FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA—March 5, 2025
ASH WEDNESDAY
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.
GATHERING TIME
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.
WELCOME
TIME OF CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Jesus said, “Follow me.”
And I said, “Let me get ready.“
Jesus said, “Follow me.”
And I said, “Just one minute!”
Jesus said, “Follow me.”
And I said, “I’ll be there soon!”
The invitation is simple, but the work is not easy.
Jesus, forgive my delay. I want to follow you. Turn my intentions into actions. Show me the way. Amen.
⇑ HYMN C#283—”Jesus Stand Among Us”
WORDS OF FORGIVENESS
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE: Luke 9:51-62 (NT 85)
A BRIEF REFLECTION
BLESSING AND SHARING OF ASHES
Let us pray:
Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth. May these ashes be for us a sign of our mortality and a reminder that only by your gracious gift are we given everlasting life; in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
SONG OF PREPARATION—”The Invitation”
SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
Invitation to the Table
Communion Prayer
Words of Institution
Blessing of the Elements
Sharing of the Elements
(You are invited to come forward for communion. You will be handed a piece of bread to eat and a cup of juice to drink. Then, you may return to your seat. All bread is gluten-free, and the cup contains simple grape juice.)
UNISON PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Jesus, one of us betrayed you, another denied you, and we have all forsaken you, yet you love us anyway, and for that we give you thanks and praise. Amen.
SENDING HYMN C#254—”Breathe On Me, Breath of God”
SENDING FORTH
BENEDICTION
BENEDICTION RESPONSE
We are one in the Spirit. We are one in the Lord.
We are one in the Spirit. We are one in the Lord.
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
| SCRIPTURE – Luke 9:51-62 NRSVUE A Samaritan Village Refuses to Receive Jesus
51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way, they entered a village of the Samaritans to prepare for his arrival, 53 but they did not receive him because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 When his disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 Then they went on to another village.Would-Be Followers of Jesus
57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 And Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”Does anything surprise you in tonight’s reading? What is something that you always find yourself making excuses about? How might you align your intentions and your actions? |
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
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