In our parish, we pray for Kelly, Hanohano, Chris, Lola, Sylvia, Deedie, and for all who have contracted the Corona virus, those who are caregivers, and those who are seeking to develop a vaccine or measures of relief. We pray for those in Hawaii facing unemployment or under-employment.
We also pray for victims of violence around the world.
If you wish to add a name to the prayer list, please be in touch with Puna Coldwell in the parish office at hncparish@gmail.com
We are posting a day by day meditation from Forward Movement. This is a great way to start your day with prayer. Please consider clicking on the website above.
For many of us, this Advent will be difficult, as our world continues to recover from so many ills, including an illness that lays waste, “O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.”
But God calls us to hope, reminding us how little we expect great things to come from small things, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel.” We look for the coming of Jesus, “And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. . . . And he shall be their peace.”
What then are we to do? Jesus bids us, “watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” And so we pray as our Lord directs us.
O God whose Son is our peace, give us peace, that we may watch for the coming of your salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Frank Condello II
Student in formation for ordination
JOIN US FOR CHRISTMAS SERVICES at HNC:
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24 at 5PM
(in person and on Zoom)
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25 at 9AM
(in person only)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27 at 9AM
(in person only)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 3 at 9AM
(in person & on Zoom)
COMING IN EPIPHANY 2021:
A BOOK STUDY OF ACTS AND COMPLINE
During the season of Epiphany, beginning Sunday, Jan 10, Frank Condello, our student in formation for ordination, will offer a Bible Study on the Book of Acts after the 9am service. Frank also will offer an evening service of Compline on "Zoom" on Wednesday evenings at 7pm, beginning Jan 13. Join us!
WITH GRATITUDE FOR THOSE WHO CAN COMPLETE THEIR 2020 PLEDGE COMMITMENT BY YEAR END
We hope you and your family continue to be safe during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our Church of the Holy Nativity has come through 2020 with our mission supported by generous giving and help from federal and state grants. Nevertheless, we have a large deficit which we need to close in order for us to continue our vital ministries. If you have not fulfilled your pledge for 2020 and are able to do so, we invite your continued support of our parish’s mission.
--Jean Steele, Treasurer
OUT WITH THE CONTAINER; IN WITH THE FENCE!
You probably are aware of the container in front of the Thrift Store. It was a gift and has been used for storing donations. However, a car accident moved the container off its foundation and caused an injury to a volunteer. Therefore, we have determined to remove it. It has been sold to Lily Napoleon on Molokai. She will use the container on her farm as an office and for storage of farming materials. Lily farms papayas, native Hawaiian medicine Uhaloa, okra, bitter melon and, eventually, pikake, and she raises pigs.
The Church of the Holy Nativity will use the net proceeds of the sale to build a fence--in about the same location occupied by the container--to protect volunteers and customers from any further danger. Our Junior Warden, Joe Kindrich, worked out this Win-Win transaction which will also benefit Lily Napoleon’s farm on Molokai. It’s a great day when we can improve the safety on our campus while meeting the needs of an enterprising farmer on a neighbor island. Thanks, Joe, for honchoing this through!
POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS
Please consider contributing to the Holy Nativity Flower Fund to decorate our nave for Christmas. For $10.00, you can purchase a potted poinsettia. You may make a dedication to be noted with your name in the church bulletin. After Christmas you can take the poinsettia home to plant.
The Outreach Committee welcomes you to sign up to be part of a "foyer group" (French for "hearthside") in the new year. Alison Kittle will coordinate groups of a few households, each; groups can begin to meet whenever it is safe. Each household will "host" once during the year, either by making reservations at a local restaurant (where each person will pay for his/her own meal) or by inviting folks into their home and organizing a potluck meal. For the sign-up form, go to the Holy Nativity website (www.holynativityhawaii.org) or pick up a form from the Holy Nativity Church Office or the bulletin board outside the church.
Questions? Contact Alison at:
alison_kittle@yahoo.com. Let's enjoy!
****************
MAHALO TO THE HNC CHAPTER OF "DAUGHTERS OF THE KING" FOR BEAUTIFUL ADVENT ALTAR FLOWERS
