Worship Bulletin – November 23, 2025

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UCC

WELCOME TO OLDTOWN

North Attleborough, MA   •   November 23, 2025

“To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything.”
~ Thomas Merton

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 with coffee and snacks after worship!
Finally, as a way of honoring our time together and truly loving our neighbor, we ask that you please silence your phone or, better yet, turn it off, allowing yourself to be truly present in worship.

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PRELUDE

GATHERING MUSIC–“The Merry Peasant” by R. Schumann

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 FOR LETTING GO / OPENING PRAYER

CALL TO WORSHIP
Let us give thanks,
For God has created us and loves us unconditionally.
Let us give thanks,
For we are bearers of God’s blessings and love.
Let us give thanks,
For we have gathered to praise God together.

⇑ HYMN C#276–”We Gather Together”

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: Psalm 100 (OT 679)

SERMON: “A Thankful Heart is a Happy Heart”

PREPARING OURSELVES FOR PRAYER (C#306)
Hear our prayer, O Lord, hear our prayer, O Lord,
Incline Thine ear to us, and grant us thy peace.

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 OF OUR GIFTS
GIFT OF MUSIC
⇑ DOXOLOGY (C#47)
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 C#715–”Now Thank We All Our God”

⇑ 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! ***

OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun November 23: Household Huddle 9am
 ~ Worship 10am (Pledge / Promise Sunday)
 ~ Chime rehearsal following worship
Wed November 26: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
 ~ NO COFFEE CONNECTION
Thu November 27: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
Sat November 29: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
Sun November 30: Household Huddle 9am
 ~ Worship 10am (Undie Sunday)
Wed December 3: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
 ~ NO COFFEE CONNECTION
Sat December 6: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
 ~ Winter Art & Craft Fair 10am-3pm
Sun December 7: Household Huddle 9am
 ~ Worship 10am (Communion)
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

Edi, Lynn, Tim, Mark, Cyndy, Joan, Justine & Nolan, Dana, Miranda & K family, Jan & Kylie, Steven, Tegan, Ken, Lynne, Kaye, Karen, Samantha, Robin, Donna, Winnie, Carl, Michael, Sue C., Laura, Jim, Daniel, Nancy, Jake, Muriel, Michelle, Joe, Bob, Gloria, Barry, Magda, Erik, Hailey & Bryce, Al, Denise, Rhonda, Jake, Cindi, Henry, Roxanne, Val, Myrtle, Deane, Rusty, Gianna, Kelsey & Nick, Jayne, Bill, Autumn, Judy, Kayla, Edie, Renee, Perilene, Newell Family, Paul, Diane, Carol, John, Liesel, Robert, Matthew, Joey, Buddy, Cherrie, Jayne.
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.

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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

• Last week, we welcomed 56 people to worship with us. Our total giving to the church last week was $831.39, which is $591.69 less than expected.
• So far, this year’s congregational giving has been $5,850 more than expected. Keep up the great work!!

At this time of year, as we remember all of the things we are thankful for, we celebrate all the people who have supported our church in many different ways. Through financial support during worship or through online giving, working at our thrift shop, our fairs, suppers, and other fundraising events, or just by being an active part of our congregation, we are immensely thankful for everyone who has been a part of the Oldtown family for the last 313 years! Thanks and blessings to you all!!!

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters, only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become enslaved to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
   ~ Galatians 5:13-14 (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