WEST CENTER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
Tel No. (914) 337-3829
www.westcenterchurch.org
FEBRUARY 16, 2025, SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY 11:00 AM
WORSHIP THROUGH PRAISE
PRELUDE: “LYRIC MELODY” (E. THIMAN)
INTROIT :
*RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP:
Pastor: God meets us in the power of the gospel.
People: In the gospel, we find hope.
Pastor: God moves us by the power of the gospel.
People: God moves us to bring hope into a despairing world
Pastor: God sends us to proclaim the gospel.
People: God reveals love and grace in the gospel.
Pastor: God gives us opportunities to reveal divine love to others
People: God calls us to obedience in the gospel.
* OPENING HYMN: NO. 276 “GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS”
UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Contemporary Collect – pg. 1
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE: Gracious God, too often, we have not recognized the mission you have committed to us; transforming the world, or at least our small portion of it, in the name of Christ. We have trusted in our ability to get things done rather than in your power. We have trusted in our wisdom instead of the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. May we always seek your will above our own wills. May we always pray for your strength and aid in all we do. Turn our hearts, minds, and wills completely to you that we may always serve you and in all places in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
MOMENT OF SILENT MEDITATION/SELF REFLECTION:
LORD’S PRAYER (“DEBTS’)
* RESPONSIVE READING OF PSALM 1 pg. 2
* GLORIA PATRI:
WORSHIP THROUGH CARING, PRAYING AND GIVING
MEDITATIONAL HYMN: NO. 359 “MORE LOVE TO THEE, O CHRIST”
MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER/THE CHURCH AT PRAYER
SHARING OF OUR GIFTS, TITHES AND OFFERING PRECEDED BY PRAYER
PRAYER OF DEDICATION: Merciful God, accept these gifts and bless those who have given them. Increase in us the gift of your Holy Spirit, that as our church takes these offerings and uses them for your work, we may be also used for your work in whatever way you choose to use us.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
OFFERTORY: “EYE HATH NOT SEEN” (GAUL)
Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, neither have entered
into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.
For He hath prepared for them a city whose Builder and Maker is God.
* DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF GRATITUDE
PASSING OF PEACE, JOYS, CONCERNS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
WORSHIP THROUGH REFLECTION AND MEDITATION
FIRST READING: JEREMIAH 17: 5 - 10 pp. 1 & 2
SOLO: “JESUS LOVES ME”
Jesus loves me, this I know; for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong; they are weak, but He is strong.
Jesus loves me, He will stay close beside me all the way.
If I love Him when I die, he will lead me home on high.
THE GOSPEL WITNESS: ST. LUKE 6: 17 - 26 pp. 3 & 4
PREACHING OF THE WORD: SURPRISING TEACHING - 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. 467 “HOW GREAT THOU ART”
* BENEDICTION:
RESPONSE:
p
POSTLUDE: “A SONG OF TRIUMPH” (O. CHUCKERBUTTY)
*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.
HAPPY BIRTHDAYS
02/02 Ms. Georgia LaBlanc, 02/09 Ms. JoAnn Lou,
02/28 Mr. Thomas Riggs, 02/29 Ms. JoAnn Dierks
COVENANT OF CARE
Nargis Abbas, Cindi Barna, Dave Carbray, Dante Ferraro, Anna Fishman, Judy Ross Francis,
Peter Gill, Frank Ingram, Ann Jamison, Edie Jamison-Koenig, Jeanette Johnson,
Peter Koenig, Manoris Long, Ray Lopat, Rick Macerata, Joe Miller, Martin Morua,
June Nickerson, Tommy Nicholson, Sue Nuding, Master Sgt. Timothy Peters, John Polvere,
Nancy Protzman, Meghan Ellen Quinlan, Tony Roque, Rev. Allan Ross, Anthony Russo,
Richard Z. Steinhaus Jr., Eric Symons, Charles and Margaret Torrey, Edith Unger,
Maryella Ward Leigh, Amanda Wilson, Jane Wong & family (Pono, Alex & Hilary & Jackson)
The Breen family for the loss of Patrick.
The victims of the wildfires in southern California.
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 & Organist
[email protected] (203) 921-5210
Chancel Choir: Eliza Bonet, Robert Orbach, Lauren Mitchell, Susie Reisinger
WORSHIP THROUGH PRAISE
PRELUDE: “LYRIC MELODY” (E. THIMAN)
INTROIT :
*RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP:
Pastor: God meets us in the power of the gospel.
People: In the gospel, we find hope.
Pastor: God moves us by the power of the gospel.
People: God moves us to bring hope into a despairing world
Pastor: God sends us to proclaim the gospel.
People: God reveals love and grace in the gospel.
Pastor: God gives us opportunities to reveal divine love to others
People: God calls us to obedience in the gospel.
* OPENING HYMN: NO. 276 “GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS”
UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Contemporary Collect – pg. 1
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE: Gracious God, too often, we have not recognized the mission you have committed to us; transforming the world, or at least our small portion of it, in the name of Christ. We have trusted in our ability to get things done rather than in your power. We have trusted in our wisdom instead of the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. May we always seek your will above our own wills. May we always pray for your strength and aid in all we do. Turn our hearts, minds, and wills completely to you that we may always serve you and in all places in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
MOMENT OF SILENT MEDITATION/SELF REFLECTION:
LORD’S PRAYER (“DEBTS’)
* RESPONSIVE READING OF PSALM 1 pg. 2
* GLORIA PATRI:
WORSHIP THROUGH CARING, PRAYING AND GIVING
MEDITATIONAL HYMN: NO. 359 “MORE LOVE TO THEE, O CHRIST”
MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER/THE CHURCH AT PRAYER
SHARING OF OUR GIFTS, TITHES AND OFFERING PRECEDED BY PRAYER
PRAYER OF DEDICATION: Merciful God, accept these gifts and bless those who have given them. Increase in us the gift of your Holy Spirit, that as our church takes these offerings and uses them for your work, we may be also used for your work in whatever way you choose to use us.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
OFFERTORY: “EYE HATH NOT SEEN” (GAUL)
Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, neither have entered
into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.
For He hath prepared for them a city whose Builder and Maker is God.
* DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF GRATITUDE
PASSING OF PEACE, JOYS, CONCERNS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
WORSHIP THROUGH REFLECTION AND MEDITATION
FIRST READING: JEREMIAH 17: 5 - 10 pp. 1 & 2
SOLO: “JESUS LOVES ME”
Jesus loves me, this I know; for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong; they are weak, but He is strong.
Jesus loves me, He will stay close beside me all the way.
If I love Him when I die, he will lead me home on high.
THE GOSPEL WITNESS: ST. LUKE 6: 17 - 26 pp. 3 & 4
PREACHING OF THE WORD: SURPRISING TEACHING - 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. 467 “HOW GREAT THOU ART”
* BENEDICTION:
RESPONSE:
p
POSTLUDE: “A SONG OF TRIUMPH” (O. CHUCKERBUTTY)
*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.
HAPPY BIRTHDAYS
02/02 Ms. Georgia LaBlanc, 02/09 Ms. JoAnn Lou,
02/28 Mr. Thomas Riggs, 02/29 Ms. JoAnn Dierks
COVENANT OF CARE
Nargis Abbas, Cindi Barna, Dave Carbray, Dante Ferraro, Anna Fishman, Judy Ross Francis,
Peter Gill, Frank Ingram, Ann Jamison, Edie Jamison-Koenig, Jeanette Johnson,
Peter Koenig, Manoris Long, Ray Lopat, Rick Macerata, Joe Miller, Martin Morua,
June Nickerson, Tommy Nicholson, Sue Nuding, Master Sgt. Timothy Peters, John Polvere,
Nancy Protzman, Meghan Ellen Quinlan, Tony Roque, Rev. Allan Ross, Anthony Russo,
Richard Z. Steinhaus Jr., Eric Symons, Charles and Margaret Torrey, Edith Unger,
Maryella Ward Leigh, Amanda Wilson, Jane Wong & family (Pono, Alex & Hilary & Jackson)
The Breen family for the loss of Patrick.
The victims of the wildfires in southern California.
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 & Organist
[email protected] (203) 921-5210
Chancel Choir: Eliza Bonet, Robert Orbach, Lauren Mitchell, Susie Reisinger