Online Worship for February 21, 2021

Welcome to Church of the Holy Cross’s live streaming worship service for February 21, 2021. Feel free to follow the service text by scrolling down, or you may download and print the service in PDF format below.

Online Worship, February 21, 2021
First Sunday in Lent

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Welcome                                                                                 Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Prelude: Olivet (Lenten meditation)—Wilson                          Kayleen Yuda

Call to Worship: based on Genesis 9:8-17                               Stefan Tanouye

Leader: Our God is a God of covenants, of understanding, and of agreement with human beings.
All: Our God is a God of reconciliation.

Leader: Our God is a God who treasures life.
All:    Even in anger, our God cherishes Creation.

Leader: We look above us and we see the rainbow streaming its hues across the sky.
All: Let us give thanks for God’s covenant to preserve the Earth.

Invocation: based 1 Peter 3:18-22 and Mark 1:9-15                 Stefan Tanouye

It was as if the sky was torn apart, O God, when the rains thundered upon Noah. It was as if the heavens were torn apart, O God, when Jesus took on his purpose. It was as if the world was torn apart, O God, when Jesus arose from the dead. We do not need fractured heavens or a fractured Earth, O God – we are too apt to break them both. But may we be cleansed by your grace as Jesus lived and died and rose again to assure. May we be lifted up in this time of worship. Amen.

Hymn Duet #446: Jesus, Still Lead On                                      Eric Anderson
                                                                                                Doug Albertson
                                                                                                Movement led by Genie Phillips

Scripture: Psalm 25:1-10                                                         Stefan Tanouye

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
    do not let me be put to shame;
    do not let my enemies exult over me.
Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
    let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
    teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
    for you are the God of my salvation;
    for you I wait all day long.

 Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
    for they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
    according to your steadfast love remember me,
    for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!

 Good and upright is the Lord;
    therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
    and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
    for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

Mark 1:9-15
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

Story/Sermon: Lift Up Your Soul                                            Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Pastoral Prayer                                                                       Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Please join me in the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen

Instrumental Anthem: Jesus, Lover of My Soul–Joseph Parry arr. Marty Parks

                                                                                                Kanako Okita

Call to Offering:                                                                      Stefan Tanouye

We invite you to an offering. God’s grace has lifted us up, sometimes in body, sometimes in mind, sometimes in spirit. Let us also share our gifts to lift up others and be instruments of God’s peace. Please send your offering through the mail in an envelope to 440 West Lanikaula Street, Hilo, Hawai’i, 96720, or give online at holycrosshilo.com/donate. Let us pray together:

Offertory Prayer

We are tempted, O God, to believe that all we can see is all there is. We are tempted, O God, to believe that all we are is what we have been. We are tempted, O God, to believe that all we can do is what we have done. Accept these gifts, O God, and by your grace make them accomplish more than we imagine. Amen.

Vocal Anthem: #485, O Love that Will Not Let Me Go            Eric Anderson
                                                                                                Doug Albertson
                                                                                                Movement led by Genie Phillips

Announcements                                                                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                                                                             Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Be Thou Exalted — Nordman                                    Kayleen Yuda

                                                            Dates to Remember
Today, February 21 – Deacons Meeting after worship

Minister                                            Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Moderator                                        Woody Kita
Lay Reader                                       Stefan Tanouye
Chapel Decorations                          Theone Albano and Jill Suzuki
Choir Accompanist                          Kanako Okita
Choir Director                                  Doug Albertson
Organist                                            Kayleen Yuda
Hand Bell Director                           Anna Kennedy
Childcare Coordinator                     Evonne Shioshita
Movement Leader                            Genie Phillips
Projected Imagery                            Sue Smith
Web Master                                      Ruth Niino-DuPonte  

This week at the Church of the Holy Cross

• Bible Study with Pastor Eric: Tuesdays, 3:00 p.m. via Zoom
• Online Song – Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. online
• Community Concert — 2^nd & 4^th Fridays, 6:00 p.m. online