by admin | Oct 23, 2019 | Message from Kahu
“God Loves a Cheerful Giver”
Sunday was another special day in the life of Koloa Union Church. In my message, I talked about how 2 Corinthians is a testament of generosity and joy among the early followers of Jesus. The Apostle Paul points out that the Christians in Macedonia and Corinth were both extraordinary in their generosity. When Paul wrote the letter, the Macedonian Christians had already given more than he thought they were capable of giving and the Corinthians had committed to giving an extraordinary gift themselves. Paul also wrote about the abundant joy they experienced. When he wrote, “God loves a cheerful giver,” it wasn’t to try to get them to give more, but to point out the reality of their experience. I feel very much like how I imagine Paul felt, for the people of Kōloa Union Church are already generous and joyful, already giving more than I knew we were capable of giving and already experience and sharing so much joy. My stewardship message this year: “Keep being who you are being and keep doing what you are doing. It’s working!”
During Aloha Hour, we had a fantastic meal and a beautiful and delicious chocolate cake with the words: “Generosity and Joy.” We then had a fun and meaningful kanikapila reception at the parsonage, filled with music, singing, dancing, refreshments, a slideshow and plenty of sales in the gallery.
Mahalo nui loa to a congregation that is filled with generous and joyful people!
Aloha nui!
Kahu
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“A Message from Kahu Alan Akana” is provided most weeks by Koloa Union Church, an Open & Affirming (ONA) congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
To see a video of one of Kahu Akana’s recent messages, click HERE. 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.
You are welcome to join us on Sunday mornings! To see our Sunday morning schedule, click HERE.
Kahu Akana is also an accomplished artist! He specializes in creating vibrant watercolors of the flowers of Hawaii and hosts a Sunday afternoon reception in a gallery at his home, the Smith Memorial Parsonage. He also meets visitors by appointment. Most of the profit from the sales go for the maintenance and upkeep of the parsonage. To see a video about his art and gallery, click HERE. To see the gallery website, click HERE.
To learn more about Kahu Akana (and the rest of the staff at Koloa Union Church), click HERE.
by admin | Oct 23, 2019 | News
RSVP FOR
FALL `AHA MOKUPUNI
THIS WEEK!
“Huaka`i Me Ke Aloha”
(Journey with Love)
A fantastic `Aha Mokupuni (the annual fall gathering of the United Church of Christ congregations on Kauai) is planned for Sunday, November 10, 3-7 p.m. at Lihue United Church, 4340 Nawiliwili Rd, Lihue (behind King Auto). This year’s theme is “Huaka`i Me Ke Aloha” (Journey with Love) and the entire event will be intergenerational. There will be music from all ages, conversations about the various journeys we have all been on in our churches, group singing led by Doug Duvauchelle, and a message by Kahu Akana!
The gathering will begin with activities; following a break, worship will begin at 4:45; after worship will be a delicious dinner provided by the people of Lihue United Church.
Please RSVP by October 27.
ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS . . . .
WAINEKE WORK DAYS The next work days at our Kaua`i Association Waineke Campground will be October 25 & 26. From 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, members and friends of Kaua`i United Church of Christ congregations gather at the Waineke Cabins for vacuuming, painting, washing, yard work, light construction, etc. Those who wish to spend the night (for free) can go up on Friday afternoon and participate in a potluck dinner with others. For more info call 335-3505.
CHOIR ENSEMBLE PRACTICE Fay Bartels will be directing volunteer singers on Sunday, October 27, at 10 a.m. Everyone is invited to join our church ensemble for practice and then will sing a song during the Sunday service.
COCONUT WIRELESS Click HERE to see the latest issue of the Coconut Wireless (the weekly e-news from the Hawai`i 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 Joel 2:23-32; Psalm 65 or Psalm 84:1-7; Jeremiah 14:7-22; 2 Timothy 4:6-18; Luke 18:9-14.
COMING UP . . . .
SALVATION ARMY LUNCH The next time our church is scheduled to serve lunch at the Salvation Army in Hanapepe is Wednesday, October 30. Volunteers who carpool usually meet at the church at 9:30 a.m. Please
contact the church office if you can assist.
________________________
“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!
by admin | Oct 16, 2019 | News
Kanikapila Sunday!
Alan Akana Gallery
Sunday, October 20, 2-5 P.M.
Share a Song!
Bring an Instrument!
Dance a Hula!
Or just come and enjoy the entertainment!
Enjoy Delicious Refreshments!
Reduced Prices on All Merchandise!
Friends Are Welcome!
Click HERE for more info about Alan Akana Gallery!
__________________________________________________
COCONUT WIRELESS Click HERE to see the latest issue of the Coconut Wireless (the weekly e-news from the Hawai`i 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 31:27-34; Psalm 119:97-104 or Psalm 121; Genesis 32:22-31; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5; Luke 18:1-8.
COMING UP . . . .
ALL CHURCH BREAKFAST Our next breakfast will be Tuesday, October 22, at 7:30 a.m. Join the church members and friends for a fun, relaxing breakfast at the Holoholo Grill located in the Koloa Landing complex on Poipu Road. Please let Michael Horning or Penny Osuga know if you would like to join us so that we can notify the restaurant ahead of time.
WAINEKE WORK DAYS The next work days at our Kauai Association Waineke Campground will be October 25 & 26. From 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, members and friends of Kauai United Church of Christ congregations gather at the Waineke Cabins for vacuuming, painting, washing, yard work, light construction, etc. Those who wish to spend the night (for free) can go up on Friday afternoon and participate in a potluck dinner with others. For more info call 335-3505.
SALVATION ARMY LUNCH The next time our church is scheduled to serve lunch at the Salvation Army in Hanapepe is Wednesday, October 30. Volunteers who carpool usually meet at the church at 9:30 a.m. Please check in with Suzanne Pearson if you can assist.
FALL `AHA MOKUPUNI Each year in the fall, the churches of the Kauai Association of the United Church of Christ gather for a time of learning, sharing, worship and a delicious meal. This year’s fall Aha Mokupuni will be on Sunday, November 10, 3-7 p.m. at Lihue United Church, 4340 Nawiliwili Rd, Lihue (behind King Auto). This year’s theme is “Huakai Me Ke Aloha” (Journey with Love) and the entire event will be intergenerational. Please RSVP by contacting Penny or signing up on the church bulletin board by October 27.
________________________
“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!
by admin | Oct 16, 2019 | Message from Kahu
“Stories of Generosity & Joy…
And Appreciation!”
I was surprised and overwhelmed on Sunday morning when Penny Osuga came to the front of church for one final “announcement.” She told the congregation that it was “Pastor Appreciation Sunday,” and then explained that dozens of members and friends submitted words of appreciation for me, including some of our “snow angels” from as far away as New Hampshire! Expressions of appreciation were read, lei were placed around my neck, then Rose danced a beautiful hula while Doug sang “You Are My Strength.” By the end of all the expressions of appreciation, my eyes were moist with tears of gratitude, not only for the appreciation that was shown to me but also for the opportunity to minister alongside and among such a loving, generous and joyful congregation. Thanks to each and every person who makes Kōloa Union Church what it is, for we are a special church where every person can come and know that she or he is loved unconditionally and offered opportunities to participate in and share that love with one another and the world around us.
My message was about the stories we tell which are so very important to our lives and our communities. I shared about the Mokihana Festival, which I attended just a couple of weeks ago, and how the songs, chants, dances and even the implements all told stories about these islands and the people who have lived here for hundreds of years. I also talked about how the kupuna, or elders, in Hawaiian culture passed down the important stories from one generation to another. I also shared a story from 2 Corinthians, chapter 8, where the Apostle Paul told a story to the Christians in Corinth about the Christians living in Macedonia. It was a deeply personal story about the Macedonians’ exceptional generosity in the midst of extreme pain and poverty. Paul wrote that they “gave themselves first to the Lord,” and they also gave generously to the spreading of the good news of Jesus through Paul’s mission. By giving themselves first to the Lord, they recognized that everything belongs to God in the first place; they are simply stewards of their lives and the things God puts them in charge of for a short while. It was this recognition that allowed them to be so generous and to give with such joy. I challenged each person to consider if they had given themselves “first to the Lord,” and to think of any part of their lives that they might be holding back from God; for the greatest joy I know about in this life comes from giving oneself completely to God.
Joni Ito then shared an inspirational testimony about how much Kōloa Union Church means to her, what it meant growing up in the church, how much people generously gave of themselves in the past, and how her children now are benefitting from being a part of our congregation.
This coming Sunday, we will all have an opportunity to generously express our gratitude to God as we commit ourselves financially to our church’s mission in the upcoming year. All of our members and regular attendees should have received a letter and commitment card in the mail by now. I ask that you prayerfully consider what a meaningful and joyful amount looks like for you in terms of your giving to next year’s general fund. In the following weeks, our Church Council will create a budget based upon all of our generous gifts.
__________________________________________
Click HERE to see Sunday’s message by Kahu Akana. 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.
by admin | Oct 9, 2019 | News
Alan Akana Gallery
Kanikapila Sunday!
Sunday, October 20, 2-5 P.M.
Share a Song!
Bring an Instrument!
Dance a Hula!
Or just come and enjoy the entertainment!
Enjoy Delicious Refreshments!
Reduced Prices on All Merchandise!
Friends Are Welcome!
Click HERE for more info about Alan Akana Gallery!
__________________________________________________
LECTIO DIVINA Lectio Divina is the practice of hearing a Scripture text read several times with a pause for silent reflection after each reading. A chance to share is offered at the end of the final reading. The next session of Lectio Divina will be at the Smith Memorial Parsonage, 3281 Waikomo Road, on Wednesday, October 9, 7-8 p.m.
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 29:1-7; Psalm 66:1-12 or Psalm 111; 2 Kings 5:1-16; 2 Timothy 2:8-15; Luke 17:11-19.
COMING UP . . . .
ALL CHURCH BREAKFAST Our next breakfast will be Tuesday, October 22, at 7:30 a.m. Join the church members and friends for a fun, relaxing breakfast at the Holoholo Grill located in the Koloa Landing complex on Poipu Road. Please let Michael Horning or Penny Osuga know if you would like to join us so that we can notify the restaurant ahead of time.
WAINEKE WORK DAYS The next work days at our Kauai Association Waineke Campground will be October 25 & 26. From 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, members and friends of Kauai United Church of Christ congregations gather at the Waineke Cabins for vacuuming, painting, washing, yard work, light construction, etc. Those who wish to spend the night (for free) can go up on Friday afternoon and participate in a potluck dinner with others. For more info call 335-3505.
SALVATION ARMY LUNCH The next time our church is scheduled to serve lunch at the Salvation Army in Hanapepe is Wednesday, October 30. Volunteers who carpool usually meet at the church at 9:30 a.m. Please check in with Suzanne Pearson if you can assist.
FALL `AHA MOKUPUNI Each year in the fall, the churches of the Kauai Association of the United Church of Christ gather for a time of learning, sharing, worship and a delicious meal. This year’s fall Aha Mokupuni will be on Sunday, November 10, 3-7 p.m. at Lihue United Church, 4340 Nawiliwili Rd, Lihue (behind King Auto). This year’s theme is “Huakai Me Ke Aloha” (Journey with Love) and the entire event will be intergenerational. Please RSVP by contacting Penny or signing up on the church bulletin board by October 27.
________________________
“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!
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