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.
Welcome to the live stream of worship from Church of the Holy Cross for Sunday, March 2, 2025. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily.
Service of Worship March 2, 2025
Transfiguration Sunday
Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor
Rev. Dr. Diane Weible, Sabbatical Interim Pastor
Rev. Jonathan Roach, PhD, 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: Pastorale Kayleen Yuda
Lighting of the Candles
Ringing of the Bell
Welcome Rev. Jonathan Roach, PhD
*Call to Worship John Narruhn
Leader: Is anything too wonderful for God?
People: No, God gives us good beyond measure.
Leader: Is anything too difficult for the Lord?
People: No, what seems impossible for humans,
Leader: is possible with God.
People: When we entertain Angels
Leader: We welcome God
People: When we welcome God
Leader: We welcome all the possibilities that God offers.
People: Let us worship the wonder and possibilities together.
* Hymn #541: They asked, “Who’s My Neighbor?” (vs. 1-4)
*Invocation John Narruhn
Holy Love, we worship you as your people. You tether us to the promise of angels and the hope of impossibility. Reveal your face to us. Let us see you in our midst, in our neighbors, and in ourselves. Clothe us in love and a radical welcome that widens the circle to all. Amen
WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD
Anthem IYAA
Time with the Children
Scripture: Genesis 18: 1-16 John Narruhn
The Lord appeared to Abrahamby the oaksof Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, ‘My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.’ So they said, ‘Do as you have said.’ And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, ‘Make ready quickly three measuresof choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.’ Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
They said to him, ‘Where is your wife Sarah?’ And he said, ‘There, in the tent.’ Then one said, ‘I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.’ And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, ‘After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?’ The Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh, and say, “Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?” Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? At the set time I will return to you, in due season and Sarah shall have a son.’ But Sarah denied, saying, ‘I did not laugh’; for she was afraid. He said, ‘Oh yes, you did laugh.’
Sermon: Entertaining Angels Rev. Jonathan Roach, PhD
WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED
Pastoral Prayer Rev. Jonathan Roach, PhD
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 #501: We are Dancing Sarah’s Circle (vs. 1-5)
Call to Offering John Narruhn
Just as Sarah kneaded the bread and Abraham gathered the calf, we also are invited to bring our gifts to the gathering of angels in our midst. We are invited to share the blessings we have received with others that they may also experience God’s love and joy. May these gifts of our offerings and our very lives be used to serve God’s people in the places it is needed the most. Friends, let us give generously as a sign of gratitude for all we have been given.
Offertory: Footsteps of Jesus 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
Abundant God, we laugh at what seems impossible. And then we remember that with you nothing is impossible. Receive our gifts this day that they may be multiplied by your love to do the impossible in the spaces where it is needed the most.
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Invitation
Consecrating the Bread and Cup
Sharing the Bread and Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving
* Hymn #81: God Be with You (vs. 1-4)
Announcements Rev. Jonathan Roach, PhD
Benediction Rev. Jonathan Roach, PhD
Postlude: In Christ There is No East or West Kayleen Yuda
* Please stand if you are able.
Permissions
Prayer of Invocation adapted from Cords of Love: Service Prayers for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost were written by Rev. Dr. Cheryl A. Lindsay, Minister for Worship and Theology, United Church of Christ.
Pastorale
Giuseppe Sammartini
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
They Asked, “Who’s My Neighbor?”
Jan Wesson, 1981
Tune: NEIGHBOR
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
We Are Dancing Sarah’s Circle
Carole A. Etzler, 1975
Tune: JACOB’S LADDER
African-American spiritual
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
Footsteps of Jesus
Asa B Everett
Tune: © 1990 Lorenz Publishing Company,
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
God Be with You
Jeremiah E. Rankin, 1880
Tune: GOD BE WITH YOU
William G. Tomer, 1880
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
In Christ There is No East or West
Traditional American Melody
Dale Wood
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
Dates to Remember
February 1 to April 30, 2025 Pastor Eric’s Sabbatical Leave. The Rev. Dr. Diane Weible is our Interim Pastor.
Bible Study times and days have changed slightly. Please see The Weekly Chime for more information and how to join in via Zoom.
Today, March 2nd – Trustees Meeting after worship in the lounge
Please Send Pledge Cards
A reminder from the Every Member Canvass Committee, please send in your 2025 pledge cards if you have not done so. This will help us in planning for our year’s program. To date we have received 28 pledges for 68% of our goal. Thank you to all who have already sent in pledges.
Other Faith Groups that meet at Church of the Holy Cross
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
Sabbatical Interim Pastor Rev. Dr. Diane Weible
Moderator Stefan Tanouye
Lay Reader John Narruhn
Chapel Decorations Irene Okada
Organist Kayleen Yuda
Hand Bell Director Anna Kennedy
Hymn Leader Chandra Oshima
Projected Imagery Sue Smith
Web Master Ruth Niino-DuPonte
Videographers Eric Tanouye, Eli Yamaki,
Mace Peng, Bob Smith
Sunday School Teacher Gloria Kobayashi
Sunday School Aide Johanna Narruhn
Church Office Manager Pearl Momi Lyman
