FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — February 2, 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#495 – “Weave”
Weave, weave, weave us together.
Weave us together in unity and love.
Weave, weave, weave us together.
Weave us together, together in love.
A MOMENT TO LET GO / OPENING PRAYER
CALL TO WORSHIP
Happy are we
When our knowledge is tempered by mystery.
Happy are we
When our pain is held in the arms of love.
Happy are we
When our delight comes from beyond ourselves.
⇑ HYMN C#261–”Sweet, Sweet Spirit”
TIME OF SHARING
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.
A BIBLE STORY – “The Kingdom of Already and Almost”
Today’s reading is based on Matthew 5:17-20 (NT 5), Matthew 13:31-35, 47-50 (NT 17), Luke 13:18-21 (NT 93)
SERMON
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.
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 OUR THANKS
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.
FOR THE LOVE OF CHURCH
⇑ SENDING HYMN–#C422 “Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ”
⇑ 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 the 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! ***
| Our scripture readings during the season after Epiphany will be coming from The Book of Belonging by Mariko Clark. Each week, we will also let you know where you can find the story in your pew Bible. |
The Oldtown Message
February 2, 2025
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun February 2: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship w/Communion 10am
~ Deacons Meeting after worship
Wed January 5: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
~ Music Ministry Meeting 7pm
Sat February 8: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
~ Pet Vaccination Clinic 11am-noon
~ Come and Sing 2-3pm
Sun February 9: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship w/Communion 10am
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, Mark, Wendy, Cyndy, Joan, Justine & Nolan, the Miranda & K family, Jan & Kylie, Steven, Tegan, Dana, Ken, Lynne, Kaye, Karen, Samantha, Robin, Donna, Winnie, Carl, Gabby, Marilyn, Michael, Sue C., Laura, Ann, Henry, John, Jim, Paul, Daniel, Deane, Nancy.
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, our first week of the new year, we welcomed 51 people in worship, and our total giving to the church for the week was $839.45, which is $583.63 less than expected.
- So far, this year’s congregational giving has been $775 more than expected. Keep up the great work!!
The Word of God and the instructions that Jesus gives us can sometimes be surprising. That’s one reason why it’s important to not just read them but to take time to understand them, to ask God in prayer when there’s something we don’t understand, and to remind ourselves of the things that God says are important by repetition in His word. And then, beyond just learning them, we need to live them by acting on them in our lives and in our interactions with others.
“…for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not take care of you?” Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.”
~ Matthew 25:42-45 (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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