FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — September 30, 2018
“Dreaming of a new way to be church”
Ministers: ALL of our Members and Friends
Pastor & Teacher: The Rev. Kelly Thibeault
Pastoral Intern: Amie McCarthy
Pianist: Suzanne Sheppard
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 the nursery in case your little one needs a walkabout. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and please join us for coffee and refreshments after worship!
Please remember to mute your devices during worship.
BREATHE
PRELUDE
INTROIT — “When Morning Gilds the Skies”
WELCOME / TIME OF CENTERING
CALL TO WORSHIP
Praise the Lord!
With all out hearts, we will praise God’s holy name!
Praise the Lord!
We will never forget the good things God has done for us.
Praise the Lord!
All the earth – everyone, everywhere!
Praise the Lord!
Let us praise God together!
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
SHARE
*HYMN C#585 — “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
*SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
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 — 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3; 5:12-26 (NRSV) (NT 247)
REFLECT
SERMON
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
SONG OF PRAISE — “Blessed Assurance”
*THE 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
TIME OF ANNOUNCEMENTS
*SENDING HYMN C#714 — “For the Fruits of All Creation”
*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 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!
Please join us for coffee and fellowship in Maxcy Hall following worship!
The Oldtown Message
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Today: Household Huddle 9am
Worship 10am
Oct 2: Office Hours 10-2pm
Oct 4: Office Hours 10-2pm
Oct 7: NO HOUSEHOLD HUDDLE
Worship 10am
Oct 9: Office Hours 10-2pm
Church Committee 7pm
IN NEED OF OUR PRAYERS
Carolyn, Sharon, Edmond, Virginia, Jim B., Shannon, Kristen, Gordon, Susan, David W, Sue, Steve, Lynne, Richard, Emily, Ron & Margretha, Kim, Tanya, Lydia, Maryam, Barbara, Sandie, Jenn & Jim, Julio, Matt & his family, Eddie, Vinny, Patty, Paula, Susan, Jerry, Dave, Tim, Bea.
Would you like to add someone to our prayer list?
Fill out a prayer card and drop it in the offering plate, or use our online prayer request form.
PLEASE BRING A CANNED GOOD NEXT WEEK
As a part of our celebration of World Communion Sunday next week, we are asking everyone to bring a canned good to worship to share with Lenore’s pantry.
DO YOU WANT TO READ AHEAD?
If you are interested in reading ahead, next week in worship our Scripture reading will be 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 (NRSV).
FREE CONCERT — “LOOKING UP” WITH THE SHEPPARD SISTERS
Today at 3pm at New Jerusalem Church, 2 Bedford Street, Bridgewater, there will be songs from Broadway musicals, popular standards, folk songs, classical repertoire, and originals, stunning musical and visual effects, costume changes, and props, like being at a Broadway show!
| STEWARDSHIP CORNER | |
| Offering last week: | $881.78 $483.60 less than budgeted |
| Offering to date: | $500 less than budgeted |
| Fund Raising (end of August): | $2,500 less than budgeted |
| Total Budgeted Income (end of August): | $1,700 less than budgeted |
| Total Budgeted Expenses (end of August): | $3,100 less than budgeted |
Did You Know?
The Rev. Traci Blackmon, Executive Minister of Justice and Witness Ministries at the United Church of Christ, addressed a global gathering of religious leaders in Rome this week bearing witness to the role of the church in the call to intervention and justice. You can read the text of her address online at http://www.ucc.org/traci_blackmon_the_church_must_not_be_silent_while_injustice_speaks_aloud
“Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches? Nothing will remain but to cringe among the captives or fall among the slain.”
~ Isaiah 10:1-4a (NIV)
First Congregational Church, UCC of North Attleborough
(Oldtown Church)
Church Phone: 508/695-1713 — Pastor Kelly’s cell phone: 508/294-9767
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 12 – 3 pm
Pastor Kelly’s email: PastorKelly@oldtownucc.org
Church Email: Church@oldtownucc.org
Website: www.oldtownucc.org