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Bronxville Community Thanksgiving Service Makes a Change

Written by Kevin Cook, Major Gifts Officer, Office of Development, Montefiore Medical Center

Nov. 19, 2014: For 40 years, the Christian congregations of Bronxville have joined together each Thanksgiving morning in a combined service of thanks, hosted each year by a different church. 

This year, however, brings a change. The 41st annual observance will be held not on Thanksgiving morning but on Monday evening, November 24, at 7:30 pm at St. Joseph's Church on Kraft Avenue. 

Rev. Dr. Robert Hartwell of Village Lutheran Church, this year's organizer, explained the change: "We felt that moving the service away from the actual holiday itself would be helpful to those who travel to be with family and friends on Thanksgiving weekend. And the reaction of our individual congregations has been very positive!"

One of Bronxville's newest clergyman, Rev. Scott Geminn, associate pastor at Village Lutheran Church, will base his meditation in part on the parable of the ten lepers in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 11. In this parable, Christ healed all ten, but only one turned back to give thanks. Appropriately then, the sermon is titled "On Being Thankful." 

The Parish Choir of St. Joseph's, under the direction of John Strybos, minister of music, will highlight the service with the stirring anthem "O Praise Now the Lord" by the British composer C. Hubert H. Parry. Gramatan Village, our local "aging in place" service organization, will be the beneficiary of the evening's offering, and members of its board and friends will serve cider at the conclusion of the service.

"One of the strengths of our village is the commitment to gather together, in good times and bad, to share our many blessings. The annual Thanksgiving service is one of those opportunities for us to celebrate God's rich gifts. I look forward to greeting many neighbors and friends at this year's community Thanksgiving service," said Mayor Mary Marvin.

Pictured here: St. Joseph's Church, where the annual Bronxville community Thanksgiving service will be held.

Photo by N. Bower

Religion Directory

Houses of Worship Directory

Christ Church Bronxville

Christ Church Bronxville, or "CCBNY" as it's known in the community, is the village's Episcopal church, whose beginnings date back to 1898. The current church, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was completed in 1926 and was designed by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, who also designed St. Bartholomew's in New York City and the Chapel at West Point.

CCBNY offers a wide array of programs to its parishioners, who live throughout southern Westchester. The acclaimed music program boasts five choirs; international outreach efforts to Cuba; and education and service programs for family members of all ages. CCBNY is also home to the renowned children's music program Young at Arts (http://www.youngatartsny.org), and Eliza Corwin Frost (www.elizafrostschool.org), a nursery school for children ages 1 to 5.

Our services are as follows:
8:00AM Rite I Spoken Eucharist
10:00AM Family Choral Eucharist, with 11:00 AM Coffee Hour
5:00PM Informal Eucharist or Choral Evensong

"No matter where you are on your spiritual journey there is a home for you at Christ Church. Our worship, music, education and outreach challenge us to embrace holiness and fearlessly share Christ's love."

The Rev. Dr. Kurt J. Gerhard, Rector
17 Sagamore Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3544 

First Baptist Church

The First Baptist Church was organized in 1854. Its mission is “to reach out as a caring and Christ centered Church to people of all culture and races, helping them to know God and find fellowship with each other through Jesus Christ to the glory of God.”

407 New Rochelle Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-2560

http://www.firstbaptistchurchbronxville.com/

Reformed Church of Bronxville

The Reformed Church of Bronxville is the community church in the heart of the village. We welcome people of all faiths and persuasions to be a part of our church family. We have exciting programs to meet your interests including music and the arts, service and outreach, children's ministry and a wonderful Nursery School.

Starting Sept. 7th, we have three Sunday services held at 8:30 am, 10:30 am and 5:00 pm. A Fellowship Coffee Hour is offered after the 10:30 am service. Childcare is available during our 10:30 am service along with Church School classes for children from 2 years old through the 8th grade.

The Reformed Church
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-6776
www.reformedchurch.org 

St. Joseph’s Church

St. Joseph Church, which opened its doors in 1925, is the Catholic Church in Bronxville. It offers services on Saturday, Sunday, weekdays and Holy Days. It offers a religious education program for K - 8th grade which takes place on Wednesday during the school year. It also offers a myriad of opportunities for parishioners to meet, share ideas and experiences and help others. The St. Joseph’s School offers classes for K – 8th grade.

15 Cedar Street
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-1660

http://www.saintjosephsbronxville.org/

Village Lutheran Church

The Village Lutheran Church “is a ministry of word and sacraments. This ministry gives opportunities for witness, nurture, fellowship, stewardship and service.” The Chapel School, which goes from pre-school three-year olds through 8th grade, is an integral part of the Church’s ministry for children.

172 White Plains Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-0207

http://www.vlc-ny.org/

West Center Congregational Church

West Center Congregational Church is a member of The United Church of Christ. It welcomes “all who seek to find, know and serve the living God better in all they are and do.”

101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3829

www.Westcenterchurch.org

Sinai Free Synagogue

Sinai Free Synagogue is Westchester`s "newest" Reform congregation but its roots go back almost 100 years. Formed in 1999 by a merger of Mount Vernon`s Sinai Temple (founded in 1906 and the first Reform congregation in Westchester County) and the Free Synagogue of Westchester (founded in 1927), the 250-member congregation has a long, distinguished history.

Please check the Calendar for dates and times.

550 North Columbus Avenue
914-664-1727

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