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Thank you for giving to McCormick United Methodist Church. Your gifts enable us to fulfill our mission of “Reaching Up and Reaching Out”.

 

from Rev. C. Nels Ledwell

 

 

This week we continue our study on what we believe and will believe as the new McCormick Methodist Church. Enjoy!

 

The Apostles’ Creed (100 A.D.) is the oldest and shortest creed with only 109 words in the traditional version. Only the New Testament creed, “Jesus is Lord,” is older. It is also the most often used — practically every Sunday, except for festivals and seasons when the Nicene Creed is confessed. Undoubtedly, it is the most universal statement of the Christian faith.

 

By 100 A.D. the Apostles’ Creed became the basic statement of faith for the church. In the first century, it was the rule of faith for baptismal candidates. In 390 it became known as the Apostles’ Creed, even though it was not written by the apostles but contained the beliefs of the apostles. An ancient legend has it that after Pentecost the apostles agreed on a summary of what they were going to preach. The summary was the Apostles’ Creed. Yet, the creed did not reach its final form until the sixth or seventh century. Martin Luther held this creed in such high regard that he used it in his Small Catechism to teach families what a Christian believes. To this day the Small Catechism is used as the basis for youth and adult preparation for church membership in Lutheran churches.

 

 

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

 

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

 

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

 

*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places
________________________________________

 

 

I believe in God the Father almighty;
and in Christ Jesus His only Son, our Lord,
Who was born of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
Who under Pontius Pilate was crucified and buried,
on the third day rose again from the dead,
ascended to heaven,
sits at the right hand of the Father,
whence He will come to judge the living and the dead;
and in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Church,
the remission of sins,
the resurrection of the flesh
(the life everlasting)

 

We will continue to use the Apostles’ Creed in our worship services and it will be a part of our statement of faith in our new Church By-laws. Our new Church will adhere to orthodox Wesleyan theology and will remain faithful to all scripture found in the Holy Bible.

 

More to come next week but for now…I will see you in Church or online this Sunday. Come and be a part of our new beginning as a Church faithful to Jesus Christ! We will officially become the new McCormick Methodist Church on July 1 2023.

 

Your Pastor,
Nels

 

Third Sunday After Pentecost

Father’s Day

Scripture Lesson: Matthew 9: 1-13

Reference Texts: Romans 5: 1-8

 

 

 

In the checkout line at our local Food Lion several months ago, I looked down the aisle and saw the cutest sight – a father and son – dressed alike in camo shorts, gray t-shirts, caps, and sandals – walking alongside each other as they pushed their shopping carts! And, of all things, I didn’t have my cellphone with me to get a picture!

 

I ran home to get it – just knowing that by the time I returned they would be gone – but they were still in the store! I spoke with them, introduced myself, and asked if I could take their picture and use it for our Father’s Day kindness blog, and they said “yes” – no names, of course! The picture reminds me of the important leadership role that fathers – and father figures – play in the lives of children, and it was refreshing to be reminded in such a sweet way!

 

As we observe Father’s Day this coming Sunday, June 18, here are the top five scriptures I found online for this special day on a list entitled “Best Father’s Day Bible Verses to Make Dad Feel Blessed”.

 

Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

Proverbs 1:8: “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.”

2 Corinthians 6:18: “And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

Psalm 103:13: “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.”

Proverbs 22:6: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

 

As Christians, the act of kindness reminds us that we all have our Heavenly Father to look up to! This week’s entry is an example of the positive influence we have on children. It is as follows: The grandmother, bursting with pride as she shared this story, reminded me of how children learn what they live! Her very young grandson Noah who was a preemie baby and receiving special tutoring instructions was engaged in a game with his teacher where a correct spelling of a word would give points to the speller. When asked to spell the word “were” Noah spelled it “w-e-e-r” – when the teacher told him that was incorrect, he told her, I knew it was spelled “w-e-r-e”, I just felt bad that you didn’t have any points and I wanted to give you some!”

 

 

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!

 

 

Wendy Kvale gave an excellent (five minute) report on the Conference! The most important items included that we have Nels for another two years and they voted to allow us to disaffiliate the end of the month. Wendy shared that the “official 130 page report” is in the library. If you missed Wendy’s report (and Nels’ sermon on New Beginnings) or would like to see them again, visit our Livestream Archives page.

 

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.

 

We are fortunate to have such an unusual garden in the middle of our church! The trustees are happy to announce that Sue Wurtzbacher has volunteered to share her gardening skills and be the caretaker. Keeping our atrium beautiful year round requires a team! The trustees, through member, Byron Thompson, takes care of trimming the trees and rose bushes, and taking the cuttings to the recycling center, but the rest of the weeding, cleaning and pruning will be done by Sue and her team. If you can help Sue from time to time, please give Sue a call.

 

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!

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Plans are underway for our yearly Craft Show and Cookie Factory to be held on Saturday, Oct 7 (9am to 2pm).

 

There will be a steering committee meeting on Tuesday, June 20 at 6:30pm and everyone is invited!

 

We will discuss what needs to be done and “divvy up” the jobs. We’d love to have more join the steering committee, so if you are interested, please come to the meeting on June 20! If you are interested in being on the committee, but cannot attend the meeting or you have any questions, please contact Barb Shelley.

 

 

“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—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 United 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.

 

 

Mark your calendars… Sept 24 at 10am.. service, followed by picnic at Baker Creek!

 

More details when we get closer.

 

Our church family certainly enjoyed pancakes, sausage, juice, coffee, and the fellowship after church on Sunday, June 11. Thank you to John Yerdon and the Men N Ministry! (The blueberry pancakes were PARTICULARY WONDERFUL!!!)

 

John Yerdon suggested the men try an after church pancake breakfast. He thought we could cook and hold the food early by using our new warmer oven. We decided to keep the price very reasonable at $5.00 for the first trial.

 

Everything worked out wonderfully. The food was warm and delicious! A good number of congregation attended and they raved about everything! I am sure we will try doing something like this again in the future.

 

We generated $238 for the kitchen renovation project, which is well underway.

Between this breakfast and the proceeds from the Biscuits and Blessings, we have donated almost $600.

 

Thanks to John Yerdon for suggesting the breakfast, purchasing all the food and running the kitchen. Thanks for all the helpers, you did a good job, And thank you to the church family for supporting our first pancake breakfast in a long time!

 

Mark your calendars… Sept 24 at 10am.. service, followed by picnic at Baker Creek!

 

More details when we get closer.