FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA—December 8, 2019
Ministers: ALL of our Members and Friends
Pastor & Teacher: The Rev. Kelly Thibeault
Pianist: Mrs. Ellen Kingman
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—”It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” (verses 1 & 4)
WELCOME / TIME OF CENTERING
CALL TO WORSHIP
We gather together
In the name of the One who bids us come.
We gather together
To sing praises of the One who teaches peace.
We gather together
To praise and worship God.
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
SHARE
⇑ HYMN—C#144 “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
⇑ 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.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
We are a people who seek peace.
Jesus is our peace. His peace is deep within us. We are called to share that peace with friends and strangers as we help bring justice to our world.
In the name of the Child who was born long ago to become the Prince of Peace,
We now light the candle of Peace.
SUNG RESPONSE—”Advent Hallelujah” (Peace)
SCRIPTURE READING—Isaiah 9:2-7 (NRSV)
REFLECT
SERMON—”Sharing the Light of 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 by they 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—”Glory (Let There Be 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
TIME OF ANNOUNCEMENTS
⇑ SENDING HYMN—C#677 “Let There Be Peace On Earth”
⇑ BENEDICTION
⇑ BENEDICTION RESPONSE
Sent forth by God’s blessing, our true faith confessing,
The people of God from this dwelling take leave.
The service is ended. O now be extended
The fruits of our worship in all who believe.
The seed of the teaching, receptive hearts reaching
Shall blossom in action for God and for all.
God’s grace did invite us, and love shall unite us
To work for God’s realm and to answer the call.
POSTLUDE
Our worship has ended… Let our service begin!
Please join us for coffee and fellowship in Maxcy Hall following worship!
The Oldtown Message
December 8, 2019
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
December 8: Household Huddle 9am
~ Missions Meeting 9am
~ Worship 10am—Advent 2
~ Sermon Reflection after worship
~ Candle Lighting Service for Grieving Parents 6pm
December 10: Coffee Connection 10am-12noonb
December 14: Pet Clinic 11am-12noon
December 15: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am—Advent 3
UPCOMING EVENTS
December 24: Candlelit Christmas Eve Service 7pm
IN NEED OF OUR PRAYERS
Debbie, Kerri, Malcolm, Maryellen, Marge, Gordon, Kristen, Priscilla, Kaya, Pat, Becky, Leo, Michelle, Matthew, Carmella, Ron, Steven, Kathy, Peg, Sarah.
If you would like to add a name to our prayer list, please fill out a prayer card and drop it in the offering plate, or use our online prayer request form.
DECEMBER’S MISSIONS MINISTRY COLLECTION
We will be supporting a local family for Christmas this year. Starting next week there will be tags on the Christmas tree is Maxcy Hall. We thank you in advance for your generosity.
NON-PERISHABLE FOOD DONATIONS
We have an ongoing collection of non-perishable food items for the North Attleboro School’s Food Pantries. We thank you in advance for helping to keep our kids from being hungry!
| STEWARDSHIP CORNER | |
|---|---|
| Offering last week: | $2,898.71 $1,537.17 more than budget |
| Offering to date: | $1,400 less than budget |
| Budgets (end of October) | |
| Fund Raising: | $3,300 more than budget |
| Total Budgeted Income: | $5,300 more than budget |
| Total Budgeted Expense: | $5,500 less than budget |
A huge “THANK YOU!!” to all who helped with our Vendor Fair yesterday. It’s only by the hard work of all of our volunteers that our fundraising efforts can be successful. Please consider helping out whenever you can by checking our online signup page at https://www.oldtownucc.org/signup
“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.“
~ Isaiah 9:6 (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: Wednesday 10am-noon & Thursday 6pm-8pm
Pastor Kelly’s email: PastorKelly@oldtownucc.org
Church Email: Church@oldtownucc.org
Website: www.oldtownucc.org