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Join us for
HOLY EUCHARIST
Keiki Sunday
& Holy Baptism for Javayah Bliss Estelle Ariola
October 20, 2024 7:00 & 9:00 am
Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost
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,
Raising a family today can be challenging. Parents must compete with other "voices" that command attention and exert influence. That’s why we share our stories of faith - to help anchor ourselves and our children in God’s love.
When we welcome children for Keiki Sunday this weekend, we'll hear a Godly Play story called The Ten Best Ways. It is a story about the Ten Commandments, written by Jerome Berryman, the author of the Godly Play curriculum. This story helps us remember to live the Way of Love as God asks.
The Ten Best Ways. I appreciate the story’s title, but not because it sugarcoats the message of the Ten Commandments. I don’t believe that was Berryman’s intention. Rather, I believe the title calls attention to the human tendency to rebel. Sometimes we chafe when “commanded.” Sometimes we purposely choose to oppose commandments, supposing we know a better way. Sometimes we learn lessons the hard way.
I also appreciate Berryman’s story title because he uses the word “best.” We humans like to compete, as exemplified in this Sunday’s gospel story. James and John want to be “the best” disciples, asking Jesus to promise they will sit in places of honor beside him in heaven. They want to be assured of their status, and their request demonstrates their competitive drive.
Jesus’ response to James and John reminds us that it's not a competition! He says remember your own mission, attend to your own inner work. Be the best self you can be, the self God longs for you to become, the self God knows you have the potential to become. Our highest calling is to serve others, and we do that best by doing the inner work: emptying ourselves of distractions that pull us away from God, emptying ourselves of hate, dishonesty, greed, loveless lust, violence, mistrust, envy, and other behaviors that separate us from God and one another.
In doing this holy work, we find our place and purpose – not compared with that of others, but within our own calling to share God’s love.
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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On 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 on November 3, 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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October 27 - Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
November 3 - Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
November 10 - Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
November 17 - Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost
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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Analisa Marcom for cleaning the church and providing flowers this week.
JD Morgan 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; 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 3 to 10.
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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!
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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THIS SUNDAY! October 20 - Keiki Sunday - All are welcome to join us in the sanctuary at 7:00 am or 9:00 am for our monthly service specially designed for families (offered the third Sunday of each month). Keiki are always welcome to join us for our services, but on Keiki Sunday, we celebrate their presence with a Godly Play story during sermon time.
This Sunday, we'll hear the story called "The Ten Best Ways" (Ten Commandments). Afterward, we invite them to the altar during Holy Communion, which helps them know they are an important part of our congregation and allows them to see up close everything that happens as we prepare and share our holy meal.
Sunday, October 27 - 4:30 pm - Tiny Church Concert featuring Wendy Hindley (flute), Jennifer Masada (flute), Kirk Corey (piano). Join us for music by Gariboldi, Handel, Telemann, and J.S. Bach. All are welcome!
Please mark your calendars: Future Tiny Church Concerts
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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.
Saturday, December 7 - (time TBA) - Reconciliation Training -
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PICTURED ABOVE - TOP LEFT- Laura La Gassa and Reconciliation Team members Mary Carpenter and Bea Fitzpatrick speak with Bishop Diana during a panel discussion on the team's work to develop a reconciliation curriculum for our diocese. TOP RIGHT - Maurine, Bishop Diana, Eileen, and Vicar Jennifer. MIDDLE LEFT - Vicar Jennifer at St. Andrew Cathedral. MIDDLE - Bishop Diana, Bishop Bob, and Lani. MIDDLE RIGHT - Maurine and Jennifer singing in the choir. BOTTOM LEFT - members of the choir, Rev. Dcn. Alberta Buller (Holy Apostles in Hilo), Lani, and Bishop Diana. BOTTOM RIGHT - Rev. Libby Berman (rector, Holy Nativity in Honolulu) and those serving at Holy Eucharist. Photo credits: Michael Jackson. | |
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DIOCESAN CONVENTION 56 - October 11-12, 2024
Lay delegates and clergy from across the islands gathered for the 56th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i last weekend. Convention offers the opportunity to connect with the faithful from our sister churches and serves as a reminder that we are One Body in Christ, called to partnered discipleship.
On Friday, we gathered for Education Day about a discipleship in which we collaborate to serve.
- We began with Morning Prayer, led by lay women from around the diocese with readings selected in honor of the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women in the Episcopal Church.
- The plenary session featured faculty from the Virginia Theological Seminary who engaged us on the topic of "Preaching Congregations." We learned how each of us (lay and clergy) are called as disciples to be preachers, lending our personal gifts in creative ways to share God's messages of love.
- Bishop Diana led panel discussions with teams working on youth formation, reconciliation, prison ministry, creation care, and diaconal ministry.
- Attendees were invited to select from the following:
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Watch The Philadelphia Eleven, a documentary film about the eleven women who were ordained in the 1970s.
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Attend choir rehearsal.
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Make lei.
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Create genki balls, which renew polluted waterways with beneficial microbes.
- Education Day concluded with Holy Eucharist in the Cathedral of St. Andrew. Bishop Diana gave the sermon, which included reflections on the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women in the Episcopal Church.
On Saturday, we convened for the Annual Meeting of our diocese to elect members of key committees, consider and vote on resolutions, and vote on the budget for the upcoming year.
St. Augustine's was well represented throughout the weekend!
- Our lay delegates, Eileen Hartwings and Laura La Gassa, studied beforehand to prepare for voting and attended Education Day. Laura, as a member of the Diocesan Reconciliation Committee, was invited to participate in a panel discussion with Bishop Diana Akiyama (who served as Convention Chaplain).
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Maurine Gomes attended Education Day, sang in the Cathedral Choir during Holy Eucharist, and participated in an all-day training in preparation for the Preaching Congregations Initiative (PCi - see article below).
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Lani Bowman attended Education Day, particiipated as clergy in voting and connecting with deacons from around our diocese.
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Jeanne Cooper, our deacon-in-training, attended Education Day and served as Chair of Elections, helping delegates with electronic voting and certifying results with the Election Committee.
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Vicar Jennifer attended an all-day PCi clergy training on Thursday, attended Education Day, sang in the choir, and served as Dispatch of Business for the Annual Meeting.
Be sure to ask all who attended from St. Augustine's about their experiences at Convention and what they learned about the life of the church across our islands!
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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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NEWLY ORGANIZED BACK ROOM!
Our fabulous Wednesday sorting crew worked hard this week to tidy the back room, making it easy and pleasant to shop. Doesn't it look amazing? Please thank our volunteers and be sure to come by next Wednesday to check out new arrivals!
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NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF HAWAI'I
The latest issue of the Hawaiian Church Chronicle (October 10, 2024) features information about Convention 56, disaster relief, diocesan Creation Care news, a Q&A with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, 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 or Kathy Webb: VicarJennifer@staugustineskohala.com or admin@staugustineskohala.com Submissions due by Thursday morning for Friday's newsletter. | |
KNOW OF AN UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENT that would be of interest to our members? Please let Vicar Jennifer know by sending information to vicarjennifer@staugustineskohala.com | |
MESSAGES FROM OUR BISHOP
& PRESIDING BISHOP
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