WORSHIP WITH US – SUNDAYS AT 10AM
from Rev. C. Nels Ledwell
Living Without Hope
Tom Marcum shares this story about the gift of hope.
There was a fascinating conversation on Rush Limbaugh’s talk show a while back. Having just completed Tom Brokaw’s wonderful book The Greatest Generation, a book filled with inspiring stories of the WWII generation, Rush had taken the position that the current generation of young adults, those in their 20’s, are, for the most part, a bunch of whiners. He said that while they are constantly whining and moaning about the difficulty of their lives in fact, when compared to the hardships faced by their grandparents’ generation, they’ve actually got it easy. Their grandparents had endured truly devastating events like The Great Depression and WWII. The current crop of young adults, he concluded, doesn’t even have a clue about real hardship.
There was a fascinating conversation on Rush Limbaugh’s talk show a while back. Having just completed Tom Brokaw’s wonderful book The Greatest Generation, a book filled with inspiring stories of the WWII generation, Rush had taken the position that the current generation of young adults, those in their 20’s, are, for the most part, a bunch of whiners. He said that while they are constantly whining and moaning about the difficulty of their lives in fact, when compared to the hardships faced by their grandparents’ generation, they’ve actually got it easy. Their grandparents had endured truly devastating events like The Great Depression and WWII. The current crop of young adults, he concluded, doesn’t even have a clue about real hardship.
Once Rush had finished his monologue a self-professed member of this younger generation of adults called in to offer a different perspective. Bright and extremely articulate, the 23 year-old caller said that, while The Great Depression and WWII certainly created terrible hardships for the people who faced them that he, nonetheless, believed his generation faced an even greater hardship.
Limbaugh asked, “And what exactly would that be?”
The caller said, “The loss of hope.” He said that his experience indicated that many of today’s young adults had simply stopped believing that things were going to get better. They didn’t expect to live as well as their parents had lived. They weren’t expecting a brighter future. They have simply given up hope.
He said, The Great Depression, as terrible as it was, in many cases brought families together as they worked side by side in the hope of saving their families. Most of his friends, he said, grew up in families in complete disarray and have given up the hope of ever having a real family experience of their own.
He said, WWII was a terrible event that obviously cost thousands of Americas’ young men their lives. Then he said, and even though they knew the risks they still enlisted voluntarily by the millions because they saw it as a cause worth dying for. Most of those in his generation, he said, can’t imagine anything worth dying for and they’re committing suicide in record numbers because many can’t imagine anything worth living for.
He said, and I paraphrase, “Mr. Limbaugh, The Great Depression and WWII created terrible hardships. But I submit to you that the greatest hardship of all is living without hope.” Tom Marcum and I agree. It’s harder to develop character in affluence than it is hardship. All the more reason why young people need to see what Simeon saw:
My eyes have seen your salvation,
Which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
A light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.
Which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
A light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.
See You in Church or online this Sunday where we experience Jesus as the hope of our lives and the world.
Your Pastor,
Nels
Nels
Preparing for Worship
Sunday, July 27, 2025
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture Lesson: Colossians 2: 6-23
Message: “Jesus Thought of Everything” – Rev. Ledwell
Hymns:
Nobody
Ask Ye What Great Thing I Know
I Stand Amazed in the Presence
Anthem:
Try Jesus – Carol Tummons and Sue Yerdon
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Our thanks to Kevin and Kerri Bowser Cauthen for sharing God’s love with us through their musical talents at our morning worship service and again at the concert last Sunday.
BEAUTY IN UNLIKELY PLACES
Marge and Sue have green thumbs that can grow beautiful flowers in flagstone.
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Our parsonage was dedicated on March 6, 1960. Notice that there was no addition on the left side of the house. Thanks to Garnett Wallace (Vintage McCormick County SC on Facebook) for posting this and other pictures on Facebook – a look back in time for McCormick. Visit https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Eqjp6xdEC/ to view additional photos.
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Volunteer to Host Coffee Hour
July and August volunteers needed. Sign up sheet is in the Fellowship Hall.
MATTHEW AND KRISTI SCALES
MISSION IN UGANDA
How To Support
If you feel drawn to support their mission financially you can write a check, payable to MMC and noted Uganda 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—
Women’s Retreat Coming Soon
Friday, August 15th and Saturday, August 16th
A study of Esther, “For Such a Time as This” will be presented on Friday, August 15th and Saturday, August 16th. You’ll not want to miss our special guest speaker from Florida!! Please plan on spending time with us each day, here at our own Church, from 9AM to 3PM. Lunch will be included. Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall and give your $20.00 check to Karen Hicks or Patsy in the office.
MMC CRAFT SHOW AND COOKIE FACTORY
OCTOBER 4 – 9am to 2pm
VENDORS NEEDED
Lindy Stahlman and Cindy Klausman are the new chairpersons for the Craft Show. Carol Tummons will be leading the bakers for the Cookie Factory.
Sue Wurtzbacher and Marge Radosevich will be asking for plants to sell in the Atrium. Watch for more details!
PLANT SALE If you are planning on repotting, separating plants, or rooting new plants, and would like to share your bounty, please consider sharing your plants by donating to the MMW Craft Show Plant Sale.
Marge and I will set up several tables (depending on how many plants we get) in the Atrium.
Also if you have extra pots you no longer need (no plastic) or garden accents we would love to accept them also.
We usually have the plants dropped off at the church Friday (Oct 3). If for some reason you need to bring them sooner, we can work something out.
We usually have the plants dropped off at the church Friday (Oct 3). If for some reason you need to bring them sooner, we can work something out.
Thank you in advance for sharing.
Marge Radosevich and Sue Wurtzbacher
VENDORS If you or a friend or neighbor is interested in participating in this year’s Craft Show, please email Lindy Stahlman. Lindy will send you the pricing information and registration form. Don’t hesitate, the spots fill up quickly!
Indoor tables (8 ft) cost $40 and all crafts must be handcrafted. We also offer tent space (you supply the tents) for $25. Items do not have to be handcrafted.
Again, there will be tons of baked goods in the Fellowship Hall. Watch for notices about what is needed as the year goes on.
The Men N’ Ministry will be selling brats cooked on the grill, as well as soda and chips.
It is always a fun day of fellowship while raising funds for our missions!
More details about the event are available at https://www.mccormickmc.org/craft-show-2025/
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 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.
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.
Volunteers Needed for Congregational Care Team
Dear Church Family,
One of the most powerful ways we reflect the love of Christ is by caring for one another in times of need. Whether someone is recovering from surgery, facing a difficult season, or navigating a time of grief, small
acts of kindness—like a hot meal, a ride to an appointment, or a friendly visit—can make a world of difference.
acts of kindness—like a hot meal, a ride to an appointment, or a friendly visit—can make a world of difference.
We are currently building a list of volunteers who are willing to step in when needs arise. You don’t need to commit to every request—just let us know how you feel called to help:
Meal Ministry – Provide or deliver a home-cooked or store-bought meal to someone in need.
Transportation Help – Offer rides to church, appointments, or errands for those unable to drive.
Visitation Ministry – Visit homebound members or those in the hospital or care facilities to provide companionship and encouragement.
If you’re willing to be on our list of helpers in any of these areas, please send Kim Jackson an email or add
your name/email to the sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall.
your name/email to the sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall.
You’ll be contacted as needs arise, with the opportunity to accept or decline depending on your schedule.
Let’s continue being the hands and feet of Jesus—loving one another well in both big and small ways.
In Christ’s love,
Your Congregational Care Team