FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — December 2, 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.
BREATHE
PRELUDE
INTROIT — “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
WELCOME / TIME OF CENTERING
CALL TO WORSHIP
It was the night when peace was born,
And just as now, the world was torn.
But all was calm, and all was bright,
For the star above gave out its light.
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
SILENT NIGHT
Silent night, holy night.
All is calm, all is bright.
‘Round yon Virgin Mother and Child,
Holy spirit so tender and mild.
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
We enter this season of waiting by lighting the first candle, anticipating the light of the star that shone over Bethlehem.
Advent God, we open ourselves to hear your call today to become those who not only wait, but who work for peace, peace in our lives, our families, our communities, and our world.
Fill us with your peace and light, make the world so calm and bright. Amen.
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.
SCRIPTURE—Isaiah 2:1-4 (NRSV), Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 (NRSV)
REFLECT
SERMON—”Sleep in Heavenly Peace”
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
THANK
OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS
GIFT OF MUSIC—”My Peace”
*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
SONG OF PREPARATION
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.
MINISTRY MOMENT
TIME OF ANNOUNCEMENTS
*SENDING HYMN: C#677—”Let There Be Peace on Earth”
*BENEDICTION
*BENEDICTION RESPONSE
Carry your candle, run to the darkness.
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn.
Hold out your candle for all to see it.
Take your candle, go light your world.
Take your candle, go light your world.
POSTLUDE
Our worship has ended… Let our service begin!
Please join us for coffee and fellowship in Maxcy Hall following worship!
The Oldtown Message
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Today: Household Huddle 9am
– Worship 10am
– Bible Study after worship
Dec 4: Office Hours 10-2
Dec 5: Missions Meeting @ An Unlikely Story 6:30pm
Dec 6: Office hours 10-2
– Fall Fair Reflection 6pm
Dec 9: Household Huddle 9am
– Worship 10am
– Deacons’ Meeting after worship
Dec 14: Coffeehouse 7pm
IN NEED OF OUR PRAYERS
Mark, Ed, Sue, Steve, Kerri, Cindy
If you would like to add a name to it, please fill out a prayer card and drop it in the offering plate, or use our online prayer request form.
DAILY EMAIL ADVENT DEVOTIONAL
In an increasingly dark world, we can be a bright light to those around us and a shining example of God’s love. After all, opportunities to shine surround us each day. This Advent, with the help our of daily Advent devotional, we will see and experience ways to be a shining star, lighting the way for those around us.
Our 2018 Daily Email Advent Devotional begins on December 2nd . If you have received them before, you are still on our server list. If you have never received the Daily Email Advent or Lenten Devotional and you would like to, please let Pastor Kelly know and she will add you to the list.
ADVENT OUT OF THE BOX COLLECTION
This Advent as we prepare for the baby to be born in Bethlehem, we will be collecting baby items to share with New Hope, our local women’s shelter and other local food pantries.
Items needed include diapers (especially sizes 2-6), pull-ups, baby wipes, baby blankets, new infant and toddler clothing and pajamas, pacifiers, bibs, and small infant toys.
STEWARDSHIP CORNER | ||||
Offering last week: | $871.26 $494.12 less than budget |
|||
Offering to date: | $500 less than budget | |||
Fund Raising (end of October): |
$1,700 less than budget | |||
Total Budgeted Income (end of October): |
$2,000 less than budget | |||
Total Budgeted Expense (end of October): |
$7,000 less than budget | |||
YEARLY PROGRESS AS OF OCTOBER | ||||
Congregational Giving | $57,800 | of | $71,000 | |
Fundraising | $14,000 | of | $23,500 | |
Other Budgeted Income | $8,000 | of | $11,450 | |
Total Budgeted Income | $79,800 | of | $105,950 | |
Total Budgeted Expense | $84,000 | of | $110,455 | |
Non-budgeted Inc – Exp | + $1,400 | |||
CURRENT | $2,800 LOSS |
Did You Know?
This Friday, join us at 7pm in Maxcy Hall for a screening of the film “I Can Only Imagine” which was the #1 movie in America earlier this year. All are welcome to join us in watching this film, so please feel free to invite friends and family! The screening is free to all who would like to attend, and light refreshments will be provided. The movie is 110 minutes long, and all are welcome to stay afterward for discussion and fellowship. We look forward to seeing you.
“…the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!'”
~ Luke 19:37b-38 (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: Tuesday & Thursday, 12 – 3 pm
Pastor Kelly’s email: PastorKelly@oldtownucc.org
Church Email: Church@oldtownucc.org
Website: www.oldtownucc.org