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 25, 2024. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily.
Service of Worship, February 25, 2024
Second Sunday in Lent
Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor
Special Guest Preacher: Ben D. Anderson, Founder of Break Through, Inc.
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: Song of Joy Kayleen Yuda
Lighting of the Candles
Ringing of the Bell
Welcome Rev. Eric S. Anderson
* Please stand and join me in the Call to Worship: (based on Psalm 22:23-31) John Narruhn
Leader: You who revere the LORD, lift your voices in praise!
People: Come to the God of Israel with awe and with wonder!
Leader: God did not despise or abhor the afflicted, nor turn away from their distress.
People: Praise God in the great congregation, keep your vows with those who revere the LORD.
Leader: The poor shall eat and be satisfied; may their hearts live forever!
People: Let all the families of all the nations come in worship before the LORD!
All: Let us worship God!
* Hymn #540: We Plant a Grain of Mustard Seed (v. 1-4)
* Invocation (based on Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16) John Narruhn
You came to Abram, O God, and made a covenant. You came to Sarai, O God, and made a promise. For your assurance of the future, they took on new names, new expectations, new obligations of faith. Come to us in this time of worship and summon us to covenant; come to us and assure us of your promises. Change our lives, change our names if you desire, change our outlooks to confidence, faith, and love. Amen.
WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD
Anthem: Salut d`Amour Kanako Okita, piano
Kelly Stuart, cello
Time with the Children
Scripture: John 15:16 John Narruhn
You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.
Sermon: How Wide is Your Welcome? Ben D. 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 #468: The Care the Eagle Gives Her Young (v. 1-3)
Call to Offering John Narruhn
What we give of ourselves depends both upon our resources and upon our willingness to share. Let your heart measure your gifts today and every day, so that those about us recognize our love in our sharing. 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 John Narruhn
Here are our gifts, O God, those we extend today. Within us are other gifts, which we will extend tomorrow, or the day following, when they will serve our families, our neighbors, and the strangers. Bless all these gifts by your Holy Spirit that the world will rejoice in you. Amen.
* Hymn #495: Called as Partners in Christ’s Service (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.
Ben D. Anderson is a Commissioned Minister of the United Church of Christ and founder of Break Through, Inc. Break Through provides training to churches, community civic groups, schools, businesses, and professional groups that helps them develop awareness and sensitivity to persons with disabilities. Ben and his wife Dee are addressing churches in Hawai’i while visiting the islands.
Permissions
Song of Joy
Robert J Hughes
Tune: © 1962 Lorenz Publishing Company
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
We Plant a Grain of Mustard Seed
Text by Mary Bryan Matney, 1990
© 1998, GIA Publications, Inc.
Tune NEW BEGINNINGS by Sally Ann Morris, 1990
© 1998, GIA Publications, inc.
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
Salut d`Amour
Edward William Elgar
Tune: © 1935 Lorenz Publishing Company
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
The Care the Eagle Gives Her Young
Text by R. Deane Postlethwaite, 1980
Tune CRIMOND by Jesse Seymour Irvine, 1872
Harm. by T. C. L. Pritchard, 1929
Harm. © 1929 Oxford University Press
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
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
Called as Partners in Christ’s Service
Text by Jane Parker Huber, 1981
© 1981 Jane Parker Huber
(admin. Westminster John Knox Press
Tune BEECHER by John Zundel, 1855
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
Glorious Things of Thee Are SpokenRobert Hughes
Public Domain
Tune: Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
Dates to Remember
Today: February 25—Annual Membership Meeting
Pastor Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Guest Preacher Ben D. Anderson
Moderator Stefan Tanouye
Lay Reader John Narruhn
Choir Accompanist Kanako Okita
Choir Director Doug Albertson
Organist Kayleen Yuda
Hand Bell Director Anna Kennedy
Guest Cellist Kelly Stuart
Chapel Decorations Theone Albano & Jill Suzuki
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.
