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Join us for
HOLY EUCHARIST
December 31, 2023 at 7:00 am & 9:00 am
First Sunday after Christmas
To attend online, join our Facebook LIVESTREAM*
Download this week's ORDER OF WORSHIP
Missed a service? Watch on YouTube any time.
*Note: If you have difficulty connecting to the livestream, try reloading your page.
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January 7 - First Sunday after the Epiphany - 7:00 am & 9:00 am
January 14 - Second Sunday after the Epiphany - 7:00 am & 9:00 am
January 21 - Third Sunday after the Epiphany - 7:00 am & 9:00 am
January 28 - Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany - 7:00 am & 9:00 am
Find scripture readings for upcoming Sundays and learn about the liturgical seasons in the Episcopal Church here.
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"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." —John 1:1-2 | | |
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Dear St. Augustine's 'ohana,
Growing up in the midwest, daytime was noticeably short in December. During the dark days of winter, we celebrated light with candles and a roaring fire in the hearth. Coming inside from the cold and snow, we were greeted with warmth and light.
Despite the absence of snow in the front yard of the vicarage, I find the rhythm similar here. We light our home with candles and snuggle into the crisp evening air. Most of all, we find that no matter where we live, the light of Christmas fills our hearts. Joyful gatherings, good food, and excellent company bring all the warm feelings of the season.
But most of all, I find joy in this: Christmas brings the light of good news! This time of our church year brings the timeless reminder that God created us with the Light of Spirit. This light can grow in us if we nurture it with faith and hope in the goodness Christ brings. No matter what's happening on the planet or in our lives, Christmas reminds us of the hope Christ offers.
It's up to us to embrace that offer. The embers of light in our souls come alive when we breathe life into them. One of the best ways to do this is to pay attention to the words we speak.
I'm especially mindful of the wisdom from today's gospel reading: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Words matter. Words are sacred gifts allowing us to express our innermost thoughts. John the Baptist teaches us that words are ideas transformed into flesh when we speak them; the words we say to ourselves and to others literally breathe life into our intentions.
2024 will bring new experiences: delights, challenges, and everything between. Our words hold the hope of unifying, gathering, and empowering. With each breath of life, may we show our inner light in the words we utter. Challenged by clouds and dark in the world, may we emerge as light through the thoughts we share in the world.
Blessings,
Vicar Jennifer
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THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO | |
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Kathy Matsuda for cleaning the church & providing flowers this week, and Maurine Gomes for coordinating flowers for Christmas and serving as altar guild.
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Maurine Gomes for serving as lay reader last Sunday.
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Kathy Matsuda for serving as lay reader Christmas Eve.
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Laura LaGassa for serving as lay reader Christmas morning.
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St. Augustine's members who pray for others each week.
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The many members of St. Augustine's and the community who help sort donations and operate the Thrift Shop.
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ST. AUGUSTINE'S PRAYER CHAIN
Please pray for healing, guidance, strength, peace of mind, and comfort for: All who are affected by the Israel/Hamas war and wars around the world, Bobbi Green, John & Cori Lorenzo, Ennis Gibbs, Tom Leonard, Linda Leonard Powell, David Peter Franco, Erin Manuel, all the people of Maui, Church of the Holy Innocents in Maui and Vicar Bruce & Sylvia DeGooyer, Arcadio & Filomena Badua, Lisa Andrews, Guy Kaoo, Koa Paulo, Tula Brickel, Becky & Ludwig Simmet, Reni Aʻi aʻi Bello, Kaikoa-Aina Brown, Marlene & Harry Ching, Annecita Tamayo, Lynn Dicus, and Juana Mejia.
PRAYER CHAIN VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer to be part of St. Augustine's prayer chain! Contact Patsy Ching or Vicar Jennifer if you would like to:
- Pray for those who have requested prayers
- Be part of the phone tree that helps us know about prayer requests or emergencies
REQUEST PRAYERS
If you or someone you know would like to be added to our prayer list, please email Patsy Ching or Vicar Jennifer. You can request prayers for yourself, your 'ohana, or anyone in our community or beyond.
During our Sunday services, you can write prayer requests on a piece of paper. Prayers will be read aloud or silently (per your request) during the Prayers of the People.
ONLINE FORM
You can also send us prayer requests through our online form.
Mahalo for your care and prayers!
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SUNDAY SCHOOL - For children ages 3-10, every Sunday morning at 9:00 am with Youth Director Kathy Matsuda with Michelle White, Kathy Webb and Lucas Masada Corey.
FELLOWSHIP HOUR - Every Sunday after our 9:00 am service. We gather to enjoy conversation, coffee, and treats in Walker Hall. Please bring some savory or sweet treats to share if you like! Mahalo to all who have been providing delicious food and to Jeannette Hensel for bringing coffee.
TEEN GATHERINGS - Stay tuned for the next event coming soon!
CHOIR - Join us Tuesday, January 2nd at 5:00 pm to sing through the hymns for the following Sunday. All are welcome!
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CHRISTMAS
AT ST. AUGUSTINE'S
<--Brendan McDougall blows the pū.
<--The candles are lit. Our choir leads
"O Come all Ye Faithful."
<--We gather to share the Holy Eucharist.
<--We celebrate with the good help of the youngest among us!
<--The candles are lit by Lani and Kaya.
<--"Silent Night" in the warm glow of candlelight.
<--A feast with song and great company after the service in Walker Hall.
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GODLY PLAY ADVENT
Last week we enjoyed the Fourth Sunday of Advent Godly Play story with Sunday School teacher Kathy Webb. After the story, Kathy Matsuda led us in a fun Christmas wall hanging craft. You can find a video of last week's story here on Youtube.
Sunday school is held every Sunday during the 9:00am service and open to all keiki ages 3-10. Hope to see you, your grandchildren, or children there!
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BELL RINGING AT TAKATA STORE
Mahalo to St. Augustine's volunteers who volunteered for Salvation Army bell-ringing at Takata store every Friday in December! It was a great way to talk story with the community and spread Christmas cheer while supporting a great cause!
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END-OF-YEAR REMINDER ABOUT PLEDGES
To aid our budgeting process for 2024, please give careful consideration to a financial pledge to St. Augustine's. Each 'ohana received a mailing with a pledge card. Please bring your completed pledge card to church and place it in the offering plate or put it in the mail slot outside the church admin office. You can also mail it to the church at:
St. Augustine's Episcopal Church
PO Box 220
Kapaau, HI 96755
If you need a pledge card, extra cards are available in the church and in Walker Hall.
Your support for St. Augustine's is much appreciated! We have several large projects coming up in 2024, such as removing bees and tenting for termites. If you are interested in making a special contribution for a specific project, please contact Vicar Jennifer.
Mahalo nui for your gifts of time, talents, and funds! Every bit of what you do helps us further our mission "to be the love of God and to feel the love of God" at St. Augustine's and in our North Kohala community!
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If you have information to share, please let us know! This is a space to help us stay in touch in a variety of ways, such as news, offers of assistance, or garden bounty (fruits, veggies) you would like to share. Please email Vicar Jennifer or Kathy Webb: VicarJennifer@staugustineskohala.com or admin@staugustineskohala.com Submissions due by Thursday morning for Friday's newsletter. | | |
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NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS WITH CREATION CARE IN MIND
If you're making a resolution this new year, consider ways to live more gently and in harmony with the 'aina. Stay tuned to this section of the newsletter throughout 2024 for simple ways to care for creation in our daily lives.
Here in the Diocese of Hawai'i, the Environmental Justice and Creation Care Task Force was formed June 2021 from a larger appeal by The Episcopal Church to address our world's environmental crisis. The task force is led by the Revs. Jenn Latham and Brianna Lloyd, along with other volunteers from around the Diocese. Together, they raise awareness and take action in our communities. If you would like to learn more or take part in this important ministry, send an email through this link HERE.
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PICTURED ABOVE - Teahupo'o in Tahiti, the site of a three-day surfing competition for the 2024 Olympics. Locals oppose the construction of a broadcast tower on the reef, which would damage the reef and its ecosystem. | |
Please pray for the safekeeping of the reef of Teahupo'o in Tahiti. Locals there have protested plans to build a TV broadcast tower on the reef for the Paris 2024 Olympics surfing competition, citing certain and irreparable damage to the reef and its ecosystem.
If you are on Instagram, please visit #saveteahupoo, sign the petition and share widely. #https://www.instagram.com/teahupoo/?hl=en
Mahalo to Brendan McDougall for calling this vital creation care issue to our attention. May our sister island's sacred waters and reefs remain untouched.
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ST. AUGUSTINE'S THRIFT SHOP
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THRIFT SHOP HOURS
The Thrift Shop is open Wednesdays from noon - 6:00 pm and also on the first Saturday of the month from 8:00 am - 11:00 am.
DONATIONS
St. Augustine's is grateful to the community for the many items generously donated to our Thrift Shop! We accept donations when the Thrift Store is staffed by our volunteers.
Please bring your items during these times:
Wednesdays 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursdays 8:00 am - 11:00 am
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UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS | |
MESSAGES FROM OUR BISHOP
& PRESIDING BISHOP
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