Worship Bulletin – October 17, 2021

Worship Bulletin – October 17, 2021

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA—October 17, 2021

Ministers: ALL of our Members and Friends
Pastor & Teacher: The Rev. Kelly Thibeault
Pianist: Ellen Kingman

Welcome to the Oldtown Church!
Whoever you are, and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are always welcome here. Because we are a faith community that values all ages and stages, and those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated, all people vaccinated or unvaccinated MUST wear a mask while in the church building. Presenters may remove their masks while presenting, but otherwise, masks must remain on. We thank you for your patience and cooperation.

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 fellowship after worship!
Please remember to mute your devices during worship.


Breathe

BREATHE

GATHERING MUSIC

WELCOME / TODAY’S WORSHIP WAYS

What things do you need to let go of to be fully present today?


OPENING PRAYER


SHARE

⇑ HYMN—C#259 “Spirit of the Living God”

⇑ SHARING TIME

How did you ❤️Love God, ❤️Love yourself, or ❤️Love your neighbor this week?


PREPARING OUR HEARTS FOR SCRIPTURE
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.

STORYTIME: “Change Sings” by Amanda Gorman

What change did you hear about in the story? What kind of change might you work for?


SCRIPTURE READING: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, NRSV (Oldtown Bible: OT 756)
(Underline or circle any words or phrases that jump out to you)

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.”

What stood out for you in today’s reading? What questions did it raise?



Reflect

REFLECT

SERMON

What things do you make time for each week?


Work? School? Taking care of others? TV shows? Grocery shopping?
What things do you wish you made more time for?


Reading? Resting? Spending time with family/friends? Praying? Having fun?
What is one change you are going to make this week?


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.”

What special prayers do you hold in your heart?


Our Oldtown Prayer List: Sue & Steve, Matthew, Kaya, Will, David, Ginger D., Doreen, Lucy, Gordon C., Dawn, Sam, Kevin, Ed, Rick, Mark

PASTORAL PRAYER 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

GIFT OF SONG


Thank

THANK

OFFERING OUR THANKS

What is something that you are thankful for today?


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 THANKSGIVING

THE WORK OF THE CHURCH

SENDING HYMN—C#715 “Now Thank We All Our God”

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 our 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 outside for fellowship on the south lawn following worship!


PushpinsThe Oldtown Message
October 17, 2021

OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun October 24: In-Person Worship 10am
Sat October 30: Pet Vaccination Clinic 11-12noon
Sun October 31: In-Person Worship 10am
   ~ Undie Sunday
   ~ Express Yourself Mask Opportunity
Check our Online Calendar for even more church events!! Have something you’d like added to the calendar? Email calendar@oldtownucc.org with all the information and we’ll get it posted.

WELCOME BACK TO IN-PERSON WORSHIP
As we ease back into gathering together to worship, we remind everyone to be gentle with each other. In the interest of keeping everyone safe, including the children and immuno-compromised within our church family, we are requiring that masks be worn at all times when in the church building. While we recognize that there are differing opinions on the need for masks, we have decided to require mask-wearing while indoors at the church for the safety and comfort of everyone. We have also decided there will be no gathering in Maxcy Hall for fellowship following worship. Everyone is welcome to gather outside on the south lawn or in the parking lot, but we will not be having a time of indoor fellowship. We thank you for your patience and for your prayerful consideration of others.

MASK UPDATE
Our Church Committee voted to make a small change to our church mask policy. Moving forward, masks are now mandatory at all times inside the church building. Thank you for your cooperation.

DO YOU NEED TO CONTACT THE CHURCH?
As we return to the building and step into new ways of being the church, we are trying to set safe and healthy boundaries for everyone. Moving forward, if you need to contact Pastor Kelly or the church for church business, we ask that you use the church phone number, 508-695-1713. We have a new phone system in place in hopes of streamlining our communication. If Pastor Kelly cannot answer at the time of your call, leave a message and she will get back to you as soon as she can.

IN NEED OF OUR PRAYERS
Sue & Steve, Matthew, Kaya, Will, David, Ginger D., Doreen, Lucy, Gordon C., Dawn, Sam, Kevin, Ed, Rick, Mark
If you would like to add a name to our prayer list, please talk with Pastor Kelly, fill out a prayer card or note and drop it in the offering basket, or use our online prayer request form.

STEWARDSHIP CORNER
Offering last week: $1,589.61
$275.19 more than budget
Offering 2021 to date: $1,250 more than budget
To-Date as of End of August (67% of year)
Fund Raising: $7,970.76 (53.1% of annual budget)
Total Budgeted Income: $58,229.58 (64.5% of annual budget)
Total Budgeted Expenses: $57,882.52 (55.7% of annual budget)
Non-Budgeted Income: $11,081.81
Non Budgeted Expenses: $10,975.57
Total Surplus for 2021: $453.30

Fall is the time when we ask everyone to consider the time, talent, and treasure they can give to their church in the coming year. There are A LOT of exciting things happening at Oldtown for folks to be involved with. In addition to searching for new and exciting fundraising ideas, our Missons Ministry is becoming more and more active with a lot of upcoming events, collections, and projects for the holidays and beyond. Also, our Social Justice Ministry is beginning to get organized and create a vision for the future. We invite you to think on where you’d like to channel your energies to help further the vision and mission of your Oldtown Church.

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?”
~ Isaiah 58:6-7 (NRSV)


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
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Learn more about our denomination: www.ucc.org