WEST CENTER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
Tel No. (914) 337-3829
www.westcenterchurch.org
November 28, 2021 11:00 AM
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT/WORSHIP THROUGH PRAISE
PRELUDE: "SLEEPERS, AWAKE!" (A. WYTON)
*RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP:
Pastor: The time has come to wait:
People: For a world to end and a life to begin.
Pastor: The time has come to listen:
People: For the thunder of change and the whisper of hope.
Pastor: The time has come to watch:
People: For a dead branch to blossom and a barren tree to bear fruit.
Pastor: The time has come to wake.
People: Let us Praise the Lord.
*OPENING HYMN: NO. 9 “O COME, O COME EMMANUEL”
*UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Contemporary Collect – pg. 1
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE: God, we come before you as children caught up in the frenzy of Christmas preparations. We decorate our homes, wrap our gifts, write our cards, prepare our holiday dishes – but forget to prepare our hearts. Forgive us when we get so caught up in the world’s celebration that we forget the reason for the season: you love us so much, you sent your son to show us how to love. Help us to live and share the love of Jesus. The good news for us is, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him”. AMEN
LORD’S PRAYER (“DEBTS”)
*RESPONSIVE READING OF PSALM 25, pg. 2
*GLORIA PATRI:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be;
World without end. AMEN.
ADVENT PRAYER/READING- HOPE: MRS. VATSALA PONNURAJ (INSERT)
LIGHTING OF FIRST ADVENT CANDLE: REV. ALLAN ROSS
MUSIC DURING THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE: "LIGHT ONE CANDLE"
WORSHIP THROUGH CARING, PRAYING AND GIVING
MEDITATIONAL HYMN: NO.372 “LORD, I WANT TO BE CHRISTIAN”
MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER/THE CHURCH AT PRAYER
CHORAL RESPONSE: Hear our Prayer, O Lord, Hear our prayer, O Lord,
Incline thine ear to us, and grant us thy peace. AMEN
SHARING OF OUR GIFTS, TITHES AND OFFERING PRECEDED BY PRAYERPRAYER OF DEDICATION: Advent God, you have planted us to bear fruit for your realm. Receive and bless all that we have put forth. Receive and bless the full portion of all we have become. Receive and bless us to be a living sanctuary of peace and hope in this day and in the time to come. AMEN.
OFFERTORY: "COMFORT, COMFORT, MY PEOPLE" (GENEVAN PSALTER)
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF GRATITUDE
JOYS, CONCERNS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
WORSHIP THROUGH REFLECTION AND MEDITATION
OLD TESTAMENT WITNESS: Jeremiah 33: 14 - 16, pg. 1
NEW TESTAMENT WITNESS: I Thessalonians 3: 9 - 13, pg. 3
RESPONSE HYMN: NO. 5 “LET ALL MORTAL FLESH KEEP SILENCE”
THE GOSPEL WITNESS: St. Luke 21: 25 - 36, pp.3 & 4
PREACHING OF THE WORD: SIGN OF THINGS TO COME - Rev. Dr. Chris. Ponnuraj
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (APOSTLES’ CREED): I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN: NO. 20 “WATCHMEN, TELL US OF THE NIGHT”
*BENEDICTION: (THREE-FOLD AMEN)
CHORAL RESPONSE
POSTLUDE: "SAVIOR OF THE NATIONS, COME" (PLAINSONG MELODY)
*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 sign up, if you wish to host a Coffee hour.
Save the date…On December 5, we will have a special Christmas Carol Sing at 6 PM in Bodge Lounge. Cedar Knolls and Armour Villa neighborhoods will be lighting their trees and will join us for refreshments in the church. Hope you all can come!
HAPPY BIRTHDAYS
12/11 Rev. Ervin Graves, 12/17 Jeanette Johnson, 12/14 Emma Arroyo,
12/23 Randy Anderson, 12/23 Emmanuel Ikwechegh,
12/25 Karina Arroyo Valentin, 12/25 Jesus of Nazareth.
COVENANT OF CARE
Paul Collarile, Charlotte Johnson, Paula Parson, Trish Jamison, Amanda Wilson,
Master Sgt. Timothy Peters, Ann Jamison, Ted St. Angelo, John Polvere,
Jeanette Johnson, Scott Johnson, Rick Macerata, June Nickerson, Jean Reisinger Peters,
Cindi Barna, Bradley Prescott, Anthony Russo, Edith Unger, and Bill Boyd
*****
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj - Minister
ckponnuraj@gmail.com (917) 743-1574
Music Director: Mr. John Strybos
jpstrybos@aol.com (203) 921-5210
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
Tel No. (914) 337-3829
www.westcenterchurch.org
November 28, 2021 11:00 AM
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT/WORSHIP THROUGH PRAISE
PRELUDE: "SLEEPERS, AWAKE!" (A. WYTON)
*RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP:
Pastor: The time has come to wait:
People: For a world to end and a life to begin.
Pastor: The time has come to listen:
People: For the thunder of change and the whisper of hope.
Pastor: The time has come to watch:
People: For a dead branch to blossom and a barren tree to bear fruit.
Pastor: The time has come to wake.
People: Let us Praise the Lord.
*OPENING HYMN: NO. 9 “O COME, O COME EMMANUEL”
*UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Contemporary Collect – pg. 1
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE: God, we come before you as children caught up in the frenzy of Christmas preparations. We decorate our homes, wrap our gifts, write our cards, prepare our holiday dishes – but forget to prepare our hearts. Forgive us when we get so caught up in the world’s celebration that we forget the reason for the season: you love us so much, you sent your son to show us how to love. Help us to live and share the love of Jesus. The good news for us is, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him”. AMEN
LORD’S PRAYER (“DEBTS”)
*RESPONSIVE READING OF PSALM 25, pg. 2
*GLORIA PATRI:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be;
World without end. AMEN.
ADVENT PRAYER/READING- HOPE: MRS. VATSALA PONNURAJ (INSERT)
LIGHTING OF FIRST ADVENT CANDLE: REV. ALLAN ROSS
MUSIC DURING THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE: "LIGHT ONE CANDLE"
WORSHIP THROUGH CARING, PRAYING AND GIVING
MEDITATIONAL HYMN: NO.372 “LORD, I WANT TO BE CHRISTIAN”
MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER/THE CHURCH AT PRAYER
CHORAL RESPONSE: Hear our Prayer, O Lord, Hear our prayer, O Lord,
Incline thine ear to us, and grant us thy peace. AMEN
SHARING OF OUR GIFTS, TITHES AND OFFERING PRECEDED BY PRAYERPRAYER OF DEDICATION: Advent God, you have planted us to bear fruit for your realm. Receive and bless all that we have put forth. Receive and bless the full portion of all we have become. Receive and bless us to be a living sanctuary of peace and hope in this day and in the time to come. AMEN.
OFFERTORY: "COMFORT, COMFORT, MY PEOPLE" (GENEVAN PSALTER)
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF GRATITUDE
JOYS, CONCERNS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
WORSHIP THROUGH REFLECTION AND MEDITATION
OLD TESTAMENT WITNESS: Jeremiah 33: 14 - 16, pg. 1
NEW TESTAMENT WITNESS: I Thessalonians 3: 9 - 13, pg. 3
RESPONSE HYMN: NO. 5 “LET ALL MORTAL FLESH KEEP SILENCE”
THE GOSPEL WITNESS: St. Luke 21: 25 - 36, pp.3 & 4
PREACHING OF THE WORD: SIGN OF THINGS TO COME - Rev. Dr. Chris. Ponnuraj
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (APOSTLES’ CREED): I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN: NO. 20 “WATCHMEN, TELL US OF THE NIGHT”
*BENEDICTION: (THREE-FOLD AMEN)
CHORAL RESPONSE
POSTLUDE: "SAVIOR OF THE NATIONS, COME" (PLAINSONG MELODY)
*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 sign up, if you wish to host a Coffee hour.
Save the date…On December 5, we will have a special Christmas Carol Sing at 6 PM in Bodge Lounge. Cedar Knolls and Armour Villa neighborhoods will be lighting their trees and will join us for refreshments in the church. Hope you all can come!
HAPPY BIRTHDAYS
12/11 Rev. Ervin Graves, 12/17 Jeanette Johnson, 12/14 Emma Arroyo,
12/23 Randy Anderson, 12/23 Emmanuel Ikwechegh,
12/25 Karina Arroyo Valentin, 12/25 Jesus of Nazareth.
COVENANT OF CARE
Paul Collarile, Charlotte Johnson, Paula Parson, Trish Jamison, Amanda Wilson,
Master Sgt. Timothy Peters, Ann Jamison, Ted St. Angelo, John Polvere,
Jeanette Johnson, Scott Johnson, Rick Macerata, June Nickerson, Jean Reisinger Peters,
Cindi Barna, Bradley Prescott, Anthony Russo, Edith Unger, and Bill Boyd
*****
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj - Minister
ckponnuraj@gmail.com (917) 743-1574
Music Director: Mr. John Strybos
jpstrybos@aol.com (203) 921-5210