FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — October 6, 2024
Don’t put yourself or your faith in a box because that’s what everyone else is doing. God colors outside the lines and wants us to explore and turn over rocks to discover the goodness of life.
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!
Please remember to mute your devices during worship.
| AN INVITATION TO BE CURIOUS… As you prepare for worship this morning, take a moment to think about how other people around the world might be worshipping right now. |
PRELUDE
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.
A MOMENT TO LET GO / OPENING PRAYER
CALL TO WORSHIP
We are all one family,
Made in the image of God.
We are all one family,
Each unique, each special.
We are all one family,
Given gifts and talents to share.
⇑ HYMN C#386–”We Come As Guests Invited”
SHARING TIME
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 LESSONS:
1 Corinthians 12:12-31 (NRSVUE) (NT 212)
| What part of the body do you think you might be? |
SERMON – “Hospitality & Welcome”
| If you were making a pot of chili, what secret ingredients might you add? |
| When it comes to communion, what are you most curious about? |
PREPARING FOR PRAYER
Hear our prayer, O Lord,
Hear our prayer, O Lord,
Incline thine ear to us
And grant us thy peace. Amen.
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 (Old Hundredth)
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
The Sacred Story
The Invitation
The 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 LOVE OF CHURCH
⇑ SENDING HYMN–C#422 “Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ”
⇑ 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 6, 2024
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun October 6: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship 10am w/Communion
~ Deacons meeting after worship
Wed October 9: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
Thu October 10: NOOMA Spirituality Night 7pm
Sat October 12: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
Sun October 13: NO HOUSEHOLD HUDDLE
~ Worship 10am
~ Missions meeting after worship
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 and John, Lynn, Tim, Laurel, Jim and Marcia, Mark, Wendy, Cyndy, Teagan, Joan, Jasper, Justine and Nolan, Jeanne, Wayne, Nettie, the Miranda and K family, Jan and Kylie.
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.
SECOND SERVING THRIFT SHOP
Don’t forget, Oldtown’s “Second Servings Thrift Shop” is open on Saturdays from 9am-12 noon. Stop by and check it out and be sure to tell your friends!
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 39 people in worship, and our total giving to the church for the week was $819.68, which is $564.94 less than expected.
- So far, this year’s congregational giving has been $350 more than expected. Keep up the great work!!
On this World Communion Sunday, we share a meal with all believers around the world and all the saints who have gone before us. As we meet around the table, let us remember our brothers and sisters sharing bread and the meal Jesus shared with his friends in the upper room. Jesus cares about people’s physical hunger. But more than that, Jesus satisfies our spiritual hunger and our thirst for truth.
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
~ John 6:35 (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