FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — November 17, 2024
Don’t put yourself or your faith in a box because that’s what everyone else is doing. God colors outside the lines and wants us to explore and turn over rocks to discover the goodness of life.
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 after worship!
Please remember to mute your devices during worship.
| AN INVITATION TO BE CURIOUS… As you prepare for worship this morning, think about what grace means to you and how you experience grace in the world. |
PRELUDE
GATHERING MUSIC
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 TIME TO LET GO / OPENING PRAYER
CALL TO WORSHIP
Happy are we
When we are greeted with open arms.
Happy are we
When our mistakes and missteps are forgiven.
Happy are we
When we are loved, even if we are not lovable.
Happy are we
When we learn to accept and receive God’s grace.
⇑ HYMN C#617–”Let All Things Now Living”
SHARING TIME
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 LESSON – Mark 2:1-12 (NRSVUE) (NT 43)
SERMON – “Imagine a New Way”
| How can we show an extravagant welcome in Oldtown that people will long for? |
| How could our church better serve our community? What do you think is most needed? |
PREPARING FOR PRAYER
Hear our prayer, O Lord,
Hear our prayer, O Lord,
Incline thine ear to us
And grant us thy peace. Amen.
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 OUR THANKS
GIFT OF MUSIC
⇑ 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
FOR LOVE OF CHURCH
⇑ SENDING HYMN–#C467 “Fill the World with Love”
⇑ 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! ***
The Oldtown Message
November 10, 2024
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun November 17: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship 10am
Wed November 20: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
Sat November 23: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
~ Pet Vaccination Clinic 11am-noon
Sun November 24: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship 10am
Wed November 27: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
Sat November 30: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
Sun December 1: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship 10am
~ Deacons Meeting after worship
Wed December 4: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
Sat December 7: Oldtown Winter Art & Craft Fair 10am-3pm
Sun December 8: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship 10am
~ Church Committee meeting 11:30am-1pm
~ “Angels in the Light” grieving parents worship 6:30pm
Wed December 11: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
Sat December 14: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
Sun December 15: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship 10am
~ Christmas Caroling 4pm
Wed December 18: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
Sat December 21: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
Sun December 22: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship 10am
~ Deacons Meeting after worship
Tue December 24: Christmas Eve worship 7pm
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
Edi & John, Lynn, Tim, Jim & Marcia, Mark, Wendy, Cyndy, Joan, Justine & Nolan, Jeanne, Wayne, the Miranda & K family, Jan & Kylie, Steven, Tegan, Dana, Ken, Lynne, Kaye, Karen, Samantha, Robin, Donna, Winnie, Carl.
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.
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 44 people in worship, and our total giving to the church for the week was $1,004.45, which is $380.17 less than expected.
- So far, this year’s congregational giving has been $1,400 more than expected. Keep up the great work!!
Last Sunday, we were reminded of the importance of rest and self-care. We hope your week was restful and you’re beginning to feel renewed and recharged. This world calls us all to action, to make the world a better place for all, and to work for the coming of the Kingdom here on earth. But how do we do that? Let us begin to dream together, focused on the truth of the Word.
Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, […] Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
~ Isaiah 43:16, 18-19 (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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