Rev. David Hurst!
educated men of their time. Advisors to kings they followed the signs of the heavens and their belief in prophecy to the humble abode of Mary and Joseph.
It is important to know that the Epiphany [ a realization of a deep truth] of the Magi was that they believed something very special was happening, what would change the course of our world. Sparing no expense and traveling together through dangerous territories and kingdoms, the Magi made a pilgrimage to Bethlehem to find what Isaiah, Micah, and other prophets had foretold to find the Messiah.
The Magi did not believe as those of the Jewish faith. They believed in the foreign gods of their lands. Yet they recognized the signs in the heavens and the Spirit of the creation that was entering our world and creating a way to better understand God’s saving grace and his redeeming power.
May God bless us, everyone,
Happy New Year, David
As we enter the new year let us pray for our world afflicted with the Covid pandemic, all the wrangling of politics and all our fears and wishes for Peace on Earth. When the three Magi came to visit the baby Jesus in Bethlehem, they were the most worldly and
"A sudden realization of a deep truth." Homer Simpson
Angels and Archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air;
But only His Mother
In her maiden bliss
Worshiped the Beloved
With a kiss.
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am? —
If I were a Shepherd
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part, —
Yet what I can I give Him, —
Give my heart.
Music Director /Organist
Matt Alcombright!
In-House Morning Worship & Communion at 9am
followed by Coffee Hour
WilliNet Channel 1303 Sunday Service at 9am and 4pm. Rerun Wednesday at 10am and Friday at 7pm.
This week's (1/16/22) Internet Link is: https://vimeo.com/665323199
Welcome to
The Second Congregational Church
81 Hancock Road • Williamstown, MA 01267 • (413) 458-3467
— January 2022 Calendar —
Saturday January 1st New Year's Days
Sunday January 2nd In-House Morning Worship 9am
Communion
Saturday January 8th Winter Farmers Market 10am-2pm
Sunday January 9th In-House Morning Worship 9am
Thursday January 13th Deacons Meeting 3:30pm
Sunday January 16th In-House Morning Worship 9am
Tuesday January 18th Council Meeting 7pm (moved from 1/11)
Thursday January 20th Trustees Meeting 4pm
Sunday January 23rd In-House Morning Worship 9am
Last day to submit your report for the 2021 Annual Report
Sunday January 30th In-House Morning Worship 9am
WilliNet channel 1303 Sunday Worship 9am and 4pm. Rerun Wed at 10am and Friday at 7pm.
The Internet Link to the Sunday Service is sent each Friday. WilliNet is on Holiday this week so there is no Link for 1/2/22.
As we close out 2021 all organizations and committees should be putting together their reports to be used in the Annual Report. There is a box in the Sunday School room for these reports.
Save the date...Sunday February 13th
Annual Meeting following Morning Worship.
Sunday School update...Current Sunday school kids, along with Sunday school graduate Tommy Kirby, went caroling. It was very impromptu, but nonetheless a JOYOUS occasion. The Sunday school children hope everyone at Second Congo has a Blessed Christmas. As for the New Year, we look forward to resuming bible class with Pastor David and some exciting planning for things to come!
The “hot” topic this January is the Appalachian Service Project (ASP). The Sunday school youth are super excited about traveling about twelve hours south from Williamstown this summer to serve with ASP again. They will likely be in Janesville, Virginia again,
ASP is a wonderful Christian organization dedicated to making homes warmer, drier, safer. Julia and Gabriela have served twice and Sophia and Micah were set to serve along with their older sisters. But alas….along came the Covid pandemic. We look forward to sharing more details next month.
The Mission Committee delivered Gift Cards, Candy, fruit and many other items to the Food Pantry on December 12, 2021 for the Christmas Gift Giving. Carol DeMayo met me at the door and there were helpers to receive our donations. They all had smiles on their faces and gratitude in their hearts. We are a church that is well loved and known to the Williamstown Food Pantry. Even with Covid Second Congregational Church comes through with items they need. I am relaying a huge thank you to all our members and friends who donated this year. The Pantry will be open January 5th and 19th this month for distribution. They are accepting nonperishable foods during the week and they can be dropped off at St.Patrick's/Raphael's Parish on Southworth St.
The Notices received this month from our sponsored Mission are posted on the bulletin board in the back of the Fellowship Hall. Hopefully, this coming year we will be able to resume our regular monthly mission schedule as in house church is resumed.
Once again, We thank everyone for their support this year and hope we all have a Very Happy and Healthy New Year in 2022
Sincerely,
Caroline Martel, Chairman, Virginia Nicklien, Rita Gardner, Janet Mayer
The Dorcas had a lovely luncheon at the Water Street Grill on December 15th. We had 16 in attendance, including Pastor David.
We hope to meet after the New Year.
Praying for the New Year to end the Covid mess. May you all be in good health.
The Deacon's met on December 9th.
* David will start a Youth Group Zoom meeting in January.
* The Deacon's will start passing the collection plate in January.
* Two Deacon's will be on duty from now on.
* The attendance sheet we have been using will not be used anymore.
* Our next meeting will be 1/13/22.
The Trustees have mailed out the 2022 Proposed budget and a sheet explaining the reasons for adjustments they feel are coming in the new year. They are very grateful for all of you that supported the 2021 budget and ask that you continue your faithfulness in the upcoming year. They are investigating interest in contractors that would be able to paint the church this coming year. They have done the annual review of the Building Use Document and made no changes. It now goes to the Deacons as it is a joint document.
Months for Memorial Bulletins are still available. January, February and most of the second half of the year were unfilled as of 12/26. Please sign the sheet in the Sunday School room or email the church at wmst2ndcongo@outlook.com if you would like to reserve a month.
Happy New Year One and All!
— Remember in Prayer —
The Prayer List is attached. Please email the church (wmst2ndcongo@outlook.com) if you would like to make additions or subtractions. Keep those on the list in prayer. . . It Works!
Members of the congregation
Norm & Betsey Burdick, Sam Westcott, Maggie Guiden, Jack Haig, Polly Roberts (Dalmaso), Don Quimby, John Storey,
Mary Kirby, Anne Tiffany,
Bob & Janet Mayer, Eunice Lapier, Rita Gardner
Family and friends of Dick Diest, cousin of Wayne Morrison
Charmaine Lapier, sister of Eunice Lapier
Becky Leto, friend of Clare Morrison
Megan Jennings Dostal, friend of Chris van Luling & community
Julia Peele, sister of Bonnie Herr
Victor Fraenckel friend of Bob & Janet Mayer
Cathy Foley, friend of Chris Bradich
Sue Linquist ,Bob and Janet Mayer’s daughter
Sol Wertkins, friend of Clare and Wayne Morrison’s son
John Hyde, Friend of Missy Young
Denny Roberts, son of Polly Roberts Dalmaso
Tony Todesco, friend of Anne Tiffiny
Shawn & Kate Burdick, Norm & Betsey’s son & daughter-in-law
Julie Brill, a member of the Cangelosi family
Trace Snyder, cousin of Caroline Martel
Amy Sink, Bonnie Herr’s sister
Mel Knoor, niece of Clare Morrison
Family and friends of Dick Farnum, friend of Jon George
Richard LeCroix, friend of Carol Demayo
All of the First Responders who put their lives in jeopardy to care for all of us. For those working in grocery stores, gas stations, hospitals, nursing homes, health care facilities, food banks… who are working in spite of the danger to themselves. Prayers for anyone who is overwhelmed by this pandemic. Prayers for those who are feeling isolated or afraid. Prayers that God give us the mindfulness to reach out by phone to those who we are not frequently in touch -those on the outer edges of our friendship & family. Prayers for all people as we look to “love our neighbor” as God has commanded.
— Thoughts From the Organ Bench —
Call me lazy or a prophet but unfortunately my newsletter piece from last New Year is yet again appropriate for the, yet again, precarious times we find ourselves in. One of the great gifts of COVID has been the surge in people learning an instrument at home or making virtual music videos for people to share. While it has been hard to attend in person concerts and the like we are able to celebrate the God given gift of music in so many ways. I guess it is a reminder of what Mother Teresa once said that "There is nothing so bad that God cannot make a greater good come out of it."
One of the most beautiful hymns, in my opinion, of the Christmas Season is one that we don't hear a lot of. In 1872 a beautiful poem under the title "A Christmas Carol" was published by English poet Christina Rossetti. In 1906 Gustav Holst would set music to these beautiful words of Rossetti composing what we now know as "In the Bleak Midwinter." The title of this hymn is all too appropriate for the times we continue to find ourselves in. During this long period of pandemic, uncertainty and doubt the world seems 'bleak' to say the least. This hymn, however, provides so much hope. God entered a bleak and suffering world in the most humble of ways. Born in a bleak stable, God came to us to give light, joy, hope and peace. In our seemingly bleak and cold world we are reminded that this Child, born to us, paves a way for a brighter and hopeful New Year. The last verse gives us the recipe for some hope and joy and that is to simply give Christ our heart. As we begin this New Year during yet another Bleak Midwinter, maybe we can allow this hymn to provide the comfort and hope we need and to remind us that giving Christ our heart can shine some light in an all too seemingly dark and bleak world. Matt
In the bleak mid-winter Frosty wind made moan;
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.
Our God, heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain,
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty —
Jesus Christ.