FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UCC
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA • April 5, 2026
“Easter is …
joining in a birdsong, watching an early sunrise, smelling yellow daffodils, unbolting windows and doors, skipping through meadows, cuddling newborns, hoping, believing, reviving spent life, inhaling fresh air, sprinkling seeds along furrows, tracking in the mud. Easter is the soul’s first taste of spring and possibility.”
~ Richelle E. Goodrich
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. Here in Oldtown, we are all about being curious, so don’t be afraid to ask questions, and please join us for fellowship with coffee and refreshments after worship!
Finally, as a way of honoring our time together and truly loving our neighbor, we ask that you please silence your phone or, better yet, turn it off, allowing yourself to be truly present in worship.
We’re so glad that you’re here! Now do yourself a favor: turn off your cell phone, take a deep breath, release the tension in your shoulders, and allow yourself to feel the seat cushion beneath you. Don’t worry about what you’re doing later today or what is on your calendar for the coming week. Be present here and now, knowing that God meets you here.
PRELUDE
GATHERING MUSIC
WELCOME
WORSHIP WAYS
A TIME FOR LETTING GO
OPENING PRAYER
CALL TO WORSHIP
Alleluia!
Alleluia, the tomb is empty!
Alleluia!
Alleluia, Christ is risen!
Alleluia!
Alleluia, we need not be afraid.
Alleluia!
Alleluia! Let us worship and praise God together!
Our faith calls us to intimate one-on-one time with the Spirit as we feel and know the presence of God in our hearts, but it also calls us to share our faith in community. Worship invites us to experience both. May you treasure God in your heart today, but also see God in the face of your neighbor.
⇑ HYMN C#216–“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”
TIME OF SHARING
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: Luke 24:1-12 (NT 109)
Taking time to reflect helps us process what we’ve heard and internalize it, making it our own. Take another deep breath as you listen for God’s still-speaking voice. May you be inspired in new and exciting ways.
SERMON: “Practicing Resurrection”
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
When we look at the world through the lens of gratitude, we go beyond our struggles and fears and are reminded that we are blessed beyond measure despite them. Take a few moments to think about the things that you are thankful for and how your life is different because of them.
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
LOVE OF CHURCH
⇑ SENDING HYMN C#226–”He Lives”
⇑ BENEDICTION
⇑ BENEDICTION RESPONSE (C#434)
God be with you ’til we meet again.
Loving counsel, guide, uphold you.
With a shepherd’s care enfold you.
God be with you ’til we meet again.
‘Til we meet, ’til we meet,
‘Til we meet at Jesus’ feet.
‘Til we meet, ’til we meet,
God be with you ’til we meet again.
POSTLUDE
*** Our worship has ended; let our service begin! ***
The Oldtown Message
April 5, 2026
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun April 5: Sunrise Service @ Capron Park, Attleboro 6am
~ NO HOUSEHOLD HUDDLE
~ Worship 10am – Easter Sunday
Wed April 8: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
~ Coffee Connection 10am-12noon
~ Oldtown PEACE Project 6:30-8pm
Sat April 11: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
Sun April 12: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10a w/Communion
~ Deacons meeting following worship
Wed April 15: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
~ Coffee Connection 10am-12noon
~ Oldtown PEACE Project 6:30-8pm
Fri April 17: Celebrating the Life of Darrell Johnston 10am
Sat April 18: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
Sun April 19: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10a
~ Church committee meeting following worship
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
Jim, Meghan, Tom, Gene, Brad, Robert, John, Tony, Russell, Jessica, Kathleen, Lugi, Buddy, Lynne, Bill, Dawn, David, Edie, Edi, Autumn, Logan, Dana, Lynn, Al, Roxanne, Perilene, Jayne, Lydia, Joe, Daniel, Andy, Megan, Rusty, Bill, Joe, Alaina, Cindi, Nancy, Rose, John, Donna, Ben, Deane, Linda Sue, Matthew, Barbara, Peter, Peter Jr., Christine & Daniel, Kristin, Cassie, Dave Mo.
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.
Wednesday nights from 6:30-8pm
Sometimes the world feels too heavy, we feel alone, or we struggle with what we hear and see around us. During the season of Lent, we will be gathering on Wednesday nights to provide a safe space to build relationships, talk, listen, and support one another. We will be reflecting on themes of empathy, action, resiliency, community, and the importance of sharing not our judgments and opinions, but an overarching sense of love and peace.
We may not always walk the same road or see the world through the same lens, but we can still choose to love and support one another, bringing a sense of peace to the world.
STEWARDSHIP CORNER
Weekly Giving
- Last week, we welcomed 63 people in worship, and our total giving to the church for the week was $1,095.39, which is $404.61 less than expected.
- Our congregational giving so far this year is $1,200 less than expected. Don’t forget you can give online at https://www.oldtownucc.org/giving to the church even if you can’t join us on Sunday mornings.
He is risen.
HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples.
~ Matthew 28:5-8 (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
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