Weekly News of the Church
CHRISTMAS CAROLING
Once again we will be joining the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign as we sing Christmas carols in front of Sueoka Store on December 23, 6 – 7:30 pm. Please join us for singing just one song or stay for the entire time.
THE CHRISTMAS FUND
Each year at Christmastime, congregations of the United Church of Christ across the country take up a collection to provide pension and health premium supplementation to lower-income retired church workers, and emergency assistance to clergy and lay church employees in need, as well as “thank you” gift checks to hundreds of faithful retired church workers. The fund is administered by the UCC Pension Boards. We will collect the Christmas Fund offering on December 24 & 25. Please give generously to help faithful church workers who are experiencing difficult times.
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP
December 24: Christmas Eve (7:30 p.m.) We will read the Christmas story, sing carols and end the evening with the singing of Silent Night as we light candles.
December 25: Christmas Day (10:30 a.m.) We will light the Christ Candle, sing Christmas carols and celebrate Holy Communion. We will have lunch together after the service; everyone is welcome to join us!
OFFICE CLOSED on Mondays, December 26 and January 2.
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“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!
A Message from Kahu Akana
MELE KALIKIMAKA!
This is always such a special time of the year for Koloa Union Church! We celebrated together at our annual Christmas party; about a dozen of us sang Christmas carols in front of Sueoka Market to raise money in order to feed hungry people on the island; our children presented a charming Christmas program in church yesterday; we have collected a large amount of food and money to assist struggling families on the south shore of our island (and will be making deliveries this week!).
One of my favorite new things this year has been the focus on art during the lighting of the Advent candles. Each week, a different artist shared with the congregation about his/her art and what it has to do with the Season of Advent and the particular theme of the day: hope, peace, joy and love. As we begin Christmas week, may you deeply feel the meaning of each of those words. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, may we give thanks for hope, peace, joy and love; and may we consider new ways of how we might share these things with others.
For those who are able, I invite you to join us this week for:
- Christmas caroling in front of Sueoka Market on Friday (6-7:30 p.m.)
- Christmas Eve service on Saturday (7:30 p.m.)
- Christmas Day Communion service on Sunday (10:30 a.m.)
I also invite you to give generously to the United Church of Christ Christmas Fund for retired clergy and church workers who are struggling to make ends meet financially and for current ones who are facing emergency needs. Last year, Koloa Union Church was in the Top 10 congregations in the U.S. in terms of giving per member, so I know this fund is important to us. I trust that we will be just as generous this year.
Whatever your plans are for Christmas and the holiday season, and whomever you plan to spend them with, may you deeply feel the presence of our loving God who demonstrated that love through the birth of Jesus.
Mele Kalikimaka and Aloha Nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
“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.
A Message from Kahu Akana
JOY DURING ADVENT
On Sunday, I had the privilege of sharing my art of watercoloring with the congregation, along with the joy that it brings me and the joy I hope to share with others through it. The piece I shared is a painting of `iliahi blossoms. The `iliahi trees once flourished on all of the main Hawaiian islands until the late 18th and early 19th centuries when the kings sold them off to China. By 1840, almost every tree was cut down, and it was rare that anyone ever saw them again. A few years ago, I was hiking in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and came across an `iliahi in blossom. I wasn’t sure if that’s what it was since I had never seen an `iliahi before. However, I took a photograph and was so happy to find that I had seen my first `iliahi! Sometimes joy catches us by surprise!
The Book of Isaiah was written during a difficult time in the nation of Israel, yet there are words of deep and profound joy in it. I encouraged the congregation to be open to joy and to plan for joy during this holiday season. After all, if you have a lot of joy within you, then you have a lot of joy to give to others!
I invite you to come and celebrate the joy of Christmas in the coming weeks. This week, our children will be leading us in worship, along with a wonderful presentation which they have been working on for weeks. On Christmas Eve, we will celebrate the birth of Christ by sharing the Christmas story and singing carols. On Christmas Day, we will celebrate Christ’s birth with Holy Communion. Please join us…and bring a friend!
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
“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.
Weekly News of the Church
CHRISTMAS CAROLING
Once again we will be joining the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign as they sing Christmas carols in front of Sueoka Store on December 16 & 23, 6 – 7:30 pm. Please join us for singing just one song or stay for the entire time.
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
Sunday, December 18, 10:30 a.m. The children of the church will share a very special story with us on Sunday. Parents, please have your children at church by 9 a.m.
THE CHRISTMAS FUND
Each year at Christmastime, congregations of the United Church of Christ across the country take up a collection to provide pension and health premium supplementation to lower-income retired church workers, and emergency assistance to clergy and lay church employees in need, as well as “Thank You” gift checks to hundreds of faithful retired church workers. The fund is administered by the UCC Pension Boards. We will collect the Christmas Fund offering on December 18, 24 & 25. Please give generously to help faithful church workers who are experiencing difficult times.
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP
December 18: Fourth Sunday of Advent (Love). We will light the Candle of Love and Angela Dressel will share with us her art of quilt-making. Also the children of the church will present our annual Christmas program!
December 24: Christmas Eve (7:30 p.m.) We will read the Christmas story, sing carols and end the evening with the singing of Silent Night as we light candles.
December 25: Christmas Day. We will light the Christ Candle, sing Christmas carols and celebrate Holy Communion.
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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!
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