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THIS SUNDAY
October 25, 2026
| | Sermon Series: Children of the Light | | |
Worship
"Sharing Our Very Selves"
Sermon by Rev. Rushan Sinnaduray
7 AM: Atherton Memorial Chapel
8:45 AM – Gift of Music
Piano Student of Dr. Wendy Yamashita
9 AM: Sanctuary*
View service live/later on YouTube
11 AM: Parish Hall
View the worship bulletin
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CHILDREN & YOUTH
Nursery
A staffed Nursery is available during the 9 and 11 AM worship services.
Children, from birth through 3 years old, may be left in the Nursery with our caregivers during the service.
Sunday School
We offer a Sunday School program for children, ages 3 through 5th grade, during the 9 and 11 AM worship service. Children participate in the first part of the service and will leave for Sunday School following the Time for Keiki.
Contact: cayanna-herrera@centralunionchurch.org
Youth Group
Our Youth Group is for young people in grades 6 through 12.
Youth will meet from 12-2 PM in the Youth Room.
Contact: melissa-thach@centralunionchurch.org
| | Our speaker at this Sunday’s Learning Tree will be Brady Giusta, area director of Young Life Hawai‘i. Dedicated to helping young people find purpose and meaning in Life, Brady and his tireless mission members work, surf and sing to spread the Word, binging new hope and affirmation to some of our islands' most vulnerable teens. Come, learn about Young Life’s “6PS”: Prayer, Play, Pay, Participate, Plan, and P.R. ... Join us in the CUC Women’s Building at 10 AM on October 25. All are welcome! | | | | |
Central Union Windward Ministry
Sunday Worship & Communion
10 AM: Sanctuary
Sermon by Rev. Irene Hassan
Celebrate Honolulu Pride Month through music at Central Union Windward this October! Join with your rainbow of colors for fun & uplifting music & community!
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Central Union Pohnpei Ministry
Sunday Worship
11 AM: Atherton Memorial Chapel
| | NEWS + ANNOUNCEMENTS + REMINDERS | | CUC Presence at the Pride Parade | | |
What a joyful and deeply meaningful weekend we just shared! A record number of Hawai‘i Conference UCC churches participated in one united contingent for this year's Honolulu Pride Parade on October 17, 2026. Over 50 individuals represented Central Union Church, Church of the Crossroads, Community Church of Honolulu, Giving Circle Church, Kaumakapili Church, Nu‘uanu Congregational Church, United Church of Christ Judd Street, and also The Lutheran Church of Honolulu.
Walking together in such strong numbers is profoundly important. For generations, the front of our historic Sanctuary has boldly proclaimed three guiding words: "Love Never Faileth." These words capture the core of who we are as followers of Christ. Participating in Pride is one of the many ways we bring those words to life beyond our church walls and in the world. We walk to explicitly express a place of radical welcome and belonging to all in our own congregation who identify as LGBTQAI+, and to boldly declare to the wider community that Central Union Church along with the other churches that participated with us stand for the welcome and inclusion of all.
We also recognize that some among us in our church and in the wider community struggle and wrestle with this acceptance. For those who consider this inclusion sinful or contrary to God's law, please know that God's limitless love includes and extends to you, too. Our welcome and affirmation of all God's children is simply our response to God's extravagant and unconditional love for each and every one of us.
Our faith calls us to this work. We follow the way of Jesus, who lived and loved all without exception, breaking down barriers to draw everyone into the circle of God's grace. As Jesus commanded in the Gospel of John, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." His life was the ultimate testament to a love that knows no bounds, no borders, and no conditions.
This profound truth was beautifully captured by the image of the "Rainbow Jesus" that we proudly displayed on our trolley during the parade. While there were some who struggled with this explicit depiction of an inclusive Jesus, many more responded with overwhelming gratitude. Observers and participants alike shared how deeply moved they were to see a representation confirming they are fully loved and accepted by God. It served as a vibrant, living reminder to the thousands cheering on the streets that God’s love is for all of God’s children, and that every single person is wonderfully created in the image of God.
To everyone who walked, rode, cheered, and prayed: thank you for being the hands, feet and voice of Christ.
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Meet Our New Staff Member
Please join us in welcoming our newest staff member, Bianca Swanson! As our Reservations Manager, she will oversee the booking of events on campus and the usage of our venues. She will also be assisting with reception at the Church Office, so her face is one you'll likely get to know if you come during the week! Contact: bianca-swanson@centralunionchurch.org / events@centralunionchurch.org
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Get to know Bianca!
Aloha! I’m Bianca Swanson, and I’m delighted to join Central Union Church as Reservations Manager. With a background in events and hospitality, I love bringing people together and making them feel welcome. I believe in doing things with love and care—listening closely, being thoughtful, and following through. I’m grateful to be here and look forward to getting to know you and serving this wonderful community!
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Boomers & Beyond
The next Boomers & Beyond gathering will be a Halloween Party with BINGO and prizes on Tuesday, October 27, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM in the Women's Building. Costumes are encouraged! Bring a sack lunch for yourself. Beverages provided. If you're a senior (or know one) who's interested in connecting with others and participating in leisure pastimes, join Boomers & Beyond! They meet weekly and the invitation is open to all.
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Calling All Youth!
We are looking into planning a youth mission trip for Summer 2027. Because of the youths' long history of Punahou parking fundraisers and a designated fund for this purpose, the trip will be nearly free! It will be open to any youth currently in grades 6-12 who meet a couple criteria (volunteering for the Punahou parking fundraiser Feb. 5-6, 2027, and at least monthly attendance on Sundays). Details are still being worked on, but our Youth Director is gauging interest and availability.
| | If you know a youth that would be interested in participating, please complete this form as soon as possible! | | First rehearsal is October 29! | | Check out the Haunted House at Windward! | | |
This Halloween season we will be putting on a Haunted House inspired by bizarre scenes from the Bible. It will be open to the community on Friday, October 30, 7-9 PM at the Central Union Windward campus. Plan to check out the spooky scenes and startle your spirit OR come be a part of it! Volunteers are needed. If you're interested in helping out, contact: irene-hassan@centralunionchurch.org.
The 5-7 minute experience is recommended for ages 10 and older. Admission: $5 CASH at the door. Free for kids under 10.
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The Way of Radical Transformation:
A Journey Through the Gospel According to Mark
Have you ever wondered what the earliest followers of Jesus actually heard when they first gathered to hear his story? Unlike the longer, more structured Gospels, the Gospel According to Mark is short, breathless, and urgent. It offers a raw, powerful look at what it truly means to follow in "The Way."
This October, you are warmly invited to join us for a three-week Bible study as we explore the Gospel of Mark. This study is designed for those who appreciate honest conversation, progressive perspectives, and a desire to connect their lifelong faith with the reality of their lives today. Rather than focusing on complex doctrine, we will focus on metanoia, which is the "180-degree turn" of life, and what it means to live as disciples in a world that is often fast-paced and mysterious.
Why join us?
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Deepen Your Faith: Engage with the earliest Gospel through a lens that honors both history and personal experience.
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Build Community: Share in meaningful, safe, and open-hearted dialogue with friends and neighbors.
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Refresh Your Perspective: Connect the ancient, urgent call of Jesus to your own journey of faith, service, and transition.
Dates/Times: Morning and evening options each week (attend one)
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Tuesday evenings (October 13, 20, 27) 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
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Thursday mornings (October 15, 22, 29) 10:30 AM – 12 PM
Location: Rewick Board Room in the Church Office building
Whether you have studied scripture for decades or are simply looking for a meaningful way to reconnect with the core of the Christian narrative, there is a place for you at this table. We look forward to embarking on this journey of rediscovery with you.
| | Support Central Union Church Preschool | | Central Union Preschool is partnering with Habilitat once again for their annual Christmas Tree fundraiser! Order your fresh tree, wreath, or door charm online at HawaiiChristmasTrees.com from now thru October 31. Select "Central Union Preschool" from the drop-down menu. Your purchase directly helps CUPS! Share the spirit of the season with family, friends, and co-workers. | | | | |
Say It with Flowers!
Got a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion coming up? Commemorate it with flowers at a Sunday worship service!
Our Flower Committee creates floral arrangements for our worship spaces each week. You can give flowers in honor of someone with a printed dedication in the worship bulletin.
Email:
flowers@centralunionchurch.org
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Share your Estimate of Giving!
Thanks to all those who have already submitted their Estimate of Giving cards! As part of our stewardship, sharing our Estimate of Giving greatly helps our church to plan for the year ahead and live within our means. We trust that where our hearts go, our lives, choices, and resources will follow. If you have not yet turned in an Estimate of Giving card, we hope you will spend some time in prayer and consider what you are able to give in the coming year to support the ministry of Central Union Church.
| | You may turn in your Estimate of Giving card to the offering plate at Sunday worship, to the Church Office, or complete it online. If you would like a hard copy, please contact the Church Office. | | |
Pray for those even in our own church who are struggling to understand and reflect God's radical inclusion and extravagant love.
Give thanks for the important, transformational connections that have occurred and will occur on our campus.
Pray for our new staff member as she settles in and learns about the church. May she feel welcomed and supported.
| | October is Pastor Appreciation Month! Let's take a moment to give thanks for our pastors—for Pastor Rushan and Pastor Irene—for their guidance, care, wisdom, creativity, and so much more. Show the pastors in your life a little extra appreciation this month! | | The Coconut Wireless is a weekly e-newsletter of what is happening in and around the Hawai‘i Conference United Church of Christ. Get word on the latest news, events, learning opportunities, and more. Connect, share news and resources with sister churches. | | |
Volunteer to read in the Sunday worship service!
Sundays at 7 AM / 9 AM / 11 AM
Worship is one of the heartbeats of our church – it is the work of the whole church community in praising God, hearing God's word to us and responding in faith. One way to help each other in our worship is by reading scripture and other parts of our service. It enhances our experience of worship when we can have different faces and voices leading worship. If you are willing to read in a worship service, please join our pool of readers! Learn more and sign up by clicking HERE.
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Volunteer with Community Ministry Next: November 10
Every month on the second Tuesday, our small but dedicated team of volunteers prepares a hot meal to be delivered to shelters in the community. They are in need of extra help! If you're available around 2:00 – 4:30 to help cook, or a bit later to deliver in Waikiki, your support would be greatly appreciated! If you're available for any of the Tuesdays and would like to volunteer, let us know how/when you can help. Sharing the responsibilities will allow volunteers to take breaks.
| | SMALL GROUPS & WEEKLY OPPORTUNITIES | | | | |
Online Zoom Fellowship
Are you interested in helping folks stay connected with the CUC ‘ohana? Are you unable to come to the church campus but want to connect? Join this casual time of virtual fellowship via Zoom on Sundays at 11 AM. Just drop in whenever! It's a great way to meet and keep in touch with people, especially those who may be homebound.
Click to join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 810 1050 2863
Passcode: cuc
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Learn to Play the ‘Ukulele!
Interested in learning how to play the ‘ukulele? Beginner players of all ages are welcome to come and learn from Wade Cambern who is freely sharing his love of music through teaching ‘ukulele. Bring your own ‘ukulele and join the musical fun on Sundays from 1-2 PM in the Women’s Building. Sessions have started back up on August 2!
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Join the Chancel Choir!
The Chancel Choir sings in the 9 AM Sunday service 2-3 times a month and rehearses weekly on Thursdays from 6:30-7:30 PM. Musicians of all levels are welcome to join! While we'd love for you to be weekly participants, we also welcome seasonal singers who would love to be part of our Advent or Easter season, Annual Messiah rehearsal, or just want to give singing in a choir a try. Reach out to our Director of Choirs (Sarah-Young@centralunionchurch.org) with any questions!
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Contemplative Prayer Meditation
Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 PM • Rewick Board Room (Honolulu campus)
Mindfulness Meditation with Marion
Mondays, 5 PM • JOIN ON ZOOM
Mindful Movement with Bamboo Sticks
Tuesdays, 2 PM • Women's Building (Honolulu Campus) OR JOIN ON ZOOM
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HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE?
We welcome relevant news and events to share in our publications. Please submit items to news@centralunionchurch.org by Wednesday to be published in the following days.
| | Are you on Instagram? Connect with us! | | Looking for a venue? Our church's range of facilities can accommodate all kinds of events! By renting out our spaces, we can provide a gathering place for the community and generate revenue for ministry. Learn more about our venues and consider hosting your next event at Central Union. (Members receive a discount!) | | Reminder while on campus: We are fortunate to have a large, open campus with lots of people passing through for different reasons. To protect your belongings, we recommend not leaving things unattended in public spaces, including our worship spaces. Please be vigilant and guard your personal items and valuables. | | |
Beware of Email Scams!
Scams come in many forms, whether it's someone impersonating church staff or even a member, or a stranger seeming to have a good deal for you on a special product or service. Please be cautious when checking emails! Know that church staff will never ask you to purchase something or give personal information by email. Often you can identify an email's authenticity by verifying the sender’s email address (CUC staff emails end with @centralunionchurch.org), but it's also possible for scammers to mimic email addresses. So if you receive any strange message at all and are ever in doubt, just delete it, don't reply or click on any links. You may call the church office (808-941-0957) to confirm.
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