DECEMBER 2018

CrossPoint
A PUBLICATION OF MONTICELLO UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Celebrating Advent & Christmas at Monticello United Church of Christ

Sundays, December 2, 9, 16, 23 5:00 p.m.

11:00 Advent Sundays
with lighting of Advent Candles
Sunday, December 16
11:00 a.m.
Christmas Cantata
“Come Let Us Adore Him”
Children’s Nativity
Followed by Christmas Gathering for
Children and Young at Heart
Monday, December 24
11:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with
Communion

VISIT US ONLINE monticelloucc.org FOLLOW US ON facebook

Page 2 ⚫ DECEMBER 2018 ⚫ MUCC News
Let me take many of you
back a few years when
most of us had more hair,
less wrinkles, and were a
few pounds lighter, and our
bodies didn’t hurt or make
weird noises when we stood
up. Do you remember the
Sears Christmas Catalogue?
Oh my goodness! When this
treasure found its way to my
house I would hear trumpets
playing and angels singing.
My brother and sisters and I
Pastor Greg Bouck
would completely lose our
minds as we tore into this gift from Heaven. We’d
imagine having all these toys and we’d circle,
mark, dog-ear all our favorites. Then we would
leave the magazine opened to our favorite toys in
a place in the house where we knew mom and
dad would have to see it. Furthermore, we
dropped not so subtle hints not only to our
parents, but grandparents, aunts, uncles, the
crazy uncle that no one talks about, and even a
perfect stranger if we thought we could land that
prized toy!
That’s the way I remember Christmas as a kid.
And as December began so did the clock
watching and sleepless nights as we anticipated
Christmas Day’s arrival. And Christmas Eve,
forget about it! We’d try to go to sleep around 7
or 8 at night thinking if we can just get to sleep
Christmas will get here quicker. It never worked.
My brother and sisters and I would just toss and
turn and imagine what awaited us in the morning
and then fall asleep around 1 or 2 in the morning.
I now look back at this time in my life of waiting
on the arrival of Christmas with a broad smile
and many happy memories. When it comes up in
conversation it always leads to many great
stories and a lot of laughs.
No how wonderful would it be if we all had that
same zeal and enthusiasm for the Advent
Season, the Season that we celebrate the Arrival
of Jesus? How wonderful and beautiful would it
be if we had the same sense of wonder that the
Shepherds did to “go and tell?” Or if we came
bearing gifts for a King, Priest, and Savior as the
Wise Men did? Well folks, we can and we
should. Remember this and take it to heart. God
clothed Himself in flesh to walk, live, teach,
minister, and give His life for us all in the fullness
of time. Why? Because He loves you and me.
And had you been the only one on earth living at
the time, He still would have come. So let’s keep
this in mind as we come into the Advent Season.
Instead of focusing on the gifts we’ll receive this
year, let us focus on being a gift to the Lord and
to others by striving to live a life holy and
pleasing to Him.
Blessings to all during this
Advent Season,
Pastor Greg

WORSHIP TEAM NEWS

Pastor Tyler and Naomi are hoping to expand the worship
team. Any vocalists, instrumentalists, or those interested in
assisting with production (sound and powerpoint) are invited to
join us for worship practice on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. beginning
January 8th, 2019.
 MUCC News DECEMBER 2018
Women’s
Fellowship
Through the many storms of life is the promise of
a rainbow at the end.
Our Monthy Missions for December:
Poinsettias...shut-ins
Christmas.....adoptions
Our Christmas Party details:
Date..........December 12, 2018
Place.........Kimber's Restaurant in
Gibsonville
Time..........Eat at 6 o'clock
Price.........Order from the menu
Dessert.....Peggy Hopkins, June Kemp and
Ann Puckett
Be at the church by 5 o'clock if you need a ride.
On December 23, Monticello UCC will be collecting for
our 5th special offering of the year, the Christmas Fund
for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund.
This Fund helps provide pension and health premium
supplementation to low-income retired church workers,
emergency assistance to clergy families in need, and
Christmas checks to hundreds of annuitants, as adminis-
tered by the UCC Pension Board.
Monticello Church is proud to be a 5
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 3
Please contact someone on this committee if you
plan on going and how many:
Barbara Dean
Becky Dixon
Peggy Hopkins
I would like to take this opportunity and say
"Thank You" to my church family, friends and rela-
tives that shared the love and joy with me on my
90th Birthday.
Hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving, and
as we approach the Christmas Season, may we
be reminded of the true meaning of Christ-
mas...Jesus Christ.
Our next meeting is January 2, 2019. Lesson:
"When We Seek God" presented by Ernestine
Chrismon and hosted by Becky Bishop in her
home at 7pm.
God bless you,
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
support and mission. Being 5 for 5 means that
our church is a leader, providing support to Our
Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM) and the
Special Mission Offerings: One Great Hour of
Sharing, Strengthen The Church, Neighbors In
Need and The Christmas Fund.
OCWM funds are a part of our church’s
budget and are remitted quarterly by our treas-
urer. MUCC is thankful that through this fund,
our local support helps effectively impact bigger
communities than our own!
Page 4 ⚫ DECEMBER 2018 ⚫ MUCC News
A Monticello United Gifts for Salvation
Church Army families are due
Of Christ by December 2 and
To YOU! will be delivered on
December 3. This
year we are providing gifts for 12
children, ages 8 months to 12
years (5 families). Thanks to
everyone for bringing joy to special
children’s hearts this Christmas!

Sunday, December 2 is the

first Sunday in Advent. We’ll
light the first Advent Candle
and hear the word of the
Lord as Pastor Greg begins
his sermon series “Anchored.” Join
us as our beautiful Chrismon tree
comes to life with new and old
Chrismons and the brilliant glow of
many tiny lights representing the
Light of the World.

Sunday, December 16 the Monday, December

Christmas choir presents a 24, please join us at
lovely cantata, 11:00 p.m. for our
“Come Let Us annual Christmas
Adore Him.” Eve Candlelight
Each year our service. This year, Nancy Bouck’s
regular church daughter Annie Dunn will share
choir is joined by her amazing voice in songs of the
others who come season. Annie is a singer/
and share their love and gift songwriter, who is visiting from
of special music at Christmas- Phoenix, Arizona.
time. This gift of music is a We will have communion and
special blessing to us all. then leave the church with our
lighted candles to announce the
birth of our precious savior, Jesus
Christ!
 MUCC News ⚫ DECEMBER 2018 ⚫ Page 5

OUTLET FUN IN
DECEMBER

Sundays,
December 2 and 9
from 3—4:15 p.m. at
the church.

Note: NO Outlet on
December 16,23 or
30. Outlet will
resume Sunday,
January 6 at 3:00.

OUTLET WISH LIST

candy, or small toys to be given as
Sunday, December 16
6:00 p.m.
CHILDREN’S NATIVITY
SERVICE
Following the service, all
families are invited to the
Fellowship Hall for
refreshments and
FUN with SANTA!
(We’ve Been Good !)
* Bags of individually wrapped
prizes
* construction paper
* popsicle sticks
* kid-friendly scissors
* individual hole punch
& pipe cleaners
* glue sticks * liquid glue
* large poster board (in various
colors)
* washable poster size markers
* plastic organization bins
* Kickball or soccer ball
* t-ball & bat
* Hula hoops, Frisbee
* Bibles for kids who don’t have
one at home: NIV for older kids
or The Jesus Storybook Bible
by Sally Lloyd Jones for
younger kids
Page 6 ⚫ DECEMBER 2018 ⚫ MUCC News

Sixty years ago the first
Chrismon tree was decorated
with crosses and simple mono-
grams using the Greek letters
for Jesus and Christ. The larg-
est evergreen was an imposing
presence in the sanctuary of As-
cension Lutheran Church, Dan-
ville, Virginia. The original orna-
ments developed by a church
member, Frances Kipps Spen-
cer were carved from Styrofoam
and decorated with beads. To-
day Christian churches of all de-
nominations around the world
display a tree laden with white
and gold ornaments during Ad-
vent and Christmas.
It is tradition that the orna-
ments cannot be bought or sold;
there, all are lovingly hand-
made. My friend Dot Lambeth
has been making ornaments for
at least 25 years. She and her
friend, Becky Bishop, enrolled in
a class through GTCC, taught
by Betty Betts who developed
her own ornaments using wire to
weave pearls and gold beads
into intricate shapes represent-
ing biblical passages and sym-
bols.
“Becky and I take the Spring
classes; Betty also teaches in
the Fall. I like to make more
than one of each design and
give them to my children and
grandchildren for Christmas. I
work on more than one pattern
at a time; it takes around 10
hours to make one.”
Many evenings and week-
ends Dot is ensconced in front
of the TV in her den watching
ball games and golf. She al-
ways has a work in progress.
Beside her is a tray of beasding
supplies her great-
granddaughter, Emma, calls
“DeeDee’s mess.” This is where
she creates her masterpieces,
such as the three-sided star that
will soon take its place at the
tree…
This is an excerpt from an
article by Nancy Jo Smith that
appeared in the December issue
of the SE Gazette and is reprint-
ed here by permission of Ms.
Smith and Dot Lambeth.

On November 3, Women’s Fellowship provided a luncheon

for the officers from the 3 associations, CWSC expanded
Board—Leadership Training. Becky Bishop, MUCC
Women’s Fellowship President and CWSC
Board member, also assisted in the training.

Thank you to Lisa Brooks for these great

pictures.
 MUCC News ⚫ DECEMBER 2018 ⚫ 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 “Anchored.” Come, hear God’s word as we prepare for and celebrate
the birth of Christ. We look forward to welcoming you!

FELLOWSHIP COMMUNITY
ADVENT SUNDAYS
December 2, 9, 16 & 23 11:00 a.m. CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
Monday, December 24 11:00 p.m.
THE OUTLET
Sundays, December 2 & 9 3—4:15 pm Friendship UMC
NO Outlet December 16, 23 & 31.
Outlet resumes January 6.
CHOIR PRACTICE Tuesdays
CANTATA 6:30 p.m. (through 12/11)
REGULAR CHOIR follows @ 7:30 p.m.
MEN”S CHOIR 6:30 p.m. 12/27, 1/3
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP
CHRISTMAS GATHERING
Wednesday, December 12
Kimbers in Gibsonville 6:00 p.m.
CHRISTMAS CANTATA
Sunday, December 16 11:00 a.m.
CHILDREN’S NATIVITY PROGRAM
Sunday, December 16 6:00 p.m.
Christmas Party following program.
CHURCH COUNCIL
Wednesday, December 19 7:00 p.m.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
Monday, December 24 11:00 p.m.
MEN’S BREAKFAST COMING IN JANUARY:
Saturday, December 29 8:00 a.m. January 3 : Men’s Choir Practice
Golden Coral, Reidsville
David Henderson, speaker January 6: 5th Sunday Sing at MUCC
January 20: Quarterly Church Conference
NO SATURDAY CHURCH this month.
Page 8 ⚫ DECEMBER 2018 ⚫ MUCC News

FOOD DRIVE: DECEMBER The Cantata will be

performed on Sunday,
Food Collection for December 16th at 11
GREENSBORO a.m. The title is "Come
URBAN MINISTRY: Let
Us Adore Him.". We
CANNED welcome our “guest”
SOUPS vocalists who always
make our “Christmas
Choir” extra special!
Food Collection for
OUT OF THE GARDEN 5th Sunday Sing will be held at MUCC
BACKPACK PROGRAM: on January 6th at 6 pm. Our Men’s Choir
School
Food will be singing “Let There Be Peace on
SOUPS Backpack Earth.” (Men will practice on December
(CANNED OR BOXED) 27 and January 3rd at 6:30 p.m.) We will
appreciate folks bringing finger foods for
our time of refreshments & fellowship
following the singing. Thank you!
Baskets in table in narthex for your donations.
- Lavinia Combs, Choir Director
Thank you!

VOLUNTEERS IN SERVICE & MINISTRY: DECEMBER

USHERS LAY OFFERING FLOWERS
READERS COUNTERS

Ethan Wilson December 2 December 2 December 2

Gayle Hughes Lewis Smith Advent
Stacey Wilson
December 9 December 9 December 9
Stacey Wilson Dick Faucette Advent/Poinsettias
December 16 December 16 December 16
CLEANING Lewis Smith Jerry Smith Advent/Poinsettias
Gayle Hughes December 23 December 23 December 23
Tyler Faucette Whitfield Faucette Advent/Poinsettias
December 30 December 30 December 30
Cari Wilson Lisa Brooks Dot Lambeth
 MUCC News ⚫ DECEMBER ⚫ Page 9
HAPPY 90TH THANK YOU to
BIRTHDAY . . . Jamie and Hunter Smothers
. . . Becky Bishop! and all who came and brought gifts
for the
housewarming
Becky was celebrated and shower for
honored at several gather- Tyler and
ings last month including Naomi Woods last month. It
a special celebration held was a fabulous afternoon with
at MUCC! delicious food and adorable
deco-
rations
and lots of love and spe-
cial wishes for Naomi and
Tyler from their MUCC
family.

Our Christian sympathy
and love to
… Susan Smith and her
family in the loss of her
father, Fred Carpenter, who passed away last
month in Lincolnton, NC.
CONGRATULATIONS
… Charly Nicole Smith who
is graduating December 19
from N.C. State University
with a B.A degree in Psychol-
ogy, Magna Cum Laude. She
plans to pursue a M.A. degree
in professional counseling at
Liberty University. Charly is
the granddaughter of Jerry & Patsy Smith.

TRUNK
OR
TREAT
October
31,
2018

On Sunday, November 18, 31 Monticello UCC Outlet kids, families

and friends attended the Community Theatre of Greensboro’s after-
noon production of “The Wizard of Oz” at the Carolina Theater.
Thank you to The Outlet for sponsoring tickets for all the kids, & to
Naomi and Tyler Woods who made all arrangements: got the tick-
ets 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!
Page 10 ⚫ DECEMBER 2018 ⚫ 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
3 - Sheryl & Lonnie Hubbard the front pew for you to enter
4 - Dick & Gayle Faucette new or updated information.
9 - Jerry & Shelby Alderman Or e-mail updates to
21 - Jay & Carol Rudd hfaucette2 @triad.rr.com.
27 - David & Clyda Johnson Thank you!

PRAYER LIST
Unspoken Requests Betty Turner Gail Smith
Sue Lambeth Jordon Rhodes Rachel Troxler
Jerry Smothers Janet Faucette Wilard Peeples
Mickey Cooke Jeff Duffy
Sally & Patrick Rhodes Faye Stephenson Remember also those overseas and/
Mark Bryant First Responders or serving our country:
Dennis Conner Jeremy Byrd
Jerry Alderman Our homebound/care center mem- Gabriel Chrismon
Eli Dilty bers and friends: Dwayne Winder
Jay Rudd Shirley Linville Cindy Dieterly
Jimmy Sloan JoAnn & Otis Green And others
Donna Chappell Vivian Spencer

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 2018 ⚫ Page 11

According to the fourth Gospel, “There

was a man sent from God, whose name
was John. He came as a witness to
testify to the _____.”

A. love
B. life
C. light
D. Lord

Answer: C (See John 1:6-7, NRSV.)

 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
Christ
ANNOUNCEMENT E-MAIL CHAIN:
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
4:00 p.m.—6:00 p.m. monticelloprayer@gmail.com
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