WORSHIP WITH US – SUNDAY 10AM
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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
A Special Offering for a New Beginning
Some of you may have noticed your pastor has seemed a little preoccupied, distracted, or perhaps even a little crazy. Normally, serving this Church has afforded me plenty of time for meditation, studying and praying as I prepare for Sunday worship. The past few months has not been that way. Instead, much of my time has been spent with our lawyers, our way-forward committee, studying how to separate from the United Methodist Church, meeting with the district and conference officers, filling out my retirement papers from the United Methodist Church, and leading as God directs our Church towards a new beginning. Yes, it has been a busy time yet a time of great opportunity.
Today, we are a free and independent Church. No longer do we have to listen to a Bishop, Superintendent, pay apportionments or be a part of a bureaucracy fighting over issue that the Bible has settled 2000 years ago. Now we abide in God’s word and listen only to Him as we prepare for our future ministry.
This Sunday, we will give all the opportunity to give a love offering for our new beginnings as a church with a new identity and new ministry. Please consider this opportunity and be in prayer for God’s guidance for your ministry and our new beginning as McCormick Methodist Church.
See you in Church or online this Sunday,
Your Pastor,
Nels
Preparing for Worship
Sunday, July 16 – 10AM
Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
New Beginning Love Offering
Scripture Lesson: Romans 8:1-11
Message: “Reset for Life and Peace”
Acts of Kindness
Royal Advice from A Princess!
A special thanks to Lay Leader Lindy Stahlman for sharing this kindness quote from much loved Princess Diana – a reminder that kindness always bounces back to us! I also appreciate Lindy’s sharing the message below from Max Lucado who, as she says, “always makes the point so well”:
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends,” – John 15: 13 Think for a minute about the people in your world. What do they think of your commitment to them? How would you rate your faithfulness? Does your loyalty ever waiver? Do you have one person with whom your “contract” is nonnegotiable?
Once, two friends were fighting together in a war. The combat was ferocious, and many lives were being taken. When one of the two young soldiers was injured and could not get back to the trenches, the other went out to get him against his officer’s orders. He returned mortally wounded, and his friend, whom he had carried back, was dead.
The officer looked at the dying soldier, shook his head, and said, “It wasn’t worth it.” The young boy, overhearing the remark, smiled and said “But it was worth it, sir, because when I got to him, he said, “Jim, I knew you would come.”
Make the most of your relationships. Follow the advice of Benjamin Franklin: “Be slow in choosing friends and be even slower in leaving them.”
What a beautiful and powerful message for us, Lindy! Again, thank you for sharing!
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!
STEPHEN MINISTRY
READY TO LISTEN
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 MUMC.
If you would like to take advantage of the ‘presence’ of a Stephen Minister, start by calling Pastor Nels or one of the Stephen Leaders thru the church office at (864) 852-2394.
COFFEE HOUR FELLOWSHIP
GOODIES AND HOSTS NEEDED
Plenty of room for volunteers to host! You can ask a partner to join you as host. Goodies do not have to be home-made, store-bought are just fine! There is a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall, Also, if you have not done it before, Carol Myers would be happy to work with you!
CONGREGATIONAL CARE COMMITTEE
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.
“The Chosen” – Season 2 Bible Study
Mondays, June 5 – July 31 at 5:30pm
“The Chosen” Bible Study began on Monday. It is not too late to join us!
We will gather together for dinner each Monday during the study, then view an episode of The Chosen. After each episode we will break into small groups and study the scripture from that particular episode. All are welcome to attend! The study begins June 5th and runs until July 31st. We will not meet on July 3rd.
For those who haven’t seen season 1 yet, a link to the series is provided below. It’s free to watch and you’re encouraged to “Binge Jesus” although, you don’t have to have watched season 1 to attend the study but we’re sure you’ll go back to watch it after you’ve seen season 2!
Sign up sheets will be in Fellowship Hall at the church or you can email Kim Jackson.
The Chosen – click this link for The Chosen then select season 1 from the drop down menu.
FABULOUS FUN SISTERS IN FAITH RETREAT
AUGUST 4 AND AUGUST 5
HICKORY KNOB
Fabulous Fun Sisters in Faith Retreat—1st EVER/Education Committee & Maxine Dunn
Our retreat foundation is based on Mark 6:31 “Let us go off by ourselves to some place where we will be alone, and you can rest a while”. Well, ok Hickory Knob isn’t in the wilderness, it’s just across the street, but how many of us take the time to relax and just enjoy ourselves with our Christian sisters? Thinking it would be fun to re-group and get to know one another…let the fun begin!!
The retreat (details forthcoming in another BLAST) will be Friday night August 4th and Saturday August 5th. The rooms are for one night only and are double occupancy, so grab a roomy or just sign up and be surprised!
What you need to do now is check your calendar, if you’re available write a commitment check to McCormick Methodist Church for $25 and put EDUCATION COMMITTEE on it. This is holding your half of a room, the park is crowded in the summer and if we don’t fill the rooms we’ll need to give them back.
Activities will be Friday night and Saturday morning through lunch. Details will be worked out as we find out how many women will be involved.
Those women who would like to join us for Saturday morning activities only please call one of us and let us know you’re interested so we can plan. All are welcome and you can be a part of the program, or a participant! Let the Holy Spirit direct you!!!
Questions? Please call Maxine Dunn, or Kim Jackson or Wendy Kvale.
WHAT IS ALPHA?
Alpha is an 11 week course designed to create a space for honest conversation around some of life’s biggest questions. It is designed to provide guests, churched and unchurched, an opportunity to connect with one another while providing the opportunity to share thoughts, ideas, and opinions in a safe and caring environment. Alpha helps bring people together while providing the chance to encounter Jesus.
Each week consists of a meal together, viewing a video taped talk and then breaking into small discussion groups. You will hear more about the program in the weeks to come. Please start to think and pray for those you would like to invite who may not yet know Jesus. Both Rich and Kim Jackson attended the Alpha Course in 2010, feel free to ask them any questions you may have.
The Alpha Course will be offered to our church and community beginning September 10, 2023 at 5:30 pm.
Sign up sheets will be in Fellowship Hall.
Weekly Topics
Sep 10 – Is There More to Life Than This?
Sep 17 – Who is Jesus?
Sep 24 – Why Did Jesus Die?
Oct 01 – How Can I Have Faith?
Oct 08 – Why and How Do I Pray?
Oct 15 – Why and How Should I Read the Bible?
Oct 22 – How Does God Guide Us?
Oct 29 – Who is the Holy Spirit?
Oct 29 – What Does the Holy Spirit Do?
Oct 29 – How Can I Be Filled with the Holy Spirit?
Nov 05 – How Can I Resist Evil?
Nov 12 – Does God Heal Today?
Nov 19 – What About the Church?
Please pray for the Alpha Course. Pray that our church family members see this as an opportunity to evangelize to their friends and neighbors.
CHURCH PICNIC
SEPT 24
BAKER CREEK
Mark your calendars… Sept 24 at 10am.. service, followed by picnic at Baker Creek!
More details when we get closer.
MMC CRAFT SHOW AND COOKIE FACTORY UPDATE
OCTOBER 7 9AM TO 2PM
Update.. Fellowship Hall spots have all been sold. We are full!
We are able to offer tent space in the parking lot to service groups, like Lions Club. The items they sell do not have to be handcrafted, and many have brochures available on their group missions. The cost is $25. If your group is interested contact Barb Shelley.
Marge Radosevich will be running the Plant Sale in the atrium. If you would like to contribute or have any questions, please contact Marge.