Worship Bulletin – March 10, 2019

Worship Bulletin – March 10, 2019

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — March 10, 2019

Ministers: ALL of our Members and Friends
Pastor & Teacher: The Rev. Kelly Thibeault
Pastoral Intern: Amie McCarthy
Pianist: Suzanne Sheppard

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
BREATHE

PRELUDE

INTROIT—”Seek Ye First”

WELCOME AND 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.

CALL TO WORSHIP
To those who are hungry, Jesus says:
“Come and eat! There’s more than enough for all!”
To those who are thirsty, he says:
“Come and drink. It’s free for the taking!
Stop wasting your money on food that doesn’t satisfy.
Come to Me, and you will find everything you need!”

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of abundance, you have promised to provide us with more than we can imagine.
In your holy love, you have given us gifts and talents beyond measure. But we often squander the things we have been given. We chase after happiness while neglecting joy, and we skim the surface of our faith in you while fearing the depths.
God of grace, we are hungry. God of mercy, quench our thirst.
Forgive us, for relying more on our own control and satisfaction, even though we know they separate us from you. Forgive us for not trusting in your grace, in your abundance, and in the covenant promises you have made with every generation. In Christ, may we learn to love you more than we love ourselves. Amen.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Come, all you who are thirsty. If you take the first step, if you are willing to plunge once again into the waters and to emerge into new life, you will receive a love beyond all you can imagine.
We turn our hearts to God, and only by grace are our hungers and thirsts satisfied. Through Christ, we are made whole, and by the Spirit, we are led forth as God’s people. Amen.

Share
SHARE

*HYMN—C#16 “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

*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.

SCRIPTURE READING—Isaiah 55:1-3 (NRSV) (OT 838)

Reflect
REFLECT

A MOMENT TO IMAGINE

SERMON—”Inviting God In”

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 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
THANK

OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS
GIFT OF MUSIC—”Nearer My God to Thee”
*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#622—”Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”

*BENEDICTION
*BENEDICTION RESPONSE
We are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord.
We are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord.
And we pray that all unity will one day be restored.
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

POSTLUDE

Our worship has ended… Let our service begin!

Please join us for coffee and fellowship in Maxcy Hall following worship! 


Pushpins The Oldtown Message
March 10, 2019
Pastor Kelly’s office hours are Tuesday & Thursday 10-2

OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Today: Missions Meeting 9am
– Household Huddle 9am
– Worship 10am
Mar 12: Church Committee 7pm
Mar 13: Coffee Connection 10am-12noon
– School Tours
Mar 16: Pet Clinic 11am-12noon
Mar 17: Household Huddle 9am
– Worship 10am
Mar 20: Coffee Connection 10am-12noon
– School Tours

IN NEED OF OUR PRAYERS
Mark, Ed, Sue, Steve, Kerri, Cindy, Gordon, Kristen, Susan, Fran, Maryam, Meena, Marjon, Brooks, Steven, Joseph, Perilene, Cyndy, the Brauneis family, the Scott family, Claire, Christina, Susan, Rosalyn, Denise, Jay, Dylan, Shane, Teri, Jonathan, Tori, Valerie, Lisa, Lynn, Tracey, Gayle, Rob, Liz, Thomas, Lynne, Cindy, Kane, Dave, Deb, Ashley, Diane, Marisol, Darlene, Dave F., Madeline, the McEvoy family,
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.

LENTEN JOURNALS
Following worship today, in Maxcy Hall we will have journals available for everyone to help the imagination process during this year’s the season of Lent. The journals are free and can be used to process the daily questions on our Daily email devotional or for any other imagining you might be doing.

DO YOU GET OUR FRIDAY EMAIL?
Every Friday our church sends out an email to let the congregation know what is happening in Oldtown. Starting today and throughout the season of Lent, we will also be having our Daily Lenten Email Devotionals. If you don’t presently get the Friday Email and you would like to, please share your email with Pastor Kelly.

FAIR TRADE COFFEE
Do you enjoy the coffee that we served in Oldtown? Would you like to purchase some to have at home? During coffee hour, we will be offering individual bags (2.25 oz which makes 1 pot) for $2 a piece. We will have decaf and regular. Money raised will go to pay for coffee hour expenses.

UNDY SUNDAY
Our Missions Ministry has designated the 5th Sunday of March, June, September, and December (the months with a fifth Sunday) as Undy Sundays. On those Sundays, we will be collecting any size new (in the package) underwear and socks for those less fortunate in our community.

COFFEE CONNECTION
Coffee Connection has moved to Wednesdays!! Join us on Wednesdays from 10am to 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: $1,989.26
$627.72 more than budget
Offering to date: $600 more than budget
Fund Raising
(end of January):
$150 more than budget
Total Budgeted Income
(end of January):
$1,550 less than budget
Total Budgeted Expense
(end of January):
$1,300 less than budget
CURRENT POSITION
(end of January):
$6,500 loss

Did You Know?

  • “Jesus didn’t just go to the cross so we wouldn’t have to. Jesus went to the cross and rose three days later so when we find ourselves suffering and crying out to God from our own crosses, we may have hope in ultimate healing through restoration.”
    ~ Nate Pyle, from More Than You Can Handle
  • “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.”
    ~ John 14:15-17 (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: Tuesday & Thursday, 10 am – 2 pm
Pastor Kelly’s email: PastorKelly@oldtownucc.org
Church Email: Church@oldtownucc.org
Website: www.oldtownucc.org