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THIS SUNDAY
July 12, 2026
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Worship
Sermon by Rev. Dr. Will Whitmore
"Doing the Soil Work"
7 AM: Atherton Memorial Chapel
8:45 AM – Gift of Music
Brett Keniston & Margaret Lloyd
9 AM: Sanctuary
View service live/later on YouTube
11 AM: Parish Hall
View the worship bulletin
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About our sermon series: Beyond Belief
Faith is often presented as a destination—a point of 'belief' we reach and then stay put. But Jesus calls us into a movement. Our new sermon series Beyond Belief explores the counter-cultural invitations of the Kingdom. From the bravery required to speak truth to the quiet resistance of Sabbath rest, we will discover how to cultivate a faith that thrives in a complex world. What does it mean to live a life that goes deeper than just "believing the right things"? This five-week journey (June 21 – July 19) through the Gospel of Matthew challenges us to move beyond comfortable pews and easy answers. We will explore how Jesus calls us to a faith that is courageous, welcoming, restful, cultivated, and patient.
| | Mahalo to Rev. Dr. Will Whitmore who will lead the worship services at the Honolulu campus this Sunday while our Senior Minister, Rev. Rushan Sinnaduray, leads worship at Central Union Windward. Get to know Rev. Whitmore below: | | | | Reverend Dr. William (Will) Whitmore is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ, serving as Chaplain at Mid-Pacific Institute. Will, Kristen and their children, Remi, Gemma and Bob are members here at Central Union. Before his role at Mid-Pacific, Rev. Whitmore was the School Minister at Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania for nearly a decade, where he also taught religion and history. Rev. Will's academic background includes a Ph.D. in Sports Chaplaincy from the University of Gloucestershire (UK), a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy and Religious Studies from the University of Denver. | | |
CHILDREN & YOUTH
Nursery
A staffed Nursery is available during the 9 & 11 AM worship service.
Children, from birth through 3 years old, may be left in the Nursery with our caregivers during the service.
Sunday School
We offer a Sunday School program for children, ages 3 through 5th grade, during the 9 & 11 AM worship service. Children participate in the first part of the service and will leave for Sunday School following the Time for Keiki.
Contact: cayanna-herrera@centralunionchurch.org
Youth Group
Our Youth Group is for young people in grades 6 through 12.
The Youth will meet from 12-2 PM in the (new) Youth Room to play games.
Contact: melissa-thach@centralunionchurch.org
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Learning Tree on July 12
CUC member and medical scientist Joe Elm will provide an update on Ebola and Hantavirus. Learn what it is, where it is present, how to protect yourself, and what we can do about it.
Save the date and plan to attend the Learning Tree presentation on these Emerging & Re-emerging Viruses on Sunday, July 12, at 10 AM in the Women's Building.
| | The World Health Organization has declared a health emergency following the latest outbreak of an Ebola strain for which we have no vaccine. It is one of the world’s deadliest viruses and now spreading rapidly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. In May, a cluster of passengers with severe respiratory illness aboard a cruise ship was reported to the World Health Organization. The virus was identified as a Hantavirus strain and had a case fatality rate among infected passengers of 23%. Global health workers are trying to keep these viruses contained. In a connected world like ours, our neighbors' health matters for us. | | | | |
Central Union Windward Ministry
Sunday Worship
10 AM: Sanctuary
Sermon by Rev. Rushan Sinnaduray
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Central Union Pohnpei Ministry
Sunday Worship
11 AM: Atherton Memorial Chapel
| | NEWS + ANNOUNCEMENTS + REMINDERS | | Reminder while on campus: We are fortunate to have a large, open campus with lots of people passing through for different reasons. To protect your belongings, we recommend not leaving things unattended in public spaces, including our worship spaces. Please be vigilant and guard your personal items and valuables. | | | | |
Young(ish) Adults Event
Our Young(ish) Adult Ministry is hosting a game night & potluck on Wednesday, July 29, 6:30-9:00 PM in the Parish Hall. There will be Games & Grindz! Come for a night of fun, laughter, friendly competition, and fellowship! Bring some food and a favorite game/icebreaker to share. Friends welcome!
RSVP to youngish@centralunionchurch.org.
| | Faith Action shares upcoming events: | | Faith Action is a community partner that shares opportunities to engage our faith beyond the sanctuary, in our communities. Sometimes they are opportunities to learn and become better informed about the things that affect us and our neighbors. Check out their latest newsletter for a message and info about upcoming events. | | | | |
You're Invited: July 19!
See what Cory and Troy are up to in our latest video. On Sunday, July 19, the whole Central Union ‘ohana is invited to the Parish Hall for a summer celebration following ONE combined worship service at 10 AM! Bring a favorite dish/side for the potluck. There will also be a sundae bar in honor of National Ice Cream Day, fresh popcorn, water play outside for keiki, and fellowship for all! Come and enjoy! Friends welcome!
| | Save the date for summer Jazz Vespers! | | | | |
Seeking Instruments
Our CUC Pohnpei Ministry (which worships in Pohnpeian on Sundays at 11) is hoping to start a young adult ministry with music. You know that our Pohnpeian friends love singing and music, but they currently have no musical instruments. If you have a musical instrument of any kind that you are planning to get rid of or donate, they would love to receive it! It would make their dreams come true! If you can contribute, please call/text Wp. Robinson Fredrick (808-741-2547). Kalahngan & thank you!
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Say It with Flowers!
Got a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion coming up? Commemorate it with flowers at a Sunday worship service!
Our Flower Committee creates floral arrangements for our worship spaces each week. You can give flowers in honor of someone with a printed dedication in the worship bulletin.
Email:
flowers@centralunionchurch.org
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New in the CUC Archives
From our Historian, Karl Hedberg
Speaking with anyone who has known Ken, you will hear enthusiastic praises. The Reverend Kenneth Orson Rewick, Central Union’s 20th Senior Minister (1970-1974), is the latest addition to cuchistory.org—Central Union’s history website and digital archive!
He had a love for working with youth. Before becoming our Senior Minister, he was chaplain of Punahou School for 15 years (1950-1965), then the headmaster at Mid-Pac Institute for five years. Yearbook photographs during Dr. Rewick’s presidency show him having fun with the students in an afternoon game of touch football.
In 1970 Central Union again chose wisely in naming its next senior minister, the Rev. Kenneth Orson Rewick. Dr. Rewick and his wife Doris, a Central Union Preschool teacher and later director of the school, took their place naturally at Central Union, encouraging in the church a keen sense of congregational participation drawing those who simply “came” to church to become involved. Membership grew past the 3,000 mark.
| | For more info, contact Karl Hedberg: historian@centralunionchurch.org | | Included is Ken’s fun story and sermon about catching a 225-pound Marlin in only a 13-foot boat. After caught, with help from a larger boat alongside, the fish was hoisted into their small boat leaving no room for Ken and his buddy. To return to Pokai harbor, Wai‘anae, West O‘ahu, they had to sit on TOP of the Marlin and paddle to the harbor using the boat oars. As he tells the story in his sermon “Confessions of a Fisherman”, you can feel his presence speaking to you, making you want to get up and say… “Here am I Lord, use me!” VIEW MORE | | Next issue of The Spire will be published on August 12. Content due date is August 5. | | |
Give thanks for the opportunity to hear from different voices!
Pray for the health of each person, and help us to remember we are interconnected.
Pray for those who continue to show up in our community.
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Church Council
Next meeting: July 23
Church Council meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month at 5:00 PM in the Rewick Board Room in the Church Admin Building. These regular monthly meetings are open to all CUC members who wish to attend as an observer.
Contact the Church Council: council@centralunionchurch.org
| | The Coconut Wireless is a weekly e-newsletter of what is happening in and around the Hawai‘i Conference United Church of Christ. Get word on the latest news, events, learning opportunities, and more. Connect, share news and resources with sister churches. | | | | |
Floral Arrangers Needed
Do you have a knack for arranging flowers? Would you like to learn how the church floral arrangements are done?
The CUC Flower Committee is happily welcoming new people to learn and help with the floral arrangements that adorn our worship spaces each Sunday. If you're interested in being part of this blossoming ministry, contact Dona Hanaike for more info: flowers@centralunionchurch.org
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Volunteer to read in the Sunday worship service!
Sundays at 7 AM / 9 AM / 11 AM
Worship is one of the heartbeats of our church – it is the work of the whole church community in praising God, hearing God's word to us and responding in faith. One way to help each other in our worship is by reading scripture and other parts of our service. It enhances our experience of worship when we can have different faces and voices leading worship. If you are willing to read in a worship service, please join our pool of readers! Learn more and sign up by clicking HERE.
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Volunteer with Community Ministry Next: July 14
Every month on the second Tuesday, our small but dedicated team of volunteers prepares a hot meal to be delivered to shelters in the community. They are in need of extra help! If you're available around 2:00 – 4:30 to help cook, or a bit later to deliver in Waikiki, your support would be greatly appreciated! If you're available for any of the Tuesdays and would like to volunteer, let us know how/when you can help. Sharing the responsibilities will allow volunteers to take breaks.
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Online Zoom Fellowship
Are you interested in helping folks stay connected with the CUC ‘ohana? Are you unable to come to the church campus but want to connect? Join this casual time of virtual fellowship via Zoom on Sundays at 11 AM. Just drop in whenever! It's a great way to meet and keep in touch with people, especially those who may be homebound.
Click to join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 810 1050 2863
Passcode: cuc
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Contemplative Prayer Meditation
Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 PM • Rewick Board Room (Honolulu campus)
Mindfulness Meditation with Marion
Mondays, 5 PM • JOIN ON ZOOM
Mindful Movement with Bamboo Sticks
Tuesdays, 2 PM • Women's Building (Honolulu Campus) OR JOIN ON ZOOM
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HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE?
We welcome relevant news and events to share in our publications. Please submit items to news@centralunionchurch.org by Wednesday to be published in the following days.
| | Looking for a venue? Our church's range of facilities can accommodate all kinds of events! By renting out our spaces, we can provide a gathering place for the community and generate revenue for ministry. Learn more about our venues and consider hosting your next event at Central Union. (Members receive a discount!) | | |
Beware of Email Scams!
Scams come in many forms, whether it's someone impersonating church staff or even a member, or a stranger seeming to have a good deal for you on a special product or service. Please be cautious when checking emails! Know that church staff will never ask you to purchase something or give personal information by email. Often you can identify an email's authenticity by verifying the sender’s email address (CUC staff emails end with @centralunionchurch.org), but it's also possible for scammers to mimic email addresses. So if you receive any strange message at all and are ever in doubt, just delete it, don't reply or click on any links. You may call the church office (808-941-0957) to confirm.
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