WORSHIP WITH US – SUNDAY 10AM
Online Giving
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
God Knows What We Need
Charles Shultz, creator and author of the Peanuts cartoon characters often conveys a Christian message in his comic strips. In one strip he conveys through Charlie Brown the need we have to be loved and through Lucy our inability to love one another.
Charlie Brown and Lucy are leaning over the proverbial fence speaking to one another:
CB: All it would take to make me happy is to have someone say he likes me.
Lucy: Are you sure?
CB: Of course I’m sure!
Lucy: You mean you’d be happy if someone merely said he or she likes you? Do you mean to tell me that someone has it within his or her power to make you happy merely by doing such a simple thing?
CB: Yes! That’s exactly what I mean!
Lucy: Well, I don’t think that’s asking too much. I really don’t. [Now standing face to face, Lucy asks one more time] But you’re sure now? All you want is to have someone say, “I like you, Charlie Brown,” and then you’ll be happy?
CB: And then I’ll be happy!
Lucy: [Lucy turns and walks away saying] I can’t do it!
What Lucy can not do, sinful as she is, God does. What Charlie Brown needs, lost and alone as he is, God supplies. God loves you and is telling you today, “He loves you!” “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.”
To love and to be loved is one of the greatest human needs. How great it is to know that God loves us.
See you in Church or online this Sunday!
Your Pastor,
Nels
Preparing for Worship
Sunday, March 5 – 10AM
Second Sunday in Lent
Holy Communion
Scripture Lesson: John 3: 1-17
Message: “The Nicodemus Syndrome”
New Member
A big family welcome to our newest member, Tina Sims!
FELLOWSHIP AFTER CHURCH SERVICE – HOSTS NEEDED
Everyone is invited to “Fellowship Time” every Sunday after the service. Thank you to Kim Jackson and Carol Myers for starting this informal gathering time about a year ago! The MUMC family finds it a great time to take a minute to sit down and be with the church family and guests!
Carol reports that they have folks signed up through March, but there are plenty more opportunities to provide the goodies one 2023 Sunday. There is a sign-up in the fellowship Hall. You can also contact Carol Myers and she will answer any questions and even sign up for you!
Remember, the goodies do not have to be home-made! Also, you will be paired with someone else to help set up the coffee and get the goodies out for all to enjoy before church. Sign up today, we want to continue this wonderful fellowship time!
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.
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.
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.
HOLY WEEK, AND EASTER SERVICES
Palm Sunday …April 2
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 Thursday…April 6
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 Sunday … April 9
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.
ACTS OF KINDNESS
Kindness Update – The Kindness of The Cross!
The loving kindness of Jesus is probably felt in our hearts most strongly during the Season of Lent. As we go through the Season’s spiritual disciplines of repentance, fasting, reflection, and, finally, celebration, we experience healing and the great depth of God’s Love for us through the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf.
Our Lenten Journey ultimately takes us to the Cross, the symbol of God’s supreme act of kindness. I found a song by Travis Cottrell – The Kindness of the Cross – and the words describe so powerfully what this special season of our Christian year is all about.
Travis is an American contemporary Christian music artist, songwriter, author, and worship leader. He was raised “a Carolina boy” in Boone, NC and currently serves as Worship Pastor at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tennessee. He and his wife of 22 years have three children.
It is said that “The Kindness of the Cross strives to glorify Jesus above all, and lead the worshipper into a life-changing encounter with God”. As you listen to it, I think you will agree it does that! To hear Travis and a room filled with young people sing this inspirational song, click on the following link and enjoy:
This week’s kindness entry shows us just how great kindness can be when shared with others: The other day I was standing in the grocery store looking at a young woman ahead of me in line. She had a few items including a bag of Hershey “hugs”. She stepped up to the cashier and paid for her items. Then immediately she ripped open the candy and offered the cashier one. To my surprise she turned around and offered me one. That sweet kindness made my day. (This entry traveled a great distance to get to us!)
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!
“Walking with Christ to the Cross”
LENTEN BIBLE STUDY
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, Wendy Kvale and Kim Jackson has chosen dates starting this week.
Wendy Kvale will be starting a Lenten Bible Study group on Tuesday evenings at 7pm in the front Sunday School room. Please call Wendy if you are planning on attending Tuesday evening sessions.
Kim Jackson will be starting 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
https://www.mccormickmc.org/lenten-bible-study
MEN N MINISTRY
MARCH 7 6PM
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.
SANCTUARY EASTER LILIES
DEADLINE IS MARCH 15
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.
BIRTHDAYS
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
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
Dick Kvale
Wendy Kvale
Scott Pitser
Barb Shelley
Bob Myers
Pat Winn
Nancy Vereb
Glenda Sartain
Dot Baggett
Pat Meyers
Gary Wolfe
Don Smith
ANNIVERSARIES
March
Ron &Donna Hutto
Larry & Sandy Bonam
Nancy & Wayne Manfready
Shirley & Turney Bowser
Brian & Gail Gore
Lewis & Barb Bryant
Ron &Donna Hutto
Larry & Sandy Bonam
Nancy & Wayne Manfready
Shirley & Turney Bowser
Brian & Gail Gore
Lewis & Barb Bryant
April
Mike & Charlotte Tallent
Mike & Charlotte Tallent