Welcome back!
As the days of summer get a little shorter and we start to prepare to get back to church, let us be filled with joy and gratitude for our lives and our church. As we begin our fall activities and worship let us pray for this chaotic world in which we live. As we watch the extradition of Americans, Afghanis and innocents from Afghanistan and we see Covid rearing its ugly again, let us pray for a deeper understanding of how this world seems to work and ask God for the faith to continue to love and tolerate others. Let us pray for the vaccinated and unvaccinated and all those who are in contact with this epidemic. Let us pray for all those who need to leave Afghanistan and those who will make that happen.
O Lord, as we pray for this world, grant our leaders faith and courage to do what is necessary and those who follow to agree to do the right things for all concerned. Let the fellowships of faith come together and bring about peace in this dangerous world.
So let us begin again on September 5th to worship and enjoy our fellowship, knowing that God's love and forgiveness is beyond all our trials and conditions. Through God we are never alone and never without hope.
May God bless, David
— 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
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
Andy Budz, friend of Mickey and Mark Thaisz
The Family of Katey Winant on her passing July 21st
The Family of Chris Callahan on his passing July 25th
(vanLuling's son-in-law
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.
— September Calandar —
September 5th In-House Morning Worship 9am — Communio
September 9th Deacon's Meeting 3:30 pm
September 12th Outdoor Service 9 am
September 16th Trustees 4:30 pm
September 18th Pot Luck and Auction 5 pm
***** CANCELLED *****
September 19th In-House Worship 9 am
September 26th In-House Worship 9 am
WilliNet channel 1303 Sunday Morning Worship 9am and 4pm. Rerun Wed 10am and Friday 7 pm.
Internet Link is available each Friday in the weekly email.
Annual Church Pot Luck and Auction
The Church Council discussed if we should hold this event in July. At that time, it was felt that we should be returning to “normal” and hold the event as the outlook on the pandemic looked favorable. Since that time there has been an increase in Covid cases in the area and people are returning to being more cautious so it makes sense that the desire to be “normal” has moved to being safe. You see this swing very clearly in the super market as people have moved from all being masked (required) to most without mask and now to many being masked again (voluntary).
Thank you for your support of this event in the past. We look forward to being able to gather without concerns.
Sunday School Update — It's a busy time for the Sunday School youths. School, sports, and service projects are now front and center. More details to come next newsletter.
The Deacons — are doing the coffee hour on September 5th to start off the fall season. Signup sheets are posted in the Sunday School room for others to sing up for coffee hour the following Sundays.
The Dorcas had a very nice picnic on August 19th. We had 10 in attendance. So nice to see all and enjoy the social time and some great food…
We will meet in September to plan the Harvest Supper which is set for October 16th. Anxious to get back to our Church and friends….
Mission Update — September's Mission is the Habitat for Humanity. We contribute $300.00 towards this local program. This year they were finally able to complete the home they started in 2019 on Maple St. in Williamstown. Everything stopped when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Presently, the new home is now accepting applications for the 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath home off Cole Ave. The deadline is October 22, 2021. This is a one family home. They have a video walk through on line and you can see the home and how it was built by volunteer staff and the complete structure is very nice. Log into Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity and view the information. We are very pleased to contribute to this project as homelessness have been a big issue before and after Covid-19. There are other fund raisers that support this program but for us it is just a monetary donation. If you wish to contribute individually you can contact them on their web site.
https://www.facebook.com/Northern-Berkshire-Habitat-for-Humanity-141330552598326/
The Mission Committee will meet in September for preparations and discussion of the 2022 Budget and programs we support in October-December 2021.
Remember the Food Pantry is also one of our Missions. Food can be dropped off daily at their location Monday-Friday. Presently they are looking for snacks for children returning to school. These can be dropped off at 54 Southworth St. weekdays 9:00 –4:00 P.M.
Thanking you all for your continued support of our Missions Enjoy the last few days of summer. Church will begin soon and we can meet again.
Sincerely, Caroline Martel, Chairman Mission Committee
The Trustees have finally gotten some positive news regarding the church painting. They have a price coming in from the company that did the last painting and a promise of being on the 2022 schedule. R&M work has been done on the two boilers in the church basement. An insurance questionnaire was completed during a special Trustee meeting. The grass is still growing and the Trustees keep mowing.
Updated Prayer List is attached. If you would like to add someone or remove someone you put on from this list, please email the church.wmst2ndcongo@outlook.com.
Welcome to
The Second Congregational Church
81 Hancock Road • Williamstown, MA 01267 • (413) 458-3467
CANCELLED DUE TO COVID CONCERNS
Rev. David Hurst!
— Thoughts From the Organ Bench —
The beginning of September marks the celebration of Labor Day. It isn't ironic that many hymns reflect the dignity and need of human labor for the individual and society. Utilizing the unique gifts and talents that God has given to each allow us to provide for ourselves and one another. Many of the hymns that highlight or mention the gift of human labor acknowledge the gift that labor returns to God. I just find this interesting as you don't need to go anywhere else than your typical church hymnal to shine some spiritual reflection on any aspect of your life. The hymns are meant to communicate, in song, the truths of our daily life from the mundane to the extraordinary. One of the hymns in our church hymnal entitled Behold Us, Lord, a Little Space says "Work shall be prayer if all be wrought as thou wouldst have it done and prayer, by these inspired and taught, itself with work be one." As we come back from summer vacations and rest and get "back to work" remember that the hymns we sing each week have many hidden messages that are reflective of the life we are gifted and the work we carry out. Be on the lookout as I am always surprised (after 25 years this year in church music) of what I may find new in the "old" songs I've been singing and playing for years. Matt
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 Wed at 10am and Friday at 7pm.
This week's internet link is: https://vimeo.com/601184758
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has God removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12