Mt. Hope United

Church of

Christ

2400 Mt. Hope Church Rd.

Whitsett, NC 27377

Office: 336-697-1561

Fax: 336-697-1449

e-mail:mthope@triad.rr.com

website: www.mthopeucc.com

church pastor

Rev. J. Lloyd Spencer Cell: 336-420-6030

Home: 336-447-4169

e-mail:jlspencer1@triad.rr.com

Office Hours: 9:00 a.m.-Noon

church secretary

Shirley Connor Office hours:

Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Thurs. - Fri., 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

consistory president

Dallas Belvin

choir director / organist

Tim Hucks

custodian

Brenda Currie

Mt. Hope Messenger September, 2015

I’ve had to do a lot of moving in my life. At

age 11 we moved out of the “holler” all the

way to a small town called Craigsville.

Because we knew we were moving out of the

“holler”, my 5th grade year I went from Fenwick Grade School to

New Hope Grade School in New Hope, West Virginia where my

Mom was a teacher. My 6th grade year we moved into our new

home in Craigsville and I entered Craigsville Grade School. Big

changes were ahead because 9th grade saw me enrolling in

Richwood High School in Richwood, West Virginia where I

enjoyed four really great years. After graduating High School I

enrolled in West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, West

Virginia where I spent four more great years. In 1971 I left

Wesleyan and moved to Delaware, Ohio to attend Methodist

Theological School in Ohio. This move was a lot different because I

took a young lady with me. Gussie and I found our life, and our

moves entwined from that day forward.

No, the moves didn’t end. I left seminary and went to my very

first church in Currituck, North Carolina. This time we took another

young lady with us. Amy was born and became a part of the

changes. From there it was Goldsboro, NC. Then we found

ourselves in Wilmington, NC with another member of our traveling

clan. Our son Jon became a part of the changes. Following

Wilmington we ended up in Candor, NC and from there to northern

Alamance County. Thinking back on it I realize that the Methodists

really did give me an opportunity to travel and see the world.

Unfortunately I was tired of traveling so I made another big change.

In 1989 I found the United Church of Christ and ended up in

Louisville, Kentucky. We missed North Carolina so after 7 years

there we got an opportunity to come back to North Carolina and

Lexington became our home for the next 12 years.

Well, here we are at Mt. Hope in “Whitsett????” Looking back

on our lives I realize that we’ve been a lot of places and seen and

experienced a lot of things. But the more I think about it the more I

realize that there in only one thing that has made a lasting

impression on me in all those places. THE PEOPLE!!! Schools,

towns, churches, events… all of those things have been important.

But the thing that makes the greatest difference is a relationship

with the people. That’s something that moves and time can never

take away.

Lloyd

Mt. Hope United Church of Christ

Consistory Meeting, June 18, 2015

Members Present: Gloria Apple, Dallas Belvin,

Simon Clark, Elizabeth Craft, Clifton Greeson, Dee

Greeson, Joe Hughes, Dora Moore, Linda Shue,

Becky Stafford

Trustees Present: Wesley Reece and Randy

Underwood

The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. A

quorum was established and Dallas welcomed all.

Devotions: Becky presented devotions on Luke

6:38. Give and it will be given to you. Give joy, get

joy, give love, get love. Closed in prayer.

Trustees Report:

Mechanical service contract still in process.

We have received two proposals.

Fresh air in-take in mechanical room in

progress.

Cleaning of cross some done by Stephen Shue

before homecoming but some work still needs

to be done.

Kevan and Sharon Moore requested to take out

the bushes at cross and plant roses. A motion

was made and seconded to allow the Moore’s

to do so. Motion carried.

Lights in the new fellowship hall need to be

replaced. Dora to get new T8 ballasts and

lamps and the trustees will install them.

Approval of the Minutes: Minutes from the June

meeting were read and approved. A motion was

made and seconded to accept them as written.

Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Joe reported that the

beginning balance was $27,557.81 and the monthly

Income was $24,881.31. Expenses were

$11,936.16. This resulted in a closing balance of

$40,502.96. A motion to accept the Treasurer’s

report was made and seconded. Motion carried.

Meals4kids Report: Gloria reported it is summer

time so school is out so there are no baggings. Last

bagging her and Rachael Gossett went through all

the food on the shelves and the bin and donated

what could not go through the summer to

Greensboro Urban Ministry because they will have

a great need this the summer. Also the last bags for

Meals4kids had extra items in them for the families

since it was the last bagging for the summer.

Stewardship Report: Simon reported that our first

hot dog lunch of the year will be this Saturday from

11am-1pm.

Evangelism Report: Elizabeth reported they are

planning to start the new committee meeting July

16th and July 30th so look for coming changes and if

you want to join there is still room on the

committee.

Old Business:

Youth program update - still need leaders.

Safe church policy still have people needing to

complete the training.

Constitution Revision still in progress.

Nursery Child Care still need more committee

members.

Annual Southern Conference Meeting is going

on now.

Picnic Shelter Rental form tabled until the

form is revised.

New Business:

Robert Mellinger Fundraiser is first weekend

in August.

Andy Open made $2939.85 profit so $1469.93

goes to Community Resource Fund and

$1469.93 goes to the Youth.

A motion was made and seconded to pay

$1500.00 to Robert Mellinger Fundraiser from

the Community Resource Fund. Motion

carried.

Legacy Planning is being investigated and

paper work is arriving on Carolina Senior

Care Group.

In September 2015, the Eagle Scout Project by

Josh Apple and the carport will be recognized

during our annual ice cream social.

Shirley will be on vacation August 15-20th.

Communion will be this Sunday.

No Consistory meeting in July.

Pastor’s Report: Annual Southern Conference

going on with old and new ministers speaking.

Started two new UCC churches. Excited about new

creative worship and God is still speaking will be

the theme for August.

Closed in Prayer

Next Consistory Meeting will be August 13th at

7pm.

Meeting adjourned at 9:11p.m.

Respectfully Submitted, Gloria Apple, Secretary

Women’s Fellowship

Ladies, September is the month for us to get

back into our routines! We will have our first joint

meeting on Tuesday September 8th in the New

Fellowship Hall at 7:00 p.m. We will introduce the

new program material, entitled Come to the

Waters. The theme for this year’s Bible study

comes from the rich imagery of water in the Bible

which helps us understand and articulate our faith.

Just as water nourishes our bodies, so the scriptures

on water nourish our souls. Please let me know if

you would like me to order a study book. They cost

$8.00.

Jaynee Brown, Lorena Levens and I attended

the Guilford/Randolph District meeting on August

9th at Peace UCC. It was a good meeting and we

especially enjoyed catching up with Mrs. Winnie

Smith who sent greetings to all her friends at Mt.

Hope.

The Annual Fall Enrichment meeting will be

held on Saturday September 12th, 9:00 – 12:30 p.m.

at Carolina Senior Care—UCC Homes & Service

802 East Center Street, Lexington. Please let me

know if you would like to attend so that we can

organize transportation.

Our fall bazaar will be held on November 7th so

I know some of you are already busy making things

to sell. The home-made items from your kitchens

are especially appreciated by our supper patrons.

Love and blessings to you all, Elizabeth Craft

Greensboro Urban Ministry: On

July 20th, we sent 220 pounds of

food to Urban Ministry. They were

so excited and appreciative to

receive our generous donation to

help feed the hungry. What a Blessing!! The

September collection dates are Sunday, September

6th and Sunday, September 13th, but you can bring

food any Sunday. There is a box in the Narthex

along with a cash container if cash is more

convenient. There are also containers in the

breezeway and the portico entrance. We are so

grateful that the Mt. Hope Church family is

generous and caring about the needs of others. We

pray God will continue to bless us as we support

this much needed ministry.

Friends and Neighbors

Friends and Neighbors meet Tuesday, September 15

at 10:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Join us for a fun

morning as we reconvene with our new fall

schedule. Shirley Thompson will be our guest

speaker; she will present a musical program with

bells. Then we will enjoy a covered dish lunch

together. Please bring a favorite dish and a drink or

dessert.

Stewardship Committee Report

Summertime: Summertime often encompasses

family vacations, travel, escape from the routine.

Mention summer and most people imagine the

beach, cool drinks, and anything but the “normal.”

We as Christians can take “breaks” from our

churches and spiritual devotions. Be faithful to our

church. Support her with prayers, giving, and

summer involvement so that we don’t go on

vacation from Jesus’s ministry and Mount Hope’s

mission. God has amazing things in mind for us.

Discovery can be anywhere and everywhere.

Stewardship Committee Meeting Highlights

The Stewardship Committee met on August

4th with Gloria Apple, Simon Clark, Bill Craft,

Brenda Currie, Cathy Gossett, Cliff Greeson, and

Becky Stafford attending. The minutes from the

June 2nd meeting were read and approved.

Legacy Planning: We discussed legacy

planning both as a service to our church and to offer

help to members as all of us must plan for the

future. We will share our thoughts with our

Consistory President as part of our October meeting

agenda. We elected to include material in

upcoming newsletters to remind everyone when we

miss church during the summer vacation season; we

need to remember to be faithful to their church.

Youth Savings 101: This topic was tabled at

this time since they are not meeting.

Hot Dog Lunch: We made $553.00 and $29.00

on tomatoes in July and in August $645.50. We

have new frames for our hot dog signs will be

available for other activities at Mount Hope.

Contact our committee for details.

We greatly appreciate the dedication of our

committee members along with so many others who

have helped provide food, services, and other

assistance in making these lunches a success. We

are grateful to all of you and to the loyalty of our

customers who come back for more. Thank you all!

Our Next Meeting: We have no meeting

planned for September, but will resume monthly

meetings in October. As before, please feel free to

join us in our meetings. We welcome your good

ideas to help us serve the ministry of Jesus Christ

and our church.

Vacation Bible School – Kingdom Rock – many

thanks go to Carmen Cox for her hard work in

organizing this year’s Bible School!!

July 27-29th was our Vacation Bible School,

Kingdom Rock. We had 20 children attend. We all

had an exciting time learning more about “The

Armor of God” while we spent time in God’s castle.

We had a special guest join us during VBS, General

Jaloydius Maximus, a Roman Soldier, wearing his

Armor of God. He would tell us the secret word of

the day (Love, Friend & We) and participated

during Music and Story Time. Our VBS consisted

of making crafts, breastplate, sword, shield and a

shoe magnet, along with a hanging decoration. Our

games were, catapulting marshmallows, pole

jousting (made of pool noodles) and pony races

(also made of pool noodles). During story time, we

learned about the Armor of God and why each piece

is important. Of course we had great fun snacks, a

castle made of bread with cheese flags, chessman

cookies, fruit on swords, castles made out of

graham crackers and marshmallows and knights

made out of vegetables. The kids enjoyed learning

new songs, “Onward Christian Soldiers”, “We Are

Putting On Your Armor” and “I Am In The Lord’s

Army”. On the Sunday after VBS, the kids sang the

songs they learned and shared the things they

learned during Story Time about The Armor of

God. There was so much great help! I want to give

a loud shout out to all that pitched in and gave your

time and talents to make this a success, Thank You!

Thank You! I will not name names, as I don’t want

to leave anyone out. To see pictures, check out our

wonderful bulletin board outside of the nursery and

on the church website. We will include a sampling

of photos below:

Sunday, August 2, VBS Presentation

Social Concerns Robert Mellinger Benefit

August 1, 2015

On August 1, 2015 at 8:00 a.m., the Social

Concerns Committee and members of Mt. Hope

Church, put on a benefit like one we have never

seen. Little Robert Mellinger and his family needed

our help to pay for his stem cell treatment which

cost around $16,000.00. So we rolled up our sleeves

and got to work.

Gloria Apple agreed to head up our Rock-a-thon.

For eight hours Gloria and Carmen Cox, with the

help of volunteers, kept those chairs rocking to the

tune of $2,035.00 plus. We had some money that

came in before and also some after. So thanks to all

who rocked and a big “thank you” to Gloria and her

teams. Also thank you to the ones that let us use

their chairs and to Freddie Gossett for picking them

up and taking them back.

Then we had Becky Stafford, who ran our bake

sale. WOW!! What a job she did, $1,219.01. We

had some fantastic baked good, cakes, cookies, pies,

and bread. So to Becky and all those who donated

their goods – “Thank you”.

Then we had our Silent Auction run by Lorie

Arrington and Lisa Moser. Well, those ladies

brought in another $2,304.00. We had people from

Greensboro Burlington, Mt. Hope, Brick Church

and surrounding areas donate things for this auction.

So another “Big Thank You” to all of them.

Next, between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. we had

a hot dog luncheon. I (Brenda Currie) was in charge

of this. Man, did I have a great team who did what

needed to be done and things went on with nothing

big going wrong. We worked our hearts out and we

brought in $809.75. Having Helen Busick’s chili

doesn’t hurt things, it is m-m-m good!! Thanks to

my team and hugs to all of you.

The last thing, but definitely not the least, our

quilting ladies donated a quilt. They had been

selling raffle tickets at church, had come to our hot

dog luncheons on the third Saturdays, and all day on

August 1st. Through all of this they raised $447.00.

So to Cynthia Morris, Mary Catherine Moser, and

Ruth Harris – “Thank you”! You warm our hearts

but you also warm our bodies! We love you!!

So that comes to a total of at least $6,814.76!

But wait, we’re not through yet. Because of the

write-up in the Greensboro paper and the two write-

ups in the Burlington paper, we have had donations

coming in from all over, including Washington D.C.

(a lady that used to live in Burlington was home to

visit family and saw the write-up in the paper and

went home and told her friends). Our total now is

$10,694.01!! Praise God from whom all blessings

flow!!

On behalf of myself and the Social Concerns

Committee, we would like to thank everyone for

whatever you did to help make this benefit the

success it was. May God bless each and every one

of you, and I know He will. We cannot wait until

Robert starts talking!! ROLL ON!

Sincerely, Brenda Currie and the Social

Concerns Committee

Check out the photos of the benefit. There are

more available on the church website and on

Facebook:

Helen Busick and Inez Thornberg drumming up

some business!

Lorie Arrington with Ethan and Robert

Mellinger

Rock-A-Thon

Edna Mellinger, Robert’s mother, came straight

from work to participate! She was plum

tuckered out!!

Bake Sale

Silent Auction

Hot Dog Luncheon

Quilt Raffle

Drawing the winning ticket.

Quilt Raffle Winner: Mr. Jim Penrod, neighbor

of the Mellinger’s, was the happy winner of the

beautiful quilt that our quilting ladies contributed

for the Cells for Bobby fundraising benefit. Many

thanks to everyone who purchased a ticket or

tickets!! Below is a photo of Jim with his new quilt:

And the Quilt Raffle Winner is… Mr. Jim

Penrod, neighbor of the Mellinger’s!!

Dear Friends of Mt. Hope United Church of

Christ, We want to express our appreciation for

your generosity in support of Cells for Bobby.

Everyone’s commitment was incredibly helpful

and allowed us to reach our goal. Your

assistance means so much to us, but even more to

Robert. God Bless, Robert, Ethan, Edna and

Thomas Mellinger

Garden Club: The Good Earth Garden Club will

meet Tuesday, September 1st, at 6:30 p.m. at Ciao's

restaurant at Stoney Creek.

Ice Cream Social: This year’s Ice

Cream Social / Back to School

Bash will take place on Sunday,

September 13th. There will be sign-

up sheets in the Breezeway so you

can see what will be needed. Make you plans NOW

to attend!

MT. HOPE UCC HOT DOG LUNCH 2400 Mt. Hope Church Road Whitsett, NC

27377

EAT IN – TAKE OUT 11:00 am – 1:00 pm September 19, 2015 October 17, 2015 $5.00 Luncheon Special 2 hot dogs snack bag of chips canned drink desserts (homemade peach cobbler)

Golden Age Supper: This year’s Golden Age

Supper will be held on Saturday, October 3rd at

4pm. It is always a great meal and fellowship and

this year we will be having entertainment too! You

do not want to miss out so don’t be shy and let us

know if you turned 60 years of age this past year so

we can send you an invitation. Please contact Gloria

Apple by September 13th to get your name added to

the list, gloria@industrialpowerinc.com or 697-

1585. Thanks and we look forward to seeing all of

you then. The Disciples Class

Ladies! November 1,

will be here very soon.

Get your crafts and

white elephant things ready for the Bazaar sale. The

funds raise money for special projects for the

church. If you have things to donate, please get in

touch with Virginia Barker. Everyone should have

something they can donate. Thanks!!! Virginia

~~~~~~~~~

Scripture Readers Needed: The Creative Worship

Team is looking for 2 scripture readers each Sunday

staring the 2nd Sunday in September. We will use

parent/child, husband/wife or just 2 people that

know each other. If you are interested in doing this,

please call Linda Shue at 698-0123 or email to

shuex5@triad.rr.com. Thanks!

Children’s Music Practice: Children's music

practice during Sunday School will begin

September 13. Other practices for the fall include

October 11, November 8 and December 13. If you

have any questions, feel free to call Tim Hucks or

Linda Shue.

Upper Room Booklets: The Women's Fellowship

sponsors copies of the Upper Room devotional

booklets. The new booklets are available in the

breezeway and also in the Narthex. If you decide to

take one, please put $1.00 in the box provided.

Thank you: J R Shoffner and family would like to

thank the people at Mt. Hope for the cards, calls,

visits and prayers during his recent surgery and

recovery. Your kindness is appreciated.

Thank you: Dear Mt. Hope Church family and

community: No words could ever express our

appreciation for the love and kindness which has

been shown to our family over the past several

months. The Welker family is truly blessed to be

surrounded by the concern and support of such a

loving community. Your visits, calls, cards, prayers,

food, and memorials have been a great help to us as

we seek closure in one life chapter and begin the

journey of embracing our new normal in the next

life chapter. Oh behalf of the entire Jerry Welker

family please accept our most sincere and heartfelt

gratitude. With love, Anne Neese Welker & family

329 West Franklinville Street

Staley NC 27355

“The Way To Happiness”

Keep your heart free from hate, your mind from

worry. Live simply; expect little, give much; fill

your life with love; scatter sunshine. Forget self.

Think of others and do as you would be done by.

Try it for a wee – you’ll be surprised!

September Birthdays

3rd Dona Branson, Edsel Greeson, Kelly

Stanley

5th Andrew Greeson

6th Hoy Greeson, Clarine Ingold

7th Whitney Clendenin, Patty Coble, Heath

Smith

9th Jerry Bartenfield, Jenna Whitesell

10th Katelyn Gossett, Shawn Kirkman, Megan

Moore, Sunny Staley

11th Coy Amick, Christopher Eller

12th Logan Ellis, Joe Hughes, Renee Roberts

13th Beth Harris

14th Aaron Anzaldua, Beverly Anzaldua, Justin

Anzaldua

18th Scott Andrews, Dottie Deeter

21st Bob Deeter

22nd Mary Greeson, Whitney Hanock, Doris

Reece

23rd Anna Lashley

25th Matt Pinson

27th Gerald Greeson, Carol Sawyer

30th Sonia Knowles, Chloe Strouth, Phillip

Strouth

September Anniversaries

6th Bill & Sandra Martin

17th Phillip & Tracy Nelson

20th Alan & Amanda Levens

30th Michael & Kathleen Craft

September Events

1st 6:30 p.m., Garden Club

3rd 7:00 p.m., High Lonesome Strings

6th Collecting for Urban Ministry

9:45 a.m., Sunday School

11:00 a.m., Worship

7th Labor Day – offices closed

8th 7:00 p.m., Ladies Fellowship combined

meeting

9th 6:45 p.m., Handbell Choir Resumes

7:30 p.m., Choir Rehearsal Resumes

10th 7: 00 p.m., Consistory

11th Patriot Day or 9/11 Day

13th Grandparents Day

Collecting for Urban Ministry

9:45 a.m., Sunday School

Children’s Music Practice

11:00 a.m., Worship, Children’s Bible Story

Time

Ice Cream Social – Time to be determined

14th 9:00 a.m., Quilters Meet

15th 10:30 a.m., Friends & Neighbors

7:00 p.m., Evangelism Team

16th 6:45 p.m., Handbell Choir Rehearsal

7:30 p.m., Choir Rehearsal

19th 11:00 a.m., Hot Dog Sale

20th 9: a.m., Sunday School

11:00 a.m., Worship

21st 9:00 a.m., Quilters Meet

23rd 6:45 p.m., Handbell Choir Rehearsal

7:30 p.m., Choir Rehearsal

24th Pastor Spencer out for knee surgery

27th 9:45 a.m., Sunday School

11:00 a.m., Worship

28th 9:00 a.m., Quilters Meet

30th 6:45 p.m., Handbell Choir Rehearsal

7:30 p.m., Choir Rehearsal

Something to think about!!!

Coming to Mt. Pleasant UMC

4400 Alamance Church Rd.

Liberty, NC 27298

336-565-4812

September 13, 14, 15, 16

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