Worship for October 1, 2023

The video will stream live beginning a few minutes before 10:00 AM on Sunday, October 1, 2023. 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.

This is World Communion Sunday. If you are worshiping at home, please prepare a staple food like bread, rice, or poi, and a beverage to have ready for that portion of the service.

Welcome to Church of the Holy Cross’s live stream of its worship service for Sunday, October 1, 2023. Feel free to follow the service text by scrolling down. You are welcome to attend worship in person or to participate via live stream or recorded video.

Service of Worship, October 1, 2023
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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.

Prelude: Break Thou the Bread of Life                                            Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                                                                                                    Rev. Eric S. Anderson

* Call to Worship: (based on Exodus 17:1-7)                               John Narruhn

Leader: As the people of Israel moved through the Sinai, there was no water to drink.
People: They told Moses, “We thirst,” but he heard it as complaint, not as desperate need.

Leader: When Moses spoke to God, God did not judge. Moses gathered the people at Horeb.
People: There Moses struck a rock and water streamed out, so that the people could drink.

Leader: Today we bring our special offerings to help our Neighbors in Need.
People: Today we open the rocks of our hearts, so that love flows out as the water of life.

All: Let us worship God!

* Hymn #223: What Wondrous Love Is This (v. 1-3)

* Invocation:  (based on Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16)                            John Narruhn

We have heard the ancient stories, O God, of fiery pillars in the wilderness, and of water flowing in the barren land. We tell these ancient stories anew to our neighbors and to the young. More than signs in the heavens, O God, we ask you for signs in the heart. May we pass through the mounting seas of sadness with your aid. May we traverse the deserts of suffering with your guidance. Bless us, O God, in this journey of our lives. Amen.

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: Tell Us a Story                                                                        Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Time with the Children                                                                       Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-13                                                             John Narruhn

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God,
    did not regard equality with God
    as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
    taking the form of a slave,
    being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
    he humbled himself
    and became obedient to the point of death—
    even death on a cross.

 Therefore God also highly exalted him
    and gave him the name
    that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
    every knee should bend,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
    that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Matthew 21:23-32
When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ And they argued with one another, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say to us, “Why then did you not believe him?” But if we say, “Of human origin”, we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.’ So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. The fatherwent to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.

Sermon: The Humble Deity                                                                 Rev. Eric S. Anderson

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

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

Call to Offering                                                                                        John Narruhn

Today we receive a special offering on behalf of our Neighbors in Need. Some suffer from poor working conditions and low pay. Others face the consequences of a changing climate. Still others aspire to improve their lives and need a hand up. Let us be that hand, that arm, and that generous heart. Whether you share your gift here in the church today, through a gift online, or via an envelope in the mail, let the offering now be received.

Offertory: Chorale                                                                                   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                                                                                  John Narruhn

Bless our gifts today, O God, as we remember the neighbors whose needs we can address. May these gifts ease their struggles and build their hearts and souls. We ask your special grace on those we cannot help enough. Let your hands lift them up. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

* Hymn #343: Jesus Took the Bread (v. 1-4)

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation

Pastor: It was on a Sunday that Jesus Christ was raised from death by the power of God, appearing to several of his followers and friends. Mary Magdalene saw him and Simon Peter. He walked the road to Emmaus with two of his disciples, but they did not recognize him until they joined him at a table where Jesus Christ broke bread.

On this World Communion Sunday, come from the four corners of the world to gather about this table. Come brief in days and long in years. Come from your loves and successes and from your losses and sorrows. Come aware that the mountain is holy and the ocean is holy and the growing things are holy and the birds of the air are holy. Come to learn once more that Jesus of Nazareth called his disciples to name as holy the most common food and the most common drink, to remember his life, death, and resurrection.

Consecrating the Bread and Cup    

Pastor: On this World Communion Sunday, let us come to God for the breaking of the bread. Let us pray:

People: God of vast creation, God of heaven and earth, we thank you for the bread of life.

Pastor: We recall the time when you preserved the children of Israel by leading them to Egypt, where your prophet Joseph had gathered grain.

People: There on our Communion table, O God, is bread baked from wheat to keep us whole and sound.

Pastor: We recall the time when they fled slavery into a barren land, and you fedthem with your manna.

People: There on our Communion table, O God, is rice, which nourishes so many hungry people every day.

Pastor: We recall the time your people found a promised land, rejoicing in its plenty.

People: There on our Communion table, O God, is banana bread, in which we taste the sweetness of life.

Pastor: We recall the time when Israel received its law from you, a law that extended justice to the stranger and sojourner.

People: There on our Communion table, O God, is tortilla, which is the bread of so many newcomers to our nation.

Pastor: We recall the time when Israel was taken into exile, and they sought to worship you in a new land.

People: There on our Communion table, O God, is ulu, breadfruit, which has nourished Polynesian peoples wherever they have traveled.

Pastor: We recall that in your wisdom and mercy, O God, you have never left your people hungry when your Spirit might provide.

People: There on our Communion table, O God, is poi from taro root, which keeps our bodies rooted in the land.

Pastor: And we recall, O God, that when your people were starved for your Spirit, you sent us Jesus, to fill us and make us whole.

People: There on our Communion table, O God, is an empty bowl, which reminds of the hungry we still yearn to feed, and reminds us of the love of Christ which fills our souls from depth to height.

Pastor: God, bless the meeting of hunger and generosity in all places. Bless the memories of all that is Holy Land, the place of Jesus’ lineage and Passover custom, the land under our feet, all land remembered, all land honored, all land with justice. Bless all that is Communion but especially what we take into body and spirit, so that you can live and walk, sit, roll with us.

Fill our bodies and spirits with strength, guidance, inspiration, and love, through this holy meal. Amen.

Pastor: Through the broken bread we participate in the Body of Christ. In Jesus’ name, we give you this bread.

Pastor: Through the cup which we bless we participate in the new life Christ brings. In Jesus’ name, we give you this cup.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Pastor: God, we thank you for refreshing us at your table by granting us the presence of Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and in peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Savior, Amen.

* Hymn #347: Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ (v. 1-3)

Please be seated

Announcements                                                                                     Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                                                                                              Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Grand Chorus                                                                       Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

Permissions

Break Thou the Bread of Life
William F. Sherwin
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

What Wondrous Love Is This
Text by Joachim Neander, 1680
First published in Mercer’s Cluster, 1836
Tune WONDROUS LOVE in Southern Harmony, 1843
Harmony The New Century Hymnal, 1993
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Tell Us a Story
Text and Tune by Eric S. Anderson
© 2011 Eric S. Anderson
Streamed by permission

Chorale
15^th Century ALTA trinita
Arranger: Richard Keys Biggs
Carl Fischer Inc.
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Jesus Took the Bread
Text by Ruth Duck, 1982
Tune NEW HOPE by Ruth Duck, 1982
Arr. by Randall Sensmeier, 1982
Copyright © 1992 G.I.A. Publications, Inc.
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ
Text by Fred Kaan, 1975
Tune LINSTEAD Jamaican folk song
Adapt. by Doreen Potter, 1975
Text and tune © 1975 Hope Publishing Company
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Grand Chorus
Cesar Franck
Arr: Richard Keys Biggs
R. D. Row Music Co., Inc.
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Dates to Remember
Today, October 1^st – World Communion Sunday
Today, October 1^st – Neighbors in Need Offering

Pastor                                                                   Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Moderator                                                          Stefan Tanouye
Lay Reader                                                         John Narruhn
Choir Accompanist                                          Kanako Okita
Choir Director                                                   Doug Albertson
Organist                                                               Kayleen Yuda
Hand Bell Director                                          Anna Kennedy
Chapel Decorations                                         Bob and Sue Smith
Childcare Coordinator                                   Evonne Shioshita
Projected Imagery                                           Sue Smith
Web Master                                                        Ruth Niino-DuPonte  
Videographers                                                   Eric Tanouye, Bob Smith,
                                                                                                Eli Yamaki, Ruth Niino-DuPonte

We welcome you to worship this day.

Church of the Holy Cross seeks to help its members, friends, and visitors follow the guidance of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, encouraging all people to love one another according to the teachings of Jesus. We live and teach the faith, speak good news, minister to people near and far, and work with other households of faith and helping agencies to improve our community and our world. Please call or write us to learn more and join in. To support our ministries financially, donate online here.