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WORSHIP WITH US – SUNDAYS AT 10AM
from Rev. C. Nels Ledwell
MR. MACHO & FORTY DAYS OF LOVE
Have you ever been confronted with a message that changed your perspective? One church chose as its Lenten theme, “Forty Days of Love.” Each week members of the congregation were encouraged to show their love and appreciation in different ways. The first week they were encouraged to send notes to people who had made positive contributions to their lives.
After the first service a man in the congregation wanted to speak to his pastor. The pastor describes the man as “kind of macho, a former football player who loved to hunt and fish, a strong self-made man.” The man told his pastor, “I love you and I love this church, but I’m not going to participate in this Forty Days of Love stuff. It’s OK for some folks,” he said, “but it’s a little too sentimental and syrupy for me.”
A week went by. The next Sunday this man waited after church to see his pastor again. “I want to apologize for what I said last Sunday,” he told him, “about the Forty Days of Love. I realized on Wednesday that I was wrong.”
“Wednesday?” his pastor repeated. “What happened on Wednesday?”
“I got one of those letters!” the man said. The letter came as a total surprise. It was from a person the man never expected to hear from. It touched him so deeply he now carries it around in his pocket all the time. “Every time I read it,” he said, “I get tears in my eyes.” It was a transforming moment in this man’s life. Suddenly he realized he was loved by others in the church. This changed his entire outlook. “I was so moved by that letter,” he said, “I sat down and wrote ten letters myself.”
Receiving that letter was a transforming experience for Mr. Macho. It came from a mailbox rather than a mountaintop, but the effect was the same – his perspective was changed.
Maybe you would write one of those letters this week to someone in whom you wish to show love. God may just use your words to brighten someone’s life.
See You in Church or online this Sunday!
Your Pastor,
Nels
Nels
Preparing for Worship
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Third Sunday after Pentecost
Independence Day
Scripture Lesson: Galatians 5: 1, 13-25
Message: “The Wise Use of Freedom” – Pastor Ledwell
Hymns:
God Bless America
God of the Ages
Onward Christian Soldiers
America
America the Beautiful
The Battle Hymn of the Republic
Anthem: Precious Lord, Take My Hand – Gordon Waine
Volunteer to Host Coffee Hour
July Volunteers needed. Sign up sheet is in the Fellowship Hall.
FOOD PANTRY
Our Food Pantry is in need of supplies:
Small jars of peanut butter
Small jars of jelly
Canned fruits
A variety of vegetables
Case of water
Small jars of jelly
Canned fruits
A variety of vegetables
Case of water
Donations may be placed in the Food Pantry Room. Thank you!!
MATTHEW AND KRISTI SCALES
MISSION IN UGANDA
Update from the Scales Family
Wow that went fast!
The month of June came in hot and fast. So much has happened here in Uganda that we don’t even know where to start, so we will start here. God is GOOD, POWERFUL, and fully ABLE. Go tell someone today about HIM!!! We can hardly believe the month of June is almost over. This month for us has been full of first times. We were invited to our first Ugandan wedding (Wylie and Matt served as groomsmen)! We celebrated our first baptism service here where over 40 people were baptized (PRAISE GOD!). We enjoyed watching 25 girls graduate from the ministry center last Friday, and what a joyous day of seeing fruit from labor it was. We are now in our first harvesting season here, beans are ready, g nuts and corn will be soon, and we are all waiting to see if the watermelons will grow! The farm workers continue to come daily for devotions, with plenty of questions for Matt everyday about the Bible. Kristi just wrapped up a 6 week Bible study at church and is praying about next steps.
As we sit here writing this, we can’t help but be amazed at God. Ecclesiastes 7:13 says, “Consider the work of God, who can make straight what He has made crooked?” Did you know that Kristi wanted to be a missionary since she was a young girl? Matt however never felt that particular call until a few years ago. We felt it came at the most inconvenient time. It felt crooked to us. We were happy, settled, surrounded by a great community, loved our 9-5 jobs. But God had and still has plans! As we walked into baptismal waters a few weeks ago, we both couldn’t help but marvel at that. In a foreign country, away from our normal, definitely not feeling settled, God let us glimpse part of His plan for bringing us here. In a world that feels sometimes like God is done and has left, we saw that He is CERTAINLY NOT DONE! He still saves, He still changes communities, He is very much alive. Mukama Yebazwibwe! (PRAISE GOD!)
As we sit here writing this, we can’t help but be amazed at God. Ecclesiastes 7:13 says, “Consider the work of God, who can make straight what He has made crooked?” Did you know that Kristi wanted to be a missionary since she was a young girl? Matt however never felt that particular call until a few years ago. We felt it came at the most inconvenient time. It felt crooked to us. We were happy, settled, surrounded by a great community, loved our 9-5 jobs. But God had and still has plans! As we walked into baptismal waters a few weeks ago, we both couldn’t help but marvel at that. In a foreign country, away from our normal, definitely not feeling settled, God let us glimpse part of His plan for bringing us here. In a world that feels sometimes like God is done and has left, we saw that He is CERTAINLY NOT DONE! He still saves, He still changes communities, He is very much alive. Mukama Yebazwibwe! (PRAISE GOD!)
Wylie finished the 6th Grade this week. He is getting a few weeks break and has plans for the summer involving planting Okra, swimming, and going to a missionary kid camp.
James finished the 4th grade this week. She is enjoying a break, but reading books more and loves spending time with the children at preschool. She has decided she wants to be a teacher when she grows up!
Wilbur is in his second term of preschool here in Uganda. He is doing well, his writing is getting better and he has made friends with classmates. He turns FIVE years old on July 16th and if you know Wilbur we have been counting down to this day for around a year! He wants a pirate party this year which is challenging given Uganda is land locked, pirates aren’t really a thing here.
How To Support
If you feel drawn to support their mission financially you can write a check, payable to MMC and noted Uganda 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—
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.
Volunteers Needed for Congregational Care Team
Dear Church Family,
One of the most powerful ways we reflect the love of Christ is by caring for one another in times of need. Whether someone is recovering from surgery, facing a difficult season, or navigating a time of grief, small
acts of kindness—like a hot meal, a ride to an appointment, or a friendly visit—can make a world of difference.
acts of kindness—like a hot meal, a ride to an appointment, or a friendly visit—can make a world of difference.
We are currently building a list of volunteers who are willing to step in when needs arise. You don’t need to commit to every request—just let us know how you feel called to help:
Meal Ministry – Provide or deliver a home-cooked or store-bought meal to someone in need.
Transportation Help – Offer rides to church, appointments, or errands for those unable to drive.
Visitation Ministry – Visit homebound members or those in the hospital or care facilities to provide companionship and encouragement.
If you’re willing to be on our list of helpers in any of these areas, please send Kim Jackson an email or add
your name/email to the sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall.
your name/email to the sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall.
You’ll be contacted as needs arise, with the opportunity to accept or decline depending on your schedule.
Let’s continue being the hands and feet of Jesus—loving one another well in both big and small ways.
In Christ’s love,
Your Congregational Care Team
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Upcoming Events
CREIGHTON SCHOLARSHIP
APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE
The Scholarship Committee of the McCormick Methodist Church is currently accepting applications for this year’s Creighton Scholarship. Applications are available at the church office Monday – Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Application deadline is July 1.
Criteria for the selection of the scholarship winner are as follows:
The candidate must be a graduating high school senior who has been accepted at an institution of higher learning and displays the traits of good character, service to others and academic excellence.
Question? Call Patsy Wilson or Lindy Stahlman.
Kerri Bowser Concert
Sunday, July 20 – 3pm
Be sure to mark your calendars for our Christian Concert featuring Kerri Bowser, daughter of Ed and Linda Bowser, members here at MMC, who will be with us on Sunday, July 20! Kerri’s concert will be at 3 p.m. that day in the Church Sanctuary and she will also provide special music for our Morning Worship that day. Kerri has produced two CD’s of beautiful Christian music that also give her personal testimony. We are in for a real treat as we hear the message that God gives to us through Kerri – AND, to add to this sweet occasion, there will be an Ice Cream Social in the Fellowship Hall after the concert! A Love Offering will be taken.
Women’s Retreat Coming Soon
Friday, August 15th and Saturday, August 16th
A study of Esther, “For Such a Time as This” will be presented on Friday, August 15th and Saturday, August 16th. You’ll not want to miss our special guest speaker from Florida!! Please plan on spending time with us each day, here at our own Church, from 9AM to 3PM. Lunch will be included. Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall and give your $20.00 check to Karen Hicks or Patsy in the office.
MMC CRAFT SHOW AND COOKIE FACTORY
OCTOBER 4 – 9am to 2pm
VENDORS NEEDED
Lindy Stahlman and Cindy Klausman are the new chairpersons for the Craft Show. Carol Tummons will be leading the bakers for the Cookie Factory.
Sue Wurtzbacher and Marge Radosevich will be asking for plants to sell in the Atrium. Watch for more details!
PLANT SALE If you are planning on repotting, separating plants, or rooting new plants, and would like to share your bounty, please consider sharing your plants by donating to the MMW Craft Show Plant Sale.
Marge and I will set up several tables (depending on how many plants we get) in the Atrium.
Also if you have extra pots you no longer need (no plastic) or garden accents we would love to accept them also.
We usually have the plants dropped off at the church Friday (Oct 3). If for some reason you need to bring them sooner, we can work something out.
We usually have the plants dropped off at the church Friday (Oct 3). If for some reason you need to bring them sooner, we can work something out.
Thank you in advance for sharing.
Marge Radosevich and Sue Wurtzbacher
VENDORS If you or a friend or neighbor is interested in participating in this year’s Craft Show, please email Lindy Stahlman. Lindy will send you the pricing information and registration form. Don’t hesitate, the spots fill up quickly!
Indoor tables (8 ft) cost $40 and all crafts must be handcrafted. We also offer tent space (you supply the tents) for $25. Items do not have to be handcrafted.
Again, there will be tons of baked goods in the Fellowship Hall. Watch for notices about what is needed as the year goes on.
The Men N’ Ministry will be selling brats cooked on the grill, as well as soda and chips.
It is always a fun day of fellowship while raising funds for our missions!
More details about the event are available at https://www.mccormickmc.org/craft-show-2025/
2025 Flower Calendar
Please sign up on the chart across from the office for a week that works best to supply the flowers for the sanctuary. Patsy will sign you up if you want, just give her a call at the Church office!