“A Very Special Week Indeed!”
I told you it was going to be a very special week!
Our Maundy Thursday Communion Service was a meaningful time of reflecting on Jesus’ last supper with his disciples; the choir made the service “extra special!” Easter Egg Decorating and lunch is always a favorite time of the year for our keiki, and this year was no exception, along with a new way of decorating eggs with shaving cream! The Good Friday Lectio Divina Service was meaningful as well, as we pondered the suffering of Jesus and love of God. At the Holy Saturday Labyrinth Walk, we learned about labyrinths, focused on “the in between day” between crucifixion and resurrection—a day of waiting, wondering, praying, hoping—and then walked the labyrinth on the church lawn. (And, yes, the labyrinth is still drying out!) The community Easter Sunrise Service was my favorite one so far—partly because of the lively music, which Doug Duvauchelle participated in, and also because of the beautiful hula by Rose Warken Ceballos (just as the sun was rising over the horizon on Easter morning!). During the Easter Worship Service, we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus by remembering that there truly is life after death—with wonderful music by our choir and dancing once again by Rose…and a visit by the movie star Sigourney Weaver! (I can’t believe I shook her hand and wished her a “Happy Easter” without recognizing her!) The Easter Egg Hunt and Picnic at the parsonage was well-attended and fun as always!
One of the things I noticed during Holy Week is that we had visitors attend every single one of our services this past week (some from just down the street and one family who drove all the way from Kapa`a). When I asked our visitors how they found out about us and how they chose to come to church here, they all said either they found us through our website or they saw our sign as they drove past. I was especially pleased when the couple from Kapa`a said that they checked out a bunch of church websites, but they watched a few of my sermons online and that’s what made them decide to drive here from Kapa`a!
I am grateful to everyone who made a gift to ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING! The money given to the collection enables our church to share God’s love with people in need around the world by providing relief to those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry and help empower the poor and oppressed. On Sunday, the children began bringing their OGHS coin boxes, and continue doing so during the next couple weeks. If anyone else would like to make a gift to OGHS, please use the OGHS offering envelopes available at church or write a check to “Koloa Union Church” with “OGHS” in the note section. Thank you for your generous gifts!
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
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