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THIS SUNDAY
November 3, 2024
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WORSHIP
All Saints' Day
Communion
Sermon by Rev. Rushan Sinnaduray
"Following in Faith"
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
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Jazz Vespers this evening! | | |
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Central Union Windward Ministry
Sunday Worship
10 AM – Windward Sanctuary
Communion
Sermon by Kahu Richard Walenta
"Trusting God in the Face of Uncertainty"
Lorna Bright, Worship Musician
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Central Union Pohnpei Ministry
Sunday Worship
9 AM – Sanctuary
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NEWS + ANNOUNCEMENTS + REMINDERS | | |
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Our Church is Haunted!?
It's been said that our church is haunted. There have been multiple accounts of people sensing some sort of spirit in their midst. Have you felt it? Church member Ruth Ann Cullen explains the haunting in this short video that we share with you on this All Hallows' Eve.
(We can confirm that the Holy Spirit is alive here!)
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Prayer Vigils on Election Day | |
Election Day Drop-in Prayer Vigil: Tuesday, November 5, 11AM - 1PM
So many of us are anxious, worried and frightened in these days as we approach the General Election. That anxiety and worry is driven by so many things. In the midst of that anxiety, prayer helps. So, if you find yourself in need of prayer on Election Day, 11/5, Atherton Memorial Chapel will be open for you and for our wider community for quiet, non-partisan prayer for our nation and the world, for ourselves, our loved ones and neighbors, and even our enemies. Please drop in on Election Day at any time between 11 AM and 1 PM for quiet personal prayer. Pastor Rushan will lead a brief prayer service at 12 noon. All are welcome.
If you can't make it in person, the United Church of Christ is offering an online Prayer Service & Vigil at the same time:
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All are invited to join UCC General Minister and President Karen Georgia Thompson and other UCC leaders for a nonpartisan Election Day Prayer Vigil and Convening on November 5 from 11 AM to 1 PM Hawai‘i time via Zoom.
"As this historic campaign season concludes, our prayer vigil will be an inclusive space to hold and share the complex feelings people carry on election day," said Michael Neuroth, director of the UCC Office of Public Policy and Advocacy in Washington, D.C. "We will gather as the Church to pray and remind one another that whatever the outcome of this election, our mission remains unchanged — to build a just world for all."
Register to receive the Zoom link and share your prayers for Election Day.
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Order Christmas trees and wreaths! | Support Central Union Church Preschool by ordering your Christmas trees, wreaths, and door charms through Habilitat. They will be available for pickup on December 7 at one of six locations around the island, including Central Union. Order by November 12! | |
Community Ministry Encourages Us to Vote with Love | |
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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!
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Mahalo for Giving Aloha!
Thanks to all who donated through Foodland's Give Aloha program this past September!
Donors gave $5,000 to Central Union Church at Foodland and an additional $1,405.72 was matched by Foodland and the Western Union for a total of $6,405.72 for our church.
Mahalo for giving aloha! It's a great way to make our money multiply!
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Support CUPS Fall Fitness FUNdraiser
Central Union Preschool's 2024 Fall Fitness FUNdraiser will be on Friday, November 15, with the theme, "Believe You Can!" This is the one and only annual fundraiser of the PTO which organizes ALL the events for the keiki, ‘ohana, and staff. The money raised also helps to fund the school yearbook, classroom supplies, playground equipment, and Staff Appreciation Day.
Can you or your company help CUPS exceed past fundraising efforts so the PTO can organize amazing school-wide events for our children?
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Advent Workshop
CUC's Children's Ministry will sponsor its annual Advent Workshop on Sunday, November 24, 2024, 10-11 AM in the Women's Building. All are welcome for a special devotional time, to learn more about the Advent season, and to create a special tropical Advent wreath! To ensure the availability of materials, please register by clicking below.
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Share your Estimate of Giving
Thanks to all those who have already submitted their Estimate of Giving Cards! Following our stewardship campaign, "Imagine Together", we are now encouraged to spend time in prayer and consider what we are able to give to support the ministry of our church.
You may complete an Estimate of Giving Card online OR fill out the mailed card. If you did not receive one, you may ask for one at a worship service or contact the Church Office.
Sharing your Estimate of Giving greatly helps our church to plan for the year ahead and live within our means!
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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. Rehearsals began last Thursday 10/24. Join up until November 7.
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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:
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Monday mornings, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM (October 14, 21, 28, November 4
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Tuesday evenings, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM (October 15, 22, 29, November 5)
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CUPS is now accepting applications until November 30! | | |
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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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Give thanks for those who have come and gone before us. This Sunday we will honor our saints through remembrances. In the days ahead, may we also honor them through our actions.
Pray for the women who will be attending the 35th annual Women's Retreat at Camp Mokule‘ia this weekend! May they experience rest, joy, and deep connection.
Pray for all those feeling anxiety about the upcoming election. May we never forget the importance of commUNITY and, no matter the results, work together for the good of all creation.
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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!
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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 | | |
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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.
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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.
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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!) | |
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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.
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