FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA—March 1, 2020
Ministers: ALL of our Members and Friends
Pastor & Teacher: The Rev. Kelly Thibeault
Pianist: Ellen Kingman
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 coffee and refreshments after worship!
Please remember to mute your devices during worship.
BREATHE
PRELUDE
INTROIT—”Gentle Shepherd”
WELCOME / TIME OF CENTERING—”Lead Me to the Cross”
CALL TO WORSHIP
God says welcome
To the worriers and the wanderers, and to those who think they have it all together.
God says welcome
To those who are tired and weary, and to those who are passionate and filled with
inspiration.
God says welcome
To all of us who come to worship!
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Loving God, you know us better than we know ourselves. As we come before you now, believers and doubters alike, we all share a deep need, for we are all lost without your grace. Search us, O God, and know our hearts. Test us and know our troubled thoughts. Forgive us our wrongs. Transform us by your Spirit to live for you each day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
SHARE
⇑ HYMN—C#566 “Be Still, My Soul”
⇑ SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
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: Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)
REFLECT
SERMON—”How Is Your Soul?”
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 by they 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
⇑ THE DOXOLOGY (Old Hundredth)
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 thank you for this meal and for all of the ways you nourish us. Grow in us that we may nourish others. Sustain us as we press toward the goal of your call in Christ Jesus. Amen.
TIME OF ANNOUNCEMENTS
⇑ SENDING HYMN—C#561 “It Is Well With My Soul”
⇑ 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!
Please join us for coffee and fellowship in Maxcy Hall following worship!
The Oldtown Message
March 1, 2020
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
March 1: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship w/Communion Service 10am
~ Chime Rehearsal following worship
~ Deacons Meeting following worship
~ Confirmation Class begins
~ Email Lenten Devotional begins
Wed March 4: Coffee Connection 10am-12noon
~ School Tours
Sat March 7: Corned Beef Supper
~ Daylight Saving Time begins (set your clocks ahead)
Sun March 8: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am
~ Chime Rehearsal following worship
IN NEED OF OUR PRAYERS
Debbie, Kerri, Malcolm, Vicky, Maryellen, Cindi, Mary Ann, Marge, Gordon, Kristen, Priscilla, Kaya, Jane, Pat, Michelle, Matthew, Ron, Steven, Kathy, Peg, Sarah, Sue, Steve, Reign, Alice, Stacy, Lydia, Zena, Ella, Suzanne, Nelson, Judy, Becky, Chad, Gayle, Barbara, Lynne, John, Carol, Robin, Clair, Chrystal, Aaron, Samuel, Cyndy, Hope, Anne, Robin, Joe Sr., Amy, Pat, Michelle, Chris, Madison, Ruth, Dave.
If you would like to add a name to our prayer list, please fill out a prayer card and drop it in the offering plate, or use our online prayer request form.
EMAIL LENTEN DEVOTIONAL
Though Lent officially starts on Ash Wednesday, our Lenten Devotionals will begin on Sunday, March 1st. If you do not currently receive our emails and would like to be added to the list, drop your email in the offering plate or see Pastor Kelly.
LENTEN JOURNEY FOR WHOLENESS & HEALING
Our journey through Lent you are invited to try a few new spiritual practices. We’ll be introducing a new practice each week. Please remember that they are called spiritual practices, not spiritual perfections. It’s not about getting it right or wrong but allowing yourself to experience something new as you take better care of yourself and pay attention to the presence of God in your life.
COFFEE CONNECTION
Join us Tuesday from 10-noon for Coffee Connection! Coffee Connection is a simple time of fellowship to get out of the house and spend time with friends.
| STEWARDSHIP CORNER | |
|---|---|
| Offering two weeks ago: | $1,082.67 $284.64 less than budget |
| Offering last week: | $1,047.77 $319.54 less than budget |
| Offering 2020 to date: | $400 more than budget |
| End of January (8.3% of year) | |
| Fund Raising: | 1.0% of annual budget |
| Total Budgeted Income: | 5.2% of annual budget |
| Total Budgeted Expense: | 6.7% of annual budget |
Our Corned Beef Supper is coming up on Saturday, and we can still use some help. Don’t forget to check our online signups at http://www.oldtownucc.org/signup or see Ed Clavette or Deb Fennell to ask where you can help with any of our fundraising efforts.
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you?”
~ James 2:14 (NRSV)
First Congregational Church, UCC of North Attleborough
(Oldtown Church)
Church Phone: 508-695-1713 — Pastor Kelly’s cell phone: 508-294-9767
Office Hours: Wednesday 10am-noon & Thursday 6pm-8pm
Pastor Kelly’s email: PastorKelly@oldtownucc.org
Church Email: Church@oldtownucc.org
Website: www.oldtownucc.org