Worship Bulletin – September 5, 2021

Worship Bulletin – September 5, 2021

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA—September 5, 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
~ Lamb of Glory
~ Oh, How He Loves You and Me

WELCOME / TODAY’S WORSHIP WAYS

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


OPENING PRAYER


SHARE

⇑ HYMN—C#254 “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”

⇑ 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: Mark 7:31-37, NRSV (NT 52)

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?


REMEMBERING THE SACRED STORY

SONG OF PREPARATION—“Remembrance”

SHARING OF THE SACRED STORY

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

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#5 “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”

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!
(or in Maxcy Hall with masks, if the weather is bad)


PushpinsThe Oldtown Message
September 5, 2021

OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Today: In-Person Worship 10am
Tues September 7: Missions Ministry Meeting 6pm
   ~ Church Committee Meeting 7pm
Sun September 12: 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.

FELLOWSHIP
As soon as worship is finished, we ask that everyone move outdoors. There will be bottles of water and individually wrapped snacks outside. You are free to gather on the south lawn, in front of the church, or in the parking lot. We thank you for your patience and for your consideration of others.

MASK UPDATE
Our Reconnection Team has reassessed our mask mandate and has decided that with the numbers of infections still high, our masks will remain in place for the foreseeable future. While we recognize that there are differing opinions when it comes to the need for masks, as a church, we must protect the most vulnerable in our midst.

COMMUNION
During worship today we will be remembering the sacred story of communion, but the bread and the cup will not be shared. If you would like to celebrate communion when you get home, get something to eat and something to drink then follow the steps below:

Take time to remember the sacred story, knowing that in the breaking of the bread and the sharing of the cup, God has shared the greatest expression of love with you. Then use the following words or pray your own prayer as you prepare yourself to receive God’s grace:
“Loving God, help my heart and mind to be opened, as I remember and experience You in this bread and cup. May I be fed, nourished, and filled by Your unconditional love and amazing grace, Amen.”
Then eat and drink saying: “The bread of life! The cup of blessing! Amen.”

IN NEED OF OUR PRAYERS
Sue & Steve, Matthew, Kaya, Sue W., David, Ginger D., Doreen, Lucy, Gordon C., Dawn, the Durkee 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: $1,420.09
$105.67 more than budget
Offering 2021 to date: $150 less than budget
To-Date as of End of July (58% of year)
Fund Raising: $5,918.94 (39.5% of annual budget)
Total Budgeted Income: $44,445.52 (49.3% of annual budget)
Total Budgeted Expenses: $51,648.28 (49.7% of annual budget)
Non-Budgeted Income: $4,291.56
Non Budgeted Expenses: $4,287.57
Total Shortfall for 2021: $7,198.77

As we begin to find more and more ways to gather safely together, our various church ministries are beginning to meet again. Some are still meeting virtually, others are meeting safely in-person, and still others are doing a mix of both allowing those who feel comfortable with gathering to get together while allowing others to join online. You can see a list of all of our ministries and find details and a list of the current participants in each ministry on our website at https://www.oldtownucc.org/ministries. If you are interested in helping out with any of our ministries, please contact anyone on any of the ministries or speak with Pastor Kelly.

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. “
~ 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (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