SEPTEMBER 2020

CrossPointe
A PUBLICATION OF MONTICELLO UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

INSIDE THIS
ISSUE

From the
Pastor
Page 2

Women’s
Fellowship
Page 3

MUCC
Community
Outreach
Center
Page 4-5

Happening in
SEPTEMBER
Page 7
MUCC Family &
Friends
Page 9

VISIT US ONLINE monticelloucc.org FOLLOW US ON facebook

Page 2 ⚫ SEPTEMBER 2020 MUCC News
Woodrow Wilson our
28th President of the
United States famously
said, “You are not here
merely to make a living,
you are here in order to
enable the world to live
more amply, with greater
vision, with a finer spirit
Pastor Greg Bouck of hope and achieve-
ment. You are here to en-
rich the world, and you impoverish your-
self if you forget the errand.” Poignant
words indeed that certainly fit the times
that we are living in.
The world, and especially our country,
could use a boat-load of hope about
now. We desperately need hope backed
by action. Mere words are not going to
be nearly enough to solve the angst that
permeates our society. Pandemics, ri-
ots, looting, wanton violence, unemploy-
ment, and of course don’t forget the Hur-
ricane, are all a part of the conversation
for the most bizarre and unforgettable
year in many of our lifetimes.
Now “Hope” is generally used to mean a
wish, and its strength and relevance lies
in the person’s desire. But in the Word of
God, hope is the confident expectation
of what God has promised, and it’s
strength is in His faithfulness. Jesus
offers us this hope in his life, death,
resurrection, and promise of his return.
Christ said, “Everyone who drinks of this
water will be thirsty again, but whoever
drinks of the water that I will give him will
never be thirsty again. The water that I
will give him will become in him a spring
of water welling up to eternal life.” (Jn.
4:13-14)
So, look around you, and I will certainly
do the same, and thank God for His
many blessings. It’s easy to lose hope,
and find ourselves distressed and numb
by the utter lack of respect for authority
and each other that we see in the world
today. It’s evident that dignity, compas-
sion, and just plain human decency is
sorely lacking. Moreover, we can be-
come so jaded and spiritually near-
sighted that our view of others then be-
comes our worldview, and we totally
overlook the blessings of God and miss
out on being a blessing to others.
Folks, God has provided us food, shel-
ter, family, friends we love, a church
home, the ability to reason, to laugh, to
cry, to pray, to care, and He has given us
eternal life in Heaven. God gives so
much. So let us vow to give Him our
very best by showing the love of Christ
in practical ways to those who are hurt-
ing emotionally, physically, and spiritual-
ly. That to me is “Hope in Action”, and
our country could certainly use some of
that about now.
Blessings,
Pastor Greg
 MUCC News ⚫ SEPTEMBER 2020 ⚫ Page 3

By Becky Bishop,
SEPTEMBER President

It was great coming together on August 5th with 10 members attending. We

kicked off our new year addressing several important issues.
Officers, Standing Committees and Caring and Sharing projects will remain
the same in this new year.
We are looking forward to our 2020–2021 PW/Horizons Bible study: Into the
Light: Finding Hope Through Prayers of Lament. Laura Smith will lead our
first lesson, “The Heart of Lament: The Perceived Absence of God” at our
next meeting on Wednesday, September 2 at 7:00 p.m. Laura will also serve
as our Hostess for this meeting. Please wear a mask!
We have enough money to fulfill our obligations in 2020. Checks will be
mailed out in November in the amount of $2,904.— to our Homeland Minis-
tries—Neighbors in Need. If ever they needed our support, it is now.
With the Annual Rotary Picnic cancellation this year due to the pandemic—the
first time in 62 years that we have not held this event— we will lose the big-
gest fundraising opportunity Women’s Fellowship has each year. Therefore
we voted to make a donation according to what we spend on food, two days
cooking or whatever the heart felt to give. We would also extend this offer to
the entire congregation as they share a big part in this event. Make checks
payable to MUCC Women’s Fellowship and give the to our Treasurer, Carol
Rudd. As always, we really appreciate your support.
These are unusual times and we can only take one month at a time. We know
not what the future holds.
The meeting ended with a delicious 2020—2021 Officers
Birthday cake donated by Barbara
Trammell in honor and memory of past Becky Bishop …. President
Presidents of our Women’s Fellowship. Clyda Johnson …… Vice President
Gayle Hughes … Secretary
Stay safe and well! Carol Rudd ….. Treasurer
Laura Smith …. Key Member
Page 4 ⚫ SETPTEMBER 2020⚫ MUCC News

It was two years ago September 30 that MUCC members and friends came together
for the groundbreaking of the MUCC Community Outreach Center. Special thank
you’s to Clyda Johnson and members of the Building and Futuring Committee for their
continued hard work! Below is the report shared at Quarterly Church Conference
meeting last Sunday. Members in attendance were very excited and look forward to
everyone coming together on September 13 to discuss and vote to make this Center
a reality!
Building Committee Report
Quarterly Church Conference August 30, 2020
By Clyda Johnson, Co-Chair

The Building Committee had a special called meeting yesterday 8/29/20 that met via Zoom with the own-
er of Thomas Construction Company, Frank and his son Jason. They submitted the total monetary figure
for the new building across the road, and we needed to meet before bringing it to the conference tonight.
Frank stated that the quote was only good for 30 days and therefore we need to discuss and make our
final decision.
The quote was for a “turn key” job meaning that when they were finished, all that would be left was for us
to move in and start utilizing the building! This was the first company that had given us a quote for a
“turn key” job.
He stated what all was included in the price, which included everything in the plans as they were submit-
ted by the architect. We were pleased to know this also included all of the permits and inspections with
the county, the septic tank and all of the erosion control plan, curb & guttering, paving of parking lot, land-
scaping, kitchen appliances, stainless steel shelving and tables in the kitchen, completed conference
room, class room, pantry, storage room, restrooms and the multipurpose room. The only thing that was
not included in the price was the well. He gave us a referral of a well digging service, and we also have
one we can contact.
Being that we only have 30 days from when we receive the contract, we are calling a special meeting on
September 13, 2020, directly after church services, which will be held outside so that ALL may attend
that would like and not be afraid to attend in a closed setting.
The total price is $1,138,621.41. The total in the land and building fund, per total given by Susan Smith,
is $701,908.34 to date. That means we already have 61.6% of the total raised!
From the notes that I have as a co-chair, the monetary amount we had agreed upon to try to stay within
was made 2 years ago, in 2018. With the cost of materials skyrocketing over the last year or so, and for
all that we will be getting from this company for what we have been quoted, we feel we are blessed to be
able to present this as a real opportunity to move ahead with construction of this building.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration that we move ahead with the work God has set before us.
We ask that you be in attendance at the September 13th meeting for the vote.
MUCC News ⚫ SEPTEMBER 2020⚫ Page 5
Page 6 ⚫ SEPTEMBER 2020 ⚫ MUCC News

Monticello Church will continue to seek ways to raise monies to support the cost
of the new Community Outreach Center. Featured this month is the
Cornerstone Campaign that has been raising money through the sale of “bricks”
since 2006. To date, 67 bricks have been sold and after costs, the total amount
raised is $31,990.00. It is a wonderful way to honor special someone(s) while
supporting the new building. Contact Jerry Smothers for an order form!

We are Here! Cornerstone Campaign: “Fundraising

______61.6% One Brick at a Time”
Help support our Monticello UCC
Community Outreach Center by
purchasing a brick. Bricks can be
purchased “in memory of” or “in honor
of” and can be engraved with family
names, individual names, business
names, etc. Examples are pictured
here.
Each brick will be installed and
displayed inside the new center.
Bricks are 4” X 8” with a maximum of 3
lines and 18 characters on each line.
Price per brick is $500.00.
Pick up an order form at church or
contact Jerry Smothers at 336-656-3057 for
forms and more information.
 MUCC News ⚫ SEPTEMBER 2020 ⚫ Page 7

at M O N T I C E L L O U C C

WORSHIP
Sundays
As the Coronavirus Pandemic continues to restrict many activities, Monticello
Church has carefully and prayerfully resumed in-church Sunday services, follow-
ing the CDC’s Coronavirus guidelines. This month there will again be one service
each Sunday at 11 a.m. Those attending in person are encouraged to wear a
mask. Seating continues to promote safe distancing, and hand sanitizer is readily
available. Please see “MUCC Church Council Statement on Resuming Services”
at www.monticelloucc.com for more details about how we are creating a safe wor-
ship environment. For those who prefer not to attend in person at this time,
worship services are available online at MUCC’s website and YouTube site.
This month Pastor Greg Bouck begins a new sermon series “Our Time Is Now.”
Come and enjoy the fellowship of this loving community of believers at Monticello
Church. We welcome you!
There is no Outlet or nursery at this time.

MUCC CALENDAR
Labor Day: September 7
Wednesday, September 2
Women’s Fellowship 7:00 p.m. Patriot’s Day: September 11
AND MORE . . .

Please wear a mask!

Grandparents’ Day: September 13
Sundays in September
Worship Services 11:00 a.m. Hispanic Heritage Month:
September 16—October 15
Sunday, September 13
Called Church Meeting to Discuss
Community Outreach Building First Day of Autumn:
Following 11:00 worship service September 22
Note: Will be held outdoors to
ensure safest social distancing. Coming in October:
(Weather Permitting) Virtual Crop Walk for Hunger:
October 4 2:30 p.m.
Page 8 ⚫ SEPTEMBER 2020⚫ MUCC News

FOOD DRIVE: Food Collection for

NOTES

MUCC is scheduled to host

Boxed Mac n Cheese
There are baskets in table in narthex for your
donations. Thank you!
GIVING TO THE LORD IN COVID-19 TIMES
1) Give in person when you worship at
church. Offering plates are at the front
and back of the sanctuary.
2) Give Online at monticelloucc.org by
clicking on “Give Now” in the upper right
hand corner.
3) Mail your check to
P.O Box 496,
Browns Summit, NC 27214.
the next 5th Sunday Sing,
which has been postponed
due to COVID-19, as soon
as all services are back to
in person and it is deemed
safe for singing. The Meth-
odist Church in person ser-
vices are are scheduled to
resume on September 13. The next 5th
Sunday will be November 29, 2020. We look
forward to joining voices with our neighbor
church friends again!
Would you like to provide special music for a
service on Sunday morning? Please contact
Lavinia to sign up.
Lavinia Combs, Director

VOLUNTEERS IN SERVICE & MINISTRY: SEPTEMBER

USHERS LAY OFFERING FLOWERS
READERS COUNTERS
No ushers at
this time. September 6 September 6 September 6
Offering plates Lewis Smith COMMUNION
will be placed at
front & back of September 13 September 13 September 13
sanctuary to Laura Smith Dick Faucette Betty Scott
receive
offerings. September 20 September 20 September 20
Carol Rudd Cari Wilson
CLEANING
Carol Rudd September 27 September 27 September 27
& additional Dick Faucette Whitfield Faucette Susan Smith
special clean-
ing.
 MUCC News ⚫ SEPOTEMBER 2020 ⚫ Page 9

Thank you to: Congratulations to

. . . Susan Smith, who . . . Jerry & Patsy Smith on the marriage last month
with Tammy Turner, of their granddaughter Charly Smith to Grayson Fulp.
Charly is the daughter of Robbie and Chuck Smith.
Cari Wilson, Lavinia
Combs and Allison Underwood provided
special music for our Sunday morning worship
service last month. Her rendering of “In the Gar-
den” was
beautiful,
moving, and
inspiring.
Thank you to
all for shar-
ing your gifts Proud grandparents,
Patsy & Jerry Smith
and hearts Mr. & Mrs. Grayson Fulp
with us!
Thank you to:
Taylor Johnson
. . . Steve & Jackie Wagner for the
added much cute-
new pew markers being used to fa-
ness to the beauti-
cilitate social distancing in the sanctu-
ful worship music
ary during COVID-19 pandemic. Not
on this Sunday
only are they more attractive than the
morning in August.
yellow tape previously being used,
but each one has a sign with a differ-
Thank you to:
ent cute message.
. . . Dot Lambeth for providing flowers for the
altar for all services held during our special
COVID-19 worship schedule.. Whether fresh
from her garden or the gardens of friends or oth-
er arrangements, the flowers Dot provided were
a beautiful welcome to all in attendance. As we
return to one service, flowers will again be pro-
vided by members as they have signed up to do.
Page 10 ⚫ SEPTEMBER 2020 ⚫ MUCC News

5 Rick Johnson 14 Karrington Faucette

5 Jackson Wagner 15 Todd Smith
9 Jerry Trammell 22 Kathy Brande
12 Megan Smothers Byrd 22 Gary Milsap
14 Mark Smith 26 Jeremy Byrd
14 Matt Smith 29 Mason Wagner

Please keep us informed about

birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
There are notebooks on the front
3 Patsy & Jerry Smith 25 Lewis & Laura Smith pew for you to enter new or up-
dated information. Or e-mail up-
9 Lisa & Roger Brooks 27 Tammy & Gary Turner dates to
12 Melanie & Kyle Chrismon hfaucette2@triad.rr.com.
Thank you!

PRAYER LIST
Our Nation & a Great Spiritual Ashley Brewer Gail Smith
Awakening Dennis Conner Rachel Troxler
Unspoken Requests Eli Dilty Willard Peeples
Richard Dickerson Donna Chappell
Jordon Rhodes Remember also those overseas and/
Eugene Chrismon
or serving our country:
Jimmy Sloan Janet Faucette
Jeremy Byrd
Jay Rudd First Responders
Gabriel Chrismon
Kay Gunn
Our Homebound/care center Dwayne Winder
Jeff Guffey
members & friends: Cindy Dieterly
Mary Hunter
Shirley Linville Shane Miller
Jennifer Earle
Otis Green And others
Sue Lambeth
Vivian Spencer

Please submit news, photos and other in-

formation for the CrossPointe
Newsletter to Gayle Faucette at
hfaucette2@triad.rr.com or place in
church mailbox. Your suggestions for
improvements are invited & welcome!
 MUCC News ⚫ SEPTEMBER 2020 ⚫ Page 11

BIBLE QUIZ
Which of these was not one of the
10 plagues God brought against
Egypt to persuade Pharaoh to let
the Hebrew people go?

A. an abundance of frogs
B. the Nile River turned to blood
C. the collapse of the pyramids
D. thick darkness
Answer: C (See Exodus 7:14–12:32.)
 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 Pastor Greg Bouck is available 24/7 for
P. O. Box 496 appointments, visits, emergencies, etc.
5001 East NC 150 and can be reached at 336-209-3024.
Brown Summit, NC 27214
Phone: 336-656-3400
Email:
Please contact Laura Smith to place
uccmonticello@gmail.com
Website: monticelloucc.org
Facebook: Monticello
United Church of Christ
STAFF / OFFICERS
___________________
Greg Bouck
Pastor
Lavinia Combs
Pianist, Organist,
Choir Director
Church Council Officers
Hunter Smothers,
President
Stacey Wilson,
Vice President
Diaconate Chairpersons
Jerry Smothers, Deacon
Ginger Smothers,
Deaconess
ANNOUNCEMENT E-MAIL CHAIN:
More and more Monticello
UCC families are signing up
to receive updated Prayer
Pastor Greg is available 24/7 Concerns and Announcement by
by phone. e-mails. If you are interested,
please e-mail
monticelloprayer@gmail.com
announcements in the bulletin.
CENTENNIAL AFGHAN FOR
MONTICELLO UNITED CHURCH OF
WORSHIP HOURS: CHRIST 1909—2009
are available for $50.00
Please see Laura Smith
SUNDAYS

11:00 a.m. COOKBOOKS
are $15 and are available
from Patsy Smith or Gayle Hughes
COVID-19 Checks should be written to
Precautions in Place Monticello Women’s Fellowship.

FLAVORINGS
Flavorings are restocked and ready for
purchase! There are a dozen or more
great varieties of flavorings, food colors,
Danny Duzits (stainless steel pot scrub-
bers) & black pepper. See a Women’s
Fellowship member if you’d like any of
these.

Gayle Faucette
CrossPointe News
Team Leader