Category: Worship Services

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, May 4, 2025. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Service of Worship May 4, 2025
Third Sunday of Easter
Pacific Islander and Asian American Sunday

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.

Prelude: Meditation on Let Us Break Bread Together           Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Leader:         O God, you have lifted us up.
People:        So empires of this galaxy will not enjoy our defeat.

Leader:         In our most desperate hour we cried to you:
People:        “Help us, O God! You are our only hope!”

Leader:         Hearing our cries for help, you healed us;
People:        Bringing us from Chaos, you restored our lives.

Leader:         May we be as Jedi trained to feel emotions, understand them, and let them go.
People:        For your anger, O God, lasts but a moment, while your graciousness lasts
                        a lifetime.

Leader:         Weeping lingers for a night,
People:        But joy comes with the morning.

Leader:         With Hula from Hawai’i, Siva from Samoa,
People:        Our spirits dance like Ewoks on Endor.

Leader:         You have transformed our lives from mourning to joy.
People:        May we give thanks, and praise God for ever and ever.

All:     Let us worship God!

* Hymn #223: What Wondrous Love Is This (v. 1-3)

Tenchi Kane No Kami – Divine Parent of the Universe –
Ikigami Konko Daijin – Divine Mediator –

Pray sincerely,
With all your heart.
Be one with Kami.

Kami’s blessings begin within
Hearts grateful and caring,
In harmony and joy.

Look to Kami always,
Now and forever,
On this very day, pray.

Please be seated

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ He answered, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ The Lord said to him, ‘Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a visiona man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.’ But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’ So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

In the community of the Chosen One, we do not tax our members. We look to our communal origins in which sharing possessions and resources was a core practice reflecting unity, generosity, and a belief in communal living. Believers sold their possessions and distributed the proceeds to those in need. In that tradition, let us now gather our offerings toward bringing balance to the universe, seeking care for all creatures of the Creator. 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.

* 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

E ke Akua o ka lani, O God of heaven, with joy, we witness the miracles that you continue to perform through the power of your Holy Spirit. As the Risen Christ calls us to feed his lambs and tend his sheep, may we be a faithful congregation sent to feed people who are hungry and show kindness to those in need. Use our tithes and gifts in miraculous ways for the sake of Master Jesus. Amen.

* Hymn #337: Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether (v. 1-3)

Sacrament of Holy Communion

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

Announcements Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                               Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Elizabethan               Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

Permissions

The Call to Worship, Call to Offering, and Offertory Prayer were written by the Rev. Mitchell Young for PAAM Sunday. Michelle Kuruma of the Konkokyo Church of San Francisco provided the Invocation. Provided by PAAM; used by permission.

Meditation
Richard A. Williamson
Tune: © 2023 Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
All Rights Reserved.
ASCAP Text: © 2023 Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
All Rights Reserved.
ASCAP
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Elizabethan
Craig A. Penfield
Tune: © 2024 Lorenz Corporation
(Administered by Music Services)
All Rights Reserved. ASCAP
Text: © 2024 Lorenz Corporation
(Administered by Music Services)
All Rights Reserved. ASCAP
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Important Dates

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

Tuesdays, 3:00 p.m. Bible Study in person and via Zoom in the Pastor’s Study.

Save the Date! Saturday, May 17^th— Help is needed for our Service Day work from 8:30 to noon. We will be working primarily on cleaning the louvers and general dusting and tidying up in the sanctuary. If time permits, we will work on weeding around the campus. All ages are welcomed as there is an assortment of jobs to be done. Please join us in helping to beautify and maintain our 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.

Service of Worship April 27, 2025
Second Sunday of Easter

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Prelude: On Eagles Wings        Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                            Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

*Call to Worship             Lorraine Davis

Leader:   What if we told you we come to this sanctuary because there is no safety behind locked doors.

People:  Jesus speaks peace among us. We do not carry this all alone. 

Leader:   What if we told you we gather together to remember that fear can’t keep love from showing up.

People:  Jesus breathes the spirit among us. We do not carry this all alone.

Leader:   What if we told you worship is a place where we touch the wounds this world makes in us.

People:  Jesus reaches out his hands to us. We do not carry this all alone.

Leader:   What if we told you we join our hearts in prayer and praise to practice moving disbelief toward recognition.

People:  Jesus tells truths among us. We do not carry this all alone.

Leader:   What if it was all true?

People:  My Lord and my God! Alleluia.  Alleluia.  Alleluia.

* Hymn #253: Yours is the Glory, Resurrected One! (v. 1-3, English)

Anthem: Here I Am, Lord         Kayleen Yuda

Time with the Children          Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer              Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

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 #11: Bring Many Names (v. 1-6)

Call to Offering                Lorraine Davis

Offertory: Theme for Flute      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          Lorraine Davis

In the presence of fear, may these gifts bring hope. Where doors are locked, may these offerings open new possibilities. Where there are wounds, may these gifts honor their truth. In the presence of despair, may these offerings testify to a new world rising up. To this collective liberation, we dedicate ourselves and our offerings. Amen.

*Hymn #123 (Sing! Prayer and Praise): Draw the Circle Wide

Announcements             Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

Benediction                      Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

Postlude: See How Great a Flame Aspires Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

Permissions

Liturgy from “Building Up a New World – Locked Doors” Service Prayers for Easter 2C by Dr. Sharon R. Fennema, Join the Movement toward Racial Justice Curator with UCC National Ministries.

On Eagles Wings
Michael Joncas
Mark Hayes
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Yours is the Glory, Resurrected One!
Edmond L. Budry, 1904
Transl. The New Century Hymnal, 1993
Tune: JUDAS MACCABEUS
G.F. Handel, 1751
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Here I Am, Lord
Dan Schutte
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Bring Many Names
Brian Wren, 1989
Text: © 1989, 1994, Hope Publishing Company
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Theme for Flute
Carl Simone
Tune: © 1982 Lorenz Publishing Company,
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Draw the Circle Wide
Gordon Light, 1994
Tune: © 1994, Common Cup Company.
All rights reserved
Used with permission
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

See How Great a Flame Aspires
Robert J. Powell
Tune: © 2024 Lorenz Corporation
(Administered by Music Services)
All Rights Reserved.
ASCAP Text: © 2024
Lorenz Corporation (Administered by Music Services)
All Rights Reserved. ASCAP
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Important Dates

Today—April 27, 2025 – Potluck Celebration after worship honoring Rev. Dr. Diane Weible to thank her for serving Church of the Holy Cross for the last 3 months.

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

Tuesdays, 3:00 p.m. Bible Study in person and via Zoom in the Pastor’s Study:
        ® John 20:19-31

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

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, April 20, 2025. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Prelude: Fanfare and Statement on “Llanfair”                                                Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                            Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

*Call to Worship             Jennifer Tanouye

Leader:   This is the day that God has made;
People:  Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
All:           We gather today to shout Alleluia!
                  Christ is risen; he is risen indeed.

Leader:   Out of the doom of death and despair,
People:  Victory comes, glory appears.
All:           We gather today to shout Alleluia!
                  Christ is risen; he is risen indeed.

Leader:   We shall live, witness, and recount the deeds
People: Of the God whose love endures forever.
All:           We gather today to shout Alleluia!
                  Christ is risen; he is risen indeed.

* Hymn #233: Christ the Lord is Risen Today

*Invocation                       Jennifer Tanouye

O, Redeeming God,  Like Mary of Magdala weeping at the tomb, we, too, have witness the wonders of your work with our own teary eyes. In this hour, O God, elevate us in Christ and with the power of the Holy Spirit, so that others may be awakened through our preaching and proclaiming the good news: news of healing, peace, justice, and community for all people.  Amen.

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: Low in the Grave He Lay    Kayleen Yuda

Time with the Children          Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

Scripture: Romans 6:3-11         Jennifer Tanouye
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Luke 24:1-12But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared.  They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,  but when they went in, they did not find the body.While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them.  The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,  that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’  Then they remembered his words,  and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest.  Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles.  But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

Sermon: Remember       Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer              Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

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 #237: I Come to the Garden Alone

Please be seated

Call to Offering                Jennifer Tanouye

The gifts that we bring to this community compound and create resurrection power, helping us to awaken wholeness in the broken, strength in the weakened, and liberation for all living in the midst of injustice. Let us share our generosity with each other and the community.

Offertory: Easter Joy      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

For the wondrous ways this offering will bless this community, help us nurture caring relationships with our neighbors, and do our part to liberate all who are experiencing oppression, we dedicate these gifts.

Let this offering, and the works of our hands and feet, be the resurrection we need to see in the world.

*Hymn #240: Jesus Christ is Risen Today

Announcements             Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

Benediction                      Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

Postlude: Risen to Victory       Kayleen Yuda

Permissions

Liturgy from the Tomb Service Prayers for Easter Sunday Year C were written by Rev. Mia M. McClain, the Associate Minister at Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC and a member of the Southern Conference UCC.
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Fanfare and Statement on “Llanfair”
Edward Broughton
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Christ the Lord is Risen Today           
Charles Wesley, 1739
Tune: EASTER HYMN
Arr. From Lyra Davidica, 1708
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Low in the Grave He Lay
Robert Lowry
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

I Come to the Garden Alone
C. Austin Miles, 1912
Tune: GARDEN
C. Austin Miles, 1912
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Easter Joy
George Blake
Tune: © Lorenz Publishing Company,
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
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Jesus Christ is Risen Today
Tune: LLANFAIR
Robert Williams, 1817
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Risen to Victory
Tom Birchwood
Tune: © 1989 Lorenz Publishing Company,
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Important Dates

Today—April 20, 2025 – Deacons Meeting after worship services

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

Tuesdays, 3:00 p.m. Bible Study in person and via Zoom in the Pastor’s Study:
        ® John 20:19-31

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

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.

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor
Rev. Dr. Diane Weible, Sabbatical Interim Pastor
Rev. Sitau Ofoia, Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Please rise if you are able

*Call to Worship                                              Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

Leader:         When Jesus sat at table with his friends, they gathered to recall the mighty
                        acts of God which won the freedom of their oppressed people.
People:        This evening we recall the mighty acts of God which won our freedom
                        from the oppressions of sin and death.
Leader:         Our Savior did not lead an exodus, or make himself a general, or guide a nation
                        to a Promised Land.
People:        He gave his friends the bread and wine of Passover by which they might
                        remember him, then walked into the shadows of betrayal and of death.
Leader:         This evening, let us fill our hearts with Christ, and join him at the table.
People:        This evening, let us fill our hearts with Christ, and join him in the   
                        shadows.

* Opening Hymn #345: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (v. 1-3)

* Please join me in the Prayer of Confession        Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

Giver of Life, from ancient time you call us to yourself.
In ways too numerous to mention, we fail to respond.
Forgive us, we pray.
Our limited understanding of culture
gets in the way of fellowship
with those different from ourselves.
Our limited vision of community
gets in the way of your call
to accept the cost and joy of discipleship,
to seek justice and peace for all.
Replace our arrogance, Merciful One,
with the humility and caring service Jesus modeled,
for truly we are not greater than our Teacher and Savior. Amen.

Please be seated

 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Voice 2: “Who? Who will betray you? They all wondered. Surely not me. Tell us who, Jesus.

Voice 1: “The one who dips his hand into the dish with me.”

Voice 2: But that’s all of us. We’ve all shared this common meal.

Silence

The Lord be with you
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto the Lord.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.

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

WE JOURNEY TO THE SHADOWS WITH GOD
Service of Tenebrae 

The Shadow of Betrayal: Matthew 26:20-25              Momi Lyman

Hymn #225: It Was a Sad and Solemn Night (v. 1-2; please remain seated)

The Darkness

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.

The Upper Room
Brian Glyncannon
Tune: © 2008 Lorenz Corporation
(admin. by Music Services)
All Rights Reserved
ASCAP Text: © 2008 Lorenz Corporation
(admin. by Music Services)
All Rights Reserved
ASCAP
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Text from the Liturgy of St. James, 4^th cent.
Trans. Gerard Moultrie, 1864
Tune PICARDY 17^th cent. French carol
Public Domain

Christ at Table There with Friends
Text by Anabel S. Miller, 1982
Text: © 1982/2003, Zimbel Press
Tune by Emma Lou Diemer, 1992
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Text attrib. to Bernard of Clairvaux, 12^th cent.
Trans. James W. Alexander, 1830
Tune PASSION CHORALE by Hans Leo Hassler, 1601
Public Domain

It Was a Sad and Solemn Night
Text by Isaac Watts, 1709
Pilgrim Press
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890
Public Domain

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Text by Isaac Watts, 1707
Tune HAMBURG by Lowell Mason, 1825
Public Domain

Were You There?
Text and Tune: African-American spiritual
Public Domain

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
Sabbatical Interim Pastor Rev. Dr. Diane Weible
Moderator             Stefan Tanouye
Organist      Kayleen Yuda        
Hand Bell Director        Anna Kennedy   
Hymn Leader   Chandra Oshima
Projected Imagery        Sue Smith
Web Master          Ruth Niino-DuPonte  
Videographers    Eric Tanouye, Bob Smith, Eli Yamaki,
            Mace Peng, Cindy Debus
Sound Director Ben Yamaki
Sunday School Teacher          Gloria Kobayashi
Sunday School Aide      Johanna Narruhn
Church Office Manager Pearl Momi Lyman

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, April 13, 2025. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Leader:   Open to me the gates of the LORD, that I may enter through them and give
                  thanks.
People:  This is the gate of the LORD, through which the righteous shall make
                  their way.

Leader:   The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
People:  This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

All:           This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!

* Hymn #216: All Glory, Laud, and Honor (v. 1-3)

Please be seated

Time with the Children          Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

Parade of the Palms #213: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (v. 1-3)

Scripture: Luke 19:28-40        Christian Albano
After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” just say this: “The Lord needs it.”’ So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ They said, ‘The Lord needs it.’ Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,

‘Blessed is the king
    who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven,
    and glory in the highest heaven!’

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, order your disciples to stop.’ He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’

Psalm 18:1-2, 19-29
I love you, O Lord, my strength.
 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer,
    my God, my rock in whom I take refuge,
    my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

He brought me out into a broad place;
    he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness;
    according to the cleanness of my hands he recompensed me.
For I have kept the ways of the Lord,
    and have not wickedly departed from my God.
For all his ordinances were before me,
    and his statutes I did not put away from me.
I was blameless before him,
    and I kept myself from guilt.
Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness,
    according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

Sermon: A Donkey for Everyone       Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer              Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

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 #219: Journey to Gethsemane (v. 1-4)

Call to Offering                Christian Albano

They gave what they could, that first Palm Sunday. They put down their clothing on the road. They pulled branches from the trees. And someone gave the use of a colt for a few hours. Because of these gifts, Jesus entered the city surrounded by joy. Let us surround the world in 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: The Palms     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          Christian Albano                                         
Receive these gifts, O God, and may they be seeds for new trees, stones that make a new highway, hearts that beat stronger for your justice, love, and mercy. Amen.

* Hymn #215: Ride On! Ride On in Majesty (v. 1-4)

Please be seated

Announcements             Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

Permissions

Day of Triumph
Edward Broughton
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(Admin. by Music Services)
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All Glory, Laud, and Honor
Melchior Teschner, 1615
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Public Domain

Crown Him with Many Crowns
Lani Smith
Tune: © 2015 Lorenz Corporation
(admin. by Music Services)
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 “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”
Text by Jennette Threlfall, 1873
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a division of The Lorenz Corporation
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Text: © 1987 Lorenz Publishing Company,
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
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Journey to Gethsemane
Text by James Montgomery, 1820
Public Domain

Ride On! Ride On in Majesty
Henry H. Milman, 1827
Public Domain
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Important Dates

Today—April 13, 2025 – Council Meeting after worship services

Holy Week Schedule:
Tuesday, April 15, Bible Study online and in person (Pastor’s Study), 3 p.m.
Wednesday, April 16, Lenten Conversation, 5-6:30 p.m., Meeting Room
Thursday, April 17, Maundy Thursday/Tenebrae Service, 7 p.m., Sanctuary
Friday, April 18, Good Friday, Sanctuary open for prayer, noon to 3 p.m. (Prayer on the hour)
Saturday, April 19, Easter Egg Dyeing, 8:30 a.m., J’s Café
Sunday, April 20, Easter Egg Hunt, 8:30 a.m., Lounge
Sunday, April 20, Easter Sunday worship, 10 a.m. Sanctuary

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

Tuesdays, 3:00 p.m. Bible Study in person and via Zoom in the Pastor’s Study:

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

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.

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor
Rev. Dr. Diane Weible, Sabbatical Interim 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.

Prelude: Meditation on Let Us Break Bread Together           Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Leader:         O God, you have lifted us up.
People:        So empires of this galaxy will not enjoy our defeat.

Leader:         In our most desperate hour we cried to you:
People:        “Help us, O God! You are our only hope!”

Leader:         Hearing our cries for help, you healed us;
People:        Bringing us from Chaos, you restored our lives.

Leader:         May we be as Jedi trained to feel emotions, understand them, and let them go.
People:        For your anger, O God, lasts but a moment, while your graciousness lasts
                        a lifetime.

Leader:         Weeping lingers for a night,
People:        But joy comes with the morning.

Leader:         With Hula from Hawai’i, Siva from Samoa,
People:        Our spirits dance like Ewoks on Endor.

Leader:         You have transformed our lives from mourning to joy.
People:        May we give thanks, and praise God for ever and ever.

All:     Let us worship God!

* Hymn #223: What Wondrous Love Is This (v. 1-3)

Tenchi Kane No Kami – Divine Parent of the Universe –
Ikigami Konko Daijin – Divine Mediator –

Pray sincerely,
With all your heart.
Be one with Kami.

Kami’s blessings begin within
Hearts grateful and caring,
In harmony and joy.

Look to Kami always,
Now and forever,
On this very day, pray.

Please be seated

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ He answered, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ The Lord said to him, ‘Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a visiona man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.’ But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’ So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

In the community of the Chosen One, we do not tax our members. We look to our communal origins in which sharing possessions and resources was a core practice reflecting unity, generosity, and a belief in communal living. Believers sold their possessions and distributed the proceeds to those in need. In that tradition, let us now gather our offerings toward bringing balance to the universe, seeking care for all creatures of the Creator. 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.

* 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

E ke Akua o ka lani, O God of heaven, with joy, we witness the miracles that you continue to perform through the power of your Holy Spirit. As the Risen Christ calls us to feed his lambs and tend his sheep, may we be a faithful congregation sent to feed people who are hungry and show kindness to those in need. Use our tithes and gifts in miraculous ways for the sake of Master Jesus. Amen.

* Hymn #337: Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether (v. 1-3)

Sacrament of Holy Communion

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

Announcements Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                               Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Elizabethan               Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

Permissions

The Call to Worship, Call to Offering, and Offertory Prayer were written by the Rev. Mitchell Young for PAAM Sunday. Michelle Kuruma of the Konkokyo Church of San Francisco provided the Invocation. Provided by PAAM; used by permission.

Meditation
Richard A. Williamson
Tune: © 2023 Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
All Rights Reserved.
ASCAP Text: © 2023 Lorenz Corporation
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ASCAP
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Elizabethan
Craig A. Penfield
Tune: © 2024 Lorenz Corporation
(Administered by Music Services)
All Rights Reserved. ASCAP
Text: © 2024 Lorenz Corporation
(Administered by Music Services)
All Rights Reserved. ASCAP
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Important Dates

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

Tuesdays, 3:00 p.m. Bible Study in person and via Zoom in the Pastor’s Study.

Save the Date! Saturday, May 17^th— Help is needed for our Service Day work from 8:30 to noon. We will be working primarily on cleaning the louvers and general dusting and tidying up in the sanctuary. If time permits, we will work on weeding around the campus. All ages are welcomed as there is an assortment of jobs to be done. Please join us in helping to beautify and maintain our campus!

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.

Service of Worship March 30, 2025
Fourth Sunday in Lent

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                           Rev. Dr. Diane Weible                                                         

* Call to Worship (Psalm 34)             Nalyn Ang

Leader:      I will bless the Lord at all times
People:     God’s praise shall continually be in my mouth!

Leader:      My soul makes its boast in the Lord.
People:     Let the humble hear and be glad.

Leader:      O magnify the Lord with me,
People:     And let us exalt God’s name together.

* Hymn #417: This Is a Day of New Beginnings

* Invocation                                              Nalyn Ang

In poverty and in plenty, we look to you, O God, the source of all good things. You have accepted us even when we cannot accept ourselves and have loved us when we are most unlovable. Help us in this hour to let go of all that separates us from you. Amen.

Please be seated

 WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: Lead Kindly Light                  Nina Buchanan
                                                                        Peter Braun
                                                                        Kayleen Yuda

Time with the Children                       Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21      Nalyn Ang
From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’

 So he told them this parable:

Then Jesussaid, ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’” So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.

 ‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.”’

Sermon: New Creation                          Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer                                      Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

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 #202: O God, How We Have Wandered

Call to Offering                                        Nalyn Ang

As stewards of all God has entrusted to our care we bring our offerings with a deep concern that they accomplish God’s will in the world. We hold one another accountable in our mutual service, and struggle together to discern more clearly the mission to which God calls us. Let us rededicate ourselves this morning with these offerings of love and gratitude.

Offertory: Breathe on Me, Breath of God   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

How grateful we are, O God, that you have claimed us and provided for us. In thanksgiving for your compassion, and in recognition of needs among your children that you call us to address, we bring our best in these offerings. Make us useful in your service. Amen.

*Hymn #476: My Life Flows on in Endless Song

Announcements             Rev. Dr. Diane Weible                                                         

Benediction                                              Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

Postlude: Trumpet Tune and Air      Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

Refresh My Heart, O God
Robert J. Powell
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This Is a Day of New Beginnings
Brian Wren, 1978
Tune: BEGINNINGS
Carlton R. Young, 1987
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Lead Kindly Light
John Henry Newman
Public Domain

O God, How We Have Wandered
Lyrics by Kevin Nichols, 1980
Tune PASSION CHORALE by Hans Leo Hassler & J. S. Bach
Public Domain
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Breathe on Me, Breath of God
Nancy Folkerts
Tune: © Lorenz Corporation
(Administered by Music Services)
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Lorenz Corporation
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My Life Flows on in Endless Song
Attrib. to Robert Lowry, 1869
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Trumpet Tune and Air
Martin Ellis
Tune: © 2024 Lorenz Corporation
(Administered by Music Services)
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ASCAP Text: © 2024
Lorenz Corporation (Administered by Music Services)
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Important Dates

Wednesdays, 5-6:30 p.m. – Lenten Conversation Series in the Meeting Room (download the PDF file of the Worship Bulletin for more information)

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.

Service of Worship March 23, 2025
Third Sunday in Lent

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Ringing of the Bell

 WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: Canon in D            Paul Arceo, trumpet 
                Andy Arceo, trumpet
                     Kayleen Yuda, pianist                                           

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13                      Mace Peng
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness.

Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not become idolaters as some of them did; as it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play.’ We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ^[b] to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents. And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

Luke 13:1-9At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, ‘Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.’ Then he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, “See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?” He replied, “Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”’

Sermon: No One is Immune                               Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

Call to Offering                                                Mace Peng

* Please stand if you are able.

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Charles Wesley, 1747, alt.
John Zundel, 1855
Public Domain
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Prelude on “Cleansing Fountain”
James Mansfield
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Canon in D
Johann Pachelbel
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Come to Tend God’s Garden
Tune: Text: © 1992 John A. Dalles, 1992
Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams from
Enlarged Songs of Faith, 1931, 1925
© Oxford University Press.
All rights reserved.
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According to Thy Gracious Word
Gilbert Martin
Tune: © 2009 Lorenz Corporation
(admin. by Music Services)
All Rights Reserved.
ASCAP Text: © Lorenz Corporation
(admin. by Music Services)
All Rights Reserved. ASCAP
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Great Is Your Faithfulness
Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923
Text: © 1923, ren. 1951,
Hope Publishing Company
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Come, Ye Faithful
Edward Broughton
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Special Announcement
Easter lily sign up for Easter Sunday chapel decorations is located in the breezeway and are available for $12.99 per plant. Please issue checks to Cynthia Debus; last day to order is Sunday, March 23^rd.

Important Dates

Mondays, 11:30 a.m. –Pickleball lessons; contact Connie 808-936-7534 or Ruth
808-938-3858 to sign up.

Tuesday, March 25, 3 p.m. — Bible Study, Pastor’s Study and online:
     ¨ 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
     ¨ Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Wednesdays, 12 noon –Pickleball lessons; contact Connie 808-936-7534 or
Ruth 808-938-3858 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
Sabbatical Interim Pastor Rev. Dr. Diane Weible
Moderator             Stefan Tanouye
Lay Reader            Mace Peng
Chapel Decorations     Beverly Dodo 
Organist      Kayleen Yuda   
Guest Trumpeter           Paul Arceo
Guest Trumpeter           Andy Arceo
Hand Bell Director        Anna Kennedy   
Hymn Leader   Chandra Oshima
Projected Imagery        Sue Smith
Web Master          Ruth Niino-DuPonte  
Videographers    Eric Tanouye, Eli Yamaki,
            Mace Peng, Bob Smith
Sunday School Teacher          Gloria Kobayashi
Sunday School Aide      Johanna Narruhn
Church Office Manager Pearl Momi Lyman

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 16, 2025. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Service of Worship March 16, 2025
Second Sunday in Lent

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.

Prelude: The Penitent Heart         Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                                              Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

* Call to Worship:                             Anne Sadayasu

Leader: The call of the Holy One has brought us together.
People: We have been called to pray and to praise.

Leader: We are called to worship and to holy wonder.
People: May the light of Love burn brightly in us.

Leader: May it transfigure and transform our hearts and minds.
People: May it become a beacon of hope for others.

* Hymn # #18: Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer (vs. 1-3)

* Invocation                                        Anne Sadayasu

God of mountaintops and valleys and everywhere in between, we thank you for meeting us where we are. We thank you also for leading us to this place of prayer and renewal. Enlighten our minds, radiate our hearts, and ready us for Your alive Word of Love. Let it shine in and through us, lighting a path of grace, hope, and joy. May the same transfiguring power, shown forth in Jesus Christ, also shine in us for the good of the world. Amen.

 WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: Make Me A Channel of Your Peace   Nina Buchanan, soloist
                                                                                          Kayleen Yuda, pianist

Time with the Children                Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

Scripture: Psalm 27                         Anne Sadayasu
The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?

 When the wicked advance against me
    to devourme,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.

 One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.

 Then my head will be exalted
    above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
    I will sing and make music to the Lord.

 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.
Do not hide your face from me,
    do not turn your servant away in anger;
    you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
    God my Savior.
Though my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will receive me.
Teach me your way, Lord;
    lead me in a straight path
    because of my oppressors.
Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
    for false witnesses rise up against me,
    spouting malicious accusations.

Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, ‘Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It throws him into convulsions until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.’ Jesus answered, ‘You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.’ While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God

Sermon: Out of the Cloud               Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer                                Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

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 #183: Jesus, Take Us to the Mountain (vs. 1-3)

Call to Offering                                  Anne Sadayasu

The Lord is our light and salvation, we have no one to fear. From that place of abundant grace and light we come before God with deep gratitude. And in that spirit, we come forward with our gifts of open hearts, asking that they be blessed and used to spread light and love to all the corners of the world. 

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                           Anne Sadayasu

O Spirit of Life, shine on us again and again that we may become the blessing you intend. Keep awakening us to Your holy mystery and Your sacred call. Bless these gifts we bring so that Your energy of love may be shared with others and offer the light of a new beginning. By this, and more than we can name, continue to transfigure us and the world. Amen.

* Hymn #182: We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding (vs. 1-3)

Announcements                               Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

Benediction                                        Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

May the Holy radiance of transfiguration continually light the wick of your life.

May it be a light that bears joy and hope and love.
May the voice of Jesus enter not only your ears but also your heart.

And may that voice shape your voice for the good of the world.
Blessings on you all! Amen and Amen.

Postlude: Praise Him! Praise Him!    Kayleen Yuda

Permissions:

Worship elements from On the Mountain to Pray: Service Prayers for Transfiguration Sunday Year C was written by the Rev. Dr. David Long-Higgins, Conference Minister of the Heartland Conference of the United Church of Christ.

The Penitent Heart
Franklin Ritter
Tune: © 1991 Lorenz Publishing Company,
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer
William Williams, 1745
Vs.. 1, transl. Peter Williams, 1771
Vs. 2-3, transl. William Williams, 1772
Tune: CWM RHONDDA
John Hughes, 1907
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Make Me A Channel of Your Peace
Sebastian Temple
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Jesus, Take Us to the Mountain
Jaroslav J. Vajda, 1991
Tune: SILVER SPRING
Carl F. Schalk, 1991
Alternate tune: IRBY
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Father We Praise Thee
Benton Price
Tune: © 1968 Lorenz Publishing Company
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding
Carl P. Daw, Jr., 1988
Text © 1988, Hope Publishing Company
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Special Announcement
Easter lily sign up for Easter Sunday chapel decorations is located in the breezeway and are available for $12.99 per plant. Please issue checks to Cynthia Debus; last day to order is Sunday, March 23^rd.

Important Dates

Today, March 16 – Council Meeting after worship in the lounge

Mondays, 11:30 a.m. –Pickleball lessons; contact Connie 808-936-7534 or
Ruth 808-938-3858 to sign up.

Wednesdays, 12 noon –Pickleball lessons; contact Connie 808-936-7534 or
Ruth 808-938-3858 to sign up.