WORSHIP WITH US – SUNDAY 10AM
Online Giving
Quick-Step Guide (PDF) for setting up your account and making your first donation.
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
A Farmer’s Prayer
Several members of our Church sent this to me a few days ago. With joy, I would like to share it with you.
A visiting pastor was attending a breakfast in the middle of a rural farming area of the country.
The group had asked an older farmer, decked out in bib overalls, to say grace for the morning breakfast.
“Lord, I hate buttermilk”, the farmer began. The visiting pastor opened one eye to glance at the farmer and wonder where this was going. The farmer loudly proclaimed, “Lord, I hate lard.” Now the pastor was growing concerned. Without missing a beat, the farmer continued, “And Lord, you know I don’t much care for raw white flour”. The pastor once again opened an eye to glance around the room and saw that he wasn’t the only one to feel uncomfortable.
Then the farmer added, “But Lord, when you mix them all together and bake them, I do love warm fresh biscuits.
So Lord, when things come up that we don’t like, when life gets hard, when we don’t understand what you’re saying to us, help us to just relax and wait until you are done mixing. It will probably be even better than biscuits Amen.“
Within that prayer there is great wisdom for all when it comes to complicated situations like we are experiencing in the world today.
God bless you and your families my friends. Our Lord is mixing several things that we don’t really care for, but something even better is going to come when HE is done with it. AMEN.
Bringing Others
This past Sunday I was so excited that one of our members brought a friend to Church. I am so thankful that we are doing our best to love our neighbors and give them the gift of love we share here at MMC. And to make things even better, Sunday night, I counted at least nine guests that came to our Alpha Class. Great job Church! To God be the Glory. Lets keep inviting others so they can experience the joy we have.
See you and your friends in Church or online this Sunday!
Your Pastor,
Nels
Nels
Preparing for Worship
Sunday, September 17 – 10AM
Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Scripture Lesson: Matthew 18: 21-35
Message: “Handling Unforgiveness”
EPWORTH CHILDREN’S HOME
WORK DAY OFFERING
An Epworth offering helps children heal, grow, learn and become responsible adults.
The official work day offering was Sept 10, but MMC Mission Team is extending the campaign for two weeks to allow everyone the opportunity to invest in the lives of the children who call Epworth home.
The staff at Epworth Children’s Home, located in Columbia, SC, feels it is their responsibility to ensure the children receive all the tools and care necessary to live lives of self-respect, responsibility, and productivity. Epworth has two special offering days a year, one at Mother’s Day and this one, Work Day Offering. These offerings are the number one way Epworth receives support.
Please prayerfully consider what God is calling you to share to make a difference in these children’s lives.
Here are the ways you can contribute…
CHECK If using a check, please make out to MMC and write Epworth on the subject line. You can bring by to the office, put it in the collection plate, or send to the office (MMC P.O. Box 267, McCormick SC 29835)
CASH Every penny is appreciated! If you clean out your change bowls, bring it in to church! No amount is too small!
MONIES COLLECTED FOR MAUI
Thank you so much for being a wonderful and caring Christian congregation. $3950.50 was collected for UMCOR relief efforts in Maui. UMCOR is providing the survivors with shelf stable food, water, hygiene items, and tools to help them recover their belongings. Progress is very slow, please remember them daily in your prayers as they try to put their lives back together with the loss of so many of their children and loved ones .
Acts of Kindness
Kindness – Leads to Sacrifice for Others!
The motto for Patriot Day is “We will never forget”. Most of us can quickly recall where we were and what we were doing when the news broke of the first plane that dove into the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. As a result of that great tragedy that took so many lives, we became a more caring nation. One of the many beautiful stories of sacrifice that day is continuing to make a huge positive impact today – 22 years later – so that “we will never forget”. It is the story of firefighter Stephen Gerard Siller.
On September 11, 2001, Stephen, who was assigned to Brooklyn’s Squad 1, had just finished his shift and was on his way to play golf with his brothers when he got word over his scanner of a plane hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Upon hearing the news, Stephen called his wife Sally and asked her to tell his brothers he would catch up with them later. He returned to Squad 1 to get his gear.
Stephen drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but it had already been closed for security purposes. Determined to carry out his duty, he strapped 60 lbs. of gear to his back, and raced on foot through the tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he gave up his life while saving others.
Stephen had everything to live for; a great wife, five wonderful children, a devoted extended family, and friends. He grew up under the guiding philosophy of St. Francis of Assisi, whose encouraging and inspirational phrase “while we have time, let us do good” were words that Stephen lived by. His life and heroic death serve as a reminder to us all to live life to the fullest and to spend our time here on earth doing good – this is his legacy
Stephen made the ultimate sacrifice and tragically lost his life during the events of that day. As a result of his heroics and admirable bravery, his family established The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which honors the sacrifice Stephen made and also military personnel, emergency services and first responders. A Tunnel to Towers run/walk is now held annually in New York plus more than 80 events held nationwide to make sure we never forget and to honor the final steps that Stephen took.
To date, the foundation has already delivered or is working to deliver over 450 mortgage-free homes for fallen first responder families. In recognition of 22 years since the terror attacks, the foundation will fully pay off 22 mortgages.
Stephen Siller followed in the footsteps of Jesus as he lived out his life of doing good and giving his all. According to the words of Jesus in John 15: 13 – “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” That’s just what Jesus did for all of us, and we will never forget it!
This week’s Kindness entry: I made a rather significant and necessary purchase recently, and to my surprise, the salesman asked me at the end of the transaction what my favorite charity was. When I told him, he said his company would be making a generous donation to that organization! How kind is that?
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!
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.
COFFEE HOUR FELLOWSHIP
GOODIES AND HOSTS NEEDED
Plenty of room for volunteers to host! You can ask a partner to join you as host. Goodies do not have to be home-made, store-bought are just fine! There is a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall, Also, if you have not done it before, Carol Myers would be happy to work with you!
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.
Widows Connection
First Corinthians …
Living Love When We Disagree
By Melissa Spoelstra
WIDOWS CONNECTION resumes its meetings this month. The group meets on the fourth Monday at 5 p.m. – in September, that will be September 25. On that day, the group will begin a six-session DVD Bible study entitled “First Corinthians – Living Love When We Disagree” by Melissa Spoelstra, popular women’s conference speaker, Bible teacher and author who is madly in love with Jesus. In this study you will explore Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians to learn how as Christians we are to deal with differences and divisions–whether in the workplace, neighborhood, school, home, social media community, or church. We’ll discover that the answer is living and sharing the radical love of Jesus Christ, and we’ll unpack what this means and how we can live it out day by day.
Any women who would like to participate in this study are encouraged to join this group on Monday, September 25 to rediscover Jesus! For questions, contact Toni Graham or Linda Kidd.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
School has started again! The M&Ms will be collecting school supplies for McCormick Schools. You will find a large blue container in Fellowship Hall with several copies of the list of needed supplies. Please help by buying some school supplies and putting them in the container.
Contact Gail Gore if you have any questions.
Contact Gail Gore if you have any questions.
WHAT IS ALPHA?
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. You will hear more about the program in the weeks to come. Please start to think and pray for those you would like to invite who may not yet know Jesus. Both Rich and Kim Jackson attended the Alpha Course in 2010, feel free to ask them any questions you may have.
The Alpha Course began September 10 and will continue each Sunday at 5:30pm through November 19.
Sign up sheets will be in Fellowship Hall.
Weekly Topics
Sep 17 – Who is Jesus?
Sep 24 – Why Did Jesus Die?
Oct 01 – How Can I Have Faith?
Oct 08 – Why and How Do I Pray?
Oct 15 – Why and How Should I Read the Bible?
Oct 22 – How Does God Guide Us?
Oct 29 – Who is the Holy Spirit?
Oct 29 – What Does the Holy Spirit Do?
Oct 29 – How Can I Be Filled with the Holy Spirit?
Sep 17 – Who is Jesus?
Sep 24 – Why Did Jesus Die?
Oct 01 – How Can I Have Faith?
Oct 08 – Why and How Do I Pray?
Oct 15 – Why and How Should I Read the Bible?
Oct 22 – How Does God Guide Us?
Oct 29 – Who is the Holy Spirit?
Oct 29 – What Does the Holy Spirit Do?
Oct 29 – How Can I Be Filled with the Holy Spirit?
Nov 05 – How Can I Resist Evil?
Nov 12 – Does God Heal Today?
Nov 19 – What About the Church?
Nov 12 – Does God Heal Today?
Nov 19 – 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.
24:7 Small Group ‘s Fall Study Begins This Friday, September 15 at 10 am. at the church. Ladies of the church are invited to join. The study is a 6-session DVD series entitled Listen, Love, Repeat – Other-Centered Living in a Self-Centered World by Karen Ehman. The first session is entitled Finding Your Big “Why?”. Study books are available – cost is 99 cents. You do not need to sign up ahead of time, just show up on the 15th! Meetings are on the first and third Fridays at 10 a.m. at the church. The group’s mission is mental health and luncheons and activities, including Bible study, are held throughout the year with the residents at Bell Ridge housing complex in downtown McCormick.
CHURCH PICNIC
SEPT 24
BAKER CREEK
We will hold our service ON Sept 24 at Baker Creek Pavilion at 10am. There will not be a service at the church. The service at Baker Creek is rain or shine. There are picnic tables, but you might want to bring a chair also.
There will be a fun picnic following! Great time to invite your neighbors to join us! We will put out an invite on Neighborlink, but an invite from you will make them feel special!
The church will be providing pulled barbeque chicken, tea, lemonade and ice. We are asked to bring a casserole, salad or dessert to share.
There is a sign-up in the Fellowship Hall. Please indicate the number of people you are bringing (include yourself in the number) and the dish you will be bringing.
It goes without saying, this is a fun time, very casual.. time to relax and enjoy the fellowship of fellow Christians!
MMC CRAFT SHOW AND COOKIE FACTORY
OCTOBER 7 9AM TO 2PM
VOLUNTEERS AND BAKED GOODS, PLANTS NEEDED
BAKED GOODS AND VOLUNTEERS Carol Tummons and Julianne Coleman are the Cookie Factory chairs this year. Look for the sign-up for both baked goods and volunteers in the Fellowship Hall. We need as many baked goods as we can.. everyone knows Methodist women can bake and they come first thing to get their baked goods!! Many volunteers will be needed for pricing, set-up, take down, selling and just plain helping! For more information, contact Carol or Julianne.
PLANTS Marge Radosevich is in charge of the plant sale, which will be held in the Atrium. She will work with those that are willing to donate plants. Please see or contact Marge so she knows the amount of display areas we will need. She will also need a few volunteers the day of the craft show.