Worship Bulletin – September 12, 2021

Worship Bulletin – September 12, 2021

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA—September 12, 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#276 “We Gather Together”

⇑ SHARING TIME

Where did you experience joy in the last 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.

SCRIPTURE READING: Acts 2:8-11, NRSV (Oldtown Bible: NT 144)

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



Reflect

REFLECT

SERMON

What words, phrases, or thoughts do you want to remember?


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?


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

GIFT OF MUSIC


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#494 “They’ll Know We Are Christians”

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
September 12, 2021

OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Today: In-Person Worship 10am
   ~ Fundraising meeting after worship
Sat September 18: Oldtown Late Summer Yard Sale 8am-2pm
Sun September 19: In-Person Worship 10am
Sat September 25: Outdoor Craft Sale 10am-2pm (Rain date 10/2)
   ~ Pet Clinic 11am-noon
Sun September 26: In-Person Worship 10am
Have something you’d like added to the events 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.

IN NEED OF OUR PRAYERS
Sue & Steve, Matthew, Kaya, David, Ginger D., Doreen, Lucy, Pat, Gordon C., Dawn, Sam, the Winship family
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: $1,376.82
$62.40 more than budget
Offering 2021 to date: $100 less 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

We are all weary of the pandemic: of the changes it has forced upon us, of the low-grade fear and stress that seems to never go away, and of the challenges we face every day from things that used to be trivial. Practicing patience and giving (and receiving!) grace are excellent ways to make things better. Jesus tells us that, after loving our God, the very most important thing we can do is to love our neighbors as ourselves. He also tells us that our “neighbors” are everyone physically near to us, though hopefully socially distanced! This week, remember to be patient and kind to those around you, and to yourself. If we all do, we’ll get through this time much easier and quicker.

“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.”
~ Colossians 3:12-15 (NRSV)


First Congregational Church, UCC of North Attleborough
(Oldtown Church)
Church Phone: 508-695-1713
Pastor Kelly’s email: PastorKelly@oldtownucc.org
Church Email: Church@oldtownucc.org
Website: www.oldtownucc.org