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
Celebrating Those Laboring for Christ
Carl A. Boyle, a sales representative, was driving home when he saw a group of young children selling Kool-Aid on a corner in his neighborhood. They had posted the typical hand scrawled sign over their stand: “Kool-Aid, 10 cents.” Carl was intrigued. He pulled over to the curb. A young man approached and asked if he would like strawberry or grape Kool-Aid. Carl placed his order and handed the boy a quarter. After much deliberation, the children determined he had some change coming and rifled through the cigar box until they finally came up with the correct amount. The boy returned with the change, then stood by the side of the car. He asked if Carl was finished drinking. “Just about,” said Carl. “Why?” “That’s the only cup we have, “answered the boy, “and we need it to stay in business.”
It’s difficult to operate a Kool-Aid business if you only have one cup. We sometimes make that mistake in the church.
This week we celebrate on Holiday known as Labor Day that is held in honor of all who work hard to make America great in so many ways.
We should also celebrate those that are at work for Christ in the Church. This Fall we are focusing our attention on the evangelistic task of the church. For many persons the word “evangelism” brings to mind one cup: The televangelist and the tent revival, or the street corner preacher handing out tracts. In some churches, it means a once a year special event or a particular strategy for incorporating newcomers into the life of the church.
By limiting our vision of evangelism to one of these cups, we may be stifling Christ’s work on earth and cheating ourselves out of one of the most rewarding endeavors Christ offers us: Evangelism. What is needed is for all of us to become daily involved in evangelism. How? By….
- Anchoring Our Concern in Christ’s Compassion for the World
- Shepherding Those who are Lost in the Crowd
- Committing Ourselves because the Workers are Few
May the Labor begin!
See you in Church this Sunday or online.
Your Pastor,
Nels
Nels
Preparing for Worship
Sunday, September 10 – 10AM
Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Scripture Lesson: Matthew 18: 15-20
Reference Text: Romans 13: 8-10
Message: “Reconciliation Day”
WELCOME TO MMC FAMILY
ANN AND JOHN MARCUS
The McCormick Methodist Church welcomed Ann and John Marcus to the church family! You might remember we sang Happy Birthday to John recently, when he turned a young 95! Ann shared that they moved here from Florida but they met in Augusta! As it turns out they are close neighbors of Linda Kidd! We look forward to getting to know our newest members!
EPWORTH CHILDREN’S HOME
WORK DAY OFFERING
SEPTEMBER 10
An Epworth offering helps children heal, grow, learn and become responsible adults.
September 10 is the annual Epworth Children’s Home Work Day Offering Sunday.
The Children’s Home, located in Columbia, SC, is breaking the destructive cycle of abuse, fear, and shame replacing it with the opportunity for these children to live a life of self-respect, responsibility, and productivity from childhood through their teen years.
This Work Day Offering and the spring Mother’s Day Offering help provide funds to finance the Children’ s Home with it many programs and two campuses.
Please prayerfully consider what God is calling you to share to make a difference in these children’s lives.
Message from Beth Williams President & CEO
When you make an Epworth Work Day offering, you help us provide the activities, programs and services that imbue these young people with vision, ideas and self-confidence. Thank you for supporting Epworth in its mission and for generously using your resources to make a profound difference in the lives of disadvantaged children, teens and young adults across South Carolina.
When you make an Epworth Work Day offering, you help us provide the activities, programs and services that imbue these young people with vision, ideas and self-confidence. Thank you for supporting Epworth in its mission and for generously using your resources to make a profound difference in the lives of disadvantaged children, teens and young adults across South Carolina.
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!
SUPPORT FOR MAUI
MMC Missions team is collecting donations to be sent to UMCOR for the people of fire ravaged Maui.
Wind-driven wildfires on Maui prompted evacuations and caused significant loss of life and widespread damage.
UMCOR awarded an emergency grant to the California-Pacific Annual Conference, which includes the Hawaiian UMC, to provide shelf-stable food, water, hygiene items and tools to help survivors recover belongings.
UMCOR awarded an emergency grant to the California-Pacific Annual Conference, which includes the Hawaiian UMC, to provide shelf-stable food, water, hygiene items and tools to help survivors recover belongings.
As first responders continue to provide initial aid, please join UMCOR in prayer and by making a gift to this and other disasters in the U.S.
Here are the ways you can contribute:
CHECK If using a check, please make out to MMC and write Maui 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!
NEW BEGINNINGS
Love Offering
Donations made through this “Love Offering” will be used to offset disaffiliation costs.
Ways you can contribute..
CHECK If using a check, please make out to MMC and put Love Fund on the memo 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!
ONLINE Donate Online
Acts of Kindness
Kindness – Focuses on the Positive!
In light of all the negatives associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, it is good to be able to connect with any positives we see. Searching the internet this past week, I ran across one. The news was posted in April, 2022 from Columbus, Ohio and it went like this:
There’s a new place to rest in Mayme Moore Park. The PoSITivity Bench at the King Arts Complex aims to give visitors a moment to pause and connect with art. The bench is one of many installations in 70 communities across the Midwest, made possible by a donation from the Columbus chapter of the Links Incorporated, an international not-for-profit organization established in 1946 that specializes in friendship and transformational community service.
The benches are part of a movement to encourage safe spaces and good mental health in the pandemic. “We love this location because our kids are here and it’s close to neighbors. It’s close and accessible.” Demetrius Neely, King Arts Complex Director, said.
I don’t know about you, but I think we could use a few PoSITivity Benches in our area! If it would help us to “accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative”, think how great that would be! You notice that the word “SIT” in the word “Positivity” is in all caps. This is a good reminder to us that, as Christians, we need to “Be Still and Know That I Am God” – Psalm 46:10 so that we can experience this: “In God’s presence—in an intimate relationship with Him—is the source of every good, righteous, and positive attitude and act.” – Psalm 16: 11.
And from that positive attitude comes Acts of Kindness – what a wonderful thought!
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!
First Tuesday
Stephen Ministry Corner
September 2023
The Sandwich Generation. That’s what a counselor told me I was in when I was caring for children still living at home and also for my mother and dad, who lived an hour away. With our changing society, the definition of the “Sandwich Generation” may be changing a bit. Our parents are living longer, children graduate but still remain dependent upon us for some reason, we may retire earlier than our parents did, we may choose to work from home … and move to a community like SLV where we can do both … and so the ‘sandwich’ changes. Now we may be caring for an adult child (living with us or not) and an aging parent, both of whom may be far away from us. We are far away from both the top and the bottom of the sandwich. We are sandwiched between the old and the young … and find it difficult.
Stephen Ministry can help. We can listen to your concerns and anxieties about both the older and the younger ‘generations’ and, therefore, we can share your burden. It is our calling … our way to fulfil Christ’s wishes. Galatians 6:2 (KJV) says “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Let us help you with your burden.
Start by calling Pastor Nels or one of the Stephen Leaders thru 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.
MEN N MINISTRY DINNER
TUESDAY, SEPT 11 6PM
All men are invited to attend the Methodist Men’s dinners! There is no sign-up, just show up!
The first of the fall will be on Tuesday, September 11. John Yerdon will be preparing the meal, so you know it will be good!
The first of the fall will be on Tuesday, September 11. John Yerdon will be preparing the meal, so you know it will be good!
There will be a devotion, we will discuss our Brat sale at the Craft Show on October 7. Bob Rennie, president is looking for a speaker.. maybe you are willing to share your hobby or interest! Let Bob know.
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.
TELL SOMEONE
STARTS SEPT 28
Are you uncomfortable sharing The Gospel? Most of us are. That’s why we’re having a 6 week Bible study called “Tell Someone” to learn how to joyfully share the Good News about Jesus with others.
Time: Thursdays 10a -12n
Dates: 6 weeks, Sept. 28 through Nov.2
Where: MMC choir room
Each week we’ll watch a video, read the scripture lesson, and have discussion. There is a required workbook which is $15.
Sign up in the Fellowship Hall and please pay Kathy or Julianne no later than September 15 so the workbooks can be ordered.
If you have questions, call Kathy Sims or Julianne Coleman.
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 will be offered to our church and community beginning September 10, 2023 at 5:30 pm.
Sign up sheets will be in Fellowship Hall.
Weekly Topics
Sep 10 – Is There More to Life Than This?
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 10 – Is There More to Life Than This?
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.
Fall Study Begins With 24:7 Small Group
Fall is a time for renewal, and the 24:7 Small Group sends this message to the ladies of the church that they begin their fall study in September – any ladies who are interested are welcome to join the group. 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. The fall study is a DVD series entitled Listen, Love, Repeat – Other-Centered Living in a Self-Centered World by Karen Ehman.
The first session in the study begins on Friday, September 15 at 10 a.m. at the church. Study books are available – cost is 99 cents. You do not need to sign up ahead of time, just show up on the 15th!
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.