FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — December 9, 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 — “There’s a Song in the Air”
WELCOME / TIME OF CENTERING
CALL TO WORSHIP
With joy, we gather
To be fed and nourished.
With joy, we gather
To hear the stories of old.
With joy, we gather
To listen for God’s still-speaking voice.
With joy, we gather
To worship God together.
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 continue this season of waiting by lighting the second candle, anticipating the light of the star that shone over Bethlehem.
Wondrous God, we open ourselves to hear your call today to become those who not only see the joy all around us, but can also be joy, and bring joy to all around us. Joy 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#170 “How Great Our Joy”
*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—Luke 2:8-20 (NRSV)
REFLECT
SERMON
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
*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#143—”Joy to the World”
*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
– Deacons meeting after worship
Dec 11: Coffee Connection 10-noon
– Office Hours noon-2
– Church Committee 7pm
Dec 13: Office hours 10-2
Dec 14: Coffeehouse 7pm
Dec 16: Household Huddle 9am
– Worship 10am
IN NEED OF OUR PRAYERS
Mark, Ed, Sue, Steve, Kerri, Cindy, Gordon, Kristen, Susan, Fran, Maryam, Meena, Marjon, Brooks
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.
TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE CONNECTION
Tuesdays during Advent from 10-noon, Pastor Kelly will have the coffee on! If you are looking for something to do, feel free to come share a little fellowship time at the church.
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.
If you aren’t receiving them and 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: | $2,185.77 $820.39 more than budget |
|||
| Offering to date: | $200 more 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?
Thanks for another great “first week of the month” offering last week!!
Each year, we send money to help support the UCC Wider Church Missions equivalent to about $20 per member of the church. Your help to cover this expense will go a long way towards helping us meet our budget at the end of the year. Place whatever you can in an envelope and write “UCC Mission” on the outside to ensure we know where the money should go.
“Since I know, my God, that you examine the mind and take delight in honesty, I have freely given all these things with the highest of motives. And now I’ve been delighted to see your people here offering so willingly to you.”
~ 1 Chronicles 29:17 (CEB)
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, 10 – 2 pm
Pastor Kelly’s email: PastorKelly@oldtownucc.org
Church Email: Church@oldtownucc.org
Website: www.oldtownucc.org