A Message from Kahu Akana

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BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL FOR THEY WILL RECEIVE MERCY

MATTHEW 5:7; JOHN 9:1-39

On Sunday, we read the story of Jesus healing the blind man in the Gospel of John. His disciples asked Jesus, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” They assumed, as many of us do at times, that someone is to blame for the painful and challenging things that happen to people, and we often blame ourselves. Most of us have said at least once in our lives, “What did I do to deserve this?”

Well, Jesus responded to the disciples, “He was born blind so that God’s work might be revealed in him.” The Greek word for “work” can also be translated “handiwork” or “workmanship.” The verse can be translated in this way:

“He was born blind so that God’s handiwork might be revealed in him.” 

I think the point is that the man was born so that God would do things in and through the man’s life. I also wonder if Jesus may have been alluding to the belief that the man himself was God’s handiwork. I think it is important for us to remind ourselves that we were born so that God would do things in and through our lives, and we too are God’s handiwork.

Even though God was already working in the man’s life—even while he was blind—Jesus showed mercy to the man by giving him his sight. I find it interesting that the passage started out with the disciples assuming sin was involved in the man’s predicament, and then, after the Pharisees questioned the man about his vision, they called Jesus a sinner and told the man that he was “born entirely in sin.”

We have a choice in how we see ourselves and others. On the one hand, we can see as Jesus saw people: that we are born so that God’s handiwork might be seen in and through our lives. On the other hand, we can see as the Pharisees saw the people with whom they disagreed politically and theologically: that we are born in sin, that people have challenging circumstances because of sin, and that people disagree with us because of sin. When we see through the eyes of Jesus and allow people to be who they are, we look for God’s handiwork in and through them, and show mercy to them.

Aloha nui!

Kahu Alan Akana

 

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Click HERE to see a video of Sunday’s sermon. Videos of Kahu’s sermons are available most weeks. Please share these videos with friends and invite them to church. You can also subscribe on YouTube anytime you watch a sermon; that way you can easily watch any past sermon and even receive a notification when a new sermon is posted.

“A Message from Kahu Alan Akana” is provided most weeks by the Kahu (Pastor) of Koloa Union Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.

Weekly News of the Church

MEMBERSHIP GATHERING  Interested in learning more about Koloa Union Church? This Sunday, April 2, in Moore Hall: Kahu Akana and the Deacons will meet with people who are interested in learning more about Koloa Union Church and what is involved in becoming a member of our congregation. The gathering will take place after Aloha Hour, approximately 12:30 to 3:00. There is a signup sheet posted on the bulletin board.  Childcare will be provided.
LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS  On Wednesday evenings through April 5, Koloa Union Church will host soup suppers in Moore Hall at 6 p.m. Kahu Akana will lead a discussion on the beatitudes, based upon the previous Sunday’s theme, scriptures and sermon. This week we will be focusing on “Blessed are the merciful.”
SUNDAY SCHOOL & YOUTH  The children are currently practicing during Sunday School for their Easter play (“You Can’t Have Easter Without….”) to be performed on Palm Sunday, April 9. Our annual decorating Easter eggs & pizza lunch will be Friday, April 14, 11 a.m.  Please sign up if you plan on attending. Easter egg hunt will be Easter Sunday, April 16, after church at the parsonage.  Please sign up if you plan to attend.  Our next youth retreat will be at Waineke in Kokee June 9 – 13, 2017; details to follow.
ALAN AKANA GALLERY  The watercolors of the beautiful flowers of Hawaii which are painted by our Kahu are on display at Alan Akana Gallery, located in the Smith Memorial Parsonage at 3281 Waikomo Road in Koloa. The gallery is open on Sundays through Thursday 1 p.m..-5 p.m. (closed Fridays and Saturdays). NOTE: these are new hours for the gallery. A majority of the net profits from the gallery goes directly to the ministry of Koloa Union Church! For more information about the gallery, click HERE.
AND COMING UP….
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
This special offering of the United Church of Christ supports disaster relief, refugee support, and development throughout the world. We will collect the OGHS offering on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday. Please use the special offering envelopes or write OGHS on your check. Mahalo nui for your generosity!
MAUNDY THURSDAY On Thursday, April 13, at 7 p.m., we will commemorate Jesus’ last supper with his disciples. We will read Scriptures, reflect upon their meaning and celebrate Holy Communion. Join us in the sanctuary for this special service.
EASTER EGG DECORATING & LUNCH On Friday, April 14, at 11 a.m., the children of the church will gather in Moore Hall for our annual Easter egg decorating and lunch. The eggs will be used in the Easter egg hunt at the parsonage on Easter. Please sign up on the bulletin board at church.
EASTER SUNDAY 
6:00 Easter Sunrise Service at Kukuiolono Park in Kalaheo
10:30 Easter Worship Service at the church (NOTE: there will be NO breakfast served this year.)
11:45 Potluck Picnic and Easter Egg Hunt at the Smith Memorial Parsonage. Please sign up to bring something to eat on the signup sheet on the bulletin board by April 9, and our Aloha Hour Committee for that day will plan accordingly.
PARKING ON EASTER For those who are able, you are requested to park on Poipu Road and Waikomo Road on Easter morning, as well as at the Ramos’ residence (3303 Waikomo Road; next door to the parsonage), as well as the side and back of Moore Hall. We want to save parking spots at the church and in the parsonage driveway for those who have difficulty walking.
PRAYERS & SQUARES Contact Angela Dressel if you would like to get involved in praying for people in crisis or helping to make quilt squares for those in crisis.
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“Weekly News of the Church” is provided by Koloa Union Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!

A Message from Kahu Akana

 

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On Sunday, I shared in my sermon the story of Maria. She was a young woman running a soup kitchen for children in her village in El Salvador. According to her government, she was helping people who should be helping themselves, so they labeled her a communist and placed her on its notorious “hit list.” When friends warned her that she would be shot in the very near future, she left her village in the dark of night. For weeks on end, she traveled at night and hid during the day as she traveled north. After nearly 3,000 miles, she arrived at the U.S. border and applied for legal entrance via the 1980 Refugee Act, which guarantees admission to refugees who have a “well-founded fear of persecution” because of their religious or political convictions. Like 97% of the people in her shoes, Maria was denied admission into the United States. She knew if she returned to El Salvador, she would be killed the minute she arrived, so she entered the U.S. as an illegal immigrant. Fortunately, there were churches here who helped her.

I also shared the story of Ahmed. He fled his country of Syria with his family because he knew they would likely all be shot if they remained. He led his eight family members out of Syria to Libya where they were told they could catch a boat to Malta. When they arrived in Libya, they were locked in a stable on a farm for weeks, while their guides waited for more refugees to arrive. Eventually, the guides told Ahmed that there were enough refugees to make it “worth their while,” but it would cost an extra $3,000 per person for rent and food for their “unexpected” stay. Even though that money was about all his family had left, they forked over their life savings and climbed aboard a boat that was hardly seaworthy. While drifting toward Malta, the refugees realized that their guides were following them. They soon opened fire on the refugees, killing most of them and causing their boat to sink. Miraculously, Ahmed lived through the ordeal and made it to Malta. All of his family members died at sea. Fortunately, there were people in Malta who helped him.

Today’s refugees are certainly among those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for justice, for making things right. Jesus said that they are blessed and that their hunger and thirst would be filled. He also said that when we feed the hungry, give water to those who are thirsty, and welcome the stranger, we are doing those things for Jesus himself. I can only wonder if Jesus was thinking of his early years as a refugee with Mary and Joseph when they fled the Middle East and traveled to North Africa as strangers.

There are millions of refugees in the world who hunger and thirst for righteousness—some 5 million from Syria alone. The numbers are so big, I often have a feeling like there is very little I can do to make a difference. I suggested that there are four things that we can do:

  1. We can learn about refugees and listen to their stories. The U.N. Refugee Agency website always has stories about the experiences of refugees and what they have been through before, during and after fleeing their countries. Seeing the world through their perspectives has helped me to want to do something to help.
  2. We can pray for refugees. Once we have a name and a face, it is easier to pray for someone’s wellbeing. It is also easier to pray about our own involvement in being part of the solution.
  3. We can talk about possibilities and options regarding engagement and action. On Wednesday nights during Lent our congregation meets to talk about the Scripture, theme and sermon of the previous Sunday. Please join us this week if you want to be part of the conversation about refugees.
  4. We can give generously to the United Church of Christ’s annual offering called One Great Hour of Sharing. Every year, UCC congregations give millions of dollars to help refugees, people displaced by natural disasters, the homeless and hungry. Please consider a generous gift this year on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and/or Easter Sunday.

Whatever it is you decide to do, remember the words of Jesus from Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 25: “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” May we show compassion to all, just as Jesus did.

Aloha nui!

Kahu Alan Akana

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Click HERE to see a video of Sunday’s sermon. Videos of Kahu’s sermons are available most weeks. Please share these videos with friends and invite them to church. You can also subscribe on YouTube anytime you watch a sermon; that way you can easily watch any past sermon and even receive a notification when a new sermon is posted.

News of the Week

LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS  On Wednesday evenings through April 5, Koloa Union Church will host soup suppers in Moore Hall at 6 p.m. Kahu Akana will lead a discussion on the beatitudes, based upon the previous Sunday’s theme, scriptures and sermon. This week we will be focusing on “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,” with attention on the world’s refugee crisis. Kahu volunteered to be in charge of the meal this week. Please contact Kahu or sign up on the bulletin board if you are able to bring soup, salad and/or bread on any Wednesday evening.
MOVIE NIGHT  This Saturday, March 25, 6 pm., we will begin with dinner, serving hot dogs and popcorn, and then show a fun family movie. The movie will be outside, so bring warm clothes and/or a blanket. We will move into the sanctuary if it rains.
SUNDAY SCHOOL & YOUTH  The children are currently practicing during Sunday School for their Easter play (“You Can’t Have Easter Without….”) to be performed on Palm Sunday, April 9. Our annual decorating Easter eggs & pizza lunch will be Friday, April 14, 11 a.m.  Please sign up if you plan on attending. Our next youth retreat will be at Waineke in Kokee June 9 – 13, 2017; details to follow.
ALAN AKANA GALLERY  The watercolors of the beautiful flowers of Hawaii which are painted by our Kahu are on display at Alan Akana Gallery, located in the Smith Memorial Parsonage at 3281 Waikomo Road in Koloa. The gallery is open on Sundays 1-5 p.m. and Mondays through Thursday 1 p.m..-5 p.m. (closed Fridays and Saturdays). A majority of the net profits from the gallery goes directly to the ministry of Koloa Union Church! For more information, click HERE.
AND COMING UP….
SUNDAY SCHOOL DAY IN HANALEI  Join the Sunday school children, youth and their families on Monday, March 27. Spend the day at the beach near the Hanalei Pier.  Tiffany and ohana will be there from 8 am.  Any questions, call Tiffany 651-1397.
MEN’S BREAKFAST  There is only one more Men’s Breakfast for this winter season, March 28, at 7:30 a.m. The men of the church gather at the Olympic Café in the Poipu Village Shopping Center. (The Café is right across from Keoki’s Paradise.)
MEMBERSHIP GATHERING  Interested in learning more about Koloa Union Church? Sunday, April 2, in Moore Hall: Kahu Akana and the Deacons will meet with people who are interested in learning more about Koloa Union Church and what is involved in becoming a member of our congregation. The gathering will take place after Aloha Hour, approximately 12:30 to 3:00. There is a signup sheet posted on the bulletin board.  Childcare will be provided.
PRAYERS & SQUARES  Contact Angela Dressel if you would like to get involved in praying for people in crisis or helping to make quilt squares for those in crisis.

News of the Week

LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS  On Wednesday evenings through April 5, Koloa Union Church will host soup suppers in Moore Hall at 6 p.m. Kahu Akana will lead a discussion on the beatitudes, based upon the previous Sunday’s theme, scriptures and sermon. Please contact Penny or sign up on the bulletin board if you are able to bring soup, salad and/or bread on any of these Wednesdays.
MEN’S BREAKFAST  The men of the church are invited to breakfast on Tuesday mornings at 7:30 during the winter months at the Olympic Café in the Poipu Village Shopping Center. (The Café is right across from Keoki’s.)
SUNDAY SCHOOL & YOUTH  The children are currently practicing during Sunday School for their Easter play (“You Can’t Have Easter Without….”) to be performed on Palm Sunday, April 9. Our annual decorating Easter eggs & pizza lunch will be Friday, April 14, 11 a.m.  Please sign up if you plan on attending.
ALAN AKANA GALLERY  The watercolors of the beautiful flowers of Hawaii which are painted by our Kahu are on display at Alan Akana Gallery, located in the Smith Memorial Parsonage at 3281 Waikomo Road in Koloa. The gallery is open on Sundays 1-5 p.m. and Mondays through Thursdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed Fridays and Saturdays). A majority of the net profits from the gallery goes directly to the ministry of Koloa Union Church! For more information, click HERE.
AND COMING UP….
MOVIE NIGHT  Saturday, March 25, 6 pm. We will be showing a fun family movie, serving hot dogs and popcorn. The movie will be outside, so bring warm clothes and or a blanket. If we have inclement weather, we will move indoors.
MEMBERSHIP GATHERING  Sunday, April 2, in Moore Hall: Kahu Akana and the Deacons will meet with people who are interested in learning more about Koloa Union Church and what is involved in becoming a member of our congregation. The gathering will take place after Aloha Hour, approximately 12:30 to 3:00. There is a signup sheet posted on the bulletin board.  Childcare will be provided.
PRAYERS & SQUARES Future meetings have been postponed until further notice.

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“Weekly News of the Church” is provided by Koloa Union Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!