FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — December 17, 2023
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. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and please join us for fellowship after worship!
Please remember to mute your devices during worship.
BREATHE
PRELUDE
GATHERING SONG
WELCOME / WORSHIP WAYS
TIME OF CENTERING
God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay.
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s pow’r when we were gone astray.
Oh tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy.
Oh tidings of comfort and joy.
A MOMENT TO LET GO / OPENING PRAYER
LIGHTING THE CANDLE OF LOVE (C#128)
Come, wander where lion and lamb gently graze.
Where evil is banished, and faith takes the day.
A babe in the manger to fool the world’s eyes.
One candle is lit for God’s loving surprise.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Do you see it?
See what? I’m too busy.
Do you see it?
What are you talking about?
Do you see it?
No, I don’t have time.
Do you see it?
Yes! God’s love is all around us. How did we miss it?
SHARE
⇑ HYMN C#164—”Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”
TIME OF SHARING (C#134)
Emmanuel, Emmanuel,
His name is called, Emmanuel.
God with us, revealed to us,
His name is called, Emmanuel
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
Luke 2:1-7 (Oldtown Bible: NT 71)
REFLECT
SERMON: “A Mother’s Love”
PREPARING OURSELVES FOR PRAYER
O holy Child of Bethlehem, reveal to us thy Way
Of justice, peace, and healing Grace. Be born in us today.
We are the Christmas angels. Help us glad tidings tell.
O walk with us, shine forth through us, each one, Emmanuel!
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 OUR THANKS
GIFT OF MUSIC
⇑ DOXOLOGY (C#151)
Then entered in those wise men three,
Full reverently upon their knee,
And offered there, in his presence,
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.
⇑ PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
FOR LOVE OF THE CHURCH
⇑ SENDING SONG C#162—”What Child Is This?”
⇑ BENEDICTION
⇑ BENEDICTION RESPONSE (C#434)
God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay.
Remember, Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s pow’r when we were gone astray.
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy.
Oh. tidings of comfort and joy.
POSTLUDE
*** Our worship has ended; let our service begin! ***
The Oldtown Message
December 17, 2023
During the season of Advent, we will be celebrating
“Tidings of Comfort and Hope, Peace, Joy & Love.”
We invite you to wear your favorite flannel, fleece, or whatever
brings you the most comfort to worship.
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun Dec 17: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am – Advent 4
~ Christmas Caroling 4pm
Thu Dec 21: BLUE Christmas 7pm
Sun Dec 24: NO HOUSEHOLD HUDDLE
~ Worship 10am – Comfy Christmas Service
~ Candlelight Christmas Eve Service 7pm
Sun Dec 31: NO HOUSEHOLD HUDDLE
~ Worship 10am
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
Edmond, Sarah, Edi, Nancy, Teagan, Cindi, Dan, Ann, David, Judy, Sherri, Roxanne, Lynne, Louis, Nick.
To add a name to the list, email Pastor Kelly at PastorKelly@Oldtownucc.org 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.
STEWARDSHIP CORNER
Weekly Giving
- Last week, we welcomed 64 people in worship on Sunday, and our total giving to the church for the week was $1,343.55, which is $88.83 more than expected.
- So far, this year’s congregational giving is $13,200 more than we expected. Keep up the great work!!
At this time of year, the “special” extra services we do welcome many who don’t normally attend worship with us on Sunday mornings through our doors. Evening worship services often have a totally different feel than our Sunday morning worship. If you haven’t attended an evening service recently, we encourage you to do so, for yourself and to welcome others to worship at Oldtown.
Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
~ Hebrews 13:1-2 (NLT)
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