FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — March 3, 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 MUSIC
WELCOME & WORSHIP WAYS
⇑ OPENING HYMN C#286—”This Is The Day”
CALL TO WORSHIP
This is the day!
This is the day God’s people gather together.
This is the day!
This is the day we listen for God’s word.
This is the day!
This is the day we worship and give thanks to God.
PRAYER FOR LETTING GO
Loving God, we know that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. We have not loved you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. Help us to set things straight so that we might better follow you. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
⇑ HYMN OF PRAISE
Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers,
Nor trials in the present, nor any trials to come,
Neither height, nor depth, nor all of creation
Can ever separate us from the love of God
Poured out in Christ Jesus our Lord.
SHARE
SHARING TIME
Change my heart, O God. Make it ever true.
Change my heart, O God. May I be like you.
You are the Potter. I am the clay;
Mold me and make me. This is what I pray.
Change my heart, O God. Make it ever true;
Change my heart, O God. May I be like you.
SCRIPTURE LESSON: John 2:13-22 (Oldtown Bible: NT 113)
REFLECT
SERMON–”Setting Things Straight”
REMEMBERING OUR BAPTISM
PREPARING FOR PRAYER (C#259)
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me,
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.
Break me, Melt me, mold me, fill me.
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.
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
SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
Song of Preparation
The Invitation
The Communion Prayer
Word of Institution
The Blessing of the Elements
Sharing of the Bread & Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Gracious God, we give you thanks for satisfying our hungry hearts with this meal. Send us out into the world to reveal your love, as we do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. Amen.
FOR LOVE OF THE CHURCH
⇑ SENDING HYMN C#613—”Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” (verses 1-3)
⇑ BENEDICTION
⇑ BENEDICTION RESPONSE
God be with you till we meet again,
Loving counsels guide, uphold you,
With a shepherd’s care enfold you:
God be with you till we meet again.
Till we meet, till we meet, till we meet at Jesus’ feet,
Till we meet, till we meet, God be with you till we meet again.
POSTLUDE
*** Our worship has ended; let our service begin! ***
The Oldtown Message
March 3, 2024
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun Mar 3: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship w/Communion 10am
~ Oldtown Singers rehearsal after worship
Tue Mar 5: Lenten Spirituality Series – Mandalas 7pm
Wed Mar 6: Coffee Connection 10-12noon
Sat Mar 9: Corned Beef Supper 6pm
Sun Mar 10: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship w/Communion 10am
Tue Mar 12: Lenten Spirituality Series – Labyrinth 7pm
Wed Mar 13: Coffee Connection 10-12noon
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, Jim & Marcia, Brianna, Duane, Samuel, Jill, Tammy, Bob, Cyndy, Christi, Marianne, Hailey, Don, Claudia, Megan, Mike & Lori, Melissa, Matthew, and the family & friends of Jan Stello.
To add a name to the list, email Pastor Kelly at PastorKelly@Oldtownucc.org or drop a note in the offering plate.
LENTEN SPIRITUALITY SERIES
During the Season of Lent, we offer weekly interactive evening sessions to experience different Spiritual Practices. Each evening will be an individual experience, so you can attend all four or pick and choose as you please. All sessions will be held from 7-8:30 pm.
Tuesday, March 5th – Mandala Meditation
Tuesday, March 12th – Walking the Labyrinth
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 56 people in worship and a beautiful baptism ceremony, and our total giving to the church for the week was $1,117.43, which is $267.19 less than expected for the week.
- So far, this year’s congregational giving is $850 more than we expected. Keep up the great work!!
This coming Saturday, March 9, we welcome folks back for our first “sit-down” supper of the year. It is a joy to be able to provide good food and an opportunity for great fellowship for our guests. We anticipate serving more takeouts than in years past as well. If you’d like to help, please see Ed Clavette or Jim Fennell.
And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
~ Hebrews 10:24-25 (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