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, February 11, 2024. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily.
Service of Worship, February 11, 2024
Transfiguration Sunday
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: Offertorio Kayleen Yuda
Lighting of the Candles
Ringing of the Bell
Welcome Rev. Eric S. Anderson
* Call to Worship: (based on Psalm 50:1-6) Ming Peng
Leader: The mighty one, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising
of the sun to its setting.
People: From the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.
Leader: Our God is not silent. We hear God in the devouring fire and the mighty
tempest.
People: From the silence God calls from heaven, summoning the peoples.
Leader: “Gather to me my faithful ones, who make a covenant with me!” says God.
People: The heavens declare God’s righteousness, who judges all with equity.
All: Let us worship God!
* Hymn #182: We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding (v. 1-3)
* Invocation (based on 2 Corinthians 4:3-6) Ming Peng
O God, to us the good news seems so clear – sometimes. And sometimes it seems so hazy and indistinct. How shall we share what we do not always understand? Equip us in this time of worship to proclaim Jesus Christ as best we can, and not to proclaim ourselves. Let your light shine out of darkness, let your light shine from our hearts, to give glory to you, O God, in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Please be seated
WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD
Anthem: Alleluia Round Holy Cross Singers
Time with the Children
Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-12 Ming Peng
Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.’ But Elisha said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So they went down to Bethel. The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, ‘Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?’ And he said, ‘Yes, I know; keep silent.’
Elijah said to him, ‘Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.’ But he said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So they came to Jericho. The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, ‘Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?’ And he answered, ‘Yes, I know; be silent.’
Then Elijah said to him, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.’ But he said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophetsalso went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.’ Elisha said, ‘Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.’ He responded, ‘You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.’ As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, ‘Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!’ But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
Mark 9:2-9
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no oneon earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, but only Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Sermon: When You’ve Got to Go 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
* Hymn #494: We Who Would Valiant Be (v. 1-3)
Call to Offering Ming Peng
Some of us are near the beginning of our life’s service to God, some are around the midpoint, and some have labored long to bring good news. Wherever we are on life’s journey, let us bring our gifts to honor God and to share God’s love with others. 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: Comfort and Rest 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
In good times and in bad you are with us, O God. For your faithfulness we give you our thanks and praise. Receive these offerings, we pray, that others may also learn of your abundant grace. Amen.
* Hymn #551: Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior (v. 1-4)
Announcements Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Benediction Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Postlude: Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken Kayleen Yuda
* Please stand if you are able.
Permissions
Offertorio
Giovanni Battista Martini
Public Domain
We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding
Text by Carl P. Daw, Jr., 1988
© 1988 Hope Publishing Company
Tune HYFRYDOL by Roland H. Prichard, 1844
Arr. by Ralph Vaughn Williams, 1906
© Oxford University Press
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
Alleluia Round
Arr. by Richard T. Proulx
© 1982, GIA Publications, Inc.
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
We Who Would Valiant Be
Text by John Bunyan, 1684
Tune ST. DUNSTAN’S by D. Winfred Douglas, 1917
Public Domain
Comfort and Rest
Franklin Ritter
Tune: © 1979 Lorenz Publishing Company
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
Blessed Assurance
Text by Fanny Crosby, 1873
Tune ASSURANCE by Phoebe P. Knapp, 1873
Public Domain
Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken
Robert Hughes
Tune: © 1980 Lorenz Publishing Company
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
Dates to Remember
Pastor Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Moderator Stefan Tanouye
Lay Reader Ming Peng
Choir Accompanist Kanako Okita
Choir Director Doug Albertson
Organist Kayleen Yuda
Hand Bell Director Anna Kennedy
Chapel Decorations Else Ushijima
Projected Imagery Sue Smith
Web Master Ruth Niino-DuPonte
Videographers Eric Tanouye, Eli Yamaki
Ruth Niino-DuPonte, Bob Smith
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. To support our ministries, please visit our Donate Page.
Have a wonderful weekend!