A Stephen Ministry & ChristCare Congregation

Transcription

1 May 2015 A publication of McCormick United Methodist Church PO Box 267 McCormick, SC (864) Address: mccormickumc@wctel.net Web Site: mccormickumc.org Church Office Hours Monday Thursday 8:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m. REACHING UP REACHING OUT A Stephen Ministry & ChristCare Congregation Reflections On a Sunday morning last April we held a congregational gathering. After a combined worship service we received an uplifting presentation by the Strategic Planning Team. Before we left the sanctuary to enjoy lunch in the fellowship hall, we took pens and put our names on sheets which had been hung on the sanctuary walls. With each signature we expressed our personal interest in taking part in ministries which did not yet exist. The results have been wonderful! A variety of new ministries have been launched over the last twelve months. There have been so many adjustments to and expansions of the church s ministries it is impossible to list them all. Some of our new ministries are easily seen each week. For example, whenever we receive an Blast. whenever we go to the web site to find information, to read a sermon or to view photos. we are enjoying fruits from the labors of the Communications Ministry Team. The work of another ministry team Food for the Poor has been largely invisible and has taken more time to develop. The team has been doing research, speaking with other churches and discerning the will of God. The Food for the Poor Ministry Team will soon announce the start of an ecumenical ministry which will supplement the weekend meals of impoverished students in our public schools. It is a Back Pack Ministry. Paul A.Wood Jr Pastor's: Pastor's woodtz1955@gmail.com Church: Parsonage: Administrative Assistant: Barbara Homen Editor: Barbara Homen Some great things are accomplished relatively quickly. Others, like the Back Pack Ministry, are taking longer to germinate and blossom and bear fruit. Soon you will hear more about the Back Pack Ministry. It will touch the lives of many young people who live near us; it will involve several other area churches; and it is springing out of our strategic planning. Using the church mission statement we adopted on recommendation of the Strategic Planning Team, we continue to be a church REACHING UP REACHING OUT. Paul

2 Lumberton Mission Trip On Sunday, April 12, fourteen of us traveled to Lumberton, NC, returning on Friday, April 17. The purpose of the trip was to help make a difference for those less fortunate than ourselves. We worked thru the Robeson Church and Community Center. The Center provides emergency assistance for those that find themselves financially short, has a food pantry, provides home repairs, and has medical equipment for loan to those that have a need. Rebeson County is home to the largest population of Native Americans east of the Mississippi. While in Lumberton, our construction team, under the guidance of Frank Chewning, dismantled a ramp, removed a porch, built a new porch with steps, built a 34 ramp and built and installed shelves for the Center. The other half of the team, painted inside the Center as well as at the satellite center. We stayed at the Chestnut St. UMC. They provided us with a place to sleep, showers and eating facilities. Our work day started at about 8:00 and ended at about 4:30. Dinner was at 6:00 pm followed by devotions. A trip such as this provides a tremendous amount of fellowship between the members we get t o know and respect each other in a deeper way. We also benefit by the loving reaction of those receiving the benefits of our work. The people we interacted with in Lumberton were loving and could not express their appreciation enough for what we did. If our church has another mission trip next year and you find yourself physically able to participate, I would encourage you to consider. The spiritual rewards and the fellowship you enjoy are unbelievable. We thank everyone who made this trip possible. The Missioners 24:7 Christ Care Group News Members of our group were at Bell Ridge on April 9 for our Annual Easter Dinner with our friends there; ten residents joined us. Since this event was after Easter Sunday, the community tree was decorated in patriotic decorations to plan ahead for the summer holidays. After dinner, we shared together highlights of Chapter 6 in our study book, Lazarus Awakening, which is entitled Roll Away the Stone. We talked about how, with faith as small as a mustard seed, we can roll away the stones of unworthiness, unforgiveness, and unbelief and choose to receive God s great love for us. On April 26, we studied Chapter 7, When Love Calls Your Name. This chapter focuses on our need to listen by tuning our hearts (where the Spirit of God dwells) through prayer, through His Word, by recognizing His ways, and through obedience and patience. Our meetings in May are as follows: Sunday, May 10 4 p.m. Sunday, May 24 4 p.m. As always, our group welcomes any who might want to join us! Linda Kidd Answers: 1. Lot s wife, 2. Ruth, 3. Tamar, 4. the adulterous woman, 5. Leah, 6. Eunice, 7. a widow s, 8. Pharaoh s daughter, 9. Miriam, 10. Anna.

3 Reaching Up Reaching Out Outreach Missions Committee Update WELCOME BACK, MISSIONERS! Sunday, April 19 was Native American Ministries Sunday at McCormick UMC. We had a wonderful service that day when some of our fourteen missioners shared their experiences of the week of April working through the Robeson County Church and Community Center in Lumberton, NC. We praise God for the work of this team and for the opportunities He gives us each day to do His work. To see photos and read more about the Lumberton experience, be sure to visit our church website. SALKEHATCHIE SUMMER SERVICE CAMP During the month of June, a banner will be placed in the church fellowship hall for you to express greetings and blessings to the Salkehatchie work team when they arrive at McCormick UMC on Saturday, June 20. Kellie Owans, Camp Director, has been in touch and says they are looking forward to being in mission and ministry in McCormick again this summer. Prayers and Squares ChristCare Group As of May 5, we will be on our summer vaca- on schedule, which means no mee ngs un- l September. Please con nue to slip your quilt request forms (forms are in the hallway on the bulle n board) under our room door or contact a member of our group. Quilts will be available and will be scheduled to meet your needs. In April, prayer quilts were ed for Kathryn Ann McDonald, sponsored by Beverly Snyder, and for Margaret Ann Sippola, sponsored by Lesa Camp. Please remember Kathryn and Margaret Ann and their families in your prayers. As always, we con nue to thank you for your support of this prayer quilt ministry to our church, community, and beyond. Onalee Green STOP HUNGER NOW In July, as we did last year, we will begin promoting our Stop Hunger Now meal packaging event scheduled for Saturday, October 10 as we work together to raise the $5,800 needed for this project. The Outreach Missions Committee is confident that God will lead us, as He has for the past two years, and through His followers at McCormick UMC, He will provide both the funds and volunteers needed for this project to once again be successful!

4 BIRTHDAYS-May May Counters May 4 Carol Bailey May 11 Dot Baggett May 18 Susan Crowley May 25 Lola Rek May Flowers May 3 Ron & Donna Hutto 5/3 Leslie Belanger 5/5 Tina Smith 5/9 Marge Radosevich 5/17 Frank Chewning 5/18 Rodger Simon 5/25 Carolyn Skelton 5/26 Bill Crowley 5/26 Joan Wessels 5/31 Nancy Richert May 10 Flower Committee May 17 Open May 24 Open May 31 Open MAY USHERS 11:00 Service Information not available. May Ushers 8:30 am Paula LeMond

5 United Methodist Women Handbags, Purses & Totes Carrying the Essential Contents For a Life of Discipleship At the UMW Spring Luncheon on Saturday, April 25, we had a special visit by Sandy B. Totebag and her mother Sophie, cleaning ladies in a department store. Sandy B. had a special affection for the handbags, purses and totes section. As she browsed through the bags, she found that quite often they weren t what they appeared to be. Both she and Sophie translated this into our personal lives as Christians. As a result, we learned valuable information about the essentials necessary for a life of discipleship. Rev. Becky Shirley, Pastor at Platt Springs UMC in West Columbia, our guest speaker for the luncheon, captivated her audience in her portrayal of these two characters in two sessions ID, Please! and God s Cell Phone. She had us thinking about the items we carry in our handbags that relate to how we live our lives such as soothing lip balm that represents kind, healing words we should speak to one another. Special appreciation is expressed to the luncheon committee members Carol Bailey, Bet Dombrowski, Jerry Rohr, Lindy Stahlman, Carol Struck, and Nancy Richert - for doing such an outstanding job with the meal, decorations, set up and service everything was perfect! Special thanks also go to those who handled ticket sales Carol Bailey, Pat Sharpe, and Barbara Homen. As with all UMW projects, proceeds from events like this go to mission. Several of our UMW members are planning to attend Session II of this year s SC Conference UMW Spiritual Growth Retreat that is scheduled for May 2-3 at Lake Junaluska, NC. We look forward to hearing from them about their experience and how this year s retreat theme, Fill My Cup Lord: With Faith! Hope! and Love!, was presented. Our local UMW Unit is in need of someone to serve in the office of Spiritual Growth Coordinator this person provides a brief devotional at our quarterly meetings. If this sounds like a way that you feel led to serve, please let me know. Linda Kidd, UMW President Display of handbags, purses and totes. Magnetic Badges Would you like a magnetic name badge for church? No more holes caused by pinning one to your clothes or having one hanging around your neck! The magnetic name badge is black with white letters and the cross and flame logo. If you are interested please call Pat Sharpe at or her at jimpats@wctel.net and she will put you on the list! The cost is $8.48 for each name badge and is payable when I deliver. Thanks, Pat Sharpe

6 The Miracles of a Prayer Quilt A year-and-a-half ago in a December worship service we dedicated a prayer quilt for Dan Tutt. He was seriously ill and in the Medical University of South Carolina hospital. Thirteen months later Dan stood before the congregation in his role as that day s 11:00 service Lay Reader. Before leading us in that day s unison prayer, Dan spoke off the cuff about his illness, the prayer quilt which he had received a year earlier and the prayer quilt which had been dedicated just moments earlier in that day s service. Those of us present that January morning were stunned at the poignant words which Dan spoke. He delivered a two-minute sermon which would have sufficed for the entire service. Tears began to flow. We heard a profound statement of faith. But many members of McCormick United Methodist Church missed what Dan said. That was simply because they weren t present at that particular service. After some time Dan was convinced to write down what he said. What follows is Dan s account of what happened that January morning. Paul Wood My Testimony I had been selected to serve as lay reader for the month of January, Due to a bad fall I was unable to do this chore on the first Sunday but felt well enough to do so on the following two Sundays. On that third Sunday the service began and as I was sitting in the Pew awaiting my performance time, Pastor Wood offered up his opening prayer and then began the dedication of a new prayer quilt which had been made for a young child in dire need of help. As this proceeded I prayed inaudibly that God s mercy be extended to this child. At the end of the dedication the normal service restarted and I made my way to the lectern to perform my duty. While opening the Bible to the proper chapter and verse and fumbling with the bulletin I looked out over the congregation which caused me to peer directly at that new prayer quilt. At that point it became impossible for me to proceed in the expected manner. I explained in a brief manner that perhaps I wasn t supposed to do this but I had no choice. I told the assembled that no one should make light of or disregard the spiritual power contained in a prayer quilt when made and given in faith by people who literally radiated love and caring in a manner as those in front of me did. Then I explained that in December, 2013 I was lying in a hospital bed in Charleston being evaluated for a procedure that would possibly save my life and even make it close to normal. In true reality I was lingering close to death with a heart that could only perform at a 10% level at best. My days passed as poor to poorer and my future looked dimmer and dimmer. What happened next makes me speak guardedly of miracles but positively of the power of prayer. I awoke on a given morning feeling remarkably stronger and optimistic. As was usual my wife (staying at a nearby hotel) came for her morning visit and with her brought what over a time I recognized as incredible news. The members of our church had just made and dedicated a prayer quilt for me. They did it because the church members loved my wife and wanted to help. When I speak of love and caring that s what I m referring to. At the time I was an unaffiliated Christian and didn t attend, but their love and caring enveloped me. A short time after that I was suddenly sent home bearing medication that, with again the help of God, would continue to strengthen me and make it possible for the surgeons to repair me under his guidance. The power of prayer focused through that lovingly made quilt for me is a reality and can be for all with the faith. Dan Tutt, March

7 For Heaven s Sake sing at the Sunrise Service. Donald Smith and Bruce Motsinger speak about their experiences on the Lumberton mission.

8 Friends finishing up dinner at Chestnut St. UMC after a hard day at repairs in Lumberton. Dr. Rev. Dan Webb speaking at John de la Howe School day at McCormick UMC.

9 John de la Howe School Sunday at McCormick UMC. Luncheon with special guests and the Luedecke s.

10 Wendy, Sandi, Emilee and Marge at the UMW luncheon sporting their Sunday best. Jessica Kidd s birthday party.

11 Budget Information for 2015 Budget 2000 Apportionments 2001 World Service $ 3, Episcopal Fund $ District Supt Compensation $ 1, Equitable Compensation $ Greenwood District Admin $ 1, Jurisdictional Miss/Minist $ SC Conference Admin. $ 2, General Conference Admin. $ Sr. College Scholarships $ 1, Spartanburg Meth. College $ Campus Ministry $ Methodist Homes Res. Assis $ Camps/Retreats Ministry $ Congregational Development $ 1, Ministerial Education $ 1, Interdenominational Coop. $ Conference Benevolences $ 3, Black College Fund $ Africa University Fund $ Retiree Health/Trans Grant $ 2, Extra Mile College/Homes $ District Parsonage/Office $ 1, Total 2000 Apportionments $ 27, Trustees 2101 Pest Control $ Cleaning Supplies $ Insurance $ 6, Lights and Water $ 8, Gas $ 3, Telephone $ Heating & Cooling $ 2, Church Repairs $ 8, Parsonage Repairs $ 1, Carpet & Floor Cleaning $ Grounds & Parking Lot $ 6, Parsonage Grounds $ 1, Custodian $ 7, Total 2100 Trustees $ 46,760.00

12 2200 SPPRC 2201 Pastor's Compensation $ 75, Pastor's Church Related Ex $ 6, Continuing Ed., Pastor $ Pension, Pastor $ 12, Asst. Pastor Travel $ 1, Choir Director $ 8, Organist/Pianist $ 6, Substitute Organist $ Hourly Admin. Assistant $ 15, Admin Asst. Supplement $ 2, Office Substitute $ Health Insurance $ 15, FICA Taxes $ 3, Annual Conf./Pastor $ Annual Conf/Lay Members $ 1, SPPRC Contingency $ Finan. Comm. Contingency $ - Total 2200 SPPRC $ 150, Communications 2301 Communication Expenses $ 3, Total 2300 Communications $ 3, Family Life Ministries 2601 Kitchen Supplies $ 1, Total 2600 Family Life Ministries $ 1, Office Expenses 2701 Office Eq. & Software $ Office Supplies $ 1, Postage $ 1, Copier $ 4, Total 2700 Office Expenses $ 7, Music Dept Piano & Orqan Main $ Music Program $ 2, Total 3000 Music Dept. $ 2,600.00

13 Budget Information for 2015 (Con't) Budget 3300 Worship 3301 Flowers $ Special Bulletins $ Offering Envelopes $ Audio/Visual Equipment $ Worship Books $ Worship Honoraria $ Altar Guild Expenses $ Baker Creek Rental $ Total 3300 Worship $ 2, Bereavement 3401 Bereavement $ Total 3400 Bereavement $ Nurture 3501 Stephen Ministry $ 1, Christ Care Program $ - Total 3500 Nurture $ 1, Mission/Outreach 3701 Outreach Ministries $ 8, Total 3700 Mission/Outreach $ 8, Emerging Ministries 3901 Vital Worship $ Prayer/Spritual Discipline $ Gifts, Discernment $ Evangelism/Sharing News $ Elderly & Confined $ Community Functions $ 1, Total 3900 Emerging Ministries $ 2, Total Expense Budget $ 254,286.00

14 Past Budget Items not in the 2015 Budget: 2233 Organist / Pianist Travel 2500 Children and Youth 2501 Children's Ministries Total 2500 Children and Youth 2800 Educational Ministries Christian Education Total 2800 Educational Ministries Adult & Family Coordinator 3101 Adult & Fam Ministries Total 3100 Adult & Family Coordinator 3600 UMW 3601 School of Missions` Total 3600 UMW 3800 Nehemiah Project 3801 Nehemiah Project Total 3800 Nehemiah Project

15 Nonprofit Org. U. S. POSTAGE PAID McCormick, S.C. Permit No. 3 McCormick United Methodist Church 200 Gold Street P.O. Box 267 McCormick, South Carolina ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Women play roles of enormous significance in the Bible, from Eve, to Abraham s wife Sarah, to Mary the Mother of Jesus, to the sisters Mary and Martha who brother Lazarus died but was raised from the dead by Jesus.. Can you identify some of these lesser known women of the Bible? 1. She turned into a pillar of salt for looking back at Sodom and Gomorrah. 2. Name the widowed daughter-in-law of Naomi, who would not abandon her. 3. Her incestuous story interrupts the Genesis account of Joseph. 4. Jesus encounter with this unnamed woman is the only time the Gospel mentions 5. Suffers as she lives in her sister s shadow. 6. Mother of Timothy. 7. Whose offering did Jesus commend as extravagant while at the temple one day. 8. She is attributed as the woman who named Moses. 9. Aaron and Moses sister. 10. A widowed temple prophetess who observed Jesus being presented by his parents. You can find the answers on the inside cover of the Trumpeter.