Worship for May 25, 2025

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, May 25, 2025. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Service of Worship May 25, 2025
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Rural Life Sunday
Graduate Recognition Sunday

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                            Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Leader:      The apostle had a vision of a city without sun or moon,
People:     A city lit by the glory of God.

Leader:      Through the city flows a river of life.
People:     Life flowing from the seat of God and from the Lamb.

Leader:      One day we shall know a life without curses, without pain,
People:     All God’s people will rejoice in light and love forever and ever.

All:              Let us worship God!

* Hymn #573: Lead On Eternal Sovereign (v. 1-3)

* Invocation: (based on Psalm 67)   Nina Buchanan

Let your face shine upon us, O God; let your gracious ways and your saving power be known among all the nations. You have given us justice, O God, and beyond justice you have given us forgiveness. For these gifts and many others we worship you today, so hear us as we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD  

Anthem: Just As I Am     Kayleen Yuda

Time with the Children

Recognition of Graduates

Scripture: Acts 16:9-15             Nina Buchanan
During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.

We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there.  A certain woman named Lydia, a worshipper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul.  When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.’ And she prevailed upon us.

John 14:23-29
Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.  Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.

 ‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.

Sermon: Leaving Peace Rev. Eric S. Anderson

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer              Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Please join 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 #580: O Kou Aloha No (v. 1-4)

Call to Offering                Nina Buchanan

Peace between communities; peace between people; peace within the spirit: these are the gifts Jesus has given to us. These are the gifts for us to pass on. With these offerings we seek to build peace in souls near and far. 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: Song of Bells             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         Nina Buchanan

God of peace, accept the gifts your people have presented to you. Bless us with peace through them, and bless all people with peace through them, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

* Hymn #584: I Am the Light of the World (v. 1-4)

Announcements             Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: O Wondrous Day     Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

PERMISSIONS

Sing to the Lord
Lani Smith
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Just As I Am
William B. Bradbury,
Charlotte Elliot
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Song of Bells
Carl Simone
Tune: © 1972 Lorenz Publishing Company,
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

O Wondrous Day
James Mansfield
Tune: © 1983 Lorenz Publishing Company,
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

IMPORTANT DATES

Mondays, 11:30 a.m. –Pickleball lessons; contact Connie 808-936-7534 or
Ruth at rnduponte07@gmail.com to sign up.

Bible Study – Tuesdays, 3 p.m. via Zoom–The meeting link will be in the Weekly Chime;  Wednesdays, 5 p.m. in Pastor’s Study.

Wednesdays, 12 noon –Pickleball lessons; contact Connie 808-936-7534 or
Ruth at rnduponte07@gmail.com to sign up.

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.