FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — September 1, 2024
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.
PRELUDE
GATHERING MUSIC
WELCOME / WORSHIP WAYS
A MOMENT TO LET GO / OPENING PRAYER
CALL TO WORSHIP
We are blessed
When we follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
We are blessed
When we love our neighbor.
We are blessed
When we choose to bless others.
We are blessed
When we gather together to worship God.
⇑ HYMN C#490–”Sister, Let Me Be Your Servant”
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 LESSON: 1 Peter 3:8-11 (NRSVUE) (NT 284)
SERMON–”Bless”
PREPARING 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
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#433 “Blessed Be The Tie That Binds”
⇑ BENEDICTION
⇑ BENEDICTION RESPONSE (C#444)
Let us now depart in thy peace, blessed Jesus.
Send us to our homes with God’s love in our hearts.
Let not the busy world claim all our loyalties.
Keep us ever mindful, dear Lord, of thee.
POSTLUDE
*** Our worship has ended; let our service begin! ***
The Oldtown Message
September 1, 2024
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun September 1: NO HOUSEHOLD HUDDLE
~ Worship 10am with communion
~ Ice Cream Sunday Celebration after worship
~ Deacons meeting after worship
Wed September 4: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
Sun September 8: 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
Edmond, Sarah, Edi & John, Nancy, Dan, Judy, Lynn, David, Sherri, Roxanne, Lynne, Louis, Nick, Frank, Catherine, Ben, Jim & Marcia, Brianna, Duane, Samuel, Jill, Tammy, Bob, Cyndy, Christi, Marianne, Hailey, Don, Claudia, Megan, Matthew, Maria, Madison, the Roux/Dorr family, Kes, Scott, the Miranda/K family, Brian, Michael, Wendy, Rich, Levi, Ellen, Tara, Sandy, Thyra, John, Pete, Bob, Paul, Kristen, Laurie, Amy, Nikki, Gloria, Scott L., Blake, Jesse, Marjon, Jasper, Deanne, Rob and Zach, Samuel, Ruby, Muriel.
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.
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 56 people in worship, and our total giving to the church for the week was $1,473.43, which is $88.81 more than expected.
- So far, this year’s congregational giving has been $1,700 more than expected. Keep up the great work!!
We are creatures of our environment, and it is often said that we live in the world we make. Take time to think about the things you surround yourself with, the media you consume, the books and music you read and listen to, and the people around you. If they’re mostly negative, chances are that affects your mood and your outlook. Try to avoid negativity and surround yourself with positive influences. The easiest way to begin is by being a positive influence yourself!
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about[d] these things. As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you.
~ Philippians 4:8-9 (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