August 16, 2026 BOLD MOVES
The mother in our gospel text St. Matthew 15: 21 - 28, was troubled because she had a desperate need! I’m sure she had other problems, but they seemed small in comparison to the problem she was facing right then. No doubt she had faced many trials with her daughter before, both great and small. Like any mother, she knew what it was to be by the bedside of her sick child, but she wanted her child to receive complete healing from the great healer.
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," if you like to learn more about the faith, please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
The mother in our gospel text St. Matthew 15: 21 - 28, was troubled because she had a desperate need! I’m sure she had other problems, but they seemed small in comparison to the problem she was facing right then. No doubt she had faced many trials with her daughter before, both great and small. Like any mother, she knew what it was to be by the bedside of her sick child, but she wanted her child to receive complete healing from the great healer.
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," if you like to learn more about the faith, please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
JULY 19, 2026 WHEAT AND WEEDS TOGETHER
Last week we meditated on the parable of seeds and the soil, which helped us to understand how the people hear the good news of God’s word. In this week's gospel reading St. Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43 Jesus told another simple parable to illustrate the truth about the Judgment Day. This story is designed to be familiar to people who depended on agriculture for a living. A farmer planted good wheat seeds in a field. But under cover of night, an enemy came in and planted weeds. At first no one noticed. There was a common weed in Palestine called bearded darnel, which was a common curse of farmers.
The weed in its early stages looked just like wheat. But when both had "headed out" or produced seeds, the two could be distinguished by color. Then the darnel had to be separated from the good grain because its seeds were poisonous. The farm workers came to the owner and asked, "Do you want us to pull the weeds?" the owner said "No”, If you try to pull the weeds, you might damage the good plant in the process. Let the weeds be there, at the time of harvest we will separate the two."
First the enemy is real, in verse 25, Jesus says, "An enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat." In verse 39 Jesus tells us plainly that the enemy is the devil. Some modern Christians consider themselves too sophisticated to believe in a devil. And surely, we all know that there is no creature with horns and a pitchfork. But the Bible declares that there is an intelligent, active unspiritual presence in this world always opposing God, which is believed to be the satan. This Satan and his followers were angels who rebelled against the rule of God and were cast out of heaven. Satan tries to connect with the original sin in all of us, attempting to separate us from God and make this world resemble hell.
The second truth declared is that God is patient, compassionate and kind. In Jesus' parable, the owner of the farm does not clean out the weeds right away. God is amazingly forbearing with us the sinners. Listen to this word from II Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (NIV). God will never allow someone to be condemned to hell unjustly or undeservedly. And God gives to most people many chances to repent of sin and claim Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior.
Third, it is God who judges in the end. No person in this world is authorized to compose a list of those who are going to hell. It is perfectly proper to say out of love, "If you reject the gracious offer of Christ, you will spend all eternity apart from God." That is a truthful, loving statement. Jesus came to this earth and sowed the seed of Grace. Grace is the seed that produces eternal life. Long before Christ's arrival, Satan attempted to thwart God's plan for humanity. If you look back at the fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden, you will see the cunning deception of Satan. From that time until now this Satan continues to spread seeds of deceit and discord.
Spiritually speaking both Jesus and Satan are still sowing seeds today. Jesus is still spreading the seeds of the gospel of grace. And Satan is still spreading deception and evil. The good seed produces eternal life. The seed sown by the enemy produces deception, destruction, death, and damnation! If you like to learn more, please join us in our worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
Last week we meditated on the parable of seeds and the soil, which helped us to understand how the people hear the good news of God’s word. In this week's gospel reading St. Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43 Jesus told another simple parable to illustrate the truth about the Judgment Day. This story is designed to be familiar to people who depended on agriculture for a living. A farmer planted good wheat seeds in a field. But under cover of night, an enemy came in and planted weeds. At first no one noticed. There was a common weed in Palestine called bearded darnel, which was a common curse of farmers.
The weed in its early stages looked just like wheat. But when both had "headed out" or produced seeds, the two could be distinguished by color. Then the darnel had to be separated from the good grain because its seeds were poisonous. The farm workers came to the owner and asked, "Do you want us to pull the weeds?" the owner said "No”, If you try to pull the weeds, you might damage the good plant in the process. Let the weeds be there, at the time of harvest we will separate the two."
First the enemy is real, in verse 25, Jesus says, "An enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat." In verse 39 Jesus tells us plainly that the enemy is the devil. Some modern Christians consider themselves too sophisticated to believe in a devil. And surely, we all know that there is no creature with horns and a pitchfork. But the Bible declares that there is an intelligent, active unspiritual presence in this world always opposing God, which is believed to be the satan. This Satan and his followers were angels who rebelled against the rule of God and were cast out of heaven. Satan tries to connect with the original sin in all of us, attempting to separate us from God and make this world resemble hell.
The second truth declared is that God is patient, compassionate and kind. In Jesus' parable, the owner of the farm does not clean out the weeds right away. God is amazingly forbearing with us the sinners. Listen to this word from II Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (NIV). God will never allow someone to be condemned to hell unjustly or undeservedly. And God gives to most people many chances to repent of sin and claim Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior.
Third, it is God who judges in the end. No person in this world is authorized to compose a list of those who are going to hell. It is perfectly proper to say out of love, "If you reject the gracious offer of Christ, you will spend all eternity apart from God." That is a truthful, loving statement. Jesus came to this earth and sowed the seed of Grace. Grace is the seed that produces eternal life. Long before Christ's arrival, Satan attempted to thwart God's plan for humanity. If you look back at the fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden, you will see the cunning deception of Satan. From that time until now this Satan continues to spread seeds of deceit and discord.
Spiritually speaking both Jesus and Satan are still sowing seeds today. Jesus is still spreading the seeds of the gospel of grace. And Satan is still spreading deception and evil. The good seed produces eternal life. The seed sown by the enemy produces deception, destruction, death, and damnation! If you like to learn more, please join us in our worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
July 12, 2026 A HOUSE DIVIDED
Our gospel passage for this Sunday is from St. Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23. We read that Jesus spoke in parables to reveal the truth to those who believed in Him and understand His teaching about the kingdom of God.
First, let’s consider the elements of this parable. Jesus tells a story about a Sower, seed, and four types of soil.
The Sower is the one who proclaims the gospel, the word of the kingdom. Jesus Himself constantly sowed the mess
The Seed Jesus clearly teaches that the seed is “the word of the kingdom” The four types of soil are: First like the wayside, sometimes we allow the Word no room at all in our lives to grow. Second, like stony places, we sometimes have flashes of enthusiasm in receiving the Word that quickly burn out. Third, like the soil among thorns, the scares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches are constantly threatening to choke out God’s Word and our fruitfulness. Lastly Jesus speaks about the good ground, the Word bears fruit in our lives.
It is the seed that produced the fruit. Someone had to sow the seed, and the soil had to receive the seed, but God did the work of making it grow. You see the progression, one who hears the word, understands it, and bears fruit. What kind of fruit? It is the fruit that God produces in us from hearing the word of God, understanding it, accepting it, and holding fast to it.
I would like to highlight the fruit of the Holy Spirit which we read in Galatians 5: 22-23, listed as love, joy, peace, patience, long suffering, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It is the fruit of righteousness, the fruit of Christlikeness. It would also include the fruit of our witness as we go out to sow the seed of the gospel in the hearts of those who are lost in this world.
If you are not producing fruit, it’s time to examine your heart. If you would like to learn more about the teaching of Jesus Christ, please join us in our worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
Our gospel passage for this Sunday is from St. Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23. We read that Jesus spoke in parables to reveal the truth to those who believed in Him and understand His teaching about the kingdom of God.
First, let’s consider the elements of this parable. Jesus tells a story about a Sower, seed, and four types of soil.
The Sower is the one who proclaims the gospel, the word of the kingdom. Jesus Himself constantly sowed the mess
The Seed Jesus clearly teaches that the seed is “the word of the kingdom” The four types of soil are: First like the wayside, sometimes we allow the Word no room at all in our lives to grow. Second, like stony places, we sometimes have flashes of enthusiasm in receiving the Word that quickly burn out. Third, like the soil among thorns, the scares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches are constantly threatening to choke out God’s Word and our fruitfulness. Lastly Jesus speaks about the good ground, the Word bears fruit in our lives.
It is the seed that produced the fruit. Someone had to sow the seed, and the soil had to receive the seed, but God did the work of making it grow. You see the progression, one who hears the word, understands it, and bears fruit. What kind of fruit? It is the fruit that God produces in us from hearing the word of God, understanding it, accepting it, and holding fast to it.
I would like to highlight the fruit of the Holy Spirit which we read in Galatians 5: 22-23, listed as love, joy, peace, patience, long suffering, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It is the fruit of righteousness, the fruit of Christlikeness. It would also include the fruit of our witness as we go out to sow the seed of the gospel in the hearts of those who are lost in this world.
If you are not producing fruit, it’s time to examine your heart. If you would like to learn more about the teaching of Jesus Christ, please join us in our worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
June 28, 2026 HOLY WELCOME
The Old Testament lesson for this Sunday is taken from Genesis 22: 1- 14. Verse one starts with "God Tested Abraham". When Abraham left his father's country leaving behind his family trusting in God that God will take care of him. Abraham had faith in God and loved God more than anything in his life. If you look at verses 1 and 2, you’ll read the command that God gives to Abraham. Then if you look at verses 3 through 14 you will see the record of Abraham's response to that command. His obedience and faithful response to that command makes him a father of faith.
God's goodness is displayed in manifold ways in this passage. God calls Abraham by name, and Abraham answers, “Here I am.” Abraham is anxious to hear what God will tell him. Maybe Abraham was thinking “What promise does God have for me now?”. “What encouraging words will God give me?” But here is the trial for Abraham's faith. God says, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love so much, and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will point out to you.” Abraham did not expect these words.
Did Abraham hear right what God wanted him to do? Each word was like a knife going deeper and deeper into Abraham’s chest, “your son . . . your only son, Isaac . . . whom you love so much.” In short, what God said was, “Abraham, go kill your son.” We may think how Abraham wished God had said, “Go sacrifice your lamb.” Abraham willingly would have parted with them by the thousands to save Isaac! But, no, God had said, “Take your son.”
We may think Abraham’s mind was filled with many agonizing questions. “Why does God want me to kill Isaac? How can this be right?” “God knows how much I love my son. Why has God asked me to do this horrible thing? This just doesn’t sound like the Lord.” “I waited for my son to be born for so many years. Sarah and I doubted that we would ever have a child together. Now that we finally have one, why does God want to take him away from us?” “What will happen to all the promises that God has given to me? God has told me that a great nation will descend from Isaac. How will this happen if he is to be killed? He is not even married yet!” “How will I ever be able to look Sarah in the face again? How will I be able to return home with the stains of Isaac’s blood on my clothes?”
I want you to notice that Abraham did not debate or argue with God, but rather he obeyed. His faith was demonstrated by the prompt obedience. Despite all these questions, Abraham rises early the next morning and saddles his donkey. He has made up his mind that he will obey the Lord and trust Him. Abraham says goodbye to Sarah only telling her that he and Isaac will be gone for a few days, he says nothing of God’s instructions. If she knew, she would try to stop him. Abraham takes with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. Then he chops wood to build a fire for a burnt offering and sets out for the place where God told him to go.
How could Abraham have continued on such a journey? Abraham knew that God had promised that Isaac would be his heir and Abraham believed that God would fulfill these promises despite the bewildering command to sacrifice Isaac. We know that Abraham expected this because he said to his servants, "We will worship, and we will come back to you." He was fully convinced that Isaac would return with him. His words demonstrated his faith.
If God is calling you to do something today, then do it today. It may be witnessing to someone, tithing, beginning a ministry for which you feel unprepared and ill equipped, testifying in church, asking you to help someone, to include someone in your prayer list, call a friend or a family member not been in contact for a long time or any other uncomfortable things that we are not willing to do. Do not say to yourself, “I will wait for a better time.” The key to Abraham’s kind of faith is the willingness to listen to God. A willingness to look at the question, and put God and His faithfulness down as my answer. If you would like to strengthen your faith journey please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
The Old Testament lesson for this Sunday is taken from Genesis 22: 1- 14. Verse one starts with "God Tested Abraham". When Abraham left his father's country leaving behind his family trusting in God that God will take care of him. Abraham had faith in God and loved God more than anything in his life. If you look at verses 1 and 2, you’ll read the command that God gives to Abraham. Then if you look at verses 3 through 14 you will see the record of Abraham's response to that command. His obedience and faithful response to that command makes him a father of faith.
God's goodness is displayed in manifold ways in this passage. God calls Abraham by name, and Abraham answers, “Here I am.” Abraham is anxious to hear what God will tell him. Maybe Abraham was thinking “What promise does God have for me now?”. “What encouraging words will God give me?” But here is the trial for Abraham's faith. God says, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love so much, and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will point out to you.” Abraham did not expect these words.
Did Abraham hear right what God wanted him to do? Each word was like a knife going deeper and deeper into Abraham’s chest, “your son . . . your only son, Isaac . . . whom you love so much.” In short, what God said was, “Abraham, go kill your son.” We may think how Abraham wished God had said, “Go sacrifice your lamb.” Abraham willingly would have parted with them by the thousands to save Isaac! But, no, God had said, “Take your son.”
We may think Abraham’s mind was filled with many agonizing questions. “Why does God want me to kill Isaac? How can this be right?” “God knows how much I love my son. Why has God asked me to do this horrible thing? This just doesn’t sound like the Lord.” “I waited for my son to be born for so many years. Sarah and I doubted that we would ever have a child together. Now that we finally have one, why does God want to take him away from us?” “What will happen to all the promises that God has given to me? God has told me that a great nation will descend from Isaac. How will this happen if he is to be killed? He is not even married yet!” “How will I ever be able to look Sarah in the face again? How will I be able to return home with the stains of Isaac’s blood on my clothes?”
I want you to notice that Abraham did not debate or argue with God, but rather he obeyed. His faith was demonstrated by the prompt obedience. Despite all these questions, Abraham rises early the next morning and saddles his donkey. He has made up his mind that he will obey the Lord and trust Him. Abraham says goodbye to Sarah only telling her that he and Isaac will be gone for a few days, he says nothing of God’s instructions. If she knew, she would try to stop him. Abraham takes with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. Then he chops wood to build a fire for a burnt offering and sets out for the place where God told him to go.
How could Abraham have continued on such a journey? Abraham knew that God had promised that Isaac would be his heir and Abraham believed that God would fulfill these promises despite the bewildering command to sacrifice Isaac. We know that Abraham expected this because he said to his servants, "We will worship, and we will come back to you." He was fully convinced that Isaac would return with him. His words demonstrated his faith.
If God is calling you to do something today, then do it today. It may be witnessing to someone, tithing, beginning a ministry for which you feel unprepared and ill equipped, testifying in church, asking you to help someone, to include someone in your prayer list, call a friend or a family member not been in contact for a long time or any other uncomfortable things that we are not willing to do. Do not say to yourself, “I will wait for a better time.” The key to Abraham’s kind of faith is the willingness to listen to God. A willingness to look at the question, and put God and His faithfulness down as my answer. If you would like to strengthen your faith journey please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
June 28, 2026 DARING DISCIPLESHIP
Happy Father's Day!
The Gospel reading for this Sunday, St. Matthew 10: 24-39, is a reminder to know how much God cares for us. God’s promise of care and concern for his people extends from the time of the Old Testament into the New Testament and even right into our own lives today. In Isaiah 43:1 we read “But now, this is what the LORD says--he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ’Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." We take our theme for this Sunday from the words of Jesus in our text: “Do Not Be Afraid”
After the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, there was a real danger to the disciples of being killed for preaching the Good News of the Kingdom of God. First Century Isralites were seen with unrest - under the yoke of Roman rule. And anyone, who threatened the delicate status quo, ran a serious risk of being put to death. And as we all know - Jesus himself was crucified for his radical message. Our greatest comfort in any fear that we might face is knowing that someone really cares. At times there can be nothing more frightening than loneliness. Whenever we know that someone who cares for us, this can make all the difference in the world.
We also live in a time of fear. The media loves to exploit the fears that our modern age seems to offer at every turn. Therefore, God’s choice is as important as ever in our lives. God’s choice is important not just for us but especially for those sitting in the darkness of fear all around us. We are reminded of God’s grace – a Father’s undeserved love for his disobedient children and God has saved us. This is so amazing! God knows everything that we go through and nothing that happens to us escapes from HIM. Even if we die, it doesn't happen apart from God. Even if we seem totally abandoned, even if our prayers do not seem to be answered, even if everything seems hopeless, God knows and God cares, so we can stop being afraid
Fear is “the oldest and strongest emotion of humankind.” Fear can box us in and hold us captive. It is something which strikes not only our lives but our faith journey as well. Fear seems to be a part of our human experience. You don't get far into the story of God’s Word until you see fear raising its ugly head. Adam and Eve have sinned, and God comes in the cool of the evening for His daily walk with them and He couldn’t find them. When God asks, “Where were you?” Adam’s response was, “I was afraid!”
There is a relationship between the fall of humanity and the fear of humanity. There is a relationship between the fear which often grips our lives and the sin. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus was in a fearful situation. The religious leaders had been growing in their concern about Jesus that his popularity among the masses was too great and that the religious leaders feared that they would lose their position of power, authority and influence.
The same is often true in our lives, especially in these times of uncertainty. Fear is a key issue in our everyday lives: “When I go for my annual test, what will the doctor find in this test? Will I be okay after surgery? Will I have enough money to get to the end of the month? Will I be able to retire?” There are many fears, and we call them by many names: worry, tension, anxiety, or stress. One study looked at 500 different people and found that among them they had 1800 different fears. And it doesn’t help that we live in a culture of fear. The fear of disease, the fear of war, the fear of terrorism, fear of crime, and the list just goes on and on. But Jesus said do not be afraid, we have to believe and follow Jesus Christ. If you would like to know more about how to overcome the fear of your life, please join us in our worship on Sundays at 11:00 A.M.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
Happy Father's Day!
The Gospel reading for this Sunday, St. Matthew 10: 24-39, is a reminder to know how much God cares for us. God’s promise of care and concern for his people extends from the time of the Old Testament into the New Testament and even right into our own lives today. In Isaiah 43:1 we read “But now, this is what the LORD says--he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ’Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." We take our theme for this Sunday from the words of Jesus in our text: “Do Not Be Afraid”
After the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, there was a real danger to the disciples of being killed for preaching the Good News of the Kingdom of God. First Century Isralites were seen with unrest - under the yoke of Roman rule. And anyone, who threatened the delicate status quo, ran a serious risk of being put to death. And as we all know - Jesus himself was crucified for his radical message. Our greatest comfort in any fear that we might face is knowing that someone really cares. At times there can be nothing more frightening than loneliness. Whenever we know that someone who cares for us, this can make all the difference in the world.
We also live in a time of fear. The media loves to exploit the fears that our modern age seems to offer at every turn. Therefore, God’s choice is as important as ever in our lives. God’s choice is important not just for us but especially for those sitting in the darkness of fear all around us. We are reminded of God’s grace – a Father’s undeserved love for his disobedient children and God has saved us. This is so amazing! God knows everything that we go through and nothing that happens to us escapes from HIM. Even if we die, it doesn't happen apart from God. Even if we seem totally abandoned, even if our prayers do not seem to be answered, even if everything seems hopeless, God knows and God cares, so we can stop being afraid
Fear is “the oldest and strongest emotion of humankind.” Fear can box us in and hold us captive. It is something which strikes not only our lives but our faith journey as well. Fear seems to be a part of our human experience. You don't get far into the story of God’s Word until you see fear raising its ugly head. Adam and Eve have sinned, and God comes in the cool of the evening for His daily walk with them and He couldn’t find them. When God asks, “Where were you?” Adam’s response was, “I was afraid!”
There is a relationship between the fall of humanity and the fear of humanity. There is a relationship between the fear which often grips our lives and the sin. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus was in a fearful situation. The religious leaders had been growing in their concern about Jesus that his popularity among the masses was too great and that the religious leaders feared that they would lose their position of power, authority and influence.
The same is often true in our lives, especially in these times of uncertainty. Fear is a key issue in our everyday lives: “When I go for my annual test, what will the doctor find in this test? Will I be okay after surgery? Will I have enough money to get to the end of the month? Will I be able to retire?” There are many fears, and we call them by many names: worry, tension, anxiety, or stress. One study looked at 500 different people and found that among them they had 1800 different fears. And it doesn’t help that we live in a culture of fear. The fear of disease, the fear of war, the fear of terrorism, fear of crime, and the list just goes on and on. But Jesus said do not be afraid, we have to believe and follow Jesus Christ. If you would like to know more about how to overcome the fear of your life, please join us in our worship on Sundays at 11:00 A.M.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
June 14, 2026 Sarah Laughed
The gospel passage for this Sunday is from St. Matthews 9: 35 - 10: 8, Jesus talks about the mission and ministry of the call. After instructing the disciples to pray that laborers would be sent forth into the harvest, Jesus commissioned them for service in the harvest. Jesus said, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Having called the disciples to follow him and to establish the Kingdom of God, and empowering them for ministry, Jesus gave a mandate for them to engage in ministry.
Jesus sent forth the twelve disciples. We have read through the gospel that these men had traveled with Jesus for a while, they had witnessed the miracles Jesus performed and heard the message He preached. The disciples had observed how Jesus was engaged in his daily ministry. Jesus had been grooming these men, preparing them to engage in ministry themselves. The time had now come for them to go out and labor in the harvest.
The church was given the Great Commission just prior to Jesus’ ascending into heaven back to the Father. We have received the mandate, and if we are to be obedient to Jesus Christ, we must engage in ministry. We have the thinking that engaging the lost and sharing the Gospel is reserved only for the pastor or those in leadership positions within the church. While everyone is expected to labor in the harvest, this work is not reserved for pastors and leaders of the church. It comes to you if you are sure you are saved by grace, part of the church and the body of Christ, you too have been called to labor in the harvest.
Jesus sent forth these twelve disciples , and commanded them, saying, “Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not”. Jesus was very specific in what He expected the disciples to do as they engaged those around them. At this moment in time, they were not to go into areas that were primarily Gentile, nor were they to go unto the Samaritans. The time would come for these to hear the Gospel, but at this moment, Jesus instructed them to avoid those areas and people.
The Urgency is you go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Jesus instructed the disciples to proclaim the Kingdom was at hand at that moment. Christ had come and He was in their midst. The time to receive Him as their Messiah. There was no need to look for anothr – Christ had come to redeem mankind. The disciples must preach with urgency, encouraging people to respond to their message. There was no time to waste; the hearers must respond to the message and believe Jesus was the Christ. If you want to believe in Jesus Christ please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
The gospel passage for this Sunday is from St. Matthews 9: 35 - 10: 8, Jesus talks about the mission and ministry of the call. After instructing the disciples to pray that laborers would be sent forth into the harvest, Jesus commissioned them for service in the harvest. Jesus said, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Having called the disciples to follow him and to establish the Kingdom of God, and empowering them for ministry, Jesus gave a mandate for them to engage in ministry.
Jesus sent forth the twelve disciples. We have read through the gospel that these men had traveled with Jesus for a while, they had witnessed the miracles Jesus performed and heard the message He preached. The disciples had observed how Jesus was engaged in his daily ministry. Jesus had been grooming these men, preparing them to engage in ministry themselves. The time had now come for them to go out and labor in the harvest.
The church was given the Great Commission just prior to Jesus’ ascending into heaven back to the Father. We have received the mandate, and if we are to be obedient to Jesus Christ, we must engage in ministry. We have the thinking that engaging the lost and sharing the Gospel is reserved only for the pastor or those in leadership positions within the church. While everyone is expected to labor in the harvest, this work is not reserved for pastors and leaders of the church. It comes to you if you are sure you are saved by grace, part of the church and the body of Christ, you too have been called to labor in the harvest.
Jesus sent forth these twelve disciples , and commanded them, saying, “Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not”. Jesus was very specific in what He expected the disciples to do as they engaged those around them. At this moment in time, they were not to go into areas that were primarily Gentile, nor were they to go unto the Samaritans. The time would come for these to hear the Gospel, but at this moment, Jesus instructed them to avoid those areas and people.
The Urgency is you go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Jesus instructed the disciples to proclaim the Kingdom was at hand at that moment. Christ had come and He was in their midst. The time to receive Him as their Messiah. There was no need to look for anothr – Christ had come to redeem mankind. The disciples must preach with urgency, encouraging people to respond to their message. There was no time to waste; the hearers must respond to the message and believe Jesus was the Christ. If you want to believe in Jesus Christ please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
June 7,2026 THE CALL OF ABRAM
In our first reading for this Sunday from Genesis 12:1-9, we learn about God's Call to Abraham and Listen to what God said: "The Lord told Abram, LEAVE your country, your relatives, and your father’s house, and GO to the land that I will show you. I will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless you and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you." Abram chose to leave his kindred and the place of birth and make God as his source of his life. “When God Calls - Choose to Obey”.
At the age of 21 when I left my home after my college graduation, and moved to another city, it was scary to be out on my own. To be 100 miles away from home, to say goodbye to my parents and siblings was not easy. It took almost 5 to 7 years for me to settle down in my life. I can imagine for Abram, it must have been a hard step, but obeying God's call led him to walk into the Blessed Life. Every good and perfect gift comes from God. Abraham was told that he would have to make this move in his life that would take him out of familiarity into the unknown. Abram believed and trusted God is going to be his source of blessing. God is the root cause for all Abraham’s greatness.
The Call to Abram was something very important. God was telling Abram to leave behind everything that he has known up to that point: the security, the family, the friends and the clan, to go to a place that God would lead him. And notice, God left the destination vague, He was saying, "Abram, leave it all behind; come follow me and I will bless you." How do you think that you will respond? I suspect that most of us would struggle with this type of call.
God is a Lord of promises. God gave a great promise to Abram which we continue from generation to generation. The emphasis is on what God would do far more than on what Abraham was expecting to attempt. There was a triple fulfillment of the promise. Abram’s step is our step too, we must believe what God has said He will do if we follow His Word. You will not have a blessed life following your own agenda. You may attain some success by the world’s standards, but you will not have the true riches of divine blessings and the grace of Jesus Christ.
To Abram God has made a great and wonderful promise. He promised Abram that he would become a great nation and that all the families of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3). In truth, the earth would be given to him as his inheritance. Now that the promise came to Abraham because of faith that he had in God. It did not come because he piled up merit by doing works of the law. It was the outgoing of God’s generous grace in answer to Abram’s absolute faith. The promise was dependent on two things, that is “Free grace of God” and “the perfect faith of Abraham”.
The promise was partially fulfilled in Abraham’s day and continues throughout the period of the Old Testament. The second is the promise that was fully portrayed in the life of Jesus Christ. Third, the promise also will be perfectly fulfilled at the end of the age. Fourth, this promise is now being fulfilled as Jesus Christ builds His church. We must understand the grounds upon which missions rest otherwise we will tend to give in to the hostile, indifferent or incorrect views that people have about the great commission. These four steps will be the key to a Blessed Life.
I am sure Abram had his discouraging days, and sometimes complained that the valley was too low, or the mountain was too high, or the journey was too long, he was human. But he never stopped believing in his destiny, that God promised, He was able to fulfill. Abraham was a blessing to his family. God didn’t just make him the father of children, but the father of the nation. If you would like to learn more about the call of God, please join us in our Sunday worship at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
In our first reading for this Sunday from Genesis 12:1-9, we learn about God's Call to Abraham and Listen to what God said: "The Lord told Abram, LEAVE your country, your relatives, and your father’s house, and GO to the land that I will show you. I will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless you and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you." Abram chose to leave his kindred and the place of birth and make God as his source of his life. “When God Calls - Choose to Obey”.
At the age of 21 when I left my home after my college graduation, and moved to another city, it was scary to be out on my own. To be 100 miles away from home, to say goodbye to my parents and siblings was not easy. It took almost 5 to 7 years for me to settle down in my life. I can imagine for Abram, it must have been a hard step, but obeying God's call led him to walk into the Blessed Life. Every good and perfect gift comes from God. Abraham was told that he would have to make this move in his life that would take him out of familiarity into the unknown. Abram believed and trusted God is going to be his source of blessing. God is the root cause for all Abraham’s greatness.
The Call to Abram was something very important. God was telling Abram to leave behind everything that he has known up to that point: the security, the family, the friends and the clan, to go to a place that God would lead him. And notice, God left the destination vague, He was saying, "Abram, leave it all behind; come follow me and I will bless you." How do you think that you will respond? I suspect that most of us would struggle with this type of call.
God is a Lord of promises. God gave a great promise to Abram which we continue from generation to generation. The emphasis is on what God would do far more than on what Abraham was expecting to attempt. There was a triple fulfillment of the promise. Abram’s step is our step too, we must believe what God has said He will do if we follow His Word. You will not have a blessed life following your own agenda. You may attain some success by the world’s standards, but you will not have the true riches of divine blessings and the grace of Jesus Christ.
To Abram God has made a great and wonderful promise. He promised Abram that he would become a great nation and that all the families of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3). In truth, the earth would be given to him as his inheritance. Now that the promise came to Abraham because of faith that he had in God. It did not come because he piled up merit by doing works of the law. It was the outgoing of God’s generous grace in answer to Abram’s absolute faith. The promise was dependent on two things, that is “Free grace of God” and “the perfect faith of Abraham”.
The promise was partially fulfilled in Abraham’s day and continues throughout the period of the Old Testament. The second is the promise that was fully portrayed in the life of Jesus Christ. Third, the promise also will be perfectly fulfilled at the end of the age. Fourth, this promise is now being fulfilled as Jesus Christ builds His church. We must understand the grounds upon which missions rest otherwise we will tend to give in to the hostile, indifferent or incorrect views that people have about the great commission. These four steps will be the key to a Blessed Life.
I am sure Abram had his discouraging days, and sometimes complained that the valley was too low, or the mountain was too high, or the journey was too long, he was human. But he never stopped believing in his destiny, that God promised, He was able to fulfill. Abraham was a blessing to his family. God didn’t just make him the father of children, but the father of the nation. If you would like to learn more about the call of God, please join us in our Sunday worship at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
May 31, 2026 THIS IS GOOD
This Sunday is called the Trinity Sunday, and we are confronted with the mystery of the Holy Trinity. The Trinity is a foundation doctrine of the scripture and our Christian faith. At times some of us find it difficult to understand and believe completely the concept of Trinity. Today we will be meditating on the mystery of the Trinity: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Perhaps it would help us to overcome our confusion if we can say that our God is a triune-God: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
There is only one God and Three persons as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three are God. We can enter the nature of God through the Father, or the Son, or the Holy Spirit. This is the threefold nature of God into which we are baptized. Jesus’ final direction to his church, from our gospel reading. St. Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, o20. teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” If we were so baptized, then we need to know what this Trinitarian formula means and implies.
In the story of creation, God said as we read in Genesis 1: 26, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." Who is this God who creates continuously? The popular notion is that God the Father is the creator. We get this idea from the traditional division of the Apostles’ Creed or the Nicene Creed, which is divided into three parts. The articles/creed deal with God the Father as creator, God the Son as redeemer, and God the Holy Spirit as sanctifier. These three constitute the Trinity, which we are celebrating today. God is one but manifests himself in three persons.
In God there is plurality. Thus, our text quotes God as "us" and "our." "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." If God is one, why does he use the plural in referring to himself? Many Biblical Scholars are of the opinion that "us" refers to the three persons of the Trinity. In today’s first Lesson we read about God the Father - "God created." In the next verse, we learn that the Spirit participates in the creation - "The Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters." It is not the whole story, then, to confine the creation only to God, but to the triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
God the Spirit created the church for our continuing creation, and the Spirit works in and through the church for our continuing creation. It is like pulling a log out of a fire; it soon burns out and the fire dies. There is no such thing as a solitary Christian. The church is a "communion of saints." By the Spirit, the church was created that second-creation individuals can be mutually sustained and strengthened. The Spirit is a centripetal force that draws and gathers individual Christians into a close-knit fellowship where the continuing creation can take place. In this fellowship, they find support and inspiration for growth into maturity. This means, therefore, that the church is no human organization. If you like to learn more, please join us in our Sunday worship at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
This Sunday is called the Trinity Sunday, and we are confronted with the mystery of the Holy Trinity. The Trinity is a foundation doctrine of the scripture and our Christian faith. At times some of us find it difficult to understand and believe completely the concept of Trinity. Today we will be meditating on the mystery of the Trinity: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Perhaps it would help us to overcome our confusion if we can say that our God is a triune-God: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
There is only one God and Three persons as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three are God. We can enter the nature of God through the Father, or the Son, or the Holy Spirit. This is the threefold nature of God into which we are baptized. Jesus’ final direction to his church, from our gospel reading. St. Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, o20. teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” If we were so baptized, then we need to know what this Trinitarian formula means and implies.
In the story of creation, God said as we read in Genesis 1: 26, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." Who is this God who creates continuously? The popular notion is that God the Father is the creator. We get this idea from the traditional division of the Apostles’ Creed or the Nicene Creed, which is divided into three parts. The articles/creed deal with God the Father as creator, God the Son as redeemer, and God the Holy Spirit as sanctifier. These three constitute the Trinity, which we are celebrating today. God is one but manifests himself in three persons.
In God there is plurality. Thus, our text quotes God as "us" and "our." "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." If God is one, why does he use the plural in referring to himself? Many Biblical Scholars are of the opinion that "us" refers to the three persons of the Trinity. In today’s first Lesson we read about God the Father - "God created." In the next verse, we learn that the Spirit participates in the creation - "The Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters." It is not the whole story, then, to confine the creation only to God, but to the triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
God the Spirit created the church for our continuing creation, and the Spirit works in and through the church for our continuing creation. It is like pulling a log out of a fire; it soon burns out and the fire dies. There is no such thing as a solitary Christian. The church is a "communion of saints." By the Spirit, the church was created that second-creation individuals can be mutually sustained and strengthened. The Spirit is a centripetal force that draws and gathers individual Christians into a close-knit fellowship where the continuing creation can take place. In this fellowship, they find support and inspiration for growth into maturity. This means, therefore, that the church is no human organization. If you like to learn more, please join us in our Sunday worship at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
May 24, 2026 GATHERED AND SCATTERED
This Sunday the church celebrates Pentecost. It was now 50 days since Passover, and it was the custom of the Jewish community to celebrate two important things during this time: “The first fruits of the Harvest (The Harvest of the Weeks) and the giving of the Law”. For the christians Pentecost is the story of the Holy Spirit breathing movement into the life of the disciples. During this time of the year, we also celebrate the birth of church. The history and development of the church is guided by the Holy Spirit.
After Jesus' ascension the disciples had gathered in Jerusalem. Jesus had instructed them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the gift that the Father had promised. As the disciples waited, the disciples found themselves surrounded by travelers from all over the world. The Jews had come back home to participate in this agricultural and religious Festival. Some had come from Europe, some from Asia, and some from Africa. Many different nationalities and languages could be seen in the marketplaces.
The Gift that the Father had promised came like a mighty rushing wind and flames of fire on the disciples who were filled with and engulfed by the Holy Spirit. They began to speak to everyone about what Jesus had done. Peter said we all are witnesses of this fact that Jesus exalted to the right hand of God has poured out the Holy Spirit upon us. Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus who you crucified, both Lord and Christ. Today, we cannot duplicate the exact events of Acts. That was a one-time event in the life of the church. We may not be able to duplicate the exact event, but we can duplicate a few things that occurred on that day, and the church needs to duplicate if we are to reach people for Christ.
The first thing we need is passion and desire. The disciples had passion and desire and expected something to happen to them as promised by Jesus Christ. They wanted to reach the world for Christ. It is a desire for Pentecost to stay alive and for others to repent of their sins and be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The second is that the church must have power: The church needs people with passion. But if we are to reach people for Christ, we also need power. At Pentecost the disciples were given the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. They were given power. It is hard sometimes to relate to Christ. Too often, we fear, we get the misconception that when the disciples received the Holy Spirit, they became spiritual supermen. Nothing could be further from the truth that these men had far less talent, creativity, resources, and education than the people sitting in the church council meetings. What they did have was determination and faith in Jesus Christ. It was this motivation that thrust these dozen men out into the world with a message of redemption and by the end of the first century over a half million people had been brought under the Christian banner.
One sure way is not to experience the power of the Holy Spirit is to isolate ourselves. Someone once said “There is no Christianity without the communion of the believers. There is no love without family. There is no power without Pentecost”. How about us? Have you experienced the power of the Holy Spirit? Have you ever experienced the reality of Christ? If you would like to know more about the gift of the Holy Spirit, please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
This Sunday the church celebrates Pentecost. It was now 50 days since Passover, and it was the custom of the Jewish community to celebrate two important things during this time: “The first fruits of the Harvest (The Harvest of the Weeks) and the giving of the Law”. For the christians Pentecost is the story of the Holy Spirit breathing movement into the life of the disciples. During this time of the year, we also celebrate the birth of church. The history and development of the church is guided by the Holy Spirit.
After Jesus' ascension the disciples had gathered in Jerusalem. Jesus had instructed them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the gift that the Father had promised. As the disciples waited, the disciples found themselves surrounded by travelers from all over the world. The Jews had come back home to participate in this agricultural and religious Festival. Some had come from Europe, some from Asia, and some from Africa. Many different nationalities and languages could be seen in the marketplaces.
The Gift that the Father had promised came like a mighty rushing wind and flames of fire on the disciples who were filled with and engulfed by the Holy Spirit. They began to speak to everyone about what Jesus had done. Peter said we all are witnesses of this fact that Jesus exalted to the right hand of God has poured out the Holy Spirit upon us. Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus who you crucified, both Lord and Christ. Today, we cannot duplicate the exact events of Acts. That was a one-time event in the life of the church. We may not be able to duplicate the exact event, but we can duplicate a few things that occurred on that day, and the church needs to duplicate if we are to reach people for Christ.
The first thing we need is passion and desire. The disciples had passion and desire and expected something to happen to them as promised by Jesus Christ. They wanted to reach the world for Christ. It is a desire for Pentecost to stay alive and for others to repent of their sins and be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The second is that the church must have power: The church needs people with passion. But if we are to reach people for Christ, we also need power. At Pentecost the disciples were given the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. They were given power. It is hard sometimes to relate to Christ. Too often, we fear, we get the misconception that when the disciples received the Holy Spirit, they became spiritual supermen. Nothing could be further from the truth that these men had far less talent, creativity, resources, and education than the people sitting in the church council meetings. What they did have was determination and faith in Jesus Christ. It was this motivation that thrust these dozen men out into the world with a message of redemption and by the end of the first century over a half million people had been brought under the Christian banner.
One sure way is not to experience the power of the Holy Spirit is to isolate ourselves. Someone once said “There is no Christianity without the communion of the believers. There is no love without family. There is no power without Pentecost”. How about us? Have you experienced the power of the Holy Spirit? Have you ever experienced the reality of Christ? If you would like to know more about the gift of the Holy Spirit, please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
May 17, 2026 SPIRIT OF WITNESS
The first reading for this Sunday is from Acts 1: 6 -14, in verse 8 we read “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samar′ia and to the end of the earth” (RSV). This verse is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. Jesus advises his disciples what they got to do at the time of the arrival and receiving of the Holy Spirit. Jesus wants his disciples to be witness at their home, in their community, in their country and to the entire world. Jesus advises not only disciples but also us that we should be witnesses when we receive the Holy Spirit. On Thursday the May 14, the church remembered and celebrated the ascension of Jesus Christ after 40 days of his resurrection.
When Jesus ascended and disappeared, the disciples knew they were still connected to Him. At the very moment the disciples felt they needed Jesus when he disappeared into the clouds. But they knew they were still connected to God. They knew that Jesus may have gone away physically, but he was still with them. This sense of God's presence with the disciples gave them a great feeling of confidence and boldness. The disciples didn't really know what the future held, but they were convinced that they still had a relationship with the one who held their future.
We need to stop staring into the sky for Jesus to return! We need to stop making the things of this world the center of our lives and attention. We need to stop thinking about the decorations of heaven. As children of God, we have joy in this world that the people of the world cannot fathom. By Jesus dying on Cross, we are released from the bondage to sin. We are released from the guilt of sin. We are released from the wages of sin and the wage of sin is spiritual, eternal death.
When Jesus ascended and disappeared, the Disciples were bound together in faith. I think it is important to notice that not only did the disciples feel a link to Jesus after the ascension, but they also felt a bond of faith with one another. During the three years they had traveled together as the disciples of Jesus. They were bound together in faith because of their love and commitment to be the witnesses of Jesus Christ throughout the world. Well, Jesus may have disappeared into the clouds, but we can still feel him connecting on the strings to our lives. We may not be able to see him, but we are still linked to him. God is present with us. God is in our lives. God is still connected to us through his love for us in Jesus Christ.
The greatness of this church is that we are bound together in faith with men and women who dared to take the risk and become involved in the mission of helping the poor, frightened, and marginalised. As a Church we ought to be bound together in the faith and mission of Jesus Christ in this world. When Jesus assessed and disappeared, the disciples were in a spirit of anticipation.
In Luke gospel we read two men in white garments said to the disciples, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking up at the sky? This Jesus who was taken from you into heaven will come back in the same way." After the ascension, the disciples could look at the future in a different way. Instead of fear and doubt controlling their lives, they could look at the future with the anticipation of his coming again. They knew Jesus was coming back. They knew Jesus had not forsaken them. They knew they were not alone.
The Holy Spirit is necessary in our Christian walk. The Holy Spirit is the power source that drives us in our daily walk. It’s also the Holy Spirit that convicts us of our sins, and it is Him that draws unbelievers to Christ. If you would like to know more about how the Spirit of Witness works please join us in our Sunday worship at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10701
The first reading for this Sunday is from Acts 1: 6 -14, in verse 8 we read “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samar′ia and to the end of the earth” (RSV). This verse is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. Jesus advises his disciples what they got to do at the time of the arrival and receiving of the Holy Spirit. Jesus wants his disciples to be witness at their home, in their community, in their country and to the entire world. Jesus advises not only disciples but also us that we should be witnesses when we receive the Holy Spirit. On Thursday the May 14, the church remembered and celebrated the ascension of Jesus Christ after 40 days of his resurrection.
When Jesus ascended and disappeared, the disciples knew they were still connected to Him. At the very moment the disciples felt they needed Jesus when he disappeared into the clouds. But they knew they were still connected to God. They knew that Jesus may have gone away physically, but he was still with them. This sense of God's presence with the disciples gave them a great feeling of confidence and boldness. The disciples didn't really know what the future held, but they were convinced that they still had a relationship with the one who held their future.
We need to stop staring into the sky for Jesus to return! We need to stop making the things of this world the center of our lives and attention. We need to stop thinking about the decorations of heaven. As children of God, we have joy in this world that the people of the world cannot fathom. By Jesus dying on Cross, we are released from the bondage to sin. We are released from the guilt of sin. We are released from the wages of sin and the wage of sin is spiritual, eternal death.
When Jesus ascended and disappeared, the Disciples were bound together in faith. I think it is important to notice that not only did the disciples feel a link to Jesus after the ascension, but they also felt a bond of faith with one another. During the three years they had traveled together as the disciples of Jesus. They were bound together in faith because of their love and commitment to be the witnesses of Jesus Christ throughout the world. Well, Jesus may have disappeared into the clouds, but we can still feel him connecting on the strings to our lives. We may not be able to see him, but we are still linked to him. God is present with us. God is in our lives. God is still connected to us through his love for us in Jesus Christ.
The greatness of this church is that we are bound together in faith with men and women who dared to take the risk and become involved in the mission of helping the poor, frightened, and marginalised. As a Church we ought to be bound together in the faith and mission of Jesus Christ in this world. When Jesus assessed and disappeared, the disciples were in a spirit of anticipation.
In Luke gospel we read two men in white garments said to the disciples, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking up at the sky? This Jesus who was taken from you into heaven will come back in the same way." After the ascension, the disciples could look at the future in a different way. Instead of fear and doubt controlling their lives, they could look at the future with the anticipation of his coming again. They knew Jesus was coming back. They knew Jesus had not forsaken them. They knew they were not alone.
The Holy Spirit is necessary in our Christian walk. The Holy Spirit is the power source that drives us in our daily walk. It’s also the Holy Spirit that convicts us of our sins, and it is Him that draws unbelievers to Christ. If you would like to know more about how the Spirit of Witness works please join us in our Sunday worship at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10701
May 10, 2026 WITNESS OF LOVE
Happy Mother’s Day:
I wish all the women Happy Mother’s Day; God bless you all. Whether you are a biological mother, God mother or any woman who has rendered the services of a mother in one way or another, I thank God for all of you. I also thank God for my grandmother, mother, aunt, older sisters, and my wife for their care and love for our family and especially for me.
It seems to me that there are two issues that many Christians face today and Jesus addresses these issues in our gospel passage St. John 14:15-21. The first is the question as to how we are rating ourselves as a Christian. In other words, are we good enough for God to be happy with us? Are we good enough that God would listen to our prayers? The second question has to do with how we know what is the right thing to do. Or How we decide what to do or say at any moment.
Jesus was still in the middle of his farewell discourse to his disciples. He was trying to comfort the despair that the disciples were feeling when they first heard the news (during the last supper) that Jesus would be leaving them. Last week we saw how John chapter 14 begins with the disciples being faced with the problem of Jesus addressing his death. Jesus has just told them that he’s about to leave them, then he says these words to reassure them: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.” These words are clearly meant as words of comfort, but you can imagine some of the disciples thinking differently and worried about what’s going to happen in the next few months when Jesus isn’t here to help us and guide us.
For almost more than three years, the disciples hardly had done a thing without Jesus being there to direct them, or to correct them. Now they’re going to be on their own. It’s like the first time you are allowed to take a car out for a drive by yourself; or imagine how a pilot feels when they are sent up to fly solo for the first time. The instructor is not there anymore and everything depends on them.
Jesus gives the disciples more reassurance. “If You Love Me.” The first reassurance Jesus gives them comes from a true statement: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Notice this is not a conditional statement so much as a statement of where they are with him. Those who are worried about how they rate as Christians might well read this as a test. Whoever keeps my commandments loves me [Jesus], and such a person will be loved by the Father. Is Jesus suggesting here that God only loves us if we keep his commandments? If so, we are all in a lot of trouble. The Bible itself teaches us as Paul writes to Romans 3: 23 that "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. None of us seems to keep the commandments sufficiently to earn God's love. It is as if Jesus’s resurrection on Easter hasn't changed a thing. We seem still to be obligated to fulfill God's law, and we are powerless to do what the law of God commands.
Thank God, though, that things have changed because of Easter. Jesus talks about the gift of the Holy Spirit that he is giving his followers (John 14:16-18). But what good will that do us? How has the gift of the Holy Spirit made us different from the old selfish sinners we have always been? The Holy Spirit is given to all who love Jesus Christ, to empower us for his work, to teach us all things, and to give us a real and lasting peace in the knowledge that Jesus has overcome the world. How do you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? By being one who loves Jesus Christ.
We need to ask God, that the Holy Spirit would be present in each of our lives in a real way; that we would recognize His presence and draw great comfort and peace as we enjoy being part of God’s own family. If you would like to learn more about the Holy Spirit, please join us on Sunday in our worship at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
Happy Mother’s Day:
I wish all the women Happy Mother’s Day; God bless you all. Whether you are a biological mother, God mother or any woman who has rendered the services of a mother in one way or another, I thank God for all of you. I also thank God for my grandmother, mother, aunt, older sisters, and my wife for their care and love for our family and especially for me.
It seems to me that there are two issues that many Christians face today and Jesus addresses these issues in our gospel passage St. John 14:15-21. The first is the question as to how we are rating ourselves as a Christian. In other words, are we good enough for God to be happy with us? Are we good enough that God would listen to our prayers? The second question has to do with how we know what is the right thing to do. Or How we decide what to do or say at any moment.
Jesus was still in the middle of his farewell discourse to his disciples. He was trying to comfort the despair that the disciples were feeling when they first heard the news (during the last supper) that Jesus would be leaving them. Last week we saw how John chapter 14 begins with the disciples being faced with the problem of Jesus addressing his death. Jesus has just told them that he’s about to leave them, then he says these words to reassure them: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.” These words are clearly meant as words of comfort, but you can imagine some of the disciples thinking differently and worried about what’s going to happen in the next few months when Jesus isn’t here to help us and guide us.
For almost more than three years, the disciples hardly had done a thing without Jesus being there to direct them, or to correct them. Now they’re going to be on their own. It’s like the first time you are allowed to take a car out for a drive by yourself; or imagine how a pilot feels when they are sent up to fly solo for the first time. The instructor is not there anymore and everything depends on them.
Jesus gives the disciples more reassurance. “If You Love Me.” The first reassurance Jesus gives them comes from a true statement: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Notice this is not a conditional statement so much as a statement of where they are with him. Those who are worried about how they rate as Christians might well read this as a test. Whoever keeps my commandments loves me [Jesus], and such a person will be loved by the Father. Is Jesus suggesting here that God only loves us if we keep his commandments? If so, we are all in a lot of trouble. The Bible itself teaches us as Paul writes to Romans 3: 23 that "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. None of us seems to keep the commandments sufficiently to earn God's love. It is as if Jesus’s resurrection on Easter hasn't changed a thing. We seem still to be obligated to fulfill God's law, and we are powerless to do what the law of God commands.
Thank God, though, that things have changed because of Easter. Jesus talks about the gift of the Holy Spirit that he is giving his followers (John 14:16-18). But what good will that do us? How has the gift of the Holy Spirit made us different from the old selfish sinners we have always been? The Holy Spirit is given to all who love Jesus Christ, to empower us for his work, to teach us all things, and to give us a real and lasting peace in the knowledge that Jesus has overcome the world. How do you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? By being one who loves Jesus Christ.
We need to ask God, that the Holy Spirit would be present in each of our lives in a real way; that we would recognize His presence and draw great comfort and peace as we enjoy being part of God’s own family. If you would like to learn more about the Holy Spirit, please join us on Sunday in our worship at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
May 3, 2026 ENDURING WITNESS
In our Gospel passage for this Sunday, St. John 14: 1-10, the disciples of Jesus ask a series of questions in response to their anxiety about his announcement that the end of his life is near. We read Jesus and His disciples in the upper room where they will have the Passover meal together. Jesus knew exactly what the next few hours would bring. Jesus knew Judas would betray Him. Jesus knew that He would be arrested. Jesus knew about the trials and the beatings. He knew that He would die on the cross. Considering all these things Jesus is preparing His disciples for what they were about to endure, so Jesus began to comfort them.
In this life we face many trials like some people losing their jobs. Some have physical problems or sudden diagnosis of cancer or terminal illness. Many others are lonely and depressed. We experience all kinds of troubles and turmoil. Jesus says that part of the solution to a troubled heart is to have trust. Jesus tells His disciples to trust in 3 things. The first thing that Jesus is telling us this morning is to trust in His Presence. In verse 1, we read "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me". To communicate His love, God did not send an angel or speak through a prophet. God sent His only son Jesus to come and live with us. The fact is that Jesus came to us. Jesus gave us His presence. When He left, he gave us two extensions of His presence, the Holy Spirit which lives inside us and the church which is around us.
All of us seem to have a much easier time trusting in things that we can see and touch. It is the things we cannot see often that we have the hardest time trusting. The Bible teaches us that the things we can see are only temporary. All of it will one day be gone. The automobile in which you rode to church today is temporary. This building, the pews on which you are sitting, are all temporary. All are subject to decay. All of this will someday be gone. We need to learn to trust even when we do not see the substance of our faith. This is especially difficult when things do not seem to be going according to plans.
The key to calming our fears, conquering our anxiety, says Jesus, lies in believing in God, believing that, no matter what the current circumstances of our lives may be, God has a place for us in the kingdom, a place prepared for us by Jesus himself. The disciples heard Jesus say that, and it is recorded in the Bible. But I still think some folks in the church don’t believe in him even today. Some of us are still confused and unclear about exactly what Jesus was trying to say.
Sometimes we are more keenly aware of God’s presence. At other times, we feel as if God must be a million miles away. In either case, the ultimate question we must ask ourselves is, "Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of the Living God?" And if your response is "Yes," then go on living in hope because there is a place for you in the kingdom of God, a place prepared for you by Jesus himself. But I have yet another question for you this morning, what if the place Jesus has prepared for you is the place where you are right now? If you would like to learn more about how to trust in Jesus' presence, 2. Jesus promises and 3. Jesus' Path to journey with him, please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
In our Gospel passage for this Sunday, St. John 14: 1-10, the disciples of Jesus ask a series of questions in response to their anxiety about his announcement that the end of his life is near. We read Jesus and His disciples in the upper room where they will have the Passover meal together. Jesus knew exactly what the next few hours would bring. Jesus knew Judas would betray Him. Jesus knew that He would be arrested. Jesus knew about the trials and the beatings. He knew that He would die on the cross. Considering all these things Jesus is preparing His disciples for what they were about to endure, so Jesus began to comfort them.
In this life we face many trials like some people losing their jobs. Some have physical problems or sudden diagnosis of cancer or terminal illness. Many others are lonely and depressed. We experience all kinds of troubles and turmoil. Jesus says that part of the solution to a troubled heart is to have trust. Jesus tells His disciples to trust in 3 things. The first thing that Jesus is telling us this morning is to trust in His Presence. In verse 1, we read "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me". To communicate His love, God did not send an angel or speak through a prophet. God sent His only son Jesus to come and live with us. The fact is that Jesus came to us. Jesus gave us His presence. When He left, he gave us two extensions of His presence, the Holy Spirit which lives inside us and the church which is around us.
All of us seem to have a much easier time trusting in things that we can see and touch. It is the things we cannot see often that we have the hardest time trusting. The Bible teaches us that the things we can see are only temporary. All of it will one day be gone. The automobile in which you rode to church today is temporary. This building, the pews on which you are sitting, are all temporary. All are subject to decay. All of this will someday be gone. We need to learn to trust even when we do not see the substance of our faith. This is especially difficult when things do not seem to be going according to plans.
The key to calming our fears, conquering our anxiety, says Jesus, lies in believing in God, believing that, no matter what the current circumstances of our lives may be, God has a place for us in the kingdom, a place prepared for us by Jesus himself. The disciples heard Jesus say that, and it is recorded in the Bible. But I still think some folks in the church don’t believe in him even today. Some of us are still confused and unclear about exactly what Jesus was trying to say.
Sometimes we are more keenly aware of God’s presence. At other times, we feel as if God must be a million miles away. In either case, the ultimate question we must ask ourselves is, "Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of the Living God?" And if your response is "Yes," then go on living in hope because there is a place for you in the kingdom of God, a place prepared for you by Jesus himself. But I have yet another question for you this morning, what if the place Jesus has prepared for you is the place where you are right now? If you would like to learn more about how to trust in Jesus' presence, 2. Jesus promises and 3. Jesus' Path to journey with him, please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
April 26, 2026 POWERFUL WITNESS
As Christians, we are a community of faith in Christ , where we can minister and also to be ministered by others, we need each other. Therefore, as Christians, the community of faith, we need to have priority in our lives. St. John uses many images in his Gospel, but my favorite one is that of Jesus as a shepherd. Like a shepherd, Jesus is concerned with the welfare and the care of His sheep. Two caretakers are mentioned in the gospel passage for this Sunday St. John 10: 1-10, the Good Shepherd, and the hired hand. The shepherd loves his sheep, he will risk his life or give his life to save the sheep. Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd. He didn’t call himself a King. Jesus called himself like: I am the light, I am the way, the truth and life, I am the living water, I am the shepherd. The term “I am the shepherd” really stands out in my mind. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. We depend on God for everything and just as a shepherd watches over his sheep, so does God watch over His children.
The good shepherd is the owner of the sheep. He has a special relationship with them. Most owners didn’t own a lot of sheep. A flock of 100 was huge. Most flocks were no larger than 10-20. Sheep were like valued pets. The good shepherd knows everything about his sheep. All the sheep in a flock will look alike to the untrained eye. But for a good shepherd, can easily identify them by their peculiar traits. The Shepherds, in order to know their sheep and care for them, must live among them and he must be close to them. Jesus came from heaven to earth to be close to His sheep. The Good Shepherd became a sheep, took on our nature, and lived a life just like us (except without sin). That’s why Jesus is the good Shepherd. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows the peculiar traits of His flock and watches over them with love and concern.
Even though flocks may mingle together, each flock knew its own shepherd’s voice, and each sheep would follow its own shepherd and no other. Jesus said "My sheep know my voice. John in his gospel writes in chapter 10, that Jesus, describes a sheep pen. It had only one door. When the sheep returned to the fold at night after a day of grazing in the green pastures, the shepherd stood in the doorway and inspected each one with tender care as the sheep entered. If a sheep was scratched or wounded by thorns, the shepherd would anoint it with oil to facilitate healing. If they were thirsty, he gave them water. After all the sheep are brought into the pen, the shepherd would lay across the doorway so no intruder or wild animals could enter. The shepherd thus became the door. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who protects and sustains the life of the sheep.
As we get to know Jesus better, we understand that he is not driving us forward with sheepdogs or sticks, but he is leading us. Jesus tells us to put God first, and the gospels record Jesus rising early in the morning to pray to his Father. Jesus tells us to love our neighbor, and the gospels record him loving and forgiving and healing all those around him. If you would like to know more about Jesus being your Shepherd, please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
As Christians, we are a community of faith in Christ , where we can minister and also to be ministered by others, we need each other. Therefore, as Christians, the community of faith, we need to have priority in our lives. St. John uses many images in his Gospel, but my favorite one is that of Jesus as a shepherd. Like a shepherd, Jesus is concerned with the welfare and the care of His sheep. Two caretakers are mentioned in the gospel passage for this Sunday St. John 10: 1-10, the Good Shepherd, and the hired hand. The shepherd loves his sheep, he will risk his life or give his life to save the sheep. Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd. He didn’t call himself a King. Jesus called himself like: I am the light, I am the way, the truth and life, I am the living water, I am the shepherd. The term “I am the shepherd” really stands out in my mind. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. We depend on God for everything and just as a shepherd watches over his sheep, so does God watch over His children.
The good shepherd is the owner of the sheep. He has a special relationship with them. Most owners didn’t own a lot of sheep. A flock of 100 was huge. Most flocks were no larger than 10-20. Sheep were like valued pets. The good shepherd knows everything about his sheep. All the sheep in a flock will look alike to the untrained eye. But for a good shepherd, can easily identify them by their peculiar traits. The Shepherds, in order to know their sheep and care for them, must live among them and he must be close to them. Jesus came from heaven to earth to be close to His sheep. The Good Shepherd became a sheep, took on our nature, and lived a life just like us (except without sin). That’s why Jesus is the good Shepherd. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows the peculiar traits of His flock and watches over them with love and concern.
Even though flocks may mingle together, each flock knew its own shepherd’s voice, and each sheep would follow its own shepherd and no other. Jesus said "My sheep know my voice. John in his gospel writes in chapter 10, that Jesus, describes a sheep pen. It had only one door. When the sheep returned to the fold at night after a day of grazing in the green pastures, the shepherd stood in the doorway and inspected each one with tender care as the sheep entered. If a sheep was scratched or wounded by thorns, the shepherd would anoint it with oil to facilitate healing. If they were thirsty, he gave them water. After all the sheep are brought into the pen, the shepherd would lay across the doorway so no intruder or wild animals could enter. The shepherd thus became the door. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who protects and sustains the life of the sheep.
As we get to know Jesus better, we understand that he is not driving us forward with sheepdogs or sticks, but he is leading us. Jesus tells us to put God first, and the gospels record Jesus rising early in the morning to pray to his Father. Jesus tells us to love our neighbor, and the gospels record him loving and forgiving and healing all those around him. If you would like to know more about Jesus being your Shepherd, please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
April 19, 2026 BREAKING BREAD
The gospel reading for this Sunday is taken from St. Luke 24:13-31, we have another beautiful story of Resurrection Day. We read in verse 13, “That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.” “That very day” is of course Sunday, the first day of the week, the day Jesus rose from the dead. But at this point the two disciples, Cleopas and his other friend whose name is not given in the gospel, were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, although many New Testament scholars are of the view of not knowing the exact location of Emmaus.
On Easter Sunday, it is almost certain in many churches the sermon is based on what happened on the Road to Emmaus. It is a story worth repeating again and again because it is at the very heart of the Gospel. It highlights the living hope found only in the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. While the two disciples were walking along, presumably late on Sunday afternoon, they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened (24:14) concerning the death, burial, and disappearance of Jesus from his tomb.
Luke writes that while these two disciples were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Jesus (24:15-16). Although Jesus was now in a glorified state (after his resurrection from the dead), it is clear that he had a body that was similar to his former human body. The two disciples walking to Emmaus thought he was just another traveler, and they did not recognize the stranger. However, their lack of recognition was a divine act, as Luke writes that their eyes were kept from recognizing Jesus.
The two disciples who had walked with Jesus on the road to Emmaus remembered how their hearts burned within them as Jesus had opened to them the scriptures. Some of our understanding comes through words; scripture, stories, hymns, liturgy and conversation. But some of our understanding comes through no words at all, just as the disciples, upon reaching Emmaus, recognized Jesus in the breaking of bread. Some of our understanding, too, comes apart from language, the sacraments, a gentle touch, and tears of regret or joy, an affirming smile, a moment of beauty.
What happens to these two disciples as they journey from Jerusalem to their home in the city of Emmaus seven miles away? A stranger, whom we know is Jesus, joins them. They can hardly bring themselves to discuss it, they are so saddened by the events of the last three days. Their friend, their master, their rabbi, the one they describe as a mighty prophet, has been unjustly condemned to death and violently killed on a cross. They say to their companion, “Are you the only person in all of Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place?” But on that first Easter day that living hope was far from being established in the experience of the two people we read of in the gospel lesson. Let’s put ourselves in their shoes as they set out on the seven-mile walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus in despair and disappointment.
It was a Heart-Breaking Experience. Have you ever noticed that some of the saddest words in the English language begin with the letter D? For example, disappointment, doubt, disillusionment, defeat, despair and death. All of these are summed up in the words of Cleopas and his companion to the stranger who joined them on the Road to Emmaus. They had left the dispirited and confused band of disciples with the events of Good Friday fresh in their memories.
The two disciples summed up the situation very neatly, "we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel." Human hope is a fragile thing, and when it withers it’s difficult to revive. Hopelessness as a disease of the human spirit is desperately hard to cure. When you see someone, you love and care for is overtaken by illness, which goes on and on, despair sets in. It almost becomes impossible to hope for recovery, to be even afraid to hope because of not being able to cope with another letdown. If you like to learn more about the experience of the Resurrected Jesus, please join us in our worship service on Sundays at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
The gospel reading for this Sunday is taken from St. Luke 24:13-31, we have another beautiful story of Resurrection Day. We read in verse 13, “That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.” “That very day” is of course Sunday, the first day of the week, the day Jesus rose from the dead. But at this point the two disciples, Cleopas and his other friend whose name is not given in the gospel, were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, although many New Testament scholars are of the view of not knowing the exact location of Emmaus.
On Easter Sunday, it is almost certain in many churches the sermon is based on what happened on the Road to Emmaus. It is a story worth repeating again and again because it is at the very heart of the Gospel. It highlights the living hope found only in the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. While the two disciples were walking along, presumably late on Sunday afternoon, they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened (24:14) concerning the death, burial, and disappearance of Jesus from his tomb.
Luke writes that while these two disciples were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Jesus (24:15-16). Although Jesus was now in a glorified state (after his resurrection from the dead), it is clear that he had a body that was similar to his former human body. The two disciples walking to Emmaus thought he was just another traveler, and they did not recognize the stranger. However, their lack of recognition was a divine act, as Luke writes that their eyes were kept from recognizing Jesus.
The two disciples who had walked with Jesus on the road to Emmaus remembered how their hearts burned within them as Jesus had opened to them the scriptures. Some of our understanding comes through words; scripture, stories, hymns, liturgy and conversation. But some of our understanding comes through no words at all, just as the disciples, upon reaching Emmaus, recognized Jesus in the breaking of bread. Some of our understanding, too, comes apart from language, the sacraments, a gentle touch, and tears of regret or joy, an affirming smile, a moment of beauty.
What happens to these two disciples as they journey from Jerusalem to their home in the city of Emmaus seven miles away? A stranger, whom we know is Jesus, joins them. They can hardly bring themselves to discuss it, they are so saddened by the events of the last three days. Their friend, their master, their rabbi, the one they describe as a mighty prophet, has been unjustly condemned to death and violently killed on a cross. They say to their companion, “Are you the only person in all of Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place?” But on that first Easter day that living hope was far from being established in the experience of the two people we read of in the gospel lesson. Let’s put ourselves in their shoes as they set out on the seven-mile walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus in despair and disappointment.
It was a Heart-Breaking Experience. Have you ever noticed that some of the saddest words in the English language begin with the letter D? For example, disappointment, doubt, disillusionment, defeat, despair and death. All of these are summed up in the words of Cleopas and his companion to the stranger who joined them on the Road to Emmaus. They had left the dispirited and confused band of disciples with the events of Good Friday fresh in their memories.
The two disciples summed up the situation very neatly, "we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel." Human hope is a fragile thing, and when it withers it’s difficult to revive. Hopelessness as a disease of the human spirit is desperately hard to cure. When you see someone, you love and care for is overtaken by illness, which goes on and on, despair sets in. It almost becomes impossible to hope for recovery, to be even afraid to hope because of not being able to cope with another letdown. If you like to learn more about the experience of the Resurrected Jesus, please join us in our worship service on Sundays at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
April 12, 2026 HOLY LANGUAGE
The gospel reading for the Second Sunday after Easter is St. John 20:19-31, in which we read Jesus greets his disciples after His Resurrection, “Peace be with you”. Peace be with you was a common greeting and probably Jesus had spoken to them many times. But in this situation, it was more than a greeting. It was a message! Jesus suddenly appeared in the room when all the doors were locked. The disciples had already been afraid over what the Jewish religious leaders might do to them. That’s why the doors were locked, suddenly Jesus appeared, and they were afraid. Jesus calms their fears and tells them “Peace be with you.” Peace was certainly something they needed.
In 2 Timothy 1:1 we read, “God has not given us the spirit of fear but of love and of power and of a sound mind.” For the last few days fear has tormented these disciples by their thoughts and imaginations. Have you ever been fearful of what might happen next in your life? In recent months I have had a few times when I would suddenly feel my gut tighten with fear. I couldn’t even associate it with an event. But I did know where it was coming from. But I get strength from the verse “God has not given us the spirit of fear...” The Prince of Peace has come to the disciples, and they are afraid. He is the very one who can calm all their fears.
The disciples had to recollect what Jesus said, in John 14:27 we read “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”. But here they are very afraid. He proves to them that he is not a spirit, nor a ghost. He shows them his hands and side. They see clearly that this is indeed the resurrected Christ, at that moment of revelation their fears are gone, their sorrow is turned to joy and their hopes are revived.
It is so amazing how the presence of Jesus can turn our world around? The disciples awakening to His presence is what turned their world around. Are you aware of His presence in your life today? Are you mindful of Him as you go through your daily duties in your life? We may discover more peace in our lives if we learn to nurture our awareness of Jesus's presence. The more we partner with Him during the day, the more we commune with Him in our spirit, the more we depend upon Him for guidance and strength, the more conscious we become of His presence with us. Jesus says to the disciples, “Peace be with you.” That is a powerful revelation of His heart toward us.
Jesus had a close connection with the twelve disciples for three years. He had cared for them and taught them. When the disciples found themselves perishing in a sea storm, Jesus came and rescued them. The disciples had told Jesus how much they loved Him and would even die for Him. But then when the pressure got on, they wouldn’t even pray with Jesus. Jesus asked them to pray with Him but instead they slept. When the authorities came to arrest Jesus, He made sure they were safe and not arrested. Jesus was about to be brutally beaten and crucified. One of the disciples betrayed him. One other disciple openly denies even knowing him as Jesus foretold. All other disciples have run away and left him to deal with the problem alone. How would you feel about friends like that? In spite of the desecration of the disciples, after Jesus victory over the death his first words of greetings to the disciples are, “Peace be with you.” If you would like to know more about what is the peace that Jesus is giving us, please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
The gospel reading for the Second Sunday after Easter is St. John 20:19-31, in which we read Jesus greets his disciples after His Resurrection, “Peace be with you”. Peace be with you was a common greeting and probably Jesus had spoken to them many times. But in this situation, it was more than a greeting. It was a message! Jesus suddenly appeared in the room when all the doors were locked. The disciples had already been afraid over what the Jewish religious leaders might do to them. That’s why the doors were locked, suddenly Jesus appeared, and they were afraid. Jesus calms their fears and tells them “Peace be with you.” Peace was certainly something they needed.
In 2 Timothy 1:1 we read, “God has not given us the spirit of fear but of love and of power and of a sound mind.” For the last few days fear has tormented these disciples by their thoughts and imaginations. Have you ever been fearful of what might happen next in your life? In recent months I have had a few times when I would suddenly feel my gut tighten with fear. I couldn’t even associate it with an event. But I did know where it was coming from. But I get strength from the verse “God has not given us the spirit of fear...” The Prince of Peace has come to the disciples, and they are afraid. He is the very one who can calm all their fears.
The disciples had to recollect what Jesus said, in John 14:27 we read “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”. But here they are very afraid. He proves to them that he is not a spirit, nor a ghost. He shows them his hands and side. They see clearly that this is indeed the resurrected Christ, at that moment of revelation their fears are gone, their sorrow is turned to joy and their hopes are revived.
It is so amazing how the presence of Jesus can turn our world around? The disciples awakening to His presence is what turned their world around. Are you aware of His presence in your life today? Are you mindful of Him as you go through your daily duties in your life? We may discover more peace in our lives if we learn to nurture our awareness of Jesus's presence. The more we partner with Him during the day, the more we commune with Him in our spirit, the more we depend upon Him for guidance and strength, the more conscious we become of His presence with us. Jesus says to the disciples, “Peace be with you.” That is a powerful revelation of His heart toward us.
Jesus had a close connection with the twelve disciples for three years. He had cared for them and taught them. When the disciples found themselves perishing in a sea storm, Jesus came and rescued them. The disciples had told Jesus how much they loved Him and would even die for Him. But then when the pressure got on, they wouldn’t even pray with Jesus. Jesus asked them to pray with Him but instead they slept. When the authorities came to arrest Jesus, He made sure they were safe and not arrested. Jesus was about to be brutally beaten and crucified. One of the disciples betrayed him. One other disciple openly denies even knowing him as Jesus foretold. All other disciples have run away and left him to deal with the problem alone. How would you feel about friends like that? In spite of the desecration of the disciples, after Jesus victory over the death his first words of greetings to the disciples are, “Peace be with you.” If you would like to know more about what is the peace that Jesus is giving us, please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
April 5, 2026 A REFLECTION UPON THE GOSPEL: Follow the Christ
Happy Easter! CHRIST IS RISEN
Lent is over, 40 days of our anxious waiting for the celebration and rejoicing of Jesus Resurrection is here on this Easter Sunday. The story of Easter continues. Jesus died on the cross in order for our sins to be forgiven but Easter didn't stop there. After Jesus' crucifixion, He turned the world upside down with what He did three days later. Three days later, the stone was rolled away and Jesus came out of that tomb, telling us that if we would accept his sacrifice and death for our sin, and believe that God had raised Him from the dead, we would be saved and would spend eternity with him. Jesus conquered death and He promises that we also can conquer death.
We all still live in fear! Fear for everything that we come across or face in our life. The gospel reading for this Easter Sunday is taken from St. Matthew 28:1-10, we learn that the first Easter people, the women, were filled with fear as they reached the tomb of Jesus and they saw the stone was rolled. In verses 5 & 6 the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay” the Angel said “He has been raised". Mary Magdalene and the other Mary had not really heard what the angel said, preoccupied as they were with other things.
And, we must do as Jesus says. If you want to live beyond fear, you must do what Jesus says to do, you must be involved in what He wants you to do, and you must go where He calls you to go. When the women met the risen Lord, He was quick to give them instructions: Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers” and remember, Jesus also said I am with you always, to the end of the age. Choosing to follow Jesus is not always easy. It means that you have to be truly sorry for your sins and be willing to change your life so that you don’t constantly repeat those sins. I know that some of us are thinking that means that I might have to give up some things that I like to do. That may very well be true. But let me assure you that is only because God wants you to experience a more joyful, abundant life that is full of hope.
Jesus is alive. Follow Him! Trust Him! To those who trust Him, He gives power to become his disciples. The moment is now. This is your time. I encourage you all to live beyond fear. Pope John Paul II Said “Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people, and hallelujah is our song.”
Gregory of Nazianzus of A.D 381 wrote:
Jesus began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life.
Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water.
Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest.
Jesus paid tribute, yet He is the King.
Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons.
Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears.
Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world.
Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd.
Jesus died, yet by His death He destroyed the power of death.
We all need Easter, the day we celebrate God's greatest miracle of Jesus Resurrection. Believe, rejoice, and respond in faith. Christ the Lord is Risen! Christ the Lord is Risen indeed! Amen
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
Happy Easter! CHRIST IS RISEN
Lent is over, 40 days of our anxious waiting for the celebration and rejoicing of Jesus Resurrection is here on this Easter Sunday. The story of Easter continues. Jesus died on the cross in order for our sins to be forgiven but Easter didn't stop there. After Jesus' crucifixion, He turned the world upside down with what He did three days later. Three days later, the stone was rolled away and Jesus came out of that tomb, telling us that if we would accept his sacrifice and death for our sin, and believe that God had raised Him from the dead, we would be saved and would spend eternity with him. Jesus conquered death and He promises that we also can conquer death.
We all still live in fear! Fear for everything that we come across or face in our life. The gospel reading for this Easter Sunday is taken from St. Matthew 28:1-10, we learn that the first Easter people, the women, were filled with fear as they reached the tomb of Jesus and they saw the stone was rolled. In verses 5 & 6 the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay” the Angel said “He has been raised". Mary Magdalene and the other Mary had not really heard what the angel said, preoccupied as they were with other things.
And, we must do as Jesus says. If you want to live beyond fear, you must do what Jesus says to do, you must be involved in what He wants you to do, and you must go where He calls you to go. When the women met the risen Lord, He was quick to give them instructions: Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers” and remember, Jesus also said I am with you always, to the end of the age. Choosing to follow Jesus is not always easy. It means that you have to be truly sorry for your sins and be willing to change your life so that you don’t constantly repeat those sins. I know that some of us are thinking that means that I might have to give up some things that I like to do. That may very well be true. But let me assure you that is only because God wants you to experience a more joyful, abundant life that is full of hope.
Jesus is alive. Follow Him! Trust Him! To those who trust Him, He gives power to become his disciples. The moment is now. This is your time. I encourage you all to live beyond fear. Pope John Paul II Said “Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people, and hallelujah is our song.”
Gregory of Nazianzus of A.D 381 wrote:
Jesus began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life.
Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water.
Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest.
Jesus paid tribute, yet He is the King.
Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons.
Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears.
Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world.
Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd.
Jesus died, yet by His death He destroyed the power of death.
We all need Easter, the day we celebrate God's greatest miracle of Jesus Resurrection. Believe, rejoice, and respond in faith. Christ the Lord is Risen! Christ the Lord is Risen indeed! Amen
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
March 29, 2026 ROAD TO JERUSALEM
The celebration of Palm Sunday has always been a bittersweet moment in the life of the Church: Symbolically the palm branch represented victory, triumph and peace, but the cries of the people on that Palm Sunday Jesus Parade missed the distinct kind of victory and peace which the Messiah alone would bring, namely, peace with God through the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus' entry to Jerusalem. If we ask people to describe life in general, most will say it is a path or a road or a journey. The reason is simple, life is like a journey. It’s a voyage from one experience to the next, from one tribulation to triumph and back again. For Christians it’s a journey from birth to death and beyond.
The church calendar is set aside this Sunday for a special journey down the road of our Savior’s life. We will travel in a specific street today because we are in a special weekend in the annual celebration cycle of the Christian church. We can call today’s street “The Pathway of Palm Sunday”. As we walk with our Savior we can see that this is: “A Familiar Road” and “A Unique Journey”.
A Familiar Road: It was a familiar road the disciples found themselves on that first Palm Sunday. It was the road to Jerusalem and they had walked it many times before. They knew, as they reached the town of Bethany, they would soon turn round the Mount of Olives, and see the city of Jerusalem suddenly sprawl out before them. They had traveled this way with Jesus before. They would again come to the city, which, at this time, would be swelling with millions of people all over the world ready to celebrate the Passover.
Jesus knew the road as well. He had traveled there before, from very young to now. Mary and Joseph brought him to Jerusalem for the feast every year. It was a magnificent road, a wonderful road to the pilgrims who traveled it. It was especially breathtaking, when, after not seeing the city for the whole journey, you came around that mountain, you would see the temple glistening in the afternoon sunlight, and you would see the magnificent, towering gates; you’d remember the great history of it all: how King David first took that parcel of land as God’s city, and how Solomon first built a glorious temple there. Then you’d recall years of sorrow, when it lay in ruin during seventy years of captivity, until Nehemiah rebuilt its walls.
A Unique Journey: We learn more as we travel this pathway this morning. As we walk the pathway of Palm Sunday we realize that all of us walk down a road in our life. Each path may be a bit different, and although we know the roads of our lives, Jesus knows the journey- we don’t. Let me repeat that: We may know the roads, but Jesus knows the journey. And it’s really HIS journey; it’s his journey into our hearts, and into the hearts and lives of others. It’s a matter of his Kingdom coming to our lives.
At the heart of Palm Sunday is a path. It’s the path our humble Savior rode on a donkey in majesty, and lowly pomp, as he went on to suffer and die for our sins. It’s about the path Christ humbly rides into our hearts today through His Word. Let’s share that Word daily, and remember that our roads, our journeys, really aren’t just about us. They are about Christ Jesus, and his salvation. Our lives are about his Kingdom- his rule in our hearts and in the hearts of others through faith. You may not be the main character of your life, but you and I and all believers are the ones who benefit from Christ’s work and from his journeys. Ride on, Jesus, be with us always on your journey to save!
Today as we look at “The Road to Jerusalem” our attention will be drawn to two things, first it was a road that had to be traveled and second, it was a road that would change mankind for all eternity. This road has led Jesus Christ to the mount Calvary. The crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ was the complete payment for the sins of the world. No other sacrifice was sufficient and no other sacrifice was required. And according to the scriptures he laid down his life that all might live.
When Paul writes to Galatians 2:20, we read “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”. Remember in order to save the world from their sins, in order to save you and me, from our sins, Jesus must first walk down “The Road to Jerusalem”. If you would like to learn more of Jesus' Journey please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
The celebration of Palm Sunday has always been a bittersweet moment in the life of the Church: Symbolically the palm branch represented victory, triumph and peace, but the cries of the people on that Palm Sunday Jesus Parade missed the distinct kind of victory and peace which the Messiah alone would bring, namely, peace with God through the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus' entry to Jerusalem. If we ask people to describe life in general, most will say it is a path or a road or a journey. The reason is simple, life is like a journey. It’s a voyage from one experience to the next, from one tribulation to triumph and back again. For Christians it’s a journey from birth to death and beyond.
The church calendar is set aside this Sunday for a special journey down the road of our Savior’s life. We will travel in a specific street today because we are in a special weekend in the annual celebration cycle of the Christian church. We can call today’s street “The Pathway of Palm Sunday”. As we walk with our Savior we can see that this is: “A Familiar Road” and “A Unique Journey”.
A Familiar Road: It was a familiar road the disciples found themselves on that first Palm Sunday. It was the road to Jerusalem and they had walked it many times before. They knew, as they reached the town of Bethany, they would soon turn round the Mount of Olives, and see the city of Jerusalem suddenly sprawl out before them. They had traveled this way with Jesus before. They would again come to the city, which, at this time, would be swelling with millions of people all over the world ready to celebrate the Passover.
Jesus knew the road as well. He had traveled there before, from very young to now. Mary and Joseph brought him to Jerusalem for the feast every year. It was a magnificent road, a wonderful road to the pilgrims who traveled it. It was especially breathtaking, when, after not seeing the city for the whole journey, you came around that mountain, you would see the temple glistening in the afternoon sunlight, and you would see the magnificent, towering gates; you’d remember the great history of it all: how King David first took that parcel of land as God’s city, and how Solomon first built a glorious temple there. Then you’d recall years of sorrow, when it lay in ruin during seventy years of captivity, until Nehemiah rebuilt its walls.
A Unique Journey: We learn more as we travel this pathway this morning. As we walk the pathway of Palm Sunday we realize that all of us walk down a road in our life. Each path may be a bit different, and although we know the roads of our lives, Jesus knows the journey- we don’t. Let me repeat that: We may know the roads, but Jesus knows the journey. And it’s really HIS journey; it’s his journey into our hearts, and into the hearts and lives of others. It’s a matter of his Kingdom coming to our lives.
At the heart of Palm Sunday is a path. It’s the path our humble Savior rode on a donkey in majesty, and lowly pomp, as he went on to suffer and die for our sins. It’s about the path Christ humbly rides into our hearts today through His Word. Let’s share that Word daily, and remember that our roads, our journeys, really aren’t just about us. They are about Christ Jesus, and his salvation. Our lives are about his Kingdom- his rule in our hearts and in the hearts of others through faith. You may not be the main character of your life, but you and I and all believers are the ones who benefit from Christ’s work and from his journeys. Ride on, Jesus, be with us always on your journey to save!
Today as we look at “The Road to Jerusalem” our attention will be drawn to two things, first it was a road that had to be traveled and second, it was a road that would change mankind for all eternity. This road has led Jesus Christ to the mount Calvary. The crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ was the complete payment for the sins of the world. No other sacrifice was sufficient and no other sacrifice was required. And according to the scriptures he laid down his life that all might live.
When Paul writes to Galatians 2:20, we read “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”. Remember in order to save the world from their sins, in order to save you and me, from our sins, Jesus must first walk down “The Road to Jerusalem”. If you would like to learn more of Jesus' Journey please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
March 22, 2026 BREATH OF HOPE
This Sunday we will be learning from John chapter 11, which explains to us Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Chapters eleven and twelve, form a distinct unit in the overall structure of the John gospel. In this section Lazarus is raised from the dead, causing the Sanhedrin to condemn Jesus to death. The first half of the John gospel is called “the Book of Signs. John records seven signs in the first half of his gospel.
Jesus and Lazarus were friends and the sisters of Lazarus, Mary and Martha thought Jesus should know of his illness. Jesus’ subsequent failure to drop everything and go to visit Lazarus is not because of indifference. He has a greater purpose in mind. This illness is for the glory of God. Lazarus will die but will not stay dead, God’s power to give life will be made manifest. Just as God's power to bestow light became clear in our last week learning with Jesus healing of the blind man.
However, John means it on another level, in the sense that this miracle of raising Lazarus from death will lead to Jesus’ own death, which sets a stage for his ultimate glorification, hidden in the darkness of the crucifixion is the light of the resurrection. Jesus loved Martha and her sister Mary and the brother Lazarus. Here we are told Jesus has the kind of love for Lazarus and his sisters that marks Christian love, laying down one’s life for friends' love is the sacrificial love. One-way love is unconditional. This love, love in and from the eternal perspective gave Jesus’ cause to pause for a few days. Jesus' natural impulse would be to go to Lazarus. The bigger picture, his physical death would become an opportunity to do something greater, to give glory to God. Jesus would be of even more help to Lazarus when he was dead. So, Jesus waited, and put his emotional love, friendship, in second place and refrain from rushing to Lazarus.
Jesus distinguishes between a state of emergency or panic, which this situation is not, and a sense of urgency or anticipation, which reflects the attitude Christians are to have in the light of imminent death. After two days have passed, Jesus decides it is time to go to Judea, where Bethany is located, about two miles from Jerusalem. Jesus is a marked man. The authorities are on the lookout for him. Jesus is going to give life to Lazarus, at the risk of his own life, which, in turn, the giving of his life, will be a demonstration of his own conquest of death.
Jesus says Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him. To the physical eye, Lazarus will appear dead; to the spiritual eye he will be seen for what he really is, merely asleep. Jesus is not denying the physical reality, but interpreting it in the light of eternity. The disciples say to Jesus, Master, if he is asleep, will he be saved? Jesus accepts the physical fact of Lazarus’ death. Jesus rejects the notion that Lazarus is physically asleep, though he does mean that he is symbolically asleep. Jesus can now turn this sad event into an opportunity for belief on the part of his disciples. The Jews believed that the soul surely left the dead body after three days. This remark is to indicate that Lazarus was irretrievably dead, not just mistakenly sleeping. In John “Jews,” is a generic term for the religious authorities and the “authoritative” Jews, such as the Pharisees.
The important thing that attracted me most in this passage is verse 35 “Jesus wept”. When we look deep into what is happening Jesus could be moved to compassion quite easily. His friend Mary is crying. His friend Lazarus is dead. Even though Jesus knows what he is about to do, the crowd does not. Thus, part of the reason for noting Jesus’ tears is to keep the suspense mounting. And, no doubt, the other part is to teach a lesson.
Jesus wept at the death of his friend even though he would soon raise him. Christians weep at the death of their loved ones, even though they know they will be raised up as well, tears do not indicate a lack of faith. If you would like to know more about Jesus the author of our life please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 1070
This Sunday we will be learning from John chapter 11, which explains to us Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Chapters eleven and twelve, form a distinct unit in the overall structure of the John gospel. In this section Lazarus is raised from the dead, causing the Sanhedrin to condemn Jesus to death. The first half of the John gospel is called “the Book of Signs. John records seven signs in the first half of his gospel.
Jesus and Lazarus were friends and the sisters of Lazarus, Mary and Martha thought Jesus should know of his illness. Jesus’ subsequent failure to drop everything and go to visit Lazarus is not because of indifference. He has a greater purpose in mind. This illness is for the glory of God. Lazarus will die but will not stay dead, God’s power to give life will be made manifest. Just as God's power to bestow light became clear in our last week learning with Jesus healing of the blind man.
However, John means it on another level, in the sense that this miracle of raising Lazarus from death will lead to Jesus’ own death, which sets a stage for his ultimate glorification, hidden in the darkness of the crucifixion is the light of the resurrection. Jesus loved Martha and her sister Mary and the brother Lazarus. Here we are told Jesus has the kind of love for Lazarus and his sisters that marks Christian love, laying down one’s life for friends' love is the sacrificial love. One-way love is unconditional. This love, love in and from the eternal perspective gave Jesus’ cause to pause for a few days. Jesus' natural impulse would be to go to Lazarus. The bigger picture, his physical death would become an opportunity to do something greater, to give glory to God. Jesus would be of even more help to Lazarus when he was dead. So, Jesus waited, and put his emotional love, friendship, in second place and refrain from rushing to Lazarus.
Jesus distinguishes between a state of emergency or panic, which this situation is not, and a sense of urgency or anticipation, which reflects the attitude Christians are to have in the light of imminent death. After two days have passed, Jesus decides it is time to go to Judea, where Bethany is located, about two miles from Jerusalem. Jesus is a marked man. The authorities are on the lookout for him. Jesus is going to give life to Lazarus, at the risk of his own life, which, in turn, the giving of his life, will be a demonstration of his own conquest of death.
Jesus says Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him. To the physical eye, Lazarus will appear dead; to the spiritual eye he will be seen for what he really is, merely asleep. Jesus is not denying the physical reality, but interpreting it in the light of eternity. The disciples say to Jesus, Master, if he is asleep, will he be saved? Jesus accepts the physical fact of Lazarus’ death. Jesus rejects the notion that Lazarus is physically asleep, though he does mean that he is symbolically asleep. Jesus can now turn this sad event into an opportunity for belief on the part of his disciples. The Jews believed that the soul surely left the dead body after three days. This remark is to indicate that Lazarus was irretrievably dead, not just mistakenly sleeping. In John “Jews,” is a generic term for the religious authorities and the “authoritative” Jews, such as the Pharisees.
The important thing that attracted me most in this passage is verse 35 “Jesus wept”. When we look deep into what is happening Jesus could be moved to compassion quite easily. His friend Mary is crying. His friend Lazarus is dead. Even though Jesus knows what he is about to do, the crowd does not. Thus, part of the reason for noting Jesus’ tears is to keep the suspense mounting. And, no doubt, the other part is to teach a lesson.
Jesus wept at the death of his friend even though he would soon raise him. Christians weep at the death of their loved ones, even though they know they will be raised up as well, tears do not indicate a lack of faith. If you would like to know more about Jesus the author of our life please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 1070
March 15, 2026 RESTORE
The Gospel reading for this Sunday is St. John chapter 9, in which we are continuing to understand the person and work of Jesus Christ, which focuses on His deity. The purpose of John’s gospel is to show the readers, it is not just history, but it is an evangelistic discourse with a view of leading people to trust in Lord Jesus Christ as the only Savior. And as Jesus lives His life through the lens of John’s gospel, Jesus continues to demonstrate His deity, that we might believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that in believing we might have eternal life in His name.
For the past two weeks we have meditated on Jesus’s interaction with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman. Jesus is still focusing on the people as well as individuals demonstrating and declaring who He is, making statements about His identity that are supported by His power expressed in the miracles that He did. In John Chapter 9, to the very end, is basically built around one healing and to the discussion of the miracle.
Sickness, disease, deformity, and death have dominated life in the world since the fall of Adam, which is part of human history. We are all in the process of dying. We all are infected and affected by the things that are happening around us. We are familiar with sickness, familiar with disease, and familiar with deformity. All of this is part of life. We read in the beginning of the New Testament there are some miracles. One happens to Elizabeth since she has been barren all her life, she was enabled to have a baby, John the Baptist. And then, of course, Mary was given the right, and the privilege, and the power to bear a child without a father, a human father, the virgin birth. All through the Biblical history where God is acting, miracles don’t happen except on extremely rare occasions.
When Jesus reached the age of 30 and He went to a wedding in Cana, and turned water into wine, the Bible says this is the first miracle Jesus did. Throughout the three and half years of ministry of Jesus his miracles exploded in every direction. In the life and ministry of Christ, teaching and healings have happened virtually every day. These miracles were intended to demonstrate that the Messiah, the Son of God, God in human flesh, has arrived in this world.
When we read these 41 verses in the 9 chapter, we come across a few interesting words like: darkness, light, sight, and blindness. Blindness we see all over the New Testament. It was a very common experience and reality in the ancient world. Isaiah 42: 7 “to open the eyes that are blind” said that when the Messiah comes, He will open blind eyes.
John records in chapter 9, as Jesus passes by, He sees a man, blind from birth. Jesus stops to demonstrate grace, power, mercy, and compassion, and even salvation to this blind beggar. The blind man can’t see anything. He doesn’t know anything about Jesus who was coming by. But Jesus sees this blind man. The blind man has no capacity to see Jesus, who is profoundly, deeply, engulfed in his desperate blindness, and has no capability to see the Savior. Some of us are like this blind man. St. Paul in his letters talks about spiritual blindness several times. Please remember blindness also well-illustrates people’s spiritual darkness and lostness. In this world we’re lost, we’re dead, we’re blind, we know no truth, we see no Christ, and we have no God. But God sees us, comes in compassion, grace, and bestows spiritual sight. If you like to learn more about the healing power of Jesus, please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
The Gospel reading for this Sunday is St. John chapter 9, in which we are continuing to understand the person and work of Jesus Christ, which focuses on His deity. The purpose of John’s gospel is to show the readers, it is not just history, but it is an evangelistic discourse with a view of leading people to trust in Lord Jesus Christ as the only Savior. And as Jesus lives His life through the lens of John’s gospel, Jesus continues to demonstrate His deity, that we might believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that in believing we might have eternal life in His name.
For the past two weeks we have meditated on Jesus’s interaction with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman. Jesus is still focusing on the people as well as individuals demonstrating and declaring who He is, making statements about His identity that are supported by His power expressed in the miracles that He did. In John Chapter 9, to the very end, is basically built around one healing and to the discussion of the miracle.
Sickness, disease, deformity, and death have dominated life in the world since the fall of Adam, which is part of human history. We are all in the process of dying. We all are infected and affected by the things that are happening around us. We are familiar with sickness, familiar with disease, and familiar with deformity. All of this is part of life. We read in the beginning of the New Testament there are some miracles. One happens to Elizabeth since she has been barren all her life, she was enabled to have a baby, John the Baptist. And then, of course, Mary was given the right, and the privilege, and the power to bear a child without a father, a human father, the virgin birth. All through the Biblical history where God is acting, miracles don’t happen except on extremely rare occasions.
When Jesus reached the age of 30 and He went to a wedding in Cana, and turned water into wine, the Bible says this is the first miracle Jesus did. Throughout the three and half years of ministry of Jesus his miracles exploded in every direction. In the life and ministry of Christ, teaching and healings have happened virtually every day. These miracles were intended to demonstrate that the Messiah, the Son of God, God in human flesh, has arrived in this world.
When we read these 41 verses in the 9 chapter, we come across a few interesting words like: darkness, light, sight, and blindness. Blindness we see all over the New Testament. It was a very common experience and reality in the ancient world. Isaiah 42: 7 “to open the eyes that are blind” said that when the Messiah comes, He will open blind eyes.
John records in chapter 9, as Jesus passes by, He sees a man, blind from birth. Jesus stops to demonstrate grace, power, mercy, and compassion, and even salvation to this blind beggar. The blind man can’t see anything. He doesn’t know anything about Jesus who was coming by. But Jesus sees this blind man. The blind man has no capacity to see Jesus, who is profoundly, deeply, engulfed in his desperate blindness, and has no capability to see the Savior. Some of us are like this blind man. St. Paul in his letters talks about spiritual blindness several times. Please remember blindness also well-illustrates people’s spiritual darkness and lostness. In this world we’re lost, we’re dead, we’re blind, we know no truth, we see no Christ, and we have no God. But God sees us, comes in compassion, grace, and bestows spiritual sight. If you like to learn more about the healing power of Jesus, please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
March 8, 2026 THIRSTY VOICES
The gospel passage for this third Sunday in Lent is taken from St. John 4: 5- 42, which I feel is very appropriate for International Women's day. John narrates the story of Jesus and his disciples were on their way to Galilee from Judea and were passing by a village in Samaria and while the disciples went into the village to get some food Jesus sat and rested by the village well. It was while Jesus was sitting there the Samaritan woman showed up to draw water from the well. It was noon, an unusual time for a woman to come to draw the water from the well. This is her routine part of her daily existence, nothing special about the day or about what she was doing.
Mostly in the Eastern countries regardless of the status it is always the women who are responsible for getting the water for the house. We read that Samaritan women had the opportunity to interact with Jesus. An ordinary task on an ordinary day suddenly has eternal ramifications. The conversation begins when Jesus asks her for a drink of water, and that blows her away. And we pick up the story in John 4:9 the woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”
We see there were all kinds of reasons why Jesus shouldn’t have been having a conversation with her: 1) She was a Samaritan 2) She was a woman 3) She was a Samaritan woman. None of those would be the factor in today but 2000 years ago in that culture each of the reasons was a deal breaker.
And Jesus just ignores the question and jumps into a spiritual discussion with her about living water, and when she asks where she can receive the water the conversation gets a little different. Jesus told her “Go and get your husband,” the woman replied “I don’t have a husband,” Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband- for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”
It is interesting that Jesus does not equate simply living together without being married, he viewed them differently, she had been married five times but now she was simply living with a man who was not her husband. And I love what she does, she deflects the conversation. She completely ignores what Jesus has said and jumps to a completely different topic. “Sir,” the woman said, “You must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?” We are very good at changing the topic if we don’t want to deal with something true. But Jesus was cool, he was “Ok if you want to talk about worship, we can talk about worship.”
Jesus says in verses 23-24 But the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” It seems as if Jesus was trying to make a point about worship here, seeing he uses the word “worship” five times in these two verses. Now it’s interesting that the Samaritan woman wanted to talk about their preferences in worship, how come we worship at Mount Gerizim and you worship at Jerusalem? Like most of us ask how come you do it that way and I do it this way? How come you sing gospel songs and we sing old hymns?
The Samaritan woman is obviously taken back by this prophetic insight. Sir, she says, I know that one day the Messiah, the one who is called Christ, will come and he will tell us all things. Jesus answered: “I who speak to you am he.” For the first time the great messianic secret has been revealed. This is one of the most dramatic moments in Biblical history. Jesus lets his true identity be known. My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this is the moment that history has been waiting for; the hopes and fears of all the years and Jesus ushers in this glad news through this gentile woman, this outcast among a people of outcasts.
Why did Jesus choose her? We don’t know. At this point the conversation was cut short by the disciples' return. The disciples are stunned to find Jesus talking with this Samaritan woman, but we are told that they said not a thing. If you would like to know more about Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
The gospel passage for this third Sunday in Lent is taken from St. John 4: 5- 42, which I feel is very appropriate for International Women's day. John narrates the story of Jesus and his disciples were on their way to Galilee from Judea and were passing by a village in Samaria and while the disciples went into the village to get some food Jesus sat and rested by the village well. It was while Jesus was sitting there the Samaritan woman showed up to draw water from the well. It was noon, an unusual time for a woman to come to draw the water from the well. This is her routine part of her daily existence, nothing special about the day or about what she was doing.
Mostly in the Eastern countries regardless of the status it is always the women who are responsible for getting the water for the house. We read that Samaritan women had the opportunity to interact with Jesus. An ordinary task on an ordinary day suddenly has eternal ramifications. The conversation begins when Jesus asks her for a drink of water, and that blows her away. And we pick up the story in John 4:9 the woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”
We see there were all kinds of reasons why Jesus shouldn’t have been having a conversation with her: 1) She was a Samaritan 2) She was a woman 3) She was a Samaritan woman. None of those would be the factor in today but 2000 years ago in that culture each of the reasons was a deal breaker.
And Jesus just ignores the question and jumps into a spiritual discussion with her about living water, and when she asks where she can receive the water the conversation gets a little different. Jesus told her “Go and get your husband,” the woman replied “I don’t have a husband,” Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband- for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”
It is interesting that Jesus does not equate simply living together without being married, he viewed them differently, she had been married five times but now she was simply living with a man who was not her husband. And I love what she does, she deflects the conversation. She completely ignores what Jesus has said and jumps to a completely different topic. “Sir,” the woman said, “You must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?” We are very good at changing the topic if we don’t want to deal with something true. But Jesus was cool, he was “Ok if you want to talk about worship, we can talk about worship.”
Jesus says in verses 23-24 But the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” It seems as if Jesus was trying to make a point about worship here, seeing he uses the word “worship” five times in these two verses. Now it’s interesting that the Samaritan woman wanted to talk about their preferences in worship, how come we worship at Mount Gerizim and you worship at Jerusalem? Like most of us ask how come you do it that way and I do it this way? How come you sing gospel songs and we sing old hymns?
The Samaritan woman is obviously taken back by this prophetic insight. Sir, she says, I know that one day the Messiah, the one who is called Christ, will come and he will tell us all things. Jesus answered: “I who speak to you am he.” For the first time the great messianic secret has been revealed. This is one of the most dramatic moments in Biblical history. Jesus lets his true identity be known. My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this is the moment that history has been waiting for; the hopes and fears of all the years and Jesus ushers in this glad news through this gentile woman, this outcast among a people of outcasts.
Why did Jesus choose her? We don’t know. At this point the conversation was cut short by the disciples' return. The disciples are stunned to find Jesus talking with this Samaritan woman, but we are told that they said not a thing. If you would like to know more about Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
March 1, 2026 BOLD BLESSINGS
The gospel passage for the second Sunday in Lent is taken from John 3: 1-17, it narrates the story of Nicodemus. Every time I read this passage, I always felt the story of Nicodemus is a fascinating one. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin. The gospel writer mentioned Nicodemus in three places in the Gospel of John: First Nicodemus visits Jesus one night to discuss Jesus' teachings which is our gospel passage for this Sunday. The second time Nicodemus is mentioned in John 7:50-51, he reminds his colleagues in the Sanhedrin that the law requires that a person be heard before being judged. The third time Nicodemus appears in John 19:39 - 42, after the Crucifixion of Jesus to provide the customary embalming spices and assists Joseph of Arimathea in preparing the body of Jesus for burial.
In the passage we read that Nicodemus came to Jesus with a compliment and said "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him" thinking that Jesus, like most people, would be impressed by a compliment. Nicodemus came wanting to discuss theology, assuming that Jesus would be interested in a good conversation of the knowledge.
We see Jesus interrupted Nicodemus with an astounding remark, which shook his foundations: Verse 3 "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit". Jesus told Nicodemus that he must experience rebirth to inherit the kingdom of God. Rebirth into the kingdom! That raised lots of questions for Nicodemus. It raises questions for us too. "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. Jesus said that spiritual rebirth into the kingdom of God comes from water and the Spirit. Baptism and faith give rebirth. Baptism begins the process of rebirth. Faith continues that process. To help us see what is involved with this rebirth, the first is that we need to be reoriented in our understanding of rebirth.
How can we be “Reoriented to God's Kingdom”. Jesus said in verses 3 - 5: "No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again ... No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit". In other words, Jesus taught that rebirth is a matter of a total reorientation from the world to the kingdom of God. Only the kingdom of God is forever. Every other kingdom fades. Every other kingdom around which we build our lives is temporary. Jesus wants us to invest our lives in something that has lasting value, not in those things, which pass away. That's why Jesus urges us to store up treasures in heaven. That's why Jesus wants us to reorient ourselves to the kingdom of God. We are called by God to be reoriented to God's kingdom.
The kingdom of God is God's rule over us. Rebirth into God's kingdom is a matter of moving from an orientation around the things of the world to the things of God. Only what God does for us will last. Jesus said as we read in Mark 16:16 "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved". This reorientation to and preview of God's kingdom begins in baptism. We are baptized "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
In baptism we are claimed as children of God and cleansed; claimed by the Father as his sons and daughters; cleansed by God for his service and witness. In baptism we begin to know the fullness of the eternal God. Baptism is spiritual rebirth. Baptism in the name of the Trinity is the planting of the seed of the kingdom of God. This seed grows toward harvest, when it is well nourished in the church and as well at home. Baptism is the time when we were adopted as God's son or daughter. We were made as the children of the creator God by water and the Spirit when we were baptized. We enter the kingdom of God by baptism. We began the process of being reoriented to God in baptism.
This reorientation continues and matures by faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Especially during Lent, we must respond to what God has done for us by making decisions about the priority of worship, prayer, Bible study, and Christian fellowship in our lives. We must choose Christ over other options in life. After reorientation we will also learn to be Refocused and Renewed. If you would like to know more about how to be “Refocused” and how to be “Renewed” please join us in our Sunday worship at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
The gospel passage for the second Sunday in Lent is taken from John 3: 1-17, it narrates the story of Nicodemus. Every time I read this passage, I always felt the story of Nicodemus is a fascinating one. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin. The gospel writer mentioned Nicodemus in three places in the Gospel of John: First Nicodemus visits Jesus one night to discuss Jesus' teachings which is our gospel passage for this Sunday. The second time Nicodemus is mentioned in John 7:50-51, he reminds his colleagues in the Sanhedrin that the law requires that a person be heard before being judged. The third time Nicodemus appears in John 19:39 - 42, after the Crucifixion of Jesus to provide the customary embalming spices and assists Joseph of Arimathea in preparing the body of Jesus for burial.
In the passage we read that Nicodemus came to Jesus with a compliment and said "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him" thinking that Jesus, like most people, would be impressed by a compliment. Nicodemus came wanting to discuss theology, assuming that Jesus would be interested in a good conversation of the knowledge.
We see Jesus interrupted Nicodemus with an astounding remark, which shook his foundations: Verse 3 "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit". Jesus told Nicodemus that he must experience rebirth to inherit the kingdom of God. Rebirth into the kingdom! That raised lots of questions for Nicodemus. It raises questions for us too. "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. Jesus said that spiritual rebirth into the kingdom of God comes from water and the Spirit. Baptism and faith give rebirth. Baptism begins the process of rebirth. Faith continues that process. To help us see what is involved with this rebirth, the first is that we need to be reoriented in our understanding of rebirth.
How can we be “Reoriented to God's Kingdom”. Jesus said in verses 3 - 5: "No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again ... No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit". In other words, Jesus taught that rebirth is a matter of a total reorientation from the world to the kingdom of God. Only the kingdom of God is forever. Every other kingdom fades. Every other kingdom around which we build our lives is temporary. Jesus wants us to invest our lives in something that has lasting value, not in those things, which pass away. That's why Jesus urges us to store up treasures in heaven. That's why Jesus wants us to reorient ourselves to the kingdom of God. We are called by God to be reoriented to God's kingdom.
The kingdom of God is God's rule over us. Rebirth into God's kingdom is a matter of moving from an orientation around the things of the world to the things of God. Only what God does for us will last. Jesus said as we read in Mark 16:16 "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved". This reorientation to and preview of God's kingdom begins in baptism. We are baptized "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
In baptism we are claimed as children of God and cleansed; claimed by the Father as his sons and daughters; cleansed by God for his service and witness. In baptism we begin to know the fullness of the eternal God. Baptism is spiritual rebirth. Baptism in the name of the Trinity is the planting of the seed of the kingdom of God. This seed grows toward harvest, when it is well nourished in the church and as well at home. Baptism is the time when we were adopted as God's son or daughter. We were made as the children of the creator God by water and the Spirit when we were baptized. We enter the kingdom of God by baptism. We began the process of being reoriented to God in baptism.
This reorientation continues and matures by faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Especially during Lent, we must respond to what God has done for us by making decisions about the priority of worship, prayer, Bible study, and Christian fellowship in our lives. We must choose Christ over other options in life. After reorientation we will also learn to be Refocused and Renewed. If you would like to know more about how to be “Refocused” and how to be “Renewed” please join us in our Sunday worship at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
February 22, 2026 ABUBDANT GRACE
The gospel passage for the first Sunday in Lent is taken from St. Matthew 4: 1-11. I believe Matthew’s main purpose for including Jesus in the wilderness account was to affirm that Jesus Christ is the sinless Son of God, the promised Messiah. But I believe this passage also has a practical application. Jesus exposed Satan and his tactics, and Jesus defeated Satan. Because of Jesus' victory, we also can trust and believe that we will have victory over the tempter.
Many a time’s temptations come our way, and we are defeated by those temptations. The devil gets the victory over our lives. We go through temptation every hour of the day. When you look at the beginning of the gospel passage Satan assails the Son of God with 3 powerful temptations. Our challenge on the first Sunday in the Lent is to examine each of these temptations one by one. In the first temptation the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written, `Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"
Let me give you a little background to the first temptation. Now Jesus fasted and prayed for 40 days and nights, no doubt Jesus was preparing Himself spiritually for the ministry He was about to begin. Let us look at the few principles that I gleaned from the first temptation: The devil’s main purpose was to overthrow the Messiah at the outset. He knew that Jesus had come to bring salvation, and he knew that if he could get Jesus to sin, that would ruin the whole plan of salvation.
Satan may tempt you at a time of bodily weakness. Satan may also tempt you in a time of spiritual weakness. After you have missed church for several weeks, or after you have gone several days without praying and reading your Bible, you will be vulnerable to the temptations of Satan. Another prime temptation is when you seem to be strong and self-confident.
We need to understand that the temptations are tailored to the Individuals. Satan’s basis for temptation was unique to Jesus because Jesus was a unique person. Notice in verse 3 that Satan emphasizes to Jesus, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” Only recently at the baptism of Jesus, the voice came down from heaven and confirmed that Jesus is the Son of God. So, Satan uses that as the springboard for this temptation. Satan was tempting Christ to act independently of the Holy Spirit who had led Him into the wilderness. He was seeking to destroy the Son’s confidence in his Father’s will and power to sustain him. Satan is always trying to get people to doubt the love and care of God.
Satan tempted Jesus to use His power to produce instant food. That is something we are quite used to today. Put food in a microwave for a minute or two, and you have a hot meal. Or pull into the closest fast-food place, and you can get a meal quickly. And in the case of Jesus, He could turn desert stones into bread. But Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy 8:3 “that man does not live by bread alone, but that man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD”. If you like to know more about Jesus’ temptations on the first Sunday of the Lent please join us in our worship at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
The gospel passage for the first Sunday in Lent is taken from St. Matthew 4: 1-11. I believe Matthew’s main purpose for including Jesus in the wilderness account was to affirm that Jesus Christ is the sinless Son of God, the promised Messiah. But I believe this passage also has a practical application. Jesus exposed Satan and his tactics, and Jesus defeated Satan. Because of Jesus' victory, we also can trust and believe that we will have victory over the tempter.
Many a time’s temptations come our way, and we are defeated by those temptations. The devil gets the victory over our lives. We go through temptation every hour of the day. When you look at the beginning of the gospel passage Satan assails the Son of God with 3 powerful temptations. Our challenge on the first Sunday in the Lent is to examine each of these temptations one by one. In the first temptation the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written, `Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"
Let me give you a little background to the first temptation. Now Jesus fasted and prayed for 40 days and nights, no doubt Jesus was preparing Himself spiritually for the ministry He was about to begin. Let us look at the few principles that I gleaned from the first temptation: The devil’s main purpose was to overthrow the Messiah at the outset. He knew that Jesus had come to bring salvation, and he knew that if he could get Jesus to sin, that would ruin the whole plan of salvation.
Satan may tempt you at a time of bodily weakness. Satan may also tempt you in a time of spiritual weakness. After you have missed church for several weeks, or after you have gone several days without praying and reading your Bible, you will be vulnerable to the temptations of Satan. Another prime temptation is when you seem to be strong and self-confident.
We need to understand that the temptations are tailored to the Individuals. Satan’s basis for temptation was unique to Jesus because Jesus was a unique person. Notice in verse 3 that Satan emphasizes to Jesus, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” Only recently at the baptism of Jesus, the voice came down from heaven and confirmed that Jesus is the Son of God. So, Satan uses that as the springboard for this temptation. Satan was tempting Christ to act independently of the Holy Spirit who had led Him into the wilderness. He was seeking to destroy the Son’s confidence in his Father’s will and power to sustain him. Satan is always trying to get people to doubt the love and care of God.
Satan tempted Jesus to use His power to produce instant food. That is something we are quite used to today. Put food in a microwave for a minute or two, and you have a hot meal. Or pull into the closest fast-food place, and you can get a meal quickly. And in the case of Jesus, He could turn desert stones into bread. But Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy 8:3 “that man does not live by bread alone, but that man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD”. If you like to know more about Jesus’ temptations on the first Sunday of the Lent please join us in our worship at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
February 18, 2026 LENTEN THOUGHTS
What do you need to do spiritually during the Lent? As Lent begins on Wednesday (02/18/2026), it is the time for reflection, for penitence and for self-examination. Now is the acceptable time. Search your own heart:
In what areas are you far from God?
Are there people from whom you need to seek forgiveness?
Are there people you need to forgive?
What needs to be made right in your life?
Let the ashes be your symbol of mourning those shortcomings and of repentance.
Have you been putting off God’s call to discipleship in some way?
Now is the acceptable time.
Make this Lenten season a time when you determine to make each day count. Resolve to follow some new path (for you) or renewed spiritual practice during the next six weeks, so that when you celebrate the resurrection, you will see that you have indeed changed between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.
Now is the time to renew your prayer and meditative practices. Perhaps there is a devotional book that you wanted to read for some time now. Pick it up and get started. Set aside five minutes a day for spiritual reading, meditation, and prayer. Maybe the time will grow into something longer, but it is best not to set goals that are so high they lead quickly to failure. For once, set a goal you know you can accomplish, and move ahead with joy, rather than with a sense of desperate obligation.
Now is the time to renew your practices of service in the name of Christ, where you have sensed the call to serve others? Is there a place where the hungry are fed, the poor are clothed, the homeless are housed, the aged are cared for, the young are attended to, the sick are made well? What is God calling you to do? Now is the time.
Now is the time to attend to the poverty in your own soul. It is the time for searching, for self-examining, for letting God into the chambers of your heart that you prefer to keep hidden. Where have you not received or offered forgiveness? Where have you been hurtful, critical? In what ways have you disappointed yourself and God?
Now is the time for change, for reconciliation. As the season of Lent returns this year, let it return to you as a new opportunity for growth. Now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation. Let now be the time for you to be renewed in your faith. Amen.
Peace and Blessings!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
What do you need to do spiritually during the Lent? As Lent begins on Wednesday (02/18/2026), it is the time for reflection, for penitence and for self-examination. Now is the acceptable time. Search your own heart:
In what areas are you far from God?
Are there people from whom you need to seek forgiveness?
Are there people you need to forgive?
What needs to be made right in your life?
Let the ashes be your symbol of mourning those shortcomings and of repentance.
Have you been putting off God’s call to discipleship in some way?
Now is the acceptable time.
Make this Lenten season a time when you determine to make each day count. Resolve to follow some new path (for you) or renewed spiritual practice during the next six weeks, so that when you celebrate the resurrection, you will see that you have indeed changed between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.
Now is the time to renew your prayer and meditative practices. Perhaps there is a devotional book that you wanted to read for some time now. Pick it up and get started. Set aside five minutes a day for spiritual reading, meditation, and prayer. Maybe the time will grow into something longer, but it is best not to set goals that are so high they lead quickly to failure. For once, set a goal you know you can accomplish, and move ahead with joy, rather than with a sense of desperate obligation.
Now is the time to renew your practices of service in the name of Christ, where you have sensed the call to serve others? Is there a place where the hungry are fed, the poor are clothed, the homeless are housed, the aged are cared for, the young are attended to, the sick are made well? What is God calling you to do? Now is the time.
Now is the time to attend to the poverty in your own soul. It is the time for searching, for self-examining, for letting God into the chambers of your heart that you prefer to keep hidden. Where have you not received or offered forgiveness? Where have you been hurtful, critical? In what ways have you disappointed yourself and God?
Now is the time for change, for reconciliation. As the season of Lent returns this year, let it return to you as a new opportunity for growth. Now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation. Let now be the time for you to be renewed in your faith. Amen.
Peace and Blessings!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
February 15, 2026 DAZZLING REIGN
Sunday the February 15, 2026 is the last Sunday after Epiphany and also known as Transfiguration Sunday - a day that we celebrate and see how God reveals His glory to the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration. The Old Testament passage Exodus 24:12-18, we read “Moses on Mt. Sinai”. Have you ever seen the glory of the Lord? As we talk about God revealing His Glory - it’s interesting to note all of the different ways in the Scriptures in which God reveals Himself. The Old Testament passage talks about how Moses was able to go up and speak to God face to face!
Now look at God’s Word in the book of Exodus for this Sunday! Moses was able to go into a more direct presence of the Lord and receive the Ten Commandments directly from God - putting them on tablets of stone. The glory of the Lord was so glorious that when Moses came down from Mt. Sinai his face was so bright that it scared the Israelites! When you think back on this example of God giving a great and glorious vision of Himself - it’s hard for us to envision.
How nice it would be if the Lord appeared to us like He did to Moses? To have the Lord pass in front of us as He did to Moses! I always used to think - “if God would appear to me like that – Oh! How I would be so encouraged to really serve Him! I wouldn’t worry so much about life!” And so we ask, “oh Lord, where is my burning bush? Where is my vision of your glory?” What are the results of this thinking? People are flocking to the best visuals they can go to. Some will skip from church to church in search of the ultimate spiritual experience. They want to see the Lord! The problem is that we are not looking in the right places. We read in I Kings 19:11-18 When the Lord appeared to Elijah, he didn’t come in an earthquake or fire a mighty wind, but in the sound of a low whisper!
In the Gospel reading for this Sunday St. Matthew 17:1-9, we read that the writer Matthew gives his version of the event which we call "The Transfiguration of Jesus." Mark and Luke also write the account of this strange occurrence, with some minor variations in the telling. It’s one of those rare moments we were just talking about, one of those mountaintop experiences of life, which somehow defy adequate description and challenge us to stretch our concept of reality to the point that we usually wind up asking the question, "Did this really happen?" Events such as the Transfiguration somehow connect us with the mystery of creation and eternity.
For Jesus it was a time of confirmation and affirmation of his ministry. For Peter, James, and John it was a brief glimpse of the transcendent, a peek at the reality that lies just beyond everyday life. But notice that Jesus quickly led the disciples back down, off that mountaintop in spite of Peter’s desire to pitch a tent and camp there for a long while. Jesus led them back into the daily routine of teaching and preaching and caring for the broken and hurting people of the world they lived in, back to the reality of life in the valley.
Moses had been allowed to see the Glory itself passing by, and although God let him see the back, it was something to hold on to for the rest of his life." Mountaintop experiences in our faith journey become those moments of revelation that gives us something to hold on to for the rest of our lives. That certainly is the kind of experience Moses had on Mount Sinai, and the kind of experience our Lord had with Peter, James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Any experience in which we recognize the Living God can be a transfiguration. It may take place on the summit of a mountain, or as we kneel in prayer on a wooden floor or anywhere. It can happen in the midst of a service of worship where God becomes dramatically real to us, and we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Christ is our Living Lord and Savior. If you like to learn more please join us in our worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
Sunday the February 15, 2026 is the last Sunday after Epiphany and also known as Transfiguration Sunday - a day that we celebrate and see how God reveals His glory to the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration. The Old Testament passage Exodus 24:12-18, we read “Moses on Mt. Sinai”. Have you ever seen the glory of the Lord? As we talk about God revealing His Glory - it’s interesting to note all of the different ways in the Scriptures in which God reveals Himself. The Old Testament passage talks about how Moses was able to go up and speak to God face to face!
Now look at God’s Word in the book of Exodus for this Sunday! Moses was able to go into a more direct presence of the Lord and receive the Ten Commandments directly from God - putting them on tablets of stone. The glory of the Lord was so glorious that when Moses came down from Mt. Sinai his face was so bright that it scared the Israelites! When you think back on this example of God giving a great and glorious vision of Himself - it’s hard for us to envision.
How nice it would be if the Lord appeared to us like He did to Moses? To have the Lord pass in front of us as He did to Moses! I always used to think - “if God would appear to me like that – Oh! How I would be so encouraged to really serve Him! I wouldn’t worry so much about life!” And so we ask, “oh Lord, where is my burning bush? Where is my vision of your glory?” What are the results of this thinking? People are flocking to the best visuals they can go to. Some will skip from church to church in search of the ultimate spiritual experience. They want to see the Lord! The problem is that we are not looking in the right places. We read in I Kings 19:11-18 When the Lord appeared to Elijah, he didn’t come in an earthquake or fire a mighty wind, but in the sound of a low whisper!
In the Gospel reading for this Sunday St. Matthew 17:1-9, we read that the writer Matthew gives his version of the event which we call "The Transfiguration of Jesus." Mark and Luke also write the account of this strange occurrence, with some minor variations in the telling. It’s one of those rare moments we were just talking about, one of those mountaintop experiences of life, which somehow defy adequate description and challenge us to stretch our concept of reality to the point that we usually wind up asking the question, "Did this really happen?" Events such as the Transfiguration somehow connect us with the mystery of creation and eternity.
For Jesus it was a time of confirmation and affirmation of his ministry. For Peter, James, and John it was a brief glimpse of the transcendent, a peek at the reality that lies just beyond everyday life. But notice that Jesus quickly led the disciples back down, off that mountaintop in spite of Peter’s desire to pitch a tent and camp there for a long while. Jesus led them back into the daily routine of teaching and preaching and caring for the broken and hurting people of the world they lived in, back to the reality of life in the valley.
Moses had been allowed to see the Glory itself passing by, and although God let him see the back, it was something to hold on to for the rest of his life." Mountaintop experiences in our faith journey become those moments of revelation that gives us something to hold on to for the rest of our lives. That certainly is the kind of experience Moses had on Mount Sinai, and the kind of experience our Lord had with Peter, James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Any experience in which we recognize the Living God can be a transfiguration. It may take place on the summit of a mountain, or as we kneel in prayer on a wooden floor or anywhere. It can happen in the midst of a service of worship where God becomes dramatically real to us, and we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Christ is our Living Lord and Savior. If you like to learn more please join us in our worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
February 8, 2026 RESTORING BEAUTY
The Gospel passage for this Sunday is from St. Matthew 5:13-20, is the continuation of Sermon on the Mount. In this passage Jesus said you are the Salt and the light. We are the salt, the silent work of influence and the light, the visible manifestation of God in people’s lives.
The Salt and the Light are the two things that the value seems so insignificant but are part of our survival. When salt is added in the food it is hardly seen. Yet too little of it you can taste the difference and too much of it can spoil your taste of the food. The light is visible, it is needed during the night or when it is dark. Yet too much of it in the morning will make you say, “Turn it off” yet too little of it can make you feel unsafe. The salt and light work as salt is added to the food and the light is turned on.
In the Sermon on the Mount, we learned that the Beatitudes are the elements of Christian life. But the next section deals with the Christian influence. As Christians, people should be merciful or peacemakers and pure in heart, which will have a tremendous influence in the lives of those who have not given their heart to God.
In ancient times salt was seen as a necessity for life. Because of its seasoning and preservative qualities, salt was one of the most highly prized minerals. In many societies salt was so highly valued and was used instead of money. The English word salary is derived from the Latin word “Salarium” which refers to the payments made to a Roman soldier with salt.
In the Bible times and till today salt is used for seasoning our food. Who likes to eat food without salt? Even though salt is so small and yet hardly noticeable it makes a difference when applied to the substance. For our lives to be a living sacrifice for God, our body must be preserved and seasoned with the righteousness of Christ. Salt was also used to preserve food. During the old Biblical times they did not have the refrigeration systems that we have today.
Salt was also used to have a covenant relationship as we read in Numbers 18:19 “It is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord with you and your descendants with you.” So, salt also represented a relationship. “It represented hospitality that cemented on friendship” There is an Eastern saying “There is salt between us”
Jesus said you are the Salt of the Earth; what did Jesus mean by this statement? It is the silent witness of the Christian believer. It is the influence that you have over other people’s lives to season and preserve for eternal life. Christ is saying let your influence season people’s life for the kingdom. Salt changes things: a little salt can flavor a big pot of beans. It only takes on salt to flavor a whole community, a whole neighborhood and a whole workplace.
Someone once said, “The salt is no good if it never leaves the saltshaker, it is only a decoration to the kitchen table”. We deny the salt function when we fail to mingle with people that are lost; we deny the function of the salt when we fail to be kind, merciful and as peacemakers.
To deny the salt function is to deny the principles of the kingdom of God. We are not to draw away from society, we are not of the world, but we live in the world. And if we as Salt don’t rub against those who have no flavor, those who are perishing who will do this great act of influence? Jesus said, “You are the salt” It is emphatic He didn’t say you are the earth. Jesus said, “you are the salt”. If you like to know more about Salt and Light, please join us in our Sunday worship at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
The Gospel passage for this Sunday is from St. Matthew 5:13-20, is the continuation of Sermon on the Mount. In this passage Jesus said you are the Salt and the light. We are the salt, the silent work of influence and the light, the visible manifestation of God in people’s lives.
The Salt and the Light are the two things that the value seems so insignificant but are part of our survival. When salt is added in the food it is hardly seen. Yet too little of it you can taste the difference and too much of it can spoil your taste of the food. The light is visible, it is needed during the night or when it is dark. Yet too much of it in the morning will make you say, “Turn it off” yet too little of it can make you feel unsafe. The salt and light work as salt is added to the food and the light is turned on.
In the Sermon on the Mount, we learned that the Beatitudes are the elements of Christian life. But the next section deals with the Christian influence. As Christians, people should be merciful or peacemakers and pure in heart, which will have a tremendous influence in the lives of those who have not given their heart to God.
In ancient times salt was seen as a necessity for life. Because of its seasoning and preservative qualities, salt was one of the most highly prized minerals. In many societies salt was so highly valued and was used instead of money. The English word salary is derived from the Latin word “Salarium” which refers to the payments made to a Roman soldier with salt.
In the Bible times and till today salt is used for seasoning our food. Who likes to eat food without salt? Even though salt is so small and yet hardly noticeable it makes a difference when applied to the substance. For our lives to be a living sacrifice for God, our body must be preserved and seasoned with the righteousness of Christ. Salt was also used to preserve food. During the old Biblical times they did not have the refrigeration systems that we have today.
Salt was also used to have a covenant relationship as we read in Numbers 18:19 “It is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord with you and your descendants with you.” So, salt also represented a relationship. “It represented hospitality that cemented on friendship” There is an Eastern saying “There is salt between us”
Jesus said you are the Salt of the Earth; what did Jesus mean by this statement? It is the silent witness of the Christian believer. It is the influence that you have over other people’s lives to season and preserve for eternal life. Christ is saying let your influence season people’s life for the kingdom. Salt changes things: a little salt can flavor a big pot of beans. It only takes on salt to flavor a whole community, a whole neighborhood and a whole workplace.
Someone once said, “The salt is no good if it never leaves the saltshaker, it is only a decoration to the kitchen table”. We deny the salt function when we fail to mingle with people that are lost; we deny the function of the salt when we fail to be kind, merciful and as peacemakers.
To deny the salt function is to deny the principles of the kingdom of God. We are not to draw away from society, we are not of the world, but we live in the world. And if we as Salt don’t rub against those who have no flavor, those who are perishing who will do this great act of influence? Jesus said, “You are the salt” It is emphatic He didn’t say you are the earth. Jesus said, “you are the salt”. If you like to know more about Salt and Light, please join us in our Sunday worship at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
February 1, 2026 THE VISION BEAUTIFUL
The gospel passage for this Sunday is from St. Matthews 5:1-12, it is the introductory part of the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew in his Gospel places the Beatitudes at the very beginning. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount comes at the beginning of His ministry and is considered as a prologue to the discipleship.
In the closing verses of the fourth chapter of the St. Matthew gospel, Jesus having finished the calling of his disciples, begins teaching in the region of the Galilee and in the synagogues of that region. People brought the sick to Jesus for healing, and great crowds were gathering from as far as Jerusalem, the Decapolis, Judea and areas beyond the Jordan. On this occasion seeing the crowds, Jesus gathers the disciples and goes up on a mountain.
The opening of Jesus’ sermon appears to be directed only to the disciples, they have left everything to follow Jesus. They are being prepared for their discipleship, and for the ministry that they will share with Jesus: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. This teaching must have dawned upon the disciples quickly.
The pattern appears to be humiliation now and glory later. Such a proposal makes no sense whatsoever unless God can be trusted to "deliver" on His promises - "His side of the bargain." As the ministry of Jesus unfolds, it becomes clear that the Beatitudes reflect the style of Jesus' own life and ministry, and what his disciples will be expected to follow. These words become a prologue to the gospel Jesus will preach, the examples he will set, and the counsel he will give. Underneath each one of the Beatitudes is the call to live our lives in full trust of God. Because God can be trusted, they shall be satisfied! It is only when we have this confidence in the promises of God that we can begin to understand and follow Jesus' example and his mandate.
The Beatitudes must be studied in the context of a community of trust, of vision and of hope. To be disciples of our Christ, we must pray for the trust that gladly accepts whatever condition in which we find ourselves as places in which God can and does act. In such matters, our faith in our God’s plans does much to inform and enable the faithfulness of a given moment.
From the first four of Jesus' "Beatitudes," it appears that the followers of Jesus are more nearly "victims" than the "disciples." They are the spiritual "have-nots" who must trust and depend wholly upon God and his promises. However, Jesus has in mind for us something more than our passively staying out of trouble ... trusting God, being deeply sorry for the suffering of the world, practicing self-control, and longing for perfect righteousness. The works of faith are not passive. They are active and outreaching.
Now the disciples, solidly established in faith and with a firm hold on God's promises, are free to live in love, being of a single mind and of pure heart, showing mercy, and actively doing the hard work of peacemaking, even accepting persecution with purpose and with rejoicing. If you like to learn more about the faith and vision, please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11: 00 AM
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
The gospel passage for this Sunday is from St. Matthews 5:1-12, it is the introductory part of the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew in his Gospel places the Beatitudes at the very beginning. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount comes at the beginning of His ministry and is considered as a prologue to the discipleship.
In the closing verses of the fourth chapter of the St. Matthew gospel, Jesus having finished the calling of his disciples, begins teaching in the region of the Galilee and in the synagogues of that region. People brought the sick to Jesus for healing, and great crowds were gathering from as far as Jerusalem, the Decapolis, Judea and areas beyond the Jordan. On this occasion seeing the crowds, Jesus gathers the disciples and goes up on a mountain.
The opening of Jesus’ sermon appears to be directed only to the disciples, they have left everything to follow Jesus. They are being prepared for their discipleship, and for the ministry that they will share with Jesus: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. This teaching must have dawned upon the disciples quickly.
The pattern appears to be humiliation now and glory later. Such a proposal makes no sense whatsoever unless God can be trusted to "deliver" on His promises - "His side of the bargain." As the ministry of Jesus unfolds, it becomes clear that the Beatitudes reflect the style of Jesus' own life and ministry, and what his disciples will be expected to follow. These words become a prologue to the gospel Jesus will preach, the examples he will set, and the counsel he will give. Underneath each one of the Beatitudes is the call to live our lives in full trust of God. Because God can be trusted, they shall be satisfied! It is only when we have this confidence in the promises of God that we can begin to understand and follow Jesus' example and his mandate.
The Beatitudes must be studied in the context of a community of trust, of vision and of hope. To be disciples of our Christ, we must pray for the trust that gladly accepts whatever condition in which we find ourselves as places in which God can and does act. In such matters, our faith in our God’s plans does much to inform and enable the faithfulness of a given moment.
From the first four of Jesus' "Beatitudes," it appears that the followers of Jesus are more nearly "victims" than the "disciples." They are the spiritual "have-nots" who must trust and depend wholly upon God and his promises. However, Jesus has in mind for us something more than our passively staying out of trouble ... trusting God, being deeply sorry for the suffering of the world, practicing self-control, and longing for perfect righteousness. The works of faith are not passive. They are active and outreaching.
Now the disciples, solidly established in faith and with a firm hold on God's promises, are free to live in love, being of a single mind and of pure heart, showing mercy, and actively doing the hard work of peacemaking, even accepting persecution with purpose and with rejoicing. If you like to learn more about the faith and vision, please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11: 00 AM
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
January 25, 2026 CALLED TOGETHER
The Gospel passage for this Sunday is from St. Matthew 4: 12-23, which is so radical! It is radical to believe that people would leave their place of business and the family to follow a teacher who said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." This passage narrates after Jesus had finished preaching a sermon in Capernaum, he took a stroll along the banks of the Sea of Galilee.
In verses 18-19 we read “As Jesus walked by the seaside, he noticed two brothers - Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother - casting a net into the sea. He called out to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Peter and Andrew did not sit in the boat and reflect on what Jesus said to them. Apparently, they did not count the cost. Nor did they call a committee meeting. Nor did they form an association to provide them with support. Instead, they immediately left their nets and followed him.
This gospel passage is a marvelous mystery, on the one hand God works in spite of us, and on the other hand we are central to the plan God has of bringing salvation and wholeness to our world. Jesus made it clear that there are some specific things for men and women to do, ministries which God uses to do kingdom-building work: like feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, aiding the poor, visiting those in prison, witnessing to everyone about God's love revealed in Jesus. But for many in our society darkness prevails, as in Isaiah's day. Other gods than the Lord are being worshipped. Other ways of life than the way for which we are created are being followed
As Jesus continued his walk along the seaside (verse 21), he saw two other brothers - James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, in the boat and Zebedee, their father. They were rocking back and forth in the boat, minding their own business, and mending their nets when Jesus called out to them to follow. As with Peter and Andrew, they left their trade and their father and followed after Jesus of Nazareth. According to Matthew, they did not hesitate. They followed immediately. Who among us would respond in this way? I mean, how many people in this congregation today would put a padlock on their business and follow a person like Jesus?
What if everybody followed the example of those fishermen? What if everybody heard the call and heeded it? Who would mind the store? Who would pay the taxes? Who would run the church? Who would paint, Who would make music, or Who would govern? Our tendency is to brush off this story as being unrealistic. After all, not one person in this congregation is going to respond as Peter, Andrew, James, and John did. It is okay for them to be radical in their response. But it is not okay for us.
On the other hand, one cannot read the New Testament without seeing that some followed in a radical way. Jesus said, “Follow me”, to a tax collector named Matthew; and Matthew got up and followed him. Philip, who was from Andrew and Peter's hometown, followed his calling. John reports in his gospel John 1: 43 that Jesus said, "Follow me," and Nathaniel, also known as Bartholomew, followed. According to church tradition, Bartholomew followed the call by carrying the Gospel to various countries. And in Act 9:11, Paul, who heard Jesus say, "Rise and enter the city and you will be told what to do," went forth and proclaimed: "Jesus is the Son of God."
In the Old Testament the people of Israel were on a similar journey from Egypt to their promised land. Their faith was sometimes tried and found wanting; but their leader, Moses, was steadfast and so was his appointed successor, Joshua. Likewise, Christian’s view life as following - following in the steps of Jesus.
Where does the following of Jesus leave us? If others have heard the call and have responded in a radical way, then shouldn't we all do the same? I cannot answer that question for you. It must be answered by each of us as we experience God's call in our lives. If you would like to know more about the Call of God, please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
The Gospel passage for this Sunday is from St. Matthew 4: 12-23, which is so radical! It is radical to believe that people would leave their place of business and the family to follow a teacher who said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." This passage narrates after Jesus had finished preaching a sermon in Capernaum, he took a stroll along the banks of the Sea of Galilee.
In verses 18-19 we read “As Jesus walked by the seaside, he noticed two brothers - Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother - casting a net into the sea. He called out to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Peter and Andrew did not sit in the boat and reflect on what Jesus said to them. Apparently, they did not count the cost. Nor did they call a committee meeting. Nor did they form an association to provide them with support. Instead, they immediately left their nets and followed him.
This gospel passage is a marvelous mystery, on the one hand God works in spite of us, and on the other hand we are central to the plan God has of bringing salvation and wholeness to our world. Jesus made it clear that there are some specific things for men and women to do, ministries which God uses to do kingdom-building work: like feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, aiding the poor, visiting those in prison, witnessing to everyone about God's love revealed in Jesus. But for many in our society darkness prevails, as in Isaiah's day. Other gods than the Lord are being worshipped. Other ways of life than the way for which we are created are being followed
As Jesus continued his walk along the seaside (verse 21), he saw two other brothers - James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, in the boat and Zebedee, their father. They were rocking back and forth in the boat, minding their own business, and mending their nets when Jesus called out to them to follow. As with Peter and Andrew, they left their trade and their father and followed after Jesus of Nazareth. According to Matthew, they did not hesitate. They followed immediately. Who among us would respond in this way? I mean, how many people in this congregation today would put a padlock on their business and follow a person like Jesus?
What if everybody followed the example of those fishermen? What if everybody heard the call and heeded it? Who would mind the store? Who would pay the taxes? Who would run the church? Who would paint, Who would make music, or Who would govern? Our tendency is to brush off this story as being unrealistic. After all, not one person in this congregation is going to respond as Peter, Andrew, James, and John did. It is okay for them to be radical in their response. But it is not okay for us.
On the other hand, one cannot read the New Testament without seeing that some followed in a radical way. Jesus said, “Follow me”, to a tax collector named Matthew; and Matthew got up and followed him. Philip, who was from Andrew and Peter's hometown, followed his calling. John reports in his gospel John 1: 43 that Jesus said, "Follow me," and Nathaniel, also known as Bartholomew, followed. According to church tradition, Bartholomew followed the call by carrying the Gospel to various countries. And in Act 9:11, Paul, who heard Jesus say, "Rise and enter the city and you will be told what to do," went forth and proclaimed: "Jesus is the Son of God."
In the Old Testament the people of Israel were on a similar journey from Egypt to their promised land. Their faith was sometimes tried and found wanting; but their leader, Moses, was steadfast and so was his appointed successor, Joshua. Likewise, Christian’s view life as following - following in the steps of Jesus.
Where does the following of Jesus leave us? If others have heard the call and have responded in a radical way, then shouldn't we all do the same? I cannot answer that question for you. It must be answered by each of us as we experience God's call in our lives. If you would like to know more about the Call of God, please join us in our worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
January 18, 2026 ALL THAT WE ARE
The gospel reading for this Sunday is from St. John 1: 29 - 42. John the gospel writer reveals to us three important things for us to follow: 1. To be a witness and to tell others that Jesus came to take away the sins of this world, 2. Jesus is the Only Son of God and 3. Jesus will baptize us with the Holy Spirit.
We find John the Baptist playing a particular role. John the Baptist was viewed by many as the top spiritual leader of his time. John the Baptist knew his true role was that of supporting Jesus who was the Son of God and a true spiritual leader. John the Baptist knew that Jesus had been born to play a certain role in the life of Israel and the world. John the Baptist tells us in this passage that there was one who was coming after him and will outrank him.
In our passage we can also see another important personality John the disciple of Jesus and writer of John Gospel. History tells us that this person would later on be called the "disciple whom Jesus loved". Our writer at no time focuses on himself. Like John the Baptist John the evangelist (disciple of Jesus) understands that Jesus must be the focus. Both of them understand that Jesus outranks them. They understand that their role is that of being a witness for Jesus.
Both the Evangelist and the Baptizer saw their role (their mission) in life to be a witness for Jesus. They saw their mission in life to tell others what they had experienced in Jesus. It was their desire to never be the center of attention but instead to make sure that they were doing all they could do to make Jesus the center of attention. They wanted people to know and experience Jesus.
The role they played here at the Jordan River and in the writing of this Gospel is the same role that you and I are called to play. More than anything else in this life we are called to play the role of being a witness for Jesus Christ. We are called to testify about who Jesus is and what He has done in our lives and is able to do in the lives of others.
We must always remember that it is very easy to forget our mission. It's easy to forget that our main role as Christians in this life is to be a witness for Jesus. It's easy to be tempted to take our eyes off of Jesus and put them on ourselves or our own desired programs and agendas. It is easy for us to even think that the Church is for us and our needs, instead of lifting up the name of Jesus in praise and worship. It's even easy to fool ourselves into thinking that we get to choose where we want to go to church. Where we go should be solely our choice. That we get to pick a place where we like the music, where the programs meet our needs and where we like a particular pastor/preacher. And then when we get unhappy or upset we can simply walk away. The truth is Jesus should be leading us to the place that He wants us to serve.
At times, even as a connected body of Christ, we forget that our role is that of witnessing about and for Jesus. At times we get the misguided idea that our main job is constructing some building or fellowship hall. We get the idea that we have to be busy doing something but so often that something has very little to do with true witnessing. To learn more please join us in our Sunday worship at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
The gospel reading for this Sunday is from St. John 1: 29 - 42. John the gospel writer reveals to us three important things for us to follow: 1. To be a witness and to tell others that Jesus came to take away the sins of this world, 2. Jesus is the Only Son of God and 3. Jesus will baptize us with the Holy Spirit.
We find John the Baptist playing a particular role. John the Baptist was viewed by many as the top spiritual leader of his time. John the Baptist knew his true role was that of supporting Jesus who was the Son of God and a true spiritual leader. John the Baptist knew that Jesus had been born to play a certain role in the life of Israel and the world. John the Baptist tells us in this passage that there was one who was coming after him and will outrank him.
In our passage we can also see another important personality John the disciple of Jesus and writer of John Gospel. History tells us that this person would later on be called the "disciple whom Jesus loved". Our writer at no time focuses on himself. Like John the Baptist John the evangelist (disciple of Jesus) understands that Jesus must be the focus. Both of them understand that Jesus outranks them. They understand that their role is that of being a witness for Jesus.
Both the Evangelist and the Baptizer saw their role (their mission) in life to be a witness for Jesus. They saw their mission in life to tell others what they had experienced in Jesus. It was their desire to never be the center of attention but instead to make sure that they were doing all they could do to make Jesus the center of attention. They wanted people to know and experience Jesus.
The role they played here at the Jordan River and in the writing of this Gospel is the same role that you and I are called to play. More than anything else in this life we are called to play the role of being a witness for Jesus Christ. We are called to testify about who Jesus is and what He has done in our lives and is able to do in the lives of others.
We must always remember that it is very easy to forget our mission. It's easy to forget that our main role as Christians in this life is to be a witness for Jesus. It's easy to be tempted to take our eyes off of Jesus and put them on ourselves or our own desired programs and agendas. It is easy for us to even think that the Church is for us and our needs, instead of lifting up the name of Jesus in praise and worship. It's even easy to fool ourselves into thinking that we get to choose where we want to go to church. Where we go should be solely our choice. That we get to pick a place where we like the music, where the programs meet our needs and where we like a particular pastor/preacher. And then when we get unhappy or upset we can simply walk away. The truth is Jesus should be leading us to the place that He wants us to serve.
At times, even as a connected body of Christ, we forget that our role is that of witnessing about and for Jesus. At times we get the misguided idea that our main job is constructing some building or fellowship hall. We get the idea that we have to be busy doing something but so often that something has very little to do with true witnessing. To learn more please join us in our Sunday worship at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
January 11, 2026 POSSIBILITIES UNFOLDING
On this First Sunday after Epiphany, we got to recollect one of the most important Sacrament of our church, the Baptism. Our Baptism is a beginning in our faith. It is the desire to see the world differently, to see each other differently, and even to see ourselves differently. Baptism is a fresh start, not a destination. Baptism calls into question our previous lives, and repentance. Baptism is not a trial-free membership of our faith journey, but a rite of initiation into a way of life in which Jesus promised there would be trials.
In our gospel lesson for this Sunday, St. Matthew 3:13-17, we read about the baptism of Jesus. Jesus' baptism serves as a model for our baptism. For Jesus, baptism represents the beginning of his ministry. While some ultimate questions may have been answered when he was with John the Baptist in the Jordan River, the baptism of Jesus is one of our favorite stories of the gospel. We love to hear how the heavens opened, to imagine the dove descending, and to hear God's blessing on the Son.
First, Baptism is about beginning anew. It is a fresh start, even when we are comfortable and satisfied with our old lives. Paul said in Romans 6:4, "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life”. We emerge from baptism to walk "in newness of life”. There are two ways to make something new. We can start with nothing and make something new, or we can start with what we already have and make that new. Baptism transforms our lives, and we think, speak, live, and act in ways that represent to the world the image of Christ.
Baptism transforms stinginess into generosity, narrow- mindedness into thoughtful consideration, and prejudice into love. Baptism transforms our fear of one another into a desire for true community, our suspicious motives into open, honest dialogue, and our hesitancy into boldness. Baptism transforms groups of people into churches, gatherings of individuals into a family of brothers and sisters, and church services into times of worship. Does all that happen when we are baptized? No, but those are the kinds of things that happen through our lives as we continue to be open to what our baptism means to us.
The Christian life at its best is an ongoing transformation in which we continue to be shaped by the presence of Christ within us. In Ephesians chapter 4, Paul discusses many of the implications of baptism, we are shown what this new life looks like. We are urged to lead a life worthy of our calling, and then we are told that such a life entails humility, gentleness, and patience. We are to bear with one another in love and are to make every effort to maintain unity in the body.
Let us think for a moment who among us has mastered humility, gentleness, and patience in our relationships with our sisters and brothers? We know the kind of trouble that is caused by thinking of ourselves too highly and not regarding others with the kind of appreciation they are due, but true humility is not something very many people spend their days trying to achieve.
We know the problems created by bulldozing our way through every meeting and every conversation, but it seems to get our point across, and our agenda passed more effectively than being gentle. We know that some things simply are not going to happen on our schedule and that some things may never happen, but being patient seems too much like not doing anything.
In short, humility, gentleness, and patience are sometimes in short supply, but not so among those who are engaged in this lifelong process of growth. Our Baptism reminds us we are continually about the business of deepening our spiritual lives by being transformed by the newness which guarantees Christ's presence in our lives . To learn more please join us in worship with us on Sundays at 11: 00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
On this First Sunday after Epiphany, we got to recollect one of the most important Sacrament of our church, the Baptism. Our Baptism is a beginning in our faith. It is the desire to see the world differently, to see each other differently, and even to see ourselves differently. Baptism is a fresh start, not a destination. Baptism calls into question our previous lives, and repentance. Baptism is not a trial-free membership of our faith journey, but a rite of initiation into a way of life in which Jesus promised there would be trials.
In our gospel lesson for this Sunday, St. Matthew 3:13-17, we read about the baptism of Jesus. Jesus' baptism serves as a model for our baptism. For Jesus, baptism represents the beginning of his ministry. While some ultimate questions may have been answered when he was with John the Baptist in the Jordan River, the baptism of Jesus is one of our favorite stories of the gospel. We love to hear how the heavens opened, to imagine the dove descending, and to hear God's blessing on the Son.
First, Baptism is about beginning anew. It is a fresh start, even when we are comfortable and satisfied with our old lives. Paul said in Romans 6:4, "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life”. We emerge from baptism to walk "in newness of life”. There are two ways to make something new. We can start with nothing and make something new, or we can start with what we already have and make that new. Baptism transforms our lives, and we think, speak, live, and act in ways that represent to the world the image of Christ.
Baptism transforms stinginess into generosity, narrow- mindedness into thoughtful consideration, and prejudice into love. Baptism transforms our fear of one another into a desire for true community, our suspicious motives into open, honest dialogue, and our hesitancy into boldness. Baptism transforms groups of people into churches, gatherings of individuals into a family of brothers and sisters, and church services into times of worship. Does all that happen when we are baptized? No, but those are the kinds of things that happen through our lives as we continue to be open to what our baptism means to us.
The Christian life at its best is an ongoing transformation in which we continue to be shaped by the presence of Christ within us. In Ephesians chapter 4, Paul discusses many of the implications of baptism, we are shown what this new life looks like. We are urged to lead a life worthy of our calling, and then we are told that such a life entails humility, gentleness, and patience. We are to bear with one another in love and are to make every effort to maintain unity in the body.
Let us think for a moment who among us has mastered humility, gentleness, and patience in our relationships with our sisters and brothers? We know the kind of trouble that is caused by thinking of ourselves too highly and not regarding others with the kind of appreciation they are due, but true humility is not something very many people spend their days trying to achieve.
We know the problems created by bulldozing our way through every meeting and every conversation, but it seems to get our point across, and our agenda passed more effectively than being gentle. We know that some things simply are not going to happen on our schedule and that some things may never happen, but being patient seems too much like not doing anything.
In short, humility, gentleness, and patience are sometimes in short supply, but not so among those who are engaged in this lifelong process of growth. Our Baptism reminds us we are continually about the business of deepening our spiritual lives by being transformed by the newness which guarantees Christ's presence in our lives . To learn more please join us in worship with us on Sundays at 11: 00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
January 4, 2026 ANOTHER ROAD
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ on behalf of the Church council, my family and I wish all the members and friends a Happy and Healthy New Year 2026.
We have already listed our New Year resolutions, how we are going to follow and practice our decisions is a big challenge for us? This Sunday's gospel passage helps us to keep our New Year resolutions in order.
On this Epiphany Sunday, we see the promise fulfilled in the story of the Wise men. The Wise men are our examples of discernment. They believed the promise from Isaiah 60:1"Arise, shine, for your light has come." They saw the star and followed it. They went first to Jerusalem, where they were disappointed. The newborn king was not in the capital city.
Epiphany is the Gentile feast of faith. We celebrate not only the faith of the Gentiles, as symbolized by the Wise men; we also celebrate the mission to the Gentiles. But who are the Gentiles today, now that the church is a Gentile church? The Gentiles are the ones on the outside looking in, the ones who are powerless, the ones who are shunned and scorned. If our light has come, it is a light to be shared, not hidden.
We are to stand in solidarity with people who are poor, powerless, and excluded, to dispel the thick darkness, which covers their lives. We are to fulfill our baptismal promise as we read in Matthews 5:16: "Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven."
Nowhere is the truth of Epiphany more evident than in the Eucharist. We gather around the Lord's Table as members of the same body of Christ, heirs together of the promises of the gospel. We see the faces of our fellow Christians, and we see the light of Christ.
The festival of the Epiphany of Our Lord is a celebration that has reminded Christians since the second century that the light has already reached us. The light has already come in Jesus Christ. His light has vanquished the dark nightmares in our souls. "Arise, shine;" declares Isaiah, "for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you". Nightmares exist. Evil lurks around darkened corners of our lives, "but the Lord will arise upon you and his glory will appear over you". Did you catch the language of both Christmas and Easter here? The Light has come. The Glory of the Lord has risen.
It is no coincidence that early Christians selected this text to be read on Epiphany Day, the day on which the appearance of the Light of Christ is celebrated. The Light, born in Bethlehem, rises and shines brilliantly from the empty tomb outside Jerusalem. Epiphany, the Day of Light, connects birth, passion, and resurrection in the Church year. The Light has reached us. The Light shines in our lives today and every day of this New Year 2026, please join us in our worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ on behalf of the Church council, my family and I wish all the members and friends a Happy and Healthy New Year 2026.
We have already listed our New Year resolutions, how we are going to follow and practice our decisions is a big challenge for us? This Sunday's gospel passage helps us to keep our New Year resolutions in order.
On this Epiphany Sunday, we see the promise fulfilled in the story of the Wise men. The Wise men are our examples of discernment. They believed the promise from Isaiah 60:1"Arise, shine, for your light has come." They saw the star and followed it. They went first to Jerusalem, where they were disappointed. The newborn king was not in the capital city.
Epiphany is the Gentile feast of faith. We celebrate not only the faith of the Gentiles, as symbolized by the Wise men; we also celebrate the mission to the Gentiles. But who are the Gentiles today, now that the church is a Gentile church? The Gentiles are the ones on the outside looking in, the ones who are powerless, the ones who are shunned and scorned. If our light has come, it is a light to be shared, not hidden.
We are to stand in solidarity with people who are poor, powerless, and excluded, to dispel the thick darkness, which covers their lives. We are to fulfill our baptismal promise as we read in Matthews 5:16: "Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven."
Nowhere is the truth of Epiphany more evident than in the Eucharist. We gather around the Lord's Table as members of the same body of Christ, heirs together of the promises of the gospel. We see the faces of our fellow Christians, and we see the light of Christ.
The festival of the Epiphany of Our Lord is a celebration that has reminded Christians since the second century that the light has already reached us. The light has already come in Jesus Christ. His light has vanquished the dark nightmares in our souls. "Arise, shine;" declares Isaiah, "for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you". Nightmares exist. Evil lurks around darkened corners of our lives, "but the Lord will arise upon you and his glory will appear over you". Did you catch the language of both Christmas and Easter here? The Light has come. The Glory of the Lord has risen.
It is no coincidence that early Christians selected this text to be read on Epiphany Day, the day on which the appearance of the Light of Christ is celebrated. The Light, born in Bethlehem, rises and shines brilliantly from the empty tomb outside Jerusalem. Epiphany, the Day of Light, connects birth, passion, and resurrection in the Church year. The Light has reached us. The Light shines in our lives today and every day of this New Year 2026, please join us in our worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM.
Peace!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
West Center Congregational Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708