Online Worship for May 10, 2020

Welcome to Church of the Holy Cross’s live streaming worship service for May 10th, 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.

Have a Safe, Blessed and Very Happy Mother’s Day!

Online Worship, May 10, 2020
Fifth Sunday of Easter, Mother’s Day

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Welcome                                                                                 Rev. Eric Anderson

Prelude: Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI:7 by Franz Joseph Haydn, movements 1 & 2
Performed by Mace Peng

Call to Worship based on 1 Peter 2:2-10
Newborns, it must be said, are demanding creatures. They wail until we meet their needs. Because they lack words, it is hard to know just what the need of the moment is, and that can frustrate a new or long-experienced parent as they seek to satisfy them. Fortunately, there are not so many things they cry for: comfort, sleep, or milk will usually do it. We have been fed on the spiritual milk of God’s grace, which has nourished us to become a priestly people, proclaiming the mighty acts of the one who calls humanity from shadows into the light. Come, people who know that you have received the mercy of God. Come and worship the Source of grace.

Opening Prayer based on Psalm 31
Leader: Let us prayAll: We seek refuge in you, O God, in these sad and challenging times. In your faithfulness, be with us in the stresses and the dangers. Be a rock of refuge for us; guide us and lead us for your name’s sake. There is a disease that is a snare for us, a net to catch us and hold us and deprive us of life. Remove us from the hidden trap, for we commend our lives and spirits to you. Our times are in your hand. Let your face shine upon your servants; save us in your steadfast love. Amen.

Scripture: John 14:1-14
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believein God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will knowmy Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask mefor anything, I will do it.

Story and Meditation:                                                     Ask Me for Anything

Prayer:                                                                                    Rev. Eric Anderson

Offering Call and Dedication
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.

Please pray with me:
Thank you for being the mother who would gather her chicks beneath her wings, O God. Thank you for being the mother eagle who stretches her wings to take flight. Thank you for being the mother who teaches her children to walk and holds us in her arms. Accept these gifts that we your children bring. Amen.

Music: God’s Eye Is on the Sparrow– by Civilla D. Martin & Charles H. Gabriel.
Performed by Eric Anderson & Doug Albertson

Benediction:                                                                            Rev. Eric Anderson

Postlude: Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI:7 by Franz Joseph Haydn, movement 3
Performed by Mace Peng