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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

 

 

The renown teacher and author Dr. David McLennon tells a story of his very first job in a small town general store. This was the day before mails and supermarket chains at least it was in his community. At age thirteen he was hired as a handy boy. He would sweep the flour, bag items for customers, put up stock. On one particular Saturday, he recalled, he heard the owner say to one of the clerks “It’s that time of the year again, it’s time to take inventory.” Dr. McLennon wrote that this was a word that had not yet entered into his vocabulary. When an opportune moment arrived, he went up to the kindly older man and asked, Sir, what is an inventory? Patiently the owner explained that it was a time when you made a list of everything that you had from groceries on the shelves to wrapping paper and string. Still somewhat puzzled, the young McLennon then asked, Why?

 

“Well,” responded the owner, “it’s easy to forget exactly how much you have each year. Every now and then you have to take an inventory just to see what all you have.”

 

That little story, to me, pretty well sums up what Thanksgiving is all about. It is a time when each of us needs to ask ourselves the question: Have I taken inventory of my life lately? Have I made an effort to count all the things that I do have in life instead of complaining about the things that I don’t have. It is a good exercise especially when we are of a mind to brood or whine in self pity. Have you taken inventory lately?

 

What I am suggesting here is not some shallow “count your blessings” platitude. But from time to time, in a genuine kind of a way, we need to sit down and do some talking to ourselves about all of the gifts and opportunities and challenges that God has given each one of us. Perhaps there is a deep underlying wisdom in the children’s poem that says: “Count your blessings one by one, and you might be surprised what the Lord has done.”

 

See you in Church or online this Thanksgiving and Stewardship Sunday!

 

Your Pastor,
Nels

 

Twenty-Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
Thanksgiving Sunday
Stewardship Sunday

Scripture Lesson: Matthew 25: 14-30
Message: “In Honor of the Gift Giver”

 

It’s heartwarming to read about all of the eating establishments in our country that, in the spirit of “You Served Us – Let Us Serve You”, run specials for our military veterans on their special day in November. One that especially caught my attention this year is Golden Corral who, for 22 years, has provided a complimentary meal to show appreciation to all men and women who are serving and who have served in the U.S. Military. During that time, they have served 6 million free meals and they have donated over $17.5 million to the Disabled American Veterans organization!

 

This peaked my interest to find other businesses who show their appreciation to veterans. I found the following information published as a “feast of freebies, meals and deals to honor those who have served”: Applebee’s, Arby’s, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, Chili’s, Circle K, Cracker Barrel, Dunkin’ Donuts, Hardee’s, Huddle House, IHop, Little Caesar’s, Logan’s Roadhouse, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Red Robin, Sonic Drive-In, Starbucks, Texas Roadhouse, Wendy’s, and Zaxby’s. And these were just the ones I recognized!

 

Now that’s a lot of free food for some very deserving folks! While it would be difficult to do, it’s too bad they don’t allow “take-outs” and/or make deliveries to those disabled veterans who are unable to make it to the restaurants – hopefully, there are volunteer organizations that provide such a service. Or, even better than a meal, maybe it’s up to us to pay them a visit and give them a personal “thank you” ourselves, remembering this passage from John 15: 12-13: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Thanks to all who are serving or have served – we appreciate you!

 

This week’s Kindness Entry: This is an act of kindness that I heard about this week. A friend of mine shared that while she was in line at Food Lion the other day, the cashier who was just coming on duty asked if she could go in front of her to purchase her drink so that she could report for duty, which my friend obliged. The cashier handling the sale told her fellow cashier, “You should offer to pay for the groceries of the lady behind you for her kindness”. To the surprise of my friend, the cashier did just that – she had the groceries added to the cost of her drink and paid for my friends groceries valued at $50! My friend said she cried for about 30 minutes she was so surprised and happy!

 

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!

 

Rich Jackson shared about the MMC Stephen Ministry last Sunday. Our Stephen Ministers are trained to provide one-to-one care to those experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, chronic or terminal illness, family woes, loneliness, or relocation.

 

Their contact information is always located near the end of the BLAST for your reference. Any of those listed will be able to answer your questions, and if you do feel you’d like to have a Stephen Minister, they will have one contact you. By the way, men always work with the men, and women work with the women. You might want to meet for a few weeks, or longer term that is up to you. Time and location is worked out with your Stephen Minister.

 

There are several ways you can find out more about Stephen Ministry.

• If you missed the service (Nov 12), or would like to see it again go to our Livestream Archives page

• The Stephen Ministry website is excellent…. What Is Stephen Ministry? (stephenministries.org)
• Register for a free of charge, one-hour, on-line live Steven Ministry event! A few of us are registered for a course in December titled, Building a More Caring World, and you are invited to join us! This event introduces a bold, new vision for building a more caring world and connecting all people with Christ’s healing love. During the event, you’ll hear how Stephen Ministries has been equipping people to care and relate with excellence since 1975, how they plan to expand that ministry, and how this vision to make the world a more caring place is already happening.To view the event dates and RSVP, visit: www.stephenministries.org/build

 

 

Connie Tremsky and the Missions Team invites you to join them on a tour of the Epworth Children’s Home facilities in Columbia. They plan to go in November and hope you will join them. If you are interested, please sign up in the Fellowship Hall and include which days you are available. Connie will contact you when a date has been chosen.

 

To learn more about “Who they are” and “What they do” visit their website.

 

Don’t throw away those pop tabs! Bag them and bring them to the church. Jessica Kidd has set up white bucket and will take the collected tabs to McDonalds for us! Thank you, Jessica!

 

 

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.

 

Our church has its own food pantry, which is located next to the nursery in the back hall, off the atrium. Folks come by and get bags of needed groceries as needed. The supplies are running low and the church family is asked to donate the following…

 

Canned vegetables
Canned fruit or individual servings
Peanut butter (small jars)

 

Thank you in advance for your generosity. Please leave your items in the room.

 

It’s wonderful to see our guests and our church family sit down together with a cup of coffee and a treat after church! Many new friendships are developing!

 

It’s time to sign up to be the hosts for October, November and December. Please take a minute on Sunday to sign up for a time to bring some goodies. They do not have to be home-made, remember! If you have any questions, please contact Carol Myers.

 

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.

 

 

 

Stewardship Sunday is a time to return to GOD your TIME, TALENT, and FINANCIAL support for HIS church and community to carry his message forward.

 

If you prefer to donate on-line, rather than use envelopes, here are directions on how to set up your automatic giving on-line. Many of us find it easier to have our donations taken out of our checking account or credit card each week. That way if we are out of town, we don’t have to worry about remembering to catch up. This service can be cancelled at any time and you can change the amount withdrawn at any time.

 

Those already using VANCO can easily change the amount on-line.

 

Thank you for sharing!

 

The New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.
Chris Gullege of McCormick Baptist will be bringing the message.

 

 

Christmas Eve Service – 3pm
Candlelight and communion service celebrating the Birth of Jesus Christ

 

Please mark your calendars and be there to help Donna Hutto and the worship committee prepare our church for the Christmas season. They have all the decorations, we just need to put them where they belong! There is a job for everyone!

 

Journey to Bethlehem at McCormick Methodist Church
Friday, December 1 – 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Put This Date/Time On Your Calendars!

 

 

 

SPECIAL NOTE: The team working on the Dec 1 Open House will be going to Greenwood on Wednesday to see the movie, Journey to Bethlehem. They plan to do lunch and catch the 1pm movie. All ladies are welcome to join them! Contact Kim Jackson if you can attend and she will fill you in on the details.

 

Ladies, You are invited to a Christmas Cookie Exchange in the Fellowship Hall on December 9 at 2pm. We will work as a team to decide the amount of cookies we will bake and swap. The important thing is to sign up on the easel in the Fellowship Hall if you are interested in getting together and enjoy each other’s cookies and fellowship!

 

Carol Tummons will be calling those who sign up and let you know.

 

 

Gift requests from the children at Epworth Children’s home have arrived!

 

Each year the M&M’s small group ministry sponsors the Angel Tree for Epworth.

 

See your BLAST for details.

 

Your unwrapped Gift must be under the Angel Tree in Fellowship Hall By December 3rd. Please DO NOT put Gift Cards Under the tree.

 

Ladies of McCormick Methodist Church, mark your calendars for a delightful evening of revelation and celebration! On December 12th at 5:30, we’ll gather for our long-awaited Secret Sister Christmas Party.

 

This heartwarming event is the grand reveal, where each participant will finally discover who their Secret Sister has been all year. Since last December, each one of us selected a random name and anonymously shared surprises, thoughtful birthday gifts, and tokens of love for various special occasions.

 

This initiative, the first of its kind at McCormick Methodist Church, has been a beautiful journey. It’s our hope to make this an annual tradition, creating lasting bonds and spreading joy within our community.

 

The evening promises to be filled with joy and fellowship as we enjoy a delightful dinner and scrumptious desserts. It’s an opportunity to share in the Christmas spirit, as we unite to reveal our Secret Sisters and present them with a special Christmas gift.

 

Let’s come together to celebrate the spirit of giving and sisterhood on this special evening. If you are a Secret Sister please RSVP by signing up in Fellowship Hall.

Barb Jeffers and Kim Jackson

 

Alpha is an 11 week course designed to create a space for honest conversation around some of life’s biggest questions. It is designed to provide guests, churched and unchurched, an opportunity to connect with one another while providing the opportunity to share thoughts, ideas, and opinions in a safe and caring environment. Alpha helps bring people together while providing the chance to encounter Jesus.

 

Each week consists of a meal together, viewing a video taped talk and then breaking into small discussion groups. Both Rich and Kim Jackson attended the Alpha Course in 2010, feel free to ask them any questions you may have.

 

Sign up sheets in the Fellowship Hall.

 

 

Weekly Topics
Nov 19 – 5:30PM – What About the Church?

 

Please pray for the Alpha Course. Pray that our church family members see this as an opportunity to evangelize to their friends and neighbors.