FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — August 5, 2018
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.
WE PREPARE
PRELUDE
INTROIT — “Into My Heart”
WELCOME / TIME OF CENTERING
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.
CALL TO WORSHIP
May God search our hearts and speak to our spirits.
May we be encouraged to freely follow God.
Let us become dependable disciples, joyfully proclaiming God’s transforming power and love.
Let us worship God together!
*HYMN C#339 — “Just as I Am, Without One Plea”
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Loving God, we have given more weight to our successes and our happiness than your will. We have eaten without a thought for the hungry, spoken without an effort to understand others, kept quiet instead of telling the truth, and taken the gifts you have given us for granted. Forgive us and help us to live as disciples of Christ. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
*SUNG AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor trials in the present, nor any trials to come, neither height, nor depth, nor all of creation can ever separate us from the love of God poured out in Christ Jesus our Lord.
*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.
WE LISTEN
SCRIPTURE — Psalm 51:1-12 (NRSV)
SERMON
WE RESPOND
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
OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS
SONG OF PRAISE — “Rock of Ages”
*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
CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION
Hymn of Preparation C#408 — “Come Share the Lord”
The Sacred Story
The Invitation
The Blessing of the Elements
Sharing of the Bread & Cup
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Gracious God, we thank you for this meal and for all of the ways you nourish us. Grow in us that we may nourish others. Sustains us as we press toward the goal of your call in Christ Jesus. Amen.
TIME OF ANNOUNCEMENTS
*SENDING HYMN C#562 — “Because He Lives”
*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
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, Vinnie.
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.
Office Hours
Pastor Kelly will be in the office on Thursday from 11-3.
Missions Collection
Throughout the summer we are collecting school supplies to help families in our area. If you would like to donate pencils, notebooks, crayons, markers or any other school supplies, there is a box by the door where you can leave them. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Do you want to read ahead?
If you are interested in reading ahead, next week in worship our scripture reading will be Ephesians 4:25-5:2 (NRSV)
| Stewardship Corner | |
| Offering last week: | $1,081.68 $283.70 less than budgeted |
| Offering to date: | $275 more than budgeted |
| Fund Raising (end of June): | $2,900 less than budgeted |
| Total Budgeted Income (end of June): | $2,100 less than budgeted |
| Total Budgeted Expenses (end of June): | $5,300 less than budgeted |
Did You Know?
We’re halfway through the summer, and we hope you’re all enjoying summertime with family and friends. Keep on sending us your Flat Jesus pictures, and don’t forget you can continue to support your church online or on your phone at https://www.oldtownucc.org/
“Jesus replied, ‘The most important commandment is this: “Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” The second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” No other commandment is greater than these.'”
~ Mark 12:29-31 (NLT)
First Congregational Church, UCC of North Attleborough
Church Phone: 508/697-1713 – Pastor Kelly’s cell phone: 508/294-9767
Summer Office Hours: Thursday, 11 am – 3 pm
Pastor Kelly’s email: PastorKelly@oldtownucc.org
Church Email: Church@oldtownucc.org
Send Flat Jesus Pictures to: FlatJesus@oldtownucc.org
Website: www.oldtownucc.org