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!
“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep;
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail; With peace on earth, good will to men."
With peace on earth, good will to men.”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A Tribute: We’d like to take a moment to share a few words about Thomas Kirby. Some of you call him Tom, others Tommy, and some Thomas, but no matter what name you use, he is one of the most thoughtful people we know.
Tommy has a truly giving heart. He is a wonderful son, a strong member of our community, and a friend to people of all ages. He has led our ASP trips, initiated the Take and Eat program, supported Habitat for Humanity, and generously shared his musical gifts, enriching our community in countless ways.
He laughs easily and his eyes twinkle when he smiles. He is helpful, sincere, intelligent, and hardworking, someone who makes those around him feel valued and supported.
Tommy is heading to Pennsylvania to complete a postbaccalaureate year before applying to medical school.
We are grateful for all he has given and excited for all he will continue to do. Perhaps Tommy will return to serve our rural community as a physician sometime in the not-so-distant future. Wishing him all the best in his future endeavors!!
Rev. David Hurst
🎶🎶 Notes from the Music Director: October brings the beauty of autumn, a season of change, reflection, and gratitude. Looking back on September, one of the moments that stays with me is hearing the Strings for Change Youth String Ensemble share their music with our congregation. Working alongside these young musicians and watching them grow has been deeply meaningful. Seeing them bring their music into worship and share it with the wider community reminded me that music can be a beautiful way to serve, connect, and bring people together. This month, I am also looking forward to performing with the Berkshire Symphony at Williams College. Being part of an ensemble that brings together students, faculty, and professional musicians reminds me once again of the beauty of collaboration and the joy of learning from one another through music. The Berkshire Symphony will perform on Friday, October 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Chapin Hall. The concert is free and open to the public, and I warmly invite you to join us for an evening of beautiful orchestral music. As autumn unfolds around us, may we continue to notice the beauty in change, listen to one another with open hearts, and find meaningful ways to share our gifts with our communities. "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6
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.[🛠️]
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Rev. David F. Hurst, Pastor
October 4, 2026
En-Ting Hsu, Music Director
HOLY COMMUNION
ANNOUNCEMENTS PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP Lay Leader
Leader: From north to south, from east and west we come around God's table to worship Christ’s presence in our lives.
People: From down the street and across to other towns; from single parent households to apartment dwellers,
Leader: We are called to love one another and live as one.
People: From every class, from every race, from every lifestyle, from little ones with sippy cups to those of us who are elderly,
Leader: We are called into action to witness God's infinite love.
People: Open us to your love, teach us how to live in your path. Grant us the joys of service to one another.
OPENING HYMN In Christ There is No East or West Pg 381
INVOCATION Lay Leader
Leader: O Lord come into our hearts this day and all days.
People: Open us to your eternal love. Help us to be a church; to serve and love one another.
Leader: Feed us Lord; so that we might feed you.
People: Steer us away from temptation! Help us use your wisdom through our experiences and our quest for deeper faith.
Leader: Show us your power, O God, so that we can build your kingdom in this baffling and contentious world.
People: Lord, teach us to pray continually, with earnestness and the assurance that we are answered and loved.
PRAYERS OF CONFESSION [in unison] Rev. David F. Hurst
Leader: O Lord open our hearts and let us all come to the Table of Christ, released from the burden of self.
People: Help us to ask for forgiveness, when we misuse your name or we have trouble speaking your name in prayer. We are so busy that we don't notice those who enter our lives and give us gifts that we ignore.
Leader: Forgive us, O God of Love and Hope, help us to let go of our resentments and fears.
People: Heal us O God, forgive us with the loving presence of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit in our hearts and minds.
PRAYER OF ASSURANCE Rev. David F. Hurst
Leader: The Holy Spirit fulfills the work of reconciliation in us all. The Spirit enables us to receive forgiveness as we forgive one another. Through God’s infinite grace, we are embraced, loved and forgiven.
People: Halleluia! Thanks be to God
JOY AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYERS AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
GLORIA PATRIA Pg 36
OFFERTORY
DOXOLOGY Pg 44
First Lesson Psalm 80: 7-15 Pg 810
Second Lesson Matthew 21: 33-46 Pg 856
Sermon Wisdom for the Way Rev. David Hurst
HYMN OF COMMUNION Breathe on Me, Breath of God Pg 220
THANKSGIVING AND HOLY COMMUNION
We celebrate an open Communion Table – All are welcome!
CLOSING HYMN O Worship the King, All Glorious Above Pg 16
BENEDICTION (In Unison)
Leader: Let us go forth, as we walk with God.
People: Let us share the joy that flows through all of God's creation. May God's faithfulness and goodness gladden our hearts in this and every season of life.
POSTLUDE
Bulletins for September are given in memory of the Earl George’s and the
Harrington’s by Doug and Diane George.
“The time is always right to do what is right! Martin L King Jr.
Blessings to all,
As the last Sunday of September comes and goes, we move toward fall and the changes that that short season means. Thank you to our lay ministers, Barry and Wayne who are assuming service in the pulpit on the third Sundays of the month. Thank you, En-Ting, for your beautiful music! Thank you all who serve this church in so many ways. Although small, we are a loving and inclusive congregation that passes through politics, our energy levels, and our challenges with grace and compromise.
Our quote this month is from Oswald Chambers, a Scottish Baptist evangelist. He wrote a daily meditation reader which I have read for years. What Chambers is referring to in this profound quote is the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus asks us to pray and rise with Him above our fears, our control issues and our willingness to take the easier, softer way rather than facing life in the here and now. He tells us that when we rise above or leave behind those who have no faith, we are forgetting to love and share our living faith with others. We are forgetting others who need our help. We are forgetting our most needed service to others in this turbulent and mixed-up world.
What Rev. Chambers is saying is that if we have faith and have, with Jesus, gained a solid understanding of our faith, we have to descend and apply it to life on the ground level in each exchange with others of all types, places and venues.
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
WilliNet channel 1303 Sunday Worship 9am and 4pm. Rerun Wed at 10am and Friday at 7pm
The Week's Internet site is:
https://reflect-willinet.cablecast.tv/store-3/13544-Second-Congregational-Church-Service-10-4-26-v2/vod.mp4
Upcoming
**Please scroll down to see the Weekly Bulletin below**
— 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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Archived News of Note:
Music Director /Organist
Matt Alcombright
Thank you!!
October Calendar
Oct 3rd(Sat) Committal Service for Eunice Lapier
9am at Hancock Cemetery
Oct 4th Morning Worship 9am
Communion
Coffee Hour following Worship
Take & Eat
Oct 8th(Thu)Deacons Meeting 3:30
Oct 11th Morning Worship 9am
Church Council Meeting following Worship
Coffee Hour following Meeting
Oct 15th(Thu) Trustees Meeting 4:15
Oct 18th Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Worship
Oct 25th Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Q & A time
Upcoming
October 11th Church Council Meeting after Worship
A Dedication of the Haig/Love Memorial tree following Worship (Date to be determined)
Youth News: In October, Mia will again volunteer with Warm the Children, a community program that provides new winter clothing to local children in need throughout the greater Bennington area. The program brings together Sunrise Family Resource Center and GBCS (Greater Bennington Community Services), along with local donors and volunteers. Together, they provide children with warm coats, boots, hats, socks, and other winter essentials. Warm the Children began more than 30 years ago when one individual saw children waiting for the school bus in winter without adequate clothing. Today, Warm the Children provides winter clothing to approximately 200–300 local children each year. At its heart, the program is about neighbors helping neighbors and making sure children in our community stay warm through the winter. Mia and Caroline are also asking for support for our local veterans through Northern Berkshire Veterans Services. Mia will make three deliveries this fall—in October, November, and December. Needed items include hygiene and household products, beverages, breakfast items, nonperishable food, and clothing. A clear plastic storage bin is located in the Fellowship Room on the “egg table.” Donations may be placed in the bin at any time. Thank you for helping support our local veterans. Our next Take and Eat is October 4. Thank you to everyone who volunteers and supports this ministry and helps provide meals to our neighbors. Future dates: November 29 • December 6
The Trustees Paul reached out to Fairfield Farms to ensure they will continue to plow. Yes, it will snow again this year!
It was noted that the grounds were in great shape following updates to the Handicap parking signs, tree and bush trimmings and trimming the stump and mounting the memorial plaque. Weekly mowing, trimming and driveway and walkway blowing continue by Wayne. The upper handrail on the ramp will be power washed and the plaque post sealed.
Tower Electric looked at the installation of infared heaters and thought it would be cost-prohibited. They will be reworking the foyer emergency light.
After a second look at oil purchase for the coming winter, it was decided to prebuy 1500 gallons at $4.99 with the current delivery price today being over $6.
We don’t have a quote yet on the cost of the proposed “Functional Church”. It was agreed that we would invite our agent to the meeting once the quote is received.
After several discussions with the manufacturer of the Church Sign, it was determined that a new felt wasn’t necessary, but it was an issue with the letters from the sun and heat. There are spares we can use as needed before we purchase new sets.
We express thanks to the Dorcas for arranging and paying for the sanctuary cleaning.
The water issue at the parsonage oil pit continues to be a minor issue.
We discussed how to proceed once the MADOT office is closed. It was decided that we should advertise the space once we have an end date from Warner.
We will continue to look at options for winter services considering the cost to heat the sanctuary for an hour.
Take and Eat 2026 dates are: 1/4, 2/1, 3/1, 4/4, 5/3, 5/31, 9/6, 10/4,11/29, 12/6
The Dorcas Report: Here is an update on the cleaning of the sanctuary. We hired Paul Senecal and his crew to clean. It included cleaning the pews and cushions, wood floors, cleaning the carpets, and washing the windows inside and out. The cost was $1837, which the Dorcas paid for. We want to thank everyone who gave donations towards this. At this point we have received $760. If anyone would like to donate, please make a check out to the Dorcas Society and give to Linda Seney. Ron and Linda Brown and Linda Seney cleaned the entryway. There are still a few things that need to be cleaned if you would like to help please contact Linda Seney. Sadly, we will not be doing the Harvest Takeout Supper because of a lack of help. Hopefully we will be able to do it next year. We will be selling Rada knives on some Sundays after church if anyone is interested. Looking ahead, we will donate to the Thanksgiving and Christmas Missions.
The Deacon's met with the Trustees to discuss a request from Pastor David to have the 3rd Sunday of the month off. He would like a bit more time with family, etc. We all approved this, with less pay of course. David had pre-arranged this with Barry Grauman and Wayne Botto and they will fill in for him. They will start in Sept. Barry will do Sept., Nov., and Dec. And Wayne will do Oct. For this year.
The Deacon's met on September 10th at 3:30 pm. We set the October Deacon's.
We were all blessed with beautiful music from En-Ting's new group on Oct. 6th. It is called Strings for Change.
We are sad that there will be no Harvest Supper this year. Just not enough hands or interest at this time. Enjoy the fall leaves. They are starting to turn and I hear will be beautiful this year.
The Mission Commitee met Sunday, September 27, 2026, after church for members and Chairman voting. Caroline will remain Chairman as requested by the committee.
We discussed the upcoming Mission Budget, and our decision was to remain the same for the upcoming year of 2027.
We will continue with nonperishable items for the Williamstown Food Pantry. And delivery will be on the first Sunday of each month. Cereal, breakfast items. Coffee, tea and hot chocolate or canned juices are welcome.
Caroline presented a new list of items received from the Veterans Service Officer in No. Adams. The list is on the plastic basket in the Fellowship Room. There will be more available next Sunday. They would also like us to do a Gift Basket for their Annual Christmas Breakfast. We agreed to make a basket and Janet and Mia Holmgren will make the delivery in December. More details next month.
Carol DeMayo will be contacted regarding the Thanksgiving Food Pantry and Tags which will be placed on the Corn Stalks provided by John Quimby for November 1, and November 8th. We have asked the Dorcas for two Turkeys. Items donated will be delivered on November 15th.
Thank you everyone for the generosity of our Missions.
ITEMS NEED FOR THE VETERANS:
(Please place them in the tub in the SS Room)
SOAPS SHAMPOO CONDITIONER
LAUNDRY DETERGENT HOT COCOA
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.
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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!
Looking Back and Looking Forward. God is so good!! Over the last 10-15 years we have seen a lot of changes at Second Congregational Church. We have had people pass away and others move away. We have had new people join the church. Through it all God has provided funds to allow us to meet our needs. The parsonage was upgraded and returned to a place we could be proud to lease out and for a much greater income. Funds that God provided and a lot of volunteered labor got it done. New Hymnals most given in memory of a loved ones arrived. New bathrooms and choir storage were built, once again volunteers and funds God provided. Both buildings painted. Another project that you all contributed to and some of our neighbors made donations but it was God leading the way. The Trustees were looking forward when they decided to replace the oil tank at church and build a retaining pit at the parsonage to insure we would not be facing thousands of dollars of environmental cleanup in the years ahead. Again, God provided those funds through your weekly offering, building fund offering and special gifts. We have been able to increase our income by renting a section of the Sunday School room to Morais as they provide an office for MADOT. God provided that opportunity through a chance encounter at the coffee bar at the corner store. The Trustees had to purchase a new stove for the parsonage but God provided. They just bought a lawnmower and leaf blower to help maintain the grounds. In that process we discussed where we might draw the money from. General fund, Building fund or Memorial fund. We chose the Building fund but God led us to taking a serious look at the Memorial fund. We discovered there are many smaller amounts donated in someone's memory as the original size of the gift or left over from a purchase made from a larger gift that is over three years old. These gifts together amounted to almost $6500 with the money setting in a low interest savings account. We will be coming to the October Council meeting looking for your approval to set a policy to move these funds to the Raymond James account annually if they have not been used after 3 years. We would also appoint a Trustee to work with families that are in the less than 3-year group to mutually agree on a needed project or moving the funds to the higher interest Raymond James account. Looking back 15 plus years, we had a sizable donation to set up that account and have used the interest funds that it acquires to meet the everyday needs of our yearly programs, pay staff and handle surprise expenses. God provided these funds to allow Second Congregational to continue to be a witness to this community and the world. A detailed proposal will be part of the October newsletter. Thank you all for following God's leading as you support this church in all the ways He leads you.
The Trustees continue contact with our insurance carrier looking toward an accurate budget number for 2026. We expect that the church and parsonage values will rise. We were able to avoid that last year when we installed oil spill protection in both buildings. A new stove has been purchased for the parsonage. MADOT has the sense that they will continue to need the office space through next fall and maybe longer as the roundabout takes shape and the added details of a memorial wall and historic signage are added. The lawn continues to be cut and the new blower removes the clippings from the parking area and sidewalk with Wayne at the controls. The parsonage twin front shrubs, the greens around the handicap ramp and the front sidewalk were reclaimed from the snowball bushes with a trim to all. We continue to look at repair needs ahead of them being issues and deal with them head on. We are very grateful to Jean and Missy providing us detail financial information. We look forward to the return of Worship following the August shutdown and would remind everyone that we have had nearly normal expenses while closed. Please be sure to catch up on your pledges and gifts if you didn't prior to the break. Thank you for your support.
The test of our spiritual life is the power to descend; if we have power to rise only, something is wrong. Oswald Chambers
“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.”
A favorite quote of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminds us of the spirit behind their work: “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”
Welcome to
The Second Congregational Church
81 Hancock Road • Williamstown, MA 01267 • (413) 458-3467