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from Rev. C. Nels Ledwell

 

 

As I was preparing for this Sunday, I found this wonderful article by Rev. Brett Blair. I share it with you to help prepare you for this Sunday’s worship service.

 

Back on January 3rd 2010, the Mars rover named “Spirit” began its sixth year of diligent exploration (Spirit landed on January 3, 2004). It had been sending back so many photographs that NASA figured out a way to teach the little rover how to detect changes in images, so that it sends only images back to Earth with new information. For example, if Rover was taking photographs of dust devils, it now pauses and waits until the image changes before taking the next photo. This meant less work for the scientists sifting through the many, many amazing photographs ‘Spirit’ sent home. What a great name for such a small machine. It made great discovery. We need that kind of spirit in our world.

 

I don’t know if you saw pictures of the rover back then; it’s about the size of a small coffee table. A lot of NASA’s hopes were riding on this little robot. And it delivered, beyond everyone’s expectations. There’s something to be said about the big influence of small things.

 

It reminds me of the Scottish minister who told his congregation about dreaming he had died. When he came to the pearly gates, to his dismay, he would be denied entrance until he presented his credentials. Proudly the Pastor articulated the number of sermons preached and the prominent pulpits occupied. But Saint Peter said no one had heard them in heaven. The discouraged servant enumerated his community involvement. He was told they were not recorded. Sorrowfully, the pastor turned to leave, when Peter said, “Stay a moment, and tell me, are you the man who fed the sparrows?”

 

“Yes,” the Scotsman replied, “but what does that have to do with it?”

 

“Come in,” said Saint Peter, “the Master of the sparrows wants to thank you.”

 

Here is the pertinent, though often overlooked, point: great and prominent positions indicate skill and capacity, but small services suggest the depth of one’s consecration. We overlook the big influence of small things.

 

And so it is with Jesus’ Baptism. It’s a small thing for Jesus to do. It was not necessary for him to be baptized since there was no sin in his life for which to repent. But he submits to John’s Baptism of Repentance anyway. Why? To identify with our sins. He joined in the popular movement of his day. It was a grass roots movement started by a desert monk named John the Baptist. John was calling for the repentance of Israel. Jesus chooses to be baptized because he wants to participate with the people in their desires to be close to God.

 

It’s a small thing Jesus does but what a big influence. It forever marks baptism as the way we Christians publicly declare our repentance and dependence on God’s grace.

 

So the Spirit descends from the heavens, lands on Jesus and sends the following vivid snapshots:

 

1. In the backdrop all the people are baptized.

 

2. In the forefront Jesus stands out as the focus of God’s love.

 

3. Baptism is the framework by which ministry begins

 

And I will add to Brett’s article. As the Spirit landed on Christ, it also landed on us and continues to lead us into a new way of living. We will explore this on Sunday.

 

See you in Church or online this First Sunday of the New Year!

 

Your Pastor,
Nels

 

Sunday, January 7, 2024
Baptism of the Lord Sunday
Scripture Lesson: Acts 19: 1-7

Reference Texts: Mark 1: 4-11

                                 Romans 6:4
Message: “How Christian are WE?”

 

 

We apologize to all who missed watching our livestream service this past Sunday. We lost our connection with the streaming service and we did not get a recording for the service held December 31 2023

 

During Christmas, I hope we all have had our hearts filled with enough Love from Jesus to carry us into 2024 and beyond! It may be part of the aging process, but I find myself not giving much thought these days to making New Year resolutions, but rather, spending time looking back at the blessings of 2023 and praying for the Holy Spirit’s direction for this year that I might have, in the words of Charles Dickens, “a new heart for a New Year, always!”

 

Many years ago, my boss – a great Christian lady and friend – gave me a plaque with the following inscription: “If you planted hope today in any hopeless heart, If someone’s burden was lighter because you did your part, If you caused a laugh that chased a tear away, If tonight your name is mentioned when someone kneels to pray, Then your day was well spent.” I have kept it at eye level in my kitchen since that time and learned that these kind words to live by came from a Christian blog site, Katherines Corner by Reverend Katherine.

 

In closing, I’d like to share with you a kindness treasure I saw on television during the holidays. It is a 60 second TV commercial from The Foundation for a Better Life, and it certainly defines kindness in the simplest terms and reminds us that it begins with each of us. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, and may Kindness be our word for 2024! Click below and enjoy!

 

 

Kindness Entry: At the checkout counter a few days after Christmas, I was surprised at the response of the young female clerk – just a teenager – when I asked if she had a good Christmas. Her reply was “No, I didn’t”. This caught me by surprise, and I said, “I’m sorry”, to which her response was, “You don’t have to be sorry – it wasn’t your fault!” I do not know anything about the circumstances of this young lady, but this experience served as a reminder to me of the great need we have for kindness in our world – a simple silent prayer when we encounter situations like this could make a big difference to someone who is hurting!

 

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!

 

Donna and Ron Hutto and the Worship Committee appreciates all the folks who stayed on Sunday to take down the Christmas tree, wreaths and many decorations. Thanks to you, we are ready to start the New Year!

 

 

 

Everyone is encouraged to stay for the MMC Charge Conference, immediately following the service on Sunday, January 7.

 

The primary responsibilities of the charge conference in the annual meeting shall be to review and evaluate the total mission and ministry of the church, receive reports, and adopt objectives and goals recommended by the church council.

 

Fellowship Hour will be held following the Charge Conference.

 

 

Men N Ministry will start 2024 with a dinner meeting in the Fellowship Hall on January 9 at 6pm. No need to sign up, just show up and bring a neighbor or two!

 

The speaker will be the Honorable H. Gray, who was elected as Probate Judge of McCormick County, SC on November 8, 2022. Judge Gray is a career Law Enforcement Officer of 45 years. During his career, he spent 20+ years as a Homicide Investigator. Judge Gray spent the last 20 years as a Task Force Commander directing Region 3 K-9 Task Force station in Augusta, GA. This position included providing annual security support at the Augusta National Masters Golf Tournament and assisting security at the 2019 Super-Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia. During his career, Judge Gray investigated over 200 Homicides and countless crimes. These investigations involved hundreds of hours testifying and following court procedures. Judge Gray’s objectives are to work to improve the quality of the community by prioritizing drug addiction and mental illness. Judge Gray hopes to minimize hardship for all parties involved during their process of probate. Judge Gray plans to accomplish some of his goals through his specialized training as hostage negotiator, criminal profiler, trained interviewer and over 3600 hours of continuing education which includes criminal & civil law.

 

Don Smith will be making his famous Sloppy Joes.. plan to be there!

 

 

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.