FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — September 10, 2023
Welcome & Hospitality
Whoever you are, and wherever you are on life’s journey,
You are welcome here!
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 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
All are welcome,
For we are all made in the image of God.
All are welcome,
For each of us are unique, each special.
All are welcome,
For we are all brothers and sisters on a journey of faith.
OPENING PRAYER
SHARE
⇑ HYMN C#284—”Gather Us In”
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: Hebrews 13:1-2 (Oldtown Bible: NT 276)
REFLECT
STORY TIME – “A Church For All” by Gayle E. Pitman
SERMON – “How Did You Find Oldtown and What Made You Stay?”
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#677—”Let There Be Peace on Earth”
⇑ 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
September 10, 2023
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun Sept 10: Worship 10am
Wed Sept 13: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
~ Wondering About the WORD 6pm
Sat Sept 16: Pet Vaccination Clinic 11am-noon
Sun Sept 17: Household Huddle BEGINS! 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, Janice, Jeanne, Franke, Geddy, Wayne, June, Lynne, Celine, Stacey, Al, Bob, Edi, John, Katie, Lydia, Ben, Doug, Stephen, Kim, Beth, Perilene, Sheryl, Rose & Bill, Joanne, Michelle, Gloria, Tom, Mark, Patti, Marion, Gordon C., Skip, Phoebe, Jim, Barbara, James, Jean, Cyndy, Maryam, Karen, Marcia, Erica, Christina, Stephanie, Heather, Michelle, Richie, Brandon, Joe, Shane, Deborah, Nicole, Jasper, Armand, Dave, Carolyn, Bill, Ed, Doug G., Connie E., Britt, James & Aurora, Peter, Keli, Nadine, Roxanne, Rich, Tom, Nikki, Rhonda, Shawn, Nicholas, Mel, Matt, Peter, Jayne, Steve, Daniel, Sam, Jill, Shirley, Algernon, Shurbelle, Indie, Lynn, Alan & Paula, Denise, Patrick, Scott J, Hailey, Carole, Duane H.
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
Loving God, you know the struggles that I will face today. Fill me with grace and humility that I might walk gently through them, concentrating not on the problems but the blessings all around me. Amen.
EVENING
In the quiet of this evening, O God, let me rest in the comfort of your gentle hands. 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 plate 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 45 in worship on Sunday, and our total giving to the church for the week was $1,643.43, which is $388.71 more than expected.
- So far, this year’s congregational giving is $5,800 more than we expected. Keep up the great work!!
This Wednesday, we are excited to begin our “Wondering About the WORD” series. On Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 6:45, we will gather together in Maxcy Hall to connect with our church family and our faith. Join us as we begin with a prayer and a reading of the scripture for the upcoming Sunday. Then, we’ll learn a little more about the reading and its context and meaning, both for its original audience and for us in our lives today. This is more of an informal, casual conversation than a Bible Study. All are welcome!!
Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual.
~ 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 (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