This being the second Sunday of the month the service is an outdoor service weather permitting. The Deacons will have the string out with the pink ties to help you space out safely in the sunny area of the parking lot. Please bring your own chairs. A mask is required. The forecast as of Friday morning for 9am Sunday is 48-50 degrees and dry with partial sun.
The Mission Committee will be sharing information on the Annual Blanket Offering and would welcome your gifts. Offerings for this project can be sent to Jean Richer 124 S. Hemlock Brook, Williamstown, MA 01267.
Wednesday May 12th at 3:30 Dorcas Meeting at church to finalize plans for the June 19th Strawberry Take out and June 26th Silent Auction and Tag Sale. All ladies of the church are encouraged to attend.
Thursday May 13th at 3:30 is the Deacon Meeting.
— 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), Missy & Brian Young, Don Quimby,
John Storey, Mary Kirby, Anne Tiffany, Bob & Janet Mayer
Dick Diest, cousin of Wayne Morrison
Family of Linda Cangelosi, Tony’s sister, in her passing during the week of 4/11
Charmaine Lapier, sister of Eunice Lapier
Hank Schneider, brother of Mary Ellen Cangelosi
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
Carol Clement, Mary-Ellen Cangelosi’s sister
Sandra Joyce, friend of Ann Tiffany
Sue Linquist ,Bob and Janet Mayer’s daughter
Mary Beth Miller, friend to both Janet Holmgren and Bridget Spann
Sol Wertkins, friend of Clare and Wayne Morrison’s son
Patrick Quinn, Mickey Thaisz’s sister Terri’s, stepson
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.
— May Calendar —
May 2nd In-House Morning Worship 9am
Communion
May 9th Mother's Day
In-House Morning Worship 9am
Blanket Offering Collected
May 13th Deacon Meeting 3:30pm
May 14th #GiveLikeCharlie Blood Drive
(See details below)
May 16th In-House Morning Worship 9am
May 20th Trustee Meeting 4:30pm
May 23rd In-House Morning Worship 9am
May 30th In-House Morning Worship 9am
WilliNet channel 1303 Sunday Worship 9am and 4pm. Rerun Wed at 10am and Friday at 7pm. The Internet Link to the services is provided each Friday in the weekly email.
Upcoming Events
May 14th is the date of the 3rd Annual #GiveLikeCharlie Blood Drive which is being held this year at the Bennington Moose club 916 Main St. Bennington, Vt 05201. The hours are from 10am until 3:30pm. For appointments visit redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: #GIVELIKECHARLIE or call 1-800-733-2767. Charlie Gillis, the grandson of John and Martha Storey, was killed in an automobile accident in September of 2018. Please join with 101 others that have already impacted over 2000 lives in memory and honor of Charlie.
Second Sunday's — After discussion at the April Counsel meeting it was decided to have our 9am Sunday Worship Services outside on the second Sunday of each month as weather permits beginning in May. As was done last year you will need to bring your own chair, space out on the pink marks and be masked. The weekly email you receive on Friday's will take weather into consideration and adjust to the third Sunday when necessary.
It has been decided to separate the normal Strawberry Festival into two components this year because of concerns of social distancing.
June 19th — Strawberry Takeout. Serving Shortcake and selling Quarts of berries 11am-2pm. Drive Thru pick-up only.
June 26th — Annual Tag Sale and Silent Auction Hours TBA
The Mission Committee is pleased to announce that the two recent collections went very well. The One Great Hour of Sharing offering collected $385 for this year's "Let Love Flow" campaign that serves the needs of so many people. Quickly following that was the annual Easter Food Pantry Collection for two local families. The tags taken from the pussy willow branches provided by John Quimby were taken and those items were returned along with two hams donated by the Dorcas for the families Easter Dinner. We are very grateful for your supporting these two mission projects.
One of our Missions has contacted us to report they are closing the Moments House in Dalton for Cancer Patients on March 31st, this is due to Covid-19 and lack of major fund raisers they are no longer able to sustain the expenses. They were able to sustain for 10 years but can no longer remain open. There is an article in the Fellowship Room regarding their closing. With this in mind the committee will meet to reallocate the Funds designated for this mission. $100.00. The Church Council will be informed for approval of the funds to one of the other missions we support.
Our next mission will be Blanket Sunday on May 9th, 2021 which is Mother’s Day. The envelopes will be placed in the bulletin for two weeks or mailed to those who receive the newsletter that way. We did not have this mission last year due to the pandemic, but hopefully we can make a nice donation this year.
The Food Pantry is still taking items at the Williamstown Food Pantry at St.Patrick's/Raphael's on Southworth St. weekdays. Except Wednesday morning 9-noon the first and third Wednesday they disperse the food. They have a web site if members are interested in their program.
Thanks to all who support our missions with such generous response. It is much appreciated!
From the Sunday School: Hard to believe that Second Congo's service dog in training, Gingham, is turning one year old. Gingham is being raised by Mia, Sophia, and Julia and is part of the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Program. After her time in Williamstown, she will go for testing and professional training in New York before her beginning her career. Likely she will leave for NY in the fall.
The Appalachian Service Mission trip for the kids is still under consideration. Hopefully more on that next month.
The Trustees have now completed the tree work planned with the Memorial Tree resized and reshaped recently. Thanks to those of you that assisted in the spring clean-up. A couple of areas still could use your rakes and brooms. The Williamstown Health Inspector toured the kitchen and found everything in order in April and has issued our permit for another year. Work has been done on the gutters of both buildings to repair damage done this winter. The tenants have indicated they would like to stay and we are delighted to have them. We still are working on lining up a painting contractor. The snowbanks have receded and mowing has begun.
Memorial Bulletin opportunities are still available for July and December. Either sign up on the form in the Sunday School room or email the church for one of those months.
Important Dates for 2021 (If they can be done safely)
Church Council 7pm on 4/13, 7/13, 10/12 and 1/11/22
Strawberry Festival 6/19
Pot Luck Supper & Auction 9/18
Harvest Supper 10/16
Annual Meeting following worship for 2021 on 2/13/22
Welcome to
The Second Congregational Church
81 Hancock Road • Williamstown, MA 01267 • (413) 458-3467
— Thoughts From the Organ Bench —
The hymns of the Easter Season remind us not only of Christ's Resurrection but of our new life found in Him. They also tell the story of the Earth as it breathes new life in the buds and blossom, we are beginning to witness...outside of the days they are covered in snow! I am pleased to see one congregational hymn coming back into worship. While masked and not singing in full voice, this allows our worship to be enhanced by a newness that we have longed for. This too is a resurrection. I hope to select hymns that are familiar as well as pertinent to the message of the day. Please remain vigilant while singing but also enjoy this newness of worship that has risen once again. May this Eastertide and the beautiful hymns it offers lift our worship to hope that "all will be well."
Music Director /Organist
Matt Alcombright!
Rev. David Hurst!
May 9th — On Site Worship 9am
(Outdoor Service Weather Permitting)
WilliNet Channel 1303 Sunday Worship 9am and 4pm. Rerun Wed at 10am and Friday at 7pm.
Internet link for this week is: https://vimeo.com/545542430
It is wonderful to see spring finally arriving! The new season brings new joys and challenges. I hope all is well with you. My first eight months have gone well, despite something called the Covid pandemic! Even so, there is among us a healthy enthusiasm to carry on through this time of challenge and trial.
Regardless of how we have weathered this storm, Easter was celebrated with a Sunrise Service at Mt. Hope with a joy of new beginnings. We continue to worship live for those who wish and our WilliNet service offers worship for those who need to stay away. As society’s rules loosen up, the hope is to gradually come back to some sort of normal!
With this in mind the deacons and council have agreed to have an outdoor service starting on May 9. We will worship outdoors the second Sunday of every month weather permitting.
As Jesus asks us to do, please invite friends and relatives to come to church and check us out. All are welcome as you know, so that we can grow one person at a time. As we gradually return to normal, let us celebrate our faith in God and share it with those whom we encounter. May all those who nurture and help us to grow with love and kindness, thank you so very much!
May God Bless . . . David
“And I appointed you to go and
bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that God will give you whatever you ask
him in my name.” John 15:16
Happy Mother's Day
to All Who Nuture!