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Join us for
HOLY EUCHARIST
March 17, 2024 at 7:00 am & 9:00 am
Fifth Sunday in Lent
To attend online, join our Facebook LIVESTREAM*
Download this week's ORDER OF WORSHIP
Missed a service? Watch on YouTube any time.
* NEW * Join us for fellowship hour on Zoom!
10:30 am every Sunday after the 9:00 am service.
*Note: If you have difficulty connecting to the livestream, try reloading your page.
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March 24 - Palm Sunday - 9:00 am only (no 7:00 am service)
Holy Week Services: March 28 - Maundy Thursday; March 29 - Good Friday; March 30 - Easter Vigil (all services during Holy Week are at 5:30 pm)
March 31 - Easter Sunday (9:00 am only) followed by egg hunt & Easter brunch
Find scripture readings for upcoming Sundays and learn about the liturgical seasons in the Episcopal Church here.
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Dear St. Augustine's 'ohana,
Lately I have been thinking a lot about food and food production. All my years on the mainland, I was surrounded by farms in Nebraska and Iowa, marveling at the abundance of the land, given to us by God.
Traditional family farming at its finest meant planting a variety of crops, rotating annually to replenish the soil, and using manure from animals to fertilize. It makes me sad to see families that can no longer afford to farm sell to large, corporate agriculture operations.
Similarly, it’s sad to see the disappearance of the old ways of harvesting the bounty of the apuhua’a here on the islands. We've lost some of those old ways of being community, of sharing our abundance.
We have plenty of food and love for ourselves, enough to sustain ourselves and share. And yet neighbors in our community suffer.
In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus is with the disciples in Jerusalem just days before he is arrested. Knowing he is about to face death, Jesus makes one more effort to help the disciples understand what will happen, why it’s necessary for him to die, and what his death will mean for humankind.
“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” Christ is like the grain of wheat. Planted deep in the soil, the seed appears to die. In reality, that seed is transformed, becoming a glorious wheat plant that bears not just one seed, but as many as 150!
His message is clear. Christ came into this world to sacrifice himself for us, to seed us with a bounty of love. The seed of God's Divine love in Christ was planted at his death, giving rise to love for all.
And so it is that Christ plants the seeds of love in this world. We are born with that seed inside. Surrendering to that kernel of goodness, we become the plant, the bounty, the bearers, and the sharers of God's goodness.
The stories of our ancestors tell of such harvests. Let us tap the wisdom of the old ways, remembering the goodness we're made of. Let us allow our hardened shells to die in the deep dark soil. In this last part of our Lenten journey, let us surrender that which we no longer need — fears, habits, frustrations, hardened hearts — and emerge together to create new ways of being and sharing love.
Blessings,
Vicar Jennifer
P.S., Resource for Lent: The 2024 Lenten Meditations (from Episcopal Relief & Development) offers daily meditations. Sign up here to receive a daily email.
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MESSAGE FROM THE
DEACON IN FORMATION | | |
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MAHALO FOR YOUR WARM WELCOME!
Jeanne Cooper, our deacon-in-training doing her year of fieldwork here, will not be in worship services this Sunday due to a prior commitment but will be joining our bishop's committee meeting to learn more about our church 'ohana. She is grateful for all who have introduced themselves to her so far and please say hi when you see her at the Thrift Store on Wednesdays and first Saturdays.
Mahalo!
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THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO | |
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Cindy & John Sakai for cleaning the church this week.
Laura LaGassa for serving as lay reader last Sunday.
St. Augustine's members who pray for others each week.
The many members of St. Augustine's and the community who help sort donations and operate the Thrift Shop.
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ST. AUGUSTINE'S PRAYER CHAIN
Please pray for healing, guidance, strength, peace of mind, and comfort for: All who are affected by the Israel/Hamas war and wars around the world, Tracy Lahue, Leolani Oliver, Patsy Ching, Kim & Johnny, Bob & Mary Jakielski, Rose Queckel, the Fuertes 'ohana, Richard, Virginia and Perie Daniels, June Potochnik, Rachel and Hoku Lancaster, Motaz Aziz, Jeannette Hensel, Anne Medve, Sabrina Lee, Tom Leonard, Linda Leonard Powell, David Peter Franco, Erin Manuel, all the people of Maui, Church of the Holy Innocents in Maui and Vicar Bruce & Sylvia DeGooyer, Arcadio & Filomena Badua, Lisa Andrews, Guy Kaoo, Tula Brickel, Becky & Ludwig Simmet, Reni Aʻi aʻi Bello, Kaikoa-Aina Brown, Marlene & Harry Ching, Annecita Tamayo, Lynn Dicus, and Juana Mejia.
PRAYER CHAIN VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer to be part of St. Augustine's prayer chain! Contact Patsy Ching or Vicar Jennifer if you would like to:
- Pray for those who have requested prayers
- Be part of the phone tree that helps us know about prayer requests or emergencies
REQUEST PRAYERS
If you or someone you know would like to be added to our prayer list, please email Patsy Ching or Vicar Jennifer. You can request prayers for yourself, your 'ohana, or anyone in our community or beyond.
During our Sunday services, you can write prayer requests on a piece of paper. Prayers will be read aloud or silently (per your request) during the Prayers of the People.
ONLINE FORM
You can also send us prayer requests through our online form.
Mahalo for your care and prayers!
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SUNDAY SCHOOL - For children ages 3-10, every Sunday morning at 9:00 am with Youth Director Kathy Matsuda.
FELLOWSHIP HOUR - Every Sunday after our 9:00 am service. We gather to enjoy conversation, coffee, and treats in Walker Hall. Please bring some savory or sweet treats to share if you like! Mahalo to all who have been providing delicious food and to Jeannette Hensel for bringing coffee.
TEEN GATHERINGS - Stay tuned for the next event coming soon!
CHOIR - Join us Wednesday, March 20th at 5:00 pm to sing through the hymns for the following Sunday. All are welcome!
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Friday, March 15, 2:00 pm - Learning about our faith Please join us for a four-week course focused on the theology, beliefs, and traditions of the Episcopal Church. Taught by Vicar Jennifer, this course is for anyone curious to explore and deepen their faith while learning more about the Episcopal Church. If you would like to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church or reaffirm your baptismal vows when Bishop Bob is here on April 14, please join us! Please let Vicar Jennifer know if you are interested. If you can't attend Fridays at 2:00 pm, we can change the day/time.
Sunday, March 17, 11:00 am - Bishop's Committee Meeting
Monthly meeting of Bishop's Committee members. All St. Augustine members welcome to attend.
Friday, March 22, Friday Fun Night - Ukelele Class, Dinner & Teen Night! 5:30 - 6:00 pm - Ukelele Class, 6:00 - 6:30 pm - Dinner, 6:30 - 8:00 pm - Teen Night
Saturday, March 23, 9:00 am - Folding Palm Crosses
All are invited to join us for folding palm crosses in Walker Hall.
Sunday March 24, 5:30 pm - Mini Music Concert - Stacey Mastrian
Join us for an evening of vocal music performed by soprano Stacey Mastrian, accompanied by pianist Kirk Corey. See poster below for more details!
Saturday, March 30, 9:00 am - Easter Egg Coloring
All are invited to join us for dyeing Easter Eggs in Walker Hall.
Sunday, March 31, after 9:00 am service - Easter Egg Hunt & Brunch
Requesting people to fill plastic eggs for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Empty plastic eggs will be available in Walker Hall. Please fill with money, candy (no chocolate please), little toys. Bring filled eggs Easter morning before church starts and leave in Walker Hall. Thank you for making this a fun event for our keiki!
Sunday, April 14, 9:00 am - Bishop Bob visits St. Augustine's! We're looking forward to welcoming Bishop Bob to Kohala once again. While he's here, he will lead our 9:00 am service, preach, and confirm or receive members into the Episcopal Church. We'll host a lunch after the 9:00 am service, after which he will meet with the Bishop's Committee. Please let Kathy Webb or Vicar Jennifer know if you would like to help with the food or in the kitchen for Fellowship Hour.
Friday, May 10, 11:00 am - Celebration of Life and Holy Eucharist for Rose Rosimo, followed by a reception in Walker Hall.
Saturday, May 11, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm - Mama Jam
A celebration of Mothers! We are starting to plan our Mother's Day themed mini-bazaar in May. We will have tables for church members to provide baked, cooked items. Profit goes to church. Thrift store will be open. We are looking for vendors that provide items people can buy for moms. Table space $25. We are also looking for cut flowers, potted plants for gifts. We are looking for volunteers to make flower arrangements. If you are interested in donating items or time please contact Kathy Matsuda. See poster below and please share with your Kohala friends!
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COMMISSIONING SUNDAY
Last Sunday, we held a special commissioning for members of our Bishop's Committee to show our gratitude, share a blessing, and send them forth to do the work of the church at St. Augustine's, in Kohala, and in our diocese.
Present for the commissioning were Maurine Gomes, Melanie Sahagun, Eileen Hartwings, Kim Lambrecht, Dave Lambrecht, Michelle Simpson, Kathy Matsuda, and John Sakai. Also pictured are deacon-in-formation Jeanne Cooper, Deacon Lani Bowman, Vicar Jennifer, and Kaya Webb. Bishop's Committee member not pictured: Piilani Fernandez.
What do members of the Bishop's Committee do? Bishop's Committee members serve on behalf of the bishop, working with you and our clergy to guide our mission. They meet once a month to discuss and make decisions about finances, community outreach, Christian education for all ages, and buildings and grounds.
Our next Commissioning Sunday will be April 14 at 9:00 am when we will commission members who assist with communication for St. Augustine's.
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LITTLE FREE PANTRY FOOD DONATIONS
Mahalo to everyone who brought Little Free Pantry food donations last week! And to Libby Leonard for serving as coordinator and Deacon Lani Bowman for leading the project.
Sunday April 14th is our next Little Free Pantry food drive and items will be blessed during the 9:00 am service. Deacon Lani has compiled a list of items on Amazon to give you an idea of the pantry's greatest needs:
$39.00 66 Nature Valley snack bars
$12.00 12 Chef Boyardee Raviolli
$20.48 Ritz cheese and cracker packs
$14.00 Ritz Peanut butter and cracker snack
$15.00 Keebler cheese and cracker snacks
$17.00 12 tuna and cracker kits
$12.00 tuna pouches
$7.00 Maruchan Ramen Pack of 24
$6.00 Ritz Crackers 16 sleeves
$20.00 Quaker Instant oatmeal 48 packets
$5.00 Chef Boyardee Ravioli 4 pack
$11.00 SpaghettiOs Canned Pasta with Meatballs pack of 12
$18 Tasty Bites Organic Madras Lentils
$22 Fillo's Walking Tamales pack of 7
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PICTURED ABOVE - Delicious food packed and shelf-stable for up to one year: sweet pickles, chicken stew, seasoned ground beef. | |
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LEARNING ABOUT FOOD PRESERVATION
Last Saturday, Vicar Jennifer attended 'Ohana Fun day to talk with the community about a food preservation workshop taught by Keala Kahuanui.
In February, members of our Bishop's Committee were treated to a preview of Keala's workshop, including a taste of a preserved meal of local smoked beef and kalo. It was so ono! It made me dream of teaching families to create meals like this and perhaps even stocking our Little Free Pantry with such delicious and nourishing food.
April 26, 27 and 28, St. Augustine's will partner with the North Kohala Resilience Hub to host Keala's food preservation workshop in our own kitchen. The idea is to teach people who are passionate enough about food security to learn these vital skills and, eventually, become trainers themselves.
If you are interested in making a real commitment to food security in Kohala, please contact Vicar Jennifer, and we'll add your name to a list of potential attendees for this 3-day workshop!
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PICTURED ABOVE - Salmon, chicken stew, seasoned ground beef. | |
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VOLUNTEER TO HELP ON CAMPUS
Mahalo to folks who have volunteered to take the lead on some campus projects! If you can help out with any of these efforts, please contact the people listed below:
- Clean the walls in Walker Hall - Kathy Webb & Vicar Jennifer
- Organize the kitchen in Walker Hall - Ginger Gohier
- Remove weeds and invasive plants from the cemetery - Ginger Gohier & John Sakai
- Weed and prune terraced gardens (Biblical healing plants) - Kim Lambrecht
- Wash windows and screens in Thrift Shop and Walker Hall - George Webb
- Polish brass and silver in the church - Maurine Gomes
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Power wash / repaint parking lines & steps - Dave Lambrecht
We won't be scheduling a work day. Instead, folks can come when it's convenient for them. We'll miss the fellowship time of working together, but we've found it is much easier for people to help out on their own schedules. Working together can still happen! Consider making it a fun gathering by working in pairs. Scheduling is still easy and you get the bonus of having a work buddy!
If you would like to help, contact Kathy Webb at admin@staugustineskohala.com and let her know which project you plan to work on. We'll make sure you have the supplies you need when you arrive. Mahalo for helping with these efforts to make our campus look amazing!
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ST. AUGUSTINE'S THRIFT SHOP
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THRIFT SHOP HOURS
The Thrift Shop is open Wednesdays from noon - 6:00 pm and also on the first Saturday of the month from 8:00 am - 11:00 am.
DONATIONS
St. Augustine's is grateful to the community for the many items generously donated to our Thrift Shop! We accept donations when the Thrift Store is staffed by our volunteers.
Please bring your items during these times:
Wednesdays 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursdays 8:00 am - 11:00 am
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NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF HAWAI'I
Stay up to date with our brothers and sisters across the diocese! The latest issue of the Hawaiian Church Chronicle (Mar. 8 2024) features important news, events, and information, including:
Annual Chrism Mass & ChurchBiz Event. Our diocese's annual Chrism Mass & ChurchBiz (formerly Spring Training) Event will be Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Cathedral of St. Andrew. The theme for this event is "Lessons Learned" as we take a look at the impact recent catastrophies have had on our churches in the Diocese. Both COVID and the Maui wildfires have presented many challenges that we continue to learn from. Church members of St. Augustine's are invited to attend. Registration is now open HERE!
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If you have information to share, please let us know! This is a space to help us stay in touch in a variety of ways, such as news, offers of assistance, or garden bounty (fruits, veggies) you would like to share. Please email Vicar Jennifer or Kathy Webb: VicarJennifer@staugustineskohala.com or admin@staugustineskohala.com Submissions due by Thursday morning for Friday's newsletter. | | |
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GO GREEN - PODCAST STYLE
Tune into the Green Lectionary podcast each week of Lent for engaging conversations on scripture with a creation justice lens.
This week's episode for the fourth Sunday in Lent, features Dr. Ellen Davis, professor of biblical studies at Duke Divinity School, Dr. Jerusha Neal, professor of homiletics at Duke Divinity School, and Dr. Mark Biddle, dean of faculty at Sophia Seminary.
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UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS | |
MESSAGES FROM OUR BISHOP
& PRESIDING BISHOP
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