WEST CENTER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
Tel No. (914) 337-3829
www.westcenterchurch.org
OCTOBER 2, 2022, SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 11:00 AM
WORSHIP THROUGH PRAISE/WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY
PRELUDE: “BREAD OF THE WORLD” (R. BUTLER)
* RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP:
Pastor: Open our mouths, O God,
People: Make us bold to proclaim your love.
Pastor: Open our minds, O God,
People: Help us grow in faith.
Pastor: Open our hearts, and our lives, O God,
People: Transform us by your love.
Pastor: God has done great things for us.
People: Help us grow in faith.
* OPENING HYMN: NO. 474: “O SPLENDOR OF GOD’S GLORY BRIGHT”
UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Contemporary Collect – pg. 1
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE: Loving God, we confess to you our lack of faith, our inability to trust in your promise, and our unwillingness to fully embrace your call. We have not been obedient to your will. We have neglected our work as your servants. We have ignored the needs of our neighbors. We have turned aside from your path. And yet, we turn to you in faith, trusting in your never-ending mercy. Your grace abounds for us, and you cast aside our sins. Help us to receive your forgiveness with open hearts. Strengthen us and empower us that we may be your faithful servants, so that we may grow in the assurance of your unwavering love for us in Christ. AMEN.
MOMENT OF SILENT MEDITATION/SELF REFLECTION:
LORD’S PRAYER (“DEBTS”)
* RESPONSIVE READING OF PSALM 137: pg. 3
* 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. 383 “MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE”
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION AND THANKSGIVING:
CHORAL RESPONSE: “Almighty Father, hear our prayer,
and bless all souls that wait before Thee. AMEN.
SHARING OF OUR GIFTS, TITHES AND OFFERING PRECEDED BY PRAYER
PRAYER OF DEDICATION: God of all life, we offer ourselves to your service. We lift before you these gifts of our time, our talents, and our labor, all of which have first come to us by your blessing. Receive us as we are, and use us according to your will. AMEN
OFFERTORY: “O LORD MOST HOLY” (C. FRANCK)
* DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF GRATITUDE
PASSING OF PEACE, JOYS, CONCERNS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
WORSHIP THROUGH REFLECTION AND MEDITATION
FIRST READING: Lamentation 1: 1- 6 pp. 1 & 2
ANTHEM: “COME TO THE TABLE OF GRACE” (B. HAMM)
Come to the table of grace,
This is God’s table, we gather together.
Come to the table of peace ….
Come to the table of hope ….
Come to the table of love ….
Come to the table of joy ….
THE GOSPEL WITNESS: St. Luke 17: 5 - 10, pg. 4
PREACHING OF THE WORD: FREE TO GRIEVE- REV. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (NICENE CREED): We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. AMEN.
HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE
(Follow the separate Holy Communion worship sheet)
* CLOSING HYMN: NO. 399 “WE WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT”
* BENEDICTION: (THREE-FOLD AMEN)
RESPONSE
POSTLUDE: “DEO GRACIAS” (DUNSTABLE)
*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. Your generous offerings are highly appreciated and the check should be made out to “West Center Congregational Church”.
Today starts the collection for Neighbors in Need, which will last through the month of October. Please use the envelope in the bulletin to make your contribution. Thank you for your support.
Our Friendship and Fellowship Coffee Hour will be held in Bodge Lounge. Come and share the joy of Christ’s love with us. Please sign up if you wish to host a coffee hour.
HAPPY BIRTHDAYS
10/12 Ms. Charlotte Johnson, 10/17 Ms. Joy De Bellis
10/19 Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj, 10/19 Ms. Indiya Okam
COVENANT OF CARE
Ted St. Angelo, Cindi Barna, Jaimelyn DeFrancesco, Urmila Devi, Courtney Elliott, Arlene Holtum, Ann Jamison, Edie Jamison-Koenig, Charlotte Johnson, Jeanette Johnson, Scott Johnson,
Richard and William Krause, Michael LaRaus, Rick Macerata, Joe Miller, June Nickerson,
Paula Parson, Master Sgt. Timothy Peters, John Polvere, Nancy Protzman,
Anthony Russo, Natalie Susa, Edith Unger, Amanda Wilson,
Natalie Susa and family for the loss of her grandfather Jerry Susa
Family and Friends of Peter Lohne, friend and husband of Susie Reisinger’s college roommate
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj – Minister
ckponnuraj@gmail.com (917) 743-1574
Mr. John Strybos – Director of Music
jpstrybos@aol.com (203) 921-5210
Treble Choir: Kelly Guerra-Sedgwick, Lauren Mitchell,
Robert Orbach & Susie Reisinger;
WORSHIP THROUGH PRAISE/WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY
PRELUDE: “BREAD OF THE WORLD” (R. BUTLER)
* RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP:
Pastor: Open our mouths, O God,
People: Make us bold to proclaim your love.
Pastor: Open our minds, O God,
People: Help us grow in faith.
Pastor: Open our hearts, and our lives, O God,
People: Transform us by your love.
Pastor: God has done great things for us.
People: Help us grow in faith.
* OPENING HYMN: NO. 474: “O SPLENDOR OF GOD’S GLORY BRIGHT”
UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Contemporary Collect – pg. 1
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE: Loving God, we confess to you our lack of faith, our inability to trust in your promise, and our unwillingness to fully embrace your call. We have not been obedient to your will. We have neglected our work as your servants. We have ignored the needs of our neighbors. We have turned aside from your path. And yet, we turn to you in faith, trusting in your never-ending mercy. Your grace abounds for us, and you cast aside our sins. Help us to receive your forgiveness with open hearts. Strengthen us and empower us that we may be your faithful servants, so that we may grow in the assurance of your unwavering love for us in Christ. AMEN.
MOMENT OF SILENT MEDITATION/SELF REFLECTION:
LORD’S PRAYER (“DEBTS”)
* RESPONSIVE READING OF PSALM 137: pg. 3
* 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. 383 “MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE”
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION AND THANKSGIVING:
CHORAL RESPONSE: “Almighty Father, hear our prayer,
and bless all souls that wait before Thee. AMEN.
SHARING OF OUR GIFTS, TITHES AND OFFERING PRECEDED BY PRAYER
PRAYER OF DEDICATION: God of all life, we offer ourselves to your service. We lift before you these gifts of our time, our talents, and our labor, all of which have first come to us by your blessing. Receive us as we are, and use us according to your will. AMEN
OFFERTORY: “O LORD MOST HOLY” (C. FRANCK)
* DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF GRATITUDE
PASSING OF PEACE, JOYS, CONCERNS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
WORSHIP THROUGH REFLECTION AND MEDITATION
FIRST READING: Lamentation 1: 1- 6 pp. 1 & 2
ANTHEM: “COME TO THE TABLE OF GRACE” (B. HAMM)
Come to the table of grace,
This is God’s table, we gather together.
Come to the table of peace ….
Come to the table of hope ….
Come to the table of love ….
Come to the table of joy ….
THE GOSPEL WITNESS: St. Luke 17: 5 - 10, pg. 4
PREACHING OF THE WORD: FREE TO GRIEVE- REV. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj
* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (NICENE CREED): We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. AMEN.
HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE
(Follow the separate Holy Communion worship sheet)
* CLOSING HYMN: NO. 399 “WE WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT”
* BENEDICTION: (THREE-FOLD AMEN)
RESPONSE
POSTLUDE: “DEO GRACIAS” (DUNSTABLE)
*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. Your generous offerings are highly appreciated and the check should be made out to “West Center Congregational Church”.
Today starts the collection for Neighbors in Need, which will last through the month of October. Please use the envelope in the bulletin to make your contribution. Thank you for your support.
Our Friendship and Fellowship Coffee Hour will be held in Bodge Lounge. Come and share the joy of Christ’s love with us. Please sign up if you wish to host a coffee hour.
HAPPY BIRTHDAYS
10/12 Ms. Charlotte Johnson, 10/17 Ms. Joy De Bellis
10/19 Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj, 10/19 Ms. Indiya Okam
COVENANT OF CARE
Ted St. Angelo, Cindi Barna, Jaimelyn DeFrancesco, Urmila Devi, Courtney Elliott, Arlene Holtum, Ann Jamison, Edie Jamison-Koenig, Charlotte Johnson, Jeanette Johnson, Scott Johnson,
Richard and William Krause, Michael LaRaus, Rick Macerata, Joe Miller, June Nickerson,
Paula Parson, Master Sgt. Timothy Peters, John Polvere, Nancy Protzman,
Anthony Russo, Natalie Susa, Edith Unger, Amanda Wilson,
Natalie Susa and family for the loss of her grandfather Jerry Susa
Family and Friends of Peter Lohne, friend and husband of Susie Reisinger’s college roommate
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj – Minister
ckponnuraj@gmail.com (917) 743-1574
Mr. John Strybos – Director of Music
jpstrybos@aol.com (203) 921-5210
Treble Choir: Kelly Guerra-Sedgwick, Lauren Mitchell,
Robert Orbach & Susie Reisinger;