FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — October 22, 2023
MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE
“I play the notes as they are written,
but it is God who makes the music.”
Johann Sebastian Bach
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
Make a joyful noise!
Worship God with gladness.
Make a joyful noise!
We are God’s people, the sheep of God’s pasture.
Make a joyful noise!
For God’s steadfast love is present now and endures forever.
A MOMENT TO LET GO
OPENING PRAYER
SHARE
⇑ HYMN C#90—”Come Christians, Join to Sing”
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: Psalms 100 (Oldtown Bible: OT 679)
OLDTOWN SINGERS—”He Has Made Me Glad”
REFLECT
SERMON – “Make a Joyful Noise”
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
FOR LOVE OF CHURCH
⇑ SENDING HYMN C#442—”We Are Walking” (walking, marching, dancing)
⇑ 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 22, 2023
OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun Oct 22: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am
Wed Oct 25: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
~ Wondering About the WORD 6pm
Sun Oct 29: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am
Wed Nov 1: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
~ Wondering About the WORD 6pm
Sun Nov 5: Household Huddle 9am
~ Worship 10am – All Saints Sunday
Wed Nov 8: NO COFFEE CONNECTION
~ NO WONDERING ABOUT THE WORD
Fri Nov 10 & Sat Nov 11: Oldtown Fall Fair
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, John, our new migrant neighbors, Mark, Nancy & Chris, and Jackie.
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
O God, throughout the day today, let me see the good in things. Help me to live a life filled with gratitude and encourage me to share the gifts that you have given. Amen.
EVENING
As the sun sets, may I look back over this day and smile, for you walked with me through it all, and for that, I am grateful! Amen.
MISSIONS MINISTRY
For the next two Sundays, because winter is coming, we will be collecting:
hats, mittens, gloves, and scarves
(any size/gender) for those in need
As always in Oldtown, Missions projects are not mandatory, each collection is simply an opportunity to help others as you feel so moved.
THE OLDTOWN FAIR
The Fall Fair and Silent Auction is fast approaching! In three weeks, we will once again welcome the people of the Attleboro area into our church. This is one of our biggest fundraising opportunities. It is a time not only of fellowship but also of fun and community spirit.
Over the next several weeks, preparations are taking place. Crafters are busy making some beautiful items. If you are making items for the fair, please be sure to let Kris Collins know what you are making. Items for the auction are coming in, but contact Ed Clavette if you have any items to offer. Raffle baskets are coming together. If you would like to donate, please speak with Cindi Barkley.
Please be on the lookout for sign-up sheets for helpers and bakers which will be available over the next few weeks. Together, we can make this event successful for our church….and for each other!!
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 64 people in worship on Sunday, and our total giving to the church for the week was $1,403.43, which is $148.71 more than expected.
- So far, this year’s congregational giving is $12,900 more than we expected. Keep up the great work!!
“It is Christianity to love our neighbors as ourself and to do to all men as we would have them do to us. It is Christianity to be gentle, merciful, and forgiving, and to keep those qualities quiet in our own hearts, and never make a boast of them or of our prayers or of our love of God, but always to show that we love Him by humbly trying to do right in everything. If we do this, and remember the life and lessons of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and try to act up to them, we may confidently hope that God will forgive us our sins and mistakes, and enable us to live and die in peace.”
~ Charles Dickens
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
~ John 13:34-45 (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