|
Join us for
HOLY EUCHARIST
February 16, 2025 at 7:00 am & 9:00 am
Sixth 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.
| |
|
Dear St. Augustine's 'ohana,
In this season of Epiphany we pray: God of Divine revealing, may we open our eyes, ears, minds, and hearts to you. Amen.
Dear St. Augustine's 'ohana,
Luke's version of the Beatitudes from Jesus' Sermon on the Plain turns our world upside down. Without sugarcoating his message, Jesus calls our attention to fundamental human experiences that draw us away from our relationship with God.
Although many of us are fortunate to have plenty to eat and more than sufficient funds, some of us have been hungry or poor. Some of us may be fortunate to have never been left out, but many of us have experienced the pain of exclusion. At some point in life, all of us have felt unhappiness.
Blessed are the poor, hungry, sad, and excluded, says Jesus. Woed are the rich, full, happy, and included, he states. In these proclamations, Jesus points to the systems of oppression that would have us believe our lot in life is measured by the perceptions of others: our wealth and our social status.
Jesus upends the status quo. His words pierce through to the heart of what ails us: if we worship temporary things (money and rank), our focus moves away from relationship with God and away from relationship with each other.
What if everyone could admit that each of us is both blessed and woed in some way or another? What if we could stop competing with each other and start helping each other? What if we could see that every state of being (poor/rich, hungry/full, sad/happy, excluded/included) could be temporary in a world where we attend to community as Jesus taught?
Let us pray.
Jesus—friend of those oppressed by systems of harm—guide us on the path of your radical and wonderful solidarity. Connect us to the well of strength within ourselves to do what needs to be done today, honoring rest as part of “the work.” Build strong bonds between us, that we may depend on one another for safety and support. Invite us towards personal and communal healing, so our care for each other may be deeply-rooted and long-lasting. Amen.
Adapted from a prayer by Rev. Molly Bolton @2025 enfleshed
Blessings,
Vicar Jennifer
| |
CLICK HERE OR ON THE PHOTO ABOVE TO WATCH Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe's sermon on the presentation of Christ at the temple. "Jesus reverses everything that the readers of the Gospel of Luke have known. From now on, the cross comes before resurrection. Dying comes before the rising. The last will be first. This tiny child presented in the temple causes the falling and the rising of many... ...In God’s kingdom, immigrants and refugees, transgender people, the poor and the marginalized are not at the edges fearful and alone. They are at the center of the Gospel story. Those who have been considered at the margins are at the center. They are the bearers of the salvation of the world. Their struggles reveal to us the kingdom of God. His sermon begins at 54 min. | |
MAHALO FOR ALL THAT YOU GIVE! | |
|
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 partnerships to assist Kohala Cares and the Kohala Food Hub.
- 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!
Visit the link below to access our secure giving site.
| |
|
February 23 - Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany at 7:00 & 9:00 am
March 2 - Last Sunday after the Epiphany at 7:00 & 9:00 am
March 9 - First Sunday of Lent at 7:00 & 9:00 am
Find scripture readings for upcoming Sundays and learn about the liturgical seasons in the Episcopal Church here.
| | |
|
|
Join our YouTube Channel
to view past services!
youtube.com/@staugustineskohala
| |
|
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO | |
|
Maurine Gomes for cleaning the church & providing flowers this week and last week.
Maurine Gomes 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.
| | |
|
ST. AUGUSTINE'S PRAYER CHAIN
Please pray for healing, guidance, strength, peace of mind, and comfort for: Mayra Ruano; Joan Eddy; Koko Purdy; Victims of the California fires; Jan Leonard; Michael Leonard Jr.; Tom Leonard; Alan Reeder; Craig Spencer; Ashlynn Taylor; Leighton Purdy; Caroline; Justin Fyala; Linda Leonard Pell; Neal Holter; 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; Filomena Badua and MJ Sulliban; Guy Kaoo; Reni Aʻi aʻi Bello; Becky & Ludwig Simmet; Annecita Tamayo; Lynn Dicus. Gratitude for the life of Arcadio Badua.
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!
| |
|
WEEKLY
-
SUNDAY SCHOOL - Update on Godly Play - We're re-envisioning our Godly Play offerings. Our plan is to host Godly Play sessions on Wednesdays during Thrift Shop hours, inviting keiki in our community to hear a story, share a snack, and engage in "Godly Play" by exploring the stories through crafts and singing. We'll share more about this soon, so please stay tuned!
-
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.
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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.
-
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!
|
|
|
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. (See poster below for concert program.) Join us at the after-party for a light dinner and social time!
Watch past Tiny Church Concerts on Facebook or YouTube. Enjoy!
| |
|
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.
| |
PICTURED ABOVE: Keiki to kūpuna came to join in on Valentine's Day Craft Night fun! | |
|
ANOTHER CRAFT NIGHT SUCCESS
On February 12, some of us gathered for another fun craft night led by local artist Irina Price, who taught us how to make beautiful handmade pop-up Valentine's Day cards to give. Mahalo Irina and Kathy Matsuda who organized this lovely event for our community!
|
| |
|
|
PREACHING CONGREGATIONS INITIATIVE
Launching this month!
St. Augustine's lay cohort of the Preaching Congregations Initiative will begin meeting this month. Kathy Webb, who is serving as the group's facilitator, met with others from our diocese for training last Saturday. In addition to Kathy, six of our members will participate in this year-long program: Kirk Corey, Eileen Hartwings, Maurine Gomes, Laura La Gassa, Kim Lambrecht, and John Sakai.
In this season of change in our country and the world, this program couldn't come at a better time. The initiative is designed to help us learn to listen to one another and respond to what we are hearing in ways that help us better understand the speaker's message. The program also teaches participants how sermons are written and, if they choose, how to write and give a sermon.
As members of the Body of Christ, we are all called to share Christ's loving presence in and among us. This program teaches us how to speak with others about the love of God, to fulfill our mission to BE the love of God and to FEEL the love of God.
| | |
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. | |
|
NEW! CREATION CARE RESOURCES
from Creation Justice Ministries
Each month, the Creation Justice Ministries organization shares a timely set of actions Christian communities can take to advance environmental policy. Every year, Creation Justice Ministries also releases resources that aid in educating and equipping our partner denominations, congregations, and individuals of faith in engaging in environmental advocacy.
Read February's Action newsletter from Creation Justice Ministries.
In their newsletter, Creation Justice Ministries staff share instructive stories from scripture that help us reflect on how humans use, misuse, and transform power. They also give links to webinars, podcasts, and booklets, such as their Green Lectionary podcast series—a conversation on Christian Solidarity and Indigenous Environmental Justice—and upcoming events, such as a webinar on how to reduce plastics to be held on February 12, 2025.
The Episcopal Church partners with Creation Justice Ministries to protect God's creation and people. For more information about our local efforts, please contact Deacon Lani Bowman.
| |
ST. AUGUSTINE'S THRIFT SHOP
| |
PICTURED ABOVE - Our lovely Deacon Lani Bowman and some of our beautiful sorting angels who volunteer every week to sort through donations for the shop. Mahalo ladies! | |
|
SHOPPING PLUS MUCH MORE!
Every Wednesday from 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm, 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!
| |
Follow us on Facebook page for news about recent Thrift Shop finds and upcoming events! | |
|
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
| |
|
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.
| |
This edition of the Hawaiian Church Chronicle (January 23, 2025) includes our bishop's message about Bishop Budde's homily at the National Cathedral, news from St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Maili, Bishop Bob's reflection on what it means to be a deacon, prayers for Southern California, and news from around the diocese. | |
|
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!
| |
MESSAGES FROM OUR BISHOP
& PRESIDING BISHOP
| | |
|
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." | | | | | |
