“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
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
81 Hancock Road, Williamstown, MA
Matt Alcombright, Music Director
Rev. David F. Hurst
September 22, 2024
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
MORNING MEDITATION
Upon this, he saw; that when he was of anger and knew hurt or felt fear; it was because he was not understanding. And he learned compassion. Mike Pinder
PRELUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP Deacon Reader
Leader: Let us come together to serve the Lord with gladness!
People: Let us come into his presence with singing!
Leader: Let us enter into worship with thanksgiving and praise!
People: Let us be thankful to God and bless his name!
Leader: For it is you, O Lord, that gives us serenity and the willingness to stay
grateful and humble in your sight!
People: For God is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endures to all
generations.
OPENING HYMM “There's a Wideness in God's Mercy” #72
INVOCATION Deacon Reader
Leader: O Lord, open our hearts to better understand your ways.
People: Guide us in Your path. When we do not understand what happens
to us: help us not to drift away, preferring to be comfortable, living life
without faith or a real purpose.
Leader: We bring to you our questions, our yearnings and our curiosity. We
bring our gifts and our whole lives, so that we can find peace and be renewed
in faith.
People: Help us to be present for your message. Instill in us the desire and
wisdom to love one another; Let our hearts and minds open through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Rev. David F. Hurst
Leader: O Holy and generous God, we open our hearts to your all- seeing, all
knowing presence.
People: You are the giver of all good things, sent from above.
Leader: Teach us not to be takers of what is not ours; but rather be generous
and help those less fortunate.
People: Teach us to respect the bounty of the earth and not to take
advantage of its abundance.
Leader: O Lord, forgive us our sins both of omission and commission. Help us
to love and protect those abandoned or alone.
People: O Lord, may our actions be reflected in the ones that we love. Give
us the willingness to be an example of the Giver of all Good things.
PRAYER OF ASSURANCE
Leader: Thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of your Son. Strengthen us, to
follow your teachings and receive your blessing of forgiveness with sincerity
and faith. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
People: Halleluia! Thanks be to God
GLORIA PATRI
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYERS AND LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERTORY
DOXOLOGY
SCRIPTURE READINGS
First Lesson Proverbs 31: 10-31 P. 572
HYMN OF REFLECTION “Won't You Let Me Be Your Servant” #374
Second Lesson Mark 9: 30-37 p. 877
SERMON Compassion Rev. David Hurst
CLOSING HYMN “How can We Name a Love“ #409
BENEDICTION
Leader: O Lord help us to see beyond ourselves: so that we will reach out and
share our good news with others.
People: May we see God above us, beyond us and within us. Keep us living
in the Spirit with freshness and joy each day.
Bulletins for September are given by Allen & Linda Seney
In memory of Fayne & Dot Seney and Saul & Cecile Love
Welcome back fellow sojourners!
I hope all is well with you these days. May God bless our safe return to church and to our fellowship of love in Jesus Christ! It is September, it is here! The turn of the seasons cannot be delayed. I have traveled to North and South Dakota touring the Badlands and visiting MT. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. What fun! I attended a Trinity Lutheran Church last Sunday in Wibeau, Montana [population 454] and the verse above was posted in their bulletin.
This verse, as we return to church, reminds us to always return to God in times of troubles and anxiety. When we are stressed, rushed or just off our game, the passage opens the door to ask for God’s love and compassion. That action fills us with strength to do the next right thing in our trials and temptations. It calms us and we see the world with greater balance, so that we could relinquish control and let God do the work. With celebration, success or just having that false feeling having it all together, let us pray, if just for a moment, to return to the Spirit so we see how grateful we really are for our loved ones, our friendships, for our church and God’s infinite grace in our lives.
Zechariah was a prophet who always reminded his people that God is that channel to a complete life. Despite our fears, our pains and our woes, God is there to return to. Despite the politics and turbulence of the day we are one in God. Welcome back to church one and all!
May God bless,
David
Rev. David Hurst
Return to me, and I will return to you, declares the Lord. For your God is gracious and compassionate. God will not turn his face from you IF you return to him!
Zechariah 1:3
Music Director /Organist
Matt Alcombright
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-3/11893-Second-Congregational-Church-Service-9-22-24-v1/vod.mp4
**Please scroll down to see the Weekly Bulletin below**
— 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.
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Words 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 28 years this year in church music) of what I may find new in the "old" songs I've been singing and playing for years.
**CANCELED** Please note this change for the date for a Friday evening concert of the North County Chorale on October 4, 2024. This concert has been canceled to give more prep time to their Christmas Concert
September Calendar
Sept 1st In-house Morning Worship 9am
Communion
Coffee Hour following Worship
Sept 8th In-house Morning Worship 9am
Dorcas Meeting to plan Harvest Supper
following Worship
Coffee Hour following Worship
Sept 12th(Th) Deacons Meeting 3:30 pm
Sept 15th In-house Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Worship
Sept 19th Trustees Meeting 4:15pm
Sept 22nd In-house Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Worship
Sept 29th. In-house Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Worship
Take & Eat
Upcoming
October 4th Canceled Evening Concert
Friday North County Chorale
October 12th Memorial Service for Norman Burdick
Saturday 12 Noon
October 19th Take Out Harvest Supper
Saturday (call Mickey for reservations 458-4947)
The Trustees are happy to report that the parsonage and garage painting has been completed. We would like to thank each and every one of you for your financial support that allowed this to happen (along with the painting of the church itself last year) without having to use the Raymond James funds. Through your weekly/monthly contributions to the building fund, your response to the appeal for painting funds and the generosity of our neighbors we were able to cover the complete cost. We have once again won the battle with the Snowball bushes and have regained full access to the sidewalk after the annual late summer trimming. The dying pine tree was cut and removed. The stump was left high on purpose for the snow remover to be able to see it until a decision on a replacement is made.
We would like to remind you that our routine expenses have continued in the month of August. It would be great, if you have not already done so, if you would catch up on your pledge when you return on September 1st. You can also mail in your pledges and offerings to Jean Richer, 124 South Hemlock Brook, Williamstown, MA 01267. The grass grows and grows and grows and it gets mowed and mowed and mowed.
The Dorcas enjoyed a great picnic on August 13th at noon. We had a special visitor. Rev. Penny Rich Smith came with Donna Coons. So nice to see her. There were 14 in attendance. Yummy food and great conversation. So nice to be together.
The Dorcas will have a meeting on September 8th after Church to plan our Harvest Take-Out Dinner. The take-out dinner will be October 19th. Hope everyone has had a wonderful summer. See you soon. Blessings to all!
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
The Mission Committee received a Thank you letter from Heifer International for our donation of $200.00. The letter described that a group of generous donors has matched our donation, doubling the impact of our gift. It will go to one of the 19 counties where Heifer International work to provide resources and education for the future. For further information you can find this on their web site. Heifer.org/Support.
We also received a thank you letter from Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity for our $300.00 donation towards new houses in Williamstown on Cole Ave. This will assist first time homebuyers.
The Food Pantry continued during the summer months. We will return to providing nonperishable foods again September 1, 2024 and every first Sunday of the month. Thank you all for these welcoming donations. Back to school snacks, fruits, cookies and cereal are needed.
I made delivery of the linens and blankets from our Tag Sale to the Louison House in North Adams. They were very pleased to have them. Also, some curtains.
Our committee will meet in the fall to plan for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Pantries.
And again, we thank everyone for their generous donations to our Missions.
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.
Last months news:
2024 Take and Eat dates: 1/7, 2/4, 3/3, 5/5, 6/2, 7/7, 8/4, 9/29, 10/6, 11/3, 12/1
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.
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