FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — October 1, 2023
WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY
The Sunday we remember that we are all one.
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
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.
CALL TO WORSHIP
We are all one family,
Made in the image of God.
We are all one family,
Each unique, each special.
We are all one family,
Brothers & sisters on a journey of faith.
We are all one family,
Given gifts and talents to share.
We are all one family,
United in the love of God.
A MOMENT TO LET GO
OPENING PRAYER
SHARE
⇑ HYMN C#330—”Alleluia, Hear God’s Story”
TIME OF SHARING (C#323)
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: Matthew 14:13-21 (Oldtown Bible: NT 19)
REFLECT
SERMON – “All You Have To Be Is Hungry”
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
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
CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION
Song of Preparation
The Sacred Story
The Invitation
The Blessing of the Elements
Sharing of the Bread & Cup
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Gracious God, we thank you for this meal and for all of the ways you nourish us. Grow in us so that we may nourish others. Sustain us as we press toward the goal of your call in Christ Jesus. Amen.
FOR LOVE OF CHURCH
⇑ SENDING HYMN C#419—”All Who Hunger, Gather Galdly”
⇑ 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
October 1, 2023
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun Oct 1: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am
Wed Oct 4: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
~ Wondering About the WORD 6pm
Sat Oct 7: Oldtown Pet Vaccination Clinic 11am-noon
~ Come and Sing! 2pm
Sun Oct 8: NO HOUSEHOLD HUDDLE
~ Worship 10am
Wed Oct 11: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
~ Wondering About the WORD 6pm
Sat Oct 14: Oldtown Turkey Supper
Sun Oct 15: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am
~ Celebration of the Life of Janice Tondravi
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
Alice, Jeanne, Franke, Geddy, Wayne, June, Lynne, Celine, Stacey, Al, Bob, Edi, John, Katie, Lydia, Ben, Doug, Stephen, Kim, Beth, Perilene, Sheryl, Joanne, Michelle, Gloria, Tom, Mark, Patti, Marion, Gordon C., Phoebe, Jim, Barbara, James, Jean, Cyndy, Maryam, Karen, Marcia, Erica, Christina, Stephanie, Heather, Michelle, Brandon, Joe, Shane, Deborah, Nicole, Jasper, Armand, Dave, Carolyn, Bill, Doug, Connie, Peter, Keli, Nadine, Rich, Tim, Nikki, Rhonda, Shawn, Nicholas, Mel, Peter, Jayne, Steve, Daniel, Sam, Jill, Shirley, Algernon, Shurbelle, Indie, Lynn, Alan & Paula, Denise, Patrick, Scott, Hailey, Carole, Duane, Kevin, Richie, Judy, Roxanne, the family and friends of Janice Tondravi.
Prayer requests can be placed in the offering plate, entered through our church website using our online prayer request form, or emailed to Pastor Kelly at PastorKelly@oldtownucc.org
PRAYERS FOR THE COMING WEEK
MORNING
Dear God, thank you for another day. Please watch over my family and friends. Thank you! Amen.
EVENING
What a day it has been O God. Thank you for giving me patience in times of trouble and for always loving me even when I am not very lovable. Amen.
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 41 people in worship on Sunday, and our total giving to the church for the week was $5,929.14, which is $4,674.42 more than expected.
- So far, this year’s congregational giving is $10,500 more than we expected. Keep up the great work!!
Thanks to a very generous gift last week, we are doing well with our giving for the year. Unfortunately, the expenses of cleaning up from our flooding and having to cancel a pet clinic and pot roast supper have limited our fundraising. We have a pet clinic scheduled this Saturday, 10/7, our final supper of the year the next weekend, 10/14, and our fall fair in November and vendor fair in December. Please think about anything you can do to help, and reach out to Pastor Kelly, Ed Clavette, or Jim Fennell, or sign up online to help at https://www.oldtownucc.org/signup.
I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
~ Philippians 4:12-13 (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