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Join us for
HOLY EUCHARIST
January 12, 2024 at 7:00 am & 9:00 am
First Sunday after the Epiphany
To attend online, join our Facebook LIVESTREAM*
Download this week's ORDER OF WORSHIP
Missed a service? Watch on YouTube any time.
*Note: If you have difficulty connecting to the livestream, try reloading your page.
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Dear St. Augustine's 'ohana,
As I pour over this week's readings, I feel the wash of powerful images of our Creator. Isaiah's poetry and the psalmist's lyrics reveal God's power, beauty, love, and glory. Welcome to the season of Epiphany!
During Epiphany, we celebrate the manifestation of God among us — the Divine enfleshed in Jesus. How does the Divine appear in your life?
As we watch the world's chaos, we might struggle to imagine where God is appearing in our midst. In such times, it could help to reflect on Isaiah's words:
"I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you... ... you are precious in my sight and honored, and I love you. Do not fear, for I am with you."
Meanwhile, fires roar through California, decimating communities and scaring land. Flames consume lives, livelihoods, and homes. For those living this trauma, how do Isaiah's words help? How is the Divine appearing in their lives?
Watching in safety from afar, we don't know the answer to these questions, but we there are tangible things we can do. We can pray. With Isaiah's words in our hearts, we can pray that people in harms way know they are held in the mighty and unimaginably loving arms of God.
We can share. Sitting safely in our homes, we have the bandwidth to share our abundance. A good way share is through the Episcopal Relief & Development fund, which works with local agencies on the ground during natural disasters to funnel relief funds directly to those in need. Even a few dollars can help.
We can love. We can reach out to people experiencing trauma, loss, or uncertainty because of the fires or for any other reason. With God's help, we can live into our baptismal promises to love our neighbors near and far.
Blessings,
Vicar Jennifer
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MAHALO FOR ALL THAT YOU GIVE! | |
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Many thanks for all that you do to show your support for St. Augustine's! Your gifts of time, talent, and funds allow us to serve our community by:
- Providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming spiritual home.
- Addressing the high cost of living by offering low-cost goods in our Thrift Shop.
- Addressing food insecurity through food preservation education; alleviating hunger by sponsoring the Little Free Pantry and assisting Kohala Cares.
- Serving as a gathering place for collaborative community (music, arts, food, fellowship).
All gifts, no matter the size, make an incredible difference in our community! Mahalo for your support in 2024 and beyond!
Visit the link below to access our secure giving site.
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MAHALO NIGHT!
Please join us on January 23 at 5:00 pm for MAHALO NIGHT! This is a special event to thank you in a small way for the big things you do for this church and community. Please see the details under "UPCOMING EVENTS" below.
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January 19 - Second Sunday after the Epiphany at 7:00 & 9:00 am
January 26 - Third Sunday after the Epiphany at 7:00 & 9:00 am
February 2 - Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany at 7:00 & 9:00 am
Find scripture readings for upcoming Sundays and learn about the liturgical seasons in the Episcopal Church here.
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Join our YouTube Channel
to view past services!
youtube.com/@staugustineskohala
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THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO | |
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Laura La Gassa and Brendan McDougall for cleaning the church & providing flowers this week.
JD Morgan for serving as lay ready 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: our country and its leaders; Victims of the California fires: those who have died, have lost their loved ones or homes, and those who have been evacuated. For the fire fighters and first responders. For government agencies called to provide aid and for leaders making decisions that affect climate change; Denman Family; Doscow Family; Axl McGuire; Tom O'Donnell; Justin Fyala; Neal Holter; Linda Leonard Pell; Mike Leonard; Rita Masada; Patty Ankrum; Bruce Soll; all who are affected by wars around the world; Nan Cornelius; Megan Jacoby; Neil Apana; Katie Buehner; the people of Maui and the Church of the Holy Innocents; Susan Acacio; Sabrina Lee; Jeannette Hensel; Erin Manuel; Arcadio & Filomena Badua; Guy Kaoo; Reni Aʻi aʻi Bello; Becky & Ludwig Simmet; Annecita Tamayo; Lynn Dicus. Thanksgiving for the life of Dr. Anthony Leach.
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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WEEKLY
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SUNDAY SCHOOL - Join us each week for Sunday school with Youth Director, Kathy Matsuda. Godly Play - our Montessori-based Sunday school curriculum - is open to all keiki ages three to ten.
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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.
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CHOIR - Join us Wednesdays at 5:00 pm to sing through the hymns for the following Sunday. All are welcome! Can't make it to choir this week? You can take a peek at the music in the order of worship for this coming Sunday (link is at the top of this newsletter).
MONTHLY
First Sunday of each month
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SPIRIT SCHOOL - Sunday school for adults - Join us for Spirit School, a short session for adults on a topic to enrich our spiritual life. We host two sessions: after the 7:00 am service and after the 9:00 am service. Please let Vicar Jennifer know if there's a topic you're interested in or if you would like to present a Spirit School session.
Second Sunday of each month
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FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS - Please bring shelf-stable, nutritious foods for the Kapa'au Little Free Pantry or donate funds for food to be purchased. Mahalo for your help with this ministry!
Third Sunday of each month
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KEIKI SUNDAY - All keiki (and their 'ohanas) are invited to join us for this once-a-month special service when Vicar Jennifer shares a Godly Play story and keiki can participate at the altar as we share our holy meal together.
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BISHOP'S COMMITTEE MEETING - All members are welcome to join the Bishop's Committee meeting, held in the Sunday School classroom at 10:30 am after fellowship hour. As always, we welcome your questions about our planning and budgeting processes!
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TOMORROW, January 12
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7:00 am & 9:00 am - Food Pantry Sunday - Gratefully accepting all donations for the Kapa'au Little Free Pantry.
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10:45 am - Bishop's Committee meeting - All are invited to sit in our Bishop's Committee meeting. This month: learn about our ministry priorities, the 2025 budget, and our plans for the upcoming Annual Meeting (to be held on January 26).
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5:30 pm - Woodwind Quintet (members of Kamuela Philharmonic) - offering a variety classical music for woodwind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, french horn, and bassoon).
January 15 at 6:30 pm - Craft Night - Make your 2025 Vision Board! Please see details below.
January 23 at 5:00 pm - Mahalo Night! - St. Augustine's is hosting this event for all our wonderful volunteers for everything you have done over the past year. A delicious salad bar with fancy toppings will be served, along with amazing desserts—all homemade with love by talented chefs Eileen Hartwings and Michelle Simpson. Please come celebrate with us as we give thanks for our abundance of volunteers! Our collective efforts make St. Augustine's a thriving place where we gather to worship God, share love, and serve our community. See invitation below and RSVP here.
January 26 at 11:00 am - Annual Meeting - All St. Augustine's members are encouraged to attend this important meeting. We'll review 2024, elect Bishop's Committee members and convention delegates, and give thanks for the many and varied gifts of our members and community volunteers. Lunch will be provided.
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REMINDER ABOUT PHISHING SCAMS
As we head into 2025, we remind everyone to remain alert about the relentless phishing attacks that may appear in your emails and text messages.
ALWAYS be wary of messages from unfamiliar email addresses and phone numbers. Don't assume the message is from the name showing on screen; ALWAYS check the actual email address or phone number.
The diocese continues to get reports of folks receiving "fake" messages from clergy (including the Bishop). Attackers are becoming more and more sophisticated, so it is important to remain vigilant, making sure your emails and texts are from a trusted source, and questioning the content of suspicious messages, especially if it's asking for money, services, or assistance. NEVER click on links in suspicious messages, and when in doubt, always double check with the "real sender" directly.
You can identify a scam in several ways:
- Check the sender's email address or phone number. In a scam, you'll see that the email or phone number is NOT mine (vicarjennifer@staugustineskohala.com and 808-365-4424).
- I will never email or text asking you to purchase a gift card or send cash.
- I will never ask you to reply in text or email only; I will never say I am too busy to take your call; always call me directly to verify any request.
- Scams use vague language and won't sound like me.
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LOOKING FOR SMALL WAYS TO HELP AT ST. AUGUSTINE'S?
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Contact Kathy Matsuda if you can donate used magazines for our Craft Night Vision Board event coming up January 15!
She is also looking for a volunteer to fill one more slot in 2025 (March 30) for cleaning the church. If you are already signed up for next year, please let Kathy know if you would be willing to add one more.
Mahalo to all who donate their time and energy to assist us with tasks big and small. Everything you do makes a difference!
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TINY CHURCH CONCERTS
If you know of musicians who would like to give a concert, please email vicarjennifer@staugustineskohala.com
Interested in funding our Tiny Church Concert Series? You can give on our web site here. Donations go toward upkeep of our piano and organ, music purchases, and support for local young musicians.
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If you have information to share, please let us know! This newsletter helps us stay in touch in a variety of ways, such as news, requests for prayers, offers of assistance, or information on garden bounty (fruits, veggies) you would like to share. Please email Vicar Jennifer or our church administrator Regina DoDaro at VicarJennifer@staugustineskohala.com or admin@staugustineskohala.com Submissions due by Thursday morning for Friday's newsletter. | |
ST. AUGUSTINE'S THRIFT SHOP
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PICTURED HERE - Patsy Ching and Jeanne Sunderland share hugs and smiles. | |
SHOPPING PLUS MUCH MORE!
Our Thrift Shop offers great deals on wonderful treasures, but people come for more than that.
Our shop is a place to see friends, catch up, enjoy a snack, and feel the warm kinship of others. Come gather, talk story, and connect with members of our community!
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Follow us on Facebook page for news about recent Thrift Shop finds and upcoming events! | |
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INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?
Join the fun and serve our community by volunteering at our Thrift Shop. There's always lots to do and great people to work with as we up-cycle clothing and household goods for North Kohala.
Contact admin@staugustineskohala.com
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NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF HAWAI'I
This special edition of the Hawaiian Church Chronicle (January 6, 2025) features an Epiphany message from Bishop Bob.
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This edition of the Hawaiian Church Chronicle (January 10, 2025) includes prayers for Southern California and news from around the diocese. | |
MESSAGES FROM OUR BISHOP
& PRESIDING BISHOP
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