Weekly News of the Church

THIS SUNDAY!!!

Be Prepared for the Kauai Marathon

Sunday, September 1, 2019

The Race Begins at 6 a.m.

 

Parts of Koloa & Omao Roads may still be closed when you are heading to church.

 

Maluhia Road (Tree Tunnel) will be open way before church.

 

There will be no problem getting to church from Old Koloa Town.

Plan to leave a bit early in order to make it to church on time.

Click HERE to see the Kauai Marathon Website.

__________________________________

 

SUMMER BOOK GROUP  Our summer book group will gather for its FINAL time on Wednesday, August 28, at the Smith Memorial Parsonage (3281 Waikomo Road) at 6 o’clock for dinner (A Taco Toss!) and then for a discussion which will begin between 6:45 & 7:00. Those who are able are asked to read Chapter 10 for this week’s gathering. Please call Kahu if you plan to attend dinner and haven’t informed him already.

COCONUT WIRELESS  Click HERE to see the latest issue of the Coconut Wireless (the weekly e-news from the Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ).

LECTIONARY READINGS (Old & New Testament Readings for the Week)  Each week, Christians throughout the world read biblical passages from the Revised Common Lectionary, including the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels. After three years, a good portion of the Bible is included and the cycle begins again. RCL passages are often read in church worship services, and Kahu Akana usually includes at least one of them on the following Sunday. This week’s readings are Jeremiah 2:4-13; Psalm 81:1-16 and 112; Proverbs 25:6-7; Hebrew 13:1-16; Luke 14:1-14.

CHURCH YOUTH RETREAT Church children and youth, friends and parents, along with Kahu and Tiffany, are headed up to Koke`e at the end of the week for a retreat, August 30-September 2. This year’s theme is “Wilderness.”

DEACONS MEETING  The Deacons will meet this Sunday, September 1, 9:00 a.m. in Kahu’s office.

COMING UP. . . .

OFFICE CLOSED  The church office will be closed on Monday September 2 for Labor Day.

CHURCH ON THE BEACH  Sunday, September 8! Join us for outdoor worship at the pavilion across from Nukumoi Surf Shop at Poipu Beach. Worship will be at 11:00 a.m. followed by a potluck lunch, bingo, games for everyone. Bring something for the potluck lunch, lawn chairs, sunscreen, bathing suits and a friend. There will be no worship service at church on this day.

ANIMAL BALANCE  Animal Balance provides humane population management for cats and dogs on the islands. They will be on Kauai September 8-14. Koloa Union Church will be providing them with an overnight holding site in the back area by the picnic tables. There will be more night activity as the team will be busy from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. The cats will be neutered the following day at Koloa Missionary Church.

CHOIR REHEARSAL BEGINS  September 12, 7-8 p.m. in the sanctuary. Rehearsals are every Thursday. Bring your voices and your friends. You will enjoy being part of this melodious group under the direction of Kathleen Dahill.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CELEBRATION  We will celebrate the completion of all our capital campaign projects on Sunday, September 15, and hear a message by our brand new Conference Minister, the Rev. Dr. David Kentner Popham!

MEMBERSHIP GATHERING  On Sunday, September 22, Kahu Akana and our Deacons will host a special gathering in Moore Hall right after Aloha Hour for anyone who would like to learn more about Koloa Union Church. Participants will learn about our congregation’s history, the polity and teachings of the United Church of Christ, what it means to be “Open and Affirming,” the privileges and responsibilities of church membership, and more. Please sign up on the church bulletin board or call the church office to reserve a space at our membership gathering.

FOOD PANTRY  Koloa Union Church is partnering with St. Raphael Church to provide food to local families each month. We will be collecting and donating non-perishable foods to the St. Raphael Food Pantry and school snacks for Koloa Elememtary School kids. Please drop your donations off at church on Sundays or at Penny’s office Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – noon. Call office 742-6622 before delivery. Call Amber Strong if you have any questions, need to arrange pick-up or would like to volunteer at 907-227-9045 or amberkn@yahoo.com.

__________________________________________________

“Weekly News of the Church” is provided by Koloa Union Church, an Open and Affirming (ONA) Congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.  Please contact the church office if you would like to have our weekly news sent directly to your inbox. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!

A Message from Kahu Alan Akana

“Sacred Mountains”

On Sunday, I shared with the congregation about my experience on the top of Mauna Kea with my son Palani. The photograph above is one I took near the top while facing east (away from the sunset, if that helps you get grounded). I was taken aback by the shadow of the great mountain, which extended even into the sky beyond the horizon. I had no idea that such a shadow was even possible: it was just so big, and definitely the biggest shadow of any mountain I had ever seen. Soon, Palani and I were at the summit and we watched the sun set into the clouds below us. It was a spectacular sunset! Then the stars came out and soon lit up the sky. At one point, I said to Palani, “It’s just too bad there are so many clouds up here. I wish I could see more stars.” He responded in his gentle and kind way, “Dad, that’s the Milky Way you are looking at.” I was looking at so many stars—I thought they were clouds! I had no idea what the sky looked like at 14,000 feet above sea level. And I was in awe, and grateful beyond words.

For thousands of years, people have gone to the mountaintops to experience awe and gratitude, to experience God, to experience “More.” In out Old Testament reading from Isaiah, chapter 58, the prophet tells his hearers what it takes to “ride upon the heights of the earth” (the mountaintops!). It is not about religious observances alone. It takes loosening the bonds of injustice, freeing the oppressed people in our land, and feeding the hungry. In other words, we must not just show up to worship God while people are suffering. We must also change systemic injustice and help people right now who are hungry and in pain.

Do these things, and your reward will be a ride among the mountaintops! Perhaps it is not so much a reward as a result: when you do these things, here is what naturally happens. When you do something to change unjust systems in the future, and when you help suffering people right now, and when you pause to consider awe, gratitude and God—the result is that you will bask in God’s presence, because that’s just what happens.

May we each ride upon the mountaintops each day this week, and may we ride there together. The view is spectacular!

Aloha nui!

Kahu

__________________________________________

Click HERE to see a video of the message from Sunday morning. You may see the Koloa Union Church YouTube channel to see many of his past messages and subscribe in order be notified when a new message is posted. Please share these videos with friends and invite them to church. Please feel free to “Like” any of the videos you see and share them on social media, such as Facebook, so that others will notice them.

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

A Message from Kahu Alan Akana

Kahu’s Sabbatical

On Sunday in church, Kahu shared with the congregation about his sabbatical in Europe and his recent book he wrote during his sabbatical called Beauty, Art & Spirituality. Kahu then shared more about it and showed a slideshow of his 3 months in Europe at an afternoon reception.

__________________________________________

Click HERE to see a video of the message from Sunday morning. You may see the Koloa Union Church YouTube channel to see many of his past messages and subscribe in order be notified when a new message is posted. Please share these videos with friends and invite them to church. Please feel free to “Like” any of the videos you see and share them on social media, such as Facebook, so that others will notice them.

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

Weekly News of the Church

COCONUT WIRELESS  Click HERE to see the latest issue of the Coconut Wireless (the weekly e-news from the Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ).

LECTIONARY READINGS (Old & New Testament Readings for the Week)  Each week, Christians throughout the world read biblical passages from the Revised Common Lectionary, including the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels. After three years, a good portion of the Bible is included and the cycle begins again. RCL passages are often read in church worship services, and Kahu Akana usually includes at least one of them on the following Sunday. This week’s readings are Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 71:1-6 or 103:1-8; Isaiah 58:9-14; Hebrew 12:18-29; Luke 13:10-17.

ALL CHURCH BREAKFAST  Tuesday, August 27, 7:30 a.m. Holoholo Grill in the Koloa Landing complex. Join us for a fun time with church members and friends as we enjoy a delicious breakfast.

COMING UP. . . .

OFFICE CLOSED  The church office will be closed on Monday September 2 for Labor Day.

CHURCH ON THE BEACH  Sunday, September 8. Join us for outdoor worship at the pavilion across from Nukumoi Surf Shop at Poipu Beach. Worship will be at 11:00 a.m. followed by a potluck lunch, bingo, games for everyone. Bring something for the potluck lunch, lawn chairs, sunscreen, bathing suits and a friend. There will be no worship service at church on this day.

CHOIR REHEARSAL BEGINS  September 12, 7-8 p.m. in the sanctuary. Rehearsals are every Thursday. Bring your voices and your friends. You will enjoy being part of this melodious group under the direction of Kathleen Dahill.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CELEBRATION  We will celebrate the completion of all our capital campaign projects on Sunday, September 15 and hear a message by our brand new Conference Minister, the Rev. Dr. David Kentner Popham!

MEMBERSHIP GATHERING  On Sunday, September 22, Kahu Akana and our Deacons will host a special gathering in Moore Hall right after Aloha Hour for anyone who would like to learn more about Kōloa Union Church. Participants will learn about our congregation’s history, the polity and teachings of the United Church of Christ, what it means to be “Open and Affirming,” the privileges and responsibilities of church membership, and more. Please sign up on the church bulletin board or call the church office to reserve a space at our membership gathering.

__________________________________________________

“Weekly News of the Church” is provided by Koloa Union Church, an Open and Affirming (ONA) Congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.  Please contact the church office if you would like to have our weekly news sent directly to your inbox. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!

Weekly News of the Church

MEMBERSHIP GATHERING

On Sunday, September 22, Kahu Akana and our Deacons will host a special gathering in Moore Hall right after Aloha Hour for anyone who would like to learn more about Koloa Union Church. Participants will learn about our congregation’s history, the polity and teachings of the United Church of Christ, what it means to be “Open and Affirming,” the privileges and responsibilities of church membership, and more. Please sign up on the church bulletin board or call the church office to reserve a space at our membership gathering.

_____________________________

 

SUMMER BOOK GROUP

Our fun and lively summer book group meets on Wednesday evenings at the Smith Memorial Parsonage (3281 Waikomo Road) at 6 o’clock for dinner and then for a discussion which will begin between 6:45 & 7:00. If you are able, please read Chapters 5 & 6 for this week’s gathering. Please sign up at church for which evenings you plan to attend.

_____________________________

MORE NEWS

KAUCC YOUTH TO GATHER IN KOLOA  On Sunday afternoon, August 11, the youth of the Kauai Association of the United Church of Christ will gather for a potluck picnic, as well as games, prayer and planning activities for the 2019-2020 school year and even part of the summer of 2020! (The UCC National Youth Event is coming up next July!) The gathering on Sunday is for students in 6th through 12th grades, their families (parents, guardians, grandparents, siblings), pastors, and youth leaders. Please contact the church office for more details.

ALAN AKANA GALLERY NEWS  The gallery, located at 3281 Waikomo Road in Koloa, is now open on Sunday afternoons from 2 to 5 p.m. and by appointment. Those wishing to visit on other days are invited to call or email the gallery to make an appointment. There will be an “End of Summer Sale” where items will be sold at greatly reduced prices on Sunday, August 18, 2 to 5 p.m. Kahu also plans to show the slideshow from his sabbatical again during the sale.

COCONUT WIRELESS  Click HERE to see the latest issue of the Coconut Wireless (the weekly e-news from the Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ).

LECTIONARY READINGS (Old & New Testament Readings for the Week)  Each week, Christians throughout the world read biblical passages from the Revised Common Lectionary, including the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels. After three years, a good portion of the Bible is included and the cycle begins again. RCL passages are often read in church worship services, and Kahu Akana usually includes at least one of them on the following Sunday. This week’s readings are Isaiah 1:1-20; Psalm 50:1-23 or 33:12-22; Genesis 15:1-6; Hebrews 11:1-16; Luke 12:32-40.

ALL CHURCH BREAKFAST  Join us on Tuesday, August 27, 7:30 a.m. at Holoholo Grill in the Koloa Landing complex. Enjoy a fun time with church members and friends, as well as a delicious breakfast!

CHURCH YOUTH RETREAT  Church youth, friends and parents, along with Kahu and Tiffany, are headed up to Kokee at the end of the month for a retreat August 30-September 2. This year’s theme is “Wilderness.” For more details, contact the church office or Tiffany Marrotte at 651-1397.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CELEBRATION  We will celebrate the completion of all our capital campaign projects on Sunday, September 15 and hear a message by our brand new Conference Minister, the Rev. Dr. David Kentner Popham!

____________________________________________________

“Weekly News of the Church” is provided by Koloa Union Church, an Open and Affirming (ONA) Congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.  Please contact the church office if you would like to have our weekly news sent directly to your inbox. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!