News from the Organ and Piano benches: "It takes a village", a saying which seems very appropriate given the huge shoes to fill from Matt's retirement. Janet Holmgren is working her magic piecing together a musical alternative with multiple musicians utilizing both the organ and the piano. Our own Thomas Kirby, once again, will pick up some Sundays playing on the piano with two talented Williams College student organists, Jonathon Hartanto and Graham Omerod, playing as their schedule permits. Jonathan, a sophomore, and Graham, a freshman, both play beautifully and we hope they will stay with us for the foreseeable future. Also, David Vredenburg from the Albany area will be rejoining us as organist over the summer. He remembers our congregation fondly and sends his greetings. Thomas' former teacher, Ed Lawrence, retired musical director of First Church and part of the Williams community will also be sharing his musical talent. Clearly it's taken a village! Please welcome all of these musicians heartily!
Rev. David Hurst
🎶🎶 Notes from the Music Director. The moment I stepped into Second Congregational Church, I felt at home. The flowers, the people – everything told me that this is a community where I can share my music. To me, being a musician is about sharing: sharing the joy of making music, reflecting God’s calling, and helping make the world a better place. During the day, I serve as the lead strings teaching artist for the El Sistema-inspired Kids 4 Harmony program in Berkshire. Around the clock, I am a mother to my two-and-a-half-year-old. And for my entire life, I am a faithful follower of our almighty God. I am excited to use my gifts to serve Him here and to bring the voices and music of more children and youth to Second Congregational Church. In love, we are a family – and I am confident this family will continue to grow through the angelic notes we create together!
Let me know if you'd like to see any changes, indeed. Thank you!
Sincerely,
En-Ting
**WELCOME En-Ting**
Please see the
"Exciting News from the Music Committee"
in the adjacent column!
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-3/12644-Second-Congregational-Church-Service-7-26-25-v1/vod.mp4
**Please scroll down to see the Weekly Bulletin below**
ASP 2025 Trip Overview – Davy, West Virginia
This year, the ASP youth team will be traveling to Davy, West Virginia, located in McDowell County, the southernmost and one of the most remote counties in the state. The journey will be longer than previous years, approximately 12 hours, but the commitment to serve within West Virginia continues.
About Davy and McDowell County:
Geography: A rugged, mountainous, and flood-prone region.
Economy: Once a bustling coal mining area (100k population in 1950), Davy has now declined to around 17,000 residents.
Income & Poverty:
Per capita income: $15,000/year (lower than previous counties last year and the year before at $22k and $30k).
Poverty rate: 38% of the community lives below the poverty line.
Local Employment: Mainly in coal mining, education, healthcare, and retail (e.g., Dollar General).
Living Arrangements:
ASP'ers will be staying at the local elementary school – expect indoor camping-style accommodations (e.g., sleeping bags on the classroom floors).
Work Assignments:
Teams will receive specific project assignments just days before departure. As always, expect a focus on home repair and community support, with flexibility and teamwork essential.[🛠️]
A Heartfelt Thank You!
A big shoutout to Second Congo for their support of this mission trip. Your generosity is deeply appreciated and helps make this life-changing experience possible—for both those serving and those being served.Type your paragraph here.
Greetings everyone,
As July begins, we want to thank our guest musicians En-Ting Hsu, Pianist and David Vredenburg, Organist. We are blessed to have them enlighten our services with wonderful music. Thank you all for your services for the Strawberry Shortcake Take Out and for the Take & Eat program. Thank you for the wonderful service and Spirit that we have come to know in our church.
Let us pray this day for our loved ones in rehab, in hospitals, and those shut in. Let us pray for our friendships and relationships, and the well-being of our church family and those who surround this church on Route 43. But let us pray this morning for our world and the infernos that bombs and conflict create. Let us pray for the innocents that are caught in the cross fires. Let us pray for the soldiers and service people who are in the frontlines of these wars,
The grudges, the skirmishes, the religious radicalism, the prejudices of centuries still exist and rear their ugly heads both in Middle East and in the Ukrainian/Russian “conflict.” There are boiling points in India and Pakistan and even in the states with so much hesitation, indecision and seemingly little by-partisan discourse.
Our verse from John, when we take it to heart, offers us hope and assurance amidst life’s difficulties. Solutions will come in God’s time. The best advice is to pray for all the combatants and people involved so that agreement can be reached. “Stay in the eye of storm.” Help one another. Forgive one another and try to love even our enemies.
May God bless,
David
Past organists: Susan Matsui, Meg Dodds, En-Ting Hsu, Guest organists: Thomas Kirby, Jonathon Hartanto, Graham Ormerod, Ed Lawrence and David Vredenburg
— 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.
**************
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
81 Hancock Road, Williamstown, MA
Rev. David Hurst, Pastor
July 6, 2025
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
En-Ting Hsu, Music Director
PRELUDE Be Thou My Vision ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP Deacon Reader
Leader: Lord, let us come together for worship on this beautiful July
day.
People: Let us dwell with each other. Let us meditate and pray
in the cool of the morning. As we bask in the summer around
us let us thank God for his infinite creation.
Leader: Thank you, Lord, for we too are part of this creation. Thank
you for the path that you provide for us. Thank you for the assurance
and your forgiving Spirit that looks upon us with kindness and under-
standing.
People: May we be joyful in what we do! Let us be grateful for
who we are. Let us find in our hearts the willingness to love, to
be welcoming and thankful for all that we see around us.
OPENING HYMM For All the Saints Pg 486
INVOCATION (Based on Joel 2:23-32) Deacon Reader
Leader: O God with humility and holiness we are called to live with
your leadership at the soul of our beings.
People: Come to us this day. Give us the confidence to serve
you and those about us with love and compassion.
Leader: Let your promise to be faithful to us be our assurance that
we are part of your everlasting Spirit.
People: O Lord, pour out your Spirit upon us. Let all God’s
children be enriched, and grow in harmony through your
unconditional love.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison) Rev. David Hurst
O awesome and amazing God you go to the depths of love and the heights of caring for us. You sing to us in the beauty of each dawn. You walk with us in the heat of a summer day. You bless us each evening and you look over us at night. Forgive us for our transgressions. Help us to understand our faults and use them to grow in your image. Believe in us, O Lord, as we seek your grace. Help us to be grateful for our lives, and for the willingness to reach out as a church. O awesome and amazing God, we sing praises to you. Help us to tell all creation of your power in our lives of faith.
PRAYER OF ASSURANCE
People of God, you have been given the power of the Holy Spirit through
the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. Through Christ, God has forgiven us.
Through God’s grace; you will find hope in your troubles as the love of God
is poured out in your hearts through the Holy Spirit.
People: Hallelujah! Thanks be to God
OFFERTORY
DOXOLOGY
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYERS AND THE LORD'S PRAYER
GLORIA PATRI
First Lesson Galatians 6: 1-10 Pg 1015
Second Lesson Luke 10: 25-37 Pg 902
SERMON Be That Person Rev. David Hurst
Hymn of Holy Communion Let Us Break Bread Together #311
THANKSGIVING AND HOLY COMMUNION
We celebrate an open Communion Table - All are welcome!
CLOSING HYMN O Beautiful for Spacious Skies # 532
BENEDICTION
Leader: May God give us the courage and confidence to walk in the paths
of peace.
People: May our patience outlast the troubles of our day. May our joy
radiate from the inside out and may our love erase barriers and heal
our souls.
POSTLUDE How Great Thou Art
Bulletins for July are given in memory of Bill and Hazel Dickson by Susan Rockefeller.
Archived News of Note:
Music Director /Organist
Matt Alcombright
Thank you!!
July Calendar
July 4th Independence Day
July 6th In-house Morning Worship 9am
Communion
Coffee Hour following Worship
July 10th(Thu) Deacons Meeting 3:30pm
July 13th Outdoor Morning Worship at
Field Farm 9am
followed by Church Council
Coffee Hour following Worship
July 17th(Thu) Trustees Meeting 4:15 pm
July 20th In-house Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Worship
July 27th In-house Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Worship
Upcoming
July 13th Outdoor Morning Worship Service at Field Farm with
Church Council meeting to follow.
(Please bring chairs if you are able)
🎶 Exciting News from the Music Committee! 🎶
We are delighted to announce that, beginning July 1st, En-Ting Hsu will be joining us as our full-time Music Director!
En-Ting is a gifted and accomplished musician who recently earned her Doctorate in Music from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. In addition to her academic and professional achievements, she brings ties to the Williamstown community and a heartfelt passion for connecting people through music.
We are confident that En-Ting will greatly enrich our worship and community life through her extraordinary talent and heartfelt love of music. A passionate advocate for the transformative power of music, she is actively involved with Kids 4 Harmony in the Berkshires and performs with the Berkshire Symphony at Williams College. En-Ting is deeply committed to making music accessible and meaningful to people of all ages, and we are excited to see the many ways her gifts will bless our congregation.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. En-Ting Hsu to our church family!
Youth News: The Appalachia Service Youth Group will depart for Davy, West Virginia (McDowell County) on Saturday evening. They’ll travel about 2.5 hours south before stopping overnight at Janet’s uncle’s home—a welcome break in their 12-hour journey.
We ask for traveling mercies—please pray for safe passage as the group embarks on this meaningful mission.
Although the recent devastating flooding in West Virginia—which claimed six lives and drew international attention—occurred north of their destination, Davy remains a flood-prone area. Weather will be a concern throughout the trip; however, current forecasts suggest that extreme heat, rather than rain, will pose the primary challenge.
As with every mission, this trip promises adventure, service, and personal growth. May each participant stay safe and healthy—and return home with stories of repaired homes, new friendships, and lives touched.
Mission Committee news for July. We have an updated amount from Missy Young, our Treasurer, for the Blanket Fund in May. New Total is $320.00. Thanks to all of you who donated and supported this, Mission.
We received a nice Thank you letter from the Berkshire Food Project. Our annual donation is $300.00. The Board of Directors, President
Tim Faselt mentioned they are very proud of the work that is done in this community and that we agree it is important to support their efforts.
They welcome us to a meal Monday-Friday, 11:30 am-1:00 pm at the First congregational Church in North Adams.(134 Main St.). You may also contact Tim if you would like to work or volunteer at their project. director@berkshirefoodproject.org.
We will continue to provide for the Williamstown Food Pantry this month of July. As the church is closed for August we will not have
food pantry on the first Sunday. If you have donations and wish to drop them off they are open during the daytime until 4:00 P.M.
on Southworth St. at the Food Pantry.
Wishing everyone a lovely summer. Enjoy our beautiful community that the Lord provides for us.
Thank you all for the donations to our Mission Projects which helps our neighbors and world wide missions.
ITEMS NEED FOR THE VETERANS:
(Please place them in the tub in the SS Room)
SOAPS SHAMPOO CONDITIONER
LAUNDRY DETERGENT HOT COCOA
The Trustees have purchased a new lawnmower that is self-propelled to be used in mowing the lawn at the church and a blower to clean up behind that work. We reviewed the Raymond James account on material supplied from the Keator Group and found that the account is in good shape. We want to thank all those that contributed to the Strawberry Takeout. The income was shy of other years but your efforts on a busy day with iffy weather and roundabout construction brought in nearly $1000 to our general fund.
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.
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.
**************
Thank you from our Church: Thank you, Matt, from the whole Second Congregational Church family and community!
Five years have indeed flown by and we all appreciate your contributions of music, voice, and stability that you brought with unwavering consistency, beautiful quality and perfect humbleness. Much appreciated!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your next chapter.
News from the Organ and Piano benches: "It takes a village", a saying which seems very appropriate given the huge shoes to fill from Matt's retirement. Janet Holmgren is working her magic piecing together a musical alternative with multiple musicians utilizing both the organ and the piano. Our own Thomas Kirby, once again, will pick up some Sundays playing on the piano with two talented Williams College student organists, Jonathon Hartanto and Graham Omerod, playing as their schedule permits. Jonathan, a sophomore, and Graham, a freshman, both play beautifully and we hope they will stay with us for the foreseeable future. Also, David Vredenburg from the Albany area will be rejoining us as organist over the summer. He remembers our congregation fondly and sends his greetings. Thomas' former teacher, Ed Lawrence, retired musical director of First Church and part of the Williams community will also be sharing his musical talent. Clearly it's taken a village! Please welcome all of these musicians heartily!
**Church Organist needed!**
Please contact The Second Congregational Church
if you are interested in the position or know of someone who might be!
Jesus tells his disciples, “In the world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
“The time is always right to do what is right! Martin L King Jr.
“All love that has not friendship for its base
is like a mansion built on sand.” Ella Wheeler Wilcox
“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