DECEMBER 2019

CrossPointe
A PUBLICATION OF MONTICELLO UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Celebrating ADVENT and

CHRISTMAS at MUCC
Sundays, December 1, 8, 15,
22
11:00 Advent Sundays
with lighting of Advent
Candles

Sunday, December 15
11:00 a.m.
Christmas Cantata
“Star of Wonder”

5:00 p.m.
Luminaries
6:00 p.m.
Children’s Nativity
Followed by Christmas
Gathering for Children and
Young at Heart

Tuesday, December 24
11:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Candlelight
Service with Communion

VISIT US ONLINE monticelloucc.org FOLLOW US ON facebook

Page 2 ⚫ DECEMBER 2019 ⚫ MUCC News
While waiting in a Nazi prison
cell in 1943 a few weeks
before Advent, Dietrich
Bonhoeffer wrote a friend, "A
prison cell, in which one waits,
hopes, does various unessen-
tial things, and is completely
Pastor Greg Bouck dependent on the fact that the
door of freedom has to be
opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of
Advent."
Tragically Bonhoeffer would never again be free
in this world as he would be executed by the
Nazis just a couple of weeks before the end of
WWII. But he was absolutely right: the door of
freedom for him and for us is opened from the
outside by the coming and second coming of
Christ!
This Sunday we will gather together on the first
Sunday of Advent. Advent is the first Season of
the Church Year, the four Sundays before
Christmas when we expectantly wait and prepare
for the first and second coming of Christ. This
season offers us the opportunity to share with
Christians worldwide the anticipation of the
coming of the Christ-Child, the Messiah at
Bethlehem, and be alert for His Second Coming.
This Sunday we will light the candle of Hope. The
candle of Hope is lit to remind us of the cry of the
prophets who foretold of the coming of Christ.
The prophets that were bringing a message of
hope to a lost and weary world. But the candle is
also lit to remind us of the Hope we have in
Christ Jesus.
And because we have the promises of Jesus and
the hope that comes from following him, we
have an obligation to our Lord, to our family, to
our church family, and to our community. The
obligation is to put Christ first, others second,
and ourselves last. It’s to live a life that makes a
positive impact on the world! It’s to live a life that
honors God, His Church, and draws others to the
cross. It’s to live a life that offers Hope to those
who have lost all hope. It’s to live a life where
others see Jesus in us, because He lives in our
hearts.
Folks, the door of freedom has been opened to
you and me by God Himself. May we go through
the door on our knees with all praise, humility,
gratitude, and love for the One who opened it for
us, and may we show that same love to others.
Blessings,
Pastor Greg
 MUCC News DECEMBER 2019 ⚫ Page 3

Women’s Please contact someone on this committee if you

plan on going and let them know how many are

Fellowship going:
Cari Wilson
Lisa Brooks
Greetings!. Rose Miller
Our Monthly Missions for December: Hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving, and
Poinsettias...shut-ins as we approach the Christmas Season, may we
Christmas.....adoptions be reminded of the true meaning of Christ-
Our Christmas Party details: mas...Jesus Christ.
Date..........December 4, 2019 Our next meeting is January 8, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
Place.........Kimber's Restaurant in Lesson: “Honor the Life Giver” presented by
Gibsonville Susan Smith, at the
Time..........Eat at 6 o'clock home of Ann French-
Price.........Order from the menu Faucette, hostess.
Dessert.....Laura Smith and Rose Miller
God bless you,
Be at the church by 5 o'clock if you need a ride.
Becky Bishop,
President

Monticello Church is a 5 for 5 church!

The success and sustainability of the United
Church of Christ's national ministries is relying
on our church's contribution to basic operating
On December 22, Monticello UCC will be collecting for
support and mission. Being 5 for 5 means that
our 5th special offering of the year, the Christmas Fund
for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund. our church is a leader, providing support to Our
Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM) and the
Funds provide direct financial support to those who Special Mission Offerings: One Great Hour of
serve the church and are facing financial difficul- Sharing, Strengthen The Church, Neighbors In
ties. Active and retired clergy, lay employees, and their Need and The Christmas Fund.
surviving spouses may be eligible for the Supplementa-
tion of Small Annuities, Supplementation of Health Pre- OCWM funds are a part of our church’s
miums, Emergency Grants, and/or budget and are remitted quarterly by our treas-
Christmas “Thank You” Gift Checks. urer. MUCC is thankful that through this fund,
our local support helps effectively impact bigger
Monticello Church is proud to be a 5
communities than our own!
for 5 church in support of Our
Church’s Wider Mission of the UCC.
Look for offering envelopes in your
bulletins in December. (See box at
right for more about 5 for 5.)
Page 4 ⚫ DECEMBER 2019 ⚫ MUCC News

Gifts for Salvation Army

families are due by
December 1 and will be
delivered on December 2.
This year we are provid-
ing gifts for 15 children
and 5 senior adults.
There are Christmas stockings to fill as
well! Thanks to everyone for bringing
joy to special hearts this Christmas!

Sunday, December 1 is
the first Sunday in
Advent. We’ll light the
first Advent Candle -
the candle of Hope -
at and hear the word of the Lord as Pas-
Monticello United tor Greg begins his sermon series “Is
This For Here or To Go?”
Church of Christ
Our beautiful Chrismon tree will come
to life with new and old Chrismons and the brilliant glow
of many tiny lights representing the Light of
the World.

The altar will be filled with beautiful poinsettias from

A & A Plants, provided by Dot Lambeth and Women’s
Fellowship.
Sunday, December 15 our Christmas choir presents a
lovely cantata, “Star of Wonder,” a musical story of the
Magi’s quest for the newborn Christ.
Each year our regular church choir is joined by others
who come and share their love and gift of special music
at Christmastime. This gift of music is a special blessing to us all.
December 24 at 11:00 p.m. we will gather for a
Christmas Eve service with Communion and, as everyone Christmas Eve
leaves, each will carry a lighted candle—symbol of the Candlelight Service
light of Christ — out of the church and into the world at
the dawn of a new Christmas Day!
 MUCC News ⚫ DECEMBER 2019
OUTLET FUN
in
DECEMBER
OUTLET
WISH LIST
NOTE: Families with children
Volunteers who would who would like to participate,
be willing to provide
snacks for our Sunday
afternoon meetings!
Please contact Naomi
Woods if you’d like to
sign up to provide
snacks once a month,
or for single Sunday.
Email:
reachnaomiwoods@gmail.com
Cell:
336-587-7890.
⚫ Page 5
OUTLET MEETS
Sundays,
December 1 and 8 from
3:00 —4:15 p.m.
at the church.
Sunday, December 15
6:00 p.m.
CHILDREN’S NATIVITY
SERVICE
Following the service, all
are invited to the
Fellowship Hall for a
Christmas Party!
please arrive at 5:30 for
costumes!
Note: NO Outlet on
December 15, 22 or 29.
Outlet will
resume Sunday,
January 5 at 3:00 p.m.
Page 6 ⚫ DECEMBER 2019 ⚫ MUCC News

CARING
IN
NOVEMBER

. . . In
1000
Words Thanksgiving
Dinner Giveaway
for 100 families
November 22-23

Gifts for Salvation

Army Angel Tree
and
49 Samaritan’s
Purse Christmas
Shoeboxes

Singing with residents

at Guilford House
Sunday,
November 10
 MUCC News ⚫ DECEMBER 2019 ⚫ Page 7

WORSHIP
SUNDAYS
10:00 a. m. : Life Group - Fellowship Hall
The Adult Life Group Class meets to enjoy Bible Study & lively discussions on topics affecting Christians
today. Coffee, fellowship & childcare too!
11:00 a.m.: Worship
Pastor Greg begins his new series “Is This For Here Or To Go?” Come hear God’s word as we
prepare for and celebrate the birth of Christ. We look forward to welcoming you!

FELLOWSHIP
ADVENT SUNDAYS
December 1, 8, 15 & 22 11:00 a.m.
THE OUTLET
Sundays, December 1 & 8 3—4:15 pm
NO Outlet December 15, 22 & 29. Outlet
resumes January 5.
CHOIR PRACTICE Tuesday 12/3 then
Thursdays 12/12, 12/19, 12/26
CANTATA 6:30 p.m. (through 12/11)
REGULAR CHOIR follows @ 7:30 p.m.
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP
CHRISTMAS GATHERING
Wednesday, December 4
Kimbers in Gibsonville 6:00 p.m.
SING AT BLUMENTHAL HOME
Sunday, December 8 3:30 p.m.
LOVING STITCHERS
Wednesdays, December 11 & 18 2:00 p.m.

CHRISTMAS CANTATA
Sunday, December 15 11:00 a.m.
CHILDREN’S NATIVITY PROGRAM
Sunday, December 15 6:00 p.m.
Christmas Party following program. COMING IN JANUARY:
CHURCH COUNCIL January 12: 5th Sunday Sing at Jackson UMC
Wednesday, December 18 7:00 p.m. January 15: Church Council
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE January 26: Quarterly Church Council
Page 8 ⚫ DECEMBER 2019 ⚫ MUCC News

FOOD DRIVE: DECEMBER The Cantata will be

performed on Sunday,
Food Collection for
GREENSBORO
URBAN MINISTRY:
December 15th at
11 a.m. The title is
CANNED SOUPS “Star of Won-
der”. We
welcome our
Food Collection for “guest” vocalists
OUT OF THE GARDEN who always make
BACKPACK PROGRAM: School our “Christmas Choir” extra special!
Food
SOUPS Backpack
(CANNED OR BOXED) 5th Sunday Sing will be held at Jackson
UMC on January 12th at 6 pm.

- Lavinia Combs, Choir Director

Baskets in table in narthex for your donations.
Thank you!

VOLUNTEERS IN SERVICE & MINISTRY: DECEMBER

USHERS LAY OFFERING FLOWERS
READERS COUNTERS

Ethan Wilson December 1 December 2 December 1

Clyda Johnson Lewis Smith Advent/Poinsettias
Stacey Wilson December 8 December 9 December 8
Dot Lambeth Dick Faucette Advent/Poinsettias
December 15 December 16 December 15
CLEANING Cari Wilson Carol Rudd Advent/Poinsettias
Gayle Hughes December 22 December 23 December 22
Rose Miller Whitfield Faucette Advent/Poinsettias
December 29 December 30 December 29
Gayle Faucette Lisa Brooks Dot Lambeth

. . . Vivian Spencer is
recovering at Penn
Nursing Center in
Reidsville after breaking
her hip. The address is
618-A S. Main Street, Reidsville, NC 27320.
Congratulations to
. . . Shane Miller who graduated from basic
training in Air National Guard. He will serve in
Eden, N.C.
THANK YOU to
. . . Everyone who joined in the singing at Guilford
House on November 10. Lavinia Combs played the
piano as MUCC members, children and friends
sang favorite hymns and Christmas carols with resi-
dents. The joy of joining voices with new friends
and old to the glory of God was again a blessing for
all!
… Everyone who participated in our Thanksgiv-
ing Turkey Dinner giveaway last month. Dona-
tions from our congregation fully covered the
cost of the dinner menu each famly received:
turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green
beans, cranberry sauce and apple pie. Thank
you to Food Lion on Freeway Drive in
On Sunday, November 24, Monticello UCC Outlet kids,
families and friends attended the Community Theatre of
Greensboro’s afternoon production of “The Wizard of Oz”
at the Carolina Theater. Thank you to The Outlet for
sponsoring tickets for all the kids, & to Naomi Woods who
made all arrangements: got the tickets at discount prices
and arranged for us to sit together as a group. We were
excited to hear Naomi play 1st violin in the production!
MUCC News ⚫ DECEMBER 2019⚫ Page 9
Reidsville, to everyone who came out to pack
the bags and to distribute them on Saturday, No-
vember 22. Those who received the meals were
most appreciative; all who participated were
blessed!
… Naomi Woods and the Outlet for arranging
for our Outlet kids and families and friends to
again enjoy a presentation of the Community
Theater of Greensboro’s Wizard of Oz last
month. The group seating provided excellent
views of this exciting and fun production!
… Pastor Greg and Nancy
who hosted the monthly Bible
Study “Slaying the Giants” in
November. Sixteen people
gathered and enjoyed delicious
snacks, an awesome video
presentation, and interesting
discussion and sharing.
. . .Clyda and David Johnson, Sharon Hall,
and Lavinia Combs for hosting the November
Chili Bean Munch! Thanks to everyone for your
support as well! The money raised will support
the Community Outreach Center.
Page 10 ⚫ DECEMBER 2019 ⚫ MUCC News

1 - Hunter Smothers 12 - Brooke Johnson

5 - Chuck Smith 17 - Otis Green
6 - Gayle Faucette 20 - Jace Trammell
7 - Jean Rowland 28 - Mark Johnson
8 - Roger Brooks 30 - Adam Johnson
8 - Carol Rudd 31 - Claire Byrd

Please keep us informed about

birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
There are notebooks on the
3 - Sheryl & Lonnie Hubbard front pew for you to enter new
4 - Dick & Gayle Faucette or updated information. Or e-
21 - Jay & Carol Rudd mail updates to
27 - David & Clyda Johnson hfaucette2 @triad.rr.com.
Thank you!

PRAYER LIST
Unspoken Requests Donna Chappell Gail Smith
Jimmy Dixon Jordon Rhodes Rachel Troxler
Kay Gunn Janet Faucette Wilard Peeples
Mary Hunter Faye Stephenson
Jennifer Earle Ruth Smith Thornburg Remember also those overseas and/
Sue Lambeth First Responders or serving our country:
Peggy Pickeral Jeremy Byrd
June Shumate Our homebound/care center mem- Gabriel Chrismon
Dennis Conner bers and friends: Dwayne Winder
Eli Dilty Shirley Linville Cindy Dieterly
Jay Rudd Otis Green Shane Miller
Jimmy Sloan Vivian Spencer And others

Please submit news, photos and other in-

formation for the CrossPointe Newslet-
ter to Gayle Faucette at
hfaucette2@triad.rr.com or place in
church mailbox. Your suggestions for
improvements are invited & welcome!
 MUCC News ⚫ DECEMBER 2019 ⚫ Page 11

Where did the child Jesus

and his parents flee for safe-
ty?

A. Ethiopia
B. Syria
C. Rome
D. Egypt

Answer: D (See Matthew 2:13.)

 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.

PASTOR’S OFFICE HOURS: PRAYER CONCERNS AND

Monticello United Church of ANNOUNCEMENT E-MAIL CHAIN:
Christ
P. O. Box 496
Pastor Greg Bouck is available 24/7 for
5001 East NC 150 appointments, visits, emergencies, etc. More and more Monticello
Brown Summit, NC 27214 and can be reached at 336-209-3024. UCC families are signing up
Phone: 336-656-3400 Office Hours: to receive updated Prayer
Email: Tuesday & Thursday:
uccmonticello@gmail.com
Concerns and Announcement by
Website: monticelloucc.org 9:30 a.m. until Noon e-mails. If you are interested,
Facebook: Monticello United And Wednesday please e-mail
Church of Christ monticelloprayer@gmail.com
4:00 p.m.—6:00 p.m.
STAFF / OFFICERS
___________________
Please contact Laura Smith to place
Greg Bouck announcements in the bulletin.
Pastor CENTENNIAL AFGHAN FOR
Lavinia Combs MONTICELLO UNITED CHURCH
Pianist, Organist,
Choir Director OF CHRIST 1909—2009
WORSHIP are available for $50.00
Church Council Officers
Dick Faucette HOURS: Please see Laura Smith
President
Hunter Smothers,
Vice President Sunday School

COOKBOOKS
Diaconate Chairpersons 10:00 a.m. are $15 and are available
Bill Hughes, Deacon
Barbara Trammell, from Patsy Smith or Gayle Hughes
Deaconess Worship Checks should be written to
Gayle Faucette
CrossPointe News
11:00 a.m. Monticello Women’s Fellowship.
Team Leader

Monticello United Church

Of Christ
PO Box 496
5001 East NC 150
Browns Summit, NC
27214