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

 

 

The Rev. Billy Strayhorn tells a great story.

 

There’s a store-front church which is called Almighty God Tabernacle. One Saturday evening, the pastor of this church was working late, and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10 PM, but his wife did not answer the phone. The pastor let it ring about two dozen times but she didn’t answer. He thought it was a little odd, but decided to finish up a few things and try a few minutes later.

 

When he tried again, she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn’t answered before, and she said that the phone hadn’t rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry ways.

 

The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he’d used that Saturday night. The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he’d called on Saturday night. The pastor couldn’t figure out what the guy was talking about. Then the guy said, “It rang and rang and rang, but I didn’t answer.”

 

The pastor then remembered the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he’d tried to call his wife. The man said, “That’s okay. Let me tell you my story. You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, ‘God if you’re there, and you don’t want me to do this, give me a sign now.’ At that point my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, ‘Almighty God’. I was afraid to answer!”

 

God is still God. God still reaches out through the unexpected and Transforms lives. Sometimes we’re knowingly a part of that great ministry. Sometimes we have no clue. But with us or without our awareness God still transforms lives.

 

How great it is to know God is still at work!

 

See You in Church this Sunday!

 

Your Pastor,
Nels

 

 

Transfiguration is a central part of Orthodox theology. Transfiguration is one of 12 great religious holidays traditionally celebrated by all Orthodox Christians across the world. The holiday commemorates the New Testament’s episode which occurred shortly before Jesus Christ embarked on his last days. He appeared to his disciples in divine glory, so bright that the human eye could hardly stand it.

 

The Church celebrates the event as proof of the fact that Jesus Christ is the light and glory coming from his Father. It is also regarded as a sign of the voluntary nature of Christ’s sufferings and death for the sake of salvation of the world.

 

Every mortal being must strive to attain spiritual transfiguration in order to be granted eternal life and eternal bliss, the fathers of the Church insist. And there is only one way to attain it – through unshakable faith and observance of the Testaments.

 

In Russia, Transfiguration Day, which is celebrated in August is accompanied by the blessing of new crops, usually apples being the first fruit ripening at this time.

 

Transfiguration Sunday

Scripture Lesson: Mark 9: 2-9

 

Pastor Nels called Stephen Ministry the “Ministry of Presence” recently during church. It struck me as a GREAT way to describe Stephen Ministry … we are ‘present’ for our Care Receivers. We don’t judge or try to ‘fix’ … we are just there, we are ‘present,’ to listen to concerns … whether someone wants to talk about loneliness, grief, a health fear, a family relationship … or nothing at all! We are just there … to listen and emphasize … however we can.

 

Do you need someone to be ‘present’ with you? Start by calling Pastor Nels or one of the Stephen Leaders through the church office at (864) 852-2394.

 

Random Acts of Kindness Week is coming up next week – February 13 – 19 – with the actual RAK Day on Saturday, February 17. Of course, Valentine’s Day occurs during that week, so many acts of kindness will happen then! Don’t forget to check the Kindness board at church (shown above) to post your hearts as you shower others. as you yourself are showered, or when you observe a kindness during this week! God’s grace and lovingkindness are showered on us each day, so let’s pass it on!

 

My thoughts on kindness today turn to the news this morning that country music legend – Toby Keith – lost his battle with stomach cancer yesterday at the age of 62. I don’t know your personal thoughts about Toby, but both as an entertainer and as a person, I think he was a “larger than life Christian” whose emphasis on kindness and giving to his family and fellow man was huge. Described as being in the top five richest singers in the world with 32 #1 songs, Toby shared much of his success in the music industry with others. Of course, he had much more to share than we could ever dream of having, but we can give of what we have!

 

Toby’s patriotism and support for the U.S. military and veterans took him on many tours to entertain the troops throughout his career. Nearly 20 years ago, he established the Toby Keith Foundation where kids receive cost-free cancer treatment and accommodations for them and their parents at the “Kids Korral”, described as “the castle built by the friends they (the kids and families) never knew”. The foundation gets a four-star rating with 96% going toward its mission.

 

When he received the 2023 Country Icon Award last fall, Toby performed “Don’t Let the Old Man In”, a song he had written for his friend Clint Eastwood. The words of the song emphasize making the most of the time you have, which is just where he was in his personal struggle with cancer. In one of his final interviews, Toby thanked God for his ability to perform, for the unexpected blessings he has received because of his faith, and for the opportunity to be a messenger for what God could be in his life.

 

Toby had initially said that he didn’t want cancer to define him, and I think it can be said that it didn’t! He will be remembered by many for his kindness, his faith, and his good works!

 

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!

 

 

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!

 

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.

 

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.

 

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!

 

 

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.

 

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.