Thank you for joining us for this live stream (or recording, as the case may be) of Sunday worship. May it bless you! You may need to click “Play” to launch the stream, which will be live just before 10:00 AM.
Welcome to the live stream of worship from Church of the Holy Cross for Sunday, January 7, 2024. You will find the service outline below, or you may download and print the PDF to follow it.
This service includes the celebration of Holy Communion. Please prepare some bread or other staple and some juice or other beverage and have them nearby for that portion of the service.
Service of Worship, January 7, 2024
First Sunday after Epiphany
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: Processional for the New Year Kayleen Yuda
Lighting of the Candles
Ringing of the Bell
Welcome Rev. Eric S. Anderson
* Call to Worship: (based on Ephesians 3:1-12) Stefan Tanouye
Leader: The depth of God’s grace has been a mystery for generations.
People: In Jesus Christ, that grace is still mysterious, but so much better known.
Leader: God’s love, we learn, is for all people, not just some.
People: All people are the heirs of promises from ancient times and today’s bearers of the Spirit.
Leader: Now we perceive the outlines of God’s plan:
People: To give us access to God in boldness and in confidence through faith in Jesus Christ.
All: Let us worship God!
* Hymn: We Three Kings (v. 1-5) (insert)
* Invocation: (based on Palm 72:1-7, 10-14) Stefan Tanouye
In Jesus we find your justice, O God, and the righteousness by which you rule. We pray that righteousness be found in all human rulers and judges: that they may defend the cause of the poor, give deliverance to the needy, and curtail the power of oppressors. To Christ we turn for justice that descends like rain, and righteousness that rises like flowers. May peace endure until the moon no longer shines above the earth. Reveal your justice, O God, and may righteousness abound. Amen.
Please be seated
WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD
Anthem: Little Yeshua Penelope Hunt, soprano
Time with the Children
Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6 Stefan Tanouye
Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Lift up your eyes and look around;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiahwas to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherdmy people Israel.”’
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Sermon: Main Attraction 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
Call to Offering Stefan Tanouye
They called them wise because they were scholars. Did they still think them wise when they followed the flickering light of a star? We call them wise because they came to seek a saving child, and because they persisted until he was found. We call them wise because they came prepared to give, and they gave. 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: Spirit of the Living God 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 Stefan Tanouye
May we be wise enough, O God, to follow the Magi to Jesus’ side, to offer our gifts there, and from there follow Jesus through our nights and our days. Amen.
* Hymn #336: Here, O My Lord, I See You Face to Face (v. 1-3)
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Invitation
Consecrating the Bread and Cup
Sharing the Bread and Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving
* Hymn #584: I Am the Light of the World (v. 1-4)
Please be seated
Announcements Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Benediction Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Postlude: We Three Kings Kayleen Yuda
* Please stand if you are able.
Permissions
Processional for the New Year
Contributor George Blake
Tune: © Lorenz Publishing Company,
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
We Three Kings of Orient Are
Text by John H. Hopkins, 1857
Tune KINGS OF ORIENT by John H. Hopkins, 1857
Public Domain
Little Yeshua
Text by Claire & Curt Cloninger
Music by Gary Rhodes
© 1986 Word Music (a div. of WORD, INC.)
Streamed by permission CCLI License #1595965
Spirit of the Living God
Contributors Daniel Iverson, arr. Lani Smith
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
Here, O My Lord, I See You Face to Face
Text by Horatius Bonar, 1855
Public Domain
Tune MORECAMBE by Frederick C. Atkinson, 1870
Public Domain
I Am the Light of the World
Text by Jim Strathdee, 1969
In response to a Christmas poem by Howard Thurman
Tune LIGHT OF THE WORLD by Jim Strathdee, 1969
© 1969 Desert Flower Music/Jim & Jean Strathdee
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
We Three Kings
Text by John H. Hopkins, 1857
Tune KINGS OF ORIENT by John H. Hopkins, 1857
Public Domain
Pastor Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Guest Pastor Rev. Jonathan Roach
Moderator Stefan Tanouye
Lay Reader Stefan Tanouye
Choir Accompanist Kanako Okita
Choir Director Doug Albertson
Organist Kayleen Yuda
Guest soloist Penelope Hunt
Hand Bell Director Anna Kennedy
Chapel Decorations Tricia Kimura
Childcare Coordinator Evonne Shioshita
Projected Imagery Sue Smith
Web Master Ruth Niino-DuPonte
Videographers Eric Tanouye, 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.
