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TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Sunday August 16, 2026 11 AM Bold Moves Rev. Dr. Chris Ponnuraj, Preaching Sunday Worship Bulletin Worship Leader: Mr. Youngren Ponnuraj Mr. John Strybos, Music Director Join us for our
Friendship and Fellowship Hour after 11:00 AM service in Bodge Lounge. All are welcome. 
Come and share the joy of Christ's love with us.
All are welcome! 
Join us for the next showing:
September 19, 2026 Pot Luck dinner at 6 PM Movie at 7 PM All are welcome, admission is free.
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But this Canaanite woman was now facing a need that was greater than anything she had ever faced before; her daughter was demon possessed. And not simply possessed, but this Canaanite woman told Jesus her daughter was “tormented by a demon.” This Canaanite woman had faith, and she believed that Jesus was the merciful son of David who can deliver her daughter from this torment. God wants your faith to be - to have a firm conviction that God is a God of mercy.
Jesus first ignored her - she wasn’t offended at this snub. She didn’t deserve his attention - and neither did her daughter. Jesus did not answer a word. So, his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” Jesus answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” Jesus’ own disciples were wanting Jesus to get rid of her - knowing that Jesus had other priorities than this woman and her child.
Jesus even flat out told her the purpose of his public ministry of preaching was to teach the Jewish population - and explain to them the Old Testament Scriptures so they could see Jesus in them. The ministry to the Gentiles would be down the line. Again, the Canaanite woman did not argue with Jesus about how she should be his priority. She believed that Jesus had a mission primarily to save the lost sheep of Israel. She accepted Jesus’ priorities.
Notice that this Canaanite woman came to Jesus with her problem. Blessed is the woman who knows where to go with her problems! But she had heard about Jesus! And she had heard that not only could Jesus heal the sick, give sight to the blind, and make the lame to walk again. She came to the only one who could help her. And finally at the end of this story Jesus was amazed at her Faith, "Great is her faith."
Jesus first ignored her - she wasn’t offended at this snub. She didn’t deserve his attention - and neither did her daughter. Jesus did not answer a word. So, his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” Jesus answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” Jesus’ own disciples were wanting Jesus to get rid of her - knowing that Jesus had other priorities than this woman and her child.
Jesus even flat out told her the purpose of his public ministry of preaching was to teach the Jewish population - and explain to them the Old Testament Scriptures so they could see Jesus in them. The ministry to the Gentiles would be down the line. Again, the Canaanite woman did not argue with Jesus about how she should be his priority. She believed that Jesus had a mission primarily to save the lost sheep of Israel. She accepted Jesus’ priorities.
Notice that this Canaanite woman came to Jesus with her problem. Blessed is the woman who knows where to go with her problems! But she had heard about Jesus! And she had heard that not only could Jesus heal the sick, give sight to the blind, and make the lame to walk again. She came to the only one who could help her. And finally at the end of this story Jesus was amazed at her Faith, "Great is her faith."
If you would like to learn more about the faith,
please join us in our
worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
~ All Year Long ~
Ongoing Food Collection
The Board of World Service collects
food donations for the
Yonkers Emergency Food Pantry,
which distributes them to families in Yonkers.
Non-perishable food can be brought to the church
any Sunday and left in the large basket
in the back of the Sanctuary.
Monetary donations are welcome, too;
checks can be written to West Center Congregational Church, noting "Yonkers Food Pantry"
on the memo line and can be left in the offering plate on Sunday.
When shopping, how about picking up a couple of things for the Food Pantry?
No matter what you can give, all donations are much appreciated!
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Contact us: Church Office: 101 Pondfield Road West, Bronxville, NY 10708 Email: [email protected] Phone: (914) 337-3829 |
Your Donations help us to continue with
our Missions during these trying times!
View other ways to donate to West Center.
our Missions during these trying times!
View other ways to donate to West Center.