Services will be held in Bodge Lounge
June 22 through September 14 and will return to the Sanctuary September 21, weather permitting. SUNDAY WORSHIP Communion Sunday July 13, 2025 11:00 AM Together Again In the Church Sunday's Bulletin Rev. Allan Ross, Preaching Mr. John Strybos, Music Director Soloist: Henry Podoll 
Come and share the joy of Christ's love with us.
All are welcome! Join us for our
Friendship and Fellowship Hour after 11:00 AM service in Bodge Lounge. 
Join us for the next Showing
on Saturday August 9, 2025 Pot Luck dinner at 6 PM Movie at 7 PM |
The gospel passage for this Sunday is from St. Luke 10: 1 - 11, 16 - 20, in this chapter, Jesus set an example for us by sending the disciples out in two by two or we can say in pairs. As we read in the book of Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls, and has no one to help them up”.
As we meditate on this passage, it explains to us about presence, peace and hospitality. We live in a community where Christian relationships are demonstrated and seen visibly. We give people an opportunity to hear the gospel through our life. As Christians we are to work together as a team. Please note your partner in Christian mission and ministry will strengthen you, your partner will stretch you and your partner will stand with you. Jesus is sending his disciples out to prepare the way for him as he goes to Jerusalem for the last time. When Jesus sent out the 72 disciples to proclaim the kingdom, he told them to enter a home if they are welcoming. When those sent out two by two entered a home, they were to proclaim peace, inviting these people into God’s peace or shalom. This is not a cheap sales pitch. The disciples came in as a symbol of peace, offering themselves to the people of thommunity. Notice that these are workers for the Kingdom of God and are going into the harvest field. These workers are living in the local culture and focused on doing the small things of the kingdom for a specific group of people so they can actually experience and feel the life of Christ in and through Christians as Christians relate to one another and communicate with one another. What we need are stories about engaging people with the gospel in real life. How about spending time with someone you know, or a friend over lunch listening to what is going on in his or her life? This example implies an ongoing conversation that requires the development of focused, loving relationships. These are not random acts of kindness to strangers, but they are acts of kindness for people we know. Over the last 300 years, when people talked about missions, they meant doing ministry in a foreign country. The idea was that the West was Christian and the rest of the world was not. So, the major task of the church was to do missions among those in nonwestern countries. We can no longer rightly say that the West is Christianized. (Probably never should have thought this anyway) The mission field has shifted to include those who live on our street, in our workplace and even those in our family. Many in our culture get their ideas about Christianity from TV shows. Some people think that Christians are seen as mean spirited and judgmental. How do we change this thinking? Only when people notice how as Christians we interact and relate with one another in love, patience, peace and kindness. In the Gospel of Luke, peace is used as another way of explaining what is salvation. Much more than simply the absence of conflict, it calls for a positive stance represented by the Old Testament word shalom, which means communal well being. Shalom is a gift of God upon his people to live in security, blessing, and relational wholeness. |
How do we experience Peace today? Often, learning to practice peace with our neighbors begins as we respond in peace when conflict among Christians arises. Can we choose the way of peace rather than the need to win? Choosing the way of peace does not mean ignoring reality or covering things up so that emotions are set aside. Peace, true peace, creates an environment in which each person can offer their perspective and deal with differences because no one feels the pressure to win. When people in our neighborhoods see us dealing with conflict in peaceful ways, they will notice the difference between Christians and others.
One of the goals of our church is to reach out into this community to minister to the needs of the people. Every Christian is primarily called by the Lord to serve.
One of the goals of our church is to reach out into this community to minister to the needs of the people. Every Christian is primarily called by the Lord to serve.
If you would like to learnmore please join us
in our worship on
Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
in our worship on
Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
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Contact us:
Church Office: 101 Pondfield Road West, Bronxville, NY 10708 Email: [email protected] Phone: (914) 337-3829 |