FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA—January 1, 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 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.
BREATHE
PRELUDE
GATHERING MUSIC
WELCOME
WORSHIP WAYS
CENTERING 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.
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!
OPENING PRAYER
SHARE
⇑ HYMN C#21—”Let the Whole Creation Cry”
⇑ TIME OF SHARING
Open our eyes, Lord. We want to see Jesus,
To reach out and touch Him, and tell Him we love Him.
Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord. We want to see Jesus.
SCRIPTURE READING: Revelation 21:1-6 (Oldtown Bible: NT 315)
REFLECT
SERMON – “Hope and Possibility for 2023”
PREPARING OURSELVES FOR PRAYER
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
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
⇑ DOXOLOGY
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
FOR THE LOVE OF THE CHURCH
⇑ SENDING HYMN—C#638 “In the Bulb There Is a Flower”
⇑ 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! ***
The Oldtown Message
January 1, 2023
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun Jan 1: NO HOUSEHOLD HUDDLE
~ Worship 10am, New Year’s Sunday
Wed Jan 4: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
Sat Jan 7: Pet Vaccination Clinic 11am-noon
Sun Jan 8: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am, Epiphany Sunday
~ Deacons meeting after worship
Wed Jan 11: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
Sun Jan 15: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am
Wed Jan 18: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
~ Church Committee Meeting 7pm
Sun Jan 22: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am, New Members Sunday
~ OLDTOWN ANNUAL MEETING after worship
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
Alice, Carolyn, Janice, Jeanne, Franke, Geddy, Wayne, June, Lynne, Celine, Perilene, Stacey.
We have started a new prayer list for the new year. If you would like to add a name to our prayer list, drop a note in the offering plate, use our online prayer request form, or email Pastor Kelly at PastorKelly@oldtownucc.org.
OLDTOWN BABY SHOWER
Next week we celebrate Epiphany, the day the magi brought gifts to the Christ Child. In worship, we will be collecting baby items–diapers, wipes, bottles, onesies, rattles toys, etc.–to share with new parents in our area, and to share the light of Christ with others.
NEW MEMBERS SUNDAY
Would you like to become a member of the Oldtown Church? We will be having a New Members Sunday on January 22nd. For more information, please see Pastor Kelly or one of our Deacons.
STEWARDSHIP CORNER
Weekly Giving
- Last week, combining Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the total giving was $1,184.53, which is $143.39 less than expected for the week.
- Our total congregational giving for the year of 2022 was $2,700 less than we expected it to be.
The coming of the new year is often a time when we look ahead, making resolutions for both new and renewed activities for the coming year. What ideas do you have for refreshing or improving your faith in 2023? Are there things your church or church family could be doing to better support you? Are there things you could be doing to better support your church or your church family? Take some time for prayerful consideration and reach out to Pastor Kelly, or email stewardship@oldtownucc.org if you have any needs or any ideas to offer.
“Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
~ Isaiah 43:18-19 (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
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Learn more about our denomination: www.ucc.org