Join us for
HOLY EUCHARIST
November 3, 2024 7:00 & 9:00 am
Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
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Dear St. Augustine's 'ohana,
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. — from the Book of Common Prayer
In this prayer for All Saints Day, we acknowledge that God brings us into one body with these words: “...you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship…” It's important to remember that God does not exclude; ALL are God’s elect. As such, we are called to love and we are called to loving service.
The saints knew this. Reflecting on their lives and wisdom helps us seek, find, and act on our personal call to serve others.
Remembering the loving examples of our ancestors and loved ones, we follow God’s light, shared with us through Christ and the Holy Spirit. As we observe unrest in the world, remember that light reveals shadows. Through self-awareness of the darker corners of our own lives, we invite God’s love, which transmutes the impatience, anger, and hatred that hide in the shadows of our minds.
Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, we connect with the Divine in shared kuleana to tend to our personal spiritual growth so that we can care for one another and the ‘āina. May our celebration of the gifts of the saints – those who have gone before and those present with us still – renew our commitment to live as Jesus taught. May we shine with Christ’s gift of light as members of God’s communion of saints — past, present, and yet to come.
Blessings,
Vicar Jennifer
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Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved
children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
- Ephesians 5:1-2, NRSV
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This Sunday, November 3 (All Saints Sunday), we will celebrate the many and varied gifts that flow through this church community! In anticipation, please take a moment to complete your Time & Talents sheet and pledge card for 2025. If you would like paper copies to fill out, those are available in the church and in Walker Hall.
When we gather, we will honor the gifts of those who have gone before and celebrate the gifts among us today. All pledges of time, talent, and treasure will be placed in the calabash and blessed at the altar during Holy Communion.
Mahalo for your gifts to the church that make it possible for us to grow in Spirit together, care for one another and those in our community, and share God's bountiful love with all!
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November 10 - Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
November 17 - Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost
November 24 - Twenty-seventh Sunday after Pentecost &
Feast of the Holy Sovereigns
December 1 - First Sunday of Advent
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 | |
Eileen Hartwings for cleaning the church and providing flowers this week.
Virginia Fortner for serving as lay reader last week.
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; Janet Sutter; Ivan Loomis; Montana; Caroline Doll; Karen Miller; Ricky Lee; Axl Maguir; Janelle, Katherine and Ashton; Nan & Cole Cornelius; Sharon Sakai; Amina, Siezza, Marika & Kaliah; June Potochnik; Pat Todd; Stacey Mastrian; Megan Jacoby; Neil Apana; Mark, Ashton, Hunter & baby Millet; Derek Higa; Katie Buehner; Susan Acacio; Jeannette Hensel; Sabrina Lee; Erin Manuel; the people of Maui and the Church of the Holy Innocents; Arcadio & Filomena Badua; Guy Kaoo; Becky & Ludwig Simmet; Reni Aʻi aʻi Bello; Annecita Tamayo; and 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 'ohana) 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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UPCOMING TINY CHURCH CONCERTS
In case you would like to mark your calendars:
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Saturday, November 30 - Crosswinds Trio (members of Kamuela Philharmonic) - holiday classics performed on trumpet, french horn, and piano.
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Sunday, December 15 - Susan Pomeranze Richards, soprano - performing popular songs from the 1950s - 1990s.
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Sunday, January 12 - Woodwind Quintet (members of Kamuela Philharmonic) - offering a variety classical music for woodwind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, french horn, and bassoon).
Sunday, November 3 - 7:00 am & 9:00 am - Ingathering of Gifts on All Saints Sunday - We honor our ancestors and the saints who have gone before us, giving thanks for their loving examples of service to the church and community. We’ll also celebrate our abundance of time, talents, and treasure with an ingathering of pledge cards and time & talents forms. Please bring to the service and place them in the calabash for a blessing of gifts at the altar. If you have already turned in your forms, mahalo! We will put them in the calabash for you. Forms are available online, in the church, and in Walker Hall.
Saturday, November 23 at 4:00 pm - Community blessing of the Kahili with potluck reception afterward - The ceremony will include ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i pule and oli, along with mele offered by Hula Hālau O Kukui Aloha O Kohala under the direction of Kumu Hula Leia Lawrence.
Sunday, December 1 at 11:00 am - Keiki Giving Spree at the Thrift Shop - This annual event invites all Kohala keiki to come to the Thrift Shop to find gifts for members of their 'ohana. It is a wonderful way for children to learn about the true Christmas spirit of love and generosity! Helpers assist them in the shop while their parents relax and enjoy pupus on the lanai. All gifts are wrapped and labeled. St. Augustine's members interested in volunteering: please see Kathy Matsuda.
Thursday, December 5 at 5:30 pm - St. Nicholas Celebration for Keiki - All keiki and their 'ohanas are invited to learn about and celebrate St. Nicholas.
Saturday, December 7 at 9:00 am - 11:00 am - Poinsettia plant pick-up day - Once again this year, St. Augustine's is selling poinsettia plants for the Advent and Christmas seasons. Please see Cindy about selling tickets or volunteering the day of plant pick-up. Plants will be delivered to Walker Hall on December 6, plants will be picked up the next day.
Sunday, December 8 at 5:00 pm, Sacred Heart Catholic Church - Ecumenical Christmas Celebration - Come join our sister churches for an evening of Christmas cheer! Please bring a dish to share. If you are interested in participating in St. Augustine's entertainment presentation, please see Kathy Matsuda or Vicar Jennifer.
Saturday, December 14 (time TBA) - Reconciliation Training - All St. Augustine's members are invited and encouraged to attend a session on racial reconciliation. The curriculum comes from our diocese's Racial Reconciliation Task Group, which has been working for several years to develop this course for our church members. Racial reconciliation lies at the heart of what we believe as Episcopalians, centered on our baptismal vows. Please join us for this enriching learning opportunity!
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What is racial reconciliation? From our diocesan web site: "Reconciliation is the spiritual practice of seeking loving, liberating and life-giving relationship with God and one another, and striving to heal and transform injustice and brokenness in ourselves, our communities, institutions and society. We seek to help the people of our Diocese to live more fully into our two Great Commands to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, our souls, and our minds - and secondly to love our neighbors as ourselves. In the Hawaiian tradition of ho’oponopono, we believe in truth-telling about our history; creating space for all voices in our circle; and seeking to make amends as we live into right relationship with all living beings."
- Diocesan Racial Reconciliation Committee Members: The Rev. Andrew Arakawa, Joseph Eppink, Mary Carpenter, Bea Fitzpatrick, Mary Sueoka, The Rev. Dcn. Bob Steele, Laura La Gassa, Konstantinos Karampakakis.
Tuesday, December 24 at 6:00 pm - Christmas Eve Candlelight service with Holy Eucharist. Wednesday, December 25 at 9:00 am - Christmas Day service with Holy Eucharist.
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WELCOME REGINA DODARO - OUR NEW ADMINISTRATOR!
We are so pleased to welcome Regina DoDaro to our staff as Administrative Coordinator for St. Augustine's!
Regina has returned to Kohala from the mainland where she has been working as the executive director (ED) for the Naperville Area Humane Society (near Chicago). Working via remote, she'll continue as ED for that organization while working with us at St. Augustine's. Regina is also a vet tech and works with Dr. Horvath in Waimea at Horvath Veterinary Clinic.
Regina knows the island well, having lived here for years prior to her recent return. She formerly served as the director of Hawai'i Island Humane Society and for the Hawai'i Police Department.
She is grateful to be back home and serving the community of North Kohala! When you see her on campus and around town, please stop to introduce yourself and give her your warmest welcome to St. Augustine's!
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THE PREACHING CONGREGATIONS INITIATIVE (PCi)
St. Augustine's is invited to participate and pilot this program
Vicar Jennifer and Maurine Gomes attended training on O'ahu last week as we begin St. Augustine's participation in the Preaching Congregations Initiative (PCi)–a year-long program to learn about preaching, engaged listening, and giving sermon feedback, with an option for lay participants to become a licensed lay preacher.
Our St. Augustine's cohort will be: Kirk Corey, Maurine Gomes, Eileen Hartwings, Laura La Gassa, Kim Lambrecht, John Sakai, Kathy Webb, and Vicar Jennifer.
The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i is the first diocese to pilot this training, which will be taught by faculty from the Virginia Theological Seminary. Bishop Bob invited St. Augustine's as one of five congregations to participate in this initiative, which is made possible by a grant from the Lily Foundation. PCi will serve as a model for a future training program in our diocese. Stay tuned for more information as our program of study unfolds!
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ST. AUGUSTINE'S THRIFT SHOP
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PICTURED ABOVE - from left, Kathy Matsuda, Gregoria Sahagun, Melanie Sahagun, Catalina Morales, and John Sakai stuffed bags with Halloween treats in preparation for some sweet sharing during Thrift Shop hours on Wednesday. | |
HALLOWEEN AT THE THRIFT SHOP
This past Wednesday, our Thrift Shop volunteers packed some delicious Halloween treats for children (and adults!) who came to shop! Treat bag were assembled by St. Augustine's members on Sunday. Thanks to Aunty Patsy for her sweet initiative and to Jeanne Cooper for purchasing the treats!
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THRIFT SHOP OPEN TOMORROW
Be sure to visit our thrift shop tomorrow, open from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. We have lots of new treasures to browse!
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NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF HAWAI'I
The latest issue of the Hawaiian Church Chronicle (October 24, 2024) features information about Convention 56 (note Bishop Diana Akiyama in the convention photo above!), news from around our diocese, information on Creation Care, and more!
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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: VicarJennifer@staugustineskohala.com or admin@staugustineskohala.com Submissions due by Thursday morning for Friday's newsletter. | |
MESSAGES FROM OUR BISHOP
& PRESIDING BISHOP
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- Attend the investiture of our new Presiding Bishop-elect, Sean Rowe. The service will be livestreamed on Zoom November 2, 2024 at 5:00 am HST. For more information, visit the event page here.
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