Category: Worship Services

Welcome to the live stream of worship from Church of the Holy Cross for Sunday, July 20, 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: Toccata in A Minor   Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                                        Rev. Eric S. Anderson

All:           Let us worship God!

* Hymn #451: Be Now My Vision (v. 1-4)

* Invocation: (based on Colossians 1:15-28)       Gloria Kobayashi
We praise you, O Christ, image of the invisible God, firstborn of all Creation. We praise you, the head of the Church, first of all things. We thank you for reconciling us to God. We have been wayward and estranged, but in your grace we have found our sacred home. We rejoice in the riches of your glory. Amen.

Anthem: Wonder is Not Enough        Eric Anderson

Time with the Children           Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture: Amos 8:1-12            Gloria Kobayashi
This is what the Lord God showed me—a basket of summer fruit.He said, ‘Amos, what do you see?’ And I said, ‘A basket of summer fruit.’ Then the Lord said to me,

‘The end has come upon my people Israel;
    I will never again pass them by.
The songs of the temple shall become wailings on that day,’
says the Lord God;
‘the dead bodies shall be many,
    cast out in every place. Be silent!’

 Hear this, you that trample on the needy,
    and bring to ruin the poor of the land,
saying, ‘When will the new moon be over
    so that we may sell grain;
and the sabbath,
    so that we may offer wheat for sale?
We will make the ephah small and the shekel great,
    and practice deceit with false balances,
buying the poor for silver
    and the needy for a pair of sandals,
    and selling the sweepings of the wheat.’

 The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob:
Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.
Shall not the land tremble on this account,
    and everyone mourn who lives in it,
and all of it rise like the Nile,
    and be tossed about and sink again, like the Nile of Egypt?

 On that day, says the Lord God,
    I will make the sun go down at noon,
    and darken the earth in broad daylight.
I will turn your feasts into mourning,
    and all your songs into lamentation;
I will bring sackcloth on all loins,
    and baldness on every head;
I will make it like the mourning for an only son,
    and the end of it like a bitter day.

Luke 10:38-42
Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing.^[a] Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’

Sermon: Summer Fruit             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)

Offertory: Brother James Air  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

* Hymn #494: We Who Would Valiant Be (v. 1-3)

Announcements                         Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                                  Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Joyous Dialogue       Kayleen Yuda

PERMISSIONS

IMPORTANT DATES

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.

Welcome to the live stream of worship from Church of the Holy Cross for Sunday, July 13, 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
Rev. Linda Petrucelli, Guest Pastor

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Prelude: Jesus Calls Us Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                           Rev. Linda Petrucelli

* Call to Worship: (based on Psalm 82)     Bob Smith

Leader:   Imagine God among a council of heavenly beings.
People:  Imagine God viewing the Earth and issuing judgment.

Leader:   “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?” God wants to know.
People:  Truly we wish to know when there will be justice for the weak and destitute, the orphan and the oppressed.

Leader:   God has called us children of the Most High.
People:  May God raise us up to live as God has called us.

All:           Let us worship God!

* Hymn #533: Children of God (v. 1-4)

* Invocation: (based on Psalm 25:1-10)    Bob Smith

To you, O Lord, we lift up our souls. Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame, for we seek to know your ways, we seek to follow your paths. Lead us in truth, teach us of your salvation. We give thanks for your steadfast love, for the mercy we have known our whole lives long. Amen.

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: He Leadeth Me           Kayleen Yuda                                              

Time with the Children           Rev. Linda Petrucelli

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:9-14     Bob Smith
 And the Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all your undertakings, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your soil. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, just as he delighted in prospering your ancestors, when you obey the Lord your God by observing his commandments and decrees that are written in this book of the law, because you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

 Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?’ No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.

Luke 10:25-37
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’

Sermon: Caring Neighbors      Rev. Linda Petrucelli

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer             Rev. Linda Petrucelli

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 #539: Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant? (v. 1-6)

Call to Offering              Bob Smith

Jesus has called us to be caring neighbors. Sometimes the ones we care for are right in front of us. Sometimes we may never meet. Let us be caring neighbors in this moment, and let all people know that God care through us. 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: Meditation  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        Bob Smith

Accept our gifts, we pray, O God. Accept them for those who will find healing or relief through them. Accept them for the neighbors we know. Accept them for the neighbors far away. Accept our gifts, we pray, O God. Amen.

* Hymn #537: Christian, Rise and Act Your Creed (v. 1-4)

Announcements            Rev. Linda Petrucelli                                              

Benediction                     Rev. Linda Petrucelli

Postlude: March in D    Kayleen Yuda

PERMISSIONS

IMPORTANT DATES

Saturday, July 19 – Service Day, 8:30 AM to 12 noon; please come and help beautify our church campus.

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.

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.

This service includes the celebration of Holy Communion. If you will be worshiping from home, please prepare and have ready some bread or other staple food and grape juice or another beverage for that portion of the service.

Welcome to the live stream of worship from Church of the Holy Cross for Sunday, July 6, 2025. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Service of Worship July 6, 2025
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                            Rev. Eric S. Anderson

* Call to Worship: (based on Psalm 66:1-9)         Faith Mishina

Leader:    Come and see what God has done.
People:   God has down astounding things among the creatures of the Earth.

Leader:    God turned the sea into dry land, so people could make their way to freedom.
People:   On the shores of a dividing sea, they rejoiced in the might of the Lord.

Leader:    Come bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of praise be heard.
People:   God has kept us among the living. God has raised us up in strength.

All:            Let us worship God!

* Hymn #532: Come, Labor On (v. 1-4)

* Invocation: (based on 2 Kings 5:1-14)    Faith Mishina

You know better than we how our self-respect becomes an overwhelming pride, O God. We might even turn away from the healing of our bodies, our minds, and our souls because of that pride. May there always be somebody around us to say, “Try the simple thing that God has done, and see what healing comes.” And if there is no other voice to say those words, let the voice be yours, O God, speaking from love and grace. Amen.

Please be seated

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-16     Faith Mishina
My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads.

Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.

Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.

See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.”But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, “Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.”

 ‘Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.’

 The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’

Sermon: Written in Heaven    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

Call to Offering                Faith Mishina

Jesus’ seventy disciples brought gifts of healing and teaching to the villages of Galilee. Their hosts gave them gifts of meals and shelter. Everyone gave. Everyone learned. Everyone grew. Let us grow in our faith and healing. Let us bring our offerings. 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: Quebec           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         Faith Mishina

May people be healed through your grace in these gifts, O God. May those blessed by these gifts find ways to give as well. May we be comforted as we follow your gracious ways of giving. Amen.

* Hymn #498: Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love (v. 1-5)

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Invitation
Consecrating the Bread and Cup
Sharing the Bread and Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving

* Hymn #347: Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ (v. 1-3)

Announcements             Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Permissions

Prelude on Ellers
David H Hegarty
Edward J Hopkins
Tune: © 1972 Lorenz Publishing Company,
a division of The Lorenz Corpiration
(Admin by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Come, Labor On
Text by Jane Laurie Borthwick, 1859
Public Domain
Tune ORA LABORA by Thomas Tertius Noble, 1918
Public Domain

Quebec (Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts)
Henry Baker
Public Domain

Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love
Text by Tom Colvin, 1969
© 1969 Hope Publishing Company
Tune CHEREPONI Ghanian folk song
Arr. by Jane Marshall, 1982
© 1982 Hope Publishing Company
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ
Text by Fred Kaan, 1975
Tune LINSTEAD Jamaican folk song
Adapt. by Doreen Potter, 1975
Text and tune © 1975 Hope Publishing Company
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

National Hymn (God of Our Fathers Whose Almighty Hand)
George W. Warren
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Important Dates

Today, July 6 – Board of Trustees meeting after Worship Service

July 19, Saturday – Service Day, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM – please come and help if you are able!

July 11-15 – UCC General Synod, Kansas City, Missouri

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.

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, June 22, 2025. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Service of Worship June 22, 2025
Second Sunday after Pentecost

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Prelude: Austrian Hymn                                              Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                                                                    Lori Yamashiro

* Call to Worship: (based on 1 Kings 19:1-15)           John Narruhn

Leader:         What are you doing here?
People:        We are here because we are tired and fearful in these times.

Leader:         What are you doing here?
People:        We are here because we have tried to do God’s will, and it has been so
                        difficult to do.

Leader:         What are you doing here?
People:        We are here, and we know that we will be sent out again, so we come to
                        be renewed.

All:     Let us worship God!

* Hymn #163: Many Are the Lightbeams (v. 1-5)

* Invocation (based on Psalm 29)                                                                                                        John Narruhn

Do not be far away, O God. Come quickly to our aid! Because you have helped us before, we can praise you to our neighbors. Because you have helped us before, we can praise you in this congregation. May the poor eat and be satisfied; may all the families of the earth rejoice in your grace. Hear us and bless us as we worship you today, O God. Amen.

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: This is My Father’s World                         Kayleen Yuda

Time with the Children                                          Gloria Kobayashi

Scripture: 1 King 19:1-15                                        John Narruhn

Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So may the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.’ Then he was afraid; he got up and fled for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongs to Judah; he left his servant there.

 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: ‘It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.’ Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, ‘Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.’ He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food for forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there.

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’

He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram.

Sermon: What Are You Doing Here?                      Lori Yamashiro

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer                                                       John Narruhn

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 #496: Ekolu Mea Nui (Three Greatest Things) (v. 1-2)

Call to Offering                                                       John Narruhn

We have known both the difficulties of life and the relief of healing and joy. Give today because there are people who face challenges and they need your help. Give today because God helped you when you needed support and you give thanks. Give today for healing and for joy. 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: Quebec (Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts)        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                                                  John Narruhn

We offer you these gifts, O God, for the lifting up of those weighed down. We offer you these gifts, O God, because we rejoice in your aid. We offer you these gifts, O God, so that all the world might sing their praises to you. Amen.

* Hymn #395: In Christ There Is No East or West (v. 1-4)

Announcements                                                      Lori Yamashiro

Benediction                                                             Lori Yamashiro

Postlude: National Hymn                                        Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

PERMISSIONS

Austrian Hymn
Franz Joseph Haydn, Mark Shepperd
Tune: © 1989 Lorenz Publishing Company,
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Many Are the Lightbeams
Text by Cyprian of Carthage, 252
Swedish para. By Anders Frostenson
Trans. by David Lewis, 1983
© 1972 by Anders Frostenson
Tune LIGHTBEAMS by Olle Widestrand
© 1974 by Olle Widestrand
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Ekolu Mea Nui (Three Greatest Things)
Text by Robert Nawahine
Tune NAWAHINE by Robert Nawahine
Arr. by Martha Hohu, 1971
Arr. © 1972 the Hawai’i Conference UCC
Streamed by permission

IMPORTANT DATES

Sunday, June 29—Sabbatical presentation with Pastor Eric, after worship, includes potluck. Everyone is invited.

Tuesday, July 1—Classical guitar concert in the sanctuary featuring William Jenks. A free-will offering will be received. Starts at 7 p.m., everyone is welcome to attend.

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.

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, June 15, 2025. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Service of Worship June 15, 2025
Trinity Sunday

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Ringing of the Bell

Leader:         God reconciles us through our faith,
People:        And this faith brings us peace through Jesus Christ.

Leader:         We stand here in the grace of God,
People:        We quake with the hope of sharing God’s glory with all those around.

Leader:         Endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
People:        And hope does not put us to shame, for God’s love has been poured into our hearts.

All:     Let us worship God!

* Hymn #273: Praise with Joy the World’s Creator (v. 1-4)

* Invocation (based on Psalm 8)                                  Anne Sadayasu                   

The heavens echo with the glory of your name, O God! The mouths of the very youngest proclaim your praise. In such greatness, what are we but fragile and small? Yet you care for us, crown us with glory and honor. May we exercise the powers you have given us with wisdom and with love, O God, and may we worship you this day in spirit and in truth. Amen.

 On the heights, beside the way,
    at the crossroads she takes her stand;

 beside the gates in front of the town,
    at the entrance of the portals she cries out:
‘To you, O people, I call,
    and my cry is to all that live.

 The Lord created me at the beginning of his work,
    the first of his acts of long ago.
Ages ago I was set up,
    at the first, before the beginning of the earth.

 When there were no depths I was brought forth,
    when there were no springs abounding with water.
Before the mountains had been shaped,
    before the hills, I was brought forth—
when he had not yet made earth and fields,
    or the world’s first bits of soil.
When he established the heavens, I was there,
    when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
when he made firm the skies above,
    when he established the fountains of the deep,
when he assigned to the sea its limit,
    so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
    then I was beside him, like a master worker;
and I was daily his delight,
    rejoicing before him always,
rejoicing in his inhabited world
    and delighting in the human race.

John 16:12-15

‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Pastoral Prayer                                                 Rev. Eric S. Anderson

* Hymn #3: Wakantanka Taku Nitawa (v. 1 Dakota, v. 1-2 English)

* 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

You delight in the human race, O God. Delight even more in us at this moment. We, like you, like the incarnate Wisdom Jesus, like the freely flowing Wisdom of the Spirit, have brought our gifts and dedicated them to you. Bless them and bless us, we pray. Amen.

* Hymn #277: Holy, Holy, Holy (v. 1-4)

Announcements                       Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                              Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Laudate Dominum                                  Rick Mazurowski

* Please stand if you are able.

PERMISSIONS

With a Voice of Singing
JW Harris/Martin Shaw
Text: © 1923, Shawnee Press
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Holy, Holy, Holy
Text by Reginald Heber, 1826
Tune NICAEA by John B. Dykes, 1861
Public Domain

Laudate Dominum
Robert E. Kreutz
Text from the Psalms
Text and music © 1987
OCP, All Rights reserved.
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

IMPORTANT DATES

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.

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, June 8, 2025. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Service of Worship June 8, 2025
Pentecost Sunday

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                            Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Call to Worship: (based on Psalm 104:24-35)    Anna Kennedy

Leader:      The world is filled with the wisdom of the LORD,
People:     The creatures, the clouds, the sea: all these and more display the wisdom
                     of God.

Leader:      When God’s Spirit goes forth, creation spring up.
People:     God’s Spirit renews the face of the ground itself.

Leader:      Sing to the LORD today and as long as you live!
People:     We will sing to the LORD while we have being.

All:              Let us worship God!

* Hymn #261: Let Every Christian Pray (v. 1-3)

* Invocation (based on Genesis 11:1-9)     Anna Kennedy

Send your Holy Spirit to us today as we worship, O God. We have confused ourselves as much and more than those who attempted the Tower of Babel. We have striven for the heights of pride, and we have tumbled to the depths of failure. Unite us as creatures of the Earth. Unite us in love and compassion. Unite us in your praise. Amen.

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD  

Anthem: Bread for the World             Rick Mazurowski

Time with the Children          Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture: Romans 8:14-17     Anna Kennedy
 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness^[ with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Acts 2:1-21
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’ All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ But others sneered and said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’

 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

 “In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
    and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
    and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
        and they shall prophesy.
And I will show portents in the heaven above
    and signs on the earth below,
        blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood,
        before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Sermon: Visions and Dreams             Rev. Eric S. Anderson

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer              Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Please join 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 #272: On Pentecost They Gathered (v. 1-4)

Call to Offering                Anna Kennedy

We dream of a world at peace. We dream of a world of compassion. We dream of a world without need. Until the day our dreams are fulfilled, we bring our gifts to God with the prayer that they build this world of which we dream. 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: Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song                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         Anna Kennedy

Accept our gifts and our prayers, O God, and send us the Holy Spirit through which our dreams and your vision of peace might be made real. Amen.

* Hymn #286: Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness (v. 1-4)

Announcements             Rev. Eric S. Anderson                                               

Benediction                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Toccata on ‘Come Holy Ghost’    Rick Mazurowski

* Please stand if you are able.

PERMISSIONS

Bread for the World
Bernadette Farrell
© 1990 Bernadette Farrell,
Published by OCP.
All rights reserved.
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song
Alan Smith
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Toccata on ‘Come Holy Ghost’
Rick Mazuroski
Streamed by permission of the composer

IMPORTANT DATES

Today—Council Meeting after worship

Sunday, June 29—Sabbatical presentation with Pastor Eric, after worship, includes potluck. Everyone is invited.

Mondays, 11:30 a.m. –Pickleball lessons; contact Connie 808-936-7534 or
Ruth at rnduponte07@gmail.com to sign up.
 
Wednesdays, 5 p.m. Bible Study in Pastor’s Study and via Zoom. The meeting link will be in the Weekly Chime. No Bible Study this week or next. Bible Study resumes on June 25.

Wednesdays, 12 noon –Pickleball lessons; contact Connie 808-936-7534 or
Ruth at rnduponte07@gmail.com to sign up.

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.

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.

This service includes the celebration of Holy Communion. If you will be worshiping from home, please prepare and have ready some bread or other staple food and grape juice or another beverage for that portion of the service.

Welcome to the live stream of worship from Church of the Holy Cross for Sunday, June 1, 2025. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Service of Worship June 1, 2025
Seventh Sunday of Easter

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

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.

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                            Rev. Eric S. Anderson

*Call to Worship (based on Psalm 97)       Nalyn Ang

Leader: The LORD rules the world! Let the planet rejoice, let the coastlines be glad!
People: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s seat of mercy.

Leader: The mountains flow like wax before the LORD of earth.
People: The heavens shine with God’s reflected glory.

Leader: If you love the LORD, turn away from evil,
People: For light dawns for the righteous. Joy springs forth from the upright heart.

All: Let us worship God!

* Hymn #546: Jesus, Lover of My Soul (v. 1-3)

*Invocation (based on John 17:20-26)       Nalyn Ang

Jesus prayed for us, O God, and we echo his prayer: May we be one as you, our Maker and Savior, are one. Let your love be manifest in us. Let your glory shine through us. As we worship, fill our souls to overflowing, so that when worship ends, your grace may flow forth to everyone around. In Jesus name, Amen.

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD  

Anthem: Upwe Chok Mwareituk       IYAA 

Time with the Children

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34         Nalyn Ang
One day, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave-girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, ‘These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation.’ She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And it came out that very hour.

 But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market-place before the authorities. When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, ‘These men are disturbing our city; they are Jews and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe.’ The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted in a loud voice, ‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.’ The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them outside and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They answered, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.

Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21
 ‘See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.’

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.

 ‘It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.’

 The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’
And let everyone who hears say, ‘Come.’
And let everyone who is thirsty come.
Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.

 The one who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.

Sermon: They Were Noticed   Rev. Eric S. Anderson

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer              Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Please join 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

Call to Offering                Nalyn Ang

Our worth is not determined by how much others can exploit us. Our worth comes from God, who made us to love us. Let us see the worth of our neighbors, and share with them what we can so that they, too, may know the love of God. 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: Berceuse       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          Nalyn Ang

Holy One, you sent Jesus to show us the heights and the depths of love. May our gifts today reflect that love and extend that love to neighbors, friends, and strangers near and far. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

* Hymn #552: From the Crush of Wealth and Power (v. 1-4)

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation
Consecrating the Bread and Cup
Sharing the Bread and Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving

* Hymn #347: Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ (v. 1-3)

Announcements             Rev. Eric S. Anderson     

Benediction                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Postlude in D Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

Permissions

Berceuse
Iljinsky
Belwin, Inc. © 1955
Public Domain
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Postlude in D
C. Armstrong Gibbs
Oxford Univ. Press
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Important Dates

Monday, June 3, 2025 – Replacement of Sanctuary carpet edging

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
Lay Reader            Nalyn Ang
Chapel Decorations      Bob and Sue Smith
Organist      Kayleen Yuda        
Hand Bell Director        Anna Kennedy   
IYAA Music Director Stuart Mori
Projected Imagery        Sue Smith
Web Master          Ruth Niino-DuPonte  
Videographers    Eric Tanouye, Bob Smith, Eli Yamaki,
            Mace Peng
Sunday School Teacher          Gloria Kobayashi
Sunday School Aide      Johanna Narruhn
Church Office Manager Pearl Momi Lyman

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.

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, May 25, 2025. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Service of Worship May 25, 2025
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Rural Life Sunday
Graduate Recognition Sunday

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                            Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Leader:      The apostle had a vision of a city without sun or moon,
People:     A city lit by the glory of God.

Leader:      Through the city flows a river of life.
People:     Life flowing from the seat of God and from the Lamb.

Leader:      One day we shall know a life without curses, without pain,
People:     All God’s people will rejoice in light and love forever and ever.

All:              Let us worship God!

* Hymn #573: Lead On Eternal Sovereign (v. 1-3)

* Invocation: (based on Psalm 67)   Nina Buchanan

Let your face shine upon us, O God; let your gracious ways and your saving power be known among all the nations. You have given us justice, O God, and beyond justice you have given us forgiveness. For these gifts and many others we worship you today, so hear us as we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD  

Anthem: Just As I Am     Kayleen Yuda

Time with the Children

Recognition of Graduates

Scripture: Acts 16:9-15             Nina Buchanan
During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.

We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there.  A certain woman named Lydia, a worshipper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul.  When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.’ And she prevailed upon us.

John 14:23-29
Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.  Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.

 ‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.

Sermon: Leaving Peace Rev. Eric S. Anderson

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer              Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Please join 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 #580: O Kou Aloha No (v. 1-4)

Call to Offering                Nina Buchanan

Peace between communities; peace between people; peace within the spirit: these are the gifts Jesus has given to us. These are the gifts for us to pass on. With these offerings we seek to build peace in souls near and far. 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: Song of Bells             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         Nina Buchanan

God of peace, accept the gifts your people have presented to you. Bless us with peace through them, and bless all people with peace through them, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

* Hymn #584: I Am the Light of the World (v. 1-4)

Announcements             Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: O Wondrous Day     Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

PERMISSIONS

Sing to the Lord
Lani Smith
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Just As I Am
William B. Bradbury,
Charlotte Elliot
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Song of Bells
Carl Simone
Tune: © 1972 Lorenz Publishing Company,
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

O Wondrous Day
James Mansfield
Tune: © 1983 Lorenz Publishing Company,
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

IMPORTANT DATES

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

Bible Study – Tuesdays, 3 p.m. via Zoom–The meeting link will be in the Weekly Chime;  Wednesdays, 5 p.m. in Pastor’s Study.

Wednesdays, 12 noon –Pickleball lessons; contact Connie 808-936-7534 or
Ruth at rnduponte07@gmail.com to sign up.

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.

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, May 18, 2025. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Service of Worship May 18, 2025
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Mental Health Sunday
Sunday School Recognition Sunday

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

* Call to Worship: (based on Psalm 148)                                      Ming Peng

Leader:   Praise the LORD from the earth and from the depths of the seas!
People:  Praise the LORD, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind!

Leader:   Mountains and hills, fruit trees and forest trees, creatures of the forest and
                  pasture,
People:  People of all ages, all tongues, all locations: Praise the LORD of hosts!

All:           Let us worship God!

* Hymn #17: To You, O God, All Creatures Sing (v. 1-4)

* Invocation: (based on Revelation 21:1-6)          Ming Peng

Gracious God, we yearn for a new heaven and a new earth, a holy city in which you dwell among us in ways that we cannot mistake, in ways that we will not resist. Wipe the tears from our eyes, set need and pain aside. Make all things new. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD  

Anthem: Who Are the People of Spirit        Eric Anderson

Time with the Children          Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Recognition of Teachers and Students   Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18 Ming Peng

Now the apostles and the believerswho were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, saying, ‘Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?’ Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, ‘I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. I also heard a voice saying to me, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” But I replied, “By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.” But a second time the voice answered from heaven, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us.These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, “Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.” And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?’ When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, ‘Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.’

John 13:31-35 When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’

Sermon: Welcome          Rev. Eric S. Anderson

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Call to Offering                Ming Peng

Simon Peter brought the gift of the Good News to people he did not believe could receive it. By God’s grace, they could. We bring our gifts not knowing how they will change the world around us. By God’s grace, this offering will make the world a better place. 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: Ayre                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

God of the open door and the open heart, freely accept the gifts of your people. By them may we invite, welcome, and include all the people you call to be with us, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

* Hymn #181: You Are Salt for the Earth, O People (v. 1-4)

Announcements             Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

* Please stand if you are able.

Permissions

Dialogue
Louis N. Clerambault
Public Domain
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

To You, O God, All Creatures Sing
Text by St. Francis of Assisi, 1225
Adapt. by Miriam Therese Winter, 1993
© 1993 Medical Mission Sisters
Streamed by permission of the Medical Mission Sisters
Tune LASST UNS ERFREUEN first published 1623
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Who Are the People of Spirit
Eric Anderson
Streamed by permission of the author

Rigaudon
Andre Campra
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Important Dates

Sunday, May 25^th— Honoring Our Graduates

Bible Study – Tuesdays, 3 p.m. via Zoom–The meeting link will be in the Weekly Chime;  Wednesdays, 5 p.m. in Pastor’s Study.

Wednesdays, 12 noon –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    Ann Kanahele
Organist / Pianist     Kayleen Yuda   
Hand Bell Director        Anna Kennedy   
Projected Imagery        Sue Smith
Live Stream Director         Ruth Niino-DuPonte. Bob Smith 
Videographers    Eric Tanouye, Bob Smith, Eli Yamaki,
            Mace Peng, Cindy Debus
Sound Engineer Ben Yamaki
Sunday School Teacher          Gloria Kobayashi
Sunday School Aide      Johanna Narruhn
Church Office Manager Pearl Momi Lyman

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.