FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA—August 29, 2021
Ministers: ALL of our Members and Friends
Pastor & Teacher: The Rev. Kelly Thibeault
Pianist: Ellen Kingman
Welcome to the Oldtown Church!
Whoever you are, and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are always welcome here. Because we are a faith community that values all ages and stages, and those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated, all people vaccinated or unvaccinated MUST wear a mask while in the church building. Presenters may remove their masks while presenting, but otherwise, masks must remain on. We thank you for your patience and cooperation.
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 the nursery in case your little one needs a walkabout. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and please join us for fellowship after worship!
Please remember to mute your devices during worship.
BREATHE
GATHERING MUSIC
WELCOME
| What things do you need to let go of to be fully present today? |
OPENING PRAYER
SHARE
⇑ HYMN—C#284 “Gather Us In”
⇑ SHARING TIME
| Where did you experience joy in the last week? |
PREPARING OUR HEARTS FOR SCRIPTURE
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus,
To reach out and touch Him and say that we love Him.
Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.
SCRIPTURE READING: James 1:19-27, NRSV (NT 278)
| What stood out for you in today’s reading? What questions did it raise? |
REFLECT
SERMON
| What words, phrases, or thoughts do you want to remember? |
PREPARING OURSELVES FOR PRAYER
In moments like these, I sing out a song,
I sing out a love song to Jesus.
In moments like these, I lift up my hands.
I lift up my hands to the Lord.
Singing, “I love you, Lord.”
Singing, “I love you, Lord.”
Singing, “I love you, Lord. I love you.”
| What special prayers do you hold in your heart? |
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
GIFT OF MUSIC—”Do Something”
THANK
OFFERING OUR THANKS
| What is something that you are thankful for today? |
⇑ DOXOLOGY
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 THANKSGIVING
TIME OF ANNOUNCEMENTS
⇑ SENDING HYMN—C#477 “Pass It On”
⇑ BENEDICTION
⇑ BENEDICTION RESPONSE
Sent forth by God’s blessing, our true faith confessing,
The people of God from this dwelling take leave.
The service is ended. O now be extended
The fruits of our worship in all who believe.
The seed of our teaching, receptive hearts reaching,
Shall blossom in action for God and for all.
God’s grace did invite us, and love shall unite us
To work for God’s realm and to answer the call.
POSTLUDE
** Our worship has ended. Let our service begin! **
Please join us outside for fellowship on the south lawn following worship!
The Oldtown Message
August 29, 2021
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Today: In-Person Worship 10am
~ Undy Sunday (as a reminder, every month that includes a “fifth” Sunday, the Missions Ministry collects brand new socks and underwear, any gender and any size, for donation to the needy in our area.)
~ Fundraising meeting after worship
Wed September 1: Reconnection Team Meeting 7pm
Sun September 5: In-Person Worship 10am
Have something you’d like added to the events calendar? Email calendar@oldtownucc.org with all the information and we’ll get it posted.
WELCOME BACK TO IN-PERSON WORSHIP
As we ease back into gathering together to worship, we remind everyone to be gentle with each other. In the interest of keeping everyone safe, including the children and immuno-compromised within our church family, we are requiring that masks be worn at all times when in the church building. While we recognize that there are differing opinions on the need for masks, we have decided to require mask-wearing while indoors at the church for the safety and comfort of everyone. We have also decided there will be no gathering in Maxcy Hall for fellowship following worship. Everyone is welcome to gather outside on the south lawn or in the parking lot, but we will not be having a time of indoor fellowship. We thank you for your patience and for your prayerful consideration of others.
IN NEED OF OUR PRAYERS
Sue & Steve, Matthew, Kaya, Sue W., David, Ginger D., Doreen, Lucy, Gordon C.
If you would like to add a name to our prayer list, please talk with Pastor Kelly, fill out a prayer card or note and drop it in the offering basket, or use our online prayer request form.
MISSIONS MINISTRY ADVENT COLLECTION
While it may seem a little early to be thinking about the advent season, the missions ministry asks you to be on the lookout for “travel-sized” toiletries. This winter, we will be making stockings to be donated to the homeless in our area.
| STEWARDSHIP CORNER | |
|---|---|
| Offering last week: | $717.54 $596.88 less than budget |
| Offering 2021 to date: | $250 less than budget |
| To-Date as of End of July (58% of year) | |
| Fund Raising: | $5,918.94 (39.5% of annual budget) |
| Total Budgeted Income: | $44,445.52 (49.3% of annual budget) |
| Total Budgeted Expenses: | $51,648.28 (49.7% of annual budget) |
| Non-Budgeted Income: | $4,291.56 |
| Non Budgeted Expenses: | $4,287.57 |
| Total Shortfall for 2021: | $7,198.77 |
As the autumn season approaches, we’re reminded that it’s traditionally our biggest fundraising season. The pandemic has changed everything, including what we can and can’t do for fundraising. We are in need of new ideas for fundraising events as well as new and fresh energy for events we may have done in the past but will certainly need to adjust to our “new normal” times. The fundraising ministry will be meeting this Sunday after church to discuss plans for the fall and beyond. Reach out to Deb Fennell if you have any ideas or would like to help with our fundraising in any way,
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
~ Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)
First Congregational Church, UCC of North Attleborough
(Oldtown Church)
Church Phone: 508-695-1713
Pastor Kelly’s email: PastorKelly@oldtownucc.org
Church Email: Church@oldtownucc.org
Website: www.oldtownucc.org