FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — March 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
God is good!
For God never gives up on us.
God is good!
For God loves us unconditionally.
God is good!
Let us give thanks as we worship God together.
⇑ HYMN C#635–”Faith of Our Fathers”
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 One Who Watches and Waits”
Today’s reading is based on Luke 15:11-32 (NT 95)
SERMON
PREPARING OURSELVES FOR PRAYER (C#586)
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
Invitation to the Table
Communion Prayer
The Words of Institution
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–#C442 “We Are Walking”
⇑ BENEDICTION
⇑ BENEDICTION RESPONSE
O when the saints go marching in,
O when the saints go marching in,
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in.
O when the drums begin to bang,
O when the drums begin to bang,
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the drums begin to bang.
O when the stars fall from the sky,
O when the stars fall from the sky,
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the stars fall from the sky.
O when the saints go marching in,
O when the saints go marching in,
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in.
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
March 2, 2025
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun March 2: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship 10am
~ Mardi Gras Pancake Coffee Hour
Wed March 5: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
~ Ash Wednesday Worship 7pm
Sat March 8: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
Sun March 9: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship 10am
~ Celebration of Life for Marcia Brinson 2pm
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, Mark, 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, John, Jim, Paul, Daniel, Deane, Nancy, Paul L, Muriel, Stacey, Jake, Jared.
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, we welcomed 56 people in worship, and our total giving to the church for the week was $1,962.31, which is $539.23 more than expected.
- So far, this year’s congregational giving has been $15 less than expected. We’ve done a good job of catching up from our snow days. Keep up the great work!!
Grace and forgiveness are two of the strongest themes woven throughout Jesus’ teaching. From the prodigal son to the good Samaritan to John 3:16 to “love your neighbor as yourself” to “love even your enemies,” Jesus clearly shows how we should treat others. Even in the words that He teaches us to pray, Jesus reminds us that we receive forgiveness as we forgive ALL the people we meet. Who is my neighbor, indeed?
“Do this, and you will live.” But wanting to vindicate himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
~ Luke 10:28b-29 (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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