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

 

 

One cool September night at Yankee Stadium in New York, a foul ball was hit into the lower left field stands. It was heading right toward a boy of about nine who had obviously come to the game that night hoping for just such a moment. He had a pair of cheap binoculars around his neck and was wearing an oversized Yankees cap and a small Little League glove which had the hardly-broken-in look of a mitt worn by a kid you let play right field in the late innings of hopeless games.

 

The foul ball was arching directly toward this boy’s outstretched hand, but suddenly, a man of about 35 wearing an expensive knit shirt and horn-rimmed glasses reached over the boy, jostling him aside, and caught the ball. In the jostle, the plastic binoculars were broken, and the boy, despite his mother’s comfort, was clearly crushed. Everybody in the left field stands had seen this, and, after a second or two of stunned silence, someone shouted, “Give the kid the ball!” Then another cried, “Give the kid the ball!” A couple of rows joined in unison, “Give the kid the ball!”

 

Horn Rims shook his head and put the ball in his pocket. That inflamed the whole left field crowd, and with one voice they took up the chant, “Give the kid the ball!” It spread to the center field stands, then to right field, until the whole outfield, including people who did not even know the story, were shouting, “Give the kid the ball!” Players began to glance up from the field to the stands to see what was going on.

 

Horn Rims remained stubbornly firm. Finally, a man got up out of his seat, walked over to Horn Rims and spoke some words patiently and gently to him. Horn Rims hesitated, then reached into his pocket and handed the ball to the kid. “He gave the kid the ball!” someone exclaimed. Then the whole stands thundered, “He gave the kid the ball!” Applause rippled around the stadium.

 

Then an even more strange thing began to happen. When another foul ball landed in the left field stands, the man who caught it walked over to Horn Rims and gave it to him. Horn Rims, incredulously, thanked him and took it. The next foul ball was caught by a man in a muscle shirt who was sporting a Fu Manchu mustache. He turned and tossed the ball to the kid, who, to everyone’s delight and surprise, caught it. More enthusiastic applause from the crowd, who had come that night to see a baseball game but witnessed instead a parable about justice and grace.

 

Could the offer of grace be contagious? Give it a try!

 

See you in Church or online this Sunday!

 

Your Pastor,
Nels

 

Seventh Sunday of Easter

Ascension Sunday
Sonshine Ringers playing Sweet Hour of Prayer

Message: “Did You Catch the Devil?”

 

According to a May 3 article on the Good News Network by Andy Corbley, a man who attempted to summit the highest mountains in England, Scotland, and Wales to raise money for charity has now completed the challenge—with a refrigerator strapped to his back! The 38-year-old former soldier, Michael Copeland, conquered the three peaks challenge in just under 24 hours to raise money for the mental health charity, Mind.

 

“The fridge represents the burden that mental health can have on us all,” said Copeland. “I’m a massive over-thinker and always think I’m not good enough. I always want to be doing more.” The daredevil had to overcome grueling weather conditions including heavy rain, snow, and 40mph winds.

 

He ended up running downhill with the fridge from the summit of Snowdon to complete the challenge just in time. “I was running with the fridge on my back, it was banging against my back and it was very uncomfortable, but I couldn’t not finish it,” he said. “I felt like Forrest Gump.”

 

Copeland wasn’t always a mountain-goer. He took up the hobby during his country’s strict and total lockdowns as a means to help with his struggles against depression and anxiety. Dedicated to the army, when he left after the birth of his second child, he said he found it difficult to reintegrate with society. He directed his discipline and physical fitness into a bodybuilding passion.

 

As Christians, the Love of Jesus keeps us “climbing for a cause” (His cause!) as we, like Jesus’ “inner circle”, seek to have our own “mountain top experience” with Him! The mountains are to us a universal symbol of the “nearness of God” as we read in Psalm 121 – “I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

 

This week’s Kindness entry tells us of one who is “climbing for that cause” – While shopping in Dollar General this week, a lady came up to me and handed me a colorful “calling card from Jesus” that had the message of John 3:16 on it followed by “I Love You!- Jesus”. We shared from our faith for a few minutes, then I thanked her for her kindness. She responded that she liked to hand the cards out with a silent prayer that the Holy Spirit would touch that person’s life – I hope she could tell by my reaction that she is being very effective with her ministry!

 

 

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 scholarship committee is currently accepting applications for this year‘s Creighton scholarship. Applications are available at the church office. The criteria for the selection of the scholarship winner are as follows: the candidate must be a graduating high school senior, who has been accepted at an institution of higher learning, and displays the traits of good character, service to others and academic excellence.

Questions?- call Lindy Stahlman

 

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.

 

Have you ever wondered why our church developed a Stephen Ministry program? One compelling aspect of Stephen Ministry is the role it plays in assisting the pastor in caring for the membership. Pastors cannot do it all!! A pastor is like a firefighter … when a crisis happens, he rushes to the scene to put out the fire. But shortly after that, another ‘fire’ will break out in the congregation and he will have to rush to that scene. Each ‘fire’ is important, but his time quickly becomes consumed by the second, third, and fourth ‘fires.’ And remember … the ‘fires’ are on top of his other duties as a pastor!

 

That’s where the Stephen Ministers come in!! The pastor will always be our ‘firefighter,’ but the Stephen Ministers are the people who come ‘after.’ They help those who are suffering sort through and clear the debris of crises and begin to rebuild. And the Stephen Ministers continue to give care as long as it is needed during the rebuilding process … one month, two months, six months, a year, and sometimes longer. They provide the steady, consistent, one-to-one follow-up care that the pastor wants to do but simply does not have enough time.

 

So remember … Stephen Ministers are people trained to provide one-on-one, confidential, non-judgmental Christian support for persons dealing with life’s ‘fires’ … people dealing with despair, anguish, anger, and grief. If you should 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.

 

 

 

 

 

You still have time to contribute to the Epworth Children’s Home Mother’s Day offering!

 

 

Please make your check payable to MUMC and note Epworth on the subject line. You can put your check in the offering plate or mail/deliver to the office at MUMC P.O. Box 267 McCormick SC 29835

 

ON-LINE
Use this site and follow directions. 

 

Ladies, mark those calendars and find a picture of your mother to bring with you to the UMW meeting on May 18 at 6pm!

 

With a theme like, I REMEMBER MAMA, you know we will have some interesting fellowship! You don’t want to miss it, so mark your calendars today! Everyone is welcome, feel free to invite your neighbors to also join us on May 18!

 

Watch for details!

 

Save the dates for the next “The Chosen” Bible Study beginning Monday, June 5th at 5:30. 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.