WORSHIP WITH US – SUNDAY 10AM
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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
I found this article a few days ago. I do not know the author but would wanted to share it with you.
Our Need For Prayer And Communion With God
Back in the thirteenth century, the German king, Frederick II, conducted a diabolical experiment intended to discover what language children would naturally grow up to speak if never spoken to.
He thought it would be German. Some things are just obvious, right? So King Frederick took babies from their mothers at birth and placed them in the care of nurses who were forbidden to speak in their hearing. But a second rule was imposed, as well: the nurses were not allowed to touch the infants. To his great dismay, Frederick’s experiment was cut short, but not before something tragically significant regarding human nature was revealed. As you may have guessed, the babies grew up to speak no language at all because they died.
In the year 1248, an Italian historian named Salimbene di Adam recorded, with an air of scientific observation, “They could not live without petting.” The babies literally died for want of touch.
Astounding!
Modern medicine calls this phenomenon, “failure to thrive.” What you and I know is that the first language of our humanity is not a language; it’s not even touch. Our first langauge is love. For some reason, we humans flourish under the influence of love and we gradually die without it. The implications of this fact are huge.
Consider the research of Dr. Dean Ornish, the founder of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute in California. In his national best seller, Love and Survival, Ornish presents study after study demonstrating that love is a chief influence for mental, emotional, and even physical health. He summarizes the unexpected message of the rapidly accumulating body of data: “Anything that promotes feelings of love and intimacy is healing; anything that promotes isolation, separation, loneliness, loss, hostility, anger, cynicism, depression, alienation, and related feelings often leads to suffering, disease, and premature death from all causes” (Dean Ornish, Love and Survival, p. 29).
We are literally engineered for love. We are made for love, as if our DNA contains the message, “You must love and be loved in order to survive.” But why? Why love. Science says that’s a mystery. For them the “mystery remains. No one can fully explain, why love and intimacy matter so much.”
Let me let you in on a little secret. We know why. We know that we are made in the image of God. And if God is love, so are we.
See you in Church or online this Sunday,
Your Pastor,
Nels
Nels
Preparing for Worship
Sunday, July 23 – 10AM
Eighth Sunday After Pentecost
Scripture Lesson: Genesis 28: 10-19
Message: “Sensing the Presence of God”
FOOD PANTRY
ITEMS THAT NEED TO BE REPLENISHED
From Lindy, one of the Pantry Elves
ITEMS WE CURRENTLY NEED:
Canned protein- chicken, tuna, spam
Boxed meals- mac&cheese, rice-a roni,pasta meal kits,ramen noodles
Cheese/cracker pkgs, peanut butter/ cracker pkgs
Peanut butter
Jelly
Small boxes/pkg cereal
TP
Note: We try and give a pretty full bag of groceries, and often the folks are walking to the church. Please, no large cans so they can carry them home safely.
Thank you for helping us to replenish the shelves!
MMC food pantry is located in the back hall, next to the nursery. Please leave your donations in that room on the table or on the white shelf by the door.
Hint: Save the list in case you see a sale on an item or two! Thanks in advance
NEW BEGINNINGS
Love Offering
Donations made through this “Love Offering” will be used to offset disaffiliation costs.
Ways you can contribute..
CHECK If using a check, please make out to MMC and put Love Fund on the subject line. You can bring by to the office, put it in the collection plate, or send to the office (MMC P.O. Box 267, McCormick SC 29835)
CASH Every penny is appreciated! If you clean out your change bowls, bring it in to church! No amount is too small!
ONLINE Donate Online
NEHEMIAH WORK TEAM
Thanks to Rich Jackson, Dan Staples, Don Smith, and John Yerdon, another ramp was added to a home that needed one for access!
Acts of Kindness
Kindness – Like the Ocean, It Restores Our Souls!
We are at the peak of summer, and Kindness takes to the beach this week with this story that is kindly shared with us by Emilee Groh – it helps us to understand why time at the shore is so good for our souls! It’s just like our Heavenly Father to do something kind like that for us, isn’t it?
“Many years ago, scientist and skeptic Robert Faid set out to prove through science that God and the Bible events were not true. Through his exhaustive research, instead he found out it was all true, could be verified by science and he wrote a book documenting his discoveries.
When I was in the Greenville/Taylors (SC) area, our Sunday School class studied this book. Although I can’t remember all, the way he explained the Trinity made a lasting impression on me. I have shared this with many through the years. It goes like this …
The Ocean is God – powerful, vast, sparkling, surrounding all, covering all as far as eyes can see and beyond
The Wave is Jesus – (integral part) – connected to God – a part of God comes back and forth from God to us bringing Him to us and us to Him
The Mist is the Holy Spirit – also connected to the ocean (God) – Jesus comes from the movement – Jesus cannot be seen, but can be felt
The Wave is Jesus – (integral part) – connected to God – a part of God comes back and forth from God to us bringing Him to us and us to Him
The Mist is the Holy Spirit – also connected to the ocean (God) – Jesus comes from the movement – Jesus cannot be seen, but can be felt
I have personally experienced this special connection, treasure it, and visually reconnect anytime I have gone to the ocean. I also have a necklace I found in Florida depicting a wave and call it my “Jesus necklace”. I encourage you to stand on the shore and experience it for yourself. May it stay in your heart and vision as it has for years in mine!”
Thank you for sharing, Emilee – this really makes me look forward to my next trip to the beach!
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?
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?
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.