HOLY EUCHARIST
August 31, 2025 at 7:00 am & 9:00 am
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
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Dear St. Augustine's 'ohana,
In this Sunday's gospel, Jesus tells a story about a wedding banquet. We’ve been invited, but instead of settling into the joy of the gathering, we find ourselves scanning the room: Where should we sit? Who will notice us? How close can we get to the place of honor?
It’s a story of longing for connection that gets twisted into competition. As he often does, Jesus asks us to see ourselves in the story. Would we behave in this way? Would we scheme or scramble for the best seat? Well, maybe we would. If not at a wedding, then perhaps we exhibit this behavior in other ways:
- Choosing convenience over the common good, like driving when we could carpool.
- Sticking to a decision or belief even when we have doubts because it would be painful to admit we’ve changed our mind.
- Committing to volunteer even though we’re too busy to do it because we want to look good and because we genuinely want to contribute.
Why do we do this? Because it’s hard to live in a society that worships success and prizes independence and self-preservation over the good of the whole.
But at our innermost level, I think many of us care deeply about others and intend to live accordingly. But we hold on to the belief that daily living leaves little time or energy for serving others, and relationships fall way down the list of priorities. Disconnected from one another, we fight to survive and thrive.
Meanwhile, God longs for us to live into our interconnectedness; God longs for us to foster life-giving unity.
When we disconnect from the Source, we disconnect from the flow of love. We live in isolation rather than in relationship. We try to fill the emptiness ourselves with competition, with possessions, with appearances, with intentions we are too exhausted to fulfill.
What if we were to lift our eyes and take in the world around us? What would happen if we were to use all our senses to notice where God is already flowing—through nature, through community, through the people sitting right beside us?
Paul's letter to the Hebrews offers guidance:
"Let mutual love continue…
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have,
for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
Every Sunday, just before we share our holy meal, we speak of the wisdom of this land and how it inspires the Hawaiian people to live. We remember how water flows from mauka to makai, how the ahupua'a way of living invites us to to see from every perspective: the sky, the mountain, the valley, the shore, the sea. Through eyes softened by loving unity, a different world comes into focus, one in which the flow of creation is a bounty available to all, shared by all.
The gospel reminds us that scrambling for the best seat leaves us small, thirsty, and alone. But living in God’s flow of mutual love, shared abundance, humility, hospitality, and unity connects us to the living water that never runs dry.
Blessings this day,
Vicar Jennifer
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DIOCESAN ELECTIONS
See the following links on The Episcopal Church of Hawai'i web site:
Nominations are due by September 10, 2025.
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September 7 - Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, 7:00 & 9:00 am
September 14 - Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, 7:00 & 9:00 am
September 28 - Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, 7:00 & 9:00 am
Find scripture readings for upcoming services and learn about the liturgical seasons in the Episcopal Church here.
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to view past services!
youtube.com/@staugustineskohala
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Sermons now available online.
During a recent Spirit School session, members asked whether sermons could be made available to read online. Beginning with the season of Pentecost 2025, sermons will be posted on our web site. Please feel free to share the links!
| | At our most recent Spirit School session, we practiced the "listening process" our PCi team has been using to reflect on sermons. Deacon Lani suggested we share the listening process with everyone at St. Augustine's — a great idea! Copies of the listening questions are now in our pews (and linked below). Our PCi group has found the questions engaging and helpful, and we hope they enrich your spiritual life, as well! | | |
Kim & Dave Lambrecht for cleaning the church & providing flowers last week.
Kim Lambrecht 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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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 be the love of God in our community.
WHY WE ARE HERE
We serve North Kohala 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 to foster a peaceful and 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.
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ST. AUGUSTINE'S PRAYER CHAIN
Please pray for healing, guidance, strength, peace of mind, and comfort for: Eupolodo Rivera; Vincent Crane; Jennifer Austin; Taylor Vandy; Clarity, Kasen, & Jude; all orphans & widows; Raeanne Tolentino; Alan Lundberg; Jennifer Evangelista; Cesar Cadabes; Brendan McDougall; Richard Russell; Stephen Hoffman; Catalina; Richard Elliot; Maile Napoleon Spencer; Hattie Perkielski; Carol Dicus; Sheila Fujii; Patrick Tanaka; Janis Peach; Rita Masada; Brandon Weber; Suzie Cook; Heidi & Baye Cheikh Kébé and their twin babies due in October; Caroline Doll; Leighton Purdy; Bruce Soll; Susan Acacio; Sabrina Lee; Jeannette Hensel; Erin Manuel; Guy Kaoo; Reni Aʻi aʻi Bello; Becky & Ludwig Simmet; Annecita Tamayo; Lynn Dicus.
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, and 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. 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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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! 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
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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. 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
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LAYING ON OF HANDS - Receive healing prayers for yourself or another at our 7:00 am & 9:00 am services. Mahalo to Rebecca Bartholomy for offering this important ministry!
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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
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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 10:45 am after fellowship hour. As always, we welcome your questions about our planning and budgeting processes!
Fourth Sunday
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PREACHING CONGREGATIONS INITIATIVE- This program teaches us how to listen to one another and how to speak with others about the love of God. Curious about what is being learned? Ask St. Augustine's lay cohort, Kathy Webb, Kirk Corey, Maurine Gomes, Laura La Gassa, Kim Lambrecht, and John Sakai during fellowship hour or when you see them out and about!
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| Many thanks to Kathy Matsuda (NKCRC & Kohala Resilience Hub) and Sandra Tran (Kapanaia Farms) for their hard work on our Food Preservation Workshop program! | | |
FOOD PRESERVATION PARTNERS
Our hui now has a name!
You've seen us working in Walker Hall, busy teaching canning techniques to members of our community. Our group now has a name!
The Kohala Ono Food Hui is a partnership with Kapanaia Farms, the North Kohala Community Resource Center & Kohala Resilience Hub, and St. Augustine's. We'll be at the next Night Market on September 3 selling some of our canned goods. All proceeds will go toward funding more food preservation workshops in 2025. We'll also be selling our ono food at the Annual Bazaar!
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SEWING WITH AUNTIE ANNIE
All are welcome to come learn to sew with Aunty Annie, who is a wonderful and patient teacher. Beginners and experienced sewers alike can attend. Fridays Adult sewing from 6:00 to 8:00 pm
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ANNUAL BAZAAR IS OCTOBER 4
Please mark your calendars: St. Augustine's Annual Bazaar is set for Saturday, October 4, 9:00 am-1:00 pm. As usual, we'll offer plants, crafts, and food along with our boutique and silent auction. Here are a few requests:
- Please start growing and transplanting plants.
- Please start your crafting.
- Please plan what you are going to cook or bake.
- Please start cleaning out your house, cleaning out your closet, but don't bring items to church until we ask for them.
- Keep your eyes out for people moving. They may have some great items for silent auction!
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NOTES FROM OUR BISHOP'S COMMITTEE
Our July meeting began with a prayer and an appreciative inquiry discussion (based on the sermon) on how the Holy Spirit's fire is present in our lives. Responses included: in our family or children; in the need for patience; in serving others.
Meeting highlights - discussions included the following:
- St. Augustine's responses to the Diocesan Bishop Search Committee questionnaire, based on congregation discussions
- Thrift Shop strategic planning
- Ho'imi Pono training scheduled as a weekly one-hour series starting in September
- Church finances & stewardship campaign planning
- Community partnerships and upcoming Annual Bazaar
- Placement of the perimeter fence
Please let us know if you have questions or feedback! Contact any member of the BC or sit in on our next meeting this Sunday, September 17 at 10:45 am in the Sunday School Room.
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ST. AUGUSTINE'S TEAMS IN ACTION
Our four core teams are hard at work! We're sharing updates each week as our progress unfolds. This week, we're highlighting our Family & Community Network team (co-chairs Kathy Matsuda & Lani Bowman, Melanie Sahagun, and Michelle Simpson). This hardworking team has accomplished the following so far in 2025:
- Led a successful MamaJam event for Mother's Day in May.
- Continuing to guide the operations of our Thrift Shop.
- Stocking the Little Free Panty every week.
- Offering Craft Night workshops, Food Preservation Workshops, Movie Night, and Tiny Church Concerts.
- Fostering partnerships with community organizations.
- Began tracking data on our outreach efforts for reports to the national Episcopal Church and for future grant applications.
Future projects include organizing the upcoming Annual Bazaar.
Mahalo to all members of our Bishop's Committee and all members of our core teams: Buildings & Grounds, Community Events & Partnerships, Finance & Stewardship, and Spiritual Growth. If you are interested in being on a core team or helping with a specific project, please reach out to Vicar Jennifer or any member of the BC.
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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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SHOPPING & 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. We are also open the first Saturday of the month.
| | Our Thrift 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 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. Please spread the word! Folks can contact admin@staugustineskohala.com
| | This issue's header photo was taken at the annual Clergy Conference held this week, August 25-27, 2025, in Hilo. Nearly three dozen clergy gathered together featuring guest speaker the Rev. Canon C. K. Robertson, Ph.D. Look for a follow-up article in an upcoming Chronicle. (Photo contributed by Canon Sandy Graham) | |
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." | | | | | |
