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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!
Page 2 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 Page 3
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.
Page 4 MARCH 2017 MUCC News
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
MUCC News MARCH 2017 Page 5
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!
Page 6 MARCH 2017 MUCC News
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
MUCC News MARCH 2017 Page 7
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
Page 8 MARCH 2017 MUCC News
“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
MUCC News MARCH 2017 Page 9
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
Page 10 MARCH
Please submit news, photos and other
information for the CrossPointe
Newsletter to Gayle Faucette at
hfaucette2@triad.rr.com 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
MUCC News MARCH 2017 Page 11
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 monticelloprayer@gmail.com
Monticello United Church of
Christ
PO Box 496
5001 East NC 150
Brown Summit, NC 27214
Phone: 336-656-3400
Email:
uccmonticello@gmail.com
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
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