by admin | Nov 26, 2019 | News
First Sunday of Advent
“We Light the Candle of Hope”
December 1st
Advent Means “Coming”
Come!! . . . . . . . . Come!!
Yes it’s time! . . . . . . Yes it’s time!
To celebrate the . . . . coming of Jesus!
With colorful Advent . candles and wreath,
The Christmas tree and holiday decorations;
Time to reflect on light in times of darkness,
Hope in times of confusion and wonder,
Peace and joy, and love in every time!
On this FIRST Sunday of Advent
We light the candle of Hope,
We celebrate divine love
In Holy Communion.
We pray & sing.
We come!
♥
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CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED November 28 for Thanksgiving Day.
DEACONS MEETING Our deacons will meet this Sunday morning, December 1, at 9 a.m. in Kahu’s office.
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 Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44.
COMING UP . . . .
PRAYERS & SQUARES December 3, 1-3 p.m. Prayers & Squares will meet in Kahu’s office. All are welcome to make quilts as part of our ministry of prayer for those in crisis and those who might need some extra comfort and encouragement.
CHURCH CHRISTMAS PARTY Our annual Christmas party will be Friday, December 6, at 6 p.m. at the Smith Memorial Parsonage, located at 3281 Waikomo Road. Bring a favorite holiday dish for the potluck dinner and your singing voices for carols.
CHURCH WORK DAY Saturday, December 7, 8 – noon. It is time to spruce up the church buildings and grounds in preparation for the holidays and all our visitors. Bring your gloves, rags, buckets. Lunch will be served.
________________________
“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 | Nov 25, 2019 | Message from Kahu
“Expansive Gratitude”
On Sunday, I shared about two recollections from my childhood. When I was quite young, I remember someone saying to me: “Why can’t you just be grateful for what you have?” I felt extremely guilty for wanting more than I had. A few years later, I wore a bracelet with the words, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” This not only increased my guilt, but I began believing that God did not want me to have desires, that desires were a bad thing, and that any desires pointed to the fact that I was ungrateful.
I now believe that I can be profoundly grateful for God’s grace, the gift of life and all of the blessings I have, and at the same time want something more. This past week, I was walking along the Poipu Beach just before sunset and came across some turtles…and then some monk seals…and then saw my first whales of the season. I was overcome with gratitude to be walking in such a beautiful place and seeing such amazing creatures. However, my immediate reaction after feeling gratitude for seeing the whales was a desire to see them again, and so I stood there and looked until I did see them again—several times, in fact—and then I saw a whole other pod even further away by the horizon. I was filled with a sense of wonder and awe—and felt even more gratitude! There was absolutely nothing wrong with my desire to see more whales. I can hold both gratitude and desire at the same time. There is a kind of gratitude that allows for wanting more, such as: more wonder, more love, more joy, more peace, more justice.
In Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18, he points out the problem with the kind of gratitude that the Pharisee had. “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.” The way in which he held gratitude was demeaning, divisive and based upon the fact that the Pharisee thought he was morally superior and ontologically more valuable than others. It is a toxic kind of gratitude. On the other hand, the tax collector simply prayed, “God be merciful to me, a sinner.” He asked for God’s mercy. He knew God was a merciful God. His kind of prayer leads to what I call an expansive gratitude, whereby all people receive God’s love simply because God loves them and not because of any kind of superiority or greater inherent value over others.
May your Thanksgiving Day, your week, and your entire life be filled with an expansive gratitude, which connects you to God and all that God loves!
Aloha nui!
Kahu
__________________________________________
“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 Kahu Akana’s message, 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 | Nov 19, 2019 | News
Thanksgiving Sunday
Worship Service
Sunday, November 24, 10:30 a.m.
During our worship service on Thanksgiving Sunday, Kahu Akana will bring a message on “Expansive Gratitude.” There are various kinds of gratitude and different ways of being thankful. Expansive gratitude opens our hearts to others and all that is good in the world; it connects us to others, to God, and all that God has created. Let us worship God with expansive gratitude! And be sure to invite family members and friends!
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Thanksgiving Luncheon
Sunday, November 24
Aloha Hour after Church
Join us for our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon during Aloha Hour after the worship service. It is a potluck, so bring something if you are able. Guests and visitors are welcome to just come and enjoy our good food and conversation. Please check in with Penny at the church office if you haven’t already signed up to bring something to share as part of the feast. And be sure to invite family members and friends!
________________________________________
Alan Akana Gallery
Holiday Sale
Sunday, November 24
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Alan Akana Gallery features the watercolors of Hawaii`s flowers painted by our Kahu! The gallery will host a special holiday sale on Sunday afternoon where visitors can see Kahu’s work and have the opportunity to purchase art, books, greeting cards and other products created by Kahu, including the brand new 2020 Calendar! Everything will be on sale just on time for holiday shopping, and the Smith Memorial Parsonage—home to both Kahu and the gallery—will be “decked out” for the holidays! Come and enjoy the art and some holiday treats! The profits from sales support the care and maintenance of our treasured historic parsonage. Click HERE to see the invitation. And be sure to invite family members and friends!
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Additional Announcements
CHOIR REHEARSAL Rehearsals are every Thursday, 7-8 p.m. at the church. Bring your voices and your friends. Guests and new choir members are always welcome! You will enjoy being part of this melodious group under the direction of Kathleen Dahill.
COCONUT WIRELESS Be sure to click on “Kauai Association” on the first article to see photos of Kahu Akana and KUC members and friends! 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 23:1-6; Psalm 46; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 1:68-79; Luke 23:33-43.
COMING UP . . . .
ALL CHURCH BREAKFAST Tuesday, November 26, 7:30 a.m. Join church members and friends for a fun, relaxing breakfast at the Holoholo Grill located in the Koloa Landing complex. Let Michael Horning or Penny Osuga know if you would like to attend.
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED November 28 for Thanksgiving Day.
PRAYERS & SQUARES On December 3, from 1-3 p.m., Prayers & Squares will meet in Kahu’s office at the church. All are welcome to join us in this special ministry of making quilts and presenting them to people in crisis or who may need some extra comfort or reminders of God’s love. Each knot is tied along with a prayer for the person receiving the quilt.
CHURCH CHRISTMAS PARTY Our annual Christmas party will be Friday, December 6, at 6 p.m. at the Smith Memorial Parsonage, located at 3281 Waikomo Road. Bring a favorite holiday dish for the potluck dinner and your singing voices for carols.
CHURCH WORK DAY Saturday, December 7, 8 – noon. It is time to spruce up the church buildings and grounds in preparation for the holidays and all our visitors. Bring your gloves, rags, buckets. Lunch will be served.
________________________
“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 | Nov 19, 2019 | Message from Kahu
“Prophetic Imagination”
On Sunday, I shared with the congregation my love for Disneyland as a child—a love that remains as an adult! I still remember the feeling I had when I first visited the park around the time I was in kindergarten. I also remember the sights and sounds, as well as the tastes and smells. It is remarkable how all of the senses of an experience as a very young child can stay with me all these years later. Walt Disney was a genius when it comes to imagination. He began imagining Disneyland in the 1930’s, continued imagining through the 1940’s and 1950’s until the park opened in 1955. What impresses me the most is that he imagined a place to bring great joy and happiness to children and their families during very difficult times in our nation’s history: the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War and the early years of the Civil Rights Movement. These are times I would describe as fearful, dark, confusing and anxious. Disney did not let the overall mood of those years dictate his life or his vision. Furthermore, the impact his imagination had on the world has continued long after his death.
This is the case with so many creative and imaginative people of long ago. It is certainly the case of the writers of the book of Isaiah. Look at some of the things one of them imagined some 600 years before the birth of Christ (chapter 65):
- New heavens and a new earth
- Eternal gladness and rejoicing
- No more tears and no more crying
- No more death at childbirth, in infancy, in childhood, in young adulthood, or even in middle age
- No more homelessness, hunger, thirst, or unemployment
- No more war or violence
- God’s blessings for everyone
- Answered prayers for everyone
- Animals participating in a nonviolent, peaceful and life-giving future
This section of Isaiah was written during a fearful, dark, confusing, and anxious time for the people of Jerusalem and Judah. It was right around the time of the Babylonian captivity when foreign troops conquered Jerusalem and marched the leaders of the city and many of the Jewish people back to Babylon to work virtually as slaves. Yet, the prophet knew that his large and wild imagination would lead the people through those times and begin to unfold even during their lifetimes. The other prophets knew the same thing, as did Jesus. May we hold onto their vision and imagine it anew for our own time, regardless of how fearful, dark, confusing, and anxious, our own time might become. And, like them, may we do our part in realizing the vision with our own lives through our words, actions and prayers.
By the way, I just discovered this morning that yesterday was Mickey Mouse’s 91st birthday! (And I must say: he is looking fantastic for such an old mouse!)
Aloha nui!
Kahu
__________________________________________
“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 Kahu Akana’s message, 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 | Nov 16, 2019 | News
CHOIR REHEARSAL Rehearsals are every Thursday, 7-8 p.m. at the church. Bring your voices and your friends. You will enjoy being part of this melodious group under the direction of Kathleen Dahill.
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING The Church Council will meet this Sunday, November 17, at noon in Kahu’s office.
COCONUT WIRELESS Be sure to click on “Kauai Association” on the first article to see photos of Kahu Akana and Koloa Union Church members and friends! 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 65:17-25 or Isaiah 12; Malachi 4:1-3; Psalm 98; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19.
COMING UP . . . .
THANKSGIVING LUNCHEON Sunday, November 24. Join us for our annual delicious Thanksgiving lunch after Sunday service. Please see the sign-up sheet on the church bulletin board so you can bring your favorite dish to add to this feast.
HOLIDAY SALE AT ALAN AKANA GALLERY The gallery will host a special holiday sale on Sunday, November 24, from 2 to 5 p.m. Come and enjoy the holiday decorations and refreshments. Everything will be on sale! Brand new 2020 calendars will be available! Click HERE to learn more about the gallery.
ALL CHURCH BREAKFAST Tuesday, November 26, 7:30 a.m. Join church members and friends for a fun, relaxing breakfast at the Holoholo Grill located in the Koloa Landing complex. Let Michael Horning or Penny Osuga know if you would like to attend.
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED November 28 for Thanksgiving Day.
CHURCH CHRISTMAS PARTY Our annual Christmas party will be Friday, December 6, at 6 p.m. at the Smith Memorial Parsonage! Bring a favorite holiday dish for the potluck dinner. The parsonage is located at 3281 Waikomo Road in Koloa.
________________________
“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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