FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — November 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 a little space 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 SONG
WELCOME / WORSHIP WAYS
TIME OF CENTERING
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.
Oh tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy.
Oh tidings of comfort and joy.
CALL TO WORSHIP
We gather in hope
To begin the journey of Advent.
We gather in hope
To prepare for the coming of Christ!
We gather in hope
As we worship God together.
A MOMENT TO LET GO / OPENING PRAYER
SHARE
⇑ HYMN C#129—”Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates”
TIME OF SHARING (C#134)
Emmanuel, Emmanuel,
His name is called, Emmanuel.
God with us, revealed to us,
His name is called, Emmanuel
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 40:1-5 (Oldtown Bible: OT 816)
REFLECT
HANGING OF THE GREENS
PREPARING THE SANCTUARY (C#119)
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
THE GREENS (C#148)
O Come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
O Come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold him, born the king of angels.
Oh, come let us adore him. Oh, come let us adore him.
Oh, come let us adore him. Christ, the Lord!
THE WREATHS (C#147)
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
THE POINSETTIAS (C#172)
We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar.
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.
O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to Thy perfect light.
THE STABLE (C#144)
O Little Town of Bethlehem, descend on us we pray;
Cast out our sin 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.
THE ADVENT WREATH (C#128)
Come surely Lord Jesus, as dawn follows night.
Our hearts long to greet you, as roses the light
Salvation draws near us, or vision engage.
One Candle is lit for the HOPE of the age.
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 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.
⇑ PRAYER OF DEDICATION
FOR LOVE OF THE CHURCH
⇑ SENDING SONG C#143—”Joy to the World”
THE STORY OF THE CANDY CANE
⇑ BENEDICTION
⇑ BENEDICTION RESPONSE (C#434)
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.
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy.
Oh. tidings of comfort and joy.
POSTLUDE
*** Our worship has ended; let our service begin! ***
The Oldtown Message
November 26, 2023
During the season of Advent, we will be celebrating
“Tidings of Comfort and Hope, Peace, Joy & Love.”
We invite you to wear your favorite flannel, fleece, or whatever
brings you the most comfort to worship.
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun Nov 26: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am – Advent 1
Sat Dec 2: Winter Art & Craft Fair 10am-3pm
Sun Dec 3: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am – Advent 2 / Communion
Sat Dec 9: Come and Sing 2pm
Sun Dec 10: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am – Advent 3 / Bell Sunday
Wed Dec 13: Church Committee 7pm
Sun Dec 17: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am – Advent 4
~ Christmas Caroling 4pm
Thu Dec 21: Blue Christmas 7pm
Sun Dec 24: NO HOUSEHOLD HUDDLE
~ Worship 10am – Comfy Christmas Service
~ Candlelight Christmas Eve Service 7pm
Sun Dec 31: NO HOUSEHOLD HUDDLE
~ Worship 10am
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
We are starting a new prayer list this week. Please feel free to email Pastor Kelly at PastorKelly@Oldtownucc.org or drop a note in the offering plate with the names you’d like to add to the list.
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 42 people in worship on Sunday, and our total giving to the church for the week was $1,081.26, which is $173.46 less than expected.
- So far, this year’s congregational giving is $13,100 more than we expected. Keep up the great work!!
‘Tis the season for hospitality at Oldtown! Early on Thanksgiving morning, we hosted the North Attleboro High School Marching Band and Band Parents for the pre-Thanksgiving game breakfast, fueling up the band before the big North Attleboro / Attleboro rivalry game, which North won! #GoBigRed And this Saturday, we welcome our friends from around the community for our Winter Art & Craft Fair. If you can help with the fair, please see Deb Fennell.
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.
~ Hebrews 13:2 (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