Worship for December 21, 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 21, 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: O Come Little Children       Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                            Rev. Eric S. Anderson

* Lighting of the Advent Candles    Albano-Suzuki family

Family Member: Would you dare to ask for a sign of God’s love? “Behold, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.” Each child is a testimony to God’s love. Each raindrop is a testimony to God’s love. Each grain of sand upon the beach is a testimony to God’s love. All creation cries, “The love of the LORD is here!”

All Sing:

On the earth’s revolving sphere,
in the heavens God’s love is clear,
for the promise of ages nears
as Christ is born, the blessed child of Mary.

Tune: JOSEPH LIEBER, JOSEPH MEIN 7.8.8.11.

Family Member: Again we light the Advent candles of Hope, of Peace, and of Joy. Today we complete the circle with the fire of love. This is a love free from selfishness and greed. This is a love free from ignorance and limitations. This is a love to embrace a child, a family, a nation, a world, even a universe. This is a love to overwhelm the powers of evil. This is a love as tiny as an atom, and as great as existence itself. This candle shines for love.

Unison Prayer                 Cynthia Debus

You might have come in majesty and might, O God. You might have come in war and in wrath. You might have come in fire and in fury. We would have recognized these signs. Instead, Emmanuel, “God with us,” is a newborn child. In humility and in amazement we recognize this sign of your holiness, your presence, and your everlasting love. Amen.

* Hymn #154: Go Tell It on the Mountain (v. 1-3)

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: “Lovely Child, Holy Child” & “Mary Wore Three Links of Chain”
                                                Holy Cross Singers Men’s Trio

Time with the Children           Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-16         Cynthia Debus
Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.

Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

 ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall name him Emmanuel’,

which means, ‘God is with us.’ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

Christmas Pageant: The GOAT

Special Anthem: We Three Kings     Youth Instrumental Trio

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 #138: Jesus, Our Brother, Strong and Good (v. 1-6)

Call to Offering                Cynthia Debus

They all brought something to birthplace of Christ: mother, father, innkeeper, angel, shepherd, sheep, and yes, the goat. They all brought something, including those who journeyed far with precious things. Give now in recognition that we are always at the side of the manger, always welcoming the life of Christ into the world. Give now from your heart and your soul. 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: Pastorale       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         Cynthia Debus

You gave us Jesus many years ago, O God, and you continue to give us Jesus’ love through one another, through the Creation around us, and through the movements of the Holy Spirit. In thanks for Christ’s presence we offer you these gifts and our heartfelt praise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Installation of Lay Leaders

Pastor: There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them.
People: There are different ways of serving, but the same God is served.

Pastor: There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to each of us for our particular service.
People: The Spirit’s presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.

Pastor: Christ is like a single body, which has many parts.
People: It is still one body even though it is made up of different parts.

Pastor: If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it; if one part is praised, all the other parts share its happiness.
People: All of us are Christ’s body, and each one is part of it.

Presentation

Covenant

Pastor: Sisters and brothers in Christ, it is an honor to be entrusted with responsibility for particular service in the ministry of the church, whether gathered or scattered. Having prayerfully considered the duties and responsibilities of your ministry, are you prepared to serve with the help of God in Christ’s name and for the glory of God?
Lay Leaders: I am.

Pastor: Do you promise to exercise your ministry diligently and faithfully, showing for the love of Christ?
Lay Leaders: I do, relying on God’s grace.

Pastor: Members of this household of faith, you have heard the promises of our brothers and sisters in Christ who have answered God’s call to service. Let us affirm our covenant with them in prayer:

Eternal God, you have called these people to serve you in this household of faith and in the world, which you have entrusted to our care and keeping. Send your Holy Spirit on them that they may serve among us with honor and faithfulness. Help them to be diligent in their duties that your church may prosper in the mission you place before us. May their example prove worthy for all of us to follow, as we are united in Christ’s ministry, to the glory of your name. Amen.

Pastor: In the name of Jesus Christ, and on behalf of the people of Church of the Holy Cross United Church of Christ, I rejoice to announce: You are installed in your respective positions. Let all the people say:

All: Thanks be to God!

* Hymn #125: Angels We Have Heard on High (v. 1 -4)

Please be seated

Announcements             Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Angels We Have Heard on High Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

PERMISSIONS

Advent Liturgy
Text by Eric S. Anderson, 2019
Tune JOSEPH LIEBER, JOSEPH MEIN, 15^th cent. German carol
Public Domain
Used by permission

Go Tell It on the Mountain
African-American spiritual
Public Domain

We Three Kings
Traditional melody
arr. by Bob Grove
Used by permission

Lovely Child, Holy Child
Mary Wore Three Links of Chain
Trad. Spirituals
Arr. by David N. Johnson
© 1975 Augsburg Publishing House
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

The GOAT
by Eric S. Anderson, 2025
Used by permission

Jesus, Our Brother, Strong and Good
Text 12^th cent. French carol
Tune ORIENTIS PARTIBUS 13^th cent. French melody
Public Domain

Pastorale
Gilbert M. Martin
Tune: © 1967 Lorenz Publishing Company,
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Angels We Have Heard on High
Text trad. French carol
Trans. pub. 1862 & 1916
Public Domain
Tune GLORIA trad. French carol
Public Domain

Angels We Have Heard on High
Dale Wood
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

IMPORTANT DATES

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          Cindy Debus
Chapel Decorations   Poinsettia Donations
Organist / Pianist     Kayleen Yuda   
Choir Director Bob Grove
Hand Bell Director        Anna Kennedy 
IYAA Choir Director Stuart Mori  
Youth Instrumental Trio        Mila Joy Ranario, Mace Peng, Ben Yamaki
Holy Cross Singers Men’s Trio         Bob Grove, Len Miyazono, Eric Anderson
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.