Online Worship for April 26, 2020

Welcome to Church of the Holy Cross’s live (recorded) worship service for April 26th, 2020. Feel free to follow the service text by scrolling down, or you may download and print the service in PDF format from this link.

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Welcome                                                                                 Rev. Eric Anderson

Prelude: Mendelssohn: Song without words, Op. 62 No. 6 “Spring Song”
                                                                                                Kanako Okita

Call to Worship based on Acts 2:36-41                                   Eric Tanouye

Christian faith first grew in uncertain, frightening times. The Jewish faith from which it grew had endured seasons of famine, insecurity, and invasion. The good news of the resurrection came first to frightened people living in perilous conditions. It was Simon Peter, the one who denied Jesus three times, who announced a gift of forgiveness and the presence of the Holy Spirit. “For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away,” he told them. With confidence in that promise, let us seek the presence of God in worship.

Opening Prayer based on Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19

All: We love you, O God, in part because we know you hear our prayers. You have given us your ear, and so we call to you throughout our lives. With all that you have given to us, what shall we give to you? We will give you our thanks, we will give you our hearts, we will give you our praise. Surround us with a great cloud of witnesses, O God, and be with us in our separate places as we worship you together. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35                                                        Eric Tanouye
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven milesfrom Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within uswhile he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Story and Meditation                                                              Best Meal Ever

Prayer                                                                                     Rev. Eric Anderson

Offering Call and Dedication                                                 Eric Tanouye
We are not sending ushers through the neighborhoods of Hilo to collect your gifts this morning, or any morning. We invite you to send your offering to support the spiritual, emotional, and physical ministries of this church in this time. Please mail your gifts to us at Church of the Holy Cross, 440 West Lanikaula Street, Hilo, Hawai’i 96720.

And we pray together: We give you thanks once more, O God, for the blessings you have given us. We thank you for your love, and for the love of those around us. We thank you for the love of those we see each day, and for the love of those we long to see. Accept these gifts we offer to you in our thanks. May they bless your world by the guidance of your grace. Amen.

Music: The Day of Resurrection – John of Damascus, 8^th century    

Eric Anderson, Doug Albertson   

Benediction: