Quick-Step Guide (PDF) for setting up your account and making your first donation.

 

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

 

 

A Mercedes-Benz TV commercial shows one of their cars colliding with a concrete wall during a safety test. Someone then asks a Mercedes engineer why their company does not enforce their patent on their car’s energy-absorbing car body. The Mercedes’ design has been copied by almost every other car maker in the world in spite of the fact that they have an exclusive patent.

 

The engineer replies in a clipped German accent, “Because in life, some things are just too important not to share.”

 

Wow! What a great statement. Some things are just too important not to share. As Christians we believe that the good news of Jesus Christ is one of those things that is too important not to share. No, that is an understatement. We believe that Jesus Christ MUST be shared with our friends, our neighbors, the world. The work of sharing the news of Jesus Christ we call evangelism. The Christian faith has been advanced through the ages by people who were willing to take upon themselves the responsibility of being evangelists – those who spread the good news of Christ.

 

So folks, how many have you told about Jesus lately? Who are you bringing to Church this Sunday?

 

See you and your special guest this Sunday or online.

 

Your Pastor,
Nels

 

Scripture Lesson: John 4: 5-30

Reference Texts: John 4: 5-42 Romans 5: 1-11

 

The Stephen Ministry motto is “Christ caring for people through people.” Our Stephen Ministry is about to add one more caring leader, as Rich Jackson is about to complete Stephen Leader training.

 

What do Stephen Leaders do, exactly? Stephen Leaders are pastors and lay leaders who work together as a team to lead Stephen Ministry. They come from all ages and backgrounds, but they all share a common passion—bringing Christ’s love and care to hurting people. At this point we have 2 Stephen Minsters who have gone thru the extended training necessary to become a Stephen Leader. They are Beverly Western and Sundee Luedecke.

 

Soon, in addition, we will have 1 more Stephen Leader! Rich Jackson has been studying to become a Stephen Leader thru the Bridge Leader’s Training Course … a live, interactive online training experience that will prepare Rich to serve as a Stephen Leader. The course consists of 10 interactive online sessions of 2½ hours each to equip him with the knowledge, skills, and tools to help lead Stephen Ministry here at McCormick United Methodist Church.

 

We will officially commission Rich as a Stephen Leader on Sunday, March 19th, during our worship service. A welcoming reception for Rich will be held during the regular post-service hospitality hour in the Fellowship Hall.

 

Stephen Ministers are here to provide high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in the congregation and the community experiencing life difficulties. We look forward to having Rich join us and help us enrich this ministry.

 

Stephen Ministers are here for you. If you are experiencing a difficulty and would like to start a ‘fellowship’ with a Stephen Minister, start by calling Pastor Nels or one of the Stephen Leaders thru the church office at (864) 852-2394.

 

Many of you are enjoying the fellowship time following the services each week! If you have not come to the fellowship hall after the service, give it a try this week! There is always coffee, drinks, and goodies plus fellowship with the church family!

 

Carol Myers wants you to know there is a sign-up ready for April, May, and June. Please take the time to pick one Sunday to bring goodies (usually there are two folks that provide the goodies). Goodies do not have to home-made! You will be working with others to set up.. the veterans will show you the way!!

 

If you have a question or concern, call Carol Myers.

 

 

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.

 

Start by calling Pastor Nels or one of the Stephen Leaders thru the church office at (864)852-2394 and begin a ‘fellowship’ with a Stephen Minister.

 

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 next Men N Ministry monthly meeting will be Tuesday, March 7. We will begin with dinner at 6pm, followed by our business meeting.

 

Our meal will be prepared by our newest cook, Ray Sims. Ray will be putting his best touches to his outstanding meatloaf (his specialty). Ray will be assisted by John Yerdon and Dale Tarrant. Our devotion speaker will be Rob Rennie. Our speaker, Byron Thompson, will be discussing the demographic changes in our county during the past 10 years.

 

General business will include the May trunks of Gold, to be held on Saturday May 6, 2023 (8am-noon).

 

Bob Rennie – President Men in Ministry.

 

Palm Sunday commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and begins the series of observances focusing on the events of Holy Week.  The service will be at 10am.

 

Maundy is derived from the Latin word for “command,” and refers to Jesus’ commandment to the disciples to “Love one another as I have loved you.” Service starts at 6pm. Communion will be served.

 

Easter is a time for renewal. You have two opportunities on Easter to worship and celebrate the miracle of hope and eternal life.

 

A Sunrise service will be held at Baker Creek on Easter Sunday, April 9 at 7am. Time will be announced. Bring your company, neighbors and friends. Coffee and refreshments will follow.

 

There will also be a service at 10am in the MUMC sanctuary. The Chancel Choir will present an Easter Musical titled, “No More Night”. Refreshments will follow in the Fellowship Hall. 

 

What a special blessing for us to receive a couple of wonderful kindness stories from Sue and Mitch Mitchell, “our own” missionaries to Panama! The first one is about the young lady above who not only has “kindness” on her shirt, but on her smiling face as well! The second story is about a young man who chooses to share Jesus and His loving kindness with children. Both will make your heart smile!

 

 

 

Thank you, Sue and Mitch, for sharing your ministry with us! The people of Panama are certainly blessed by your kindness to them! You continue to be in our prayers!

 

 

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!

 

The following Seven-Week Bible Study can be done by yourself at home, or with a group.

 

If you are interested in being part of a small group for this Bible Study, Kim Jackson is leading a Lenten Bible Study group on Saturday mornings at 10am in the Fellowship Hall. Please call Kim if you are planning on attending the Saturday sessions. 

 

To learn more and/or download a copy of the “Walking with Christ to the Cross Bible Study” Click the link below:
https://www.mccormickmc.org/lenten-bible-study

 

 

Easter lilies symbolize purity, hope, innocence, and virtue. They represent the purity of Jesus, who was free from sin.

 

Our worship committee has arranged to have Easter lilies in the sanctuary. The cost is $8.00 for a lily in a 6 inch pot.

 

If you would like to order lilies in honor of, or in memory of loved ones, there will be a form in the bulletin on Sunday.  Or you may print a form.  You are welcome to send (or bring by) your order to the office. Church address is P.O. Box 267, McCormick SC 29835.

 

Checks payable to MUMC and note Easter Lilies on the memo line.

 

For more than 50 years, Methodist congregations have supported UMCOR Sunday. MUMC will celebrate UMCOR Sunday on March 19.

 

UMCOR Sunday, March 19, is one of our church-wide special Mission Sundays which calls us to share our goodness of life with those who are in need. Your gifts lay the foundation to share God’s love with communities everywhere. This special offering underwrites “costs of doing business.” and helps them keep the promise that 100 percent of any gift to a specific disaster through the year will go toward that project, not administrative costs.

 

There will be a collection at church on March 19. You can donate from home starting today by check or online.  If paying by check, please make payable to MUMC and note UMCOR on the subject line. You can drop it in the collection plate, bring it by the office or mail it to the church at MUMC Box 267 McCormick SC 29835. Here is a direct link to the UMCOR tile on VANCO.

 

Please give generously and pray about following our Lord’s words from 1 John 3:18 “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but indeed and in truth.”

 

March
Lewis Bryant
Becky Lagroon
Joe Larate
Mike Smith
Marsha Garner
Larry Bonam
Josh Sandt
Susan Gaer
Jan Lamke
Shirley Bowser
Dale Tarrant
Bob Garner

 

April
Dick Kvale
Wendy Kvale
Scott Pitser
Barb Shelley
Bob Myers
Pat Winn
Nancy Vereb
Glenda Sartain
Dot Baggett
Pat Meyers
Gary Wolfe
Don Smith

 

March
Ron &Donna Hutto
Larry & Sandy Bonam
Nancy & Wayne Manfready
Shirley & Turney Bowser
Brian & Gail Gore
Lewis & Barb Bryant

 

April
Mike & Charlotte Tallent