Church News: Dec 1st, 2022

Holiday Survey

You Event Koloa Union Church Poipu Youth Group

Holiday Worship Survey

Thank you for those who completed our survey!

Here are some important things we learned from the survey:

  • Most people are quite happy with our worship services.
  • Kahu’s messages and musical offerings were marked “especially liked” more than other parts of the worship service.
  • Most respondents look forward to getting things back to pre-pandemic “normal,” including: sitting together, no more face masks, congregational singing, unison readings, etc.
  • Most would plan to attend an in-person Christmas Eve service in the 7-7:30 timeframe.
  • Although there are some who would not attend a Christmas Eve service if we lifted all pandemic requirements for the evening, others prefer lifting all requirements and an equal number prefer sitting anywhere as long as people are masked.
  • Only one person indicated that they are not concerned at all about Covid-19 in a crowded space. Others still have some concerns regarding their health. Nearly forty percent marked that they are not concerned “as long as there are reasonable pandemic requirements.”

The Deacons greatly appreciate those who took the time to take the survey. The results gave them some helpful data on which they considered in their decisions in moving forward during the holiday season.

Prayers and Squares

You Event Koloa Union Church Poipu Youth Group

Tuesday, December 6, 10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

Prayers and Squares is a ministry promoting prayer by creating beautiful hand-tied quilts and offering them to people in crisis or those whom we wish to offer a special aloha. A prayer is said with each knot that is tied in the quilt. When recipients put the quilts it over themselves, they are covering themselves with our prayers. Our motto: “It’s not about the quilt; it’s all about the prayers.”

To request a quilt for church members or friends in crisis, call Debbie Gunning at 808-652-7899.                        

No experience in quilting or sewing is necessary. There are jobs for everyone to help in the making of the quilts…and everyone is invited to pray!

Mahalo nui loa!

Youth Christmas Party

Poipu Church Sunday Service

YOUTH CHRISTMAS PARTY Calling all middle and high schoolers! Join us for a Christmas Party! Smith Memorial Parsonage 3281 Waikomo Road December 11 4:45-7:00 p.m. Christmas Feast Fun & Games Good Conversation $5 Gift Exchange RSVP to Tiffany (808) 651-1397

Outreach

Poipu Church Sunday Service
Poipu Church Sunday Service

We will be collecting and creating Thanksgiving meal boxes for 10 local families who are struggling to make ends meet.

If you signed up to bring food items, please bring them to the church by this coming Sunday, November 20.

Boxes will be packaged and delivered to the families by the Koloa Union Church Outreach Committee and Youth Group.

Christmas Stockings

Poipu Church Sunday Service

We will stuff Christmas stockings with special items and gift cards for 10 local families who are struggling financially this year. We collect change, cash and checks throughout the year in our spare change jar. If you have some extra funds in your bank account or wallet, please consider an extra gift to make Christmas even merrier for a local family. If you know of any families who could use some extra help this holiday season, contact Amber Strong or the church office.

The deadline for donations for this year’s stockings is December 4.

Note: We primarily pay for this outreach through the change jar, to which people contribute throughout the year, and from personal donations. So be sure to look for spare change lying around at home or in your car.

You can contribute financially to this ministry by writing “Holiday Outreach” on the note section of your check made out to “Koloa Union Church” or on the “Comment” box when you give online. Contact Amber Strong or the church office.

Lectio Divina

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Lectio Divina December 14th, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Join Kahu and Karen Johnson at the Smith Memorial Parsonage for a time to hear and respond to the Scriptures in a quiet, reflective and meaningful way. Lectio Divina is a traditional monastic practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God’s word. Please RSVP by December 11 if you plan to attend.

United Church of Christ Christmas Fund

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To Be Collected on December 18, 24 & 25

Thank You for Supporting The Christmas Fund!

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 December 18, 24 and 25. Offering envelopes will be provided.

Please write checks to “Koloa Union Church” and write “Christmas Fund” on the note section of your check. If you would like to make a donation online, please write “Christmas Fund” in the note section.

Alan Akana Gallery

2nd & 3rd Sunday of Advent

Second Sunday of Advent And Communion Sunday

December 4

Join Us for Worship When We Light The “Candle of Peace” And Celebrate Holy Communion

December 11

Join Us for Worship When We Light The “Candle of Joy” And Enjoy this Year’s Children and Youth Sharing the Theme of “JOY” With Us!

Christmas Eve Service

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December 24 7:30 p.m.

Join Us for a very special Christmas Eve service with lots of special music and the reading of the Christmas story.

Pandemic Guidelines for Christmas Eve:

  • Please wear face masks indoors during the entire service.
  • Face masks will be optional anywhere outdoors, including on the patio.
  • We will not observe social distancing requirements: attendees may sit in any of the seats.

Doors will open at 7 p.m. Because this is our first in person Christmas Eve service since 2019, we anticipate a decent crowd. Those wishing to sit together should come early.

Christmas Day Service

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Christmas Day Services

Sunday, December 25 10:30 a.m.

Join Us for a very special Christmas Day service with lots of special music and reflections on the Christmas story. Our regular Sunday morning guidelines will be in effect on Christmas Morning.

  • Please wear face masks until the service begins.
  • Please sit 6 feet from others.

Watch Our Most Recent Worship Service

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Watch Our Most Recent Worship Service

You can click the button below to watch a video of a recent worship service:

Watch the most recent worship service

Watch ALL of Our Worship Services

Please Share!

Our online worship services are a great way to introduce people to Koloa Union Church…and provide inspiration and hope to friends and family!

Feel free to forward this email or send the YouTube link to anyone whom you think would enjoy watching our online worship service.

Share our worship service with even more people! You can also put the link of any video of our worship services directly onto your Facebook page and thereby introducing every one of your Facebook friends to our worship services and our church!

Give Thanks

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Youth Group Activity “Giving Thanks”

Our middle and high school youth met at the church on November 20 for a delicious thanksgiving dinner, games and a time to give thanks for the many blessings in their lives!

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Mahalo to Worship Participants

Baptism and New Members

Lectionary Readings

Weekly Readings from the Bible

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 November 27: Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44.
Readings for December 4: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12.
Readings for December 11: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 145:5-10; Luke 1:46-55; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11.

More Fun Pictures Since Our Last Weekly News

Church News: Nov 17th, 2022

Happy Thanksgiving!

You Event Koloa Union Church Poipu Youth Group

Thanksgiving Sunday, November 20th 

Join us in our worship service as we give thanks for the many blessings in our lives and in our church!

You are invited to consider a special blessing and write it on a “Joys & Concerns” card before the worship service this coming Sunday morning.

The church office will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

May our hearts be filled with gratitude!

Holiday Worship Survey

Can we have just a few minutes of your time today?

Will you be around over the holidays? If so, would you consider taking a few minutes right now to fill our a brief survey in order to help Kahu and our Deacons plan a special holiday season according to your needs?

Your input is especially needed if you plan to attend Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services.

Prayers and Squares

You Event Koloa Union Church Poipu Youth Group

Comfort Prayer Quilts for Wilcox Hospital

Prayers and Squares is expanding its ministry: We are creating “Comfort Prayer Quilts” to be distributed at Wilcox Hospital by its chaplain, Rev. Deborah Ball. These quilts will be for patients who don’t have visitors and need to know that someone cares.

We could use your help! If you can sew a straight line and have a sewing machine quietly sitting in a closet, we will have packets available to take home and sew together. Each packet has precut 6 ½ inch squares. Instructions will be inside the bag. Basically you’ll sew 6 squares together to make a row. When you’ve make 8 rows, you sew these together to make a rectangle. Done! (The Prayers & Squares team will add borders and backing.)

Packets are available on the table in front of the office on Sundays. This is an ongoing project and your continued help is greatly appreciated.

If you have any questions, call Sheila at (717) 514-9020.

Mahalo nui loa!

Annual Holiday Outreach

Poipu Church Sunday Service

Thanksgiving Meal Boxes

Poipu Church Sunday Service

We will be collecting and creating Thanksgiving meal boxes for 10 local families who are struggling to make ends meet.

If you signed up to bring food items, please bring them to the church by this coming Sunday, November 20.

Boxes will be packaged and delivered to the families by the Koloa Union Church Outreach Committee and Youth Group.

Christmas Stockings

Poipu Church Sunday Service

We will stuff Christmas stockings with special items and gift cards for 10 local families who are struggling financially this year. We collect change, cash and checks throughout the year in our spare change jar. If you have some extra funds in your bank account or wallet, please consider an extra gift to make Christmas even merrier for a local family. If you know of any families who could use some extra help this holiday season, contact Amber Strong or the church office.

The deadline for donations for this year’s stockings is December 4.

Note: We primarily pay for this outreach through the change jar, to which people contribute throughout the year, and from personal donations. So be sure to look for spare change lying around at home or in your car.

You can contribute financially to this ministry by writing “Holiday Outreach” on the note section of your check made out to “Koloa Union Church” or on the “Comment” box when you give online. Contact Amber S

Youth Group Activity

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Miniature Golf

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Alan Akana Gallery

Holiday Open House

Friday, 25th: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Please contact the gallery if you wish to visit after November 27.

All Plumeria Originals & Prints 50% Off or More

Everything Else 20% Off or More:

2023 Wall Calendars
Museum-Quality Prints
(Framed & Unframed)
New Greeting Cards
Coffee Mugs . . .
Proceeds fund the maintenance and repairs of the parsonage

Pandemic Guidelines

Please be vaccinated for Covid-19 or wear a face mask. We request that you sanitize your hands before entering. (Hand sanitizer provided) 6 Guest Maximum in the Gallery at a Time.

RSVP Suggested: Email [email protected]

Alan Akana Gallery is Located In The Smith Memorial Parsonage 3281 Waikomo Rd. in Koloa (Parking available on the street and on the property.) 808-855-8806

Online discount of 20% during the holidays: Type discount code “20Percent” at checkout. www.alanakanagallery.com

First Sunday of Advent

November 27th

Join Us for Worship When We Light The “Candle of Hope” As We Anticipate the Coming of Christ.

Salvation Army Lunch

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Watch Our Most Recent Worship Service

Stop Covid Sign

Watch Our Most Recent Worship Service

You can click the button below to watch a video of a recent worship service:

Watch the most recent worship service

Watch ALL of Our Worship Services

Please Share!

Our online worship services are a great way to introduce people to Koloa Union Church…and provide inspiration and hope to friends and family!

Feel free to forward this email or send the YouTube link to anyone whom you think would enjoy watching our online worship service.

Share our worship service with even more people! You can also put the link of any video of our worship services directly onto your Facebook page and thereby introducing every one of your Facebook friends to our worship services and our church!

Mahalo to Worship Participants

Baptism and New Members

Lectionary Readings

Weekly Readings from the Bible

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 November 13: Isaiah 65:17-25; Isaiah 12; Malachi 4:1-3; Psalm 98; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19.

Readings for November 20: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Luke 1:68-79; Psalm 46; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43.

Reading for Thanksgiving Day: Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 100; Philippians 4:4-9; John 6:25-35.

Readings for November 27: Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44.

More Fun Pictures Since Our Last Weekly News

Church News: Oct 27th, 2022

100 Years of Aloha

You Event Koloa Union Church Poipu Youth Group

Koloa Union Church’s 99th
Anniversary Was on October 22!

Commitment Sunday
Was October 23.

On Sunday, we blessed the 2023 commitment cards of all those who brought them (or turned them in earlier). During the month of November, the budget committee will begin creating a budget for next year based on the overall financial commitments we have for the year. Your commitment card is so very helpful in this process! 

Thank you so much to all those who made financial commitments for 2023! If you missed getting your commitment in by Sunday and would still like to let us know your giving plans for next year, we ask that you turn in a commitment card by November 3.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the ministry of Koloa Union Church, especially as we begin our next 100 years!

Stewardship Talks

Thanks to those who gave stewardship talks over the past 2 weeks: telling us about the importance of Koloa Union Church in their families and in their lives and also reminding us about the importance of supporting our church as we begin our next century!

All Saints Day (Observed) Sunday, October 30

You Event Koloa Union Church Poipu Youth Group

Join us in church on Sunday, October 30, as we give thanks for all the saints in our lives—those who are no longer with us and those who are still alive. You are invited to submit a prayer card giving thanks for a particular saint or group of saints for whom you are especially grateful.

Simply write the following: Name of person or group A quality of their life/lives for which you are grateful Kahu will read your card during the sharing of joys and concerns and give thanks for the saint in your life.

Membership Gathering

You Event Koloa Union Church Poipu Youth Group

Date: Sunday, October 30

Time: 11:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Join Kahu Akana and our Deacons for a couple of hours right after church as they share about the United Church of Christ, our church’s history, the benefits and responsibilities of church membership, and what is involved in joining as a member of Koloa Union Church! Those who attend this gathering may then choose to join the membership of the church.

Bring a drink in your own drink container.

The Deacons will provide snacks.

Please RSVP by signing up on the church bulletin board or contacting the church office.

Prayers and Squares

You Event Koloa Union Church Poipu Youth Group

Tuesday, November 1

10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

Prayers and Squares is a ministry promoting prayer by creating beautiful hand-tied quilts and offering them to people in crisis or those whom we wish to offer a special aloha. A prayer is said with each knot that is tied in the quilt. When recipients put the quilts it over themselves, they are covering themselves with our prayers. Our motto: “It’s not about the quilt; it’s all about the prayers.”

No experience in quilting or sewing is necessary. There are jobs for everyone to help in the making of the quilts…and everyone is invited to pray!

To request a quilt for church members or friends in crisis, call Debbie Gunning at 808-652-7899.

Annual Holiday Outreach

Poipu Church Sunday Service

Thanksgiving Meal Boxes

Poipu Church Sunday Service

We will be collecting and creating Thanksgiving meal boxes for 10 local families who are struggling to make ends meet. The signup sheet is on the Outreach Information Board just outside the main doors to the church.

Please sign up for food items and bring them to the church by November 20. Boxes will be packaged and delivered to the families by the Koloa Union Church Outreach Committee and Youth Group.

Christmas Stockings

Poipu Church Sunday Service

We will stuff Christmas stockings with special items and gift cards for 10 local families who are struggling financially this year. We collect change, cash and checks throughout the year in our spare change jar. If you have some extra funds in your bank account or wallet, please consider an extra gift to make Christmas even merrier for a local family. If you know of any families who could use some extra help this holiday season, contact Amber Strong or the church office.

The deadline for donations is November 27.

Note: We primarily pay for this outreach through the change jar, to which people contribute throughout the year, and from personal donations. So be sure to look for spare change lying around at home or in your car.

You can contribute financially to this ministry by writing “Holiday Outreach” on the note section of your check made out to “Koloa Union Church” or on the “Comment” box when you give online.

Watch Our Most Recent Worship Service

Stop Covid Sign

Watch Our Most Recent Worship Service

You can click the button below to watch a video of a recent worship service:

Watch the most recent worship service

Watch ALL of Our Worship Services

Please Share!

Our online worship services are a great way to introduce people to Koloa Union Church…and provide inspiration and hope to friends and family!

Feel free to forward this email or send the YouTube link to anyone whom you think would enjoy watching our online worship service.

Share our worship service with even more people! You can also put the link of any video of our worship services directly onto your Facebook page and thereby introducing every one of your Facebook friends to our worship services and our church!

Mahalo to Worship Participants

Lectionary Readings

Weekly Readings from the Bible

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.

Reading for October 23:  Joel 2:23-32; Psalm 65; Jeremiah 14:7-10; Psalm 84:1-7; 2 Timothy 4:6-18; Luke 18:9-14.

Reading for October 30: Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4; Psalm 119:137-144; Isaiah 1:10-18; Psalm 32:1-7; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12; Luke 19:1-10.

November 6: Haggai 1:15-2:9; Psalm 145:1-21; Psalm 98; Job19:23-28; Psalm 17:1-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17; Luke 20:27-38.

Welcome Our New Member

Reverend Deborah Ball has been a resident of Hawaii since 1995. Prior to coming to Hawaii, Deborah served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Niger, West Africa. She obtained her Master of Cultural Anthropology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and her Master of Divinity at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Under the UCC Board of Global Ministries, Deborah was a missionary for one year in Dumeguette in The Philippines, working with girls and women. Deborah has been a member of Church of the Crossroads on Oahu since 1995. She has served as an associate minister for children and youth at Church of the Crossroads and as Central Union Church’s Associate Minister for Community Outreach. Rev. Ball has served for decades as a chaplain in hospice, hospitals, long-term care, and palliative care settings. She moved to Kauai in March when she began a new ministry as Chaplain at Wilcox Medical Center. Deborah enjoys hiking, gardening, horseback riding and surfing.

More Fun Pictures Since Our Last Weekly News

Church News: Oct 12th, 2022

Youth Halloween Party

Sunday, October 16

4:45 – 7:00p.m.

BOO!!!!

Don’t forget to RSVP by Wednesday, October 12!

100 Years of Aloha

You Event Koloa Union Church Poipu Youth Group

October 23 is Commitment Sunday!

This year’s stewardship theme is “100 Years of Aloha!” On Sunday, the Rev. Dr. David Popham, Conference Minister of the Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ thanked the congregation for our commitment as faithful stewards in making the world a better place! He highlighted each of the 5 offerings which Koloa Union Church contributes to every year:

  • Our Church’s Wider Mission, which we give directly from our general fund to support the mission of the Hawaii Conference and the United Church of Christ national office.
  • Christmas Fund, which assists working and retired clergy and church workers who face financial difficulties.
  • One Great Hour of Sharing, which is currently helping people and communities facing disasters, in such locations as Florida.
  • Strengthen the Church, which provides grants to strengthen new and innovative ministries in congregations and Associations all across the country.
  • Neighbors in Need: which we just collected last week in order to assist ministries of justice and compassion, including Native American ministries.

It was nice to hear from Rev. Popham just what a difference our congregation has made throughout the world!

A portion of your gifts to the church’s general fund goes to Our Church’s Wider Mission (the first bullet point) which, in turn, supports all UCC congregations, including us! The general fund also allows us to have a kahu, youth director, administrative assistant; support all of the ministry that we do throughout the year; and pay our utility bills.

Later this week, we will be mailing a letter to everyone on our stewardship mailing list. (If you are not already on our stewardship mailing list, please let us know and we will add you right away!) The letter will include a Percentage Giving Chart. We encourage you to consider what percentage of your income you currently give to Koloa Union Church and then ask yourself what percentage you would like to give. There is no “right” answer. We simply hope that your gifts to the church represents the gratitude that you have for all that the church means to you and so many others. There will also be a commitment card enclosed. We ask that you prayerfully consider an amount, write it on your card, and then bring it to church with you on Sunday, October 23, for the blessing of our commitments. (If you can’t make it to church on the 23rd, feel free to bring your commitment card early or send it to the church office.)

During the month on November, the budget committee will create a budget for 2023 based upon the overall financial commitments we have for the year. The Church Council will review the budget in December, make recommendations and adjustments, then pass on the budget for approval by the Congregation at our annual meeting in January.

Your commitment card is so very helpful in this process! Thank you in advance for your participation and for your ongoing support of the ministry of Koloa Union Church, especially as we as we begin our next 100 years!

Our Stewardship Prayer

O God, just as your faithful servants

have so freely given to our church

over the past century, may I carry

on their tradition of generosity

as I prayerfully consider my

commitment to this

church in 2023.

May my gifts to Kōloa Union Church

truly express the gratitude I have

for this congregation and all

you have done for me.

Amen.

Planned Giving Luncheon

You Event Koloa Union Church Poipu Youth Group

Building a Strong Foundation for the Next Century

Date & Time: Sunday, October 23 11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Smith Memorial Parsonage 3281 Waikomo Road, Koloa

Every church has its ups and downs when it comes to income versus necessary expenditures, including Koloa Union Church. One of the reasons we have made it through the difficult times as a congregation over the past 100 years is because of the legacy gifts that people have left us in their estate plans.

As we plan for the future, we are asking our members and friends to consider a planned gift to the church. You can leave the entirety of your estate to the church or decide upon a specific amount or a percentage to the church, thereby leaving an appropriate amount to your heirs and others as well. Many people are not aware of tax advantages and high bank fees that sometimes eat up a significant portion of an estate gift before it ever gets to the recipient.

If you are interested in learning more, please attend this free planned giving luncheon. After a delicious meal, Norma Doctor Sparks will lead a brief workshop on how to leave the church in your estate plans so that the church will benefit from the maximum amount that you intend to give.

RSVP by contacting the church office by October 16.

Church Breakfast

You Event Koloa Union Church Poipu Youth Group

Date: Tuesday, October 25

Time: 8:00-9:30 a.m.

Kiawe Roots
2-3687 Kaumualii Highway in Lawai
(Next door to 7-Eleven)

Join us on the 4th Tuesday of each Month for delicious food and a fun time getting to know others from Koloa Union Church!

Please RSVP by signing up on the church bulletin board or contacting the church office.

Space is limited.

Membership Gathering

You Event Koloa Union Church Poipu Youth Group

Date: Sunday, October 30

Time: 11:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Join Kahu Akana and our Deacons for a couple of hours right after church as they share about the United Church of Christ, our church’s history, the benefits and responsibilities of church membership, and what is involved in joining as a member of Koloa Union Church! Those who attend this gathering may then choose to join the membership of the church.

Bring a drink in your own drink container.

The Deacons will provide snacks.

Please RSVP by signing up on the church bulletin board or contacting the church office.

Watch Our Most Recent Worship Service

Stop Covid Sign

Watch Our Most Recent Worship Service

You can click the button below to watch a video of a recent worship service:

Watch the most recent worship service

Watch ALL of Our Worship Services

Please Share!

Our online worship services are a great way to introduce people to Koloa Union Church…and provide inspiration and hope to friends and family!

Feel free to forward this email or send the YouTube link to anyone whom you think would enjoy watching our online worship service.

Share our worship service with even more people! You can also put the link of any video of our worship services directly onto your Facebook page and thereby introducing every one of your Facebook friends to our worship services and our church!

Mahalo to Worship Participants

Lectionary Readings

Weekly Readings from the Bible

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.

Reading for October 9: Jeremiah 29:1-7; Psalm 66:1-12; 2 Kings 5:1-16; Psalm 111; 2 Timothy 2:8-15; Luke 17:11-19.
Reading for October 16: Jeremiah 31:27-34; Psalm 119:97-104; Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 121; 2 Timothy 3:14-45; Luke 18:1-8.
Reading for October 23:  Joel 2:23-32; Psalm 65; Jeremiah 14:7-10; Psalm 84:1-7; 2 Timothy 4:6-18; Luke 18:9-14.

Prayers and Squares

You Event Koloa Union Church Poipu Youth Group
You Event Koloa Union Church Poipu Youth Group

Fun Pictures Since Our Last Weekly News

Church News: Sep 29th, 2022

Our Centennial

100 YEARS OF ALOHA – PREPARING FOR OUR CENTENNIAL

This year’s stewardship theme is “100 Years of Aloha!” Each year in the fall we focus on the importance of stewardship in our lives. In October we will share stories and give thanks for the past century of faithful churchgoers who have shared their gifts. We will also look forward to how we might begin Koloa Union Church’s next century in 2023 with that same spirit of generosity!

We mailed a letter explaining our theme, along with a prayer card with this year’s stewardship prayer, to all of our members and friends who are on our stewardship mailing list. (If you didn’t get the mailing and would like to receive it and be added to the mailing list, just contact the church office.) Please pray the prayer on the prayer card (also printed below) in the coming weeks as you determine your financial commitment to our beloved church in 2023. We ask our members and friends to let us know your giving plans for the coming year in order to prepare a realistic budget. 

We will be mailing commitment cards for 2023 in a couple of weeks. Your commitment card is very helpful for our finance committee and Church Council as we prepare next year’s budget and bring it to the congregation at our annual meeting in January. Please bring your completed commitment card with you to church on Sunday, October 23 so that we can bless all of our commitments and consider what our ministry might look like in 2023 as we begin the next 100 years of Koloa Union Church.

Our Stewardship Prayer

O God, just as your faithful servants
have so freely given to our church
over the past century, may I carry
on their tradition of generosity
as I prayerfully consider my
commitment to this
church in 2023.

May my gifts to Kōloa Union Church
truly express the gratitude I have
for this congregation and all
you have done for me.
Amen.

Planned Giving Luncheon

You Event Koloa Union Church Poipu Youth Group

Building a Strong Foundation for the Next Century

Date & Time: Sunday, October 23 11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Smith Memorial Parsonage 3281 Waikomo Road, Koloa

Every church has its ups and downs when it comes to income versus necessary expenditures, including Koloa Union Church. One of the reasons we have made it through the difficult times as a congregation over the past 100 years is because of the legacy gifts that people have left us in their estate plans.

As we plan for the future, we are asking our members and friends to consider a planned gift to the church. You can leave the entirety of your estate to the church or decide upon a specific amount or a percentage to the church, thereby leaving an appropriate amount to your heirs and others as well. Many people are not aware of tax advantages and high bank fees that sometimes eat up a significant portion of an estate gift before it ever gets to the recipient.

If you are interested in learning more, please attend this free planned giving luncheon. After a delicious meal, Norma Doctor Sparks will lead a brief workshop on how to leave the church in your estate plans so that the church will benefit from the maximum amount that you intend to give.

RSVP by contacting the church office by October 16.

Prayers and Squares

You Event Koloa Union Church Poipu Youth Group

Prayers & Squares

Tuesday, October 4 10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

Prayers and Squares is a ministry promoting prayer by creating beautiful hand-tied quilts and offering them to people in crisis or those whom we wish to offer a special aloha. A prayer is said with each knot that is tied in the quilt. When recipients put the quilts it over themselves, they are covering themselves with our prayers. Our motto: “It’s not about the quilt; it’s all about the prayers.”

To request a quilt for church members or friends in crisis, call Debbie Gunning at 808-652-7899. No experience in quilting or sewing is necessary. There are jobs for everyone to help in the making of the quilts…and everyone is invited to pray!

Service of Installation Of Reverend Robert Bork

You are invited to Kapaa United Church of Christ as they install Reverend Robert Bork as Pastor and Teacher Sunday, October 9, 3 p.m. Please RSVP to Koloa Union Church office by October 2.

Youth Halloween Party

Rev Dr Walt Weiss Koloa Union Church

BOO!!!!

Sunday, October 16 4:45 – 7:00p.m.

Don’t forget to RSVP by Wednesday, October 12!

Lectio Divina

Rev Dr Walt Weiss Koloa Union Church

Date & Time: Wednesday, October 12 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Smith Memorial Parsonage

Lectio Divina is a time to silently reflect together on a repeated reading from the Bible and then share with one another about the experience (if so desired). RSVP by Sunday, October 9!

Watch Our Most Recent Worship Service

Stop Covid Sign

Watch Our Most Recent Worship Service

You can click the button below to watch a video of a recent worship service:

Watch the Worship Service

Watch ALL of Our Worship Services

Please Share!

Our online worship services are a great way to introduce people to Koloa Union Church…and provide inspiration and hope to friends and family!

Feel free to forward this email or send the YouTube link to anyone whom you think would enjoy watching our online worship service.

Share our worship service with even more people! You can also put the link of any video of our worship services directly onto your Facebook page and thereby introducing every one of your Facebook friends to our worship services and our church!

Mahalo to Worship Participants

Lectionary Readings

Weekly Readings from the Bible

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.

Reading for September 25: Jeremiah 1-15; Psalm 91:1-16; Amos 6:1-7; Psalm 146; 1 Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31.

Reading for October 2:  Lamentations 1:1-6 and 3:19-26; Psalm 137; Habakkuk 1:1-2:4; Psalm 37:1-9; 2 Timothy 1:1-14; Luke 17:5-10.

Reading for October 9:  Jeremiah 29:1-7; Psalm 66:1-12; 2 Kings 5:1-16; Psalm 111; 2 Timothy 2:8-15; Luke 17:11-19.

Fun Pictures Since Our Last Weekly News

Church News: Sep 15th, 2022

Our Centennial

Our Centennial Committee has been meeting since February 2021 to consider how we might best celebrate the past 100 years since we became “Koloa Union Church.” Of course our Christian presence on the south shore dates back to 1834 and the establishment of an official congregation in 1835 under the supervision of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. The committee has been learning a lot over the past year and a half and looking forward to sharing our findings over the next year, as well as planning some meaningful events.

Here are some dates to keep in mind as we celebrate 100 Years of Aloha:

  • October 2022: Our centennial theme will be the focus of our annual time of stewardship. We will share stories and give thanks for the past century of faithful churchgoers who have shared their gifts and look forward to how we might begin the next century with that same spirit of generosity!
  • January 1, 2023: The first day of our centennial year!
  • June 3: We will participate in the Kauai Pride Parade and Celebration as we proudly wave our rainbow colors and celebrate our centennial with the island!
  • July 29: Koloa Union Church will be the Grand Marshal of the Koloa Plantation Days Parade!
  • July 30: Centennial worship service and celebration feast!

Please mark these dates on your calendars! There will be a lot more information forthcoming, but these are the special dates to remember at this point. We look forward to celebrating with you 100 Years of Aloha!

CAPS

You Event Koloa Union Church Poipu Youth Group

Committee for the Assurance of Pandemic Safety

CAPS met on September 7 for a monthly review of guidelines, issues and recommendations. The team recommends that we keep the current guidelines in place for just a bit longer as we pay special attention to the current rollout of the new bivalent vaccination booster which targets some of the sub-variants of Covid-19. If the results are as good as we are expecting, we are hopeful that we can lift most of our guidelines by December. We all look forward to the day when we can celebrate communion as we used to, singing songs and hymns, eating together as a church, greeting with handshakes and embraces! In order for the new booster rollout to be the successful, the CDC and Health Department recommends that all people who are able receive the booster as early as possible.

CAPS recommends the following:

  • Keep our current guidelines until we know the success of the boosters.
  • Encourage everyone who is able to get the booster and a flu shot.
  • Stay as healthy as possible.
  • Pray for a successful booster rollout, for CAPS, and for our church.

CAPS is Kahu Akana, Michael Horning, Penny Jessup and Penny Osuga. This committee was created at the start of the pandemic and meets monthly to recommend and review church guidelines in order to keep everyone safe and well as we continue to discover what it means to be the church during these challenging times.

Prayers and Squares

You Event Koloa Union Church Poipu Youth Group

Youth Halloween Party

Rev Dr Walt Weiss Koloa Union Church

BOO!!!!

Sunday, October 16

4:45 – 7:00p.m.

Don’t forget to RSVP by Wednesday, October 12!

Church Breakfast

Rev Dr Walt Weiss Koloa Union Church

Kiawe Roots 2-3687 Kaumualii Highway in Lawai

Tuesday, September 27

8:00 – 9:30 a.m.

Join us on the 4th Tuesday of each month for delicious food and a fun time getting to know others from Koloa Union Church! Space is limited.

RSVP on the sign-up sheet on the church bulletin board or contact the church office.

_________________

Next month’s breakfast will be October 25th.

Location TBA

Watch Our Most Recent Worship Service

Stop Covid Sign

Watch Our Most Recent Worship Service

You can click the button below to watch a video of a recent worship service:

Watch the Worship Service

Watch ALL of Our Worship Services

Please Share!

Our online worship services are a great way to introduce people to Koloa Union Church…and provide inspiration and hope to friends and family!

Feel free to forward this email or send the YouTube link to anyone whom you think would enjoy watching our online worship service.

Share our worship service with even more people! You can also put the link of any video of our worship services directly onto your Facebook page and thereby introducing every one of your Facebook friends to our worship services and our church!

Mahalo to Worship Participants

Lectionary Readings

Weekly Readings from the Bible

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.

Reading for September 11: Jeremiah 4:11-28; Psalm 14; Exodus 32:7-14; Psalm 51:1-10; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10

Reading for September 18: Jeremiah 8:18-9:1; Psalm 79:1-9; Amos 8:4-7; Psalm 113; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13.

Reading for September 25: Jeremiah 1-15; Psalm 91:1-16; Amos 6:1-7; Psalm 146; 1 Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31.

Reading for October 2:  Lamentations 1:1-6 and 3:19-26; Psalm 137; Habakkuk 1:1-2:4; Psalm 37:1-9; 2 Timothy 1:1-14; Luke 17:5-10

Fun Pictures Since Our Last Weekly News