News from the Organ and Piano benches: "It takes a village", a saying which seems very appropriate given the huge shoes to fill from Matt's retirement. Janet Holmgren is working her magic piecing together a musical alternative with multiple musicians utilizing both the organ and the piano. Our own Thomas Kirby, once again, will pick up some Sundays playing on the piano with two talented Williams College student organists, Jonathon Hartanto and Graham Omerod, playing as their schedule permits. Jonathan, a sophomore, and Graham, a freshman, both play beautifully and we hope they will stay with us for the foreseeable future. Also, David Vredenburg from the Albany area will be rejoining us as organist over the summer. He remembers our congregation fondly and sends his greetings. Thomas' former teacher, Ed Lawrence, retired musical director of First Church and part of the Williams community will also be sharing his musical talent. Clearly it's taken a village! Please welcome all of these musicians heartily!
Rev. David Hurst
Music: I am happy to share that Graham, Jonathan, and Tommy will continue to grace us with their incredible musical talent next fall and into 2026. In the meantime, please join me in wishing the two Williams students all the best on their final exams, and also in giving a warm welcome to organists Ed Lawrence and David Vredenburg, as well as pianist En-Ting, who will be playing for us over the coming weeks and months.
We feel very blessed that these musicians are able to share their musical gifts with Second Congregational Church. As long as everyone remains in good health, we are mostly covered for music through summer 2026.
**Church Organist needed!**
Please contact The Second Congregational Church
if you are interested in the position or know of someone who might be!
Greetings and blessings to all!
As I write these paragraphs, it is an absolutely beautiful day. When we emerge from winter and the first half of spring, we see the greening of everything around us. Everything changes! The birds are chirping! The mourning doves wake us. Even the air itself changes its texture with the warmth. We understand how the cycle of life and nature’s process orders our earth.
But for us Christians there is a monumental shift of perception of how life goes. How the story, the mystery, is revealed to us. Because in these Easter Sundays we learn from the firsthand witnesses; Mary Magdelin, the other disciples and Paul the Apostle that there is life beyond nature’s cycles. It is the eternal life, given to us by God through Jesus Christ!
Through God’s “inbreaking,” as it is called, into our world through the human Jesus, we are given a whole new idea of how to live life through love, forgiveness and kindness, affirming others of all stripes and places. Let us as Peter writes, be alert and sober and set our hope in these turbulent times on God’s “inbreaking" occurring again. We are set free by God in Christ to begin anew. To refresh our lives and faith with new love, new approaches and new thought of how to think and act beyond the box.
May God bless you all!
Happy Easter Sundays to one and all!
David
— Remember in Prayer —
A Prayer List is part of the weekly Bulletin. Please email the church (wmst2ndcongo@outlook.com) if you would like to make additions or subtractions to keep those on the list in prayer. . . It Works!
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 and family. Prayers for all people as we look to “love our neighbor” as God has commanded.
**************
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
81 Hancock Road, Williamstown, MA
Graham Ormerod, Organist
Rev. David Hurst, Pastor
Mother's Day, May 11, 2025
Fourth Sunday of Easter
MORNING MEDITATION
I am no longer a slave to fear; I am a child of God.
My fears are drowned in a sea of perfect love.
PRELUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP Deacon Reader
Leader: Let us gather into worship! Let us find joy and peace in
celebrating life together, and being One in God
People: God calls us to love one another, to forgive one another
and to believe in the mystery of our Lord's divinity.
Leader: Come, as Jesus has taught us. Let us clean away the sins
of the past and renew ourselves by being aware of God's grace.
People: Lord, let us worship with thankfulness and humility. Let
our lives be filled through the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Leader: Let us rise and sing together and celebrate God everlasting
love.
OPENING HYMM "The Church's One Foundation" Pg 238
INVOCATION Deacon Reader
Leader: Touch us, tender God, with the holiness of this morning.
People: Let your fragrant oil of blessing pour over us, so that
we will feel your peace inside of us and hear your divine call.
Leader: Fill us with the confidence to speak your word and recognize
your blessing.
People: Lord, give us the courage to build your Kingdom of
peace in this world.
Leader: Fill us with your grace. Strengthen us to do your will each
day and to sing our praises in each moment of our lives.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Rev. David Hurst
Bountiful God, giver of joy and hope, you offer us the beauty of the
earth and the hope of eternity. Thank you for your love. Thank you
for the gift of your Son and his ministry of suffering and healing. Let
us be filled with gratitude and respond to your infinite Spirit. Help us
to measure what we say and do. May we heed your counsel, though we
might feel jealousy or resentment. Help us not to despair, but to find joy
in your presence. Oh Lord, stop us from choosing things for the wrong
reasons; masking our desires in the illusion of helping. We understand why
there is prejudice and exclusion in the world, but we do little to prevent it.
We forget Your way, O Lord. We forget that you ask us to serve: to forgive
ourselves, our friends and enemies. Help us to live in your Spirit. Forgive
us our sins, O Holy God.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
If we confess our sins; God is faithful and just. He forgives our sins and
cleanses us from all unrighteousness. [1 John 1:9]
People: Hallelujah! Thanks be to God
OFFERATORY
DOXOLOGY
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYERS AND THE LORD'S PRAYER
GLORIA PATRI
First Lesson Revelation 7: 9-17 Pg 1076
HYMN OF REFLECTION "We Gather Together" #23
Second Lesson Acts 9: 1-20 Pg 955
SERMON The Conversion of Paul Rev. David Hurst
CLOSING HYMN "Faith of Our Fathers" # 418
BENEDICTION
Leader: Go now with joy and the Word of God in your heart.
People: Let us offer love and aid to all the people we meet upon your
journey. Grant us the compassion to share each other's burdens and
to be an example to those who struggle in life.
Bulletins for May are given in memory of Charles and Betty Austin, by Barbara Austin
Organists: Thomas Kirby, Jonathon Hartanto, Graham Ormerod,
Archived News of Note:
Youth news: Our third ASP trip has come and gone! We spent the week completing a siding and drainage project in eastern West Virginia. Unlike previous years, we were there for ASP's last week of the summer, meaning we got to finish the job and see the final product. Other groups had already stripped and insulated the house and partially installed J-channel around windows and fixtures, leaving us to finish the J-channel and side the house. We worked hard and completed these tasks early, giving us time to improve the drainage around the house and spread 4 tons of gravel!
We served a man named Trampus living in a small place he recently bought from family members for just $16k. He worked most of the day at a nearby sawmill, hitching rides from coworkers because his own truck had been totaled. Near the end of our week, he got hit by a log at work and broke his wrist, knocking him out of work for the immediate future. It was unclear whether he'd be able to claim worker's compensation. We were fortunate to be able to give him something to smile about when he returned home that day.
There's a lot to adjust to during an ASP week, including the poor sleeping conditions, meeting the other volunteers staying at our center, finding a new routine, and more. It's easy to imagine how all this could detract from the work, but everyone in our group stayed focused throughout the week. From the moment we set foot on site and divided up to conquer the project efficiently, to the final evening when we took over sweeping the center from the ASP staff, it was incredible to see the intentionality our group brought.
When I reflect on this group, Timothy's description of the faithful comes to mind: "For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline." (2 Tim 1:7) This group had the power to help others, and used it. They had the love born of deep friendship and of compassion for those who suffer, and they acted on it. And when faced with a week challenging both physically and mentally, they showed discipline far beyond their years. As always, it was a privilege to spend this time working alongside them. I look forward to continuing this mission for years to come! Tom Kirby
your paragraph here.
Music Director /Organist
Matt Alcombright
Thank you!!
May Calendar
May 4th In-house Morning Worship 9am
Communion
Coffee Hour following Worship
Take & Eat
ASP Trip Collection Can available for donations on Coffee Table
May 8th(Thu) Deacons Meeting 3:30pm
May 11th Mother's Day
In-house Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Worship
Blanket Offering Collection
May 15th(Thu) Trustees Meeting 4:15 pm
May 18th In-house Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Worship
Blanket Offering Collection
May 25th In-house Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Worship
May 25th Memorial Day
Upcoming Calendar
May/June is the season of graduations. We are looking to put together an insert in the bulletin on 6/8 with all who are graduating, from where they are graduating, plans going forward and who is their connection to the church.
Send the information to the church at wmst2ndcongo@outlook.com by June 3rd to be included in the insert.
Youth: The ASPers are currently preparing for their upcoming mission trip to Appalachia, where they'll be working to help families in need by making their homes “warmer, drier, and safer.” If you’d like to support their efforts, a donation coffee can will be available on the snack table in the fellowship room on Sunday, May 4th.
As part of their service, Mia, Nina, and Tommy also contributed their time on Palm Sunday to help clean our church. Tommy shared the following about their efforts: “We dusted the sanctuary, scrubbed the pews, vacuumed the sanctuary and entryway, cleaned the bathrooms, and mopped the back room.” We’re grateful for their hard work and dedication—both here at home and as they prepare to serve others in Appalachia!
The Trustees have an agreement with Morais Construction to continue the leasing of a portion of the Sunday School room until the project is complete at the roundabout at the intersection of Routes 7 & 43 for the MADOT Field Office. We have begun work on leveling the Parsonage porch and routing the downspout water away from the foundation. The Town inspected the building and found that everything was in good shape except for a couple of emergency light batteries in the Sunday School room. The outside Spring cleanup is done and lawn mowing has begun. We want to thank Tommy and the Youth for the inside cleaning they did prior to the Easter Service. They did a major cleaning of the sanctuary and beyond. Paul has renewed Certifications are for Allergens and Food Handler. Mia will finish her ServSafe requirements after her school finals.
ITEMS NEED FOR THE VETERANS:
(Please place them in the tub in the SS Room)
SOAPS SHAMPOO CONDITIONER
LAUNDRY DETERGENT HOT COCOA
Memorial Bulletin Sign-up The sheet for signing up to purchase a month of Memorial Bulletins for 2024 is now posted in the SS Room. Please fill in the information for the month that you select. The cost is $30/month.
For those that were not able to be at the final service or need additional time to consider their 2023 Giving, you may send in your gifts and pledges to:
Jean Richer 124 S. Hemlock Brook, Williamstown, MA 01267.
**************
Thank you from our Church: Thank you, Matt, from the whole Second Congregational Church family and community!
Five years have indeed flown by and we all appreciate your contributions of music, voice, and stability that you brought with unwavering consistency, beautiful quality and perfect humbleness. Much appreciated!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your next chapter.
News from the Organ and Piano benches: "It takes a village", a saying which seems very appropriate given the huge shoes to fill from Matt's retirement. Janet Holmgren is working her magic piecing together a musical alternative with multiple musicians utilizing both the organ and the piano. Our own Thomas Kirby, once again, will pick up some Sundays playing on the piano with two talented Williams College student organists, Jonathon Hartanto and Graham Omerod, playing as their schedule permits. Jonathan, a sophomore, and Graham, a freshman, both play beautifully and we hope they will stay with us for the foreseeable future. Also, David Vredenburg from the Albany area will be rejoining us as organist over the summer. He remembers our congregation fondly and sends his greetings. Thomas' former teacher, Ed Lawrence, retired musical director of First Church and part of the Williams community will also be sharing his musical talent. Clearly it's taken a village! Please welcome all of these musicians heartily!
**Church Organist needed!**
Please contact The Second Congregational Church
if you are interested in the position or know of someone who might be!
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” 1 Peter 1:13
WilliNet channel 1303 Sunday Worship 9am and 4pm. Rerun Wed at 10am and Friday at 7pm
This Week's Internet site is:
https://reflect-willinet.cablecast.tv/store-3/12497-Second-Congregational-Church-Service-5-11-25-v1/vod.mp4
**Please scroll down to see the Weekly Bulletin below**
“The time is always right to do what is right! Martin L King Jr.
“All love that has not friendship for its base
is like a mansion built on sand.” Ella Wheeler Wilcox
“Sometimes I go about pitying myself. And all the while I am being carried
across the sky by beautiful clouds.” Ojibway Indian saying
Arab proverb; “To have a good neighbor you must be one.”
Welcome to
The Second Congregational Church
81 Hancock Road • Williamstown, MA 01267 • (413) 458-3467