FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — December 3, 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 PEACE (C#128)
Come quickly, Shalom, teach us how to prepare
For a gift that compels us with justice to care.
Our spirits are restless ’til sin and war cease.
One candle is lit for the reign of God’s peace.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Let us gather in Peace
In the name of the One who bids us come.
Let us gather in Peace
To hear the words of the One who is Love.
Let us gather in Peace
To sing praises to the One who teaches us peace.
Come, let us worship God together!
SHARE
⇑ HYMN C#152—”It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” (verses 1, 2, & 4)
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 1:26-31 (Oldtown Bible: NT 69)
Matthew 1:18-21 (Oldtown Bible: NT 1)
Luke 2:8-14 (Oldtown Bible: NT 71)
REFLECT
SERMON: “The Peace that Angels Bring”
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
SACRAMENT 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 Bread and Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Gracious God, we give you thanks for satisfying our hungry hearts with this meal. Send us out into the world to reveal your love, as we do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. Amen.
FOR LOVE OF THE CHURCH
⇑ SENDING SONG C#155—”Angels We Have Heard on High”
THE STORY OF THE CANDY CANE
⇑ 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 3, 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 3: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am – Advent 2 / Communion
Sat Dec 9: Come and Sing 2pm
Sun Dec 10: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am – Advent 3 / Bell Sunday
Wed Dec 13: Church Committee 7pm
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, Deanne, Lynn.
To add a name to the list, email Pastor Kelly at PastorKelly@Oldtownucc.org or drop a note in the offering plate.
THANK YOU!
A big THANK YOU to everyone who helped make yesterday’s Winter Craft Fair a big success!!
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 56 people in worship on Sunday, and our total giving to the church for the week was $865.53, which is $389.19 less than expected.
- So far, this year’s congregational giving is $12,750 more than we expected. Keep up the great work!!
Yesterday, we wrapped up our fundraising events for the year with our Winter Craft Fair. Guests and vendors got to experience the warm hospitality of Oldtown as we welcomed many folks through our doors to enjoy some fellowship, a little food, and some holiday shopping. From our turkey takeout in February through our fairs in November and December, many hands worked tireless hours to make everyone welcome here at Oldtown. Huge thanks to all who helped throughout the year!!
“And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’”
~ Matthew 25:40 (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