|
Join us for
HOLY EUCHARIST
October 27, 2024 7:00 & 9:00 am
Twenty-third 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.
| |
|
Dear St. Augustine's 'ohana,
For the past few weeks, we’ve been hearing the story of Job—a man who lived a good life. He stayed close to God, following God’s guidance.
In the story, Job is singled out to be tested because of his goodness. Surely even this man will fail in the face of such unfair suffering! Surely even Job will step away from God as he loses everything from his wealth to his health. This week, we hear the story's conclusion: Job remains close to God despite extreme and undeserved agony. How does Job do this, and what can we learn from his approach?
Last week, in conversation with our deacon, Lani Bowman, I learned about a fundamental value held by the ancient Hawaiians called hakalau. The word hakalau translates to “eyes wide open.” As I understand it (in my own words), this wisdom calls people to view the world with the peripheral vision of our eyes and our souls, allowing us to "see" the biggest picture humanly possible.
While taking care not to appropriate this wisdom, I do think it's possible for Christians to reflect on and learn much from the value of hakalau. God calls us to be in relationship with the Divine - God, Son, and Holy Spirit. Walking in Divine relationship expands our world view, enlarges our thinking, and increases our compassion. Seeing a bigger picture allows us to view life’s challenges through a lens of possibility. Seeing a bigger picture prompts us to prioritize our relationships with God, one another, and all creation.
Perhaps this is one way we can understand Job’s story: by widening his vision, Job is able to keep God in sight. With widened vision, Job sees beyond the suffering he endures, opening himself to the positive possibilities suffering might bring, including the ability to see with increased clarity the suffering of others.
Our gospel story this week offers further insight as the blind man Barthemeus seeks healing from Jesus. Through faith, Barthemeus “sees” Jesus. A bigger picture emerges, one in which miracles happen and a blind man gains vision.
In a world where suffering surrounds us, where suffering visits every person and every ‘ohana, where grave injustices steal people's lives, lands, and livelihoods, how can our faith expand our view, enlarge our thinking, and increase our compassion? How can our faith allow us to see the miracles that are already happening? Join us tomorrow as we explore these questions a bit more.
Blessings,
Vicar Jennifer
| | |
|
|
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
| |
|
Next week, 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!
| |
|
November 3 - Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
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
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 | |
|
Michelle Simpson for cleaning the church and providing flowers this week.
Laura La Gassa 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.
| | |
|
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. Thanksgiving for the life of Jessica Sprinkle.
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 - 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.
-
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 '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.
-
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!
|
|
|
UPCOMING TINY CHURCH CONCERTS
In case you would like to mark your calendars:
-
Saturday, November 30 - Crosswinds Trio (members of Kamuela Philharmonic) - holiday classics performed on trumpet, french horn, and piano.
-
Sunday, December 15 - Susan Pomeranze Richards, soprano - performing popular songs from the 1950s - 1990s.
-
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.
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!
-
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.
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.
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.
| |
|
CELEBRATING HOLY BAPTISM
We gathered in joy last Sunday to celebrate the baptism of Javayah Bliss Estelle Ariola! Surrounded by her 'ohana and affirmed by all of St. Augustine's, Javayah was welcomed into our church family and marked as Christ's own forever. May she grow in God's love!
| |
|
KEIKI SUNDAY
We also celebrated Keiki Sunday last week, which happens the third Sunday of every month. During sermon time, Vicar Jennifer told the Godly Play story "The Ten Best Ways," also called "The Ten Commandments." In this story, we hear of God's longing for us to be in close relationship and how Moses carried stone tablets down from Mt. Sinai to remind us to love God, love people, and that God love us.
| |
|
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!
| |
ST. AUGUSTINE'S THRIFT SHOP
| |
|
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!
| |
|
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!
| |
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
| |
|
- 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.
| | | | |
