Worship for December 14, 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, December 14, 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

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Prelude: The Advent Chorale Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Introit: Gentle Mary Laid Her Child Bell Choir

Gentle Mary laid her Child
Lowly in a manger;
There He lay, the undefiled,
To the world a stranger:
Such a Babe in such a place,
Can He be the Savior?
Ask the saved of all the race
Who have found His favor.

Welcome                            Rev. Eric S. Anderson

* Lighting of the Advent Candles    Yamaki family

Family Member:             Please rise if you are able as we light the first three Advent candles.

Family Member: When the ancient prophet envisioned great joy, it was not just the smiling faces of people before his eyes. “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,” he wrote, “the desert shall rejoice and blossom.” He even imagined the flowering desert singing, making melodies of praise and thanks and joy. The joy of our Redeemer is not just a joy for a few people. It is not just a joy for many people. It is not even just a joy for all people. The joy of our Redeemer is a joy for all Creation.

All Sing:

Ocean waves shall leap in praise,
stars shall twinkle their grandest rays,
joy abundant shall hearts amaze
when Christ is born, the blessed child of Mary.

Tune: JOSEPH LIEBER, JOSEPH MEIN 7.8.8.11.

Family Member: We have lit the Advent candle of Hope. We have lit the Advent candle of Peace. Now we light the Advent candle of Joy: the Joy that exists, and the Joy still to come. This light shines for those oppressed by misfortune and human malice. This light shines for a Creation mistreated by those who call it home. This light shines for a young woman who trusted in a promise and rejoiced in God, our Savior. This light shines for Joy.

Unison Prayer                 Ming Peng

Our hearts are light in part, and heavy in part, O God. We are merry in our loves and successes, and we grieve in our losses and our needs. Rekindle Joy within us, O God. Rekindle a Joy that holds fast to the love you bear us. Rekindle a Joy that withstands the struggles we endure. Rekindle a Joy that wells up so greatly as to water a desert of suffering, bring it to blossom, and hear Creation’s joyful song. Amen.

* Hymn #119: My Soul Gives Glory to My God (v. 1-5)

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: Gesù Bambino                        Kayleen Yuda

Time with the Children           Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55           Ming Peng

And Mary said,

‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
    and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
    Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
    and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
    to Abraham and to his descendants forever.’

Matthew 11:2-11
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way before you.”

Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Sermon: What Did You Go Out to See?        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

* Hymn #127: Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming (v. 1 German, v. 1-2 English)

Call to Offering                Ming Peng

Blessed are those who seek the voice of prophecy, for they shall know joy whether the times are good for them or bad. Bring your gifts today in search of God’s Spirit and God’s grace. Bring your gifts, and may you be blessed. 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: Offertory on Resonet in Laudibus        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         Ming Peng

Accept the gifts of your joyful people, O God. We give from the abundance of your grace and from our confidence in your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

* Hymn #146: Nu Oli (Glad Tidings) (v. 1 Hwn, v. 1 Eng., v. 2-3 Hwn)

Please be seated

Announcements

Benediction                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Shepherds      Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

PERMISSIONS

IMPORTANT DATES

Today, December 14 – Council meeting after Worship Service

The Giving Tree – Donations of canned/packaged food for The Food Basket and toiletry items for Hope Services may be placed under the Giving Tree through the end of the year.

Friday, December 19, 6:00 PM – Community Concert in the sanctuary.
Saturday, December 20, 4:00 PM – The Messiah Sing Along in the sanctuary.
Sunday, December 21, 10 AM – Christmas Pageant during Worship Service
Wednesday, December 24, 7:00 PM – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Sundays, 8:30 AM – Holy Cross Singers Rehearsal in the Lounge

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

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
Vice Moderator Lorraine Davis
Lay Reader          Ming Peng
Chapel Decorations   Jean and Woody Kita
Organist / Pianist     Kayleen Yuda   
Choir Director Bob Grove
Hand Bell Director        Anna Kennedy 
IYAA Choir Director Stuart Mori  
Projected Imagery        Sue Smith
Live Stream Director         Ruth Niino-DuPonte. Bob Smith 
Videographers    Eric Tanouye, Bob Smith, Woody Kita,
            Mace Peng, Cindy Debus
Sound Engineer Ben Yamaki
Sunday School Teacher          Gloria Kobayashi
Sunday School Aide      Johanna Narruhn

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.