On Sunday, Kahu Akana will share with us about the remarkable experience of Mary Magdalene on Easter morning and the deep love for Jesus that she experienced.
We normally have plenty of room for attendees to sit in a safe distance from others in the sanctuary, on the patio, and in Moore Hall where folks can watch the worship service on a large screen. However, please come early on Easter if you want a decent seat!
Please put your face mask on as soon as you arrive on church property and be sure to familiarize yourself with all of our pandemic guidelines (listed on our homepage).
NOTE: In commemoration of Easter, the church office will be closed on Monday, April 5.
Easter Sunday Is
Aloha Wear Day
Just for fun and in keeping with the spirit of the islands, the Church Council has designated the first Sunday of each monthAloha Wear Day. Of course, it is totally optional, but everyone who wants to especially participate in the spirit of aloha is invited to wear your colorful aloha shirt, muumuu or other clothing to church.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
“Let Love Flow”
Easter Sunday, April 4
One Great Hour of Sharing special mission offering will be collected on April 4 (or on line anytime!) to support this timeless mission of the United Church of Christ. We have all been asked to support so many worthy causes this past year, and thanks to you so much has been addressed! As we know, there are still needs—whether it be the impact from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the recent floods across the islands and so much more. “Let Love Flow” as the theme for OGHS clearly describes how we impact so many needs with our support for this mission that does indeed come from our hearts.
The One Great Hour of Sharing offering will be collected in church on Easter Sunday, April 4. As always, OGHS envelopes will be provided in bulletins. You may also give online by clicking the link below or send a check to the church P.O. Box at any time. (Be sure to write “One Great Hour of Sharing ” or “OGHS” in the Comment box online or in note section of the check.)
The 2021 OGHS theme is “Let Love Flow” or as I imagine Kahu saying, “Let love flow through generous giving.”
During challenging times, reading the Bible on a daily basis is a great source of inspiration and hope. I encourage you to read and meditate upon the Scriptures of the Revised Common Lectionary and ask yourself how God might be showing up in the Scriptures for you, what God might be saying to you, and what guidance you might find as you share God’s love in creative and meaningful ways.
—Kahu Alan Akana
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 reading each Sunday.
Readings for March 28 are Psalm 118:1-29; Mark 11:1-11; John 12:12-16.
Readings for April 4 are Acts 10:34-43; Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 118:1-24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18; Mark 16:1-8.
“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 news sent directly to your inbox. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!
“So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!”
John 12:13
On Sunday, we celebrated Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey as the crowd laid palm fronds on the street before him. The palms were a sign of honor. After we heard the Palm Sunday story from the Gospel of John, I shared with the congregation some thoughts about the importance of honor, especially in times of stress, grief, and even death. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, he was well aware that he would be arrested and crucified on that trip. And what does he do to prepare himself and those he loves? He throws two dinner parties and participates in a parade in which he is the Grand Marshall!
Jesus knew the importance of mutual honor: of letting himself and his purpose be honored and also to honor those around him. At the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, Jesus attended a dinner in his honor. Mary poured expensive perfume on his feet and lovingly wiped it with her hair. Then Jesus entered Jerusalem as people brought palm fronds and shouted “Hosanna” in his honor. Next Jesus shared a meal with his disciples in which he honored them by acknowledging their experiences and emotions, assuring them of his love and presence (even after his death), and praying with them and for them (that they would be one in community just as Jesus was one with God).
Jesus’ commitment to mutual honor reminds me that we need more of this in our world: honoring those who are different by acknowledging their experiences and emotions, assuring them of our love and being fully present, and praying with and for them. I invite you to consider those in your circle, community and world who are hungry for that kind of honor; then allow yourself to be vulnerable enough to participate in mutual honor as Jesus did in the last days of his life.
“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 this week’s worship service, including the message, click HERE. You may see the Koloa Union Church YouTube channel to see previous worship services and many of Kahu’s past messages. You can 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.
On Sunday, we took a look at Jesus’ promise to the crowd in Matthew 11: “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” I said that these words must have sounded outrageous at the time, based upon what Jesus had just instructed his disciples to do: proclaim news that could get them crucified, cure those who are sick physically, mentally and spiritually (without medical, psychological or divinity degrees), and raise the dead—and do all of this without any money, supplies or belongings! Jesus told the disciples that many would despise them, beat them, throw them in prison and even try to kill them, saying to them, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.”
In order to understand what Jesus meant when he said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light,” we looked at the context of life in the Roman Empire where the imperial yokes and burdens weighed so heavily on the backs of most people that they squeezed the very life from them. Jesus was offering an alternative way of being, and he called it (according to Matthew) “the Empire of the Heavens.” Imagining such a vision was one thing, but to talk about it publicly (proclaim the good news) and act to bring it about was dangerous and risky!
Some 700 years earlier, the prophet Isaiah also lived during a time of heavy yokes and burdens, and he too imagined a way of being in the world where yokes and burdens were lifted. Like Jesus, Isaiah was also aware of the danger and risks involved, as well as the energy it would take for those who were committed to such a vision. For Isaiah, like Jesus, it was God’s gracious presence and clear calling that kept him going. Therefore, he knew that…
Those who wait for the Lord
shall renew their strength!
They shall mount up with
wings like eagles!
They shall run
and not be weary!
They shall walk
and not faint!
May you find such strength, energy and hope as you go about serving God today!
“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 this week’s worship service, including the message, click HERE. You may see the Koloa Union Church YouTube channel to see previous worship services and many of Kahu’s past messages. You can 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.
On Sunday, Kahu will be sharing about the story of the Transfiguration from the Gospel of Mark, especially focusing on Jesus’ identity and his mission to share God’s love with the world, and how that pertains to followers of Jesus today.
We have plenty of room for attendees to sit in a safe distance from others in the sanctuary, on the patio, and in Moore Hall where folks can watch the worship service on a large screen.
Please put your face mask on as soon as you arrive on church property and be sure to familiarize yourself with all of our pandemic guidelines, which are included on our homepage.
ADOPT A FAMILY
January and February Project
Koloa Union Church has adopted a family who is temporarily homeless on the island: a single mom and her 1-year-old son. They have lost their housing since the pandemic and found themselves living in a tent. They are on “the list” for housing assistance and need help to just get by while they wait. In the meantime, they are in urgent need of some shelter reinforcement to help with the rain and wind, as well as some covered area that can function as extended living space for the boy to play. Please consider monetary donations to go toward purchasing basic needs or else contact the church office if there is something in particular you would like to donate. (We have a list of specific needs.)
Donations are requested by Feb 21st.
Mahalo to everyone for your continued support!
The church office will be closed on
Monday, February 15,
in observance of
Presidents’ Day.
HENRY OPUKAHAIA OFFERING
Sunday, February 21
Each year we collect a special offering in memory of Henry Opukahaia, the first NativeHawaiian known to become a Christian. Henry O. is credited with motivating the early New England missionaries to sail to Hawaii. The money collected supports the training of current and future clergy for Christian ministry by providing financial aid for students.
Please consider a generous donation on February 21st.Offering envelopes will be available on that day.
Write checks to “Koloa Union Church”and write “Henry O.” in the note section.
THE SEASON OF LENT
“Look for the Signs” February 21 is the First Sunday in Lent
Lent is a time for personal reflection, beginning on Ash Wednesday (February 17) and ending at midnight on Easter Eve (April 3). The purpose is to prepare ourselves for Easter Sunday through prayer, worship, personal reflection, and sometimes fasting.
Kahu has chosen as the theme for Lent this year “Look for the Signs.” On the six Sundays of Lent, the Revised Common Lectionary will lead us through various signs that point to God and important messages that God has for us, beginning with the sign of the rainbow (from Genesis chapter 9) on February 21.
LECTIONARY READINGS
Weekly Readings from the Bible
During challenging times, reading the Bible on a daily basis is a great source of inspiration and hope. I encourage you to read and meditate upon the Scriptures of the Revised Common Lectionary and ask yourself how God might be showing up in the Scriptures for you, what God might be saying to you, and what guidance you might find as you share God’s love in creative and meaningful ways.
—Kahu Alan Akana
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 reading each Sunday.
Readings for February 7 are Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-21; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39.
Readings for February 14 are 2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9.
Readings for February 21 are Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15.
______________________________
“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 news sent directly to your inbox. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!
On Sunday, Kahu will be sharing about finding strength during challenging times and how the strength we received from God will help us soar to new heights.
We have plenty of room for attendees to sit in a safe distance from others in the sanctuary, on the patio, and in Moore Hall where folks can watch the worship service on a large screen.
Please put your face mask on as soon as you arrive on church property and be sure to familiarize yourself with all of our pandemic guidelines, which are included on our homepage.
ADOPT A FAMILY
January and February Project
Koloa Union Church has adopted a family who is temporarily homeless on the island: a single mom and her 1-year-old son. They have lost their housing since the pandemic and found themselves living in a tent. They are on “the list” for housing assistance and need help to just get by while they wait. In the meantime, they are in urgent need of some shelter reinforcement to help with the rain and wind, as well as some covered area that can function as extended living space for the boy to play. Please consider monetary donations to go toward purchasing basic needs or else contact the church office if there is something in particular you would like to donate. (We have a list of specific needs.)
Donations are requested by Feb 21st.
Mahalo to everyone for your continued support!
LECTIONARY READINGS
Weekly Readings from the Bible
During challenging times, reading the Bible on a daily basis is a great source of inspiration and hope. I encourage you to read and meditate upon the Scriptures of the Revised Common Lectionary and ask yourself how God might be showing up in the Scriptures for you, what God might be saying to you, and what guidance you might find as you share God’s love in creative and meaningful ways.
—Kahu Alan Akana
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 reading each Sunday.
Readings for January 31 are Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28.
Readings for February 7 are Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-21; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39.
Readings for February 14 are 2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9.
______________________________
“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 news sent directly to your inbox. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!
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