Service of Worship November 15, 2026
Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Please note that audio and video of this service are being live streamed on the Internet and will be recorded. The right rear section of the sanctuary will not be captured by any cameras. Please be aware that in other sections you may be visible at times.
Prelude: No. 7 from Miniatures for Organ Rick Mazurowski
Lighting of the Candles
Ringing of the Bell
Welcome: Rev. Eric S. Anderson
* Call to Worship (based on 123) Faith Mishina
Leader: Lift your eyes to the one enthroned above the heavens.
People: We look to the One whose voice calls with authority.
Leader: Listen for the One who speaks as the head of the house.
People: As we listen, we ask the LORD’s mercy, for we have had enough of contempt.
Leader: Have you had your fill of the scorn of those at ease?
People: We have had more than enough of the contempt of the proud.
All: Let us worship God!
* Hymn #495: Called as Partners in Christ’s Service (v. 1 – 4)
* Invocation (based on Psalm 90:1-12) Faith Mishina
You have been the dwelling place of humanity for all our generations, O God. Before the mountains rose from the sea you were there: from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn us back to dust and say, “Turn back, you mortals.” Teach us in this time of worship to consider our lives and your grace. Teach us to gain a wise heart. Amen.
Please be seated
WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD
Anthem: Something Like a Star Holy Cross Singers
Time with the Children Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Scripture: Faith Mishina
Judges 4:1-7
The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, after Ehud died. So the Lord sold them into the hand of King Jabin of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor; the commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-ha-goiim. Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help, for he had nine hundred chariots of iron and had oppressed the Israelites cruelly twenty years.
At that time Deborah, a prophet, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came up to her for judgment. She sent and summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you, ‘Position yourself at Mount Tabor, taking ten thousand from the tribe of Naphtali and the tribe of Zebulun. I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army, to meet you by the Wadi Kishon with his chariots and his troops, and I will give him into your hand.’ ”
Matthew 25:14-30
“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. At once the one who had received the five talents went off and traded with them and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance, but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”
Sermon: Can a Woman Lead? 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 #583: Like a Mother Who Has Borne Us (v. 1-4)
Call to Offering Faith Mishina
We are all made in the image of God: male, female, tall, short, old, young, and all the varieties of humanity. We are all summoned to worship with generosity, and to bring compassion to our neighbor’s need. Let us do both in this time of giving. 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: Shelter Me, O God Rick Mazurowski
* 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 Faith Mishina
God who has made us, accept these gifts in celebration of your grace. Guide all your children to appreciate the gifts of all your children, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
* Hymn #580: O Kou Aloha No (v. 1 – 4)
Please be seated
Announcements Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Benediction Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Postlude:: Psalm XVIII Rick Mazurowski
* Please stand if you are able.
PERMISSIONS
No. 7 from “Miniatures for Organ”
By Flor Peeters,
© 1975 A. P. Schmidt Co
Called as Partners in Christ’s Service
Text by Jane Parker Huber, 1981
© 1981 Jane Parker Huber
(admin. Westminster John Knox Press
Tune BEECHER by John Zundel, 1855
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
Choose Something Like a Star
Text by Robert Frost
© 1947 by Henry Holy and Company, Ltd.
Music by Randall Thompson
© 1960 by E. C. Shirmer Music Company, Ltd.
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
Like a Mother Who Has Borne Us
Text by Daniel Bechtel, 1986
© 1986 by Daniel Bechtel
Tune AUSTIN by William P. Rowan, 1992
© 1993 by Selah Publishing Co, Ltd.
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
Shelter Me, O God, Bob Hurd,
© 1984, by OCP Publications
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
O Kou Aloha No
Text by Queen Liliuokalani”, 1893
Tune LILIUOKALANI by Queen Liliuokalani, 1893
Public Domain
Psalm XVIII
Benedetto Marcello,
Arr. by E. Power Biggs, 1724
Public domain
IMPORTANT DATES
Today, November 15 – Board of Deacons meeting in the lounge after Worship Service
Thursday, November 19, 7:00 p.m. – Brazilian Jazz – Kamaaina Concert Series
Saturday, November 21, 8:00 a.m. – Service day to clean the church campus
Sunday, November 29 – All Membership Annual Meeting after Worship
Sundays, 8:30 a.m. – Our choir, Holy Cross Singers, meets for rehearsal in the lounge
Sundays, 1:00 p.m. – Na Kani o Kalani Bell choir rehearsal, Building of Faith meeting room
Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. – One Song from Church of the Holy Cross streamed live (see our church’s website, or the link in our e-newsletter, The Weekly Chime)
Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m. – Bible Study in person, in Pastor’s Study or via Zoom (see the link in The Weekly Chime)
Interested in pickleball? Contact Connie at 808-936-7534 or Ruth at rnduponte07@gmail.com
Leading Worship this Morning
Pastor Rev. Eric S. Anderson
Moderator Lorraine Davis
Vice Moderator Elwood Kita
Lay Reader Faith Mishina
Chapel Decorations Moira Tanaka
Organist/Pianist Kayleen Yuda
Guest Organist Rick Mazurowki
Music Director-Accompanist Bob Grove
Na Kani O Kalani (Bells) Director Evan Montemayor
IYAA Choir Director Stuart Mori
Sunday School Teacher Gloria Kobayashi
Sunday School Aide Johanna Narruhn
Image Artist Sue Smith
Live Stream Director Ruth Niino-DuPonte
Sound Engineer & Assistant Director Ben Yamaki
Videographers Eric Tanouye, Mace Peng, Bob
Smith, Cindy Debus, Woody Kita
Office Manager Lynn Warne
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
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.
