Worship for December 4, 2022

The video will stream live beginning at 10:00 AM on Sunday, December 4, 2022. You may need to click Play to launch the stream. You can also watch the recorded video at this same place at any time afterward.

Welcome to Church of the Holy Cross’s live stream of its worship service for Sunday, December 4, 2022. Feel free to follow the service text by scrolling down, or you may download and print the service in PDF format below. You are welcome to attend worship in person or to participate via live stream or recorded video.

This service includes celebration of Holy Communion. If you are worshiping remotely, please prepare a staple food like bread and something to drink and have it nearby for that portion of the service.

Service of Worship, December 4, 2022
Second Sunday of Advent

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Please note that audio and video of this service are being live streamed on the Internet and will be recorded. The right rear section of the sanctuary will not be captured by any cameras. Please be aware that in other sections you may be visible at times.

Welcome                                                                                                    Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Prelude: In the Bleak Mid-Winter                                                     Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Advent Candles                                                       Yamaki family

Leader: Please rise if you are able as we light the first and second Advent candles.
                                                                                                                        Yamaki family

Family Member: What does a day of peace look like? To Isaiah, it was predators and prey sharing a home. It was a mountain on which nobody hurt or destroyed. To the Apostle Paul, it was a welcome of new people into a community united in joy and peace, believing in the love of Jesus Christ. To John the Baptist, it was a straight road and a new way of living, begun in repentance and continued in the Holy Spirit. What does peace look like to us?

Singing                                                                                                        Eric Anderson
                                                                                                                        Doug Albertson

When the wars of nations cease,
when the captives will find release,
we will welcome the Prince of Peace,
the babe who is the blessed child of Mary.

Tune: JOSEPH LIEBER, JOSEPH MEIN 7.8.8.11.

Family Member: In the first Advent candle, we lit a light for hope. In the second Advent candle, we kindle a light for peace. This light shines for all beneath the shadow of violence. This light shines for all those living in fear. This light shines for a world that is desperate for a true and lasting peace, one embracing every human soul. This light shines for Peace.

Prayer                                                                                                          Ming Peng

Holy and Gracious God, we are burdened with conflicts. Some arise within: We are torn between obligations, torn between desires, and yes, sometimes torn between temptations. Some arise without: when harsh words and even violence come to our homes, to our communities, to our neighbors. We are burdened with conflicts, O God, so bring us the wisdom to foster your peace, the peace that passes all understanding, the peace that will make a holy mountain where nobody hurts or destroys. Let the earth be as full of your knowledge, O God, as the waters cover the sea. Amen.

Vocal Anthem #115: The Baptist Shouts on Jordan’s Shore (v. 1-3, 6)
                                                                                                                        Eric Anderson
                                                                                                                        Doug Albertson
                                                                                                                      Movement led by Genie Phillips

Time with the Children

Instrumental Anthem #154 Go Tell It on the Mountain         Kanako Okita

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10                                                                     Ming Peng

A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse,
    and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
    the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
    the spirit of counsel and might,
    the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
    or decide by what his ears hear;
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
    and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
    and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,
    and faithfulness the belt around his loins.

 The wolf shall live with the lamb,
    the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
    and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze,
    their young shall lie down together;
    and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
    and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
They will not hurt or destroy
    on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea.
On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.

Matthew 3:1-12
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, ‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight.”’
Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
‘I baptize you withwater for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you withthe Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’

Sermon: Baptist at the Party                                                               Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Pastoral Prayer                                                                                       Rev. Eric S. Anderson

* Please stand and 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

Call to Offering                                                                                        Ming Peng

We come to God as imperfect creatures. We come to God as thoroughly beloved creatures. Come now to God with gifts of treasure, with gifts of recommitment, and with gifts of the heart’s devotion. Whether you share your gift and pledge card here in the church today, through a gift online, or via an envelope in the mail, let the offering now be received.

Offertory: The Coventry Carol                                                           Kayleen Yuda

*Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost – Amen

* Offertory Prayer                                                                                 Ming Peng

These are our gifts, O God, at least that portion of them we offer today. Receive our hearts with them, O God: our plans, our ambitions, our dedication, our faith. May all we present to you in this moment be blessed by your Holy Spirit and contribute to your reign on Earth. Amen.

Hymn Duet #101: Comfort, Comfort O My People                     Eric Anderson
                                                                                                                        Doug Albertson

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Invitation
Consecrating the Bread and Cup
Sharing the Bread and Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving

Announcements                                                                                     Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                                                                                               Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Fanfare for a Festival                                                         Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

Permissions:
In the Bleak Mid-Winter- Cristina G. Rossetti,
copyright 1979 by Hope Publishing Company
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Advent Verses
Text © 2019 by Eric Anderson
Used by permission
Tune JOSEPH LIEBER, JOSEPH MEIN 15^th cent. German carol
Public Domain

The Baptist Shouts on Jordan’s Shore
Text by Charles Coffin, 1736
Trans. by The New Century Hymnal, 1993
Used by permission
Tune WINCHESTER NEW published 1690
Public Domain

The Coventry Carol
© 1979 Hope Publishing Company
Contributor: John Innes
Tune: © 1979 Hope Publishing Company
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Go Tell It on the Mountain
Text and tune: African-American spiritual
Public Domain

Comfort, Comfort O My People
Text by Johannes Olearius, 1671
Trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1863
Tune PSALM 42 published 1551
Public Domain

Fanfare for a Festival—Carl Simone
Tune: © 1981 Lorenz Publishing Company, a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

                                                                       Dates to Remember
Today, December 4 – Trustees Meeting after worship

Pastor                                                          Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Moderator                                                 Woody Kita
Lay Reader                                                Ming Peng
Chapel Decorations                              Ruth & Sachi Ohata
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  
Videographers                                        Eric Tanouye, Bob Smith, Eli Yamaki,
                                                                        Woody Kita and Ruth Niino-DuPonte