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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 graduating student at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, had just received his appointment from the bishop. He was grousing and grumbling because the appointment didn’t fit what he felt he deserved. Another student, in a loving but unsympathetic way patted him on the back and said, “You know the world is a better place because Michelangelo didn’t say, ‘I don’t do ceilings.'”

 

He lifted up Jesus for his friend to see because he understood that To Serve Is To Follow.

 

And if you stop to think about it, that’s the spirit of servanthood. The world is a better place because a German monk named Martin Luther didn’t say, “I don’t do doors.”

 

The world is a better place, because an Oxford don named John Wesley didn’t say, “I don’t do fields.”

 

Go from the beginning of the Bible to the end, and you will see over and over again the story of men and women who had servant hearts, minds and spirits. And the world is a better place, because:

 

Moses didn’t say, “I don’t do rivers.”
Noah didn’t say, “I don’t do arks.”
Jeremiah didn’t say, “I don’t do weeping.”
Amos didn’t say, “I don’t do speeches.”
Rahab didn’t say, “I don’t do carpets.”
Ruth didn’t say, “I don’t do mothers-in-law.”
David didn’t say, “I don’t do giants.”
Mary didn’t say, “I don’t do virgin births.”
Mary Magdalene didn’t say, “I don’t do feet.”
John didn’t say, “I don’t do deserts.”
Peter didn’t say, “I don’t do Gentiles.”
Paul didn’t say, “I don’t do letters.”
Jesus didn’t say, “I don’t do crosses.”

 

And we at McCormick Methodist Church will never say, “I don’t do Jesus. I don’t do eternal life. I don’t do a life of holiness.”

 

See you in Church or online this Sunday when we do worship. Bring someone with you so they can do it too!

 

Your Pastor,
Nels

 

Fifth Sunday in Lent

Scripture Lesson: John 12: 20-33

 

Unlike many of my friends at MMC, I’ve never used a snow shovel, but I hear it requires a lot of work! So, when I read the kindness article below by Andy Corbley dated February 16, 2024, on the Good News Network, I was so amazed my heart melted!

 

 

 

 

As the Creator of all things, God is the only One who can cause snow to fall upon the earth. In scripture we find beautiful symbolism of snow, one that teaches the concept of purity, which comes from Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. What better time than Lent for a story like this to turn our thoughts to Psalm 51: 7 – “wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”! Let it be so, Lord!

 

This week’s Kindness Entry: The recipient’s response to an act of kindness often catches us by surprise. This was the case in a story I recently read by a woman who was in the depths of sadness due to the loss of a family member when she encountered the clerk at a coffee shop. The clerk was distressed because the coffee machine was down, and she was unable to brew and serve hot coffee. The woman ordered a cold brew and told the clerk to “hang in there”. When she picked up her order, she noticed a message on the cup: The clerk had scrawled next to a heart, “your soul is golden.” The clerk had no idea of what the woman was going through, but the warmth of that small and unexpected gesture, from a stranger moved her deeply. Though still sad, the woman said. “That gesture made the rest of my day.”

 

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!

 

 

McCormick Methodist Church was well represented at the backpack ministry celebration held on Tuesday March the 12th. Emilee Groh received special recognition for double bagging over 60,000 bags that were used for food distribution. Mary Thompson received the recognition certificate on behalf of McCormick Methodist Church. If you are interested in being a part, see Connie Tremsky. She will put you to work!

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

 

Join us each Wednesday at 12 noon for a light lunch and a Lenten lecture series led by Pastor Nels Ledwell. The series will end on March 27.

 

NOTE: If you can only attend once or twice, please do come by! The “lectures” are “free-standing” so no need to worry! We’d love to have you join us, even if just once!

 

If you have questions please contact Kim Jackson.

 

Palm Sunday commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and begins the series of observances focusing on the events of Holy Week.  Join us for worship at 10am.

 

Holy Thursday commemorates Jesus Christ’s Last Supper with his disciples.   A Holy Thursday Service will be held in the Sanctuary at 6:00pm, on Thursday, March 28.

 

 

A Sunrise service will be held at Baker Creek Pavilion on Easter Sunday, March 31 at 7am. Coffee and refreshments will follow. Bring your company, neighbors and friends.

 

There will also be a service at 10am in the MMC sanctuary.

 

Many thanks to all who have Contributed to our Coins For Lent. It is not too late to find a calendar in our Fellowship Hall and participate in this Lenten program.

 

Revenue from this giving opportunity will be given to the new women’s shelter opening in January of 2025 at Liberty Hill in McCormick County. There will be space to occupy 20 women who need recovery from broken homes and a chance to train for a job so they can become self-sufficient as the shelter has partnered with Piedmont Technical College.

 

The shelter will not receive government funds and is thought to be the only shelter of its kind in McCormick County. The staff of the shelter plans that its residents shall experience the love of Christ and the shelter will be a Christian Christ-Centered ministry.

 

We will be hearing more from Liberty Hill soon.

 

Each Sunday, pray as a family for the project and the people who will benefit from your gifts. Our giving begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes with Holy Saturday. During Lent, Sundays are for worship and praise to God and are reflected with a weekly day of prayer.

 

There is a jar in the Fellowship hall to collect your coins, let’s watch it fill up by Easter!  You may also donate online.

 

 

MMC Pancake Breakfast will be presented by the Men n Ministry and Evangelism Committee on April 6th from 8am to 10am in the Fellowship Hall. You don’t want to miss it!

 

For six dollars, you will get all-you-can-eat plain or blueberry pancakes, sausage, orange juice and/or coffee .. TO GO will also be available.

 

The pancake breakfast is part of the TRUNKS OF GOLD event, being sponsored by McCormick County Business Council and Chamber of Commerce. Vendors will be selling their wares from their car “trunks” from 8am to 12pm on Main Street.

 

Proceeds from the pancake breakfast will go to local charities.

 

MMC will also have a table in Trunks of Gold advertising the Pancake Breakfast and MMC! Pancake Tickets can also be purchased at the table on Main Street, or you can come to the church and pay when you get your delicious pancakes!

 

MMC members can help Men N Ministry and the Evangelism team by supporting the pancake breakfast (bring a few friends and treat them!), and by being present at the table to talk to visitors!

 

The Evangelism Committee needs you, Yes, You!

Our purpose is to grow our church and nurture our members and make Disciples of Men and Women. We need your ideas and help to put those ideas into motion.

Don’t Wait, Don’t Hesitate. Contact Janice Tipton.

 

When you sign up on the calendar across from the church office, you are responsible for the flowers for that Sunday. You are welcome to bring in your own plant or arrangement from home, or you can arrange with one of the florists listed below. They will bring the arrangement for you and set it up on the pedestal in the sanctuary on Saturday night. You can take the flowers home after the service or perhaps you’d like to take it to someone who needs some cheering up!

 

Patsy will call or email you prior to your date to get the information you want in the bulletin. The arrangement might be in celebration of an event or in memory of a loved one(s).