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/vod/10541-Second-Congregational-Church-Service-3-19-23-v1/vod.mp4
Sunday, March 19, 2023
In-House Morning Worship 9:00 a.m.
Coffee Hour following Meeting
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36: 26
Welcome to
The Second Congregational Church
81 Hancock Road • Williamstown, MA 01267 • (413) 458-3467
Rev. David Hurst
Thoughts from the organ bench: Happy Lent To All! These 40 Days of Lenten Journey draw us into the mystery of Christ's Love for us. The hymns we sing draw us into that same message. I will be using our beautiful hymnal but also hymns, as inserts, from other resources to not only tie into the Scripture passages selected but also reflect the overall message of Salvation presented to us. One of the most "haunting" of Lenten Hymns, that will be sung closer to the culmination of the season, is "What Wondrous Love Is This." We stand in awe and wonder at the wondrous Love that is the Love of Christ. Albeit somber and reflective let us lift our voices with confidence and strength as we sing this Lenten Season.
The organ has been fixed!!! Leo Corvino, of Corvino & Sons, came to look at the organ and it was determined that the power supply to the organ (the battery) was shot. The organ itself was installed approximately 20 years ago and, similar to a car, the battery to the organ has a life-span. In 2018 the power supply gave out to the original organ and it was determined at that time that the most economical choice would be to install a used power supply to the organ which served well until a couple weeks ago. This would be like using a battery from one alarm clock to another without knowing the exact life left in the battery due to its prior use. Leo installed a brand-new power supply and serviced the organ with the understanding that the trustees would have to approve the purchase with the knowledge that we could, once again, install a used power supply. A new supply was approved and altogether, with the power supply, service call and cleaning, will result in a bill for $2,300. I think this was the better choice in the long haul despite the financial hardship. Thank you to the trustees for providing this approval so the organ can confidently be used going forward.
Music Director /Organist
Matt Alcombright
Spring is around the corner!
Happy March!
As Ash Wednesday passes and we begin to celebrate the Lenten season, it is important to remember the gifts that God has bestowed upon us. In Lent we are asked to reflect upon the suffering that Jesus has endured and be willing to respond to his suffering, by praying for others in the world and to try to relieve their suffering. Through our experience and our love of God, the suffering of Jesus should not overwhelm us, but form the strength to endure, to persevere and to live life in balance. People give up things in Lent like sweets or other indulgences to remind themselves that sacrifice is important. In our society so many people are so self-centered, just thinking about what profits them. Jesus’ sacrifice upon the cross gives us an example, to show us how to be more loving, how to be generous in helping those in need.
In Ezekiel, God provides us with a new heart-not of hardness or avoidance. Our beings are given a sense of mercy, a sense of gratitude and the ability to get involved without fear. We see the ultimate in kindness and love through Jesus Christ and we asked to apply his teachings and grace through all aspects of our lives.
May God Bless,
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.
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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.
Offering Envelopes for the year 2023 are available at the rear of the church. Please pick yours up. If you do not find a box with your name on it, take one of the blank sets. Be sure to fill out the form enclosed so that Jean can get you quarterly tax forms.
--The Mission Committee--
The Easter Food Pantry will begin on March 19th and March 26th. Tags will be placed on the Pussy Willows that John Quimby provides for us. There will be two weeks for gathering the items which will be delivered to Carol DeMayo at the Williamstown Food Pantry on Sunday, April 2nd. The Dorcas will be asked to provide two Canned Hams for the families we provide meals. Extra items are always welcome, candy, bunnies, chicks and jelly beans are a nice treat. Spring is an awesome time to provide this for families in need. If you know of any families that are not receiving items from the pantry please let our committee know and we will speak with Carol DeMayo.
The monthly nonperishable items are still welcome on Sundays. Items may be placed in the wagon or baskets in the back of the church pews for our committee to bring to the pantry every month. If you are able, it is always nice to drop items off when you shop for your family and leave them at the pantry on Southworth Street. All our Missions are important but we especially like providing for our local families and helping our neighbors with this food delivery.
Thank you all for being so generous and caring. We plan to have Carol come one Sunday to speak with us again about our Food Pantry Mission and how important it is. Sincerely, Caroline Martel and Committee
Mission News for March: The Mission Committee will meet on Sunday, March 5th after Worship Service with Pastor David to plan this year's Missions and projects. We will plan the One Great Hour of Sharing Mission for two Sundays, March 12, and March 19th. Envelopes will be placed in the Bulletins along with Mission Moments stories related to our offerings and the sharing of OGHS Organization’s purpose of helping neighbors in need around the world. There are also more articles about the Hunger, Disaster and Development on the website for your interest. Just go to One Great Hour of Sharing 2023 or Facebook.com/onegreathourofsharingucc. for more information.
March, 12, 2023
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
PRELUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP [ based on Psalm 147]
Leader: How good it is to sing God's praises and to find time to renew our Spirit in worship!
People: For God is gracious and a song of praise reflects the energy and life that our Lord gives us.
Leader: The Lord spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. We understand God’s power and love. Let us embrace God’s Spirit.
People: The Lord takes pleasure in those that fear him and in those who hope in his steadfast love. Let us worship together in unity and in praise.
*OPENING HYMN “Sweet Hour of Prayer” #613
INVOCATION
Leader: Through this Lenten season, come to us in the sorrows and the joys of our lives.
People: Build within us the courage to stay the course, to learn and not
panic when many in the world follow bad advice and hyped-up news.
Leader:O gracious God, let us remember your gifts and use them to find your grace in dealing with the hills and valleys of our lives,
People: O Giver of life we pray that faith, hope, and love will fill us and our faith community; so that it carries into our neighborhoods and across the world which you so lovingly created.
Leader: Let love be known in all that we say and do.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Leader: O heavenly God, grant us your salvation and peace. Open us through your forgiveness. Let us be one with you. May we reflect upon what it means to be imperfect and humble.
People: O God we come into your presence with all our defects, faults and sins. Help us to recognize them and make amends wherever possible. Grant us the strength to see that life is not without sorrow or pain. Help us to simply admit when we are wrong without excuse or rationalization. Grant us the humility to come cleanof our high expectations, our perverted motives, and our underlying desires to be right. In your name we ask for your infinite love and forgiveness.
PRAYER OF ASSURANCE
O Lord, hear our prayers. When we call upon you, we know you are ready for us. So let us hold open the door of our souls for forgiveness, to new beginnings and for a new life in the Spirit of Christ.
People: Halleluiah! Thanks be to God!
OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYERS AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
*GLORIA PATRI
First Lesson Exodus 17: 1-7 p. 60
*HYMN OF REFLECTION “I Have No Bucket and the Well is Deep” #394
Second Lesson John 4: 1-42 p. 925
Sermon Different People, One Faith
*CLOSING HYMN “Guide Me Thou O Great Jehovah” #102
BENEDICTION
Leader: O Lord, hear our prayers. When we call upon you, we know you are ready for us.
People: Let us hold open the door of our souls for forgiveness, to new beginnings and for a new life in the Spirit of Christ. Let us go forward into our daily lives joyful that we are children of God
Bulletins for March are given by Jeanne Richer
In memory of Harold Guiden
March Calendar
Sunday March 5th In-House Morning Worship 9am
Communion
Mission Meeting Following Worship
Coffee Hour following Meeting
Thursday March 9th Deacons Meeting 3:30pm
Saturday March 11th South Williamstown Market
10am-2pm
Daylight Savings Time Begins (Spring Ahead)
Sunday March 12th In-House Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Meeting
One Great Hour of Sharing Offering
Thursday March 16th Trustees Meeting 4:15 pm
Sunday March 19th In-House Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Worship
One Great Hour of Sharing Offering
Easter Mission Tags Available
Dorcas Meeting following service
Sunday March 26th In-House Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Worship
Easter Mission Tags Available
--Upcoming--
Sunday April 2nd Palm Sunday
Easter Mission Items Due
Sunday April 9th Easter Sunday Sunrise Service 7am
at Mount Hope
Easter Breakfast at Church following
Sunrise Service
Easter Morning Worship 9am
The Congregation would like to thank Pastor David for the beautiful hand carved olive wood cross that he gifted the church on his return from his Holy Land visit. It is hanging on the wall behind the piano for all to enjoy.
Youth Update: Good news! Thomas Kirby and Mia Holmgren have donated a bass (the largest of the string instruments) to Kids for Harmony. They did this by playing piano and cello at various Farmers Markets last summer and into the fall to raise the necessary funds.
Kids 4 Harmony is a free, intensive classical music program for youth from some of the most under-resourced communities in the Berkshires. The program fosters musical excellence as well as student well-being and development. Participants are supported to succeed in music and beyond.
Why a bass? A bass is like the backbone of an orchestra. It’s the largest of the four orchestral string instruments. It’s also the most expensive. Violin, viola, and cello are much easier to acquire and that’s why Kids 4 Harmony did not have one. When Tommy and Mia heard about a good second-hand bass locally for $800, they were super excited since its price tag often exceeds 2K. It was not long before they achieved their goal!
Caritas, the name for Tommy and Mia’s duo, is Latin for “love or compassion.” It certainly is a fitting name for them, as all proceeds earned go to charity. Late 2022 Mia and Tommy gifted the bass. Soon they will kick off their second season as Caritas at the Bennington Winter Farmers Market playing both in April and May. They look forward to playing multiple additional venues throughout the summer months, too. What will be their next charitable contribution? Stay tuned for more good news!
South Williamstown Market will be held at the church Saturday March 11th from 10am-1pm.
Susan Rockefeller handed out Lent Pamphlets to us and will give them out at Church and mail to those who can’t come to Church. We thank Susan for doing this.
The Insurance Agent that handles our church insurance has a scholarship available for High School Seniors.
See below-Pdf flyer forthcoming