WEST CENTER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
Tel No. (914) 337-3829
www.westcenterchurch.org
APRIL 21, 2024, FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER 11:00 AM
WORSHIP THROUGH PRAISE
PRELUDE: “GAVOTTE” (M. GREENE)
INTROIT:
* RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP:
Pastor: A good shepherd never abandons the sheep.
People: Good Shepherd, we are suffering; care for us!
Pastor: Good Shepherd, we are hopeful; rejoice with us!
People: A good shepherd never abandons the sheep.
Pastor: Good Shepherd, we are anxious; call our name!
People: Good Shepherd, we are lost; show us the way!
* OPENING HYMN: NO. 478 “PRAISE, MY SOUL, THE KING OF HEAVEN”
* UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Contemporary Collect – pg. 1
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE: O God who gathers us into your care, we confess that more times than not, we have strayed from you. We have wandered into places of our own choosing, rather than heeding your call to follow you.
We have gotten lost, hurt, waylaid all because we failed to hear you call our names.
At times, we have even blocked the path of others who seek you. Be merciful to us, we pray. Welcome us into your presence once again and remind us that nothing we do can keep us away from you. AMEN.
MOMENT OF SILENT MEDITATION/SELF REFLECTION:
LORD’S PRAYER (“DEBTS”)
* RESPONSIVE READING OF PSALM 23, pg. 2.
* 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. 170 "THE LORD’S MY SHEPHERD"
CHORAL RESPONSE
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION AND THANKSGIVING:
SHARING OF OUR GIFTS, TITHES AND OFFERING PRECEDED BY PRAYER
PRAYER OF DEDICATION: You call us by name, Good Shepherd, and invite us to follow you,
both into the safety of the fold and into the challenge of the world. Accept the gifts we bring; both of our resources and ourselves
that we might respond with joy and thanksgiving. AMEN.
OFFERTORY: “O LORD, MOST HOLY”
O Lord most holy, O Lord most mighty; O loving Father, we have put our trust in Thee. Help us to know Thee and love Thee; Father, grant us Thy truth and peace.
O guide our sinful ways; Keep us through all our days faithful and loving, keep us ever in Thy care; And in each trying hour sustain us with Thy power. Guide us, O Father – may we Thy mercies share. Help us, O Father, to live and to sing Thy praise.
* DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF GRATITUDE
PASSING OF PEACE, JOYS, CONCERNS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
WORSHIP THROUGH REFLECTION AND MEDITATION
FIRST READING: ACTS 4: 5 - 12, pp. 1 & 2
ANTHEM: “IN THEE IS GLADNESS” (J.S.BACH)
THE GOSPEL WITNESS: ST. JOHN 10: 11 - 18, pp. 3 & 4
PREACHING OF THE WORD: ENFOLDED BY LOVE - 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. 387 “SAVIOR LIKE A SHEPHERD LEAD US”
* BENEDICTION
RESPONSE:
POSTLUDE: “AWAKE, THOU WINTERY EARTH” (J. S. BACH)
*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.
Save the Date! The Annual Meeting of the Congregation will be held on April 28, 2024 at 12:30 PM.
Please make every effort to attend, and please sign up to bring an item for potluck lunch.
April 27 – The Last Saturday Movie Club – Dinner at 6 PM, Screening of Sister Act at 7 PM.
All are welcome, admission is free. For more information, please contact the Deacons (westcenterdeacons@gmail.com).
HAPPY BIRTHDAYS
04/04 Ms. Jeanne Stano, 04/19 Mr. Jesse Wilson Jr. 04/22 Mr. Ray Lopat
04/25 Mr. Arnold Ostlund Jr, 04/27 Ms. Vynetta Ross, 04/30 Mr. Fred Furey
COVENANT OF CARE
Ted St. Angelo, Nargis Abbas, Cindi Barna, Dante Ferraro, Marjorie Edwards,
Judy Ross Francis, David Fruitman, Frank Ingram, Ann Jamison,
Edie Jamison-Koenig, Jeanette Johnson, Manoris Long, Ray Lopat, Rick Macerata, Joe Miller,
June Nickerson, Sue Nuding, Master Sgt. Timothy Peters, John Polvere,
Nancy Protzman, Tony Roque, Bill Rosenberg, Anthony Russo,
Richard Z. Steinhaus Jr., Edith Unger, Maryella Ward Leigh, 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
Chancel Choir: Julie Byrne, Raphaella Medina Lauren Mitchell, Susie Reisinger
WORSHIP THROUGH PRAISE
PRELUDE: “GAVOTTE” (M. GREENE)
INTROIT:
* RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP:
Pastor: A good shepherd never abandons the sheep.
People: Good Shepherd, we are suffering; care for us!
Pastor: Good Shepherd, we are hopeful; rejoice with us!
People: A good shepherd never abandons the sheep.
Pastor: Good Shepherd, we are anxious; call our name!
People: Good Shepherd, we are lost; show us the way!
* OPENING HYMN: NO. 478 “PRAISE, MY SOUL, THE KING OF HEAVEN”
* UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Contemporary Collect – pg. 1
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE: O God who gathers us into your care, we confess that more times than not, we have strayed from you. We have wandered into places of our own choosing, rather than heeding your call to follow you.
We have gotten lost, hurt, waylaid all because we failed to hear you call our names.
At times, we have even blocked the path of others who seek you. Be merciful to us, we pray. Welcome us into your presence once again and remind us that nothing we do can keep us away from you. AMEN.
MOMENT OF SILENT MEDITATION/SELF REFLECTION:
LORD’S PRAYER (“DEBTS”)
* RESPONSIVE READING OF PSALM 23, pg. 2.
* 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. 170 "THE LORD’S MY SHEPHERD"
CHORAL RESPONSE
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION AND THANKSGIVING:
SHARING OF OUR GIFTS, TITHES AND OFFERING PRECEDED BY PRAYER
PRAYER OF DEDICATION: You call us by name, Good Shepherd, and invite us to follow you,
both into the safety of the fold and into the challenge of the world. Accept the gifts we bring; both of our resources and ourselves
that we might respond with joy and thanksgiving. AMEN.
OFFERTORY: “O LORD, MOST HOLY”
O Lord most holy, O Lord most mighty; O loving Father, we have put our trust in Thee. Help us to know Thee and love Thee; Father, grant us Thy truth and peace.
O guide our sinful ways; Keep us through all our days faithful and loving, keep us ever in Thy care; And in each trying hour sustain us with Thy power. Guide us, O Father – may we Thy mercies share. Help us, O Father, to live and to sing Thy praise.
* DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF GRATITUDE
PASSING OF PEACE, JOYS, CONCERNS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
WORSHIP THROUGH REFLECTION AND MEDITATION
FIRST READING: ACTS 4: 5 - 12, pp. 1 & 2
ANTHEM: “IN THEE IS GLADNESS” (J.S.BACH)
THE GOSPEL WITNESS: ST. JOHN 10: 11 - 18, pp. 3 & 4
PREACHING OF THE WORD: ENFOLDED BY LOVE - 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. 387 “SAVIOR LIKE A SHEPHERD LEAD US”
* BENEDICTION
RESPONSE:
POSTLUDE: “AWAKE, THOU WINTERY EARTH” (J. S. BACH)
*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.
Save the Date! The Annual Meeting of the Congregation will be held on April 28, 2024 at 12:30 PM.
Please make every effort to attend, and please sign up to bring an item for potluck lunch.
April 27 – The Last Saturday Movie Club – Dinner at 6 PM, Screening of Sister Act at 7 PM.
All are welcome, admission is free. For more information, please contact the Deacons (westcenterdeacons@gmail.com).
HAPPY BIRTHDAYS
04/04 Ms. Jeanne Stano, 04/19 Mr. Jesse Wilson Jr. 04/22 Mr. Ray Lopat
04/25 Mr. Arnold Ostlund Jr, 04/27 Ms. Vynetta Ross, 04/30 Mr. Fred Furey
COVENANT OF CARE
Ted St. Angelo, Nargis Abbas, Cindi Barna, Dante Ferraro, Marjorie Edwards,
Judy Ross Francis, David Fruitman, Frank Ingram, Ann Jamison,
Edie Jamison-Koenig, Jeanette Johnson, Manoris Long, Ray Lopat, Rick Macerata, Joe Miller,
June Nickerson, Sue Nuding, Master Sgt. Timothy Peters, John Polvere,
Nancy Protzman, Tony Roque, Bill Rosenberg, Anthony Russo,
Richard Z. Steinhaus Jr., Edith Unger, Maryella Ward Leigh, 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
Chancel Choir: Julie Byrne, Raphaella Medina Lauren Mitchell, Susie Reisinger