Rev. David Hurst
And a very spiritually filled Advent and a Merry Christmas to you and yours!
As I write this, a large red cardinal lands at my bird feeder. I am warming up from being outdoors; still feeling the cold. Observing the time change and the coming winter helps me to remember the Advent Season. It’s just good to relax, take a breath and admire that red cardinal, one of God’s marvelous creations.
It is wonderful to see the Advent season progress; folks decorating and lighting the Advent Wreath, serving the needy and hearing the music telling the story of Jesus’ coming into the world. (Thank you, Matt and all) All the concerns that we have to endure, the stresses and strains are made easier by believing in one’s heart that Christ is our savior and center. “Among all the confessions, tears, and great laughter,” we wait and watch, hope and dread, rejoice and wonder why. As the days become shorter and there is a gloom in the day, let us remember the joy and the blessing of Christ coming into the world. To Frederick Buechner that meant a great feeling of unexplainable gladness deep down inside that makes us more than are and grateful for the love of God within and around us.
May God bless,
Pastor David
Welcome to
The Second Congregational Church
81 Hancock Road • Williamstown, MA 01267 • (413) 458-3467
For outlandish creatures like us, on our way to a heart, a brain and courage, Bethlehem is not the end of our journey but only the beginning- not home but the place through which we must pass if ever we are to reach home at last. Frederick Buechner
Thoughts from the organ bench: As we begin this month of December, we also begin the beautiful Season of Advent. In many Christian faith traditions one of the great hymns of the season is "O' Come, O' Come Emmanuel." This hymn tune is based on a Gregorian Chant. Most importantly the hymn traditionally has seven verses. Each verse highlights a name or title given to Christ throughout the Scriptures. Christ is referred to as Emmanuel, Wisdom, Lord, Root of Jesse, Key of David, Dayspring and King of Nations. These titles for Christ lead us deeper into the mystery of this Long-Awaited Savior. Jesus is the expected one, the Savior that is hoped for, and King, who has come, God among us. Each week, after the lighting of the Advent Wreath, we will sing two verses of this great hymn to lead us deeper into that reality that God chose to come among us and be with us. God truly is with us! (Emmanuel) As this hymn draws us into the awesome reality that God has come and will come to us again, let us enter this season of Hope echoing the refrain of this hymn "Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!" The gift of music during this time is highlighted in the traditional and contemporary carols and songs heard in our church, homes, grocery stores and anywhere you turn. The music of this season draws into mystery, recollection and peace. Music has the ability to connect us to one another and to the Divine and so it is in a special way with the music of this blessed season that no one seems to ever want to part with. O Come Let Us Adore Him in song and be drawn into the mystery....let the world be drawn, through these hymns, to peace, love, joy and hope....God truly with us....Emmanuel!!!
Music Director /Organist
Matt Alcombright
— 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.
WilliNet Channel 1303 Sunday Worship 9am and 4pm. Rerun Wed at 10am and Friday at 7pm.
This Week's Internet site is: listed in the weekly Friday email
Sunday, December 4
In-House Morning Worship 9:00 a.m.
Coffee Hour following Worship
December
Advent Calendar
Sunday December 4th In-House Morning Worship 9am
Communion
Coffee Hour following Worship
Take & Eat
North County Christmas (First Congregational Church, N Adams 3pm)
Thursday December 8th Dorcas Cookie Mission 3pm
Deacons Meeting 3:30pm
Saturday December 10th South Williamstown Market
10am-1pm
Sunday December 11th In-House Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Worship
Christmas Mission Items Due Today
Christmas Caroling to our seniors and shut-ins
Thursday December 15th Trustees Meeting 4:15pm
Sunday December 18th In-House Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Worship
Monday December 19th Deadline to get Christmas
Flowers listed in Bulletin on 12/24
Saturday December 24th Christmas Eve Service 5pm
Sunday December 25th Christmas Day
No In-House Worship
Today
Christmas Plants in memory of loved ones are welcome again this year. The Deacon on duty will have forms for you to fill out. They must be returned by December 18th in order to publish the entire list in the Christmas Eve bulletins.You can also email the church...wmst2ndcongo@outlook.com by Monday 12/19 to be listed.
Upcoming
Sunday December 4th North County Christmas Concert at the First Congregational Church of North Adams at 3pm. Come and support Matt as he is the organist/pianist for this event.
Sunday December 11th Christmas Caroling to our seniors and shut-ins.
All of December
Remember the true meaning of Christmas and share the Love of the Savior with those you come in contact with.
Sunday January 1st New Year's Day
In-House Informal Worship Service 9am.
Don't forget to bring your bells and a reading to share.
The Trustees have begun the budget process. Normal expenses are going under review as we begin work on the 2023 Proposed Budget. The Website has been updated to include many current photos and we plan to continue refreshing the site to reflect who we are today. Due to some privacy concerns, it was decided that the Prayer List would be removed from the site. It will continue to be included on the weekly bulletin and on "All Church" emails as changes are made.
The Deacon’s met on 10/13/22. Discussions revolved around the Farmer’s Market use of the Church, communion and the deacon’s schedule.
Sunday School/Youth: Please pray for the Holmgren family as they recover from an auto accident while on a Mission trip in Kenya.
The Dorcas had a very successful Harvest Supper. Thanks to all the many hands that helped! Upcoming: We will be donating to the Thanksgiving food pantry.
The Mission Committee distributed copies of the Thanksgiving Dinner Food Pantry Mission. We plan to place tags on the Corn Stalks, which John Quimby provides, for food item requests for the Thanksgiving Dinners on October 30th. The drive will continue for the next two weeks. We will ask the Dorcas Society for two turkeys for the dinners. We plan to deliver the food on November 13th.
All Mission Budgeted donations have been sent for this year. We thank everyone for their support and help with our projects. Thank you letters from many are listed on the Fellowship Hall Bulletin Board.
There will be notices in November for the Christmas Food Pantry. You may still donate to the Food Pantry whenever it is convenient to drop off non-perishable food items.
Thanks again for everyone’s support and donations as we continue to feed our neighbors and local families.