FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — October 15, 2023
PRAYERS, BLESSINGS, & BENEDICTIONS
Kind words are benedictions.
They are not only instruments of power,
but of benevolence and courtesy;
blessing both the speaker and hearer of them
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
GATHERING MUSIC
WELCOME
WORSHIP WAYS
TIME OF CENTERING
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.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Bless us
As we meet together for worship.
Bless us
As we sing and ponder and pray.
Bless us
As we read and listen to Your Word.
Bless us
In all that we say and do so that we might bless others in Your name.
A MOMENT TO LET GO
OPENING PRAYER
SHARE
⇑ HYMN C#570—”Sweet Hour of Prayer”
TIME OF SHARING (C#323)
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: Numbers 6:22-27 (Oldtown Bible: OT 155)
REFLECT
SERMON – “Prayers, Blessings, & Benedictions”
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#572—”Take Time to be Holy” (Worship in Song hymnal)
⇑ BENEDICTION
⇑ BENEDICTION RESPONSE (C#434)
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! ***
The Oldtown Message
October 15, 2023
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun Oct 15: NO HOUSEHOLD HUDDLE
~ Worship 10am (no fellowship following worship)
~ Celebration of the Life of Janice Tondravi
Wed Oct 18: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
~ Wondering About the WORD 6pm
~ Church Committee Meeting 7pm
Sun Oct 22: Household Huddle 9am
~ 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
Alice, Jeanne, Franke, Geddy, Wayne, June, Lynne, Celine, Stacey, Al, Bob, Edi, John, Katie, Lydia, Ben, Doug, Stephen, Kim, Beth, Perilene, Sheryl, Joanne, Michelle, Gloria, Tom, Mark, Patti, Marion, Gordon C., Phoebe, Jim, Barbara, James, Jean, Cyndy, Maryam, Karen, Marcia, Erica, Christina, Stephanie, Heather, Michelle, Brandon, Joe, Shane, Deborah, Nicole, Jasper, Armand, Dave, Carolyn, Bill, Doug, Connie, Peter, Keli, Nadine, Rich, Tim, Nikki, Rhonda, Shawn, Nicholas, Mel, Peter, Jayne, Steve, Daniel, Sam, Jill, Shirley, Algernon, Shurbelle, Indie, Lynn, Alan & Paula, Denise, Patrick, Scott, Hailey, Carole, Duane, Kevin, Richie, Judy, Roxanne, John, our new migrant neighbors, and the family and friends of Janice Tondravi.
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
PRAYERS FOR THE COMING WEEK
MORNING
O God, bless this day and all that it holds within it; and give me the strength and patience that I need to serve others in your name. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
EVENING
O God, tonight I celebrate all that I experienced today, the joy, the sorrow, the struggle even the frustration. Because it didn’t break me. I am still living and breathing, and for that, I give you thanks and praise! Amen!
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 60 people in worship on Sunday, and our total giving to the church for the week was $1,568.16, which is $313.44 more than expected.
- So far, this year’s congregational giving is $12,750 more than we expected. Keep up the great work!!
Thanks to all who helped with our Turkey Supper. Whether you cooked a turkey, helped prepare the food, served our beloved guests, helped us clean up, or all of the above, know that your efforts were greatly appreciated. Even though the number of in-person guests may be smaller than in years past, the fellowship enjoyed by those who attended means just as much as the great food enjoyed by all.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.“
~ Matthew 18:20 (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