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
Rev. David Hurst
🎶🎶 Notes from the Music Director: As we enter March, subtle signs of early spring begin to appear, reminding us that renewal often unfolds quietly and gradually. In this season of Lent, we are invited into deeper reflection, prayer, and attentive listening. Music becomes a gentle companion, guiding us into stillness, giving voice to longing, and sustaining hope as we journey toward Easter.
On March 1, Mia, Tommy, and I will share special music as a trio, offering a collaborative expression of worship. We are also grateful that Kids 4 Harmony alumna Jennifer Daley will provide special music during the March 15 service, sharing her gifts with the congregation. For those seeking additional musical inspiration, the Berkshire Symphony, conducted by Andrew J. Kim, will present a program titled Opera Without Words on Friday, March 6 at 7:30 PM in Chapin Hall. I will have the privilege of performing in this concert and would be delighted to see familiar faces there. The concert is free and open to the public.
It is my hope that the music we share this month, both within and beyond our sanctuary, will draw us closer to God and to one another, guiding us gently toward renewal and a deeper awareness of His abiding presence.
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
March 22, 2026
En-Ting Hsu, Music Director
Fifth Sunday of Lent
MORNING MEDITATION
“A wise man will make haste to forgive, because he knows the true value of time and will not suffer time to pass away in unnecessary pain!” Samuel Johnson
PRELUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP Lay Leader
Leader: Amid all the changes and chances of this world come now and worship God, the creator who is faithful and loving to all!
People: Lord, return our souls to your rest. For you, O Lord, deal with us in all times and places with awe and expectation.
Leader: Open our hearts that we will find joy and the Spirit of God wherever we are.
People: On this Fifth Sunday of Lent let us turn and love the Lord, for Jesus knows our voices and listens to our prayers.
Leader: Let us rise and sing together and offer God our praise and our thanks for the Lord has blessed us abundantly.
OPENING HYMN God of Angels, Whose Almighty Hand Pg 537
INVOCATION Lay Leader
Leader: O tender and loving God touch us with your holiness this morning. Enter us, O living God! May we feel your presence
People: Let your blessing pour over us like warm spring air, so that we might be filled with peace and hear your divine call.
Leader: Bring forth in us the confidence to speak your Word; to be aware of your sacrifice and blessing. Fill us with courage to build your Kingdom on earth. May your Light shine in the world,
People: Lay your hands gently upon us. Forgive us our sins and strengthen us to do your will. Open us to your wisdom and help us to live through your grace.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Rev. David F. Hurst
Leader: O God, Love divine, you have taken human form to reveal yourself to us. Give us the willingness to receive your forgiveness and Your unconditional love.
People: We put on straight faces and smiles to cover our desires and pretensions. Forgive us our self-deceptions. Forgive our errors in judgment and the rudeness of our society. Teach us to trust and to learn from our challenges and trials. O Jesus, you have shared our common lot as human beings. Yet we do not share what we have in common with others. Restore in us the desire to reach out, to share your forgiveness as we are forgiven through the power of our Savior Jesus Christ!
PRAYER OF ASSURANCE
O Spirit of the living God fall afresh on us. Melt us, mold us, fill us with
gratitude and forgiveness. O Spirit of the living God refresh us to live with
dignity in your grace. May our sins be forgiven in Christ’s name. Amen.
People: Halleluia! Thanks be to God
OFFERTORY
DOXOLOGY Pg 44
JOY AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYERS AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
GLORIA PATRIA Pg 36
First Lesson John 11: 1-45 Pg 934
HYMN OF REFLECTION O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee Pg 465
Second Lesson Ezekiel 37: 1-14 Pg 747
Sermon Breath of Life Rev. David F. Hurst
CLOSING HYMN What a Wonderful Life is This Pg 183
BENEDICTION
Leader: May the Light of the transfigured Christ shine upon you and guide you in your journey.
People: Help us to go forth, renewed! Help us to share the good news with those around us and to find peace and joy in our lives.
POSTLUDE
Bulletins for March are given in memory of Rachel Rhodes by the Botto family
“The time is always right to do what is right! Martin L King Jr.
Dear Friends,
Well, here it is the first of March! Is winter over? Hardly! In this beginning of the Lenten Season, it is a good time to meditate, and feel grateful for the marvelous gifts of God that we are prone to take for granted. During Lent we are asked to realize that the death of Jesus Christ is life-giving. His mission of forgiveness of sins and gracious love for all comes to a crescendo in Lent and begins again in the resurrection. Through the weeks of Lent let us attend to the idea that life contains suffering and sacrifice and there is no way to avoid that.
But through life, like Emily Dickinson, our famous American poet, says we never know how blessed we. How gifted God has made us and how we are protected and guided by the Holy Spirit. When we read the scriptures of violence and abuse of Jesus through Lent, we see there is a cost for ignorance and selfishness. And when we do the right things in life through faith and loyalty to Christ, we rise with the Resurrection of Jesus to another place of living and peace. This Kingdom of God. This place of peace and love is given to us through staying true to God’s plan for us and be grateful that we are truly capable of accepting salvation through the Resurrection.
Many thanks,
Be careful out there!
Blessings!
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-3/9685-Second-Congregational-Church-Service-3-20-22-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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Archived News of Note:
Music Director /Organist
Matt Alcombright
Thank you!!
March Calendar
March 1st Morning Worship 9am
Communion
Coffee Hour following Worship
Take & Eat
March 8th Daylight Savings Time Begins 2am (Jump ahead)
(Don't be late for Church) :-)
Morning Worship 9am
Coffee Hour following Meeting
March 12th (Thu) Deacons Meeting 3:30pm
March 14th (Sat) Leadership Work Camp
March 15th Morning Worship 9am
Easter Flower Forms Available
Easter Food Pantry Tags Available
Coffee Hour following Worship
March 19th(Thurs.)Trustees Meeting 4:15
March 22th Morning Worship 9am
Easter Flower Forms Available
Easter Food Pantry Items Due Today
Coffee Hour following Worship
March 29th Palm Sunday
Morning Worship 9am
Easter Flower Forms Due Today
Coffee Hour following Worship
Upcoming
Friday April 3rd Good Friday
Saturday April 4th Take & Eat (Note Day Change)
Sunday April 5th Easter Sunrise Service 7am
Easter Sunday Morning Worship 9am
Youth News: A black Labrador retriever named Patricia is Mia’s latest Guiding Eyes for the Blind pup. She has already been nicknamed Patty — and sometimes Patsy — and is about 12 weeks old. She was born on Thanksgiving Day to proud mama Ettie, who Mia also raised. So that makes Mia a grandma!
Patty and Mia will visit Sweetwood residents on March 20 for National Puppy Day. It is also the first day of spring.
Our Leadership Work Camp will take place in mid-March and in April. We’ve split the work up because of the snow. One project is indoors and the other — you guessed it — outside in the cold.
The next Take and Eat is March 1.
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 Trustees The Trustees welcomed Linda Seney to the group. Paul will continue on as Chairman. Ron will be the Secretary and continue as Memorial Trustee. Linda will be our representative to the Pastorate Board. The church's well water was tested and found to be safe. A sump pump in the parsonage that was not working properly was replaced ahead of anticipated Spring rain. Paul will speak to two electricians to see if either is interested in our business as it comes up. A tree to replace the one cut last year and a bench were suggested as options if a family was interested in using funds in the Memorial Fund. We looked at potential attendance today verses 5 years ago and found that because of several reasons (Deaths or Mobility Issues, Relocating, Natural Attrition) the number is 20 lower. We looked at that number as we continue to work up a "Functional Replacement Church" to reduce our expense in insuring our present building. We are interested in filling the area rented by Morais and used by MADOT once that lease is complete in order to continue supplementing our income if we can find another business with similar needs and demands.
“Happy are the people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full.” Matthew 5:6
The Mission Committee will meet on Sunday, March 1, 2026, to discuss the Easter Food Pantry. This will begin on March 15, and 22, 2026. We will take it to the Food Pantry on Sunday, March 22, 2026. Tags will be on the Pussy Willows provided by John Quimby. The Dorcas Society will donate 2 Canned Hams.One Great hour of Sharing will begin on Sunday, March 8 and March 15, 2026. Envelopes will be placed in the church bulletins for 2 weeks. There will be a Mission Moment at each church service from the Mission Committee. The Church World Service Vision is a faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. For more information on their programs, you may visit their site online at Church World Service. This year’s theme is: Our Love Offering to the World.
Thank you all for your generous donations.
To learn more about their project or volunteer contact him at director@berkshirefoodproject.org
The Veterans pantry continues and the box has a list of items that they have asked to be donated. Everyone has been so generous, and it is really appreciated by Veterans Service office in North Adams.
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 Deacon's met on February 12th. They elected officers and arranged Sunday coverage for the next month. David will be doing announcements prior to the Prelude.They made plans for the Palm Sunday service on March 29th and the purchase and pick up of palms. The Deacons have a desire to recognize those that served the church and passed in the previous Calander year. It was decided to recognize those individuals at the Annual Outdoor Service each year going forward and invite their families to join with us at that service. The next meeting will be March 12th at 3:30. Wayne thought a text should be sent out prior to the meeting to remind all.
The Dorcas met on February 12th. They elected officers and arranged Sunday coverage for the next month. David will be doing announcements prior to the Prelude.They made plans for the Palm Sunday service on March 29th and the purchase and pick up of palms. The Deacons have a desire to recognize those that served the church and passed in the previous Calendar year. It was decided to recognize those individuals at the Annual Outdoor Service each year going forward and invite their families to join with us at that service. The next meeting will be March 12th at 3:30. Wayne thought a text should be sent out prior to the meeting to remind all.
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.
“We never know how high we are, till we are called to rise, and then, if you are true to plan, our statures touch the skies.”
Emily Dickinson
“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