FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — November 25, 2018
“Dreaming of a new way to be church,
and doing something about it!”
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
PRELUDE
INTROIT — “Jesus Bids Us Shine”
WELCOME / TIME OF CENTERING
CALL TO WORSHIP
Happy are we
When our treasures cannot be quantified.
Happy are we
When our knowledge is tempered by mystery.
Happy are we
when our pain is held in the arms of love.
Happy are we
When our delight comes from beyond ourselves.
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
SHARE
*HYMN—C#452 “Here I Am, Lord”
*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—Philippians 2:14-15 (NRSV) (NT p.241)
REFLECT
SERMON—”Get Ready to Shine!”
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
OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS
SONG OF PRAISE—”Heavenly Sunlight”
*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
MINISTRY MOMENT
TIME OF ANNOUNCEMENTS
*SENDING HYMN: C#466—”Pass It On”
*BENEDICTION
*BENEDICTION RESPONSE
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!
Please join us for coffee and fellowship in Maxcy Hall following worship!
The Oldtown Message
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Today: Household Huddle 9am
– Worship 10am
Nov 27: Office Hours 10-2
– Church Committee 7pm
Nov 29: Office hours 10-2
Nov 30: Coffeehouse 7pm
Dec 1: Winter Craft and Vendor Fair 10am-3pm
Dec 2: Household Huddle 9am
– Worship 10am
– Deacons’ Meeting after worship
– Bible Study after worship
IN NEED OF OUR PRAYERS
Carolyn, Sharon, Edmond, Virginia, Jim B., Shannon, Kristen, Cindi, Gordon, Susan, David W, Sue, Steve, Lynne, Richard, Emily, Ron & Margretha, Kim, Tanya, Lydia, Maryam, Barbara, Sandie, Jenn & Jim, Julio, Matt & his family, Eddie, Vinny, Patty, Paula, Susan, Jerry, Dave, Tim, Bea, Aaron, Alyna, Samantha, Rosalyn, Kristen, Cyndy, Steve & Kerri, Shannon, Marjon, Meena, Mike B., Caitlin, Bridget, Marybeth, Tony, Perilene, Carlos, Penny, Brooks, the Brauneis and Scott Families.
We will be starting a new prayer list next Sunday.
If you would like to add a name to it, please fill out a prayer card and drop it in the offering plate, or use our online prayer request form.
DAILY EMAIL ADVENT DEVOTIONAL
In an increasingly dark world, we can be a bright light to those around us and a shining example of God’s love. After all, opportunities to shine surround us each day. This Advent, with the help our of daily Advent devotional, we will see and experience ways to be a shining star, lighting the way for those around us.
Our 2018 Daily Email Advent Devotional will begin on December 2nd . If you have received them before, you are still on our server list. If you have never received the Daily Email Advent or Lenten Devotional and you would like to, please let Pastor Kelly know and she will add you to the list.
ADVENT OUT OF THE BOX COLLECTION
This Advent as we prepare for the baby to be born in Bethlehem, we will be collecting baby items to share with New Hope, our local women’s shelter and other local food pantries.
Items needed include: diapers (especially sizes 2-6), pull-ups, baby wipes, baby blankets, new infant and toddler clothing and pajamas, pacifiers, bibs and small infant toys.
| STEWARDSHIP CORNER | ||||
| Offering last week: | $1,509.07 $143.69 more than budget |
|||
| Offering to date: | $150 less than budget | |||
| Fund Raising (end of October): |
$1,700 less than budget | |||
| Total Budgeted Income (end of October): |
$2,000 less than budget | |||
| Total Budgeted Expense (end of October): |
$7,000 less than budget | |||
| YEARLY PROGRESS AS OF OCTOBER | ||||
| Congregational Giving | $57,800 | of | $71,000 | |
| Fundraising | $14,000 | of | $23,500 | |
| Other Budgeted Income | $8,000 | of | $11,450 | |
| Total Budgeted Income | $79,800 | of | $105,950 | |
| Total Budgeted Expense | $84,000 | of | $110,455 | |
| Non-budgeted Inc – Exp | + $1,400 | |||
| CURRENT | $2,800 LOSS | |||
Did You Know?
Join us this Saturday from 10am to 3pm for our Winter Craft and Vendor Fair!! Come and shop for Christmas gifts, try your luck in the raffles, and join us for a yummy lunch! We can still use some hands to help out with set up, working during the fair, and cleaning up afterward. Please see Deb Fennell if you are available to help during the week or on the day of the fair.
“For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.”
~ Ephesians 2:10 (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, 12 – 3 pm
Pastor Kelly’s email: PastorKelly@oldtownucc.org
Church Email: Church@oldtownucc.org
Website: www.oldtownucc.org