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: As we enter the month of November, our hearts turn toward gratitude. We give thanks to our almighty God for the precious gift of life and for the blessings of gathering with family and friends. At the same time, we remember those who may feel burdened, lonely, or uncertain as the holiday season approaches, lifting them in our prayers.In worship this month, the music of the season will reflect both joy and contemplation. Just as light and shadow coexist in life, so too does music hold both celebration and reflection—like the black and white notes that come together to form a beautiful harmony.
For those who seek to experience more music beyond our church walls, the Berkshire Symphony will present a concert on Thursday, November 7 at 7:30 PM in Chapin Hall at Williams College. In addition, world-renowned violinist Midori will perform a recital on Sunday, November 10 at 7:30 PM, also in Chapin Hall. Both programs promise to be deeply inspiring musical experiences. I hope to see some familiar faces there!
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.[🛠️]
Blessings to all!
Our Gospel lesson in church this Sunday morning involved a parable of how we live our lives, applying the teachings of Christ in the here and now. It’s easy to imagine success or failure. It is easy to be a part of the crowd and not really participate in life. So Jesus tells us to pray frequently and then emerge from that prayer, seeing the problem for what it is. Then action is necessary, so that we can get beyond it and live life to its fullest. When we make mistakes, we sin, or we knowingly do things for the wrong reasons, that is not the end! It is a turning point; where we see the path that’s ours to follow, whether we are strong or weak, afraid or confident, over joyed or deeply sad. Jesus says, “Solve it.” Forget the regrets and wallowing in self-pity and move closer to God through service and love of one another.
November is stewardship month for our church, so I’ll be preaching sermons on giving and how much Second Congregational Church, Williamstown means to us all. Through our service to one another and the community at large and our generosity, let us keep our church moving into the future with assurance, love and a healthy understanding of who we are and what we can give our community and to perhaps future generations.
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
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-3/12938-Second-Congregational-Church-Service-11-23-25-v1/vod.mp4
**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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SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Rev. David Hurst, Pastor
November 16, 2025
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
En-Ting Hsu, Music Director
Stewardship Month
MORNING MEDITATION
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of your crops.
Proverbs 3:9
PRELUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Let us come together and worship the one who has created us and sustains us throughout our lives.
People: Let us open our hearts and come to accept in our deepest places of our being, the gifts that we have been given.
Leader: By His grace, let us become vessels of God's love and doers of his Word.
People: For God forgives, God reshapes and God blesses second chances. As we awaken, help us to be grateful! Help us to say thank you! Let us be filled with joy and laughter. Let us worship together through the love of Jesus Christ.
OPENING HYMM Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty Pg 10
INVOCATION
Leader: O God of great and wondrous love, come into our presence this morning. Renew us in the Holy Spirit! Strengthen us with your gracious power.
People: Fill our faint hearts, embolden us to live our lives to the fullest. Guide our thoughts and actions through that little voice within us.
Leader: Help us to understand the gift of giving, and the strength of humility. Balance our lives with motivation and sharing with others.
People: Through all our acts of giving help us to know your goodness and to share your kindness with those around us.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Leader: O gracious God, giver of joy and hope, you offer us the beauty of the earth and the hope for eternity.
People: We are grateful, dear Lord. Thank you! We love you, O God, but we know that we don’t love enough. You offer us guidance, but we fail to heed your Wisdom in word and deed. Pain and despair, war and terror frighten us, but we seem to go about our lives without thought of the suffering. Lighten our burdens, Lord! We need your Wisdom to do what is right. We pray that your peace remains and that we may share in a world that is constantly tempted
by wrong motives and the arrogance of self-importance. In Jesus’ name we pray.
PRAYER OF ASSURANCE
Christ is our peace. Those divided, are made one. Christ has broken down
barriers and promises reconciliation to those who repent and believe. We
are forgiven! Let us live as reconciled people!
People: Hallelujah! Thanks be to God
OFFERTORY
DOXOLOGY Pg 44
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYERS AND THE LORD'S PRAYER
GLORIA PATRI Pg 36
First Lesson Isaiah 65: 17-25 Pg 644
HYMN OF REFLECTION For the Fruit of All Creation Pg 527
Second Lesson Luke 21: 5-19 Pg 915
SERMON Stand Firm Rev. David Hurst
CLOSING HYMN The Churches' One Foundation Pg 238
BENEDICTION
Leader: May this time of worship strengthen us and make us one.
People: Through all our stresses and strains, through all our celebrations and joys. May you, dear God, go with us each day.
POSTLUDE
Bulletins for November are given in memory of Clara & Arthur George by Clare, Caroline, Jon and Jim.
Archived News of Note:
Music Director /Organist
Matt Alcombright
Thank you!!
November Calendar
Nov 1st(Fri) South Williamstown Community Association
Harvest Brunch 9am-noon
Nov. 2th Daylight Savings Time Ends (Clocks go back 1hour)
Morning Worship 9am
Communion
Coffee Hour following Worship
Take & Eat
Thanksgiving Gift Tags Available
Nov 9th Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Worship
Nov 11th(Tues.) Veterans Day
Nov 12nd(Wed) Welcome to Winter Concert at Sweetwood
2-3pm featuring Mia & Tom
Nov 16th Morning Worship 9am
Church Council following Worship
Coffee Hour following Council Meeting
Thanksgiving Gifts Due
Nov 13th (Thu) Deacons Meeting 3:30pm
Nov 16th(Thu) Trustees Meeting 4:15 pm
Nov 23th Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Worship
Private event in the afternoon
Nov 27th(Thu) Thanksgiving Day
Nov 30th Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Worship
Take & Eat
Upcoming
December 25th Christmas Day
Youth News - November:
#1 This year, our youth group will be transitioning from the Appalachian Service Project (ASP) to the Leadership Work Camp (LWC). LWC is a program very similar to ASP, but based here in New England. Its mission is rooted in Christian love, with the same focus on making homes warmer, drier, and safer without engaging in structural construction work. Excitingly, Leadership Work Camp is ready to partner with our group locally, and we also have opportunities to join their projects in New Hampshire or Vermont. If you or someone you know could benefit from home improvements such as an accessibility ramp, safety railings, stair repairs, insulation, or similar projects, please reach out. There are no application requirements, and all building materials are provided at no cost.
#2 🎄 Need a Special Christmas Gift? 🎁 This year, give a gift that changes lives! We’re helping women in rural Kenya feed their families and send their children to school through a vocational project called Threads of Hope. Handcrafted Items for Sale: Aprons – $7, Pot Holder Set – $3, Bag – $6, All 3 items together for $15 Choose from 9 beautiful fabric patterns. Items will be delivered in early January, and we’ll provide you with a special gift certificate to present at Christmas. To order or learn more, email Mia: mia.l.holmgren@gmail.com
#3 Veterans Center Donation Drive – North Adams Mia will be dropping off supplies to the Veterans Center in early November. You can help by donating any of the following: 🧤 Clothing: Hats, gloves or mittens, warm sweaters, coats 🧴 Personal Care: Shampoo, shaving cream, dental care items, laundry detergent 🥫 Food: Non-perishable food items, hot cocoa. Please place all donations in Caroline’s box in the Fellowship Room by November 2nd. Mia will deliver the items to Tina before Veteran’s Day.
#4 Mia and Tommy will be playing a 🎶 Winter Welcome Concert ❄️ Wednesday, November 12 2:00–3:00 PM at Sweetwood. All are welcome.
The Youth are excited to keep up the good work with Take and Eat and appreciate the church’s support. Upcoming service dates are November 30, and December 7. Mia has now completed the ServSafe course and test. This credential allows her to represent the church as health and safety manager.
In the meantime, if you are eager to learn more of their ASP location without leaving Williamstown, you could read Homer Hickam’s #1 New York Times Bestselling Memoir “Rocket Boys” that inspired the major motion picture “October Sky”. Tommy mentioned it last newsletter. It’s a true story about the Coalwood, WV boys whose innovations in rocket science gained the town national recognition in 1957.
McDowell County, where our ASP group worked, is the setting of the movie, so you’ll get a feel for the mountainous terrain, curvy country roads, and more. Also, the tensions within the film (stay local vs leave and pursue opportunity) are still felt today.
MISSION COMMITTEE: We have just begun our fall Food Pantry donations. Items are welcomed for school Children. Cereal and morning snack items are good. Also, they can always use peanut butter and jelly and granola bars. Detergents and dish soaps are needed also. We deliver the items on the first Sunday of the month. So, next week will be our delivery day to the pantry. Items can be placed on the baskets or cart at the back of the church sanctuary.
We will check with Carol DeMayo on the Thanksgiving Food Pantry and will have further information in the November letter. We plan to continue the turkeys and food for dinner. All your contributions and continued support are so welcome. We appreciate the donations and hope we can make our community pleased with our projects. Thank you all for this year’s support. We truly make a difference.
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.
The Dorcas had a lovely picnic August 21st at noon at church. It was a beautiful day and the guys working inside took the tables out for us. 10 lovely ladies were there and we were missing a few lovely ones as well. A good time was had by all. We will meet after Church in Sept. to plan our Take out Harvest Dinner.
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.
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18: 14b
“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