FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — January 5, 2025
THE GIFTS OF THE WISE ONES
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 C#163–”Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”
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
Arise! Shine!
God’s light has come to show us the way!
Arise! Shine!
God’s light penetrates the darkness that covers the world
Arise! Shine!
Nations shall come to God’s light and kings to the brightness of God’s dawn.
Arise! Shine!
For the Glory of the Lord has risen upon us.
⇑ HYMN C#159–”There’s a Song in the Air”
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 – Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSVUE) (NT 2)
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
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 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.
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 LOVE OF THE CHURCH
⇑ SENDING SONG–#C172 “We Three Kings”
⇑ 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
January 5, 2025
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun January 5: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship 10am
~ Deacons Meeting following worship
Wed January 8: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
Sat January 11: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
~ Pet Vaccination Clinic 11am-noon
Sun January 12: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship 10am
~ Church committee meeting following worship – Annual Reports due
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, John, Michael, and the family of David Lemieux.
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.
NEW MEMBERS
On January 26, 2025, during worship, we will be welcoming New Members into our church family. If you have questions about what it means to be a member of the Oldtown Church or would like to discuss the possibility of joining our church, please see one of our Deacons or talk with Pastor Kelly.
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
- Over the past two weeks, including Christmas Eve, we welcomed 156 people in worship, and our total giving to the church for that time was $2,173.92, which is $595.31 less than expected.
- Our total congregational giving for 2024 was $300 more than expected. Thanks to everyone for supporting our church’s mission and vision financially.
In today’s scripture, the magi brought their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honor the Christ child and, through him, to honor God. While few of us have stockpiles of gold, and likely even fewer have frankincense or myrrh kicking around, we all have our own gifts, given by God, that we can share. Our Oldtown ministries help us share our gifts with the community in various ways. What gifts do you have to share?
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.
~ 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)
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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