FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA—January 15, 2023
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 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
PRELUDE
GATHERING SONG
WELCOME
WORSHIP WAYS
TIME OF CENTERING
Gathered here in the mystery of the hour
Gathered here in one strong body
Gathered here in the struggle and the power
Spirit draw near.
CALL TO WORSHIP
All are welcome,
For we are all made in the image of God.
All are welcome,
For each of us are unique, each special.
All are welcome,
For we are all brothers and sisters on a journey of faith.
All are welcome
Let us worship God, knowing that we are all invited, we are all chosen, and we all belong!
OPENING PRAYER
SHARE
⇑ HYMN C#452—”Here I Am, Lord”
⇑ TIME OF SHARING
Open our eyes, Lord. We want to see Jesus,
To reach out and touch Him, and tell Him we love Him.
Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord. We want to see Jesus.
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 49:1-7 (Oldtown Bible: OT 830)
REFLECT
SERMON – “CHOSEN to be a Light”
PREPARING OURSELVES FOR PRAYER
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
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
THANK
OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS
GIFT OF MUSIC
⇑ 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 DEDICATION
FOR THE LOVE OF THE CHURCH
⇑ SENDING HYMN—”This Little Light of Mine”
⇑ 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! ***
The Oldtown Message
January 15, 2023
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun Jan 15: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am
~ Annual reports are due!
Wed Jan 18: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
~ Church Committee Meeting 7pm
Sun Jan 22: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am, New Members Sunday
~ OLDTOWN ANNUAL 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
Take some time this week to listen for God’s voice. Thank God for the good things in your life, and ask God to help you hold the things that worry you. As always, please pray for those on our prayer list:
Alice, Carolyn, Janice, Jeanne, Franke, Geddy, Wayne, June, Lynne, Celine, Perilene, Stacey, Alex, Al, Bob R, Edi, Juliette, John
We have started a new prayer list for the new year. Prayer requests can be placed in the offering plate, entered through our church website using our online prayer request form, or emailed Pastor Kelly at PastorKelly@oldtownucc.org.
NEW MEMBERS SUNDAY
Would you like to become a member of the Oldtown Church? We will be having a New Members Sunday on January 22nd. For more information, please see Pastor Kelly or one of our Deacons.
STEWARDSHIP CORNER
Weekly Giving
- Last week, our total offering to the church was $1,917.10, which is $662.38 more than expected for the week.
- So far this year, our congregational giving is $3,000 more than we expected. Keep up the GREAT work!!
- Our total congregational giving for last year was $2,700 less than we expected.
Jesus says in the sermon on the mount that we are “the light of the world,” meant to let our light shine before others. Think of ways your faith and your church family can feed the light within you and others. How can you let your light shine for others in your family, your community, and your world? Share your ideas, and let us know how we can bring light to you and help you bring it to others.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
~ Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
~ 1 Peter 2:9 (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
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Learn more about our denomination: www.ucc.org