Online Worship for May 24, 2020

Welcome to Church of the Holy Cross’s live streaming worship service for May 24th, 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.

Online Worship, May 24, 2020
Seventh Sunday of Easter

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Welcome                                                                                 Rev. Eric Anderson

Prelude: Tannhäuser March—Wagner                                      Kanako Okita

Call to Worship: We come together to praise our God, but that does not define how we gather. It does not mean that we have to be physically together. It does not mean that we have to believe the same things. It does not mean that we leave our doubts and questions behind. It means that we have each experienced something in our lives that has given us strength, given us courage, given us hope, or given us healing. It means that our hearts are just a little bit open for more of God’s grace to pour in. Come together in your own place, in your own way, with your own heart: let us worship and be filled.

Opening Prayer based on John 17:1-11

Leader: Let us pray:

All: May we be your followers, Jesus, just as truly as those with whom you worked and preached and healed so long ago. May we be your followers, Jesus, not because they knew everything or did everything right, but because you accepted them, supported them, and led them into your glory. May we be your followers, Jesus, so that we may glorify you on Earth and know your embrace in the world to come. May we be one as you are one, O Christ, with God and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Scripture: Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
Let God rise up, let his enemies be scattered;
    let those who hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;
    as wax melts before the fire,
    let the wicked perish before God.
But let the righteous be joyful;
    let them exult before God;
    let them be jubilant with joy.

Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
    lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds—
his name is the Lord—
    be exultant before him.

Father of orphans and protector of widows
    is God in his holy habitation.
God gives the desolate a home to live in;
    he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
    but the rebellious live in a parched land.

 O God, when you went out before your people,
    when you marched through the wilderness, Selah
the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain
    at the presence of God, the God of Sinai,
    at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
Rain in abundance, O God, you showered abroad;
    you restored your heritage when it languished;
your flock found a dwelling in it;
    in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth;
    sing praises to the Lord, Selah
O rider in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
    listen, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
Ascribe power to God,
    whose majesty is over Israel;
    and whose power is in the skies.
Awesome is God in hissanctuary,
    the God of Israel;
    he gives power and strength to his people.

Blessed be God!

Story and Meditation: Let God Rise Up                        Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Prayer                                                                                     Rev. Eric S 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:
You have called us to follow you, O Jesus. You have called us to be a holy people, O God. You have given us your guidance and inspiration, O Holy Spirit. With these gifts, may we be parents to bereaved children, protectors of the kupuna, and shelter to those without homes. Amen.

Music: We Worship You, God – Robert Grant & Michael Haydn   
Eric Anderson & Doug Albertson

Benediction                                                                             Rev. Eric Anderson