FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — September 24, 2023
Forgiveness
“Forgiveness is, above all, a personal choice,
a decision of the heart to go against the natural
instinct to pay back evil with evil.
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
Happy are we
When we are greeted with open arms.
Happy are we
When our mistakes and missteps are forgiven.
Happy are we
When we are loved, even if we are not lovable.
Happy are we
When we learn to accept and receive God’s grace.
OPENING PRAYER
SHARE
⇑ HYMN C#575—”Come and Find the Quiet Center”
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: Psalm 32 (Oldtown Bible: OT 623)
REFLECT
SERMON – “The Joy of Forgiveness”
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#585—”What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
⇑ 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 24, 2023
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun Sept 24: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am
Wed Sept 27: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
~ Wondering About the WORD 6pm
Sun Oct 1: 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, Tom, 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, the family and friends of Nelson Chafee, and the family and friends of Betty Sargent.
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
Dear God, thank you for waking me up today. You have given me another sunrise to enjoy. Thank you for the wonderful sounds of nature, the cool breeze blowing through the trees, and the beautiful melodies of the birds. Help me to share your love with others today. Amen.
EVENING
Loving God, thank You for walking with me through this day. Thank you for encouraging me to make good choices and for giving me patience when I found myself frustrated. O God, I pray for all those who are in special need tonight and ask that you help me to put aside my worries so that I might have a peaceful night’s rest. All this I pray in Jesus’ name. 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, our total giving to the church for the week was $774.43, which is $480.29 less than expected.
- So far, this year’s congregational giving is $5,800 more than we expected. Keep up the great work!!
Though we had to cancel our most recent Pet Clinic and our Pot Roast Supper due to the recent flooding, “The show must go on!” as they say. This coming Saturday, September 30, we will have our Early Fall Yard Sale, and our Famous Turkey Supper will close out our supper schedule for the year on October 14. If you’d like to sign up to help us with those events, please see Ed Clavette or sign up online to help at https://www.oldtownucc.org/signup.
So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all and especially for those of the family of faith.
~ Galatians 6:9-10 (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