FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — March 26, 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 MUSIC
WELCOME / WORSHIP WAYS
TIME OF CENTERING
Beautiful, beautiful, Jesus makes beautiful,
Jesus makes beautiful, life of my life.
Tenderly, touching me, making my eyes to see,
Jesus makes beautiful, life of my life.
OPENING PRAYER
| What things do you need to let go of to be fully present today? |
CALL TO WORSHIP
God is good!
For God teaches us to serve others.
God is good!
For God protects us in times of trouble.
God is good!
For God loves us unconditionally.
God is good!
Let us give thanks as we worship God together.
HONEST QUESTIONS
TIME OF REFLECTION
| What if we stopped denying our fear of death and admitted to how fragile, vulnerable, and sacred our lives are? |
COMPASSIONATE RESPONSE
SHARE
⇑ HYMN C#99—”O, How I Love Jesus”
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.
SCRIPTURE READING: John 12:1-8 (Oldtown Bible: NT 129)
REFLECT
SERMON – “Fragile”
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
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 LOVE OF CHURCH
⇑ SENDING HYMN C#340—”Softly and Tenderly”
⇑ BENEDICTION
⇑ BENEDICTION RESPONSE (C#434)
God be with you ’til we meet again.
Loving counsel, guide, uphold you,
With a shepherd’s care enfold you,
God be with you ’til we meet again.
‘Til we meet, ’til we meet,
‘Til we meet at Jesus’ feet,
‘Til we meet, ’til we meet,
God be with you ’til we meet again.
POSTLUDE
*** Our worship has ended; let our service begin! ***
The Oldtown Message
March 26, 2023
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun Mar 26: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am
Wed Mar 29: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
Sun Apr 2: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am–PALM SUNDAY worship w/Communion
~ Deacons meeting after worship
Wed Apr 5: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
Thu Apr 6: MAUNDY THURSDAY worship w/Communion 7pm
Fri Apr 7: GOOD FRIDAY worship 7pm
Sun Apr 9: NO HOUSEHOLD HUDDLE
~ Worship 10am–EASTER SUNDAY
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
Alice, Janice, Jeanne, Franke, Geddy, Wayne, June, Lynne, Celine, Stacey, Al, Bob R, Edi, John, Katie, Lydia, Ben, Doug, Stephen, Kim, Beth, John, Perilene, Sheryl, Rose & Bill, Joanne, Michelle, Gloria, Tom, Mark, Patti M., Marion, Gordon C., Skip, Phoebe, Elizabeth, John, Jim, Barbara, James, Mel & Ben
Prayer requests can be placed in the offering plate, entered through our church website using our online prayer request form, or emailed to Pastor Kelly at PastorKelly@oldtownucc.org
STEWARDSHIP CORNER
Weekly Giving
- Last week, our total offering to the church was $819.43, which is $435.29 less than expected.
- Our congregational giving so far this year is $3,500 more than we expected. Keep up the great work!!
Monthly Finances for February
- Our fundraising for February was $600 more than expected for the month! It’s wonderful to see folks returning to our suppers – both to help and to eat and share fellowship! Our total fundraising as of the end of the month is still $900 less than expected for the year because fundraising usually gets off to a slow start. Let’s keep our momentum going!!!
- Our total income in February was $550 more than expected.
- Our expenses in February were $2,000 more than expected.
- For the year, our total income is $2,000 less than our total expenses.
Worship at Oldtown is filled with music, and we strive to include various musical styles at each gathering. From hymns and standards that have been a part of worship for years to energetic, contemporary worship and praise music, from classical tunes that have been part of worship for centuries to new songs we learn for the first time. The Holy Spirit speaks in many different voices, so their message can reach and connect with everyone. Share your favorites with the music ministry, and we’ll try to work them in.
Sing of it, you who ride on white donkeys, you who sit on rich carpets, and you who walk by the way. To the sound of musicians[d] at the watering places, there they repeat the triumphs of the Lord, the triumphs of his peasantry in Israel. Then down to the gates marched the people of the Lord.
~ Judges 5:10-11 (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