WEST CENTER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
Tel No. (914) 337-3829
www.westcenterchurch.org
JULY 21, 2024, NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 11:00 AM
WORSHIP THROUGH PRAISE
PRELUDE: “JESU, JOY OF MAN’S DESIRING” (J. S. BACH)
INTROIT:
* RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP:
Pastor: We seek to be worthy of God’s calling.
People: With humility and kindness, with patience,
Pastor: Bearing with one another in love,
People: Seeking unity in the Spirit of peace.
Pastor: Speaking the truth in love,
People: We desire to grow up with Christ as our head.
Pastor: We are equipped to do Christ’s work.
People: We seek to be worthy of God’s calling.
* OPENING HYMN: NO. 467” “HOW GREAT THOU ART”
* UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Contemporary Collect – pg. 1
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE: We confess, Holy One, that we are heirs to divisions that have beset your people through the ages. We rank and sort ourselves to separate one from another. We distinguish ourselves by race and orientation, by politics and gender, by status and creed. But your Messiah sat at table with pious and scandalous ones, spoke love to prodigals and elders, and in doing so bids us to overcome our differences and live in peace. Forgive our failure to heed Christ's words and lived example. Help us to join with brothers and sisters from far and near, as you continue to make the human family a single people united by love and grace, in Jesus Christ. AMEN.
MOMENT OF SILENT MEDITATION/SELF REFLECTION:
LORD’S PRAYER (“DEBTS”)
* RESPONSIVE READING OF PSALM 89: 20 - 37 pp. 2 & 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. 439 “IN CHRIST THERE IS NO EAST OR WEST”
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION AND THANKSGIVING:
SHARING OF OUR GIFTS, TITHES AND OFFERING PRECEDED BY PRAYER
PRAYER OF DEDICATION: Most generous God, accept our offerings today, given in gratitude for your extravagant gifts to us. We thank you for welcoming us, for leading us with grace, and for offering us eternal hope. As we accept your generous gifts, help us to use them in becoming a people after your own heart. AMEN.
OFFERTORY: “SHEEP MAY SAFELY GRAZE” (J. S. BACH)
* DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF GRATITUDE
PASSING OF PEACE, JOYS, CONCERNS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
WORSHIP THROUGH REFLECTION AND MEDITATION
FIRST READING: II SAMUEL 7: 1 – 14a, pp. 1 & 2.
SOLO “IN THE GARDEN” (ARR. M. HAYES)
I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own; and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing, and the melody that He gave to me within my hear is ringing.
I’d stay in the garden with Him, though the night around me is falling, but He bids me go; through the voice of woe His voice to me is calling.
THE GOSPEL WITNESS: ST. MARK 6: 30 – 34, 53 - 56 pg. 4
PREACHING OF THE WORD: WHEREVER YOU ARE – REV. DR. CHRIS. PONNURAJ
* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – A NEW CREED
Leader: 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. 420 “GOD OF GRACE AND GOD OF GLORY”
* BENEDICTION (Please be seated and join in where you see the bold print))
The Cross, we will take it.
The bread, we will break it.
The pain, we will bear it.
The joy, we will share it.
The gospel, we will live it.
The love, we will give it.
The light, we will cherish it.
The darkness, God shall perish it. (AMEN)
RESPONSE:
POSTLUDE: “SINFONIA FROM ABDELAZER” (H. PURCELL)
*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.
Please participate in the Board of World Service School Supply drive for needy students in Yonkers. Check the enclosed list for the items needed.
Monetary donations are also welcome; please write the check to “West Center Congregational Church”, noting ‘School Supplies’ on the memo line. All donations should be brought to the church by August 11, to allow time for the Salvation Army to distribute. Thank you for whatever you can give!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Vatsala Ponnuraj (07/05), Teresa Rosado (07/05), Rose Lou (07/11), Arlene Holtum (07/12),
Pat Stiller (07/14), June Nickerson (07/18), Sgt. Ariel Castillo (07/31)
COVENANT OF CARE
Ted St. Angelo, Nargis Abbas, Cindi Barna, Dante Ferraro, Judy Ross Francis, David Fruitman,
Frank Ingram, Ann Jamison, Edie Jamison-Koenig, Jeanette Johnson, Peter Koenig, Manoris Long,
Ray Lopat, Rick Macerata, Joe Miller, Martin Morua, Amanda Moore, June Nickerson, Sue Nuding,
Master Sgt. Timothy Peters, John Polvere, Nancy Protzman, Tony Roque, Rev. Allan Ross,
Anthony Russo, Richard Z. Steinhaus Jr., Edith Unger, Maryella Ward Leigh, Amanda Wilson
Friends and Family of Bill Rosenberg, cousin of Jo-Ann Dierks
Family and Friends of Tina Burchell, granddaughter of former minister Dr. E. Roy Burchell and Virginia Burchell and daughter of Roger Burchell
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
[email protected] (917) 743-1574
Mr. John Strybos – Director of Music & Pianist
[email protected] (203) 921-5210
Pianist: Richard Duncan
WORSHIP THROUGH PRAISE
PRELUDE: “JESU, JOY OF MAN’S DESIRING” (J. S. BACH)
INTROIT:
* RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP:
Pastor: We seek to be worthy of God’s calling.
People: With humility and kindness, with patience,
Pastor: Bearing with one another in love,
People: Seeking unity in the Spirit of peace.
Pastor: Speaking the truth in love,
People: We desire to grow up with Christ as our head.
Pastor: We are equipped to do Christ’s work.
People: We seek to be worthy of God’s calling.
* OPENING HYMN: NO. 467” “HOW GREAT THOU ART”
* UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Contemporary Collect – pg. 1
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE: We confess, Holy One, that we are heirs to divisions that have beset your people through the ages. We rank and sort ourselves to separate one from another. We distinguish ourselves by race and orientation, by politics and gender, by status and creed. But your Messiah sat at table with pious and scandalous ones, spoke love to prodigals and elders, and in doing so bids us to overcome our differences and live in peace. Forgive our failure to heed Christ's words and lived example. Help us to join with brothers and sisters from far and near, as you continue to make the human family a single people united by love and grace, in Jesus Christ. AMEN.
MOMENT OF SILENT MEDITATION/SELF REFLECTION:
LORD’S PRAYER (“DEBTS”)
* RESPONSIVE READING OF PSALM 89: 20 - 37 pp. 2 & 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. 439 “IN CHRIST THERE IS NO EAST OR WEST”
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION AND THANKSGIVING:
SHARING OF OUR GIFTS, TITHES AND OFFERING PRECEDED BY PRAYER
PRAYER OF DEDICATION: Most generous God, accept our offerings today, given in gratitude for your extravagant gifts to us. We thank you for welcoming us, for leading us with grace, and for offering us eternal hope. As we accept your generous gifts, help us to use them in becoming a people after your own heart. AMEN.
OFFERTORY: “SHEEP MAY SAFELY GRAZE” (J. S. BACH)
* DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF GRATITUDE
PASSING OF PEACE, JOYS, CONCERNS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
WORSHIP THROUGH REFLECTION AND MEDITATION
FIRST READING: II SAMUEL 7: 1 – 14a, pp. 1 & 2.
SOLO “IN THE GARDEN” (ARR. M. HAYES)
I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own; and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing, and the melody that He gave to me within my hear is ringing.
I’d stay in the garden with Him, though the night around me is falling, but He bids me go; through the voice of woe His voice to me is calling.
THE GOSPEL WITNESS: ST. MARK 6: 30 – 34, 53 - 56 pg. 4
PREACHING OF THE WORD: WHEREVER YOU ARE – REV. DR. CHRIS. PONNURAJ
* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – A NEW CREED
Leader: 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. 420 “GOD OF GRACE AND GOD OF GLORY”
* BENEDICTION (Please be seated and join in where you see the bold print))
The Cross, we will take it.
The bread, we will break it.
The pain, we will bear it.
The joy, we will share it.
The gospel, we will live it.
The love, we will give it.
The light, we will cherish it.
The darkness, God shall perish it. (AMEN)
RESPONSE:
POSTLUDE: “SINFONIA FROM ABDELAZER” (H. PURCELL)
*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.
Please participate in the Board of World Service School Supply drive for needy students in Yonkers. Check the enclosed list for the items needed.
Monetary donations are also welcome; please write the check to “West Center Congregational Church”, noting ‘School Supplies’ on the memo line. All donations should be brought to the church by August 11, to allow time for the Salvation Army to distribute. Thank you for whatever you can give!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Vatsala Ponnuraj (07/05), Teresa Rosado (07/05), Rose Lou (07/11), Arlene Holtum (07/12),
Pat Stiller (07/14), June Nickerson (07/18), Sgt. Ariel Castillo (07/31)
COVENANT OF CARE
Ted St. Angelo, Nargis Abbas, Cindi Barna, Dante Ferraro, Judy Ross Francis, David Fruitman,
Frank Ingram, Ann Jamison, Edie Jamison-Koenig, Jeanette Johnson, Peter Koenig, Manoris Long,
Ray Lopat, Rick Macerata, Joe Miller, Martin Morua, Amanda Moore, June Nickerson, Sue Nuding,
Master Sgt. Timothy Peters, John Polvere, Nancy Protzman, Tony Roque, Rev. Allan Ross,
Anthony Russo, Richard Z. Steinhaus Jr., Edith Unger, Maryella Ward Leigh, Amanda Wilson
Friends and Family of Bill Rosenberg, cousin of Jo-Ann Dierks
Family and Friends of Tina Burchell, granddaughter of former minister Dr. E. Roy Burchell and Virginia Burchell and daughter of Roger Burchell
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
[email protected] (917) 743-1574
Mr. John Strybos – Director of Music & Pianist
[email protected] (203) 921-5210
Pianist: Richard Duncan