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THIS SUNDAY

October 27, 2024

WORSHIP

Stewardship Sunday


Sermon by Rev. Rushan Sinnaduray

"Imagine Together:

Communities of Belonging"


7 AM – Atherton Memorial Chapel


9 AM – Sanctuary

View livestream of service


11 AM – Parish Hall


View the worship bulletin


10 AM Online

Via Zoom or Facebook

Webinar ID: 871 4936 7567; Passcode: cuc

CHILDREN & YOUTH


Children (birth to age 3)

The Nursery will be open during the 9 & 11 AM worship services.



Children (age 3 to grade 5)

Sunday School will be available during the 9 & 11 AM worship services.

Contact: cayanna-herrera@centralunionchurch.org


Youth (grades 6 to 12)

Youth will gather in the Youth Room. Meet for 11 AM worship in the Parish Hall.

Contact: melissa-thach@centralunionchurch.org

Attend Learning Tree Session

Our stewardship theme this year has been "Imagine Together" and we have begun the exciting work of dreaming and thinking about the future of this vibrant faith community.


At 10 AM this Sunday, October 27, all are invited to gather in the Women’s Building for a special Learning Tree session facilitated by Pastor Rushan as we continue to "Imagine Together" the ways in which we can strengthen and grow our faith and our mission and ministry as we journey into the future.


We are sure that you have many dreams, hopes and ideas for our church. Come to the Learning Tree and share them. Spend some time praying and discerning what you are willing to share of your time, your talent and your treasure to make our collective dreams a reality.


In preparation for this Learning Tree, you are invited to reflect on these questions:


  1. What is one dream you have for our church for the next five years?
  2. What do you imagine our worship services would look like? What could we do to make them more inclusive, engaging and meaningful?
  3. What are your dreams for our church's physical space and facilities?
  4. What do you imagine we could do to help deepen our spiritual growth as a congregation?
  5. What imaginative and creative ideas do you have to help us strengthen and build the community of Central Union Church?

MINISTRY SERVICES

Central Union Windward Ministry


Sunday Worship

10 AM – Windward Sanctuary


Sermon by Rev. Alpha Goto

"Cultivating Kindness, Part 2"


Lorna Bright, Worship Musician

38 Kāne‘ohe Bay Drive, Kailua, Hawai‘i 96734 • 808-254-3802 • cuwindward@gmail.com

Central Union Pohnpei Ministry


Sunday Worship

11 AM – Atherton Memorial Chapel

NEWS + ANNOUNCEMENTS + REMINDERS

Celebration of Life • Arlene Koegler

Please hold in prayer the family and friends of Arlene Koegler who died on October 13, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held this Sunday, October 27 at 3 PM in Atherton Memorial Chapel. Friends of Arlene and those who would like to honor her life are invited to attend.

Stewardship Sunday


Spend some time in prayer and consider what you are able to give to support the ministry of our church. This Sunday we are invited to share our Estimate of Giving Cards for 2025.


If you received it in the mail, you may bring it on Sunday to turn in. You may also mail it to the church or complete it online if you prefer. Sharing your Estimate of Giving greatly helps our church to plan for the year ahead and live within our means.

Drum Roll for the Pumpkin Poll...

Our Young(ish) Adults were busy at work decorating pumpkins at their Halloween party last Saturday! At church the next day, the congregation was invited to vote for the best pumpkin. Thanks to all 82 people who cast a vote, we have a winner. Congrats to the winning pumpkin, dubbed “Hi Hi Silver” (the pumpkin with the hat on the far left), which got 26 votes. Great job, everyone!

Community Ministry Encourages Us to Vote with Love

Central Union Church works to "Engage and Embrace ALL," which means being a welcoming, safe, affirming community for everyone – including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Our Community Ministry reminds us of the importance of voting on a proposed amendment to the Hawai‘i State Constitution in this year's General Election.


Although same-sex marriage is now legal, the State Constitution still gives legislators the power to outlaw it. The proposed amendment aims to strip legislators of that power. On the ballot, a question asks "Shall the state constitution be amended to repeal the legislature's authority to reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples?"


A "yes" vote would remove the legislature’s authority to reserve marriage only for opposite-sex couples, and, in effect, allow same sex marriages. A “yes” vote would support marriage equality, which aligns with Central Union’s stance supporting same-sex marriage voted on by the congregation in 2014. A "no" vote would make no change to the Constitution.  


Please note that a "blank" vote is not counted as a "yes" or "no" vote but is counted toward the total number of votes cast. In order for the proposed amendment to be ratified, it must be approved by a majority of all votes tallied upon the question (only the "yes" and "no" votes) and this majority must constitute at least 50% of the total votes cast. Therefore, in this instance, a "blank" vote is essentially a "no" vote on this question. Read more about the proposed amendment HERE

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The 2024 Our Faith Our Vote campaign in the United Church of Christ asks the church "to answer the call of 1 John 3:18 to 'let us not love with words or speech, but in action and in truth,' by 'voting with love.' Vote with love for creation, for our neighbors both here and abroad, for a just peace, for repair and reconciliation of the brokenness of our nation. And encourage your family, friends, and community to do the same."


Please remember that your vote is your voice and we urge you to vote with love and let your voice be heard this general election!

Sing in Messiah!


Announcing the 75th Annual Central Union Messiah! Singers, we hope you will join our community ensemble for the 75th presentation of Handel’s Messiah.


View our invitational letter, with rehearsal and performance info and registration link. The kickoff rehearsal begins this evening at 6 PM!

Contact Sarah Young, Director of Choirs, with any questions:

sarah-young@centralunionchurch.org

Chancel Choir

The Chancel Choir will gather for a special rehearsal on Sunday, October 27, from 1-3 PM in the Music Building to prepare choral music to be sung in November and December. Please contact Sarah Young, Director of Choirs, at sarah-young@centralunionchurch.org with any questions.

Small Group Study

Contrary to our assumptions, Jesus isn’t the ultimate “Answer Man” but more like the Great Questioner. In fact, for every question Jesus answers in the Gospels, he asks nearly one hundred! Asking questions was central to Jesus’ teachings and faith. Join Pastor Mary for this small group study as we explore some of the questions Jesus asked, and discover how our questions and curiosity draw us closer to God. Each session stands alone, so come when you can!


4 sessions total, 2 options each week:

  • Monday mornings, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM (October 14, 21, 28, November 4
)
  • Tuesday evenings, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM (October 15, 22, 29, November 5)
Sign Up

Jazz Vespers on November 3

CUPS is now accepting applications until November 30!

APPLY

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

View October 2024's issue of The Spire

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH

Give thanks for the gift of imagination to be able to dream of possibilities beyond the present. May we accept the invitation to "Imagine Together" and collectively create a way forward for our church!


May "The Questioning Christ" inspire greater curiosity and inquisitiveness within us. Pray that our desire to better understand others and the world would draw us closer to God.


Pray for those grieving – whether it's for a close or distant loved one, a missed opportunity or a hurting world.

Share Prayer Request

The month of October is Pastor Appreciation Month! We give thanks for our pastors, their ministry and the ways they share God's love with us. Let's make our pastors feel encouraged and appreciated – not just this month, but always!


Read more from our Conference about Pastor Appreciation Month including some ideas to show your appreciation. Mahalo, Pastor Rushan and Pastor Mary!

OUR WIDER CHURCH

HCUCC NEWS

View this week's

Coconut Wireless

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.

WEEKLY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer at the CUC Thrift Shop

Wednesdays and Saturdays, between 9 AM3 PM

Contact Joanne Matsumoto thriftshop@centralunionchurch.org


Volunteer with the Flower Committee

Fridays or Saturday mornings

Contact flowers@centralunionchurch.org for more info


Volunteer at Serving Aloha

Wednesdays, 10 AM 1:30 PM; check in outside Women's Building

NEED FOOD? Walk-in: 11 AM – 12 PM; Drive-through: 12 – 1 PM


Volunteer with Community Ministry

Second Tuesdays

2:30 – 5:30 PM - Prep and cook; 5:45 – 6:45 PM - Distribute meals

Readers Needed for Worship!


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.

SMALL GROUPS

Virtual Aloha Lanai Zoom Online Fellowship

Sundays following the online worship service, around 11 AM

JOIN ON ZOOM (Meeting ID: 859 7383 9801; Passcode: Aloha)


Centering Prayer Meditation

Mondays, 7 PM • JOIN ON ZOOM

Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 PM • Music Building, Honolulu campus


Mindfulness Meditation with Marion

Mondays, 5 PM • JOIN ON ZOOM


Mindful Movement with Bamboo Sticks

Wednesdays, 4 PM • JOIN ON ZOOM


Men's Bible Study on Zoom

Wednesdays, 7 AM Email cuc@centralunionchurch.org for info.

HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE?


We welcome relevant news and events to share on the CUC website, e-blast, and/or to post on our bulletin boards. Please submit items to news@centralunionchurch.org by Wednesday to be published in the following days.

Visit our website!

centralunionchurch.org

Devotionals

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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 a church leader, 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. 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.