march, 2017 the crosspointe · more committed walk with the lord. may he do wonders in our lives...

The CrossPointe Monticello UCC News

Monticello United Church of Christ • Browns Summit, NC March, 2017 Monticelloucc.org

Inside this issue:

Pastor Greg’s Lenten Message . . . Page 2 Blanket Sunday: Love in Action . . . Page 4 A Successful Ham Supper . . . Page 6 Happening in March . . . Page 7 And Much More!

MARCH 2017 MUCC News

Evangelical repentance is repentance of sin as sin: not of this sin nor of that, but of the whole mass. We repent of the sin of our nature as well as the sin of our practice. We bemoan sin within us

and without us. We repent of sin itself as being an insult to God. Anything short of this is a mere surface repentance, and not a repentance which reaches to the bottom of the mischief. Repentance of the evil act, and not of the evil heart, is like men pumping water out of a leaky vessel, but forgetting to stop the leak. Some would dam up the stream, but leave the fountain still flowing; they would remove the eruption from the skin, but leave the disease in the flesh. --Charles Haddon Spurgeon

These words spoken by the famous pastor speak to the heart of the Lenten Season. To do anything less or to take a more shallow view of

repentance could be construed as a type of ‘works’ on our behalf. I must do or remove ‘X, Y, and Z to find favor with God.

So what is the proper response, especially

during season of repentance, how do we properly worship and confront the sin in our lives? Well, its imperative that we are mindful of a couple of things as we enter into this time of self-reflection and repentance. It is of paramount importance that we remember that Christ not only died so that our sins may be forgiven, but he also died to free us from the power of sin! We have within us the Holy Spirit that gives us the strength and power to say ‘no’ to sin and ‘yes’ to God! ‘Yes’ to what is right, fruitful, healthy and good! With that in mind, let us approach this season of Lent recommitting fully to following Christ. May we as Paul wrote, “offer ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Rom. 12:1). This is ‘truly the way to worship him.’ I look forward to all of us having a stronger and more committed walk with the Lord. May He do wonders in our lives during this Lenten Season.

Blessings, Pastor Greg

Lent is the fourth season of the Christian year. Its length is the 40 days preceding Easter Day, not counting Sundays. This means Lent always begins on a Wednesday, known as Ash Wednesday. On this day, in many churches, worshipers receive ashes on the forehead as a reminder of their sorrow for their sins. The ashes are often made by burning palm branches left over from the previous year’s Palm Sunday. Ash Wednesday is March 1 this year.

On Ash Wednesday, Christians are pained because our sins — private and public — led to Jesus’ death. With repentant hearts, we begin the season of Lent, knowing it leads to resurrection on Easter Sunday, that proclaims that, through Christ, God resurrects us from our dust and ashes, makes us new creatures and brings life out of death!

Please join us for Ash Wednesday services on Wednesday evening, March 1 at 7:00 p.m. in the Monticello UCC sanctuary.

MUCC News MARCH 2017

Our Annual Ham Supper was a success again this year.

Thanks to everyone for their support! A special thanks to the

men of our church who took on the task of dishwashing; it

sure did help us out. The monies raised in this fundraiser

play a large part in supporting our annual missions giving.

In March we will be joining Browns Summit Methodist Church

Women’s Fellowship in celebrating World Day of Prayer on

Wednesday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m.

In March our caring and sharing project is collecting of food

for the hungry. In April and May will have our donation drive

for toiletries and eyeglasses.

On Wednesday, April 5 at 7 p.m. we will be back on track in our program

materials “Who is Jesus?” Patsy Smith will be leading us in “Who is Jesus Ac-

cording to the Non-Canonical Gospels”. Carol Rudd will be our hostess.

Our next big project will be a yard sale sometime in the spring—watch for

more news.

Come join us!

Laura Smith,

President

World Day of Prayer

is a worldwide

ecumenical movement

of Christian women of

many faith traditions,

who come together to

observe a common

day of prayer each year in March.

World Day of Prayer was founded on

the idea that prayer and action are

inseparable in the service of God’s

Kingdom.

Each year a different country serves

as the writer of the service. This

year the Christian Women of the

Philippines developed the theme,

“Am I Being Unfair?”. They invite us

into a time of worship based on the

Scripture of Jesus’ parable of the la-

borers in the vineyard. This scripture

calls attention to what is fair in life,

calling everyone into that great ex-

ample of humility, compassion and

commitment.

Women’s Fellowship of Brown

Summit Methodist Church is hosting

our community service this year on

the evening of March 8 at 7:00 p.m.


We gave generously to Church World

Service Blankets + program on Sunday,

February 19. With our caring and

generosity, we were able to collect $728.00

to make this ministry of hope a reality for

people in need the world over. Our Blanket

offering was record giving to Blanket

Sunday here at Monticello!

A Special thanks to some of the Project Outlet kids who

participated in the service and puppet skit. Thank you:

Adam, Branson, Bryson, Karrington, Nylan and Rylan.

Again, thanks to everyone for caring and giving in

transforming lives.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1.

By Patsy Smith


Monticello Church’s Annual Ham Supper was

held on Saturday, February 18. As always, support

from MUCC members was outstanding! Cooking,

setting up, serving, cleaning up….participation was

amazing! Special thanks to the men of the church

who did an excellent job with dishwashing duties. Special thanks to Faucette Farms for donating the

delicious ham! With an excellent turnout and the generosity of so many, the Ham Supper was not only a

wonderful time of fun and fellowship but it also raised

$1740.00 that will help with mission efforts of our

Women’s Fellowship!


Saturday, March 18 8—9 a.m.

Golden Corral in Reidsville Dale Banton: guest speaker.

the church uniting to respond to the many critical needs present in our world today. This sup-port is given through partner organizations responding to health, education and agricultural development needs, refugee initiative and both international and domestic disaster response.

When God’s love abides in us, we are moved to respond with our own material goods to the needs of other members of God’s family. Monticello Church will be collecting OGHS offerings during worship ser-vices on Sunday March 26. Thank you for your support of this important worldwide minis-try. Every gift allows us to say, “You are here.”

One Great Hour of Shar-ing (OGHS) is part of the United Church of Christ’s national

ministries and one of the “5 for 5” special offerings of the UCC that Monticello Church supports each year. (Nearly 75% of UCC congregations participate annually.) OGHS enables the United Church of Christ to reach people and communities affected by disaster, displacement or poverty. Through One Great Hour of Sharing, assistance is provided families and communities around the world, helping them to become stronger, healthier and better equipped to address hardships and catastrophes.

The 2017 theme for the offering is “You are here” which could easily be the response to a question provided by tragedy, fear or suffering: “Where are you, God?” Psalm 145:18 echoes the refrain through scripture that God is nearby. You are here shows

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING - MARCH 26, 2017

Thursday nights March 9 & 23 6 –7:15 p.m.

Also in


Sundays in MARCH 10:00 a.m. This month the Adult Life Group Class continues its new study, discussing ways to grow our faith using Andy Stanley’s group study video series “Five Things God Uses to Grow Your Faith”. Come, grab a cup of coffee, & join us!

C O

M M

U N

I T Y

F E L L O W S H I P

Wednesday, March 1 Ash Wednesday Services 7:00 p.m. MUCC

Wednesday, March 8 Women’s Fellowship celebrates World Day of Prayer at Brown Summit UMC 7 p.m.

Choir Practice Tuesday nights - 7:30 p.m.

“THE OUTLET” - Children & Youth Program Thursday nights, March 9 & 23 6—7:15 p.m.

Saturday, March 18 8—9 a.m. Men’s Breakfast Golden Coral, Reidsville

Church Council Wednesday, March 22 7 p.m. One Great Hour of Sharing Offering Sunday, March 26 1 1 a.m. worship services

Daylight Savings Time Begins Sunday, March 12 Set your clocks AHEAD ONE hour FIRST DAY OF SPRING Sunday, March 20

Sundays in MARCH 11:00 a.m. Join us each Sunday for worship services with Pastor Greg Bouck. His March sermon series leading up to Easter will be “Walking in the Shadow of the Cross”. The season of Lent begins on Wednesday, March 1. Join us at 7 p.m. for our Ashe Wednesday services. Childcare is provided.

W O R S H I P

Walking in the

Shadow of the

Cross . . .

Spring Cleaning

Sweep over me, Lord

And brush out my

sin!

Replace it with faith,

And live here within.

Amen.

—Peggy Ferrell, from

Prayers and Poems

Coming in April . . .

Easter is a special time for baptisms, dedica-tions, etc. If you or someone you know would like to be baptized/dedicated on Easter Sunday, please see Pastor Greg. Sunday, April 16


“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.” (Psalm 100:1, KJV) It is a perfect time to join the Monticello UCC Choir! We are learning new music for the Easter season!

We delight in singing praises to the Lord and know you too will find joy in the singing, fellowship and fun times we share.

Please come add to our “joyful noise”! Lavinia Combs, Choir Director

VOLUNTEERS IN SERVICE & MINISTRY: MARCH

USHERS

Whitfield

Faucette

Tyler

Faucette

Cleaning

Laura

Smith

LAY

READERS:

March 5:

Barbara Trammell

March 12:

Lewis Smith

March 19:

Jerry Smothers

March 26:

Jamie Smothers

OFFERING

COUNTERS:

March 5:

Lewis Smith

March 12:

Dick Faucette

March 19:

Jerry Smith

March 26:

Whitfield Faucette

FLOWERS:

March 1:

Ash Wednesday—

Communion

March 5:

Clyda Johnson

March 12:

Becky Dixon

March 19:

Jerry & Ann

Faucette

March 26:

Shelby Alderman

Baskets in narthex for your donations. Thank you!

OATMEAL OATMEAL

School Food

Backpack Program

MUCC OUTREACH FOOD MINISTRIES


Good News: Celebrate and Give Thanks! Ethan Wilson continues to recover well from injuries and surgery following a serious car accident in January! He is down to the use of one crutch and now moves quickly from place to place. His dad Stacey has received another report that he remains cancer free following treatment for leukemia last year.

Give me a Sign! Monticello Church now has a beautiful new sign on the front lawn! It is large and lighted and provides very visi-ble space to invite the community to church activities. Special thanks to M & M Lawncare for planting the lovely flowers! Pastor Greg is

updating the sign with news of upcoming events!

Congratulations to Hunter Brooks and his Raleigh Sidewinders Wheelchair Rugby team for making the playoffs!

Best of luck as you face that formidable Atlanta team! In February Monticello Church shared the love through Souper Bowl of Caring, food collections (203 pounds to Urban Ministry), Blanket Sunday donations, Ham Supper earnings to support missions! Thanks to all!

Our Banners

The new banners in our sanctuary have added beau-

ty, color and symbolism to our worship space.

The banner featured this month features the

Descending Dove. The descending dove is a symbol

of the Holy Spirit. “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he

…. saw the Spirit

of God descending

like a

dove” (Matthew

3:16, NIV). The

three-rayed nim-

bus around the

dove’s head identi-

fies the Spirit as a member of the Trinity. A

dove shown without the nimbus is a

symbol of peace.

PRAYER LIST

Unspoken Requests

Otis Green

Mark Parker

Bobby Chappell

Wayne Allen

Bobby Pleasants

Kathryn Remmey (Gayle F’s Mother)

Richard Dickerson (Clyda’s Father)

Stacey Wilson

Jerry Faucette

Judy Chaney

Betty Turner

Jordon Rhodes

Marie McClanahan

Jessie Ann Milsap

Hunter Brooks

Sonny Williams

Freddy Hunter

Sheryl Hubbard

Shirley Smith

Dennis Linville

Pam Efird

Jeff Duffy

Faye Stephenson

Janet Faucette

Shelby Moore

Law Enforcement Officers

Our homebound/care center members & friends: Shirley & Dennis Linville

JoAnn & Otis Green

Sarah Dixon

Jake Trammell

Vivian Spencer

Gail Smith

Rachel Troxler

Wilard Peeples

Fred Carpenter

Remember also those overseas &/or serving our country:

Jeremy Byrd

Zack Chrismon

Gabriel Chrismon

Dwayne Winder

Cindy Dieterly ….. And others

MARCH

Please submit news, photos and other

information for the CrossPointe

Newsletter to Gayle Faucette at

[email protected] or place in

church mailbox.

Please keep us informed about

birthdays, anniversaries, etc.

There are notebooks on the

front pew for you to enter

new or updated information.

Thank you!

1 - Marcus Faucette 3 - Greg Bouck 6 - Angela Johnson 7 - Janet Faucette 11 - Erin Trammell 19 - Clyda Johnson

23 - Gary Smith 27 - David Johnson 28 - Lisa Brooks 28 - Jo Ann Green 30 - Lelia Faucette

11— Greg and Nancy Bouck


In John 4, Jesus talks with a woman about living water. Where does that conversation take place? A. Sychar B. Samaria C. Galilee

D. Jacob’s well

Answer: A, B and D (See John 4:4-7ff.)

BIBLE QUIZ

In our Monticello Church family, we seek to serve God as we

serve the needs of others in our community and our world.

We seek to share God’s Word and purpose in the world

pointing to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Visit us and

discover boundless opportunities for personal

and spiritual growth.

Monticello United Church

Of Christ

PO Box 496

5001 East NC 150 Browns Summit,

NC 27214

CENTENNIAL AFGHAN FOR MONTICELLO UNITED CHURCH

OF CHRIST 1909—2009

are available for $50.00

Please see Laura Smith

COOKBOOKS

are $15 and are available

from Patsy Smith or Gayle Hughes Checks should be written to

Monticello Women’s Fellowship.

WORSHIP

HOURS:

Sunday School

10:00 a.m.

Worship

11:00 a.m.

PRAYER CONCERNS AND

ANNOUNCEMENT E-MAIL CHAIN:

More and more Monticello UCC families are signing up to receive updated Prayer

Concerns and Announcement by e-mails. If you are interested,

please e-mail [email protected]

Monticello United Church of

Christ

PO Box 496

5001 East NC 150

Brown Summit, NC 27214

Phone: 336-656-3400

Email:

[email protected]

Website:

monticelloucc.org

PASTOR’S OFFICE HOURS:

Pastor Greg Bouck is available 24/7 for appointments, visits, emergencies, etc.

and can be reached at 336-209-3024.

Office Hours:

Tuesday & Thursday:

9:30 a.m. until Noon

And Wednesday

6:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.

Please contact Laura Smith to place

announcements in the bulletin.

STAFF / OFFICERS ___________________

Greg Bouck

Pastor

Lavinia Combs

Pianist, Organist,

Choir Director

Church Council Officers

Gary Smith,

President

Dick Faucette,

Vice President

Diaconate Chairpersons

Marvin Johnson, Deacon

Lisa Brooks, Deaconess

Gayle Faucette

CrossPointe News

Team Leader

march, 2017 the crosspointe · more committed walk with the lord. may he do wonders in our lives...

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