LENTEN STUDY BEGINS MARCH 15 THE GOD WE CAN KNOW. A Stephen Ministry & ChristCare Congregation

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1 February 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 LENTEN STUDY BEGINS MARCH 15 THE GOD WE CAN KNOW The Education Committee is providing a Lenten study on Sundays, 4:00 until 5:00, beginning February 15. The God We Can Know: Exploring the I AM Sayings of Jesus is newly published curriculum written by Rev. Rob Fuquay, a United Methodist pastor in Indianapolis. A DVD accompanies the curriculum and includes scenes recorded in Israel. Please use the sign-up sheet near the church office. Cost per book is $ You may pay for your book when the course begins. Couples are encouraged to buy only one. Paul A.Wood Jr Pastor's: Pastor's woodtz1955@gmail.com Church: Parsonage: Administrative Assistant: Barbara Homen Editor: Barbara Homen

2 Prayers & Squares Without you, our mission would not be possible! Your prayers ed into the quilts provide welcome comfort and support for the recipients. In December, quilts were ed for Floyd Thomas and Don Graham, followed in January with a quilt for baby Evere Cavan. Please keep them and their families in your prayers. We re into a new year and if you d like to try something new in your life, think about visi ng our group. See what we re all about and enjoy the fellowship you will find there. If you re saying, I can t sew, well... that doesn t ma er. We have members who don t sew but do other things for our mission; we re quite flexible. Mondays, first and third, at 1 to work and 2:30 for our mee ng. Some numbers: in 2013, you ed thirteen quilts for recipients; in 2014, you ed twenty quilts for recipients. The total quilts, including January 2015, stand at 85. In 2014, approximately 1,400 knots were ed; some es with mul ple knots, meaning that at minimum 1,400 prayers were offered for people. That is remarkable! That is powerful! Thank you. Onalee Green 24:7 Christ Care Group News The members of 24:7 Christ Care Group enjoyed our Annual Christmas Dinner together on Sunday, December 7. I believe this was the first year that all ten members of our group were able to attend, so we took advantage of a photo op! We each brought wrapped Christmas gifts for all of our Bell Ridge friends to receive at their Annual Christmas Dinner that was held on Thursday, December 11. Our January meetings were held on Jan. 11 and 25. At our first meeting, we spent time sharing our personal Christmas blessings and had discussion about our new study book, Lazarus Awakening Finding Your Place in the Heart of God by Joanna Weaver. In this book, we will encounter the story of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in a fresh way and open our hearts to the truth that we are cherished. Just as He called Lazarus forth to new life,

3 24:7 ChristCare continued Jesus wants to free us to live fully in the light of His love, unhindered by fear, regret, or self -condemnation. We feel this book will be especially meaningful as we go into the Lenten Season this spring. Our February schedule is as follows: Sunday, February 8, 2:30 pm Regular meeting Sunday, February 22, 2:30 pm Regular meeting The above schedule was current at the time of publishing this issue of the church newsletter. However, one of our February meeting dates may change due to the scheduling of our Annual Valentine Dinner at Bell Ridge we will have one of our studies in conjunction with that dinner. My 31 st birthday party on Sunday, January 18 was lots of fun for me! I thank all of the members of my Church Family for your cards, gifts, and remembrances to me you are all the best! I especially thank Lindy for putting it all together. Much love, Jessica Kidd We always welcome prospective new members to join us! Linda Kidd, Leader Large-print bulletins are now available each Sunday morning. Just speak to an usher.

4 Outreach Missions Committee Update RESPONSE TO THE WEST AFRICAN EBOLA CRISIS In January, the Outreach Missions Committee announced a special offering to assist in the struggle against the Ebola virus in West Africa. This effort concludes in February. The offering will go to the people of West Africa through the Global Health Unit of UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Checks are to be made payable to MUMC and designated for Ebola Crisis. One hundred percent of our gifts help UMCOR to work with local partners to strengthen healthcare capacities to confront this and other health challenges. Also in January, we received the following notification from Jonathan Kundrat with Stop Hunger Now: We are delighted to announce that the 20,000 meals from your meal packaging event held on October 11, 2014 have been shipped in a container with 285,120 meals. The meals were shipped through Feed the Hungry and received by our in-country partner in South Sudan. Feed the Hungry is a 501(c) 3 non-profit focused on fighting hunger due to poverty, war, famine, drought, and natural disasters. Thank you for generously donating your time as volunteers with Stop Hunger Now. We are sincerely grateful for your dedication and for sharing our vision of a world without hunger.. Once again this year, MUMC will take part in the Souper Bowl of Caring. This year s Super Bowl game will be Sunday, February 1. On that day, worshipers at the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday services will be given the opportunity to place their Souper Bowl of Caring offerings into two soup pots one representing the Seattle Seahawks and one representing the New England Patriots to cast their vote for their favorite team And we will later reveal who our winning team is based on our contributions. As is the requirement of Souper Bowl of Caring, our collection will be given to help address local community hunger needs. The concept of Souper Bowl of Caring began in 1990 with a simple prayer: "Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat" delivered by Brad Smith, then a seminary intern serving at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC. National participation levels in 2014 were: a total of $8,451, 338 in cash and food items collected by 7,644 participating groups with 6,523 charities helped. Let s do our part to make 2015 even more successful! MISSION PROJECT TRIP TO LUMBERTON, NC An informational meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 7 in the Fellowship Hall at 9AM concerning the Mission Project Trip to Lumberton, NC that is scheduled for April 12 to 17. Work projects will be carpentry jobs, painting, working in the company store and other jobs. All are invited, Ladies and Men. There is a signup sheet in Fellowship Hall. If any questions, call Bruce Motsinger, , or Linda Kidd at The Outreach Missions Committee will meet on Monday, February 9 at 6 p.m.

5 Church Council Meeting The Church Council will hold its first meeting of 2015 on Sunday February 15, at 7:00, in the fellowship hall. Lyn Bourne chairs the Church Council. Toni Graham is Secretary. Offering Response to Ebola Crisis in West Africa As was reported in worship in January, UMCOR (the United Methodist Committee on Relief) has shifted the focus of its work in West Africa. As the immediate crisis has peaked, UMCOR has moved away from emergency relief supplies to helping to mend the health care and educational systems of the nations most affected by the Ebola virus. Our offering continues through February. Please be generous. John de la Howe School Sunday We will observe March 29 as John de la Howe Sunday. The president of the school, Dr. Danny Webb, will preach at both services. Most of the students at John de la Howe School will be with us at the 11:00 service. Watch for more details as the date approaches. Altar Flowers Beautiful flowers often adorn our altar area. If you wish to place flowers sign up on the calendar found across the hall from the church office. What s Going On? What s going on at McCormick United Methodist Church? How about reports on recent programs and activities? Our Communications Team and Administrative Assistant Barbara Homen provide us with several convenient ways to keep up with the latest church news. One is our web site: mccormickumc.org. Another is the weekly Blast. (Not receiving it? Just call the church office at ) A printed calendar is now posted on a bulletin board across from the church office. And finally, as usual, we have bulletin announcements and oral announcements made before worship begins. Let s stay informed! We have a lot to do for the Lord and for the church and a lot to celebrate!

6 BIRTHDAYS-February FEB 2 FEB 9 FEB 16 FEB 23 FEBRUARY COUNTERS WENDY KVALE LOLA REK DOT BAGGETT BETTY SMITH FEBRUARY FLOWER CALENDAR 2/3 Curtis Baggett 2/3 Gail Gore 2/4 Ray Crace 2/7 Fred Harbold 2/9 Mary Ann Simon 2/11 Carol Waine 2/14 Jimmy Smith 2/17 Evelyn Morris 2/18 Faye Cotty 2/18 Aida Perez 2/23 Sally Culpepper 2/24 Lyn Bourne 2/26 Jerry Miller 2/28 Lyn Miller OPEN FEBRUARY USHERS - 8:30 SERVICE Richard & Wendy Kvale FEBRUARY USHERS 11:00 Service Feb 1 Bill Richert, Nancy Richert, Madeleine Toland, Beverly Western Feb 8 Byron Thompson, Mary Thompson Ron Garling, Shirley Garling Feb 15 Sam Krotzer, Bill Richert Ron Garling, Shirley Garling 2/12 Jim & Pat Sharpe 2/24 Don & Lola Rek 2/27 August & Sundee Luedecke Feb 22 Byron Thompson, Mary Thompson Ron Garling, Shirley Garling FEBRUARY LAY READERS 8:30 Tom Huber 11:00 August & Sundee Luedecke

7 News from McCormick United Methodist Women The Winter Dinner meeting of McCormick UMW was held on January 15 with 27 ladies in attendance. The theme was Showers of Blessings for Children. Members of the Dinner Committee were Madge Krotzer, Kay Potter, and Nancy Richert. Following a devotional by Sue Mitchell, a very informative presentation was made by Laurie Franklin, Executive Director of the McCormick Children s Home, Inc. As she spoke, one could easily see her passion for the work that is accomplished there for children who need emergency placement away from their home environments. At the conclusion of Laurie s presentation, Pastor Paul presented her a check in the amount of $1,200 from McCormick UMC these funds were the result of our congregation s contributions during the Christmas Season that were split between local and global children s charities. At the meeting, a thank-you note was read from Laurie to McCormick UMW for their recent $400 gift to the Children s Home from funds raised at the UMW 2014 Bazaar and Bake Sale. Another part of the blessings showered upon the Children s Home were three large ABC boxes filled with necessities donated by ladies of the church. Thanks to contacts made by Lindy Stahlman, another mission focus at this meeting was A PLACE FOR US Ministries, located in the Alcoves in Greenwood. Ladies of the church searched their closets for gently used purses/totes to give to this charity for their sale that ran from January 19 to January 31 in Greenwood. In response to Lindy s request, 115 purses were bagged up after the dinner meeting and were delivered by Lindy and Bev Western the next day. The efforts of Lindy and the UMW enables the A PLACE FOR US ministry to work to help the young women of the area who are facing difficult times due to pregnancy at an early age to find strength though Jesus and his teachings. During a brief business meeting, a financial report was made by Pat Sharpe, Treasurer, and all ladies were reminded of upcoming UMW meetings and events. Next UMW meeting will be a Spring Luncheon to be held on Saturday, April 25. The Committee for this meeting is Carol Bailey, Bet Dombrowski, Jerry Rohr, Lindy Stahlman, and Carol Struck. Guest speaker will be Rev. Becky Shirley, Pastor of Platt Springs UMC, West Columbia, SC; her presentation will be entitled Handbags, Purses & Totes: Carrying the Essential Contents For a Life of Discipleship. Ladies of the church are encouraged to save this date as this is a presentation you will not want to miss more details to follow later! Special thanks to Barb Shelley for the photos.

8 ETC. The Mary and Martha (M&M) ChristCare group would like to thank everyone who purchased gifts for the children at Epworth Children's Home, and got them ALL back to the church on time. Your Angel Tree gifts helped provide a Merry Christmas to 36 children at Epworth. We also want to thank our wonderful caring congregation for so generously providing for our McCormick Christmas Families project. Your gifts provided for toys, clothing and food for 10 McCormick children and their families, with money left over for other McCormick families as the need arises. We are also grateful for the Young at heart and Wesley Sunday School classes for your help with food for the families. The M&M's meet the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month at 2:00 in fellowship hall. If you would like to join us or learn more about us, feel free to contact Gail Gore at Education Committee The Education Committee is pleased to announce that the Lenten Study will start February 15th and finish Palm Sunday. There will be 7 classes, the book will be studied is called "The God We Can Know; Exploring the "I AM" Sayings of Jesus". It is written by Rob Fuquay, Rev. Fuquay is senior pastor of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. The class will start at 4:00pm lasting 1 hour. We will let you know the exact cost for the book. We will put a sign up outside the church office. We are also looking at another study to start in mid April and finish by the end of May. The book we will study will be Living Fully, Dying Well by Rev. Reuben Job. We are looking into starting a Disciple One Class in September. For you who do not know what Disciple One is, it is a 36 week course in which you will read 86% of the bible in this period of time. There is a workbook in which there is home work associated with the readings for the week. Each day of the week there is assigned reading and reflect on what you read. Then come to class and discuss and encounter the bible in a new and exciting way. We are thinking of a class Monday mornings at 7:00 or 7:30 and go for 2 hours. There is a break in the middle of our time together. We are aware that it's hard to commit to 36 weeks for perfect attendance and it is OK. If you might be interested in doing this study contact myself, Don Tummons at tumm11tfd@wctel.net. or the church office.

9 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 Lent Begins with Ash Wednesday. The Season of Lent always begins with Ash Wednesday. We will hold Ash Wednesday worship at 6:00 p.m. on February 18. During the service we will write some of our personal sins on pieces of paper. Then at the close of the service we will move to the atrium and burn them. The service will also include the traditional imposition with ashes. The Worship Committee and Pastor Paul and Rev. Kay Wood are planning a meaningful experience February 18.