Worship for July 5, 2020
Welcome to Church of the Holy Cross’s live streaming worship service for July 5th, 2020. Feel free to follow the service text by scrolling down, or you may download and print the service in PDF format below.
Worship for July 5, 2020
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor
WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD
Pre-Service Music Kayleen Yuda
Welcome Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Prelude: Spirit of the Living God – Iverson-Smith Kayleen Yuda
Call to Worship (based on Romans 7:15-25a): Eric Tanouye
Leader: I do not understand my own actions.
People: I do not do what I want, but I do what I know I should not do.
Leader: I wonder if anything good is within me.
People: I wonder if I have true control over my actions.
Leader: I delight in the law and love of God at the depths of my soul.
People: I act as if only my comfort and security matters.
Leader: Without the ever-present grace of God, I would be wretched indeed.
People: Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Invocation (based on Genesis 24): Eric Tanouye
Centuries ago, O God, a woman revealed the riches of her character. She gave water to a thirsty traveler; she drew water also for the camels he had with him. May we be generous when we have resources to share and need comes to our attention, as Rebekah was. May we recognize the true wealth of human character in giving, as Abraham’s servant did. May we who thirst for your blessings and your spirit be satisfied today in this time of worship. Refresh us, O God, at your holy well. Amen.
Movement Prayer Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Hymn Duet: #506 What a Friend We Have in Jesus Eric Anderson
Doug Albertson
Scripture: Romans 7:15-25a Eric Tanouye
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Story and Sermon: Disreputable Company Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Pastoral Prayer Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Instrumental Anthem: Pastoral Number 3–Frank Bridge Kanako Okita
Invitation to Offering Eric Tanouye
To someone who has traveled through dry places, a cup of water is the most valuable thing in the world. To someone playing the flute, the greatest gift is dancing feet. To someone bearing the word of God, the most precious thing is a listening ear and an open heart. Our gifts today will be something of value to someone, somewhere. We have placed our gifts in the calabash, and so let us relieve others of their burdens.
Anthem: When Peace, Like a River – Horatio G. Spafford & Phillip P. Bliss
Eric Anderson
Doug Albertson
Offertory Prayer Eric Tanouye
Accept these gifts, O God, those presented here and those given with checks in the mail and Internet transactions. Accept these gifts, O God, and may they help to break the yokes of poverty, of loneliness, of illness, and of spiritual thirst. Accept these gifts, O God, and with them make your people free.
Celebration of Holy Communion
Invitation Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Come to a table not defined by wood or stone
but by what rests upon it —
which is the “me” of Christ.
Come unto me because any burden is heavy
to the one who is under it.
Come unto me with the burden
of a crowded life or a lonely one.
Come unto me, with a child’s burden
of frustration or hunger,
of abuse or embarrassment.
Come unto me with a burden
of grief —
for the death of a beloved person
or a companion animal,
for an ability you have no longer,
or a relationship
needing reconciliation.
Come unto me with the burden
of a disappointment,
even one
that doesn’t seem significant enough,
or a fear deeper than words.
Come unto the “me” of Christ
with any burden —
for here is rest for the weary,
lightening of suffering,
gentleness,
and guidelines for becoming gentle.
Here is a yoke of responsibility
that can be lifted
because of a small piece of bread
and a sip of the cup of hope.
Prayer of Consecration
Leader: Jesus noticed that often people ignore both the celebration of those who are dancing with joy, and the sorrow of those who are weeping in pain or loss when those feelings are not their own. We come to this table rejoicing with those who laugh and sharing the tears of the grieving. We are God’s children in wonder and loss, dispersed and gathered at the same time.
In your many kitchens, and living rooms, rest your hands lightly upon these elements which we set aside today to be a sacrament. We ask God’s blessing on them and on us and on all those who are in our prayers this morning.
Unison:
God of the open hand and the gentle yoke, we await your gift and your service. Send your Spirit of life and love, of power and blessing upon your children in every “house of worship,” so that this Bread may be broken and gathered in love and this Cup poured out to give hope to all. Risen Christ, live in us, that we may live in you. Breathe in us, that we may breathe in you. Amen.
Words of Remembering
Leader: We remember the Creator blessed
all creatures and all human beings
with plants of the ground and fruit of the trees.
We remember that Rebekah’s hospitality was proven
because she remembered to give water
not just to people but to camels,
and that her compassion shone
when she gave more than was asked or expected.
Communion is always more than expected,
so we remember
leftover baskets of bread and fish,
so many parables everyone finds a heart-touching story,
an invitation to children, tax collectors, and even thieves,
hand-washed feet rather than a DIY basin,
a holy Pentecost translation-app,
never the insistence we use special words.
We remember the Passover in Jerusalem
when Jesus expanded the menu to include himself,
a half-Communion at Emmaus of Bread broken,
so we still seek the Cup in the world,
a miracle breakfast on the beach
with fish that could feed a village,
and tables in houses that became church
when unconditional love was on the table.
Remembering is good but not enough.
Communion is most Holy not in the past,
but today and tomorrow. Jesus said,
“Do this now. Don’t talk. Eat and Drink.
Be blessed. Go forth.”
Sharing of the Elements
Leader: Let us at many tables receive the gift of God, the Bread of Heaven.
Unison: We come unto Christ in the Bread we share.
Leader: Let us in many places receive the gift of God, the Cup of Blessing.
Unison: We come unto Christ in the Cup we share.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Leader: In thanksgiving for this meal of grace and in the holy dispersion of virtual worship, (and the holy cautious re-gathering in familiar pews) we claim the risen Christ’s love and gentle yoke are found in all houses of worship. Let us pray …
O Holy One, we have come unto you with our weariness and we have let go of all in our lives that is heavy. We thank you for the rest and strength of this communion so now we can lift up all that is light and gentle, humble and easy, and learn from you how to change the world. Amen.
Announcements: Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Benediction Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Postlude: Festival March – Warren Kayleen Yuda
At the organist’s request, please refrain from applause after the Postlude.
The communion liturgy is by the Rev. Maren Tirabassi and found at https://giftsinopenhands.wordpress.com/2020/06/26/holy-communion-liturgy-for-july-5-2020/. Gratefully used by permission of the author.
Dates to Remember
Today, July 5–Trustees Meeting after worship in the Building of Faith
Monday, July 6 –Pickleball, 1:00 p.m. in the Building of Faith
Wednesday, July 8 – On line song from Church of the Holy Cross, 10:00 am
Minister: Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Moderator: Bob Smith
Ushers: Woody Kita, Carolyn Lum-Bellem, Anne Sadayasu, Jennifer Tanouye, Stefan Tanouye, Connie Yoshiyama
Lay Reader: Eric Tanouye
Chapel Decorations: Jon and Remi Tanouye and family
Choir Accompanist: Kanako Okita
Choir Director: Doug Albertson
Organist: Kayleen Yuda
Hand Bell Director: Anna Kennedy
Childcare Coordinator: Evonne Shioshita
Projected Imagery: Sue Smith
Web Master: Ruth Niino-DuPonte
Office Manager: P. “Momi” Lyman
This week at the Church of the Holy Cross
- The Gathering Place –Monday: Pickleball at 1:00 p.m. in the Building of Faith.
- Bible Study with Pastor Eric–Tuesday, 3:00 pm on line
- Community Concert — 2nd & 4th Fridays, 6:00 pm on line
Social Networks:
440 W. Lanikaula Street
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