by admin | Sep 1, 2016 | Message from Kahu
A BLESSING THAT KEEPS ON BLESSING!
My message on Sunday focused on how we are very blessed in this life, and how those blessings come to us even more when we bless others without expecting anything in return. I shared a story of two friends of the church, Mike and his wife Judy, who recently died. Mike and Judy invited me to dinner at their home in Poipu before they returned to their other home in Washington State; and I shared on Sunday about the blessings I have seen from that one simple act to bless me, two of their other friends and Mike’s niece. It was a magical evening on their lanai…next to the lawn…next to the ocean…(much like to picture above)…with wonderful conversation and an over-the-top catered dinner created by Chef Tom Ryan of Custom Catering Hawaii. Sadly, Judy died on the evening of April 30. I remember sharing the news of her unexpected passing in church the next morning.
During the following week, I began planning a way to honor Judy. One of the last things she said to me as I was leaving their home on the night they treated me to dinner was, “I just LOVE Hawaiian flowers!” (I had just given Mike and her a set of greeting cards from the Hawaiian flowers I had painted.) So I asked Chef Tom if he would be interested in helping me to create a special gift to the National Tropical Botanical Gardens in Judy’s memory. Since their annual fundraising event was coming up in August, I asked Tom if he would consider donating a meal that would be combined with one of my paintings (below). Tom told me that he would be honored to donate a meal in Judy’s memory. The gift grew, with the help of others, and the blessings continued. Rather than writing down the rest of the details, I am attaching a video of Sunday’s sermon HERE, so that you can hear all about it.
As you watch the video, I invite you to consider how you might be a blessing to others, knowing that you will be blessed in return. I also invite you to pay attention to the ways you are blessed…and give thanks.
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
P.S. In my sermon, I mistakenly referred to Mike’s “daughter”; I meant to say “niece.” I also referred to seeing the island of “Lanai”; I meant to say “Niihau” (although that would be really cool to see Lanai from the south shore of Kauai!).
‘ILIAHI © Alan Akana 2016
To see a video of Kahu’s sermon on Sunday, click HERE.
You are invited to join us for worship at 10:30 on Sunday mornings at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!
“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 | Sep 1, 2016 | News
KAHU RECUPERATING: Kahu Alan Akana had a minor medical procedure done on his mouth this week and is recuperating very well at home. He is not taking calls. Please contact Penny at the church office if you have an emergency. Kahu plans to be back in the office on Tuesday, September 6.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN NEWS THIS WEEK: As part of our capital campaign projects, we are painting the entire exterior of the church and Moore Hall this week. We have also installed a welcoming sign on the arbor (“Hawaiian Hospitality Since 1835”). Landscaping continues! Thanks to all who have contributed to “Maika`i Hana Hou!” (“Creating Goodness & Beauty Once Again!”); you have certainly made a HUGE difference in making Koloa Union Church a more welcoming and beautiful place!
38th LABOR DAY BREAKFAST: Lihue United Church is hosting breakfast once again this year! You are invited to support their ministry to the community on Monday, September 5, 2016, from 7:00 – 10:00 a.m. Breakfast will be in the Parish Hall, 4340 Nawiliwili Road. Adults $8, Keiki $4 (ages 5-11), children under 4: free. Part of the proceeds will go to “The Bridge: From Kauai to College,” a ministry to high school students which Koloa Union Church and many of our members are supporting.
CHURCH AT THE BEACH: Join us NEXT week at Poipu Beach Park for our annual worship service at the beach. We will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, September 11, at the main pavilion at Po‘ipu Beach Park (across the street from Nukumoi Surf Shop). We start a bit later than usual in order to give people a chance to find us if they show up at church at 10:30. Sign up to bring something to share for our potluck luncheon, which will follow the worship service. Bring beach chairs too if you want a comfortable chair. There will be no worship service at the church that day.
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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!
by admin | Aug 25, 2016 | News
Music Director. Plan to be in church on Sunday, August 28, to meet the candidate for the position of our permanent music director. As part of our interview process, Kathleen Dahill will be providing our music during the worship service. She will then stay for lunch and meet with the choir after that.
Weight Watchers meets at Koloa Union every Saturday morning, weigh-in at 7:30 am, meeting at 8:00 am. Join Romae and her team. Questions? 1-800-651-6000.
Exterior Painting of the church begins August 29. So many changes happening at Koloa Union Church! Have you noticed all the new gutters installed and the new plants?
Salvation Army Servers Needed on Wednesday, August 31. Contact Judyth Foley if you can help.
38th Labor Day Breakfast at Lihue United, Monday, September 5, 2016, 7 – 10 a.m. In the parish Hall 4340 Nawiliwili Road. Adults $8, Keiki $4 (ages 5-11), children under 4 free. Part of the proceeds will help fund The Bridge: From Kaua`i to College (one of the ministries in which several of our members are involved).
Fall Youth Camp Registration is September 1!!! The Hawai`i Conference Fall Youth Camp will be October 9-12 (during fall break) at Camp Mokule`ia on O`ahu. Middle and high school students are invited to register. The cost, including airfare and ground transportation, is $200. The Kaua`i Association is offering $50-$100 scholarships for all Kaua`i students who attend and Kōloa Union Church is offering the same for our own youth who attend. An October fundraiser for Fall Youth Camp is also in the plans at Kōloa Union Church!
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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!
by admin | Aug 25, 2016 | Message from Kahu
LIKE A WATERED GARDEN!
On Sunday, we read from Isaiah 58, where the prophet tells the people of God that they are like a watered garden when they worship well; and he makes it very clear what kind of worship he is talking about! It is not just going through the motions of worship, but showing compassion to others. It is relieving the pain and suffering that people are enduring and also removing the causes of that pain and suffering. If we are like a watered garden when we do these things, I hope that we will remind ourselves of this every time we take notice of the beauty all around us on this magnificent Garden Island on which we live! If you would like to see the sermon on video, click HERE.
As our landscaping project is unfolding before our eyes, as the result of our successful capital campaign, it appears that our church grounds are becoming a beautiful and well-watered garden! What a wonderful symbol for us to have as we approach our sanctuary on Sunday morning: we walk through a well-watered garden on our way to become one! (Actually, I think we already are that garden, but we come to church for more watering, fertilizing, and maybe even some pruning.)
I hope you will join us on Sunday as we learn to become a well-watered garden!
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
You are invited to join us for worship at 10:30 on Sunday mornings at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!
“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 | Aug 17, 2016 | News
Toyo Turns 100! We will celebrate Toyo Nishida’s 100th birthday this Sunday, August 21. Come celebrate this special occasion during worship and Aloha Hour. Also, Becky Sakimae and the Baldwin Family will be providing our special music this week!
Music Director We now have a candidate to be our next Music Director! As part of our interview process, she will be playing in church on Sunday, August 28. After church, she will visit with members of the congregation during Aloha Hour and then meet with choir members in Kahu’s office.
Weight Watchers meets at Koloa Union every Saturday morning: weigh-in at 7:30 am, meeting at 8:00 am. Join Romae and her team. Questions? 1-800-651-6000.
Salvation Army Servers Needed on Wednesday, August 31. Contact Judyth Foley if you can help.
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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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