Welcome
to Montpelier Presbyterian Church

Join us for worship Sundays 11:00

PRAYER

Lord, help me to sing out with the angels that You are born! Let me ring out the good news until all the world hears and knows that You have come to teach us love and bring us salvation.

About Us

Mission Statement: Montpelier Presbyterian Church is a loving family of God who welcomes everyone to join us as we worship our Lord Jesus Christ and celebrate his grace given to us all. We are learning together how to live out our faith by working to meet the needs of our community and our world.

We are a part of the Presbyterian Church (USA). We believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and God’s only begotten Son who died on the cross to save us by HIs grace and was raised from the dead to prove to us God’s power over sin and death. We believe the Bible to be the sacred Word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit. We believe in the Trinity of God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God in three persons. To find more about our beliefs please go to pcusa.org.

What you can expect on Sunday morning: You will be greeted at the front door and receive a warm welcome and a service bulletin. Coffee hour is before church at 10:30 in the church library right off the sanctuary.

Our worship service is traditional with

prayers,
both traditional and modern hymns,
scripture readings
a children’s sermon complete with coloring and puzzle pages
a sermon based on that day’s readings with an emphasis on living out our faith in our every day lives.

We do not take up an offering although there are plates available on our communion table in the front of the sanctuary..

Dress is casual and there’s even a rocking chair in the back of the sanctuary if one is needed.

You’ll find information on our Bible study and children’s Sunday School under Faith Development.

What our members say: “A great group of sweet folks who care and reach out whenever there’s a need…” Will M.

“I’ve been a member for 53 years. It’s home to me. Pastor Pat always finds ways to keep us engrossed in the Bible to strengthen our faith.” Debbie N.

“I’ve been a member for less than a year, but one of the things I like about it is the sense of intimacy.” Leigh-Ann M.

Our Pastor: The Rev. Dr. Patricia Ramsden is known to us all as Pastor Pat. She is in her fourth year as our part-time pastor and lives in Scotia Village in Laurinburg. She has been ordained for over 36 years and has always served small churches rediscovering who God was calling them to be. Among all her other duties at the church she also teaches our adult Bible study on Sunday mornings. She is single and loves her garden and HGTV as well as storytelling and acting. Before entering the ministry she was an Associate Professor of English and Drama and an academic dean in the University of Kentucky Community College system. She is the author of two books: The Power Of Their Voices and For Such A One As I.

Faith Development

Sunday Morning Bible Studies 9:30 You do not need to be a member of the church or attend worship to attend any of our classes. We welcome everyone to come and discover more about the faith The adult class meets in the church library and is a lively discussion mixed with a traditional Bible study, questions and answers. The teen/pre-teen class meets in the church meeting room across from the library for discussion and activities. The children's class meets in their room across from the kitchen by fellowship hall.

Women's Circle meets the second Wednesday at 2:00. We are studying Rachel Held Evan's book In Search of Sunday. It too is a lively discussion.

Sweet Talk meets the first Thursday of the month at 2:00 at the local ice cream parlor Kountry Cream. The entire community participates in this safe, non-judgmental conversation around life, love and faith.

Messy Un-Church is just that. It meets the second Sunday of the month at 2:00 and is designed for families of all types and sizes. We build a project to take home which can be anything from castles to barns to bracelets. Then we listen to a story and have snacks.

Just For Fun!

Men's Breakfast: Usually meets the first Saturday of the month at 8:00 in the church fellowship hall for a full breakfast and good conversation. While there is no charge a blessing basket is available to help cover the cost of food. Men from all over the community are invited to attend.

Golf MeetUp: Meets the second and fourth Monday's of the month depending on the weather at the Deercroft Pro Shop in Deercroft. The cost is $20 for nine holes and you do not need to be a member of the church or the golf course to attend. We normally tee off at 5:30 until daylight savings time when we move to 4:30. After the game we join together for the 19th hole for fellowship and fun.

Community Ministries

Blessing Pantry: Our blessing pantry box is located near the rear of the church building. It is open 24/7 and there are no forms to fill out, no questions asked. It operates on the principle of take what you need; leave what you can and is based on Jesus' teaching in MT 25.

Scholarship Fund: Founded in 2007, the estate of Johnsie Patterson McFadden from Wagram, NC set up a scholarship fund through Montpelier Presbyterian Church to be given to any Scotland County High School Graduate to further their education with preference given to those associated with the congregation. This year we gave 11 scholarships to deserving students. Contact the church for more information on this program and how to apply.

Partnership With Wagram Public Schools We reach out to students in need through an annual collection of gloves, scarves, hats, and socks as well as providing backpacks stuffed with needed school supplies. We serve as classroom readers as well. We show our support for teachers and staff throughout the year in a variety of ways.

Special Offerings Throughout the year we collect special denominational offerings such as the One Great Hour of Sharing, the Pentecost Offering and the Joy Gift Offering.

Spring Hill Cemetery Memorial Fund. “Blessed are thy who mourn for they shall be comforted. “. Mt 5:4 Our church, in partnership with the Spring Hill Baptist Church, owns and maintains the local cemetery. The Memorial Fund goes to support the upkeep. For more information on making a donation or buying a plot, please contact the church office.

Donations to the church may be mailed to P.O. Box 407 Wagram, NC 28396. If you’d like the donation to go to a particular cause, please note that on the memo line of your check.

News & Events

Monthly Events

Dec. 6 8:00 Men's breakfast - ladies invited

Dec. 7 6:00 pm Community Carol Sing

Dec. 10 noon Women's Circle of Friends potluck lunch

Dec. 17 6:00 pm Potluck Dinner with Santa

Dec. 21 !1:00 am Children's Christmas Pageant

Christmas Eve

Dec. 24 2:00pm Birthday Party for Jesus

Dec. 24 5:00pm Carols & Candlelight Service

Montpelier Messenger

Montpelier Presbyterian Church P.O. Box 407, Wagram, NC 28396 910-369-2259

Pastor: Rev. Dr. Patricia Ramsden 269-362-1332

Editor: Barbara Holloway 910-318-3757

(email) hollowaybarbara064@gmail.com

No. 12 Vol. 55 December 2025

Pastor’s Pen: I have a special request of you this year as our blessing box of food is used more and more by hungry people here in Wagram.

I’d ask you to do a different kind of advent calendar where each day you put aside a can of food: canned vegetables, beenie weenies, canned fruit, you get the idea. When you go to get your groceries you pick up 7 cans of food, enough for one can each day until you shop again.

Then each week you bring your gifts of food and put them under our Chrismon tree at the front of the sanctuary to be used for our blessing box of food.

There has never been a more critical time than now as the need has never been greater and we find ourselves filling the box nearly everyday. But one of the things that amazes me about our box is that people are very obviously not taking more than they need or will use. There are always a few items left for the next person to take.

So when you set aside your gift of food, say a prayer of thanks for the fact that you are so blessed that you can afford food for your stomach and still buy this one can of food for the hungry.

I like to think of it as taking a hot meal over to Mary and Joseph as they lived in someone’s stable. I imagine myself holding the holy babe in my arms as Mary eats. What a wonderful gift of love to this holy, homeless, hungry family!

See you in church! Pastor Pat

Here are some tips from people who frequent food banks:

1. Boxed milk is a treasure. You can get it by the evaporated and dry milk area. Dry milk is also good.

2, Buy things with pop tops if you can instead of needing can openers

3. Salt and pepper are great along with mustard and catsup

4. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch.

5. Beenie weenies and Vienna sausages and spam go fast.

6. Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef (which we cannot provide)

7. Cake mix and frosting makes it possible to make a child’s birthday cake, but don’t forget a small bottle of oil

8. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury and women will cry over that.

9. Toothpaste and toothbrushes and toilet ppaper are always taken from our pantry

10. A small bag of cookies is a delight.

Poinsettias: We want to thank Elizabeth Cooley who is once more taking the orders for the poinsettias that decorate our sanctuary for Christmas. If you wish to purchase a poinsettia, please place your order by Dec. 4 and make checks out to MPC for $20. Also, note who the flowers are in memory of or in honor of and your name. Elizabeth’s address is: P.O. Box 676 Wagram, NC 28396.

Sweet Talk will meet Thursday Dec. 4 at 1:00 at Kountry Cream ice cream parlor. This is not a Bible study but conversation about life, love, and faith. Invite a friend! (Ice cream is on your own.)

Dec. 6 at 8:00am the men’s breakfast will host the women for their special Christmas gathering. There is no charge but a blessing basket will be available. Come out and join the group. It’s the best breakfast in Wagram!

Messy Unchurch will not meet in December.

This year we have an angel tree for a family from the Wagram Elementary School. You can pick up an angel with a gift suggestion from the angel tree by the piano in the sanctuary. Your wrapped gift with the angel attached should be returned by the Family Night supper on Dec. 17. A child in this family has been diagnosed with cancer and his mother has had to quit her job to care for him during his cancer treatments. If you wish to purchase a gift card in lieu of an actual gift, please give your cards to Debbie Neverve or Pastor Pat.

Sunday Dec. 7 at 6:00 we will host a community carol sing featuring solos, storytelling, and the Christmas story with a southern twang as well as singing the Christmas carols we all know and love! Invite your friends and neighbors to come join us as we celebrate the season. There will be a reception afterward and if you’d like to donate cookies or other goodies for it, please let Sissy Cooley know.

The Women’s Circle of Friends will meet Wednesday Dec. 10 at 12:00 for a pot luck lunch. Please invite a friend to come with you. She doesn’t need to be a member of the church.

Session will meet Thursday Dec. 11 at 10:00. Our thanks to Sissy Cooley and Jeff McKay for their faithful service to our Lord and this congregation. This will be their last meeting as active elders. John Lewis and LeighAnn McKay have been elected as elders for the class of 2008. They will be installed during morning worship on Dec. 14.

Pastor Pat invites the church family to a Christmas open house

Sunday, Dec. 14 from 2:00 - 4:00.

She lives at Skye 7, a garden apartment at Scotia Village 2200 Elm Ave.

in Laurinburg. Please see her for directions.

Santa’s coming to our Family Night Supper Wednesday evening Dec. 17 at 6:00. Please come and bring your family and friends to this potluck dinner full of love and laughter. Who knows? Maybe you’ve been good this year!

Dec.21 will be our annual no fuss, no rehearsal Christmas pageant during worship! This play is open to all children from 2 - 16. Costumes will be provided. There are no lines to memorize! We do ask that children arrive between 9:30 and 10:30 so we can get them dressed and go over what part they will play. This is always a lot of fun and makes a lifetime of memories. Invite any children and grandchildren to come be a part of this off-off Broadway production!

Christmas Eve

2:00 A Children’s Birthday Party For Jesus

all children are invited to this special service just for them -

complete with a birthday cake and special take home craft

5:00 Christmas Eve Candlelight and Carols

Please invite your friends and neighbors to celebrate the birth of Christ in this special way. If you know someone who might like to attend but do not want to drive after dark, please let an elder know and we will arrange for them to be picked up.

And unto to you is born this day in the city of Davd a Savior

who is Christ the Lord and this shall be a sign to you, you will find the babe wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger. Luke 2:11-12

Pastor Pat will be on vacation Dec. 26 - Jan. 2. Bucky Holmes will be filling our pulpit. The adult Sunday School class will not meet Dec. 28.

We will collect our Christmas Joy Gift Offering on Sunday Dec. 28. This offering supports retired pastors, church workers, and their families who have special financial needs. It also supports our minority students in need who are attending Presbyterian colleges, universities and seminaries.

Copies of the annual report for 2025 are available from the church office if you were unable to get one.

The Fall Harvest Festival was a huge success and we made $3,148.75 for special building projects in 2026 including moving the pews in the sanctuary to make it more handicap friendly. This will also require us to replace the carpet. We plan on having more fundraiser events like this one in 2026 for other major building projects that need to be done.

Please share our Facebook posts! It’s as easy as hitting the share button and its a quick and easy way to get the word out about our church.

The traditional Advent season invites participants into four weeks of deep reflection on the advent, or arrival, of God in Jesus of Nazareth, as well as on his promised return. From focused prayer and Scripture reading, to candled wreaths and embellished calendars, Advent celebrations vary widely. But all Advent practices share a heightened anticipation for God’s arrival. More than a countdown to Christmas, Advent embraces the way of Jesus and encourages hopeful waiting, courageous peace-making, resilient joy, and self-giving love in our still-suffering world. - The Bible Project

"Heavenly Father, as Christmas approaches, quiet our souls and help us to remember the hope, peace, joy, and love that You sent through Your Son, Jesus. Please don't let us get swept up in the busyness of the season. Instead, help us to focus on the beauty of Your love and grace. May we feel Your peace in our hearts and share it with those around us. In Jesus' Name, Amen".

Merry Christmas!

Sermons

Joy to the World Pastor Pat Ramsden

Ho, ho,hos and merry Christmases ring through the aisles of Walmart as we listen to cheerful songs about shoppers rushing home with their treasures.

Everyone seems to be searching for joy to the world and we are busy looking for it in a blue light special and 50% off at Hobby Lobby, and we are so disappointed when we do not find it there. So we wonder if this joy everyone sings about is just another hoax?

Is it just another empty promise?

An impossible dream?

Why doesn’t our life look like the commercials on tv or a hallmark movie? Why aren’t we experiencing the beauty of Christmas that Bing Cosby sings about year after year? Why is the peace of a candle lit Silent Night so elusive in our lives?

Perhaps the problem lies with the fact that we are indeed looking in all the wrong places for the hope, the peace, the joy of that first Christmas morn.

Perhaps we need to take another look at what we meant as a people of faith when we lit the advent candle of joy this morning.

Was there something more to be found there than what we saw on the surface? Than what we long for when we sing about Love Come Down or O Come, O Come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel? or Comfort, Comfort, Now My People?

Is there more to these holy days than just the holidays? And the answer is yes.

For us, Christmas joy is more than something the world can give. It is a certainty in the love of God that runs underneath the circumstances of our lives. It is not found in brightly wrapped Christmas gifts placed under the tree or in the hope that Santa Claus will come in the middle of the night to solve all our problems.

Our joy is made complete instead in the certainty of God’s presence with us in the here and now, in the midst of our reality whatever that reality might be.

In Psalm 28, we are reminded that we find our joy in the strength of the Lord who is our shield - not in our own strength but in his. Our hearts trust in him, knowing he will help us. And that is what brings us a joy beyond our circumstances; it brings us peace - the peace of the second Advent candle - the peace that is the hope, the certainty of Christmas - of Christ’s coming to us.

It is not a false joy - or an empty peace - that denies our circumstances and tells us we must pretend that all is right with our world this Christmas.

Instead it is a joy that acknowledges that life can be hard but God is still with us. Christ has come. And love has broken through our darkness with skin on his face.

Perhaps the Psalmist says it best in Psalm 94 when he sings, “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”

I believe the realities we face is why our Savior came to us, not in a majestic palace surrounded by the riches and power of the world, but as a poor homeless babe, born in the squalor and stench of a barn on a cold winter’s night. He came to us not with the promise of happiness or a myth that all is right with the world but with the certainty of joy even in the most difficult of circumstances as an angel proclaimed, over and over again, “Do not be afraid.”

And why not? “Because I have come to bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”

The prophet Isaiah foretells this in today’s reading when he says that the Messiah will come to us in our barren places, in the deserts of our lives, and make even those desert places bloom. He tells us that our hearts should be strong for our God will come.

And, in fact, he has come and he will come again.

But still, in moments when all the world seems dark, we wonder if we can find the strength and courage to believe this, and we can even doubt the certainty of his coming.

Even John the Baptist, who spent his life proclaiming the coming of the Messiah, wondered, from the depths of his prison cell, if his Savior had come. In his moments of deepest darkness and hopelessness, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he indeed was the One or should he continue to wait for somone else?

We may ask the same, even in this season of joy, as we prepare for his coming again, as we sit in the dark prisons of our own loneliness, fear, anxiety, grief, illness, sorrow.

We may ask, If Christ has come, if the Messiah has been born in Bethlehem, why is there still so much pain in the world? Why do people still suffer? Why have wars not ceased? Why has the desert of our lives not burst into bloom?

And we find our answer in Jesus’ response. Tell John that indeed the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those who were declared unclean are welcomed back into community, the deaf hear, and good news is proclaimed to the poor.

Those were not just the words of Jesus. Those were the miracles of Jesus. Those were the signs of our hope realized.

I know that Good News is still true today for I have witnessed those miracles for myself.

I have seen the blind suddenly see hope realized in a homeless man who could not accept the help and hope he was offered, who suddenly one night recognized that he was loved in spite of his past, in spite of his present circumstances.

He was loved not because of who he could become but because of who he was in the now. And in the light of that new found hope and joy, he could reach out to help us help others by carrying heavy loads of supplies from our car to the tables that held God’s love in the form of toiliet paper and soap and batteries. He became not just another drugged up junkie, but our right hand. He once was blind, but now he could see and his life was healed.

I have seen the hopeless bound up by their grief, who could not take another step forward, regain a vision for the future and move back into life and love again. I have seen the lame paralyzed by emotions too deep for words walk once more.

I have known people who were declared to be unclean and who were rejected by the family of their birth because of their sexual orientation, find new, chosena families who saw their gentle love and knew them to be a beloved child of God.

I have seen the Good News in action. I have known the hope of the gospel realized. I have recognized the Messiah’s birth in our world, in the here and now, and so have come to believe in his reality, in the realities of Christmas. And so have you, in your own ways, with your own stories.

We know, whatever the world might say, that Christ has come and Christ will come again.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but so the world would be saved through Him. John 3: 16-17

See You In Worship as we celebrate God's love together
Sundays 11:00

San Pedro

Never forget how much God loves you!

Welcome to Montpelier Presbyterian Church