FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA—December 1, 2019
Ministers: ALL of our Members and Friends
Pastor & Teacher: The Rev. Kelly Thibeault
Pianist: Mrs. Ellen Kingman
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—”Emmanuel”
WELCOME / CENTERING TIME
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here; until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
CALL TO WORSHIP
Get Ready!
For the true Light is coming into the world.
Get Ready!
That your heart might be filled with Advent hope.
Get Ready!
As we worship God together.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O God we gather here today, caught up in the pressures and stresses of the holiday season. Slow us down. Calm our spirits. Help us to understand that this is the season of waiting and preparation. For we ask this in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
SHARE
⇑ HYMN—C#148 “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
⇑ 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.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
We are a people searching for hope that we might share it with others.
Our hearts are filled with anticipation for the coming of the Christ Child.
For God is to be among us and we will see a great light.
Let us light the candle of Hope.
SUNG RESPONSE—”Advent Hallelujah” (Hope)
SCRIPTURE READING—John 1:1-4 (NRSV)
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 by they 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—”Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates”
⇑ 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 COMMUNION
HYMN OF PREPARATION—C#145 “Silent Night, Holy Night”
INVITATION
COMMUNION PRAYER
Loving God, may we see your guiding light. May we find you in the stable. May we follow you to the cross. May we find new life through you as we gather around the table to celebrate the journey that is before us, from the manger to the cross and back to life again. Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
BLESSING OF THE ELEMENTS
SHARING OF THE ELEMENTS
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
You have nourished us at this Table, God of abundance. So now send us out to live abundantly, sharing your love, your grace and your peace, through the power of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
TIME OF ANNOUNCEMENTS
⇑ SENDING HYMN—C#136 “Christians All, Your Lord is Coming”
⇑ 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
December 1, 2019
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
December 1: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am—Communion Service/Advent 1
~ Deacons Meeting after worship
December 3: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
December 7: Winter Craft and Vendor Fair 10am-3pm
December 8: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am—Advent 2
~ Candle Lighting Service for Grieving Parents 6pm
UPCOMING EVENTS
December 14: Pet Clinic 11am-12noon
December 24: Candlelit Christmas Eve Service 7pm
IN NEED OF OUR PRAYERS
Debbie, Kerri, Maryellen, Marge, Gordon, Kristen, Priscilla, Kaya, Pat, Becky, Leo, Michelle, Matthew, Carmella, Ron, Steven.
If you would like to add a name to our prayer list, please fill out a prayer card and drop it in the offering plate, or use our online prayer request form.
WINTER CRAFT AND VENDOR FAIR – Saturday, December 7th
Local artisans and vendors gather at the Oldtown church to offer crafts and other gifts. Please join us and help make the experience for our visitors and vendors as joyful as the season! Setup starts at 8am and cleanup is usually done by 4 or 5. We will be having an Oldtown bake table at the Vendor Fair so we are looking for baked goods as well. You can SIGN UP ONLINE or see Deb Fennell.
DECEMBER’S MISSIONS MINISTRY COLLECTION
We will be supporting a local family for Christmas this year. Starting next week there will be tags on the Christmas tree is Maxcy Hall. We thank you in advance for your generosity.
NON-PERISHABLE FOOD DONATIONS
We have an ongoing collection of non-perishable food items for the North Attleboro School’s Food Pantries. We thank you in advance for helping to keep our kids from being hungry!
| STEWARDSHIP CORNER | |
|---|---|
| Offering last week: | $1,319.52 $42.02 less than budget |
| Offering to date: | $2,950 less than budget |
| Budgets (end of October) | |
| Fund Raising: | $3,300 more than budget |
| Total Budgeted Income: | $5,300 more than budget |
| Total Budgeted Expense: | $5,500 less than budget |
Thank you to those who filled out a Pledge & Promise Card last week. If you haven’t returned yours yet, fear not! More cards are available outside the sanctuary and you can put them in the collection plate or return them to Jim or Deb Fennell.
“As soon as the word spread, the people of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything.“
~ 2 Chronicles 31:5 (NRSV)
First Congregational Church, UCC of North Attleborough
(Oldtown Church)
Church Phone: 508-695-1713 — Pastor Kelly’s cell phone: 508-294-9767
Office Hours: Wednesday 10am-noon & Thursday 6pm-8pm
Pastor Kelly’s email: PastorKelly@oldtownucc.org
Church Email: Church@oldtownucc.org
Website: www.oldtownucc.org