FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — April 6, 2025
Ministers: ALL of our Members and Friends
Pastor & Teacher: The Rev. Kelly Thibeault
Welcome to the Oldtown Church!
We are so glad that you have chosen to worship with us today. We invite you to join in on the bold print in the bulletin and to stand as you are able any time you see a ⇑. The restrooms are out the back door of the sanctuary to the right, as is a little space in case your little one needs a walkabout. Here in Oldtown, we are all about being curious, so don’t be afraid to ask questions, and please join us for fellowship after worship!
Finally, as a way of honoring our time together and truly loving our neighbor, we ask that you please silence your phone or, better yet, turn it off, allowing yourself to be truly present in worship.
PRELUDE
GATHERING MUSIC
WELCOME / WORSHIP WAYS
TIME OF CENTERING (C#433)
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
CALL TO WORSHIP
We come to worship because we are in between:
Hope and grief,
Faith and doubt,
Joy and longing,
Curiosity and conviction.
We come to worship because God meets us here.
Surely, we are not alone. Thank you, God, for meeting us in the middle!
A CALL TO LET GO
PRAYER OF LETTING GO
Merciful God, when we fail to be righteous, show us mercy. When we fail to be merciful, show us what is right. Again and again, bring us closer to you. Again and again, show us the way. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
⇑ HYMN C#73–”There’s a Widenss in God’s Mercy”
TIME OF SHARING (C#433)
We share each other’s woes, each other’s burdens bear.
And often, for each other flows a sympathetic tear.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 19:1-10 (NT 110)
SERMON: “In-Between Righteousness & Mercy”
PREPARING OURSELVES FOR PRAYER (C#433)
Before our God we come and pour our ardent prayers.
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
CHORAL RESPONSE
OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS
GIFT OF MUSIC
⇑ DOXOLOGY (C#151)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures here below.
Praise God above, Ye heavenly host.
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost! Amen.
⇑ PRAYER OF DEDICATION
CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION
Song of Preparation
The Sacred Story
The Invitation
The Blessing of the Elements
Sharing of the Bread & Cup
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Gracious God, we give you thanks for satisfying our hungry hearts with this meal. Send us out into the world to reveal your love, as we do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. Amen.
LOVE OF CHURCH
⇑ SENDING HYMN–”Righteous Mercy” (PHYSICAL INSERT)
⇑ BENEDICTION
⇑ BENEDICTION RESPONSE (C#433)
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
When we are called to part, it gives us inward pain,
But we shall still be joined in heart and hope to meet again.
POSTLUDE
*** Our worship has ended; let our service begin! ***
| Some liturgy and prayers in our bulletins throughout the Season of Lent are adapted from A prayer by Sarah (Are) Speed / A Sanctified Art LLC |
The Oldtown Message
April 6, 2025
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun April 6: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship 10am w/Baptism
~ Deacons meeting after worship
Wed April 9: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
Sat April 12: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
~ Come and Sing 2-3pm
Sun April 13: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship 10am w/Baptism
~ Church committee meeting after worship
Check our Online Calendar for even more Oldtown, denominational, and local events, free webinars, and other resources!! Have something you’d like added to the calendar? Email calendar@oldtownucc.org with all the information, and we’ll get it posted.
OLDTOWN PRAYER LIST
Edi, John, Lynn, Tim, Mark, Cyndy, Joan, Justine & Nolan, the Miranda & K family, Jan & Kylie, Steven, Tegan, Dana, Ken, Lynne, Kaye, Karen, Samantha, Robin, Donna, Winnie, Carl, Gabby, Michael, Sue C., Laura, Ann, Jim, Paul, Daniel, Nancy, Paul L, Muriel, Jake, Michelle, Joe, Bob, Gloria, Sherry, Eliza.
To add a name to the list, email Pastor Kelly at PastorKelly@Oldtownucc.org, text 508-695-1713, or drop a note in the offering plate.
OLDTOWN UPDATE EMAIL
Do you get our Friday Email, aka “The Oldtown Update”? Our Oldtown Update is like a weekly newsletter that lets everyone know what is going on in Oldtown. If you do not receive it and would like to, drop a note in the offering with your email address or let Pastor Kelly know. Subscribe to our Friday Email Updates online, or let Pastor Kelly know your email address.
STEWARDSHIP CORNER
Weekly Giving
- Last week, we welcomed 53 people in worship, and our total giving to the church for the week was $1,162.84, which is $260.24 less than expected.
- So far, this year’s congregational giving has been $2,300 more than expected. Keep up the great work!!
Too often, in today’s outrage culture, we divide the world into “us” and “them,” choosing sides and demeaning, devaluing, and vilifying the “other.” Jesus calls us, His followers, to mercy and forgiveness, even for those who might be considered enemies. Jesus actively sought out the less fortunate, the outcasts, and those who have made mistakes, letting them know that they are truly loved by their Father in heaven. We do well when we do the same.
But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
~ Hebrews 1:8-9 (NRSVUE)
First Congregational Church, UCC of North Attleborough
(Oldtown Church)
675 Old Post Road, North Attleborough, MA 02760
508-695-1713
Pastor Kelly’s email: PastorKelly@oldtownucc.org
Church Email: church@oldtownucc.org
Website: www.oldtownucc.org
YouTube: www.youtube.com/oldtownucc
Facebook: www.facebook.com/oldtownucc
Subscribe to our Friday Email Updates
Learn more about our denomination: www.ucc.org
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