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Join us for
HOLY EUCHARIST
January 19, 2025 at 7:00 am & 9:00 am
Second 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 we step further into 2025, this season of Epiphany calls us to grow in our awareness of Christ's presence made manifest here on earth through our thoughts, words, and actions. Last week, we talked about how important it is to be present. Through our baptisms, we connect with the Divine, inviting the Holy Spirit to move and breathe through us. Come Holy Spirit, come.
This week, our story from the Gospel of John (Jesus' first miracle at a wedding in the village of Cana) reminds us to show up with our gifts. Our "gifts" may not be as splashy as Jesus' ability to turn water into wine, but people among us manage to pull off "miracles" all the time! Giving of their time and talent, we see food transformed to feed more than we thought possible. Our campus is cleaned and renewed by people who care about the 'āina and our beautiful historic buildings. Our Thrift Shop volunteers sort piles of donations into neatly displayed goods that help shoppers on a budget meet their families' needs. These are but a few of the gifts we witness at St. Augustine's.
Most of all, we give the gift of love. No gift is greater! Later in the Gospel of John, Jesus says, "A new commandment I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
The marginalized among us are more vulnerable than ever. Living as Jesus taught us, our love and radical welcome can permeate our community in this time of need. We have committed to living into our faith by being "a place to BE the love of God and to FEEL the love of God." To take action on that mission, we welcome all.
In 2025, let's actively welcome people by letting our community know St. Augustine's is a sanctuary church — an inclusive and safe gathering place for all. Let's affirm our LGBTQ+ community. Let's advocate for the kānaka maoli, who still suffer the unjust wounds of colonialism. Let's continue to serve the North Kohala community both inside and outside the church walls, building and strengthening partnerships to address injustice, loneliness, food insecurity, lack of health care, environmental sustainability, and economic challenges.
This year will bring opportunities to love our neighbors as ourselves with events and activities that enrich “family” life — ‘ohana by birth and 'ohana by friendship. Working with teams inside and outside the church, let's celebrate the intersection of various age groups, cultures, and life experiences represented in our community.
Let's be present with the Holy Spirit and bring our gifts of love. As we come to God's table to share and be nourished by a holy meal, we learn to welcome, include, and love all people.
Blessings,
Vicar Jennifer
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ABOUT INCLUSIVITY IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
from the Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs
Our Episcopal Church logo affirms all people, including the LGBTQ+ movement, communities of color, the transgender community, and the many thousands harmed by anti-LGBTQ+ policy—from those who lost their lives in the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and ‘90s, to those still disproportionately impacted today.
For half a century, Episcopalians have been working toward a greater understanding and radical inclusion of all God’s children. Resolutions from General Convention in 1976 recognized LGBTQ+ people as children of God with an equal claim to the pastoral care of the church and equal protection under the law. In 1994, General Convention amended the church’s canons to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, providing equal access to the rites and worship of the church, including ordination. In 2015, General Convention voted to amend the canons that regulate marriage, permitting any couple the rite of holy matrimony.
In June 2023, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry issued a video message of encouragement to “all of my LGBTQ+ family members,” noting, “I believe deep in my soul that God is always seeking to create a world and a society where all are loved, where justice is done, and where the God-given equality of us all is honored in our relationships, in our social arrangements, and in law.”
In April 2024, the church announced the hire of its first gender justice staff officer, a new position called for by the 80th General Convention and dedicated to justice, advocacy, and inclusion work focused on women and LGBTQ+ people.
“In the United States, the bodily autonomy of women and trans people is under attack, and fully 50% of LGBTQ+ Americans live in poverty,” said Aaron Scott, gender justice staff officer. About the Episcopal Church's Pride shield, Scott remarked, “It not only represents the LGBTQ+ community more fully, but also lifts those who, out of sheer necessity of survival and dignity, have fought the hardest and sacrificed the most for the thriving of all of us.”
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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 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
February 9 - Fifth 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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Ricardo and Gregoria Sahagun for cleaning the church & providing flowers this week and last week.
Melanie Sahagun 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: 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; Justin Fyala; Linda Leonard Pell; Rita Masada; Patty Ankrum; Bruce Soll; all who are affected by wars around the world; 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.
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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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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PICTURED ABOVE - Craft Night was a success! Kathy Matsuda walked us through the process of making a vision board while we jammed to music (Mahalo, Eileen!) and got creative with images and words to help us live into our hopes and dreams for 2025. | |
PICTURED ABOVE - Woodwind quintet members (from the left) Barbara Kaufman (flute), Peter Bosted (oboe), John Lundgren (bassoon), Jessica Dahlke (french horn), and Robbie Brown (clarinet). | |
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TINY CHURCH CONCERT
The Woodwind Quintet from the Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra performed last Sunday night at St. Augustine's, treating us to wonderful performances of music for flute, oboe, clarinet, french horn, and bassoon. They performed Mele O Hawai'i - Beautiful Kahana, Quintet by Franz Joseph Haydn, Wind Quintet by Hedwige Chrétien, La cheminée du roi René, Op. 205 by Darius Milhaud, and Mele O Hawai'i - Aloha Oe.
In case you missed it, you can watch their performance on Facebook or YouTube. Enjoy!
NEXT TINY CHURCH CONCERT
February 23, 2025 at 5:30 pm - Trios for two flutes and piano by Telemann, J.S. Bach, and W.F. Bach performed by Wendy Hindley, Jennifer Masada, and Kirk Corey.
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SUPPORT OUR MUSIC COMMUNITY
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. 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 ABOVE - You never know what you'll find at our Thrift Shop, although there are always smiling faces and plenty of good cheer! Our Deacon-in-training Jeanne Cooper and shop volunteer Ginger Gohier share goofy glasses and genuine grins. | |
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SHOPPING PLUS MUCH MORE!
Every Wednesday from 12pm - 6pm, 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. | |
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ZOOM LEARNING SESSIONS
Offered through the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
The two posters below provide details about Zoom sessions from the Peace Sustainability and Advocacy program at UH Mānoa. Click here to learn more about these events or to register to attend. Mahalo to Deacon Lani for sharing news about these opportunities!
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MESSAGES FROM OUR BISHOP
& PRESIDING BISHOP
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At St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, all are welcome. ALL means ALL, without exception. This is how we live into our mission to "BE the love of God and to FEEL the love of God." | | | | | |
