FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UCC
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA • January 18, 2026
“You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.”
~ Charles Buxton
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. Here in Oldtown, we are all about being curious, so don’t be afraid to ask questions, and please join us for fellowship with coffee and refreshments after worship!
Finally, as a way of honoring our time together and truly loving our neighbor, we ask that you please silence your phone or, better yet, turn it off, allowing yourself to be truly present in worship.
PRELUDE
GATHERING MUSIC
WELCOME
WORSHIP WAYS
A TIME OF CENTERING
Gathered here in the mystery of the hour,
Gathered here in one strong body,
Gathered here in the spirit and the power,
Spirit, draw near.
MAKING TIME TO LET GO
OPENING PRAYER
CALL TO WORSHIP
Who are we?
We are disciples, followers of Jesus.
How do we live out our faith?
With fairness and dignity.
How shall we treat our neighbor?
With compassion and love.
Come, let us worship God.
Yes! Let us worship God together!
⇑ HYMN C#337–”Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult”
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.
SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 1:14-20 (NT 42)
SERMON: “Making Time for Teamwork”
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
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 CHURCH
⇑ SENDING HYMN C#344–”I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”
⇑ 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 18, 2026
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun January 18: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am
Wed January 21: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
~ Coffee Connection 10am-12noon
Sat January 24: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
~ Pet Vaccination Clinic 11am-12noon
Sun January 18: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am
~ Annual Meeting with Potluck lunch 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
Jim, Myrtle, Meghan, Tom, Gene, Brad, Robert, John, Tony, Russell, Jessica, Kathleen, Lugi, Buddy, Lynne, Bill, Dawn, David, Edie, Autumn, Logan, Dana, Edi, Lynn, Al, Roxanne, Perilene, Jayne, Lydia, Daniel, Joe, Tom, Andy, Megan, Rusty, Linda, Bill, Joe, Cherie, Alaina, Nancy
We have started a new prayer list for 2026.
To add a name to the list, email Pastor Kelly at PastorKelly@Oldtownucc.org, text 508-695-1713, or drop a note in the offering plate.
ANNUAL MEETING & POTLUCK LUNCHEON
Join us after worship next week for our Oldtown Annual Meeting as we celebrate all we accomplished in 2025 and look ahead to what’s coming in 2026. Following the meeting, we will gather in Maxcy Hall for a potluck luncheon. This is a true potluck, so we invite families to bring a dish to share with others.
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
- Last week, we welcomed 50 people in worship, and our total giving to the church was $3,510.41, which is $2,010.41 more than expected.
- Our congregational giving so far this year is $2,100 more than expected. Keep up the great work!!
Jesus calls us all to the work of bringing about God’s kingdom here on earth. The early church was built by attracting others who saw people following Jesus’ words and actions and wanted to know more about the joy created in themselves and the world around them. By actively and authentically following Jesus’ words and actions, we will not only make this world a better place but also attract others to do the same. And when we gather a team to work together, the work becomes easier, more enjoyable, and more fruitful.
Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other, but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.
~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (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
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