FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UCC
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA • December 7, 2025
Making Room for Peace
For Peace: Cultivating inner tranquility and serenity amid the chaos of the world.
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. Here in Oldtown, we are all about being curious, so don’t be afraid to ask questions, and please join us for fellowship with coffee and snacks after worship!
Finally, as a way of honoring our time together and truly loving our neighbor, we ask that you please silence your phone or, better yet, turn it off, allowing yourself to be truly present in worship.
PRELUDE
GATHERING MUSIC
WELCOME / WORSHIP WAYS
A TIME OF CENTERING
No room, only a manger of hay,
No room, He is a stranger today,
No room, here in His world turned away,
No room, no room, (no room.) 2x
A TIME FOR MAKING ROOM / OPENING PRAYER
CALL TO WORSHIP
Now is the time; let us pause.
As we wait, may we hear the voice of God.
Now is the time; let us watch.
In our homes, at work, even while waiting in line at the grocery store, may we see the face of Christ.
Now is the moment; let us prepare.
In our words, in our hearts, in all that we say and do, may we experience and share the peace of Christ.
⇑ HYMN C#128–”One Candle Is Lit”
TIME OF SHARING
God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay;
For Jesus Christ, our Savior, was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satan’s pow’r when we were gone astray:
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
We are a people who seek peace.
We know that God has told us to turn our weapons of war into instruments that benefit all humanity.
In the name of the Child who was born long ago to become the Prince of Peace,
Let us light the candle of peace.
SET THE ANIMALS IN THE STABLE
SUNG RESPONSE (C#147, verse 2)
The cattle are lowing; the Baby awakes.
But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my side ‘til morning is nigh.
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 9:6-7 (OT 781)
SERMON: “Feelings of Peace”
PREPARING OURSELVES FOR PRAYER (C#144, verse 4)
O Little Town of Bethlehem, descend on us we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord 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
OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS
GIFT OF MUSIC
⇑ DOXOLOGY (C#151, verse 5)
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 DEDICATION
CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION
Song of Preparation
Invitation/Prayer
Words of Institution
The Blessing of the Elements
Sharing of the Bread & Cup
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Gracious God, we thank you for this meal and for all of the ways you nourish us. Grow in us that we may nourish others. Sustain us as we press toward the goal of your call in Christ Jesus. Amen.
LOVE OF THE CHURCH
⇑ SENDING HYMN C#124–”Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”
⇑ BENEDICTION
⇑ BENEDICTION RESPONSE (C#445)
Go in peace, and the peace of God be with you this day.
Go in peace, and the peace of God be with you always.
Celebrate and share the joy! Celebrate new life!
Go in peace, and the peace of God be with you always.
POSTLUDE
*** Our worship has ended; let our service begin! ***
The Oldtown Message
December 7, 2025
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun December 7: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am (Communion)
~ Deacons meeting following worship
Wed December 10: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
~ Coffee Connection 10am-noon
Sat December 13: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
~ Pet Vaccination Clinic 10am-noon
Sun December 14: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am
~ Church committee meeting following worship
~ “Angels in the Light” grieving parents service 6:30pm
Wed December 17: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
~ Coffee Connection 10am-noon
Sat December 20: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
Sun December 21: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am
Wed December 24: NO COFFEE CONNECTION
~ Christmas Eve Service 7pm
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
Edi, Lynn, Tim, Mark, Cyndy, Joan, Justine & Nolan, Dana, Miranda & K family, Jan & Kylie, Steven, Tegan, Ken, Lynne, Kaye, Karen, Samantha, Robin, Donna, Winnie, Carl, Michael, Sue C., Laura, Jim, Daniel, Nancy, Muriel, Michelle, Joe, Bob, Gloria, Barry, Magda, Erik, Hailey & Bryce, Al, Denise, Rhonda, Jake, Cindi, Henry, Roxanne, Val, Myrtle, Deane, Rusty, Gianna, Kelsey & Nick, Bill, Autumn, Judy, Kayla, Edie, Renee, Perilene, Newell Family, Paul, Diane, Carol, John, Liesel, Robert, Joey, Matthew, Buddy, Cherrie, Jayne, Uncle Bill, the Gird Family.
To add a name to the list, email Pastor Kelly at PastorKelly@Oldtownucc.org, text 508-695-1713, or drop a note in the offering plate.
ADVENT PRAYERS FOR THE WEEK AHEAD
Morning Prayer – Loving God, help me to remember that it is up to me to make room and find peace within myself. If the world gets too busy around me, help me to take a step back and focus on what is truly important. Amen.
Evening Prayer – Gracious God, tonight I pray for peace, the peace that passes all understanding. Peace in my family and in my community, peace around the world, and peace in my heart. Amen.
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 53 people to worship, and our total giving to the church last week was $825.54, which is $597.54 less than expected.
- So far, this year’s congregational giving has been $4,800 more than expected. Keep up the great work!!
When we hear the word “peace,” we often think of it in external terms, as the contrast to war and aggression or as a quiet time in the physical world. However, the peace most needed in today’s world is inner peace within our minds and souls. The Bible tells us that inner peace is a gift from God, given to those who trust in Him. Through prayer and by focusing on what is true, honorable, and good, we can accept the peace of God, freely and unconditionally given to us all. It is possible to have peace even amid worldly troubles because God promises to guard believers’ hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
~ John 14:27 (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
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