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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

 

 

Laity Sunday celebrates the ministry of all Christians as they love God and neighbor. As God’s people grow in grace to become disciples in the Church and community, we gather with others and connect all to God’s saving love in Jesus Christ. So, on Laity Sunday (October 20, 2024), we continue to lift up God’s call to all who follow the way of Jesus and lead others to him – specifically as we consider what it means to cherish/protect what has been entrusted to us: our witness to grace at work in every life.

 

Laity Sunday is a day set aside to remember and lift up a constant reality: the priesthood and ministry of all. Everyone is invited to share in God’s community of healing togetherness and world-repairing love.

 

Laity Sunday is a special Sunday “to celebrate the ministry of all Christians” (2016 Book of Discipline, ¶ 264.2). Usually observed on the third Sunday in October (in 2024, October 20), Laity Sunday is one way we express the core Christian conviction that all are called to participate in God’s mission to “abolish death” and bring life to light through the good news of Jesus.

 

Methodism, in all its roots, has a long history celebrating and recognizing the ministry of the laity. In the early days of American Methodism, the laity served and maintained congregations between visits of the circuit riders. Today, lay people are the front line of daily ministry at the workplace, in the home and within the community.

 

See you in Church or online this Sunday when we truly celebrate the ministry of our people known as the Laity.

 

Your Pastor,
Nels

 

Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost

Scripture Lesson:Galatians 5: 16-26

Message: “Celebrating the Spirit Within Us” – Debbie Wissinger

 

 

 

Your Pastor,
Nels

 

 

Dear Pastor, we are grateful for all you do,
For guiding us with a loving heart and a heart that’s true.
You lead us on life’s journey with grace,
And help us find peace in this world that’s filled with chase.

 

You offer a word of comfort in times of strife,
And show us the way to a brighter and happier life,
With your guidance, we have learned to love,
And found joy in our Lord above.

 

 

Shirley joined the church on October 6 and we are very excited to have her!

 

MMC Church Council has voted to collect donations and send them to Samaritan’s Purse to help those affected by Hurricane Helene.

 

To read more about Samaritan’s Purse relief efforts, visit Massive Response Follows Hurricane Helene’s Gut Punch (samaritanspurse.org).

 

It is understood that many of you have already donated to various charities. The Council felt it was appropriate to set up a way to donate at our church. All donations will be sent to Samaritan’s Purse.

 

If you want to donate cash, please put the cash in an envelope and note Samaritan’s Purse on the front. Please make checks payable to MMC and note Samaritan’s Purse. Checks may be put in the offertory plate or brought to the office. If mailing your check, the address is MMC, P.O. Box 267, McCormick SC 29835.

 

If you would like to donate via our website, go to https://secure.myvanco.com/YQQ5/campaign/C-ZAEF

 

Please continue to pray for all those affected by the storm

“Our hearts break for all those who have been devastated by Hurricane Helene. People have lost their homes, roads are washed out, millions are without power, and some have even lost loved ones—so many of our neighbors are hurting. We’re thankful that we can respond and help in Jesus’ Name. Please pray for these families and for our teams that are working in some of the hardest-hit areas across the Southeast.” —Franklin Graham

 

This week’s Kindness story was one I saw on television and just had to look up online. I found it on the Fox Weather website. I share it because it reminded me of our Heavenly Father’s great love for each one of us!

 

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – A small red road reflector, a seemingly insignificant object, has become a beacon of hope for a South Carolina family in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. This humble pavement marker, once merely a tool for visibility, now holds a profound meaning. It is a testament to a father’s unwavering determination and the kindness of strangers.

 

Helene’s destructive force sought to sever the bond between David Jones and his daughter, Elizabeth. Yet their love proved to be more resilient than any storm. Faced with the devastation, Jones embarked on a perilous 17-mile journey, crawling through debris, scaling obstacles and defying the wrath of nature to fulfill his most sacred duty as a father: to walk his daughter down the aisle.
With no internet or cell service, Jones and his wife were completely unaware of the devastation that lay ahead. What should have been a simple hour-and-a-half drive to just over the Tennessee border turned into a grueling seven-hour journey, filled with detours and delays.

 

At that point, the state troopers were stopping everybody, getting them off the interstate and saying, “You can’t go any further, the bridges are out,” Jones recalled. When he asked about walking, the troopers advised him to return to his car and spend the night there. “I said, ‘I’m sorry. You don’t understand. My daughter’s getting married in Johnson City at 11 o’clock, and I’m going to be there to walk her down the aisle.” The troopers were sympathetic but were unable to allow him to continue. After they left the roadblock, Jones thought, “This was my chance,” as he grabbed his backpack and threw in his shaving kit along with a couple of changes of underwear and socks. Equipped with a windbreaker and a cell phone light, Jones began his ascent up Temple Hill Road.

 

“After about 5.5 hours of hitchhiking and hiking, I made it downtown by 7:30 a.m.,” he said. “I was able to clean up and then get to my daughter’s wedding on time.” Throughout his journey, his daughter had no idea what he was going through due to no cell service and the father had initially let everyone know not to let his daughter know their dilemma on her special day – they would tell her later.

 

Walking the last part of his journey, Jones grabbed a life-saving road reflector. “I apologize if I grabbed it from your driveway, whoever it was, I will replace it for you,” he stressed. “I had a good Samaritan pull up in a white truck when it looked like I might be a little late, and he drove me out the rest of the way.”

 

“Through God’s divine intervention,” Jones said, “everything fell into place for the joyous occasion.” In the end, his journey had not only brought him to his daughter’s wedding but had also strengthened their bond in a way that would last a lifetime!

 

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!

 

 

When:
Saturday, October 19, 2024; 3:30 PM.
Where:
Pat and Brad Meyers Farm; 4601 Upper Mill Road, McCormick, SC.
Who:
McCormick Methodist Church Family. (Sign up in the fellowship hall)
What:
Food – Unique Dinning Experience:

• Bring a can of your favorite vegetables (corn, peas, beans, mixed, other) The contents will be opened, strained, and added to a pre-prepared base in a hot boiling cauldron (Hobo Style).
• Rinse and save the can. You will need it to eat out of later. Paper bowls will also be available.
• Bring a koozie for the hot can.
• Bring a lawn chair.
• Beverages that will be available are tea, lemonade and water. If another beverage is desired, please feel free to bring it!
• Sign up in the fellowship hall.

• Games
   Ladder Ball
   Horse Shoes
   Holey Board
• Conversation
• Hobo Attire (optional)

 

Note: Please bring additional food items to help restock the MMC Food Pantry! Suggestions: small jars of peanut butter, pasta, sauces, soup, canned meats, canned meals (beef stew etc.), cereal, fruit cups or cans of fruit cocktail! Please be aware of expiration dates.

 

Join your church family in fellowship and soup on October 27 in the Fellowship Hall following the service. There will be three types of soup! To let them know the approximate number, please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.

 

Hope to see everyone there!

 

MMC will be celebrating All Saints Day on Sunday, November 3.

 

The All Saints Banner is located in the sanctuary for you to tie a bell to honor someone who has passed away. If you are not able to get to the church prior to November 3 and would like a bell tied for a loved one, email Donna Hutto  and she will do it for you.

 

On November 3, All Saints Day, we will celebrate with communion. We will call out the names of all members that have passed away since last All Saints Day and light candles for them. Family members are invited to participate in the candle lighting.

 

On All Saints Day, we recognize that we are part of a giant choir singing the same song. It is the song Jesus taught his disciples; a tune that has resonated for more than 2,000 years; a melody sung in glory and on the earth. Our great privilege is to add our voices to this chorus.

 

Due to the cancellation of the RightNow Media training on September 29th caused by Hurricane Helene, we have rescheduled the training for Sunday, November 3rd, immediately following the service. The training will be held in the fellowship hall. All Sunday school classes will be canceled that day to allow everyone to attend. Join us for some treats and beverages, and stay for the training! We look forward to seeing you there as we learn how to use this valuable resource together.

 

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. Cookies and Punch will be served.

 

They are looking for an inflatable Christmas decoration that children (of all ages) would enjoy. Please contact Janice Tipton if you have one or two.

 

There will be several different church groups presenting their music in the sanctuary.

 

They will be calling on the church family for cookies and possibly some decorations.

 

Mark your calendars!

 

 

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.