FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UCC
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — August 24, 2025
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 snacks 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.
PRELUDE
GATHERING MUSIC–C#442 “We Are Walking”
WELCOME / WORSHIP WAYS
TIME OF CENTERING (C#286)
This is the day, this is the day,
That the Lord has made, that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice, we will rejoice,
And be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made.
A TIME FOR LETTING GO / OPENING PRAYER
CALL TO WORSHIP
Happy are we
When we are greeted with open arms.
Happy are we
When our mistakes 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.
⇑ HYMN C#3–”The Sun Is On The Sea and Shore”
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: Joshua 1:1-9 (OT 240)
SERMON: “Sand”
PREPARING OURSELVES FOR PRAYER (C#259)
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
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
OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS
GIFT OF MUSIC
⇑ DOXOLOGY (C#47)
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 THE CHURCH
⇑ SENDING HYMN C#629–”Stand By Me”
⇑ 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! ***
The Oldtown Message
August 24, 2025
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun August 24: Worship 10am
Wed August 27: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
Sat August 30: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9:30am-noon
Sun August 31: Worship 10am (w/ Blessing of the Backpacks)
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
Edi, Lynn, Tim, Mark, Cyndy, Joan, Justine & Nolan, the Miranda & K family, Jan & Kylie, Steven, Tegan, Dana, Ken, Lynne, Kaye, Karen, Samantha, Robin, Donna, Winnie, Carl, Michael, Sue C., Laura, Jim, Paul, Daniel, Nancy, Paul L, Jake, Muriel, Michelle, Joe, Bob, Gloria, Barry, Magda, Erik, Hailey & Bryce, Al, Denise, Rhonda, Jake, Cindi, Henry, Roxanne, Paul Garvey & family, Val, Myrtle, Deane, Deanne, Rusty, Gianna, Kelsey & Nick, Jayne, John, Kait & Dom, Bill, Autumn, Judy.
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.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP FAMILIES IN NEED?
This summer, we are not challenging or putting pressure on our congregation to fill baskets of food; we are simply inviting anyone who would like to donate to our local food pantry to do so. If having an item a week makes giving more fun, you can follow the timeline below, OR you can bring in any of the items at any time.
The Food Pantry has requested the following items
August 31st – Canned Beans
White, Red, Chickpeas, NO Black Beans
Other: Canned Pastas: beefaroni, lasagna, spaghetti & meatballs
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, we welcomed 43 people to worship with us. Our total giving to the church over the past four weeks was $4,713.87, which is $978.44 less than expected.
- So far, this year’s congregational giving has been $6,000 more than expected. Keep up the great work!!
Life is not without troubles, but luckily, we have a savior who has made us a promise. But Jesus doesn’t promise to magically take all our troubles away and make every moment full of smiles, rainbows, and unicorns. No, in fact, Jesus tells us we will face hardship and suffering in this world. But He also reminds us to be unafraid, because He promises He will always be with us through the best and worst of times, and He has overcome this world.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
~ Psalms 23:4-6 (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