Thank you for joining us for this live stream (or recording, as the case may be) of Sunday worship. May it bless you! You may need to click “Play” to launch the stream, which will be live around 9:50 AM.

Welcome to the live stream of worship from Church of the Holy Cross for Sunday, June 28, 2026. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Prelude: Pavane              Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome:                           Rev. Eric S. Anderson

* Call to Worship (based on Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18)                  Jennifer Tanouye

Leader:   Let us sing of God’s steadfast love.
People:  Let us sing of God’s faithfulness to all generations.

Leader:   Happy are the people who know the festival shout.
People:  Happy are those who walk in the light of God’s face.

Leader:   God is the glory of our strength; we exalt in the LORD.
People:  The LORD is our protection, our safety, and our guide.

All:           Let us worship God!

* Hymn #505: Sweet Hour of Praise (v. 1 – 3)

* Invocation (based on Romans 6:12-23)             Jennifer Tanouye

You have promised us forgiveness, O God, and you have freed us from our bondage to the sins of our past. May we now serve you in righteousness and in holiness! Through Jesus you have freed us to be sanctified and to know eternal life. For this we bless you at all times, and especially now as we gather in worship. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: Drei Romanzen                      Bob Grove

Time with the Children                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture:                           Jennifer Tanouye

Jeremiah 28:5-9

Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord, and the prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen! May the Lord do so; may the Lord fulfill the words that you have prophesied and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the Lord and all the exiles. But listen now to this word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes true, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.”

Matthew 10:40-42

“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous, and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

Sermon: Mister Bad News                   Rev. Eric S. Anderson

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer              Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Please join me in the Lord’s Prayer                     
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

* Hymn #493: O Jesus, I Have Promised (v. 1-3)

Call to Offering                Jennifer Tanouye

Jesus told his friends that even a drink of water for someone who is thirsty is a gift worthy of God’s blessing. Let us take this opportunity to share what sustains body, mind, and soul with our neighbors. 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: A Song of Peace                   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

You have given us Good News in and through Jesus, O God. May we be found among those who share that good news in word and in deed with neighbors near and far. Accept and bless these gifts so that bodies, minds, and spirits might be refreshed in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

Please be seated

Announcements             Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: God of Our Father               Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

PERMISSIONS

IMPORTANT DATES

Other Faith Groups that meet at Church of the Holy Cross

We welcome you to worship this day. Church of the Holy Cross seeks to help its members, friends, and visitors follow the guidance of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, encouraging all people to love one another according to the teachings of Jesus. We live and teach the faith, speak good news, minister to people near and far, and work with other households of faith and helping agencies to improve our community and our world. To support our ministries, please visit our Donate Page.

Thank you for joining us for this live stream (or recording, as the case may be) of Sunday worship. May it bless you! You may need to click “Play” to launch the stream, which will be live around 9:50 AM.

Welcome to the live stream of worship from Church of the Holy Cross for Sunday, June 21, 2026. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Prelude: Dear Lord and Father of Mankind          Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome:                           Rev. Eric S. Anderson

* Call to Worship (based on Matthew 10:24-39)                  Cynthia Debus

Leader:   Jesus said, “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light.
People:  What you hear whispered, proclaim from the rooftops.

Leader:   Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
People:  God’s love endures beyond the life we know.

Leader:   God knows the life and death of sparrows.
People:  We will not fear, because we know we are of more value than many sparrows.

All:           Let us worship God!

* Hymn #24: The God of Abraham Praise (v. 1 – 4, Eng.)

* Invocation (based on Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17)    Cynthia Debus

Incline your ear to us, O God, for we need your help and aid. We come to you in devotion. You are our God, and we cry for you all day long. You, O God, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love. Be with us in this time of worship, and hear our thanks and praise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: Sing with the Spirit!             Holy Cross Singers

Time with the Children                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture:                           Cynthia Debus

Genesis 21:8-21

The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac. So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac.” The matter was very distressing to Abraham on account of his son. But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of your slave woman; whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be named for you. As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a nation of him also, because he is your offspring.” So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered about in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.

When the water in the skin was gone, she cast the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, “Do not let me look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Come, lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him.” Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.

God was with the boy, and he grew up; he lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow. He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

Romans 6:1b-11

Should we continue in sin in order that grace may increase? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? Do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we were 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 also 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, so we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we 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.

Sermon: Better than the Bible            Rev. Eric S. Anderson

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer              Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Please join me in the Lord’s Prayer                     
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

* Hymn #400: Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation (v. 1-3)

Call to Offering                Cynthia Debus

We have gathered for worship because Jesus has changed our lives in some way. As we have been blessed, let us turn to blessing others. 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: Presence Divine                  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         Cynthia Debus

We thank you, O God, for the presence of Jesus in our lives. May these gifts make your love visible, tangible, and powerful in the lives of others. Amen.

* Hymn #391: In the Midst of New Dimensions (v. 1 – 5)

Please be seated

Announcements             Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Sing a New Song of Joy      Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

PERMISSIONS

IMPORTANT DATES

Today, June 21 – Board of Deacons meeting after Worship service in the Lounge
Saturday, June 27, 4:00 p.m.. – Service for Janet Fujioka in the Sanctuary
Sundays, 8:30 a.m. – Holy Cross Singers Rehearsal in the Lounge
Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. – One Song from Church of the Holy Cross streamed live
Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m. – Bible Study in person, in Pastor’s Study or via Zoom
Fridays, 9:00 a.m. – Bell Choir Rehearsal in the Building of Faith Meeting Room
Interested in pickleball? Contact Connie at 808-936-7534 or Ruth at rnduponte07@gmail.com

Other Faith Groups that meet at Church of the Holy Cross

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             Lorraine Davis
Vice Moderator Elwood Kita
Lay Reader      Cindy Debus
Chapel Decorations  Ruth Ohata, in memory of Roy & Sachi Ohata
Organist / Pianist     Kayleen Yuda   
Music Director-Accompanist Bob Grove
Hand Bell Director        Evan Montemayor 
IYAA Choir Director Stuart Mori  
Projected Imagery        Sue Smith
Live Stream Director         Ruth Niino-DuPonte. Bob Smith 
Videographers    Eric Tanouye, Bob Smith, Woody Kita,
            Mace Peng, Cindy Debus
Sound Engineer Ben Yamaki
Sunday School Teacher          Gloria Kobayashi
Sunday School Aide      Johanna Narruhn
Office Manager Kahealani Mahone-Brooks

We welcome you to worship this day. Church of the Holy Cross seeks to help its members, friends, and visitors follow the guidance of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, encouraging all people to love one another according to the teachings of Jesus. We live and teach the faith, speak good news, minister to people near and far, and work with other households of faith and helping agencies to improve our community and our world. To support our ministries, please visit our Donate Page.

Thank you for joining us for this live stream (or recording, as the case may be) of Sunday worship. May it bless you! You may need to click “Play” to launch the stream, which will be live around 9:50 AM.

Welcome to the live stream of worship from Church of the Holy Cross for Sunday, June 14, 2026. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome:                           Rev. Eric S. Anderson

* Call to Worship (based on Psalm 100)                  Faith Mishina

Leader:   Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth.
People:  Serve the LORD with gladness, come into God’s presence with singing.

Leader:   The LORD is God. God has made us.
People:  We are God’s people. We are the sheep of God’s pasture.

Leader:   Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving and God’s courts with praise!
People:  We have come to give thanks and bless God’s name.

All:           Let us worship God!

* Hymn #13: O My Soul, Bless Your Creator (v. 1 – 5)

* Invocation (based on Romans 5:1-8)                  Faith Mishina

We thank you for the peace you have given us in Christ, O God, a peace which has brought us to grace. At the right time you sent Jesus, and he died for us and for all who were estranged from you. In this we find our hope, and in this we find our joy to worship you today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: Born to Die for Me                IYAA

Time with the Children                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture:                           Faith Mishina

Exodus 19:2-8a

They journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel camped there in front of the mountain. Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the Israelites: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now, therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.”

So Moses went, summoned the elders of the people, and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. The people all answered as one, “Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do.”

Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Then Jesussummoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not take a road leading to gentiles, and do not enter a Samaritan town, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick; raise the dead; cleanse those with a skin disease; cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.

Sermon: Assignment Mercy   Rev. Eric S. Anderson

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer              Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Please join me in the Lord’s Prayer                  
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

* Hymn #586: Come to Tend God’s Garden (v. 1-3)

Call to Offering                Faith Mishina

Jesus told the twelve to rely upon the generosity of strangers as they brought healing and hopeful words to the villages of Galilee. Let us be the strangers for whom others may give thanks. 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: God’s Love Surrounds Us Kayleen Yuda

* Doxology

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

* Offertory Prayer         Faith Mishina

We have homes and food and clothing, O God. We live in peace, at least for the most part. We present these gifts to you so that others may have homes, food, clothing, hope, and peace. Amen.

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

Please be seated

Announcements             Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Great God Of Glory             Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

PERMISSIONS

IMPORTANT DATES

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             Lorraine Davis
Vice Moderator Elwood Kita
Lay Reader      Faith Mishina
Chapel Decorations  Shirley Miyake, in memory of Richard Miyake
Organist / Pianist     Kayleen Yuda   
Music Director-Accompanist Bob Grove
Hand Bell Director        Evan Montemayor 
IYAA Choir Director Stuart Mori  
Projected Imagery        Sue Smith
Live Stream Director         Ruth Niino-DuPonte. Bob Smith 
Videographers    Eric Tanouye, Bob Smith, Woody Kita,
            Mace Peng, Cindy Debus
Sound Engineer Ben Yamaki
Sunday School Teacher          Gloria Kobayashi
Sunday School Aide      Johanna Narruhn
Office Manager Kahealani Mahone-Brooks

We welcome you to worship this day. Church of the Holy Cross seeks to help its members, friends, and visitors follow the guidance of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, encouraging all people to love one another according to the teachings of Jesus. We live and teach the faith, speak good news, minister to people near and far, and work with other households of faith and helping agencies to improve our community and our world. To support our ministries, please visit our Donate Page.

Thank you for joining us for this live stream (or recording, as the case may be) of Sunday worship. May it bless you! You may need to click “Play” to launch the stream, which will be live around 9:50 AM.

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

Welcome to the live stream of worship from Church of the Holy Cross for Sunday, June 7, 2026. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Service of Worship June 7, 2026
Second Sunday after Pentecost

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome:                           Rev. Eric S. Anderson

* Call to Worship (based on Psalm 33:1-12)        Gloria Kobayashi

Leader:    Rejoice in the LORD, O people. Praise befits the upright.
People:   The word of God is upright. God works in faithfulness.

Leader:    The LORD loves righteousness and justice,
People:   The earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.

Leader:    The guidance of the LORD stands forever; God’s thoughts to all generations.
People:   Happy are those whose God is the LORD.

All:            Let us worship God!

* Hymn #565: God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending (v. 1 – 4)

* Invocation (based on Psalm 50:7-15)                  Gloria Kobayashi

You have told us and told us, O God, that we do not worship you properly with sacrifice alone. All we have comes from you, so we offer what is yours already. Encourage us to share our substance with our neighbors, so that having fulfilled our vows to you, we may worship you with a sacrifice of thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: Let Us Break Bread Together                   Kayleen Yuda

Time with the Children                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture:                           Gloria Kobayashi

Hosea 5:15-6:6

I will return again to my place
    until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face.
    In their distress they will beg my favor:

“Come, let us return to the Lord,
    for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us;
    he has struck down, and he will bind us up.
After two days he will revive us;
    on the third day he will raise us up,
    that we may live before him.
Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord;
    his appearing is as sure as the dawn;
he will come to us like the showers,
    like the spring rains that water the earth.”

What shall I do with you, O Ephraim?
    What shall I do with you, O Judah?
Your love is like a morning cloud,
    like the dew that goes away early.
Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets;
    I have killed them by the words of my mouth,
    and my judgment goes forth as the light.
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
    the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax-collection station, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.

And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from a flow of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that moment. When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread through all of that district.

Sermon: God Desires Mercy                Rev. Eric S. Anderson

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer              Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Please join me in the Lord’s Prayer                     
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Call to Offering                Gloria Kobayashi

What does God ask us to give? Love to our neighbors, and love to our God. May this moment be one in which we give both to our God and to those around us. Whether you share your gift here in the church today, through a gift online, or via an envelope in the mail, let the offering now be received.

Offertory: Introit             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         Gloria Kobayashi

Merciful One, accept the gifts of your people. We rejoice in your mercy, and we pray that these offerings might spread your grace to people near and far. Amen.

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

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Invitation

Consecrating the Bread and Cup    

Prayer of Thanksgiving

* Hymn #23: There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy (v. 1 – 2)

Please be seated

Announcements             Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: See How Great a Flame Aspires             Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

Permissions

Important Dates and Announcements

We welcome you to worship this day. Church of the Holy Cross seeks to help its members, friends, and visitors follow the guidance of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, encouraging all people to love one another according to the teachings of Jesus. We live and teach the faith, speak good news, minister to people near and far, and work with other households of faith and helping agencies to improve our community and our world. To support our ministries, please visit our Donate Page.

Thank you for joining us for this live stream (or recording, as the case may be) of Sunday worship. May it bless you! You may need to click “Play” to launch the stream, which will be live around 9:50 AM.

Welcome to the live stream of worship from Church of the Holy Cross for Sunday, May 24, 2026. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome:                           Rev. Eric S. Anderson

* Call to Worship (based on Matthew 28:16-20)                  Stefan Tanouye

Leader:   After his resurrection, Jesus met his disciples on a mountain in Galilee.
People:  They met him in worship and in wonder.

Leader:   Jesus told them that he had been given authority over heaven and earth,
People:  And he told them to make disciples of all people.

Leader:   We come in worship and wonder to hear our commission once again:
People:  To bring all people together in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

All:           Let us worship God!

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

* Invocation (based on Psalm 8)       Stefan Tanouye

How majestic is your name in all the earth, O God! You have set your glory far beyond the heavens we can see, and at the same time your put your word in the mouths of children and infants. What are human beings that you care for us? Yet you have crowned us with glory, making us just a little lower than yourself. Be with us as we worship you today, O God, and hear our prayer and praise! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: Jubilate, Amen                        Bell Choir

Time with the Children                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture:                           Stefan Tanouye

Genesis 1:1-2:4a

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

And God said, “Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.

And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.” And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.

And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.

And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.” And it was so. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind and the cattle of every kind and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good.

Then God said, “Let us make humansin our image, according to our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the wild animals of the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”

So God created humans in his image,
    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.

God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the air and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished and all their multitude. On the sixth day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.

These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.

2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Be restored; listen to my appeal;agree with one another; live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

Sermon: Created             Rev. Eric S. Anderson

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer              Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Please join me in the Lord’s Prayer                     
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

* Hymn #276: Holy God, We Praise Your Name (v. 1-4)

Call to Offering                Stefan Tanouye

For love, God made a world, indeed a universe, full of wonder and beauty. For love, God has created life and given that life to us. What can we share in celebration of such astonishing gifts? 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: Canzona         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

Creator of the Universe, we bless you for the wonders of earth and stars and galaxies, and we bless you for life and love and beauty. Accept these gifts we offer today in thanks, praise, and worship. Amen.

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

Please be seated

Announcements             Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Gigue               Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

PERMISSIONS

IMPORTANT DATES

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             Lorraine Davis
Vice Moderator Elwood Kita
Lay Reader       Stefan Tanouye
Chapel Decorations   Bob & Sue Smith
Organist / Pianist     Kayleen Yuda   
Music Director-Accompanist Bob Grove
Hand Bell Director        Evan Montemayor 
IYAA Choir Director Stuart Mori  
Projected Imagery        Sue Smith
Live Stream Director         Ruth Niino-DuPonte. Bob Smith 
Videographers    Eric Tanouye, Bob Smith, Woody Kita,
            Mace Peng, Cindy Debus
Sound Engineer Ben Yamaki
Sunday School Teacher          Gloria Kobayashi
Sunday School Aide      Johanna Narruhn
Office Manager Kahealani Mahone-Brooks

We welcome you to worship this day. Church of the Holy Cross seeks to help its members, friends, and visitors follow the guidance of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, encouraging all people to love one another according to the teachings of Jesus. We live and teach the faith, speak good news, minister to people near and far, and work with other households of faith and helping agencies to improve our community and our world. To support our ministries, please visit our Donate Page.

Thank you for joining us for this live stream (or recording, as the case may be) of Sunday worship. May it bless you! You may need to click “Play” to launch the stream, which will be live around 9:50 AM.

Welcome to the live stream of worship from Church of the Holy Cross for Sunday, May 24, 2026. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome:               Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Moment for Mission

* Call to Worship (based on 1 Corinthians 12:3-13)                  Lorraine Davis

Leader:   There are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit,
People:  There are varieties of services but the same God.

Leader:   Each of us receives the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
People:  The Spirit gives us wisdom and knowledge.

Leader:   The spirit gives us faith and healing.
People:  Just as the body is one and has many parts, we all drink from the one Spirit.

All:           Let us worship God!

* Hymn #272: On Pentecost They Gathered (v. 1 – 4)

* Invocation (based on Numbers 11:24-30)                  Lorraine Davis

Moses once said, “Would that all God’s people were prophets!” To be frank, O God, it is a gift that frightens us – yet we do pray for your Holy Spirit to guide us, encourage us, and strengthen us in faith and action. Put your Spirit upon us in this time of worship, and in all the times of our days. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: God Will Open Doors                       Laural Bragg

Time with the Children          Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture:               Lorraine Davis

Acts 2:1-21

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

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

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

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

John 20:19-23

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Sermon: Receive the Holy 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. Amen.

* Hymn #267: Come, O Spirit, Dwell among Us (v. 1-3)

Call to Offering    Lorraine Davis

God gave us the gifts of the Holy Spirit to share with those around us: peace, forgiveness, life, joy, and understanding. Let us provide gifts that help others receive those blessings. 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: Et Incarnatus           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 Jesus’ resurrection you have promised us life, peace, and forgiveness, O God, and through the gift of the Holy Spirit you have offered those to everyone in the world. May these gifts help us share life, peace, and forgiveness with those far and near. Amen.

* Hymn #270: Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song (v. 1 – 3)

Please be seated

Announcements Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction          Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Rejoice, the Lord Is King              Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

PERMISSIONS

IMPORTANT DATES

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             Lorraine Davis
Vice Moderator Elwood Kita
Lay Reader       Lorraine Davis
Chapel Decorations   Laura Ota, in memory of Eileen Shiraishi
Organist / Pianist     Kayleen Yuda   
Guest Musician & Vocalist Laural Bragg
Music Director-Accompanist Bob Grove
Hand Bell Director        Anna Kennedy 
IYAA Choir Director Stuart Mori  
Projected Imagery        Sue Smith
Live Stream Director         Ruth Niino-DuPonte. Bob Smith 
Videographers    Eric Tanouye, Bob Smith, Woody Kita,
            Mace Peng, Cindy Debus
Sound Engineer Ben Yamaki
Sunday School Teacher          Gloria Kobayashi
Sunday School Aide      Johanna Narruhn
Office Manager Kahealani Mahone-Brooks

We welcome you to worship this day. Church of the Holy Cross seeks to help its members, friends, and visitors follow the guidance of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, encouraging all people to love one another according to the teachings of Jesus. We live and teach the faith, speak good news, minister to people near and far, and work with other households of faith and helping agencies to improve our community and our world. To support our ministries, please visit our Donate Page.

Thank you for joining us for this live stream (or recording, as the case may be) of Sunday worship. May it bless you! You may need to click “Play” to launch the stream, which will be live around 9:50 AM.

Welcome to the live stream of worship from Church of the Holy Cross for Sunday, May 17, 2026. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Prelude: Allegretto                     Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome:                Rev. Eric S. Anderson

*Call to Worship (based on Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35)                   Anna Kennedy

Leader:   Let the righteous be joyful, let them be jubilant with joy.
People:   We will sing a song to the One who rides upon the clouds and exult before our Maker.

Leader:   God adopts the orphans and protects the widows.
People:   God gives the desolate a home to live in and leads the prisoners to prosperity.

Leader:   Ascribe power to God, whose majesty climbs from the earth to the skies.
People:   May our wondrous God bring power and strength to all people.

All:           Let us worship God!

Hymn #403: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less (v. 1-4)

Invocation (based on Acts 1:6-14)            Anna Kennedy

We stand with Christ’s disciples centuries ago, who wondered but did not learn when the world would change. May we do as they did, and bear witness to your love and grace in Jesus, and contribute to a new and better world. Bless us as we gather today in prayer, and tomorrow as we devote ourselves to serving your realm. Amen.

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves; keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

John 17:1-11

After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.

“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you,for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.

Sermon: Suffering and Rejoicing                   Rev. Eric S. Anderson

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer  Rev. Eric S. Anderson

                      Please join me in the Lord’s Prayer                 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Hymn #413: By Gracious Powers (v. 1-4)

Call to Offering    Anna Kennedy

Jesus has claimed us, adopted us, and empowered us with grace and with the Holy Spirit. Let us pass that love to those around us and to those on the far side of the world. 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: Oh had I Jubal’s Lyre                      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

* Please stand if you are able.

PERMISSIONS

IMPORTANT DATES

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             Lorraine Davis
Vice Moderator Elwood Kita
Lay Reader       Anna Kennedy
Chapel Decorations   Ann Kanahele
Organist / Pianist     Kayleen Yuda   
Music Director-Accompanist Bob Grove
Hand Bell Director        Anna Kennedy 
IYAA Choir Director Stuart Mori  
Projected Imagery        Sue Smith
Live Stream Director         Ruth Niino-DuPonte. Bob Smith 
Videographers    Eric Tanouye, Bob Smith, Woody Kita,
            Mace Peng, Cindy Debus
Sound Engineer Ben Yamaki
Sunday School Teacher          Gloria Kobayashi
Sunday School Aide      Johanna Narruhn
Office Manager Kahealani Mahone-Brooks

We welcome you to worship this day. Church of the Holy Cross seeks to help its members, friends, and visitors follow the guidance of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, encouraging all people to love one another according to the teachings of Jesus. We live and teach the faith, speak good news, minister to people near and far, and work with other households of faith and helping agencies to improve our community and our world. To support our ministries, please visit our Donate Page.

Thank you for joining us for this live stream (or recording, as the case may be) of Sunday worship. May it bless you! You may need to click “Play” to launch the stream, which will be live around 9:50 AM.

Welcome to the live stream of worship from Church of the Holy Cross for Sunday, May 10, 2026. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Prelude: Under His Wings       Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome               Rev. Eric S. Anderson

*Call to Worship (based on 1 Peter 3:13-22)                  Mace Peng

Leader:   Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good?
People:  Though it seems wrong, some will bring harm to those who do right.

Leader:   Do not fear what they fear, and do not let them intimidate you.
People:  In our hearts we sanctify Christ as our leader and ruler.

Leader:   Be ready to defend your faith and account for the hope that is in you.
People:  It is better to suffer for doing good than to rejoice in doing evil.

All:           Let us worship God!

* Hymn #473: Blessed Assurance (v. 1 – 3)

*Invocation (based on Psalm 66:8-20)       Mace Peng

You have tested us, O God, as silver is tried, with heat and stress. We went through fire and through water, and you have brought us to this place of space and safety. Now we come to your house with celebration and song, and we thank you that you have heard the words of our prayer and preserved us in your steadfast love. Amen.

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth                  Ramona Witt, Soprano                                                                                    Muftiah Martin, Violin
Bob Grove, Continuo

Time with the Children          Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture:               Mace Peng

Acts 17:22-31
Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how extremely spiritual you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor he made all peoples to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps fumble about for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we, too, are his offspring.’

“Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

John 14:15-21
“If you love me, you will keepmy commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him because he abides with you, and he will be in you.

“I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me, and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”

Sermon: Connections                Rev. Eric S. Anderson

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Please join me in the Lord’s Prayer         
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

* Hymn #454: Lord, I Want to Be a Christian (v. 1-4)

Call to Offering    Mace Peng

Where do you connect with God? In prayer? In Bible reading? In worship? We invite you now to connect with God is sharing, for God’s grace has been poured out to us without limit. In the same way we can give 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: Simple Gifts              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                      Mace Peng

God, you have given us life. You have given us beauty. You have given us love. You have given us forgiveness. You promise us eternal life. We cannot give so much, but what we have given, please receive in Jesus’ name. Amen.

* Hymn #531: God, Speak to Me, That I May Speak (v. 1 – 4)

Please be seated

Announcements Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction          Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: All Hail the Power   Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

PERMISSIONS

Under His Wings #1030747
Ira David Sankey, Robert J Hughes
Tune: © 1970 Lorenz Publishing Company
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Blessed Assurance
Text by Fanny Crosby, 1873
Tune ASSURANCE by Phoebe P. Knapp, 1873
Public Domain

I Know that My Redeemer Liveth
Text by Jessie Brown Pounds
Public Domain

Lord, I Want To Be a Christian
Text: African-American spiritual
Public Domain
Tune I WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN, African-American spiritual
Arr. by Joyce Finch Johnson, 1992
© The Pilgrim Press
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Simple Gifts
Contributors: Gregg Sewell

God, Speak to Me, That I May Speak
Text by Frances Ridley Havergal, 1872
Tune CANONBURY by Robert Schumann, 1872
Public Domain

All Hail the Power #64228
Type: Words and Music
Language: English
Contributors: Lani Smith
Text: © 1978, Lorenz Publishing Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

IMPORTANT DATES

Today, May 10 – Council meeting after Worship Service in the Lounge
Saturday, May 16, 8:30 a.m. – Service Day
Sunday, May 24 – Recognition of Graduates during Worship Service.
If you know of a graduate, please let Gloria Kobayashi know as soon as possible.

Sundays, 8:30 a.m. – Holy Cross Singers Rehearsal in the Lounge
Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. – One Song from Church of the Holy Cross streamed live
Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m. – Bible Study in person, in Pastor’s Study or via Zoom
Fridays, 10:00 a.m. – Bell Choir Rehearsal in the Building of Faith Meeting Room
Interested in pickleball? Contact Connie at 808-936-7534 or Ruth at rnduponte07@gmail.com

Other Faith Groups that meet at Church of the Holy Cross

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             Lorraine Davis
Vice Moderator Elwood Kita
Lay Reader       Mace Peng
Chapel Decorations   Chris and Jeribie Tanouye
Organist / Pianist     Kayleen Yuda   
Music Director-Accompanist Bob Grove
Guest Musicians Ramona Witt, Soprano
            Muftiah Martin, Violin
Hand Bell Director        Anna Kennedy 
IYAA Choir Director Stuart Mori  
Projected Imagery        Sue Smith
Live Stream Director         Ruth Niino-DuPonte. Bob Smith 
Videographers    Eric Tanouye, Bob Smith, Woody Kita,
            Mace Peng, Cindy Debus
Sound Engineer Ben Yamaki
Sunday School Teacher          Gloria Kobayashi
Sunday School Aide      Johanna Narruhn
Office Manager Kahealani Mahone-Brooks

We welcome you to worship this day. Church of the Holy Cross seeks to help its members, friends, and visitors follow the guidance of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, encouraging all people to love one another according to the teachings of Jesus. We live and teach the faith, speak good news, minister to people near and far, and work with other households of faith and helping agencies to improve our community and our world. To support our ministries, please visit our Donate Page.

Thank you for joining us for this live stream (or recording, as the case may be) of Sunday worship. May it bless you! You may need to click “Play” to launch the stream, which will be live around 9:50 AM.

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

Welcome to the live stream of worship from Church of the Holy Cross for Sunday, May 3, 2026. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Service of Worship May 3, 2026
Fifth Sunday of Easter

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome:   Rev. Eric S. Anderson

*Call to Worship (based on 1 Peter 2:2-10)         Nalyn Ang

Leader:         Come to Christ, a living stone, rejected by mortals but precious in God’s sight.
People:        We come to be built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood in Christ.

Leader:         Scripture tells us that God lays a cornerstone chosen and precious.
People:        Those who believe in God will not be put to shame.

Leader:         Come be a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people.

People:        Once we were not a people; now we are God’s people. Once we had not received mercy; now we have received mercy.

All:                 Let us worship God!

* Hymn #72: Sakai no Tomo (Here, O God, Your Servants Gather (v. 1 Jpn, v. 1 – 4 Eng)

* Invocation (based on Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16)      Nalyn Ang

We seek refuge in you, O God. Let your righteousness deliver us. For your name’s sake lead us and guide us. Lead us away from the nets spread for us, for you are our refuge. We commit our spirits into your hands, O God, for you have redeemed us in accordance with your faithfulness. Let your face shine upon your servants as we come to worship you. Amen.

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: Christ Chok Ewe a Tufich   IYAA

Time with the Children                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture:   Nalyn Ang

Acts 7:55-60

But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him, and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.

John 14:1-14

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, but if you do not, then believe because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”

Sermon: Rough Road     Rev. Eric S. Anderson

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer              Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Please join me in the Lord’s Prayer                     
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Call to Offering                Nalyn Ang

Christian faith is rarely tested in ways that threaten life or well-being. It is regularly tested in gratitude and in generosity. Let us pass the test, and give toward the renewal of our souls. 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: Recitative 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          Nalyn Ang

We give because you invite us to give, O God. We give because you challenge us to give of ourselves as you have in Jesus. We give because this is one way of living as Jesus lived. Amen.

* Hymn #331: Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life (v. 1-3)

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Invitation

Consecrating the Bread and Cup    

Prayer of Thanksgiving

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

Please be seated

Announcements             Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Rejoice, the Lord is King   Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

Permissions

Important Dates and Announcements

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, April 19, 2026. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Prelude: All Creatures of God and King                  Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                            Rev. Eric S. Anderson

* Call to Worship (based on Psalm 23)                  John Narruhn

Leader:   The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
People:  God makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.

Leader:   God restores my soul, leading me in the paths of righteousness.
People:  I may walk through the darkest valley but I fear no evil, for God is with me, comforting me.

Leader:   God invites me to a table, anoints my head with oil, and pours my cup to overflowing.

People:  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. This morning in God’s house we will rejoice and pray.

All:           Let us worship God!

* Hymn #70: God Is Here! As We Your People Meet (v. 1 – 4)

* Invocation (based on 1 Peter 2:19-25)               John Narruhn

Jesus committed no sin, yet he suffered, O God. He returned no abuse, made no threats. He trusted himself to you. May we display such trust and live for your righteousness. May we be gathered to you as a shepherd gathers the sheep, O Guardian of our souls. Amen.

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: Here I Am, Lord            Teresa Mondoy, Joanne Pocsidio, Genie Phillips

Time with the Children                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47 John Narruhn

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Awe came upon everyone because many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

John 10:1-10

“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Sermon: No Stranger     Rev. Eric S. Anderson

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer              Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Please join me in the Lord’s Prayer                     
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

* Hymn #479: God Is My Shepherd (v. 1-5)

Call to Offering                John Narruhn

For the most part, sheep know who they can trust: the one who cares for them, protects them, and feeds them. God has been trustworthy for us. Let us be trustworthy for others. 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: Larghetto      Kayleen Yuda

* Doxology

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

* Offertory Prayer         John Narruhn

Accept these gifts, Good Shepherd, so that those who lack a safe place for body, mind, or soul may find one. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

* Hymn #506: What a Friend We Have in Jesus (v. 1 – 3)

Please be seated

Announcements             Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Great God of Glory              Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

PERMISSIONS

All Creatures of Our God and King
Michael O Springer
Permission granted by composer

God Is Here! As We Your People Meet
Text by Fred Pratt Green, 1978
© 1979 Hope Publishing Company
Tune ABBOT’S LEIGH by Cyril V. Taylor, 1941
© 1942, renewed 1970 Hope Publishing Company
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Here I Am, Lord
Daniel L. Schutte
Arr. Lloyd Larson
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

God Is My Shepherd
Text from Scottish Psalter, 1650
Adapt. by Lavon Bayler, 1992
© 1992 the Pilgrim Press
Tune BROTHER JAMES’ AIR by James Leith Macbeth Bain
© Oxford University Press
Streamed by permission CCLI License #1595965

Larghetto
W. A. Mozart
Public Domain

What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Text by Joseph Scrivens, 1855
Tune ERIE by Charles C. Converse, 1868
Public Domain

Great God of Glory
David Paxton
Tune: © 1985 Lorenz Publishing Company,
a division of The Lorenz Corporation
(Admin. by Music Services)
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

IMPORTANT DATES

Friday, May 1, 7:00 p.m.  – Big Island Singers Concert, Sanctuary
Sundays, 8:30 a.m. – Holy Cross Singers Rehearsal in the Lounge
Mondays, 11:30 a.m. — Pickleball lessons; contact Connie 808-936-7534 or
                                                Ruth at rnduponte07@gmail.com to sign up
Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. – One Song from Church of the Holy Cross streamed live
Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m. – Bible Study in person, in Pastor’s Study or via Zoom
Fridays, 10:00 a.m. – Bell Choir Rehearsal in the Building of Faith Meeting Room

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             Lorraine Davis
Vice Moderator Elwood Kita
Lay Reader        John Narruhn
Chapel Decorations   Sally & Froilan Queja
Organist / Pianist     Kayleen Yuda   
Music Director-Accompanist Bob Grove
Guest Vocalists Teresa Mondoy, Joanne Pocsidio
Hula performed by Genie Phillips
Hand Bell Director        Anna Kennedy 
IYAA Choir Director Stuart Mori  
Projected Imagery        Sue Smith
Live Stream Director         Ruth Niino-DuPonte. Bob Smith 
Videographers    Eric Tanouye, Bob Smith, Woody Kita,
            Mace Peng, Cindy Debus
Sound Engineer Ben Yamaki
Sunday School Teacher          Gloria Kobayashi
Sunday School Aide      Johanna Narruhn

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.