from Rev. C. Nels Ledwell

 

 

Billy D. Strayhorn tells the story of the little boy who decided to write a letter to God one Christmas. He started out by writing: “Dear God, I’ve been a really good boy this year.” Unfortunately, he remembered that God was all knowing and all seeing and he decided that he couldn’t lie to God. So, he crumpled up that letter and started over. This time he wrote: “Dear God, I know I haven’t done everything I should have, but I really tried to be good.” He stopped and crumpled up that letter, too. It was obvious that he was struggling with what to write to God.

 

As he sat there thinking he looked up and saw his mother’s favorite piece of sculpture on the mantel. It was a beautiful rendition of the Madonna, the mother of Christ. The boy perked up and ran out of the room. He came back with a towel and a shoebox. He walked over, carefully picked up the Madonna, gently wrapped it in the towel, carefully put it in the shoebox and then hid it in the closet. He immediately went back to the table and wrote: “Dear God, if you ever want to see your mother again . . .”

 

It’s time the Church took back Christmas. And we do. Every year we take it back and bring back the meaning and the purpose. The world (and the Grinch) tries to hold it for ransom each year, with its multiplicity of gadgets and this year’s list of must have toys; the world tries to make demands and hold Christmas for ransom but it never works. The birth of the Christ child is just too powerful, even for Wall Street. The sight and the sounds and the remembrance of this child born so long ago changes all the rules. His very presence makes the glitter of our Christmas presents pale in comparison.

 

Are you ready for Sunday? Have you watched your lesson on RightNow Media?

 

See you in Church or online this Sunday!

 

Your Pastor,
Nels

Happy Thanksgiving from your Pastor! We give thanks for what Jesus has done for us!

 

First Sunday of Advent
Holy Communion

Scripture Lesson: Isaiah 7: 10-17
Message: Neon Nativity

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
People Look East
O Come, O Come, Emmaneul
Emmanuel
Anthem: Follow That Star

 

 

 

This quote shared with me this week by my brother Bailey puts Thanksgiving in proper perspective, I think. It reminds me of the One who gave Himself for all of us – Thank you for giving, Jesus! If He lives in our hearts, thanksgiving should flow easily from our hearts to others because Jesus is definitely “enough”!

 

I am especially thankful to Bobbi Lambeth who recently shared some prayers and poems she had come across in some old books that were in a collection of sayings from their last church, Christ United Methodist of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. I could just see her smile when she wrote me this note, “Jim would say I throw nothing away – Amen!” I’m so glad you didn’t, Bobbi, because I really liked this recipe – it sounds like a recipe we can all use during this Season of Gratitude! Thanks for sharing!

 

Ingredients:
A bit of …………………Reason
A little……………………Effort
Plenty of………………..Love
A dash of……………….Interest
A portion of……………Pleasantness
Much……………………..Enthusiasm

 

Mix well. Add a cup of the milk of human kindness. Avoid using bitterness. This needs no refrigeration; never goes sour. Serves everybody. Try using it each 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!

 

Our very talented, Patsy Wilson, arranged a beautiful Thanksgiving display for the sanctuary. The church family loved walking into the service and seeing the colorful arrangement!

 

 

On Sunday, November 24, Matthew and Kristi Scales shared their plans as they answer God’s call to mission in Uganda. They asked for the church family’s prayers and said they would appreciate any financial backing we could give them as they moved forward on this mission. They gave us a QR code where we can get regular updates via email. We can write to them also! They’d love to get to know our church family and answer any questions.

 

 

God led them to Mesa Global. This organization, based in Charlotte, NC is a 501c3 with over 400 missionaries globally. They exist to “bring all to the table,” by serving with the global church to equip local believers in ministry. This is accomplished by helping to plant churches, do evangelism, assist ministries in mercy and justice, so that local leaders are holistically formed to carry the gospel further.

 

During their talks with Mesa Global, it became clear that their ministry focus would be around agriculture simply because their entire family can do it. They have three children, who will also be going to Uganda. Kristi has dedicated her life to medicine but that could only be her ministry, farming they can all do. As they saw God’s lead toward agriculture as a mission, a small town in Uganda was brought up. In Bugiri, Uganda (around 6 hours drive from the capital) there is a ministry center called New Life Skills Ministry Center (https://hope58.org/). This center exists to transform lives and communities through equipping village pastors with vital biblical training, giving vulnerable village girls Christ centered life skills, and helping little ones get an excellent start to their educational journey in preschool.

 

On the property is a farm that has been neglected due to all the work needed from the missionaries already there (https://www.facebook.com/actis.mission). Their vision is for this farm to grow, not only in production of crops, but into a skills teaching center for the students and local community. They call this Farming God’s way. Just think about it, how much about farming points directly to the Gospel (the seed, the soil, the HARVEST Matthew 9:37).

 

Their past life experiences trained them for the tasks of this ministry. For example, years of practice with beef, cattle, hay and crop production. Their local church, Oakbrook, has graciously supported this calling for their family. Of course rural living in Union for years has given them the most experience of all! What a blessing from God because of this they feel uniquely qualified and called to reach out to this community in Uganda.

 

Please add the Scales family to your daily prayers.

 

If you feel drawn to support their mission financially….

 

You can write a check, payable to MMC and noted Scales Mission and put it in collection plate, bring it by the office, or mail to the church (McCormick Methodist Church, PO Box 267, McCormick, SC 29835).

 

—or—

 

 

Debbie Wissinger designed a flyer you can share with your groups, friends and neighbors! There is a printable copy at

 

You can forward it or print it and share it! Use it to invite all to our church!

 

Thank you, Debbie!

 

 

 

This Advent season, join us as Pastor Ledwell will lead us through an inspiring sermon series, uncovering the powerful names of Jesus and what they reveal about His love and presence. Each Sunday, Pastor Ledwell will preach on these meaningful themes:

 

• Emmanuel, God with Us
• Wonderful Counselor
• Everlasting Father
• I AM

• Sunday School Classes will study these lessons each week during Advent.
• Small Groups will meet Sundays at 4:00 PM for deeper discussion and fellowship.

 

Sign-up sheets for small groups are available in the Fellowship Hall, or reach out to Kim Jackson if you’d like to host a group in your home!

 

If you’re watching the sessions on your own, we’ll ensure you have access to the materials and can stream them easily to your TV.

 

Let’s grow in faith together this Advent season and prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ.

 

The Evangelism Committee is planning a Christmas Event in conjunction with Holiday on Main in McCormick. It will be held on Saturday, December 7 from 2-4pm. They are planning on having a professional Santa Claus in the Fellowship Hall, which will be decorated with child-friendly decorations. There will be children’s bells and a choir in the Fellowship Hall, where cookies and punch will be served.

 

Fellowship Hall:
2:30 – 2:45 Shiloh Children’s Choir, Catherine Callahan director of the Children’s Choir
3:00.- 3:15 McCormick First Baptist Church, Stacey Gulledge director of the Children’s Bell
Choir

 

The committee has also arranged for groups to sing in the sanctuary!
2:00 – 2:15 McCormick Methodist Church, soloist Patsy Wilson, accompanist Peggy Thomas
2:15 – 2:35 Mount Moriah Baptist Church, Pat Brady and the choir singing Christmas melodies
2:40 – 3:00 Shiloh, AME, Shiloh Mens Choir Group
3:00 – 3:20 Mount Zion AME, Nadine Adams, Mount Zion gospel choir
3:20 – 3:40 Zion Chelsea AME, Gena Wideman, soloist, accompanists Monica Kelly
3:40 – 4:00 Springfield AME, Kasandra Harper and the Springfield church ensemble

 

 

MARKETING
We need your help to spread the word about the Open House. Won’t you take a minute to send the flyer that the Evangelism committee developed to your friends and neighbors? Go to 
https://www.mccormickmc.org/christmas-open-house-2024 and click the link labeled “Printable Flyer”.

 

There is a sign up in the Fellowship Hall for all you wonderful bakers! Please bring the cookies to the church Friday, December 6, in the afternoon so they can arrange them for Saturday.

 

 

As we come together to celebrate the joy of the season and our connections with one another, we’re excited to invite all participants of this year’s Secret Sister program to the Christmas Reveal Party!

 

When: Tuesday, December 17th at 5:30 PM
Where: Fellowship Hall

 

Join us for a festive evening of fellowship as we finally uncover the mystery of our Secret Sisters! We’ll enjoy a delicious meal, holiday treats, and share the joy of giving and receiving as we exchange our final gifts.

 

Please bring along a final gift for your Secret Sister. Feel free to dress in your holiday best or festive attire!

 

 

Looking forward to a memorable evening together. Merry Christmas and see you there!

 

 

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.