Thoughts from the Organ Bench: The beginning of March finds us in the beautiful and somber season of Lent. The music for this season takes a turn from some of the joyful and celebratory hymns we know and love to more of a deeper reflection into the mystery of Christ’s Passion. As music is a powerful tool to express feeling and emotion, the music of this season's music not only draws us into a more reflective mood but the words of our Lenten hymnody serve as a deep manifestation of the richness of Lent. Pay close attention to the composers' thoughts, many of them scripture based, and how the text and music coincide to form a deep expression of this magnificent season. The agony, strain and depth is present while being coupled with the glimmering of hope that this is not the end of the story. I hope that the Lenten Hymns will draw us deeper into the great mystery of the Passion which will once again and always spring anew as an Easter Song of Jubilant Praise!
“Sometimes I go about pitying myself. And all the while I am being carried
across the sky by beautiful clouds.” Ojibway Indian saying
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-3/11500-Second-Congregational-Church-Service-4-14-24-v1/vod.mp4
**Please scroll down to see the Weekly Bulletin below**
Welcome to
The Second Congregational Church
81 Hancock Road • Williamstown, MA 01267 • (413) 458-3467
In Thomas Kelley’s hymn, All the Saints, we celebrate the love, the caring and the greatest gift that God has given to us! The joy and awe is upon us and we are amazed as spring tries to arrive. We are refreshed and realize that God has assured us of his love. Through our Easter Celebrations, both the Sunrise Service and the 9am, we rediscover the wonders of God. The mystery of Christ’s resurrection holds us; knowing that no matter how we think or what we do, we are forgiven. We are one of many of God’s children and it is wonderful to be included! Isn’t it?
When we look to God; admitting our frailty and our sin, we are free! Through Jesus’ journey to the cross we see how difficult and complex life is. We see the hypocrisy of people who protect themselves out of fear of living in the Truth, in the Light of God. We see cultures and society based on power, money and status. We fall prey to easier and softer ways. It is hard to square the temptations and the easy does it attitudes of our society with faith and the sincere commitment that Jesus asks for.
Yet we are welcomed with unconditional love into the life eternal which exists through the Resurrection right here in this life and into the next. Through our covenant we are asked to respond in kind to God’s gift. To share with others, to love those on the fringes of society and to welcome into our midst those who at we may be fearful of or find too different.
May God bless you all as spring hopefully arrives this April. Easter gives us hope that our world will be turn out well. Our lives will go on as we share and love one another.
David
Rev. David Hurst
Music Director /Organist
Matt Alcombright
Come, ye saints, look here and wonder,
See the place where Jesus lay;
He has burst His bands asunder;
He has borne our sins away!
Joyful tidings! Yes!
The Lord has risen today!
— 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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2 SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
81 Hancock Road, Williamstown, MA
Matt Alcombright, Music Director
Rev. David F. Hurst
April 14, 2024
Third Sunday of Easter
MORNING MEDITATION
“I believe that everyone has a gift . It is our responsibility to go ahead and
use it!" Earl Scruggs
PRELUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP Deacon Reader
Leader: Welcome to all in the name of God! Jesus teaches that we are all one
in God.
People: Let us gather in friendship. Let us gather with all our differences and
find common ground in God’s infinite love.
Leader: Let us welcome each other! Let us be friends in Christ, knowing that
we may never be alone!
People: O Lord through your strength and assurance, we know that we are
loved. Let us embrace being your children; being given the hope of
everlasting life!
OPENING HYMN “On the Day of Resurrection” #213
INVOCATION Deacon Reader
Leader: Dear Holy God, you have shown us great love and affection.
People: You call us to be your children. We come into your presence this
day, freely, knowing and assured of your love.
Leader: Help us to place our trust in you. O Holy God! Let your gracious and
willing Spirit fill us with gratitude and a clear vision of how we can be a
witness to the Easter message.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison, from Isaiah 6:10-11)
O God of Mercies, giver of every Good Gift, we are a stubborn people and
foolish at times. You have given us your Holy Word. You have sent us your
beloved Son. By your grace you have sustained us and brought us to this
day. We say we hear, but do not understand. We see but do not perceive.
There is that part of us that embraces sicknesses and fear. There is much
within us that would turn away from opportunity that you offer to us in
such abundance. When we turn away from your wisdom, incline our hearts to you, O God. When we forsake the path which demands so much more, attend to our weakness and give us courage. For you are the well spring of our hope in
life and death. Open us to the knowledge and the fact that we belong to
you; body and soul!
PRAYER OF ASSURANCE
Leader: Thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of your Son, who died for our
sins. Strengthen us, to follow your teachings through the love and blessing of
Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
People: Halleluia! Thanks be to God
GLORIA PATRI
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYERS AND LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERTORY
DOXOLOGY
SCRIPTURE READINGS
First Lesson Psalm 4 p. 466
HYMN OF MEDITATION “He Leadeth Me" #597
Second Lesson Luke 24: 36-48 p. 920
Sermon Can I Be a Witness? Rev. David Hurst
CLOSING HYMN “Sing of the One Who Walks Beside Us" p. 212
BENEDICTION [in UNISON]
Leader: Once we were in darkness, but through the grace of God we feel the
warmth of God's Light.
People: By this grace, O Lord, help us to maintain our cool in this world; and
to find ways to reach out to others; so that all may believe in God's eternal
love.
Bulletins for April are given by Rita Gardner
In memory of Chuck and Mark Gardner
April Calendar
April 7th In-house Morning Worship 9am
Communion
Coffee Hour following Worship
Take & Eat
THANK YOU!! Tom Kirby and crew
April 11th(Th) Deacon's Meeting 3:30 pm
April 14th In-house Morning Worship 9am
OGHS Offering final week
Council Meeting following Worship
Coffee Hour following Council Meeting
April 18th(Th) Trustees Meeting 4:15
April 21st In-house Morning Worship 9am Coffee Hour following Worship
April 28th In-house Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Worship
Youth Happenings: Many hands make light work! ASP youths helped with the church’s spring cleaning on Saturday, March 23rd despite the un-spring-like weather of sleet, rain, and snow.
The Holmgren family heads to Austria March 28-July 6. Nina and Katrina will work with John and Carol DeMayo to continue the food rescue work, which has been going well. The next Take and Eat meal service is May 5th. The ASP week of service is July 21-28.
Thank you. I would like to thank everyone who helped with the indoor cleaning bee Eunice, Diane and Pris and to also thank the youth group under the leadership of Tom Kirby for their help.I am hoping we can all donate to the youth group as they once again will be involved with the Appalachian Service Project. We are all very proud of the work they do. Linda Seney
The Dorcas set the Strawberry take-out for June 15th and a tag sale July 13th and 20th….Due to bad weather only 4 came to clean the church, but Tom Kirby and friends came in the afternoon and a great job was done by all. Thanks so much…
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.
Last months news:
The Youths are busy with multiple endeavors! Three Take and Eat youth are on the girls' Mount Greylock Nordic Ski team and helped win 1st place at the State Championship race!
Four-legged Second Congo friends are also achieving success. Gingham, our first Guiding Eyes for the Blind puppy, now resides in Rhode Island with Bob, an Honorable Veteran. She has been specifically trained to work in a Veteran’s Home & Health Care Facility. Our second puppy, Orissa, is in the final stages of her training and will soon be matched with a seeing impaired individual to meet their needs. Our current puppy, Ettie, is growing and learning well! At ten months, she shows great promise for her special purpose in life.
ASP is also on the horizon. That means that spring is almost here!
2024 Take and Eat dates: 1/7, 2/4, 3/3, 5/5, 6/2, 7/7, 8/4, 9/29, 10/6, 11/3, 12/1
--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.
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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2024 ChaseIns Scholarship Award
From Chase Insurance (Our provider):
Please help us spread the word!
We are currently accepting applications for the 2024 Chase, Clarke, Stewart & Fontana Scholarship Award
One award will be given in the amount of $1,000!
To view the scholarship requirements, please insert the address below
to our website in your browser:
ScholarshipInfo2024
Deadline for recipients to apply is
May 15th, 2024
Please share with high school seniors!
Chase, Clarke, Stewart & Fontana | 413-788-4531 | www.chaseins.com