FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — December 31, 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
CALL TO WORSHIP
It is time to celebrate new beginnings.
We step into the new year with faith!
It is time to look ahead in hope.
We step into the unknown with hope!
It is time to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
We step forward together as God’s family!
SHARE
⇑ HYMN C#595—”Be Thou My Vision”
TIME OF SHARING (C#134)
Emmanuel, Emmanuel,
His name is called, Emmanuel.
God with us, revealed to us,
His name is called, Emmanuel
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 43:19-21 (Oldtown Bible: OT 823)
REFLECT
SERMON: “An Empty Page”
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#2—”New Year’s Hymn” (suggested tune: Hymn to Joy)
On this day of celebration, at this time when hopes are new,
God, we gather as your people, called to put our trust in you.
You have made the world we live in; you have worked through history.
In your plan we find our purpose, in your love, our unity.
Through two thousand years of changes, through these passing centuries,
You have called your church to witness to Christ’s love that claims and frees.
Each new generation hears you, each must find a fresh new way
To make known the life you offer, to the people in their day.
On this day, we pause and wonder what the future years will bring,
Yet we know you clothe each flower and you make each sparrow sing.
How much more will you protect us with your guiding, caring hand!
By your Spirit, lead us boldly in the future you have planned.
~ Copyright © 1999 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Published in Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today’s Worship
by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (Geneva Press).
⇑ 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 31, 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 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, Frank, Marybeth, Catherine.
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
- On December 17, we welcomed 60 people in worship, and our total giving to the church for the week was $1,076.73, which is $177.99 less than expected.
- So far, this year’s congregational giving is $13,000 more than we expected. Keep up the great work!!
The new year is an exciting time when we look to the future and often make resolutions or promises to ourselves and others about the coming year. Know that the possibilities are endless, and the power to achieve all resolutions is yours. Don’t be discouraged by looking to the past or even the challenges of the present. God continually makes all things new!
So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived! All of these new things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who gave us the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, God was reconciling the world to himself through Christ, by not counting people’s sins against them. He has trusted us with this message of reconciliation.
~ 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 (CEB)
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