, piano, carpet and even the hanging lamps!

 

 

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—

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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/

 

 

There will be two pots at the February 9 service. One will be labeled Philadelphia Eagles and the other one will be labeled Kansas City Chiefs.

 

Who are you rooting for? Bring some change (bills too!) and fill the pot of the team of your choice! Who do think the majority of our church family will be rooting for? Which pot will get the most money?

 

The big winner will be the McCormick Food Pantry, who will get the money from both pots!

 

Carol Tummons and John Yerdon have planned a soup/chilli lunch for Super Bowl Sunday. They will offer two kinds of soup and two kinds of chili.

 

There will be a love offering to cover the cost.

 

This would be a great time to invite your neighbors to join us!

 

 

 

You are invited to please join us February 9 for our commission service. This service will stand as a time of praise to our God for calling us all to missions and being a God who is worth sharing! After we will have some refreshments !

 

If you can’t make it in person please join online at Oakbrook Community Church Facebook 

or

YouTube Channel 

 

Our training is wrapping up, God has worked so much in our family these past weeks it has been an amazing time.

 

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!