WEST CENTER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
Tel No. (914) 337-3829
www.westcenterchurch.org
MAY 10, 2026 SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 11:00 AM
WORSHIP THROUGH PRAISE/MOTHERS DAY
PRELUDE: “MY TRIBUTE” (A. CROUCH)
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: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, you people of God.
People: We sing the glory of God’s name.
Pastor: Come and see what the Lord has done.
People: Let the sound of our worship be heard.
Pastor: Give to God glorious praise.
People: God’s deeds are awesome.
All: Let all the earth bows in wonder and adoration.
* OPENING HYMN: NO. 469: “MORNING HAS BROKEN”
*UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Contemporary Collect – pg. 1
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE: Forgive us, loving God, for the times when we have not loved as you have commanded. Forgive us when we have neglected this commitment to you. Forgive us for times when our talk of love has been cheap. Open us to your Spirit each day so that we might have courage to lead lives worthy of your calling. Deepen our capacity to love one another in our church, in our families, in our workplaces, and everywhere you send us. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
MOMENT OF SILENT MEDITATION/SELF REFLECTION:
LORD’S PRAYER (“DEBTS”)
* RESPONSIVE READING OF PSALM 66: 7 - 18, pp. 2 & 3
*GLORIA PATRI:
WORSHIP THROUGH CARING, PRAYING AND GIVING
MEDITATIONAL HYMN NO. 376: “LOVE DIVINE, ALL LOVES EXCELLING”
CALL TO PRAYER: Love, love, love, love; Christians this is you call; Love your neighbor as yourself, for God loves us all.
MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER/THE CHURCH AT PRAYER
SHARING OF OUR GIFTS, TITHES AND OFFERING PRECEDED BY PRAYERPRAYER OF DEDICATION: We thank you God for this day to your commitment to love us, a commitment that you honor and keep. We offer you these gifts and us for the love of our community and for the people around the world, so that more may know of your healing, your love, and your hope. AMEN.
OFFERTORY: “HAPPY THE HOME WHEN GOD IS THERE”
Happy the home when God is there, and love fills every soul; When one their wish, and one their prayer, and one their heavenly goal.
Happy the home where Jesus’ name is sweet to every ear; Where children early speak his fame, and parents hold him dear.
Happy the home where prayer is heard, and praise to God will rise; Where parents love the sacred word and all its wisdom prize.
Lord, let us in homes agree this blessed peace to gain; Unite our hearts in love to thee, and love to all will reign.
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF GRATITUDE
PASSING OF PEACE, JOYS, CONCERNS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
WORSHIP THROUGH REFLECTION AND MEDITATION
FIRST READING: ACTS 17: 22 -31 pp. 1 & 2
SOLO: “JESUS LOVES ME”
Jesus loves me! this I know, for the Bible tell me so;
Little ones to Him belong: They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
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. JOHN 14: 15 - 21 - pg. 4
PREACHING OF THE WORD: WITNESS OF LOVE – 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. 264: "WHEN IN OUR MUSIC GOD IS GLORIFIED”
*BENEDICTION:
Response: AMEN. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
POSTLUDE: “THE ARRIVAL OF THE QUEEN OF SHEBA” (G. F. HANDEL)
*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. We wish all the women Happy Mother’s Day.
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. The Church Annual Meeting will be held next Sunday May 17, 2026 after our worship.
HAPPY BIRTHDAYS
5/9 Celia Milton, 5/17 Taylor Furey, 5/17 Daisy Grace Ikwechegh,
5/22 John Strybos, 5/26 Bambi Mitchell
COVENANT OF CARE
Nargis Abbas, Cindi Barna, Donald Boland, Debbie Brady, Kerry-Ann Clayton, Amani Fahr,
Judy Ross Francis, Peter Gill, Frank Ingram, Ann Jamison, Edie Jamison-Koenig, Jeanette Johnson, Peter Koenig, William S. Krause,
Ronald M Leigh, Sr., Manoris Long,
Rick Macerata, Joe Miller, June Nickerson, Sue Nuding, Master Sgt. Timothy Peters,
John Polvere, Nancy Protzman, Meghan Ellen Quinlan, Tony Roque,
Rev. Allan Ross, Vynetta Ross, Anthony Russo, Michael Singer,
Richard Z. Steinhaus Jr., Edith Unger, Maryella Ward Leigh, Amanda Wilson, Ralph Zinzi
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
Choir: Eliza Bonet, J. J. Haight, Susie Reisinger
WORSHIP THROUGH PRAISE/MOTHERS DAY
PRELUDE: “MY TRIBUTE” (A. CROUCH)
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: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, you people of God.
People: We sing the glory of God’s name.
Pastor: Come and see what the Lord has done.
People: Let the sound of our worship be heard.
Pastor: Give to God glorious praise.
People: God’s deeds are awesome.
All: Let all the earth bows in wonder and adoration.
* OPENING HYMN: NO. 469: “MORNING HAS BROKEN”
*UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Contemporary Collect – pg. 1
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE: Forgive us, loving God, for the times when we have not loved as you have commanded. Forgive us when we have neglected this commitment to you. Forgive us for times when our talk of love has been cheap. Open us to your Spirit each day so that we might have courage to lead lives worthy of your calling. Deepen our capacity to love one another in our church, in our families, in our workplaces, and everywhere you send us. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
MOMENT OF SILENT MEDITATION/SELF REFLECTION:
LORD’S PRAYER (“DEBTS”)
* RESPONSIVE READING OF PSALM 66: 7 - 18, pp. 2 & 3
*GLORIA PATRI:
WORSHIP THROUGH CARING, PRAYING AND GIVING
MEDITATIONAL HYMN NO. 376: “LOVE DIVINE, ALL LOVES EXCELLING”
CALL TO PRAYER: Love, love, love, love; Christians this is you call; Love your neighbor as yourself, for God loves us all.
MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER/THE CHURCH AT PRAYER
SHARING OF OUR GIFTS, TITHES AND OFFERING PRECEDED BY PRAYERPRAYER OF DEDICATION: We thank you God for this day to your commitment to love us, a commitment that you honor and keep. We offer you these gifts and us for the love of our community and for the people around the world, so that more may know of your healing, your love, and your hope. AMEN.
OFFERTORY: “HAPPY THE HOME WHEN GOD IS THERE”
Happy the home when God is there, and love fills every soul; When one their wish, and one their prayer, and one their heavenly goal.
Happy the home where Jesus’ name is sweet to every ear; Where children early speak his fame, and parents hold him dear.
Happy the home where prayer is heard, and praise to God will rise; Where parents love the sacred word and all its wisdom prize.
Lord, let us in homes agree this blessed peace to gain; Unite our hearts in love to thee, and love to all will reign.
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF GRATITUDE
PASSING OF PEACE, JOYS, CONCERNS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
WORSHIP THROUGH REFLECTION AND MEDITATION
FIRST READING: ACTS 17: 22 -31 pp. 1 & 2
SOLO: “JESUS LOVES ME”
Jesus loves me! this I know, for the Bible tell me so;
Little ones to Him belong: They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
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. JOHN 14: 15 - 21 - pg. 4
PREACHING OF THE WORD: WITNESS OF LOVE – 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. 264: "WHEN IN OUR MUSIC GOD IS GLORIFIED”
*BENEDICTION:
Response: AMEN. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
POSTLUDE: “THE ARRIVAL OF THE QUEEN OF SHEBA” (G. F. HANDEL)
*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. We wish all the women Happy Mother’s Day.
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. The Church Annual Meeting will be held next Sunday May 17, 2026 after our worship.
HAPPY BIRTHDAYS
5/9 Celia Milton, 5/17 Taylor Furey, 5/17 Daisy Grace Ikwechegh,
5/22 John Strybos, 5/26 Bambi Mitchell
COVENANT OF CARE
Nargis Abbas, Cindi Barna, Donald Boland, Debbie Brady, Kerry-Ann Clayton, Amani Fahr,
Judy Ross Francis, Peter Gill, Frank Ingram, Ann Jamison, Edie Jamison-Koenig, Jeanette Johnson, Peter Koenig, William S. Krause,
Ronald M Leigh, Sr., Manoris Long,
Rick Macerata, Joe Miller, June Nickerson, Sue Nuding, Master Sgt. Timothy Peters,
John Polvere, Nancy Protzman, Meghan Ellen Quinlan, Tony Roque,
Rev. Allan Ross, Vynetta Ross, Anthony Russo, Michael Singer,
Richard Z. Steinhaus Jr., Edith Unger, Maryella Ward Leigh, Amanda Wilson, Ralph Zinzi
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
Choir: Eliza Bonet, J. J. Haight, Susie Reisinger