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WEST CENTER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 101 Pondfield Road West Bronxville, New York 10708 Tel No. (914) 337-3829 www.westcenterchurch.org |
JUNE 8, 2025 PENTECOST SUNDAY 11:00 AM
WORSHIP THROUGH PRAISE
PRELUDE: “SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD” (IVERSON, ARR. J. CARTER)
INTROIT: Majesty, worship and majesty; unto Jesus be all glory, honor and praise. Majesty, kingdom authority,
flow from His throne unto His own; His anthem raise. So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus; Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus, the King!
Majesty, worship and majesty; Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all Kings.
* RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP:
Pastor: Come, Holy Spirit, come.
People: Set your children on fire with good news!
Pastor: Teach your children new languages of peace!
People: Come, Holy Spirit, come.
Pastor: Open our eyes to new visions!
People: Open our hearts to new hopes!
Pastor: Come, Holy Spirit, come. Come, Holy Spirit!
* OPENING HYMN: NO. 128 “ON PENTECOST THEY GATHERED”
UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Contemporary Collect – pg. 1
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE: Gracious God, giver of our lives, too often we are so eager to do “something” that we allow easy answers to lure us away from the examination you would have us make of our lives and our world. We long for the comfortable life – where our good feelings are ultimately the sole arbiter of whether we have acted rightly. Too often we prefer the immediate satisfaction of individual action to the more difficult process of helping our whole church or society to act in new and life-giving ways. Cultivate within us a stomach for the suffering of your world and the patience to act deliberately. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. AMEN.
MOMENT OF SILENT MEDITATION/SELF REFLECTION:
LORD’S PRAYER (“DEBTS”)
* RESPONSIVE READING OF PSALM 104: 25 – 35, 37 - pp. 4 & 5
* GLORIA PATRI:
WORSHIP THROUGH CARING, PRAYING AND GIVING
MEDITATIONAL HYMN: NO. 324 “OPEN MY EYES THAT I MAY SEE”
CALL TO PRAYER: Oh, how He loves you and me; Oh, how He loves you and me.
He gave His life, what more could He give? Oh, how He loves you; Oh, how He loves me; Oh, how He loves you and me.
MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER/THE CHURCH AT PRAYER
SHARING OF OUR GIFTS, TITHES AND OFFERING PRECEDED BY PRAYER
PRAYER OF DEDICATION: God, take the fruits of our earth and the fruits of our lives and fix them toward your good purpose, that all the earth may, in one glorious chorus, give praise to you and joy to each other. AMEN.
OFFERTORY: “SPIRIT”
Spirit of gentleness, Blow through the wilderness, calling and free; Spirit of restlessness, Stir me from placidness, Wind on the sea.
You moved on the waters, You called to the deep; Then You coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep; And over the eons You called to each thing, “Awake from your slumbers, and rise on your wings.”
You sang in a stable, You cried from a hill; Then You whispered in silence when the whole world was still; And down in the city You called once again when You blew through Your people on the rush of the wind.
* DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF GRATITUDE
PASSING OF PEACE, JOYS, CONCERNS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
WORSHIP THROUGH REFLECTION AND MEDITATION
FIRST READING: ACTS 2: 1 - 21, pp. 2 & 3
SOLO: “SPIRIT SONG”
O let the Son of God enfold you with His Spirit and His love; Let Him fill your heart and satisfy your soul.
O let Him have the things that hold you, and His Spirit, like a dove, will descend upon your life and make you whole.
Jesus, come and fill Your lambs.
O come and sing this song with gladness and your hearts are filled with joy;
Lift your hands in sweet surrender to His name. O give Him all your tears and sadness, give Him all your hears of pain,
and you’ll enter into life in Jesus’ name.
THE GOSPEL WITNESS: ST. JOHN 14: 8 – 17, 25 – 27, pg. 7
PREACHING OF THE WORD: GATHERED AND SCATTERED - Rev. Dr. Chris. 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. 129 “COME O SPIRIT, DWELL AMONG US”
* BENEDICTION: (THREE-FOLD AMEN)
RESPONSE TO THE BENEDICTION: AMEN. God be with you ‘til we meet again; By His counsels guide, uphold you;
With His sheep securely fold you. God be with you ‘til we meet again.
POSTLUDE: “COUNTRY GARDENS” (ENGLISH FOLK TUNE)
*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.
Next Sunday June 15, 2025, is the 98th Anniversary of the official formation of West Center Church.
As part of our anniversary celebration, we will be having movie night and pot luck dinner on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 6 PM.
Film to be screened is The In-Laws.
HAPPY BIRTHDAYS
6/27 Ms. Amanda Moore
COVENANT OF CARE
Nargis Abbas, Cindi Barna, Donald Boland, Dave Carbray, Roderick Clayton, Kerry-Ann Clayton,
Dante Ferraro, Anna Fishman, Judy Ross Francis, Peter Gill, Frank Ingram, Ann Jamison, Edie Jamison-Koenig, Jeanette Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Peter Koenig, Doreen LaBlanc, Ronald M Leigh, Sr., ManorisLong, 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, Vynetta Ross, Anthony Russo, Richard Z. Steinhaus Jr.,
Eric Symons, Edith Unger, Maryella Ward Leigh, Amanda Wilson, Jane Wong
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
Guest Pianist: Richard Duncan
WORSHIP THROUGH PRAISE
PRELUDE: “SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD” (IVERSON, ARR. J. CARTER)
INTROIT: Majesty, worship and majesty; unto Jesus be all glory, honor and praise. Majesty, kingdom authority,
flow from His throne unto His own; His anthem raise. So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus; Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus, the King!
Majesty, worship and majesty; Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all Kings.
* RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP:
Pastor: Come, Holy Spirit, come.
People: Set your children on fire with good news!
Pastor: Teach your children new languages of peace!
People: Come, Holy Spirit, come.
Pastor: Open our eyes to new visions!
People: Open our hearts to new hopes!
Pastor: Come, Holy Spirit, come. Come, Holy Spirit!
* OPENING HYMN: NO. 128 “ON PENTECOST THEY GATHERED”
UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Contemporary Collect – pg. 1
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE: Gracious God, giver of our lives, too often we are so eager to do “something” that we allow easy answers to lure us away from the examination you would have us make of our lives and our world. We long for the comfortable life – where our good feelings are ultimately the sole arbiter of whether we have acted rightly. Too often we prefer the immediate satisfaction of individual action to the more difficult process of helping our whole church or society to act in new and life-giving ways. Cultivate within us a stomach for the suffering of your world and the patience to act deliberately. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. AMEN.
MOMENT OF SILENT MEDITATION/SELF REFLECTION:
LORD’S PRAYER (“DEBTS”)
* RESPONSIVE READING OF PSALM 104: 25 – 35, 37 - pp. 4 & 5
* GLORIA PATRI:
WORSHIP THROUGH CARING, PRAYING AND GIVING
MEDITATIONAL HYMN: NO. 324 “OPEN MY EYES THAT I MAY SEE”
CALL TO PRAYER: Oh, how He loves you and me; Oh, how He loves you and me.
He gave His life, what more could He give? Oh, how He loves you; Oh, how He loves me; Oh, how He loves you and me.
MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER/THE CHURCH AT PRAYER
SHARING OF OUR GIFTS, TITHES AND OFFERING PRECEDED BY PRAYER
PRAYER OF DEDICATION: God, take the fruits of our earth and the fruits of our lives and fix them toward your good purpose, that all the earth may, in one glorious chorus, give praise to you and joy to each other. AMEN.
OFFERTORY: “SPIRIT”
Spirit of gentleness, Blow through the wilderness, calling and free; Spirit of restlessness, Stir me from placidness, Wind on the sea.
You moved on the waters, You called to the deep; Then You coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep; And over the eons You called to each thing, “Awake from your slumbers, and rise on your wings.”
You sang in a stable, You cried from a hill; Then You whispered in silence when the whole world was still; And down in the city You called once again when You blew through Your people on the rush of the wind.
* DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF GRATITUDE
PASSING OF PEACE, JOYS, CONCERNS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
WORSHIP THROUGH REFLECTION AND MEDITATION
FIRST READING: ACTS 2: 1 - 21, pp. 2 & 3
SOLO: “SPIRIT SONG”
O let the Son of God enfold you with His Spirit and His love; Let Him fill your heart and satisfy your soul.
O let Him have the things that hold you, and His Spirit, like a dove, will descend upon your life and make you whole.
Jesus, come and fill Your lambs.
O come and sing this song with gladness and your hearts are filled with joy;
Lift your hands in sweet surrender to His name. O give Him all your tears and sadness, give Him all your hears of pain,
and you’ll enter into life in Jesus’ name.
THE GOSPEL WITNESS: ST. JOHN 14: 8 – 17, 25 – 27, pg. 7
PREACHING OF THE WORD: GATHERED AND SCATTERED - Rev. Dr. Chris. 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. 129 “COME O SPIRIT, DWELL AMONG US”
* BENEDICTION: (THREE-FOLD AMEN)
RESPONSE TO THE BENEDICTION: AMEN. God be with you ‘til we meet again; By His counsels guide, uphold you;
With His sheep securely fold you. God be with you ‘til we meet again.
POSTLUDE: “COUNTRY GARDENS” (ENGLISH FOLK TUNE)
*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.
Next Sunday June 15, 2025, is the 98th Anniversary of the official formation of West Center Church.
As part of our anniversary celebration, we will be having movie night and pot luck dinner on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 6 PM.
Film to be screened is The In-Laws.
HAPPY BIRTHDAYS
6/27 Ms. Amanda Moore
COVENANT OF CARE
Nargis Abbas, Cindi Barna, Donald Boland, Dave Carbray, Roderick Clayton, Kerry-Ann Clayton,
Dante Ferraro, Anna Fishman, Judy Ross Francis, Peter Gill, Frank Ingram, Ann Jamison, Edie Jamison-Koenig, Jeanette Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Peter Koenig, Doreen LaBlanc, Ronald M Leigh, Sr., ManorisLong, 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, Vynetta Ross, Anthony Russo, Richard Z. Steinhaus Jr.,
Eric Symons, Edith Unger, Maryella Ward Leigh, Amanda Wilson, Jane Wong
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
Guest Pianist: Richard Duncan