from Rev. C. Nels Ledwell

 

 

Once I read an article about a man named Paige Patterson. Paige was removed from the Southern Baptist Convention for making rude comments to women. While this was unfortunate, he did make a great contribution to evangelism and ministry. Paige’s style of ministry and even his theology may not exactly fit ours, but Paige cares about people. Paige ministered to troubled youth in ways that no one else did. He would go to places where youth were, like bars, nightclubs and the streets. At first the people in his church were in shock. This was a new experience and a new ministry for them. But soon they got over their shock and got on board and began a campus ministry to reach out to youth. And the youth responded positively: they liked having people from the church meet them where they were without getting obnoxious.

 

One night Paige was asked to leave a nightclub because, the manager told him, he was running off his business. Paige says it was no big deal. Anyway, as he stepped out onto the front porch, Paige noticed a big man sitting there with a can of beer in his hand, who was a bouncer for the club. “Looks like it’s been a rough night,” Paige said casually. The big man nodded and said it indeed had been.

 

“I don’t want to offend you,” Paige told him, “but if you died where you’re sitting right now, would you be in heaven or hell?” The man instantly crushed the can he was holding, and beer shot everywhere. “I can’t believe you asked that question,” he said in disbelief. “I was just sitting here thinking how I was going to kill myself when I got home.”

 

“There’s no reason to do that,” Paige told him, “nothing’s that bad.” Then Paige began to witness to the man about his faith in Jesus Christ. He told the man that God still loved him. And the two men talked for the next thirty minutes. The next Sunday this man went to church and committed his life to Jesus Christ.

 

Somehow I can see Jesus doing that kind of ministry if he were with us here physically today. Oh, not just in night clubs. But in offices and in living rooms and at Little League ball games – any place he could be with and get to know people. Jesus cares about people. That means he cares about you and me. Don’t be put off by the formality of “church.” Look beyond the robes and rituals. Look to a risen Savior who gave his life for only one purpose: people.

 

Ten Basic Statements about ministry: (with credit to Warren and David Wiersbe)

 

1. The foundation of ministry is character.
2. The nature of ministry is service.
3. The motive for ministry is love.
4. The measure of ministry is sacrifice.
5. The authority of ministry is submission.
6. The purpose of ministry is the glory of God.
7. The tools of ministry are the Word and prayer.
8. The privilege of ministry is growth.
9. The power of ministry is the Holy Spirit.
10. The model for ministry is Jesus Christ.

 

We have a ministry to do here at McCormick Methodist Church. We can’t do it as well without your personal ministry and calling being a part of it.

 

See you in Church or online this Sunday.

 

Your Pastor,
Nels

 

Sunday, January 19, 2025 10 AM
Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Scripture Lesson: John 2: 1-11
Message: “The Sign from the Wedding”

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Glory Be to the Father
Through It All
I Sing the Almighty Power of God

 

 

Our thoughts and prayers lately have certainly been with our neighbors on the west coast as the devastating wildfires have raged in southern California. Among the many stories that have surfaced – some sad, some bad – the ones that always “rise to the top” are the many uplifting stories of people helping people – reaching out in kindness – and here are just a few. These stories make you want to look up like these two young boys and say, “Thank you, God!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Praise God for His reminders of His Lovingkindness even during such devastation!

 

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!

 

Being an Usher is a great way to connect with your church family and be one of the first smiling faces people see when they visit us! Ushers provide an invaluable service. Thank you to all who served in 2024! Past ushers, please watch for an email from Shannon Stewart to coordinate the February 2025-end of January 2026 Usher schedule, and let her know the month you would like to serve! Also, if anyone wants to become an usher, please let her know.

 

Ushers are NO LONGER responsible for security (A different group handles security!).

 

Usher responsibilities include handing out bulletins, lighting the candles for service, locking the door nearest your station once service begins, lighting and extinguishing candles, and (once a month) assisting with communion. What a lovely way to be Christ’s servant!

 

If interested, call or text Shannon Stewart.

 

 

McCormick Methodist Family has sent two checks to support the Uganda Mission through Mesa Global. Thus far, $22,692 has been sent. Each month, a check will be sent with any donations designated to the Uganda Mission.

 

If you feel drawn to support their mission financially….

 

You can write a check, payable to MMC and noted Scales 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—

 

 

Hello from training!

 

We’ve just completed our first week of training at Center for Intercultural Training (CIT) in Union Mill, NC! Thank you for all your prayers this week, and to those who checked in on us.

 

This week was a focus on Spiritual Formation for us individually and as a family. Learning new rhythms for our family, being in close living quarters, eating every meal together, seeing each other in the middle of a weekday have been new experiences for us but very special moments.

 

Matt and I have spent a lot of time this week, thinking, praying and spending much needed special moments with our Savior. We have gotten to practice gratitude, pray in examens, spend time in the scripture with Lectio Divina, and write out prayers of confession. Each session and topic were a new and wonderful way of worshipping our Lord.

 

So how about you? When was the last time you had a special time with the Lord? The weather this weekend seems to have slowed us all down, maybe God’s waiting for you? We read the story of the blind man this week in Mark. We have read that story several times in our lives but this was the first time we read it and realized that Jesus simply is standing in front of a man and asking “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:46-52). He may be standing in front of you asking the same, the question is how will you answer Him?

 

 

Prayer Request for us:

• Please pray for our time in training to continue to be fruitful, and that we will give each other grace as we each process this transition and the one to come.
• We have some big items to sale soon (car, camper) and we ask for prayers that God be in control of these transactions, so they are glorifying to Him.
• We are in need for suitcases for our trip to Uganda, if anyone has a large suitcase, they want to part with please let us know or pray we find some.

 

 

Following the service, several like to go to the Fellowship Hall and grab a cup of coffee and a sweet, and enjoy the fellowship of the MMC family.

 

We need folks to host. This means setting up the coffee (there are specific directions on the counter), and providing some cookies, muffins, or fruit to share.

Sign up to help (usually two sign up for one Sunday). The sign-up is on the table in the Fellowship Hall.

 

 

Carol Tummons and John Yerdon have been planning a soup/chilli lunch for Super Bowl Sunday. They are thinking they will offer two kinds of soup and two kinds of chili.

 

There will be a love offering to cover the cost.

 

We will keep you posted!!!

 

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

 

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

MEN N MINISTRY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4 6PM

• Do you feel “done” with your loved one’s substance use issue?
• Are you compelled to understand why they are using?
• Do you long to stay in a relationship with your loved one but aren’t sure how to do that?
• Do you want to help but don’t know how?

 

The guest speaker at the Men N Ministry dinner meeting will be Tammy Batson, a member of Thrive Family Recovery Resources. Invite a friend (or two) to attend with you!

 

 

The following are needed for our food pantry. Please leave on the table in the pantry. Thank you for your support!

 

Small jars of peanut butter or peanut butter with jelly mix
Cream soups for casseroles
Boxes or bags of pasta (plain)
Small cans of fruit

 

 

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.