FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA—February 14, 2024
ASH WEDNESDAY
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 the nursery, 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.
GATHERING TIME
Gathered here in the mystery of the hour
Gathered here in one strong body
Gathered here in the struggle and the power
Spirit, draw near.
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP (adapted from Joel 2)
Blow the trumpet in Zion!
Sound the alarm on God’s holy mountain.
Call all the people together, young and old.
For the day of the Lord is coming,
A day unlike any other.
Even now, God says, return to me with all your heart;
Change your life, not just your clothes.
Let us return to our God and to God’s ways.
For our God is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger and full of compassion and mercy.
TIME OF CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy God, we are easily lulled by the ways of negativity and hurt. We refuse to offer or seek forgiveness; we cling to resentment, fear, and shame. We misuse and abuse one another and your creation. We obsess over what is trivial and ignore what matters. Do not let us waste this life. Forgive us our sins and help us to live out our faith each and every day. Amen.
⇑ HYMN C#283—”Jesus Stand Among Us”
WHAT IS ASH WEDNESDAY?
BLESSING AND SHARING OF ASHES
Let us pray:
Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth. May these ashes be for us a sign of our mortality and a reminder that only by your gracious gift are we given everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
SONG OF PREPARATION—”The Invitation”
SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
Invitation to the Table
Communion Prayer
Words of Institution
Blessing of the Elements
Sharing of the Elements
(You are invited to come forward for communion. You will be handed a piece of bread to eat and a cup of juice to drink. Then, you may return to your seat. All bread is gluten-free, and the cup contains simple grape juice.)
UNISON PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Jesus, one of us betrayed you, another denied you, and we have all forsaken you, yet you love us anyway, and for that, we give you thanks and praise. Amen.
SENDING HYMN C#254—”Breathe On Me, Breath of God”
SENDING FORTH
Reading from Isaiah 58:6-11 (NRSVUE)
BENEDICTION
BENEDICTION RESPONSE
We are one in the Spirit. We are one in the Lord.
We are one in the Spirit. We are one in the Lord.
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
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
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Learn more about our denomination: www.ucc.org