Happenings – October 25, 2024

Posted on Oct 25, 2024 in Happenings |

WORSHIP WITH US – SUNDAYS AT 10AM

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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
 
This week I share with you a lesson on help. There are two sides to this lesson. You will learn that sometimes we are called to help others, and we must learn when we need to ask for help for ourselves. Both are important. Read Below.
 
I Heard My Brother Crying
 
James W. Moore tells a story that all of need to read.
 
Some years ago in a small village in the Midwest, a little twelve-year old girl named Terri was babysitting her little brother. Terri walked outside to check the mail. As she turned back from the mailbox, she couldn’t believe her eyes. The house was on fire. So very quickly the little house was enveloped in flames.
 
Terri ran as fast as she could into the flaming house only to find her baby brother trapped by a burning rafter which had fallen and pinned him to the floor. Hurriedly, Terri worked to free her brother. She had trouble getting him loose as the flames were dancing around their heads. Finally, she freed him. She picked him up and quickly took him outside and revived him just as the roof of the house caved in.
 
By this time, firemen were on the scene and the neighbors had gathered outside the smoldering remains of the house. The neighbors had been too frightened to go inside or to do anything to help, and they were tremendously impressed with the courage of the twelve-year old girl. They congratulated her for her heroic efforts and said, “Terri, you are so very brave. Weren’t you scared? What were you thinking about when you ran into the burning house?” I love Terri’s answer. She said, “I wasn’t thinking about anything. I just heard my little brother crying.”
 
Let me ask you something? How long has it been? How long has it been since you heard your brother or sister crying? How long has it been since you stopped and did something about it?
 
James Moore teaches us that we are to listen to those around us that need our help.
 
Now, let’s look at the other side of the issue,,,,,
 
Asking for Help
 
Doctor Fred Collier, a retired physician tells this story about his youth.
 
He was a medical student in the Army Specialized Training Corps in 1945 when World War II ended. He was from a Kansas family that didn’t have the kind of money he needed to complete medical school on his own. And so when he mustered out of the army, he had no idea how he’d ever finish school, if indeed he’d ever finish it all.
 
One day he happened to pick up a copy of a magazine in a barber shop. One of the articles talked about the kindness and compassion of Eleanor Roosevelt, whose husband, President Franklin Roosevelt had died just a few months before.
 
That article planted a seed in Fred’s mind. He went to the local library and with the help of the librarian found Mrs. Roosevelt’s home address. Then he sat down and composed a letter telling her about his plight. He wrote it and rewrote until he had it exactly the way he wanted it.
 
When he put the letter in an envelope and dropped it in the mailbox, even his young wife wondered if it was worth the time and the postage he’d spent on it.
 
To Fred’s amazement, Mrs. Roosevelt agreed to meet him. When the meeting ended, she promised to help him. In the months and years ahead Fred got checks through Mrs. Roosevelt from a variety of sources, including her own personal checks. Fred, in turn, kept her informed of his progress and sent her copies of all his term papers. Her secretary said later that she always read them with great interest.
 
Later Mrs. Roosevelt visited the couple in their sparsely furnished apartment. The owner of the apartment nearly collapsed when he recognized the famous visitor.
 
When Fred finally finished Medical School he told Mrs. Roosevelt that he didn’t know how he would ever be able to repay her. She said that repayment wasn’t necessary nor desirable. Then she added “I will be adequately repaid if, when you are financially secure someday, you help out someone else who is truly deserving, as you were.”
 
Doctor Fred Collier reached out for help and he received it. As did blind Bartimaeus. It is a hard thing to do, this asking, a difficult thing, a humbling thing, but there are times when we all need help, times when we must turn to our parents once again for help, or to our children. Sometimes it is to the church. Sometimes to God.
 
Our Church is a place where we can do both. We help and love others. Yet, when we have given out and our own needs go unmet, we receive love and help from others. The balance here must be achieved by every Church person.
 
See you in Church or online this Sunday!
 
Your Pastor,
Nels
 

Preparing for Worship

Sunday, October 27, 2024 10:00 AM
Twenty-Third Sunday After Pentecost
Scripture Lesson: Mark 10: 35-45
Message: “Three Poison Proclivities” 
Hymns:
Christ for the World We Sing UMH 568
God of Love and God of Power UMH 578
Make Me a Captive Lord UMH 421
Go Now in Peace
Anthem: Spirit Song
 

HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF

SAMARITAN’S PURSE

LAST DATE FOR COLLECTION IS NOVEMBER 24

 
MMC Church will be gathering the donations to Samaritan’s Purse and sending a check this week from the Church Family. It is not too late to contribute. Another check will be sent on November 24. Thank you for your generosity!
 
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.
 

Acts of Kindness

Kindness Update – A Modern-Day Good Samaritan!

Dan Desfosses, right, manager of Market Basket, and the “Good Samaritan” (left) known only as Skip.
 
This week’s kindness story is reprinted from a Good News Network entry dated Oct. 11, 2024. Touching our hearts, it restores our faith in the goodness of mankind in a big way!
A Massachusetts senior lost an envelope containing $12,000 at a supermarket, but just as there seemed to be no hope of finding it, the kindness of a Good Samaritan reunited the woman with her life savings. Returning home from grocery shopping at the local Market Basket in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, 71-year-old Ha’s heart dropped—the envelope of cash was nowhere to be seen. Speaking very little English, Ha called her nephew Truong Huynh for help.
 
Huynh, 55, took his aunt back to Market Basket to look for the cash, but despite checking everywhere she had gone, their search yielded nothing. Arriving at the help desk, the two got in touch with manager Dan Desfosses, who said he would check the security camera footage to see if they could locate where and when she lost the envelope. This too turned up nothing.
 
Giving up, they headed back to their car. Suddenly Desfosses and another man came running out to meet them, with the manager explaining that this man had just brought the envelope with every last dollar accounted for to the management desk.
 
“We were so happy, we almost cried,” said Huynh, adding that he asked to take a photo of the man with Desfosses. “He showed honor,” Huynh said. “Many people wouldn’t pass that test.” The ‘he’ in question was a man called Skip, whose girlfriend worked at the Market Basket. “I don’t know if there’s a lot of people that would do that,” Desfosses added. “It shows you what he’s made of… It shows you there are truly some good people in this world.”
 
Once home, Ha decided to return to Market Basket the next day and give a cash reward to Mr. Skip. She left $300 with his girlfriend as he wasn’t there at the time.
 
“It takes a special kind of person to do something so honest and selfless, and Skip, you are a true example of integrity and compassion,” Huynh wrote. “Thank you, Skip — you’ve touched more lives than you know today.”
 
Website Kindness Entry: Several times during our recovery from Helene, when I went into convenience stores to pay for gas, I was given a complimentary drink – at one, I was even told to come back the next morning when they’d be serving free breakfast to everyone!
 
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!
 
 
The Bible tells us, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
 
Thank you to those who already pledged! The finance committee will use the figures to work on the 2025 budget.
It is never too late to pledge! If you have not filled out a commitment card, there are extras in the office.
 
You may want to consider using Vanco to make your donations. You can set it up to pay automatically, which is wonderful, especially when you are away or unable to attend in person. You get a message from them when it makes the donation. You can stop or change the amount at any time. It is secure and part of our website.
 
Please fill out the commitment card, even if using Vanco. This helps the finance team to budget.
 

HOBO STEW PARTY

 
From Wendy Kvale…
 
Great weather, smiling faces, light breezes, beautiful blue skies with puffy white clouds and what else…oh yes COWS!!! Our first HOBO stew to raise awareness and food for our own church pantry was a HUGE success!! We had about 46 people who ventured all the way out of town to the “Meyers Farm” for this activity. Each of us brought a can of vegetables for the pot to share among ourselves and brought a bag of food for our church pantry. Oh, of course we had desserts, along with a bonfire for the chill later in the evening!
 
It was loads of fun and our entire Church family wants to thank Mike Dunn, “the cook” and Maxine Dunn “the brain child” along with Pat & Brad Meyers, our gracious hosts. I know they had no electricity for 2 weeks and a lot of storm damage to clean up for us before hand. Thank you all as we had a wonderful time and a special thanks to Dave & Patty Kriger, I did see Dave in there working on that stew…Patty…hmmm????? LOL
 
Thanks for attending and we will look forward to another HOBO Stew evening out!
 

MMC FOOD PANTRY
DONATIONS FROM HOBO STEW

“Double thank you” to Brad and Pat Meyers for hosting the Hobo Stew last Saturday night! How yummy it was! Not only that, but thank you for the generosity of the 45+ who arrived in hobo attire bearing gifts to replenish our church pantry! Thank you from those who will receive bags of groceries when they come to our church door. God bless you all.
 

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 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.
 

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.
 
 
 

“SOUPER” LUNCH
OCTOBER 27 (FOLLOWING THE SERVICE)
FELLOWSHIP HALL

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!
 

ELDER BASKET MINISTRY
OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 17

Several Native tribes in South Carolina counties were hit hard with the recent storms; Spartanburg, Dorchester, Charleston, Colleton, Santee, Lauren’s and Edisto are still working to recover. They were still trying to clean up from hurricane Debby when Helene came through. The Edisto River, with several small rivers running into it, had severe flooding.
 
On October 27, we will begin collecting items for “Elder Baskets”.
 
“Elder Baskets” are plastic laundry baskets filled with non-perishable items, which are given to elderly Native Americans in need. Many Native Americans live well below the poverty line. The Committee on Native American Ministries give these baskets to help them through particularly trying times.
 
MMC will join the ministry, under the direction of Lola Rek and Lorna Hill, starting on October 27. The church family is asked to bring items and put them in the laundry baskets, located along the back wall of the Fellowship Hall.
Here are the suggested items. You can bring as many items you want any week, but, remember, they need to be delivered by Nov 17.
 
Donations for the Native American Elder Baskets:
Week #1: Oct. 27 – Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Toilet Paper, Shampoo, Bar Soaps
Week #2: Nov 3 – Cans of Meats, Canned Vegetables, Peanut Butter, Pasta, Fruit cups, Spaghetti and pasta sauce
Week #3: Nov 10 – Soup, Evaporated Milk, Dried Beans & Rice, Oatmeal, Instant Potatoes
Week #4: Nov. 17 – Laundry Detergent, Dish Detergent, Paper Towels & Trash Bags.
 
You are welcome to donate other non-perishable items, such as coffee, coffee mugs, and granola/breakfast bars. Seasonal candies are also greatly appreciated.
 
If you would rather make a monetary contribution and let us do the shopping, please make a check out to MMC and put “Elder Baskets” in the memo section. You can leave your check in the offering plate, take to the office or mail to the church at MMC P.O. Box 267, McCormick SC 29835.
You can also donate to the Elder Basket Fund online 
 
We pray this will show our Native American friends the “Love of Christ” at Christmas.
 
Our goal is to have many, many baskets full of needed items for the Native American Outreach Ministry to deliver to the Native Elders over the holidays.
 

ALL SAINTS DAY
NOVEMBER 3

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.
 

NOTICE OF RESCHEDULED CHURCH-WIDE RIGHTNOW MEDIA TRAINING
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3
FOLLOWING WORSHIP
FELLOWSHIP HALL

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.
 

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

DECEMBER 7 2-4PM FELLOWSHIP HALL

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!