FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — January 14, 2024
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. 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 SONG
WELCOME
WORSHIP WAYS
TIME OF CENTERING
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.
A MOMENT TO LET GO / OPENING PRAYER
CALL TO WORSHIP
Arise, shine, for your light has come.
A new year is born, fresh and clean.
Arise, shine, for your light has come.
On every path we take, no matter where we go.
Arise, shine, for your light has come.
Our light has come. Let us praise God together!
SHARE
⇑ HYMN C#173—”As With Gladness”
TIME OF SHARING
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.
STORYBOOK: selections from “Noticing” by Kobi Yamada
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 60:1-6 (Oldtown Bible: OT 844)
REFLECT
SERMON: “Lift Up Your Eyes and Look”
PREPARING OURSELVES FOR PRAYER
Open my eyes that I may see
Glimpses of truth thou hast for me.
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently, now, I wait for thee,
Ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes. Illumine me, Spirit divine!
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 OUR THANKS
GIFT OF MUSIC
⇑ DOXOLOGY (C#151)
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 LOVE OF THE CHURCH
⇑ SENDING HYMN C#622—”Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”
⇑ BENEDICTION
⇑ BENEDICTION RESPONSE (C#434)
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 14, 2024
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun Jan 14: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am
Sun Jan 21: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am – Welcoming New Members
~ ANNUAL MEETING following 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
Edmond, Sarah, Edi, Nancy, Teagan, Cindi, Dan, Ann, David, Judy, Sherri, Roxanne, Lynne, Louis, Nick, Frank, Catherine, Ben, Marcia, Brianna, Duane, Samuel, Jill, Tammy.
To add a name to the list, email Pastor Kelly at PastorKelly@Oldtownucc.org or drop a note in the offering plate.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF OLDTOWN?
We will be welcoming new members next Sunday, January 21st. Unfortunately, we lost a Sunday because of snow last week, and our bylaws state that the names of new members must be announced this week, but be not afraid! If you are interested in joining next week, you can still add your name to the list during today’s “For Love of the Church” announcement time. Pastor Kelly will be available after worship today to answer any new member questions.
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
- On December 24, we welcomed 86 people in our Candlelight Christmas Eve worship, and our total giving to the church for the week was $1,086.43, which is $168.29 less than expected.
- Our total giving to the church for the week of December 31 was $1,215.14, which is $39.58 less than expected.
- Our congregational giving for 2023 was $12,800 more than we expected. Thank you so much for your incredible support and generosity!
Thanks to several extremely generous gifts last year, our congregational giving greatly exceeded what we had budgeted for the year! Oldtown continues to be a wonderful place where caring people gather to worship, reach out to those in need in our community, and further the Kingdom of God. Let’s carry that enthusiasm throughout the coming year as we continue to work together as one.
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.
~ Malachi 3:10 (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