NO CHURCH SERVICE

 SUNDAY FEBRUARY 9TH

Due to snow

and slippery conditions

**Annual meeting to be rescheduled**
                                                                                                                                                                                 

Rev. David  Hurst


3. O sing a song of Galilee,
Of lake and woods and hill,
Of Him who walked upon the sea
And bade its waves be still:
For though, like waves on Galilee,
Dark seas of trouble roll,
When faith has heard the Master's word,
Falls peace upon the soul.
4. O sing a song of Calvary,
Its glory and dismay;
Of Him who hung upon the tree
And took our sins away:
For He who died on Calvary
Is risen from the grave,
And Christ our Lord, by Heaven adored,
Is mighty now to save.Type your paragraph here.

Dear friends in Christ,
     
It is with great sadness that I tell you that a wonderful member of our church and a friend to all has passed. Let us remember Mark Thaisz and his family in our prayers. In all our church years we pray for those we have lost and for those who remain.
     I deeply believe that our spirit lives beyond our physical bodies. Life is eternal and our spirit lives on! So there is hope! There is hope that we carry on beyond our physical lives. So what do we do now? What do we do in this life? We are asked to understand and we are told to love. To love one another, to appreciate and find forgiveness in those who challenge us. To take care of our families, to teach them about God.
     Our scriptures say that through love we are born of God and know God; so our lives are part of God's Eternal plan. So, if you believe as I do, we dwell after our physical bodies have worn out in the eternal life. Through this belief we are given solace. We are given the reassurance that everything will be okay with our loved one who has passed. O God, thank you, for your infinite and unconditional love that binds us together in this world and the next!
                    May God bless and keep you all,               

                    Happy Valentine's Day,                            

​                                                                                         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
Matt Alcombright, Music Director

Rev. David Hurst, Pastor

February 9, 2025

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany


“All love that has not friendship for its base
is like a mansion built on sand.”                                 Ella Wheeler Wilcox


PRELUDE                                                                        ANNOUNCEMENTS

                  
CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                    Deacon Reader
Leader: O Lord the world fashions us to build bigger houses and
have more possessions.
People: Teach us to be rich in you, O God.
Leader: The world encourages us to hoard our treasures and throw
parties so that people see what we have.
People: Teach us to build our treasure in heaven and show
others our friendship and faith.

Leader: The World scares us into protecting ourselves, and ignoring
those who are in need of affirmation and friendship.
People: O Lord, teach us to use our gifts for your glory, and give
freely of ourselves.


OPENING HYMM            "O Sing a Song of Bethlehem"                     #493

INVOCATION                                                                    Deacon Reader
Leader: O God open your holy presence to us this day.
People: Inspire us to hear your Holy Word. Despite our
shortcomings, help us to respond to that voice inside us.

Leader: Help us to see Christ in the face of those around us; lest we
too reject Jesus’ desire to be part of our family and friendship.
People: Let the hymns that we sing go straight to our hearts for
they speak of your grace and your infinite Wisdom.


PRAYER OF CONFESSION     (In Unison)                       Deacon Reader

Leader: O merciful and loving God, we come before you this morning,
mindful of Jeremiah who in his youth trembled when asked to be God’s
prophet.
People: We too are fearful of life's challenges. We take things so
personally, when our expectations of ourselves or those around
are not met.
Leader: We prefer the easy choices to fulfill our desires. We yield to the
easier softer way. Thus, we feel hurt or indifferent to everyone.
People: Forgive us for assuming that others will answer your call. Let
us not sit in silence as the world passes us. Create in us a clean and
sturdy heart that we might be your faithful servants, truthful, kind and
loving in all our endeavors.


ASSURANCE OF PARDON    
In Jesus Christ God knows and receives us as we are. Listen! Give thanks!
Know that we are loved and forgiven through God’s grace.
People: Halleluiah! Thanks be to God!                                   

           

OFFERATORY

DOXOLOGY


JOYS AND CONCERNS

PASTORAL PRAYERS AND THE LORD'S PRAYER


GLORIA PATRI


First Lesson                                      Psalm 138                                        Pg 541

                                                                 

Second Lesson                               Luke 5: 1-11                                       Pg 893


SERMON                         Becoming a Prophet                     Rev. David Hurst


HYMN OF HOLY COMMUNION        "I Come with Joy"                  #313

  

THANKSGIVING AND HOLY COMMUNION

We celebrate open Communion-All are welcome at the Table


CLOSING HYMN         "You Walk Along Our Shoreline" (Handout)


BENEDICTION
Leader: O Lord, let us be friends in Christ; for you have created us in your
image. O Holy Spirit fill us with a desire to love one another.
People: O God, help us to apply to our daily lives your Divine
message of hope, love and forgiveness. Open us to be friends with
one another in Christ, our Lord.


Bulletins for February are given in memory of The Earl George &
George Harrington families by Doug & Diane George

(October) Reflections from Mia on ASP 2024 in West Virginia:
“This year's ASP trip was perhaps my favorite yet. We worked with another group at a house that needed the siding redone. The homeowner, Trampas, lived alone and was quite a character. Each day, we would measure and cut siding and then nail it on the house. Measure twice, cut once! After we finished the siding, we also dug a ditch around the house so that when a rain storm came, the house wouldn't flood. On the last day just when we thought we were finished, four truck loads, or about a couple tons, of gravel arrived. We finished and the outcome was worth all our hard work. Our crew was very optimistic and hardworking! I can't wait for next year. We are all very thankful for your support, as this trip would not have been possible without it.”Type your paragraph here.

​​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

​  ​​​​

February Calendar


Feb 2nd             In-house Morning Worship 9am

​                               Guest Speaker Barry Grauman

                               (Communion moved to next week)
                               
Coffee Hour following Worship

                               Annual Reports are Available (Review for 2/9)                                 Take & Eat

Feb 6th(Thu)   Memorial Service for Mark Thaisz at Noon 

Feb 9th               In-house Morning Worship 9am

                               Communion

                               Annual Meeting Immediately following Worship

                               Coffee Hour following Worship

Feb 13th(Thu)   Deacons Meeting 3:30pm 

​Feb 14th            Valentines Day

Feb 16th            In-house Morning Worship 9am
                              Coffee Hour following Worship

Feb 20th(Thu)  Trustees Meeting 3:30pm 

Feb 23th             In-house Morning Worship 9am
                              Coffee Hour following Worship

                                               

Upcoming Calendar


Feb 2nd                   Annual Reports Available                   
                                    Take & Eat
Feb 9th                    Annual Meeting following the Morning Worship


Offering envelopes for 2025 are available. If you don't find a box with your name on it take a blank set and indicate who you are so Jean can send statements.


​Youth News: As this Youth Report is being written, the temperature outside is a chilly. Our day started with -1°F. Thankfully, some of our SCC youth spent yesterday winterizing homes in North Adams as part of a local Day of Service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The event was organized by the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, in collaboration with the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition and Williams College. This work serves as a meaningful complement to the summer work done through the Appalachia Service Project (ASP), as both efforts focus on making homes "warmer and safer" as well as human connection. 
Upcoming Take & Eat: 


The Trustees note that the mason work is completed for the wall repair in the church basement and the retaining pit around the parsonage oil tank. The Williamstown Fire Chief inspected the new tank and installation in the church basement and posted a document that indicates he was happy with the update. The cooking range in the parsonage has been having problems with one of the elements changing from low heat to higher heating without being adjusted. After investigation it was found that rather than repairing a 14-year-old range it would be wiser to replace the unit. A new range has been purchased and installed.  

Mission news: The Annual Mission Committee Report is complete and will be available in our Church Annual Report for 2024. All Missions for 2024 have been donated. We continue to collect nonperishable food for the Williamstown Food Pantry and it will be delivered on the First Sunday of the month. Containers are in the back of the church in the wagon.  The Veterans Pantry has a new list of items and it is located on the bulletin board in the Fellowship room. The container is also on the table with a green lid marked Veterans Pantry.
We received a newsletter and thank you from Heifer International which we support yearly. They list their programs: Fill the Ark,
Animal Crackers and Living Gift Market program. They provide family devotional items to engage young people. These are useful for Sunday school and youth ministries. The information for any season can be found at Heifer.org/Easter or call 888.548.6437. It will be on the Bulletin Board to read more. This year our
gifts will be matched.
Our committee will meet after the Annual Meeting to discuss our Missions for 2025. Thanks again for all your continued support and donations.                       Sincerely, Caroline Martel, Chairman


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.


**************

Town Scholarship Information:  Attached is the application form for the Williamstown Municipal Scholarship is available on the town website or a copy can be picked up in the town treasurer's office.  These scholarships are available only to town residents who are at least one year post high school by the fall of 2025 or non-traditional students going back to school.  The deadline to apply is 1/6/2025 at 4:30pm.
Thank you. Williamstown Municipal Scholarship Committee: Justine Beringer, Linda Brown, Kris Kirby   (See Attachment)




Dear friends, let us love one another for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God!         

                                                                1 John 4:7

                    

​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-3/11346-Second-Congregational-Church-Service-2-18-24-v1/vod.mp4


​**Please scroll down to see the Weekly Bulletin below**

Thoughts from the Organ Bench: The month of February finds us celebrating so many different things.  From Groundhogs to Leap Year; from Cupid to Presidents Day; from Winter to hopes of Spring.  This short month is certainly all over the place.  As we dive into the Life and Ministry of Christ in the Scripture, we see that Christ's life celebrates so many things in a relatively short amount of time.  There never seems to be a dull day for Jesus and so there shouldn't be for us, His followers.  The hymns we sing each week call us into the various mysteries of God and the myriads of ways God works in, around and through us.  One of the hymns in our Hymnal gives a 4-verse glimpse into the many ways we celebrate Christ.  O Sing a Song of Bethlehem is a hymn that, while short like the month, makes us aware of the many different ways Christ calls us to celebrate.  As we go through this short time with many odd twists and turns of celebration let us look to the songs we sing as they draw us into the "twists and turns" of a life lived in Christ.  

1. O sing a song of Bethlehem,
Of shepherds watching there,
And of the news that came to them
From angels in the air:
The light that shone on Bethlehem
Fills all the world to-day;
Of Jesus' birth and peace on earth
The angels sing alway.
2. O sing a song of Nazareth,
Of sunny days of joy,
O sing of fragrant flowers' breath,
And of the sinless Boy:
For now the flowers of Nazareth
In every heart may grow;
Now spreads the fame of His dear Name
On all the winds that blow. 



source: https://www.lyricsondemand.com/christmascarols/o/osingasongofbethlehemlyrics.html​









                   

“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