Worship for March 15, 2026

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 15, 2026. 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: Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared                                                                                                 Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome:                                                                                                 Jennifer Tanouye

* Call to Worship (based on Psalm 23)                                                                                                                

Leader:         Because the LORD is my shepherd, I live without fear.
People:        I rest and I move in beautiful places, restored in soul.

Leader:         I do not fear the shadowy places, for God’s protection covers me.
People:        My table is laid in joy, my life is crowned in power.

Leader:         Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
People:        God will be with me in my home here and my home to come forever.

All:     Let us worship God!

* Hymn #248: Such Perfect Love My Shepherd Shows (v. 1-6)

* Invocation (based on John 9:1-41)                                                                                                 Jennifer Tanouye

So often we connect sin with suffering, O God, as if the world brought retribution for each person’s wrongs. We know better. May we refrain from judging others in their sorrows, and may we have your grace when aching from our troubles. Bring your healing to your people, body, mind, and soul, so we might show your gracious care to all around. Amen.

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: Alleluia                                                                                      Holy Cross Singers

Time with the Children                                                               Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture:                                                                                                  Jennifer Tanouye

1 Samuel 16:1-13

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do, and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.” Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, “Do you come peaceably?” He said, “Peaceably. I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely his anointed is now before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him, for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.” He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him, for this is the one.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.

Ephesians 5:8-14

…For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the light^[a] is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness; rather, expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly, but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Sleeper, awake!
    Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

Sermon: Not Any of These                                                                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 #446: Jesus, Still Lead On (v. 1-4)

Call to Offering                                                                                 Jennifer Tanouye

We have not all been summoned to lead nations. We have not all been summoned to withdraw from the world in prayer. We have all been summoned to live out our lives as faithfully as we can, given what we understand of God’s call. May 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: Father, We Praise Thee                                                       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                                                                            Jennifer Tanouye

We thank you, O God, for summoning us to be your people and for guiding us in wisdom and truth. Accept these gifts extended from your wisdom and your truth, and may they display your loving glory. Amen.

* Hymn #547: Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound (v. 1 – 5)

Please be seated

Announcements                                                                              Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                                                                                    Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Be Thou Exalted                                                                           Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

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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.