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.
This service includes the celebration of Holy Communion. If you are worshiping from home, please prepare some bread and a beverage and have them ready for that portion of the service.
Welcome to the live stream of worship from Church of the Holy Cross for Sunday, December 1, 2024. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily.
Service of Worship December 1, 2024
First Sunday of Advent
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: Come, Thou Long—Expected Jesus Kayleen Yuda
Lighting of the Candles
Ringing of the Bell
Welcome Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Moment of Concert
Lighting of the Advent Candle of Hope Mori Family
Family Member: In perilous times, God called forth prophets. They spoke against the evils of their day. They raised their voice against oppressors and their deeds. They called for a new day and better ways. To those who suffered came a different word: that on the acceptable day of God, the reign of tyranny would cease.
All Sing:
Within us plant the seeds of hope
To sprout into a tree,
To know the promises of God
So difficult to see
And labor in the groves of life
To bring its fruit to be.
TUNE: BROTHER JAMES’ AIR
Family: With this first Advent candle, we kindle a flame for hope. This candle glows for the oppressed. This candle glows for the refugees. This candle glows for the lost. This candle glows for the people Jesus came to save.
Unison Prayer
Holy One, all too frequently our hope flickers like a candle in the wind. We barely feel its warmth. Feed our hope for justice with justice. Feed our hope for healing with healing. Feed our hope for love with love, in the name of the One who came to meet all hopes, Jesus Christ. Amen.
* Hymn #112: Keep Awake, Be Always Read (v. 1-2)
WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD
Anthem IYAA
Time with the Children Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Reflection: Why I Give to the Church Bob Smith
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 John Narruhn
How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.
Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Luke 21:25-36
‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’
Then he told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’
Sermon: Signs and Times 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
In God we obtain joy beyond our imagining. How could we ever repay such a gift? We can not. What we can do is share our joy, our aid, and our resources with others so that they may also rejoice. 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: O, Come Emmanuel 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
We present these gifts in thanks, O God, and we present them in hope. May they help to fulfill the promise of universal light and joy in this world of yours. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
* Hymn #345: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (v. 1-4)
Please be seated
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Invitation
Consecrating the Bread and Cup
Sharing the Bread and Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving
* Hymn #609: Now Is the Time Approaching (v. 1-3)
Announcements Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Benediction Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Postlude: O Blessed Emmanuel Kayleen Yuda
* Please stand if you are able.
Permissions
Come, Thou Long—Expected Jesus
Peter Niedmann
All Rights Reserved
ASCAP Text: © 2022 Lorenz Corp
(admin. by Music Services)
All Rights Reserved
ASCAP
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
Keep Awake, Be Always Ready
Text by Arthur G. Clyde, 1993
© 1993 by The Pilgrim Press
Tune WACHET AUF by Philipp Nicolai, 1599
Public Domain
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
O, Come, Emmanuel
Wilbur Held 1959
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
Concordia Publishing
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Text 4th century; trans. by Gerard Moultrie, 1864
Tune PICARDY 17th century French carol
Harmony by Ralph Vaughn Williams, 1906
Public Domain
Now Is the Time Approaching
Text by Jane Laurie Borthwick, 1859
Tune WEBB by George J. Webb, 1837
Public Domain
O Blessed Emmanuel
Johann Sebastian Bach
Van Denman Thompson
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
Dates to Remember
Today, December 1— Trustees Meeting after worship
This week at the Church of the Holy Cross
- Bible Study with Pastor Eric:
Tuesdays, 3:00 p.m. via Zoom
Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m. -Pastor’s study - One Song: Wednesdays 11:00 a.m. online
- Hand Bell Choir Practice: Fridays, 10:00 a.m. in the Meeting Room
- Community Sing: 2nd Fridays, 6:00 pm in sanctuary
Other Faith Groups that meet at Church of the Holy Cross
- The United Church of Christ, Pohnpei – Sanctuary, 12 noon
Rev. Bensis Henry - Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa – Sanctuary, 2:00 p.m.
Rev. Sitau Ofoia, Jr. - The Bedesta Church – Sanctuary, 4 p.m.
Rev. Edmes Edwin
Pastor Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Moderator Stefan Tanouye
Lay Reader John Narruhn
Choir Accompanist Kanako Okita
Choir Director Doug Albertson
Organist Kayleen Yuda
Soloist Marlise Ahuna
Hand Bell Director Anna Kennedy
Chapel Decorations Hats Kamimura
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.
