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.

Welcome to the live stream of worship from Church of the Holy Cross for Sunday, January 26, 2025. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Service of Worship January 26, 2025
Third Sunday after the Epiphany

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: They’ll Know We Are Christian By Our Love                                   Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Introit: Dona Nobis Pacem                                                            Bell Choir

Welcome                                                                    Rev. Eric S. Anderson

* Call to Worship: (based on 1 Corinthians 12:12-31)                        Bob Smith

Leader:         Human bodies are one. They have many parts, but they are one body.
People:        Christ also has a single body, and we have been baptized into it, one and all.

Leader:         We can deny our place in Christ’s body, but that does not make it true.
People:        We can deny another’s place in Christ’s body, but that does not make it so.

Leader:         You are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
People:        We bring different skills, different callings, and different hearts, but one and all we are part of the body of Christ.

All:                 Let us worship God!

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

* Invocation (based on Psalm 19)                                            Bob Smith

Your law, O God, is perfect, but our understanding of it is not. Your commandments are clear, but our humanity obscures their meaning. We do not always detect our own errors. Teach us of our hidden faults. May your presence and guidance lead us to righteousness, enlightenment, and rejoicing, O God, our rock and our redeemer. Amen.

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: Simple Gifts                                                                          Kayleen Yuda

Time with the Children                                                Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10                                                 Bob Smith
All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.

And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen’, lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’

Luke 4:14-21
Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because he has anointed me
        to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
    and recovery of sight to the blind,
        to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’

And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’

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

Call to Offering                                                                    Bob Smith

God’s gifts to us are beyond counting. The gift of Jesus stands with the gifts of life, of wisdom, of love. We can never repay God’s gifts, but we can share, and we do share. 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.

Please be seated

Offertory: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus                                  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

Holy One, accept the gifts of your grateful people. Receive with them our love, our faith, and our joy in you. Amen.

Please be seated

Litany of Sabbatical Release but Not Good-Bye

Rev. Jonathan: Our Church family is constantly changing. People come and people go. People step into new roles as God calls and people step out of roles as God’s still speaking voice calls them away. Babies are born. Children grow up. People commit themselves to one another. Loved ones come to the end of their earthly lives and leave this existence. Life changes. Time never stands still. It is important and pono that we recognize these times of passage, of endings and of beginnings, of seasons, of changes. And today, it is time to share a time of sabbatical release as Rev. Eric’s ministry enters a new phase as he starts his 3-month sabbatical.

Moderator: On January 3, 2016, this Church of the Holy Cross called Rev. Eric Anderson to serve as your pastor and teacher. In our agreement with Rev. Eric, we pledged to grant him 3 months of sabbatical after three years of ministry. Now after eight years including the difficulties of ministry during the Covid-19 lockdowns, Rev. Eric is ready to start his sabbatical on February 1, 2025.

Rev. Eric: I mahalo Church of the Holy Cross, its members and friends, for the love, kindness, and support shown me these years. As I leave my role as your pastor for the next three months, I carry with me all that I have learned. I have been blessed to be your pastor and teacher and look forward to being recharged and energized when I return.

People:  We receive your thankfulness and accept that you are now called to temporarily leave your role as pastor and teacher. You have blessed us with your God’s called leadership.

Moderator: Do you, members and friends of Church of the Holy Cross temporarily release Rev. Eric from the duties and vows he accepted when he became our pastor and teacher?

People:  We do, with the help of God.

Moderator: Do you offer your encouragement for his ministry as it unfolds and develops after his sabbatical?

People:  We do, with the help of God.

Moderator: Do you, Rev. Eric, release this local church from turning to you and depending on you for the next three months?

Rev. Eric:  I do, with the help of God.

Moderator: Do you offer encouragement for the continued ministry here and with Rev. Diane as she serves here for the next three months?

Rev. Eric:  I do, with the help of God.

All:   Praise God, in the highest!

Rev. Jonathan: May God walk before us in this time of change. May God walk upon our left; may God walk upon our right. May God follow behind us to catch when we fall. May God be in our tears and in our laughter. May God be in our hopes and in our dreams. May God be with Rev. Eric on his sabbatical as he writes and as he watches birds. And may God be with Church of the Holy Cross and may we be church with Rev. Diane for the next three months. God is with us, let us go in peace! Amen, amen, and amen.

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

Please be seated

Announcements                                                        Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                                                               Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: To God Be the Glory                                  Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

Dates to Remember

February 1 to April 30, 2025 Pastor Eric’s Sabbatical Leave; The Rev. Dr. Diane Weible will be our Interim Pastor

Please Send Pledge Cards

A reminder from the Every Member Canvass Committee, please send in your 2025 pledge cards if you have not done so. This will help us in planning for our year’s program. To date we have received 28 pledges for 68% of our goal. Thank you to all who have already sent in pledges.

Other Faith Groups that meet at Church of the Holy Cross

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            Bob Smith
Chapel Decorations      Carolyn Lum-Bellum
Organist      Kayleen Yuda        
Hand Bell Director        Anna Kennedy      
Projected Imagery        Sue Smith
Web Master          Ruth Niino-DuPonte  
Videographers    Eric Tanouye, Eli Yamaki,
            Mace Peng, Bob Smith

Music Permissions

Praise with Joy the World’s Creator
Text by the Iona Community, 1985
© 1987 WGRG c/o Iona Community,
GIA Publications, Inc., agent

Tune LAUDIMA ANIMA by John Goss, 1869
Public Domain
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Simple Gifts
Mark Hayes
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

In Christ There Is No East or West
Text by John Oxenham, 1908
Public Domain
Tune ST. PETER by Alexander R. Reinagle, 1836
Public Domain

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Helen H. Lemmel
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

I Am the Light of the World
Text by Jim Strathdee, 1969
© 1969 Desert Flower Music
Tune LIGHT OF THE WORLD by Jim Strathdee, 1969
© 1969 Desert Flower Music
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

To God Be the Glory
William H Doane
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

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, January 19, 2025. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Service of Worship January 19, 2025
Second Sunday after the Epiphany

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: Praise to the Lord, The Almighty                                                         Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                                                                                                 Rev. Eric S. Anderson

* Call to Worship: (based on Isaiah 62:1-5)                                                      Lorraine Davis

Leader:   For the City of God’s sake I will not keep silent until its vindication shines like the dawn.

People:  The nations shall see its vindication and its glory. They shall hear the name with which God blesses it.

Leader:   You shall be a beautiful crown in the hand of the LORD.

People:  May we be an ornament on the hand of God.

Leader:   God does not call us Forsaken or Desolate, but Delight and Beloved.

People:  As those who marry rejoice in one another, we will rejoice in the LORD.

All:     Let us worship God!

* Hymn #43: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (v. 1-4)

* Invocation (based on Psalm 36:5-10)                                                                Lorraine Davis

Your steadfast love, O God, extends the heavens. Your faithfulness stretches beyond the clouds. With all the people of the earth, we take refuge in the shadow of your wings, in the protection of your love. You are the fountain of light; in your light we see light. Come to us in this time of worship, and continue your steadfast love for us and for all those whom you have created. Amen.

Please be seated

Anthem: I Will Sing of the Mercies                                                                         Kayleen Yuda

Time with the Children                                                                               Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11                                                                           Lorraine Davis
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says ‘Let Jesus be cursed!’ and no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

John 2:1-11
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.’ Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Sermon: Can You Turn Water into Wine?                                                                 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 #163: Many Are the Lightbeam (v. 1-5)

Call to Offering                                                                                               Lorraine Davis

Jesus showed his love for the hosts of the wedding by making certain they had what they needed. We can show our love for those around us by helping them obtain what they need, whether they lack things of the body or things of the spirit. 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: Blessed Jesu                                                                                         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

Gracious God, accept the gifts we bring. May their use increase the joy of your people, your people in this church and our neighbors across the world. Amen.

* Hymn #51: O Sing a Song of Bethlehem (v. 1-4)

Please be seated

Announcements                                                                                                  Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                                                                                                         Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Flourish                                                                                                 Kayleen Yuda

Praise to the Lord, The Almighty
Lani Smith
Tune: (1994) Lorenz Publishing
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Text by Charles Wesley, 1747
Tune BEECHER by John Zundel, 1855
Public Domain

I Will Sing of the Mercies
James H. Fillman
Public Domain

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

Blessed Jesu
J.S. Bach
Public Domain
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

O Sing a Song of Bethlehem
Text by Louis F. Benson, 1899
Tune KINGSFOLD trad. English melody
Harm. by Ralph Vaughn Williams, 1906
© 1906, Oxford University Press
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Flourish
Stanley E Saxton
Tune: © 1980 Lorenz Publishing Company
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Dates to Remember

Today—January 19: Deacons Meeting After Worship

Please Send Pledge Cards

A reminder from the Every Member Canvass Committee, please send in your 2025 pledge cards if you have not done so. This will help us in planning for our year’s program. To date we have received 28 pledges for 68% of our goal. Thank you to all who have already sent in pledges.

Other Faith Groups that meet at Church of the Holy Cross

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            Lorraine Davis
Chapel Decorations      Joyce Nakamoto
Organist      Kayleen Yuda        
Hand Bell Director        Anna Kennedy      
Projected Imagery        Sue Smith
Web Master          Ruth Niino-DuPonte  
Videographers    Eric Tanouye, Eli Yamaki
            Ruth Niino-DuPonte, Bob Smith

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, January 12, 2025. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Service of Worship January 12, 2025
Baptism of the Lord

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: The Master Hath Come                                     Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                                                 Rev. Eric S. Anderson

* Call to Worship (based on Psalm 29)                                           Jennifer Tanouye

Leader:         The heavenly beings sing of the glory and strength of the LORD.
People:        The voice of the LORD thunders over the roar of the mighty waters.

Leader:         The voice of the LORD is full of majesty,
People:        So that the land itself skips like a calf.

Leader:         May the LORD give strength the people!
People:        May the people of the LORD receive blessings of peace!

All:     Let us worship God!

* Hymn #167: Mark How the Lamb of God’s Self-Offering (v. 1-3)

* Invocation (based on Isaiah 43:1-7)                                             Jennifer Tanouye

O God, you have called us by name. You have summoned us for redemption and grace. We rejoice that you have gathered us from the corners of the world, that you have brought us through the struggles, that you have preserved us from the dangers. We will not fear, for you are with us. We will rejoice in your name, and sing of your glory. Amen.

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: Water and Spirit                                                  Eric Anderson

Time with the Children

Scripture: Acts 8:14-17                                                       Jennifer Tanouye
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you withthe Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

Sermon: Children of the Spirit                                                 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 #169: What Ruler Wades through Murky Streams (v. 1-3)

Call to Offering                                                                  Jennifer Tanouye

The Holy Spirit’s presence summons us to our particular work in the world and gives us skills to fulfill our calling. The Holy Spirit also gathers us together, bringing different gifts and resources, to further the work of the Church together. One of the ways we do that is through 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: Fughetta                                                  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

O Holy Spirit, thank you for your presence with us. Gift-giver, accept what we offer today, and may our gathered offerings further your purposes for us, for our church, and for the world. Amen.

* Hymn #82: Go, My Children, with My Blessing (v. 1-2)

Please be seated

Announcements                                                          Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                                                                  Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: March of the Kings                                                  Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

Permissions

The Master Hath Come
Lani Smith
Tune: © 1984 Lorenz Publishing Company,
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Mark How the Lamb of God’s Self-Offering
Text by Carl P. Daw, Jr., 1990
© 1990 Hope Publishing Company
Tune RENDEZ A DIEU by Louis Bourgeois, first pub. 1551
Public Domain
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Water and Spirit
Text and Music by Eric Anderson
© 2025 by Eric Anderson
Streamed by permission of the author

What Ruler Wades through Murky Streams
Text by Thomas H. Troeger, 1984
© 1984, rev. 1993, Oxford University Press
Tune WATER OF BAPTISM by David Hurd, 1994
© 1994 The Pilgrim Press
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Fughetta
Gottlied Muffat
Concordia Publishing Company
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Go, My Children, with My Blessing
Text by Jaroslav Vajda, 1983, 1990
© 1983, 1990 Jaroslav Vajda
Tune AR HYD Y NOS trad. Welsh melody
Public Domain
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

March of the Kings
Carl Simone
Tune: © 1984 Lorenz Publishing Company,
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Dates to Remember
Today—January 12: Council Meeting After Worship

Please Send Pledge Cards

A reminder from the Every Member Canvass Committee, please send in your 2025 pledge cards if you have not done so. This will help us in planning for our year’s program. To date we have received 28 pledges for 68% of our goal. Thank you to all who have already sent in pledges.

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                                                                        Jennifer Tanouye
Organist                                                                             Kayleen Yuda        
Hand Bell Director                                                        Anna Kennedy      
Projected Imagery                                                        Sue Smith
Web Master                                                                      Ruth Niino-DuPonte  
Videographers                                                                Eric Tanouye, Eli Yamaki
                                                                             Ruth Niino-DuPonte, Bob Smith
Chapel Decorations                                                       Lillian Tanouye, Eric Tanouye,
                                                                                  Heather & Alan Tanouye, Kyle &
                                                                                  Robin Nakayama, in memory of
                                                                                             Patricia Kazoku Tanouye

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, January 5, 2025. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

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.

Service of Worship January 5, 2025
Second Sunday after Christmas Day

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: Shepherd’s Song                                             Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                                                       Rev. Eric S. Anderson

* Call to Worship (based on Psalm 147:12-20)                     Stefan Tanouye

Leader:         The word of the LORD runs swiftly across the surface of the Earth.
People:        The snow settles like wool, the frost glistens in the sun.

Leader:         Upon the mountain who can stand in the cold?
People:        But then the word of the LORD runs swiftly again to melt the frozen ice.

Leader:         The winds blow, and the waters flow.
People:        May we live in the delight and in the ways of the LORD!

All:     Let us worship God!

* Hymn #153: Who Would Think That What Was Needed (v. 1-3)

* Invocation (based on Psalm 119:1-8)                               Stefan Tanouye

You have commanded us to follow your guidance carefully and diligently, O God. May we keep your commandments with faithfulness, compassion, and understanding. Though we know we will make errors, we trust in your forgiving grace. We worship you on this day and every day, O God. Hear us as we sing your praise! Amen.

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem                                       IYAA                            

Time with the Children                                          Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:7-14                                          Stefan Tanouye
For thus says the Lord:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
    and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
    ‘Save, O Lord, your people,
    the remnant of Israel.’
See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,
    and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
    those with child and those in labor, together;
    a great company, they shall return here.
With weeping they shall come,
    and with consolations I will lead them back,
I will let them walk by brooks of water,
    in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;
for I have become a father to Israel,
    and Ephraim is my firstborn.

 Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
    and declare it in the coastlands far away;
say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him,
    and will keep him as a shepherd a flock.’
For the Lord has ransomed Jacob,
    and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.
They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,
    and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord,
over the grain, the wine, and the oil,
    and over the young of the flock and the herd;
their life shall become like a watered garden,
    and they shall never languish again.
Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,
    and the young men and the old shall be merry.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
    I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.
I will give the priests their fill of fatness,
 and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty,
says the Lord.

John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.”’) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

Sermon: Mystery                                                           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                                                   Stefan Tanouye

Much of faith remains a mystery, however long and hard we look into the Scriptures or into our souls. God’s generosity, however, shines clearly across the centuries, and God’s call to our own giving does as well. 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: Arioso                             Kayleen Yuda

* Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost – Amen

* Offertory Prayer Stefan Tanouye

Accept these gifts, O God, you who give us everything. Accept them, bless them, and may they serve your purposes here in the world. Amen.

* Hymn #329: Jesus, the Joy of Loving Hearts (v. 1-3)

Please be seated

Sacrament of Holy Communion

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

* Hymn #160: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Jesus, the Light of the World) (v. 1-4)

Please be seated

Announcements                                            Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                                                     Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Jubilate Deo                                                          Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

Permissions

Shepherd’s Song
James Mansfield
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Who Would Think That What Was Needed
Text by John Bell & Graham Meade, 1990
Tune SCARLET RIBBONS trad. English melody
Arr. by John Bell & others, 1990
Words & arr. © 1990 Wild Goose Publications/Iona Community
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Arioso
J S Bach
Arr. John Troutman
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Jesus, the Joy of Loving Hearts
Text attrib. to Bernard of Clairvaux, c. 1150
Transl. by Ray Palmer, 1858
Tune HESPERUS by Henry W. Baker, 1854
Public Domain

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Jesus, the Light of the World)
Text by Charles Wesley, 1739
Adapt. by George D. Elderkin, 1890
Tune ELDERKIN by George D. Elderkin, 1890
Public Domain

Jubilate Deo
G F Handel
Arr. George Blake
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Dates to Remember
Today—January 5: Trustees Meeting After Worship

Please Send Pledge Cards

A reminder from the Every Member Canvass Committee, please send in your 2025 pledge cards if you have not done so. This will help us in planning for our year’s program. To date we have received 27 pledges for 64% of our goal. Thank you to all who have already sent in pledges.

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                                                                        Stefan Tanouye
Organist                                                                             Kayleen Yuda        
Hand Bell Director                                                        Anna Kennedy      
Projected Imagery                                                        Sue Smith
Web Master                                                                      Ruth Niino-DuPonte  
Videographers                                                                Eric Tanouye, Eli Yamaki
                                                                             Ruth Niino-DuPonte, Bob Smith
Chapel Decorations                                                       Lillian Tanouye, Eric Tanouye,
                                                                                  Heather & Alan Tanouye, Kyle &
                                                                                   Robin Nakayama, in memory of
                                                                                                Patricia Kazoku Tanouye

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, December 8, 2024. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Service of Worship December 8, 2024
Second Sunday of Advent
Loyalty 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: Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabelle                                   Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                                                              Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Introit: Come Into His Presence-The Snow Lay on the Ground       Children’s Choir

Moment of Concern                                         Barbara Iwami

Lighting of the Advent Candle of Peace                                           Yamaki family

Family Member: Despite the well-known benefits of peace, our conflicts leap to violence all too often. In homes, on streets, in parks, and along the restless borders of the nations, we leave the path of peace to take the weary way of war. Christ Jesus called us to another road.

All Sing:

Let peace take wings and make its flight
To all ends of the earth
Let weeping cease and mourning end
As God’s reign proves its worth
In homes and lands and in our souls
When Jesus comes to birth.

TUNE: BROTHER JAMES’ AIR

Family Member: In the first candle of Advent, we declare our Hope. In the second candle of Advent, we raise our Hope for Peace. This candle glows for the oppressed. This candle glows for those in fear. This candle glows to pierce the shadows that cloud our vision. This candle glows for Peace.

Unison Prayer: Holy One, inspire Peace within us. Inspire Peace that flows from us. Inspire Peace that raises hearts, and quenches rage. Inspire Peace that overcomes the world. Amen.

* Hymn #121: Toda la Tierra (All Earth Is Waiting) (v. 1 Spanish, v. 1-4 English)

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: Kyrie Eleison                     Holy Cross Singers

Time with the Children                                             Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11                                                   Anne Sadayasu
I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that on the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

Luke 3:1-6
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was rulerof Galilee, and his brother Philip rulerof the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
    and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
    and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Sermon: What Really Matters                                                  Rev. Eric S. Anderson

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 #101: Comfort, Comfort O My People (v. 1-3)

Call to Offering                                                      Anne Sadayasu

Today we dedicate our gifts to God, both those we have brought today or sent this week, but those we intend to give in the year to come. We have thought. We have prayed. We have sought God’s will. We have decided, and so we ask God to bless our choices. 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: Blessed Jesu                                              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

Before you are the fulfillment of promises we have made to you for this year, O God, fulfillment in dollars and cents. Before you as well are the promises we make for the year ahead, promises again of dollars and cents, but also of the heart, the mind, and the will. Bless promise and fulfillment, we pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

* Hymn #154: Go Tell It on the Mountain (v. 1-3)

Please be seated

Announcements                                                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                                                                                                                                  Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Noel, Nouvelet (Sing We A Glad Noel)                Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

Permissions

Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabelle
Traditional French Carol
© 2011 Hal Leonard
Glory Sound, a division of Shawnee Press
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Come Into His Presence-The Snow Lay on the Ground
Traditional Irish Carol
© Hal Leonard Corporation
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Toda la Tierra (All Earth is Waiting)
Text by Alberto Taule, 1972
Trans. by Gertrude C. Suppe, 1987
Tune TAULE by Alberto Taule, 1972
© 1972 The Pastoral Musicians
Translation © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing
Harmonization © 1988 Skinner Chavez-Melo
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Kyrie Eleison
Text and music by David Huntsinger
© 2008 by Huntsinger Music (BMI)
Streamed by permission CCS License #13303

Comfort, Comfort O My People
Text by Johannes Olearius, 1671
Trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1863
Tune PSALM 42, first pub. 1551
Public Domain

Go Tell It on the Mountain
African-American spiritual
Public Domain

Noel, Nouvelet (Sing We A Glad Noel)
Dale Wood
French Carol
Sacred Music
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Dates to Remember

Today, December 8 — Council Meeting after worship
Today, December 8 — Loyalty Sunday
Tuesday, December 10, 7:00 pm – Prayer Service for Peace in Gaza, Israel, and Lebanon

                             This week at the Church of the Holy Cross

• Bible Study with Pastor Eric:

Tuesdays, 3:00 p.m. via Zoom
Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m. -Pastor’s study

• One Song: Wednesdays 11:00 a.m. online
• Hand Bell Choir Practice: Fridays, 10:00 a.m. in the Meeting Room
• Community Sing: 2^nd Fridays, 6:00 pm in sanctuary
  
  

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                                                                        Anne Sadayasu
Choir Accompanist                                                        Kanako Okita
Choir Director                                                                 Doug Albertson
Organist                                                                             Kayleen Yuda
Soloist                                                                                  Marlise Ahuna
Hand Bell Director                                                        Anna Kennedy
Chapel Decorations                                                       Beverly Dodo
Projected Imagery                                                        Sue Smith
Web Master                                                                      Ruth Niino-DuPonte  
Videographers                                                                Eric Tanouye, Eli Yamaki
                                                                            Ruth Niino-DuPonte, Bob Smith

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.