Worship for August 16, 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, August 16, 2026. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome:                           Rev. Eric S. Anderson

* Call to Worship (based on Psalm 133)                Stefan Tanouye

Leader:   How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity.
People:  So the Psalmist wrote, and so we have found when our families live in love.

Leader:   The Scriptures are full of times when kindred lived in conflict.
People:  To our sorrow, we have seen the same in our families, too.

Leader:   Let us find the way to the blessings of families united in love.
People:  We worship the God who calls us together and bathes us in the waters of community.

All:           Let us worship God!

* Hymn #179: We Yearn, O Christ, for Wholeness (v. 1 – 3)

* Invocation (based on Psalm 67)    Stefan Tanouye

We pray that all the peoples praise you, O God, that the world resounds with songs of joy that ring musically in your ears. You have given us the increase of earth and the beauty of creation, and these alone inspire our praise – but bless us also in this time of worship that we might join and amplify the song of a world united in harmony. Amen.

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: Embrace My Way and Cross                     Holy Cross Singers

Time with the Children                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture:                           Stefan Tanouye

Isaiah 56:1, 6-8

Thus says the Lord:
    Maintain justice, and do what is right,
for soon my salvation will come
    and my deliverance be revealed.

And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,
    to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord,
    and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath and do not profane it
    and hold fast my covenant—
these I will bring to my holy mountain
    and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
    will be accepted on my altar,
for my house shall be called a house of prayer
    for all peoples.
Thus says the Lord God,
    who gathers the outcasts of Israel:
I will gather others to them
    besides those already gathered.

Matthew 15:21-28

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that moment.

Sermon: Great Gathering                     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. Amen.

* Hymn #398: Shadow and Substance (v. 1-3)

Call to Offering                Stefan Tanouye

How do we make this a holy place where people may rejoice in a house of prayer? By maintaining justice, by doing what is right, and by welcoming all who seek God’s blessings with warmth and with love. In our offerings we pool our resources so that we can extend God’s love together. 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: Rondeau        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         Stefan Tanouye

Accept these gifts we pray, O God. You have given us everything of which we’re aware and even more. Help us to share these blessings with those around us, and to welcome them into this house of prayer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

* Hymn #388: Help Us Accept Each Other (v. 1 – 4)

Please be seated

Announcements             Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Double Chorus                     Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

PERMISSIONS

IMPORTANT DATES

Today, August 16 – Church Picnic after Worship Service
Saturday, August 22 – Service Day, 8:30 – 11:30 AM – come and help spruce up our church campus
Saturday, September 19 – Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Lili`uokalani Gardens, registration at 7:30 AM; walk or donate a pledge to someone walking on behalf of our church (contact Nina or Anne)

Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. – One Song from Church of the Holy Cross streamed live
Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m. – Bible Study in person, in Pastor’s Study or via Zoom (see the link in our e-newsletter The Weekly Chime)
Interested in pickleball? Contact Connie at 808-936-7534 or Ruth at rnduponte07@gmail.com

Other Faith Groups that meet at Church of the Holy Cross

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.