Worship for July 13, 2025

Welcome to the live stream of worship from Church of the Holy Cross for Sunday, July 13, 2025. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor
Rev. Linda Petrucelli, Guest Pastor

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Prelude: Jesus Calls Us Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                           Rev. Linda Petrucelli

* Call to Worship: (based on Psalm 82)     Bob Smith

Leader:   Imagine God among a council of heavenly beings.
People:  Imagine God viewing the Earth and issuing judgment.

Leader:   “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?” God wants to know.
People:  Truly we wish to know when there will be justice for the weak and destitute, the orphan and the oppressed.

Leader:   God has called us children of the Most High.
People:  May God raise us up to live as God has called us.

All:           Let us worship God!

* Hymn #533: Children of God (v. 1-4)

* Invocation: (based on Psalm 25:1-10)    Bob Smith

To you, O Lord, we lift up our souls. Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame, for we seek to know your ways, we seek to follow your paths. Lead us in truth, teach us of your salvation. We give thanks for your steadfast love, for the mercy we have known our whole lives long. Amen.

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: He Leadeth Me           Kayleen Yuda                                              

Time with the Children           Rev. Linda Petrucelli

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:9-14     Bob Smith
 And the Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all your undertakings, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your soil. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, just as he delighted in prospering your ancestors, when you obey the Lord your God by observing his commandments and decrees that are written in this book of the law, because you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

 Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?’ No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.

Luke 10:25-37
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’

Sermon: Caring Neighbors      Rev. Linda Petrucelli

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer             Rev. Linda Petrucelli

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 #539: Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant? (v. 1-6)

Call to Offering              Bob Smith

Jesus has called us to be caring neighbors. Sometimes the ones we care for are right in front of us. Sometimes we may never meet. Let us be caring neighbors in this moment, and let all people know that God care through us. 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: Meditation  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        Bob Smith

Accept our gifts, we pray, O God. Accept them for those who will find healing or relief through them. Accept them for the neighbors we know. Accept them for the neighbors far away. Accept our gifts, we pray, O God. Amen.

* Hymn #537: Christian, Rise and Act Your Creed (v. 1-4)

Announcements            Rev. Linda Petrucelli                                              

Benediction                     Rev. Linda Petrucelli

Postlude: March in D    Kayleen Yuda

PERMISSIONS

IMPORTANT DATES

Saturday, July 19 – Service Day, 8:30 AM to 12 noon; please come and help beautify our church campus.

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.