Music Director /Organist
Matt Alcombright
SUNDAY BULLETIN
June 4, 2023
TRINITY SUNDAY
MORNING MEDITATION
Jesus said, “You are my friends. I no longer call you servants, because you
know the master's business. This is my command to you. Love each other
through me.” John 15:15,17
PRELUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP Deacon Reader
Leader: As we enter into worship this morning, let us hear the loving voice of
the Lord within us.
People: Gather us, to listen, to sing and celebrate the life that we are given
through your grace.
Leader: Strengthen us to receive and share your gifts freely with others
around us and throughout the world.
People: May your Holy Spirit come into us. Fill us with love, dear God. Let us
worship, with joy and happiness. Let us sing together with zest and
gratitude!
OPENING HYMN "Holy, Holy, Holy” #10
INVOCATION Deacon Reader
Leader: O Lord, let our hearts and minds open, so that you might bless us,
People: Come into our presence, Lord, so that we can see the wonderful
works that you do among us.
Leader: Grant us your grace and forgiveness, for we are but human.
People: Instill in us the knowledge and appreciation of your love that binds
us together.
Leader: Be a part of our lives, mold us, and meld us into disciples that love and
tend to one another.
People: May we live in your Light and be guided by the Holy Spirit.
PRAYERS OF CONFESSION [Book of Common Prayer]
Leader: Almighty and merciful God, we have erred and strayed from your
ways like lost sheep.
People: We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own
hearts. We have offended and broken your commandments.
Leader: We have left undone those things that we ought to have done, and
we have done things that we ought not to have done.
People: Have mercy upon us, O Lord, forgive us our sins, as we confess our
faults, according to the promises of Christ Jesus, our Savior. Amen
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
The Spirit of God enables us to receive forgiveness as we forgive one another
and enjoy the peace of God, as we make peace among ourselves. In spite of
our sin, the Spirit gives us power to become disciples of Jesus Christ and his
gospel of reconciliation.
People: Halleluia! Thanks be to God!
OFFERATORY
DOXOLOGY
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYERS AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
GLORIA PATRI
First Lesson Psalm 8 p. 467
Second Lesson 2 Corinthians 13: 11-13 p. 1011
Matthew 28: 16-20 p. 866
Sermon Good Purpose Rev. David Hurst
HYMM OF HOLY COMMUNION "Bread of the World, in Mercy Broken" #319
THANKSGIVING AND HOLY COMMUNION
We celebrate an open Communion Table - All are welcome at the table
CLOSING HYMN “Lord, You Give the Great Commission” #355 vs. 1, 2, & 5
BENEDICTION
Leader: Tender God embrace us with your love. Grant us grace.
People: Through the ages your voice has told us, “Fear Not.” Whisper it
again in our ears, Write your Word upon our hearts. “This is my command to
you. Love each other.” Amen
Bulletins for June are given by Ron & Linda Brown
In memory of Everett & Doris Brown and John & Flora Jones
Happy Pentecost to ALL!
Welcome to
The Second Congregational Church
81 Hancock Road • Williamstown, MA 01267 • (413) 458-3467
As I write this paragraph, it is another beautiful Berkshire morning. The grass is green. We need rain and life goes on. Sadly, we have lost a loved one, Janet Mayer, in recent days. We wish her family and friends our sympathies.
With spring the church looks and feels wonderful as we go forward into summer. The “Take and Eat” outreach is to be commended for their wonderful work in the community. Our tag sale went off well, along with our blanket donations to Church World Service. Thank you all for the work you do in front and behind the scenes. Please let me know if anyone needs a visitation or a call. Anyone in the hospital? Etc.
As we celebrate Pentecost this Sunday, we are reminded of the blessing of the Spirit coming among us and filling us with love, enthusiasm and the contented feeling that we have been created to be who we are through God’s infinite grace. As we do our summer plantings and work in the yard, grant us the desire to be filled with gratitude for our church and its community. Let our church be filled with good purpose, friendship and peace. With remembrances of those who have gone before us [Happy Memorial Day!], grant us the ability to forgive and be forgiven. As we enter into summer, help us to connect with loved ones and to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
Let the Holy Spirit come into you! May you find ease, humor and gratitude for all of God’s gifts!
May God Bless,
David
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit! There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord! There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all people.”
1 Corinthians 12: 4-6
Rev. David Hurst
Words from the Organ Bench: On May 21, 2023 about 150 people gathered at the First Congregational Church in North Adams for the Spring Concert of the North County Chorale. This "Afternoon with Friends" concert was a showcase of spirituals and Gospel Music. The choir did a fantastic job and was able to raise its voice in song to benefit the Friendship Food Pantry in North Adams. This is a group of local church and community singers who simply sing for the joy of singing and they never disappoint. Many of their songs really focused on the message of Hope. So often the hymns sung and heard give us hope outside of the norm of each and every day. Traditional and modern hymnody lead us to something, Someone, greater than this world can grasp. As we continue to raise our voices each week in worship and song let us grasp onto the hope that the music draws us to. Even if we don't know the song or think we can't sing, why not try with expectant hope? Sing for the joy of singing because it won't disappoint.
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-3/10787-Second-Congregational-Church-Service-6-4-23-v1/vod.mp4
Sunday, June 4th, 2023
In-House Morning Worship 9:00 a.m.
Coffee Hour following Meeting
Sunday Bulletin posted below for readings
The Deacons have started to have a liturgist on Sunday mornings again. It is
good to start getting back to normal.
— 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.
--The Mission Committee--
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.
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.
June Calendar
Sunday June 4th In-House Morning Worship 9am
Communion
Coffee Hour following Worship
Dorcus Planning Meeting for Strawberry Takeout following Worship
Last day to submit Graduate Information for 6/11 Bulletin
Thursday June 8th Deacons Meeting 3:30pm
Sunday June 11th In-House Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Worship
Thursday June 15th Trustees Meeting 4:15pm
Saturday June 17th Strawberry Takeout 11am-2pm
Sunday June 18th Father's Day
In-House Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Worship
Sunday June 25th In-House Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Worship
May/June is the season of graduations. We are looking to put together an insert in the bulletin on 6/11 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 5th to be included in the insert.
June's insight from our youth. A big shout out to EVERYONE at Second Congregational Church! We are coming up on our one year anniversary of Take and Eat service. In total, we’ve made about 400 meals. That means making menus, shopping, cooking, cleaning, and delivering.
We are thankful to SCC for their enthusiasm and ongoing support! Special recognition to Mickey and Mark and Linda and Ron for being faithful drivers and Mary Ellen and Susan for their dedication in the kitchen. Also heartfelt thanks to John Q. and Pastor David! A final shout out to Mia, Micah, Sophia, Nina, Katrina, Ariel, and Tommy. Their commitment to Take and Eat service is inspiring.
Church Tag Sale Fundraiser
On May 13th and May 20th, we were blessed with perfect weather for a tag sale. A large selection of items were donated and presented to buyers. Many treasures left to new homes. Each day a bake sale was added to the offerings. Anne Tiffany laid out a selection of the Rada Cutlery for sale and Eunice Lapier offered chances for a 50/50 raffle.
We would like to thank everyone who donated and worked to make this a successful event.
Mission Committee: The Blanket Fund from the Treasurer as of 5/22/2023 is $222.00. Some just brought their envelopes in on Sunday so we may have a new total in a few weeks.
As a reminder for the Food Pantry everyone can still donate weekly. And the committee will deliver it on the first Sunday of the month. They are very grateful for everything as the prices of food and household supplies have risen lately.
I would like to mention "Doctors Without Borders this month. We give annually to this mission. $300.00. In 1999 they received the Nobel Peace Prize. They continue to serve Worldwide and even in the United States. Doctors Without Borders serves more than 70 countries .They save lives threatened by violence, disease, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care and catastrophic events every single day. They are backed by independent donors, their teams of nearly 63,000 doctors, nurses, logisticians, and other expert staff members work together to deliver emergency medical care and ease suffering. There is no government support. They have been around for 50 years rapid-responding and delivering medical kits and supplies to provide direct care and save lives.
To read more on their humanitarian aid visit:
doctorswithoutborders.org.
Thank you all for continuing to help the Mission Committee support this vital organization. It is a source of hope for peace and reconciliation for each human face we help.
Enjoy this beautiful weather. Gardens are blooming.