Worship Bulletin – January 21, 2024

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — January 21, 2024

Ministers: ALL of our Members and Friends
Pastor & Teacher: The Rev. Kelly Thibeault

Welcome to the Oldtown Church!

Where we…

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.

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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
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!

SHARE

RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS

Tammy DiFore, June Fleischmann, Dana Manton, Steven Manton, Chris Miranda, Noelani Miranda

WELCOME

QUESTION ABOUT PARTICIPATION
As members of the Oldtown Church, do you promise to participate in the life and mission of this family of God’s people, sharing regularly in the worship of God and enlisting in the work of this local church as it serves this community and the world?
I promise with the help of God

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 2:19-22 (NRSVUE) (Oldtown Bible: NT 235)

PRAYER FOR OUR COMMUNITY

WELCOME AND RECEPTION
Let us, the members of the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ of North Attleborough, express our welcome and affirm our mutual ministry in Christ:
Tammy, June, Dana, Steven, Chris & Noelani, we welcome you with joy into the common life of this church. We promise you our friendship and prayers as we share the hopes and labors of the church of Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, may we continue to grow together in God’s knowledge and love and do our best to live out our faith in the world, sharing the love of Jesus with others.

GREETING OF CHRISTIAN LOVE

PRESENTATION OF GIFTS

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⇑ 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 (Oldtown Bible: NT 42)

REFLECT

SERMON: “Follow Me”

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
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#344—”I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”

⇑ 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! ***

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The Oldtown Message
January 21, 2024

OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun Jan 21: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am – Welcoming New Members
~ ANNUAL MEETING following worship
Wed Jan 24: Coffee Connection 10-12noon
Sun Jan 28: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am – Baptism
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.

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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, Cyndy, Christi, Marianne, Linda, Ed, the family of Ron Brown, and the family of Harriet Hobson.
To add a name to the list, email Pastor Kelly at PastorKelly@Oldtownucc.org or drop a note in the offering plate.

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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.

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STEWARDSHIP CORNER

Weekly Giving

• Our first week of worship in 2024 brought snow and a cancellation of worship. Still, we received $243.43 in online giving!
• Last week, with our first worship gathering of the year, we welcomed 55 people in worship, and thanks to some generous “first fruits” gifts, our total giving to the church for the week was $4,148.16, which is $2,800 more than expected for the week.
• So far, this year’s congregational giving is $1,600 more than we expected. Keep up the great work!!

Today we hold our church’s ANNUAL MEETING where we gather the congregation to review the church’s finances for the previous year and budget for the coming year, and discuss and vote on any other business to be brought before the church. We also welcome six new members today as we celebrate the past year and look to the future with excitement! Praise God who makes all things new!!!

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
   ~ Lamentations 3:22-23 (NRSVUE)

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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