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 around 9:50 AM.
The service today includes the celebration of Holy Communion. If you are worshiping at home, please prepare some bread and other staple food, and a beverage, and have them at hand for that portion of the service.
Welcome to the live stream of worship from Church of the Holy Cross for Sunday, August 4, 2024. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily.
Service of Worship August 4, 2024
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor
Rev. Eric Page, Guest 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: Kayleen Yuda
Lighting of the Candles
Ringing of the Bell
Welcome Rev. Eric Page
* Call to Worship Mace Peng
Leader: Family of God, what is our story?
People: We are part of God’s good creation, created and sustained by the Holy One.
Leader: Family of God, what is our story?
People: Though created by our loving Lord, we have erred and harmed ourselves, one another, and creation.
Leader: Family of God, what is our story?
People: As we are growing in faith, we look to Jesus to show us how to turn toward love.
Leader: Family of God, what is our story?
People: We hold God’s substance and life, it’s essence and vitality in our souls and bodies.
Leader: Family of God, what is our story?
People: We carry the weight of the Word in our hearts, our hands, and our voices, proclaiming with our lives the good news of love and grace.
Leader: Family of God, this is our story and our song!
People: Thanks be to God! Amen.
* Hymn #18: Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer (v. 1-3)
* Invocation Mace Peng
As we prepare for worship,
Let us come honestly before the Almighty and acknowledge our shortcomings and the ways we have compromised our faith.
Let us return to the Source of All Being, that we might draw strength and encouragement.
The bread of life nourishes and renews us.
The water of righteousness flows out from us to bring healing to the whole creation.
In the name and nature of Christ, Amen.
Please be seated
WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD
Anthem: Semei Non Nang (Father in Heaven). IYAA
Time with the Children
Scripture: Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 Mace Peng
The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’
Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not.
Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, “Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.”’ And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked towards the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, “At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.”’
In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, ‘What is it?’For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.
John 6:24-35
So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’ So they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that whichcomes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’
Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
Sermon: Heaven Is Like Leaven Rev. Eric Page
Pastoral Prayer Rev. Eric Page
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 Mace Peng
Every good thing is a gift from the Spirit — the food we eat, the things we have, the time we spend, our whole lives. We give our lives back to a holy cause as a way of saying thank you — sharing money with those who are in need, giving food to those who are hungry, and spending our time helping others. For it all, we are grateful. 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: 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 Mace Peng
Generous God, in this time of offering, we come before you, acknowledging your steadfast grace and boundless love. As we present our gifts, may we also offer our hearts, recognizing the depth of our humanity and the need for your healing touch. Grant us the courage to confront our failings and the wisdom to seek reconciliation and renewal in your divine presence. Amen
* Hymn #332: As We Gather at Your Table (v. 1-3)
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
Invitation
Consecrating the Bread and Cup
Sharing the Bread and Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving
* Hymn #347: Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ (v. 1-3)
Please be seated
Announcements
Benediction Rev. Eric Page
Beloved, God is blessing you as you go from this place carrying the Word in your hearts, living the story we share with the saints of old and the saints of now, as we break down barriers to community and build up a holy heaven on earth. Go in love and peace.
Postlude: Kayleen Yuda
* Please stand if you are able.
Permissions
Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer
Text by William Williams, 1745
Trans. Peter Williams, 1771, William Williams, 1772
Tune CWM RHONDDA by John Hughes, 1907
Public Domain
Semei Non Nang (Father in Heaven)
By Stuart Mori
Melody of Yoshter Shirai
Used with permission of the composer
As We Gather at Your Table
Text by Carl P. Daw, 1989
© 1989 Hope Publishing Company
Tune BEACH SPRING first pub. 1844
Harm. © 1992 The Pilgrim Press
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
Pastor Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Guest Pastor Rev. Eric Page
Moderator Stefan Tanouye
Lay Reader Mace Peng
Choir Accompanist Kanako Okita
Choir Director Doug Albertson
Organist Kayleen Yuda
Hand Bell Director Anna Kennedy
Chapel Decorations Anne Sadayasu
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.
