FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA—January 19, 2020
Ministers: ALL of our Members and Friends
Pastor & Teacher: The Rev. Kelly Thibeault
Pianist: Ellen Kingman
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—”Spirit of the Living God”
WELCOME / TIME OF CENTERING—”Here I Am to Worship”
CALL TO WORSHIP
We are all one family,
Made in the image of God.
We are all one family,
Each unique, each special.
We are all one family,
Brothers & sisters on a journey of faith.
We are all one family,
Given gifts and talents to share.
We are all one family,
United in the love of God.
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
SHARE
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
The Celebration and Sacrament of Baptism
Cora Lee Burgess
Born: April 22, 2019
Baptized: January 19, 2020
Parents: Geoffrey & Lee (Dossman) Burgess
Godmothers: Lauren Brown & Meredith Blum
Big Brother: Geoffrey Jr.
GATHERING The gospels tell us that “People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them,
All: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
The Sacrament of Baptism is an outward and visible sign of the grace of God. In as much as the promise of the gospel is not only for us but also to our children, baptism with water and the Holy Spirit is the mark of their acceptance into the care of Christ’s church, the sign and seal of their participation in God’s forgiveness, and the beginning of their growth into full Christian faith and discipleship.
This is the water of baptism. Out of this water we rise with new life, forgiven of sin and one in Christ, members of Christ’s body.
PROMISES (by the parents)
Do you desire to have Cora baptized into the faith and family of Jesus Christ so that she may explore the dynamics of God, who created and loves her?
Parents: We do.
Will you encourage Cora to live out her faith in response to the gospel, and to receive the freedom of new life in Christ?
Parents: We will, with the help of God.
Will you teach her the stories of our faith so that she may be led into relationship with Jesus Christ?
Parents: We will, with the help of God.
Do you promise by the grace of God, to be Christ’s disciples, to follow in the way of our Savior, to be in right relationship with God, others and yourself, to show love and justice, and to share the work and word of Jesus Christ as best as you are able?
Parents: We do, with the help of God.
Will you covenant to bring Cora into the life of the Christian community to worship, to hear the story of the roots of our faith, and to be in relationship with other believers as you all grow together and celebrate the Spirit’s presence?
Parents: We will, with the help of God.
PROMISE OF ASSURANCE (by the Godparents)
Recognizing that there are many persons who touch the lives of children beyond their parents, do you covenant to give your time and yourselves to Cora, providing her with further opportunities to explore her growing experience of God and self?
Godparents: We promise, with the help of God.
Do you covenant to love Cora unconditionally, supporting her, and helping her see the limitless possibilities of life in the Spirit?
Godparents: We promise our love & support.
CONGREGATIONAL ASSENT
Jesus Christ calls us to make disciples of all nations and to offer them the gift of grace in baptism. Do you as a congregation and as family and friends, promise your love, support, and care to Cora as she lives and grows in Christ?
All: We promise our love, support, and care.
Will you support these parents and these Godparents in their efforts to guide Cora in the way of the gospel and to the faithful service in Christ’s church?
All: We will, relying on God’s grace.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Let us unite with the church in all times and places in confessing our faith in the triune God.
Do you believe in God?
I believe in God.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ?
I believe in Jesus Christ.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit
PRAYER OF BAPTISM
The Lord be with you. And also with You.
Let us pray…
ACT OF BAPTISM
PRAYER FOR THE BAPTIZED
LIGHTING OF THE BAPTISM CANDLE
AND SHARING OF THE STORY
⇑ HYMN—C#75 “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry”
⇑ 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.
STORYTIME: Say Something by Peter H. Reynolds
SCRIPTURE READING: John 1:29-42 (NRSV) (NT 3)
REFLECT
SERMON—”You Never Know Who’s Listening”
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 by they 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#480 “I Love to Tell the Story”
⇑ 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!
Please join us for coffee and fellowship in Maxcy Hall following worship!
The Oldtown Message
January 19, 2020
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
January 19: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am
~ ANNUAL MEETING after worship (snow date 1/26)
January 21: Coffee Connection 10am-12noon
January 26: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am
IN NEED OF OUR PRAYERS
Debbie, Kerri, Malcolm, Vicky, Maryellen, Cindi, Mary Ann, Marge, Gordon, Kristen, Priscilla, Kaya, Pat, Michelle, Matthew, Ron, Steven, Kathy, Peg, Sarah, Sue, Steve, Reign, Alice, Stacy, Lydia, Zena, Ella, Suzanne, Nelson, Judy, Becky, Chad, Gayle, Barbara, Lynne, John, Carol, Robin, Clair, Chrystal, Aaron, Samuel, Cyndy.
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.
OUT OF THE BOX COLLECTION
For January, we will be collecting school supplies, including hand sanitizer, tissues, cleaning wipes, etc.
COFFEE CONNECTION
Join us Tuesday from 10-noon for Coffee Connection! Coffee Connection is a simple time of fellowship to get out of the house and spend time with friends.
| STEWARDSHIP CORNER | |
|---|---|
| Offering last week: | $1,497.88 $130.57 more than budget |
| Offering 2020 to date: | $500 more than budget |
| Budgets (end of 2019) | |
| Fund Raising: | $6,200 more than budget |
| Total Budgeted Income: | $11,500 more than budget |
| Total Budgeted Expense: | $1,100 less than budget |
| BUDGET POSITION FOR 2019 | $7,400 SURPLUS!! |
Thanks to your generous giving of time, talent, and treasure last year, we finished the year with a $7,400 SURPLUS!! – a huge improvement over the $5,880 deficit budget we started the year with!! This coming year will be exciting, and doing as good a job with our finances in the coming year will be a stretch. Please continue to prayerfully consider all of the ways in which you can help
“Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, they sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with rejoicing, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres. […] On that day men were appointed over the chambers for the stores, the contributions, the first fruits, and the tithes, to gather into them the portions required by the law for the priests and for the Levites from the fields belonging to the towns;“
~ Nehemiah 12:27, 44a (NRSV)
First Congregational Church, UCC of North Attleborough
(Oldtown Church)
Church Phone: 508-695-1713 — Pastor Kelly’s cell phone: 508-294-9767
Office Hours: Wednesday 10am-noon & Thursday 6pm-8pm
Pastor Kelly’s email: PastorKelly@oldtownucc.org
Church Email: Church@oldtownucc.org
Website: www.oldtownucc.org