FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — December 1, 2024
The Gift of Being Present
The Gift of Being Present is not just something that we share with others, it is also a gift we share with ourselves. When we learn to be fully present in each moment, we begin to experience the simple acts of hope, peace, joy, love, and light that we so often miss when we are busy.
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!
Please remember to mute your devices during worship.
PRELUDE
GATHERING SONG–”O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice, rejoice,
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
WELCOME / WORSHIP WAYS
CENTERING TIME
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb
If I were a Wise One, I would do my part;
Yet what can I give Him? I will give my heart.
A MOMENT TO LET GO / OPENING PRAYER
CALL TO WORSHIP
We gather in hope
To begin the journey of Advent.
We gather in hope
To prepare for the coming of Christ!
We gather in hope
As we worship God together.
AN ADVENT VISITOR
SUNG RESPONSE
Light one candle for hope,
One bright candle for hope!
He brings hope to every heart,
He comes, He comes!
⇑ HYMN C#122–”Comfort, Comfort You My People”
TIME OF SHARING
God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay;
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satan’s pow’r when we were gone astray:
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
Oh tidings of comfort and joy.
SCRIPTURE READING – Isaiah 40:1-5, 9 (NRSVUE) (C#123)
SERMON
PREPARING OURSELVES FOR PRAYER (C#144)
O Little Town of Bethlehem, descend on us we pray;
Cast out our sin and, and enter in; be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER (sins)
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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us. 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 OUR THANKS
GIFT OF SONG
⇑ DOXOLOGY (C#151)
Then entered in those wise men three,
Full reverently upon their knee,
And offered there, in his presence,
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
Song of Preparation
Invitation
Communion Prayer
Loving God, may we see your guiding light. May we find you in the stable. May we follow you to the cross. May we find new life through you as we gather around the table to celebrate the journey that is before us, from the manger to the cross and back to life again. Amen.
Words of Institution
Blessing of the Elements
Sharing of the Bread and 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
FOR LOVE OF CHURCH
⇑ SENDING SONG–#C132 “When God is a Child”
⇑ BENEDICTION
⇑ BENEDICTION RESPONSE (C#445)
Go in peace and the peace of God be with you this day.
Go in peace and the peace of God be with you always
Celebrate and share the joy! Celebrate new life!
Go in peace and the peace of God be with you always.
POSTLUDE
*** Our worship has ended; let our service begin! ***
The Oldtown Message
December 1, 2024
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun December 1: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship 10am
~ Deacons Meeting after worship
~ Oldtown Singers rehearsal after worship
Sat December 7: Oldtown Winter Art & Craft Fair 10am-3pm
Sun December 8: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship 10am
~ Church Committee meeting 11:30am-1pm
~ “Angels in the Light” grieving parents worship 6:30pm
Sat December 14: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
~ Come & Sing 2pm
Sun December 15: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship 10am
~ Christmas Caroling 4pm
Sat December 21: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
Sun December 22: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship 10am
Tue December 24: Christmas Eve worship 7pm
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, Jim & Marcia, Mark, Wendy, Cyndy, Joan, Justine & Nolan, Jeanne, Wayne, the Miranda & K family, Jan & Kylie, Steven, Tegan, Dana, Ken, Lynne, Kaye, Karen, Samantha, Robin, Donna, Winnie, Carl, Gabby.
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.
COFFEE CONNECTION
Coffee Connection will be a long winter’s nap during the holidays. Coffee Connection will return on January 8th.
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 54 people in worship, and our total giving to the church for the week was $930.50, which is $454.12 less than expected.
- So far, this year’s congregational giving has been $500 more than expected. Keep up the great work!!
This world tells us that “busier is better” and that we always need to be doing something, often two or three things at once. What if we took time to slow down and be as present as we can be in every moment of every day? Try to focus on this moment, on the people and things right in front of you, so you can truly enjoy and appreciate the gifts this world has to give and the gifts you have to share with the world.
You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
~ Psalms 16:11 (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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