FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA—September 19, 2021
Grief and gratitude are kindred souls, each pointing to the beauty of what is transient and given to us by grace.
~ Patricia Campbell Carlson
Ministers: ALL of our Members and Friends
Pastor & Teacher: The Rev. Kelly Thibeault
Pianist: Ellen Kingman
Welcome to the Oldtown Church!
Whoever you are, and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are always welcome here. Because we are a faith community that values all ages and stages, and those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated, all people vaccinated or unvaccinated MUST wear a mask while in the church building. Presenters may remove their masks while presenting, but otherwise, masks must remain on. We thank you for your patience and cooperation.
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 the nursery 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 / TODAY’S WORSHIP WAYS
| What things do you need to let go of to be fully present today? |
OPENING PRAYER
SHARE
⇑ HYMN—C#295 “In This Very Room”
⇑ SHARING TIME
| What is something that surprised you this week? |
PREPARING OUR HEARTS FOR SCRIPTURE
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.
STORYTIME: “When I See You Again” by Gina J. Lewis
SCRIPTURE READING: John 16:16-22, NRSV (Oldtown Bible: NT 135)
| What stood out for you in today’s reading? What questions did it raise? |
REFLECT
SERMON–”Grief and Gratitude”
| What words, phrases, or thoughts do you want to remember? |
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.”
| What special prayers do you hold in your heart? |
THE CAMP DENNEN PRAYER
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
GIFT OF SONG: “Come and See” – The Clavette Family
THANK
OFFERING OUR THANKS
| What is something that you are thankful for today? |
⇑ 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 THANKSGIVING
THE WORK OF THE CHURCH
⇑ SENDING HYMN—C#638 “In the Bulb There Is a Flower”
⇑ BENEDICTION
⇑ BENEDICTION RESPONSE
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 our 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! **
Please join us outside for fellowship on the south lawn following worship!
The Oldtown Message
September 19, 2021
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun September 19: In-Person Worship 10am
Sat September 25: Outdoor Craft Sale 10am-2pm (Rain date 10/2)
~ Pet Clinic 11am-noon
Sun September 26: In-Person Worship 10am
Have something you’d like added to the events calendar? Email calendar@oldtownucc.org with all the information and we’ll get it posted.
WELCOME BACK TO IN-PERSON WORSHIP
As we ease back into gathering together to worship, we remind everyone to be gentle with each other. In the interest of keeping everyone safe, including the children and immuno-compromised within our church family, we are requiring that masks be worn at all times when in the church building. While we recognize that there are differing opinions on the need for masks, we have decided to require mask-wearing while indoors at the church for the safety and comfort of everyone. We have also decided there will be no gathering in Maxcy Hall for fellowship following worship. Everyone is welcome to gather outside on the south lawn or in the parking lot, but we will not be having a time of indoor fellowship. We thank you for your patience and for your prayerful consideration of others.
MASK UPDATE
Our Church Committee voted to make a small change to our church mask policy. Moving forward, masks are now mandatory at all times inside the church building. Thank you for your cooperation.
DO YOU NEED TO CONTACT THE CHURCH?
As we return to the building and step into new ways of being the church, we are trying to set safe and healthy boundaries for everyone. Moving forward, if you need to contact Pastor Kelly or the church for church business, we ask that you use the church phone number, 508-695-1713. We have a new phone system in place in hopes of streamlining our communication. If Pastor Kelly cannot answer at the time of your call, leave a message and she will get back to you as soon as she can.
IN NEED OF OUR PRAYERS
Sue & Steve, Matthew, Kaya, Will, David, Ginger D., Doreen, Lucy, Gordon C., Dawn, Sam, the Farinelli family
If you would like to add a name to our prayer list, please talk with Pastor Kelly, fill out a prayer card or note and drop it in the offering basket, or use our online prayer request form.
| STEWARDSHIP CORNER | |
|---|---|
| Offering last week: | $1,802.65 $488.23 more than budget |
| Offering 2021 to date: | $400 more than budget |
| To-Date as of End of August (67% of year) | |
| Fund Raising: | $7,970.76 (53.1% of annual budget) |
| Total Budgeted Income: | $58,229.58 (64.5% of annual budget) |
| Total Budgeted Expenses: | $57,882.52 (55.7% of annual budget) |
| Non-Budgeted Income: | $11,081.81 |
| Non Budgeted Expenses: | $10,975.57 |
| Total Surplus for 2021: | $453.30 |
We are still looking for items and helpers for our upcoming Oldtown Craft Fair and Bake Sale this coming Saturday, September 25 from 10am–2pm. We will be having a Christmas table, a Pampering You table, a Baked Good table, and more. Please email Kris Collins or Deb Fennell to let them know that you have crafts to sell or are available to help at the fair. The success of fundraising events such as this depends on the participation of everyone in the congregation.
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
~ Acts 20:28 (NIV)
First Congregational Church, UCC of North Attleborough
(Oldtown Church)
Church Phone: 508-695-1713
Pastor Kelly’s email: PastorKelly@oldtownucc.org
Church Email: Church@oldtownucc.org
Website: www.oldtownucc.org