West Center Congregational Church ~~~United Church of Christ~~~
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Peace and Blessings
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
Minister
 
JUNE 11, 2023                                                                                                                               11:00 AM
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST     

WORSHIP THROUGH PRAISE

PRELUDE: PIANO & VIOLIN
 
* RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP:
Pastor: Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.
People: His greatness is unsearchable.
Pastor: The Lord is gracious and merciful,
People: Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Pastor: The Lord is good to all,
People: And his compassion is over all that he has made.
Pastor: Let all the earth fear the Lord.
People: Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord!
 
* OPENING HYMN: NO. 487 “WHEN MORNING GILDS THE SKIES”

*UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION:  Contemporary Collect – pg. 1

UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE: Loving God, we confess that we have sinned and fallen short of your glory. We have failed to measure up to your righteousness. We have not lived according to your will. In our stubbornness, we have focused on our own desires, to the exclusion of the needs of our neighbors. In faith we turn to you, seeking your grace and mercy. We trust in your promise of forgiveness, extended to us in Christ Jesus. Encircle us with your loving arms and redeem us from our sins. By your power, forgive us, strengthen us, and make us whole, that we may stand before you in the righteousness of Christ, our savior.  AMEN
 
MOMENT OF SILENT MEDITATION/SELF REFLECTION:

LORD’S PRAYER (“DEBTS”)

* RESPONSIVE READING OF PSALM 33: 1-12 - pg. 4  

      * GLORIA PATRI:        
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and the Holy Ghost.                          
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be;

                                        World without end.  AMEN.
 
WORSHIP THROUGH CARING, PRAYING AND GIVING

MEDITATIONAL HYMN NO. 341 “BLESSED ASSURANCE, JESUS IS MINE’

MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER/THE CHURCH AT PRAYER
 
SHARING OF OUR GIFTS, TITHES AND OFFERING PRECEDED BY PRAYER

PRAYER OF DEDICATION: Gracious and loving God, you are the source of all that is good.
As the author and giver of life, you provide us with everything we need from day to day.
​To you we dedicate these gifts and ourselves, that they may be tools of your grace. AMEN.

OFFERTORY: PIANO & VIOLIN

* DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF GRATITUDE

PASSING OF PEACE, JOYS, CONCERNS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
WORSHIP THROUGH REFLECTION AND MEDITATION

THE FIRST LESSON: GENESIS 12: 1 – 9 PP. 1 & 2

SOLO: “SHARE HIS LOVE”
The love of God is broader than earth’s vast expanse, ‘Tis deeper and wider than the sea. Love reaches out to all to bring abundant life, For God so loved the world His only Son He gave.
Share His love by telling what the Lord has done for you, Share His love by sharing of your faith and show the world what Jesus Christ is real to you every moment,
every day!
All Those Who Have Trusted in God’s Only Son, And Hold This Precious Treasure In Their Hearts, Seek Ways To Make It Known To All Who Need To Know That God So Loved The World His Only Son He Gave.
We share the love of God each day we live, reveal Christ’s presence in our lives; And how the Holy Spirit guides us day by day, for God so loved the world His only Son He gave.

THE GOSPEL WITNESS:  ST. MATTHEW 9: 9 – 13, 18 - 26 pg. 4

PREACHING OF THE WORD: THE CALL OF ABRAM – Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – A NEW CREED

Pastor: We are not alone; we live in God’s world.
People: We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. (United Church of Canada-1980, The New Century Hymnal No. 887)
 
* CLOSING HYMN: NO. 536 “LORD, MAKE US MORE HOLY”

* BENEDICTION:

RESPONSE:

POSTLUDE: PIANO & VIOLIN

*Please stand as you are able and comfortable standing.
In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ a cordial welcome to those who have come to this house of worship. We thank you for worshiping with us today. Your presence encourages and strengthens us.  Guests are invited to sign the guest book in the narthex. We look forward to seeing you again.
 
Our Friendship and Fellowship Coffee Hour will be held in Bodge Lounge. Come and share the joy of Christ’s love with us.
 
We are saddened by the death Mr. Paul Collarile on May 24, 2023, at 1:30 PM and as per his wishes he was cremated. 
​ Card or calls to offer your sympathy to his sister Ms. Louise Quartuccio Tel: 845-380-3829, Address: 3 Kimball Drive, Poughkeepsie, NY12603.
 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
6/27 M. Amanda Moore
 
COVENANT OF CARE
 

Ted St. Angelo, Nargis Abbas, Cindi Barna, Urmila Devi, Ann Jamison, Edie Jamison-Koenig,
Charlotte Johnson, Jeanette Johnson, Scott Johnson, John Marsh Jr,
Rick Macerata, Joe Miller, June Nickerson, Master Sgt. Timothy Peters,
John Polvere, Nancy Protzman, Kate Quinn, Bill Rosenberg,
Anthony Russo, Edith Unger, Amanda Wilson,
 
WEST CENTER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH (UCC)
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
Tel No. (914) 337-3829               www.westcenterchurch.org
 
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj – Minister
ckponnuraj@gmail.com (917) 743-1574
Mr. John Strybos – Director of Music & Organist:
jpstrybos@aol.com (203) 921-5210
Musicians: Robert Orbach – Soloist, Yang Sun Kim – Violinist; Mina Kim - Pianist
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 WEST CENTER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
Tel No. (914) 337-3829
www.westcenterchurch.org
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