by admin | Jan 2, 2019 | News
DEACONS MEETING Our Deacons will meet for their monthly meeting this Sunday, January 6, at 9 a.m. in Kahu’s office.
MEN’S BREAKFAST Tuesday, January 8. Join the men of the church and their friends as they continue this winter tradition. They meet each Tuesday at 7:30 a.m.at Kalapaki Joe’s Poipu for this time to catch up with returning snow bird friends. Everyone (men and women) is invited to breakfast on the 4th Tuesday of each month.
PRAYERS & SQUARESz All are welcome to participate in this ministry of making quilts and prayer squares for those members of our congregation who are experiencing a life crisis. Our next gathering is scheduled for Tuesday, January 8, at Koloa Union Church from 1 to 4 p.m.
THE LATEST COCONUT WIRELESS The Hawai`i Conference of the United Church of Christ shares news on the Coconut Wireless, the regular weekly newsletter of the HCUCC. If you would like to keep abreast on news, opportunities and events, please click HERE for the latest news. If you like what you see, you may subscribe and get every issue of the Coconut Wireless automatically and get the very latest news hot off the press.
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 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12.
________________________________
“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!
by admin | Jan 2, 2019 | Message from Kahu
Art & Sharing
During our worship service on Sunday, I was surprised to receive a stunning red lehua lei made by Rose Tatiana Warken Ceballos in honor of my 25 years of watercoloring the flowers of Hawai`i nei! In the afternoon, I hosted an open house at the parsonage and invited the community to come and celebrate my work over the past quarter of a century. I am so grateful for those who provided live music and dancing, delicious treats, beautiful gifts, and hospitality. What began as a hobby when my son Palani was born in Honolulu (something to do while he napped) became a passion over the years. I had no idea that painting watercolors was something for which I had any talent. I was really just looking for an enjoyable way to pass the time.
As I reflect back over the past 25 years, there are a few lessons I have learned. First of all, I think that it is important to find something you really enjoy and do it on a regular basis. It doesn’t really matter what it is. There are very few things that bring me as much joy as watercoloring, and I am glad that I have spent time every year since Palani’s birth doing something so enjoyable. Secondly, I realize that I have become a better artist by practicing my art. Some people call it discipline. I call it making time for what you love. Whatever it is that you do, you will only get better at it when you practice it over the years. Thirdly, I have discovered that there is great joy to be found in the sharing of my gifts—joy for both me and the recipients. Whatever your gift is, think of a way to share it with others…and feel the joy expand!
When I interviewed to be the Kahu of Koloa Union Church five years ago this week, I shared with the Church Council my desire to continue watercoloring. I am forever grateful for their encouragement and also for the congregation’s support and affirmation as both a pastor and an artist. These have indeed been the five most enjoyable years of my life. Mahalo nui to all of you for making it so!
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
__________________________________________
Our Kahu (Pastor) offers a weekly message in church most Sundays during the year. Click HERE to see a video of a recent 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, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
by admin | Dec 19, 2018 | News
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP
Sunday, December 23
4th Sunday of Advent
10:30 a.m.
The lighting of the Candle of God’s Love
A Special Hula by Sharon Mahaffey
Traditional Organ Music
Monday, December 24
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service*
7:30 p.m.
The Lighting of the Christ Candle
Hula by Rose Tatiana Ceballos Warken
Music by the Church Choir & Special Duet
Tuesday, December 25
Christmas Day Communion Service
10:30 a.m.
The Lighting of the Christ Candle
Music by Chris Sweitzer & Kathleen Dahill
Holy Communion
*Christmas Eve is typically our highest attended service of the year. Please come early for parking and a good seat. For those who are able to walk a short distance, you may park at Koloa Elementary School and library or on Waikomo Road.
________________________________________________
Giving Opportunities
Please give or mail 2018 gifts to the church before January 1, 2019.
Mahalo nui loa for your generosity!!!
Please consider a gift to one or more of the following funds:
CHRISTMAS FUND OFFERING
The Christmas Fund Offering, administered by the United Church of Christ Pension Boards, provides direct financial assistance to retired and active UCC authorized ministers and lay employees and their surviving spouses, including pension and health premium supplementation, emergency assistance, and Christmas “thank you” checks. Each year, UCC congregations throughout the country collect this offering to assist faithful servants of God who are facing financial difficulties. We not only share hope, peace, joy and love with them; but they, in turn, pass these things along to others in their communities and in the world. We will collect the Christmas Fund offering on Sunday, December 23, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. Special offering envelopes will be provided.
KOLOA UNION CHURCH GENERAL FUND
As usual, we come to the end of the year with expenses exceeding income for our general fund, which provides salaries for Kahu and staff, Sunday morning worship, connections to the wider church, our monthly and quarterly bills, and a large portion of our mission and outreach. December is our opportunity to “close the gap” and do our best to begin the new year in the black. For those who made financial commitments (pledges), please fulfill them if you are able. For everyone, please consider a Christmas present to Koloa Union Church by giving an “over and above” gift.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
We are now able to expand the church office and build a brand new women’s restroom without borrowing any money! For those who made capital campaign financial commitments (pledges from 2015-2018), please fulfill them as you are able. That way, we can accomplish everything on our capital campaign list…and maybe even more!
________________________________________________
CELEBRATE WITH KAHU!
Anniversary Celebration
25 Years Painting the Flowers of Hawaii
Kahu Alan Akana has been watercoloring the flowers of Hawai`i for 25 years! You are invited to join him at Alan Akana Gallery on Sunday, December 30, from 2 to 5 p.m. for a special anniversary celebration. There will be refreshments, music, door prizes, and all items will be on sale 20-50%. The gallery is located in the Smith Memorial Parsonage at 3281 Waikomo Road, just around the corner from the church. Proceeds from sales support the maintenance and care of the parsonage. Invite your friends to come and enjoy this special occasion!
OTHER NEWS
OFFICE CLOSED FOR HOLIDAYS The church office will be closed on December 25, 26 and January 1. Kahu and Penny have those days off as well (besides the Christmas Day Communion service).
THE LATEST COCONUT WIRELESS The Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ shares news on the Coconut Wireless, the regular weekly newsletter of the HCUCC. If you would like to keep abreast on news, opportunities and events, please click HERE for the latest news. If you like what you see, you may subscribe and get every issue of the Coconut Wireless automatically and get the very latest news hot off the press.
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 Micah 5:2-6; Psalm 80:1-7; Hebrew 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-55.
________________________________
“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!
by admin | Dec 19, 2018 | Message from Kahu
Celebration, Demolition & Construction
During our worship service on Sunday, I surprised Kei and Penny Osuga with a very special certificate regarding our office expansion, as the final big project of our capital campaign:
The Church Office Shall Be Named In Honor Of:
Tasaburo & Akiko Okamura
Kiyoshi & Takako Shintani
Kei & Penny Osuga
For their generous and varied contributions to our church over
three generations by gifts given by their family & friends
The certificate then listed the names of all of Kei & Penny’s family members and friends who made donations to the office project.
In early fall, we were still short about $30,000 in terms of what we needed for the office expansion and new women’s restroom. After Penny mentioned to me that she wished she could think of a special way to honor her parents and grandparents, who were Kōloa Union Church members, I visited with Kei and Penny’s daughter Tara about the possibility of their family and friend’s donating the funds for the entire church office and naming the office after all three generations—including Penny and Kei! Checks poured in over the last couple of months, and a few folks made promises to send money over the next few weeks.
It was a special honor to have Kei’s sisters, Irene and Sachiko, (who contributed to the effort), in church on Sunday to assist with placing lei on Kei and Penny!
We had a vision four years ago to create a space that was more welcoming and inviting on our church property. We began with an ambitious goal of $150,000. Since a handful of our church leaders raised than that mount on our own, we increased our goal to $300,000. With two grants from the Vidinha Charitable Trust and additional gifts from members and friends of the church, we have now raised over $400,000!
We will begin demolition on the women’s restroom and office expansion right after Christmas and plan to have both projects completed by March 1! We still have a small handful of unfulfilled capital campaign commitments. As some of those commitments are fulfilled in the coming weeks, we will be able to pay for every project on our list, including new signs on Moore Hall and the sanctuary, new doorknobs and hardware on all of the doors on Moore Hall, installation of light fixtures, completion of irrigation, and making the floor inside and outside the sanctuary attractive, level and safe.
As our capital campaign winds down and we finish up the final projects in the next few months, I want to thank once again every person who gave, volunteered and prayed for a successful capital campaign “Maika`i Hana Hou!” (Creating Goodness & Beauty Once Again!). Your generosity and support has definitely created goodness and beauty, which has certainly made us more welcoming and inviting.
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
__________________________________________
Our Kahu (Pastor) offers a weekly message in church most Sundays during the year. Click HERE to see a video of a recent 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, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
by admin | Dec 11, 2018 | News
LECTIO DIVINA Join us at the Smith Memorial Parsonage (3281 Waikomo Road) on Wednesday, December 12, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. as we reflect on the Scriptures in silence and share our experiences of doing so. The season of Advent is an especially important time to reflect and consider the meaning of God’s presence among us.
CHRISTMAS CAROLING Christmas caroling at Sueoka Store on Monday December 17, 5-7 p.m. We sing to support the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, which feeds hungry people on the island.
THE LATEST COCONUT WIRELESS The Hawai`i Conference of the United Church of Christ shares news on the Coconut Wireless, the regular weekly newsletter of the HCUCC. If you would like to keep abreast on news, opportunities and events, please click HERE for the latest news. If you like what you see, you may subscribe and get every issue of the Coconut Wireless automatically and get the very latest news hot off the press.
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 Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18.
_________________________
COMING UP. . . .
CHRISTMAS FUND OFFERING This special offering, administered by the United Church of Christ Pension Boards, provides direct financial assistance to retired and active UCC authorized ministers and lay employees and their surviving spouses, including pension and health premium supplementation, emergency assistance, and Christmas “thank you” checks. Each year, UCC congregations throughout the country collect this offering to assist faithful servants of God who are facing financial difficulties. We not only share hope, peace, joy and love with them; but they, in turn, pass these things along to others in their communities and in the world. We will collect the Christmas Fund offering on Sunday, December 23, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE Our annual Christmas Eve service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on December 24. The service will include Christmas readings and carols, special music, as well as lighting of candles during the closing carol. Come early to get a seat! For those who are able to walk, please consider parking along Waikomo Road, at the parsonage or the lawn just to the east of the parsonage, so that those who find it difficult to walk, and our visitors and guest, can easily park near the church for this special service.
CHRISTMAS DAY COMMUNION SERVICE Our Christmas Day service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on December 25 and will include Christmas carols, readings and a time of reflection, as well as Holy Communion.
OFFICE CLOSED FOR HOLIDAYS The church office will be closed on December 25, 26 and January 1. Kahu and Penny have those days off as well (besides the Christmas Day Communion service).
________________________________
“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!
Recent Comments