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Join us for
HOLY EUCHARIST
December 24, 2023 at 9:00 am
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 24, 2023 at 5:30 pm
Christmas Eve
December 25, 2023 at 9:00 am
Christmas Day
To attend online, join our Facebook LIVESTREAM*
Download the order of worship:
Advent 4 12/24 - 9:00 am
Christmas Eve 12/24 - 5:30 pm
Christmas Day 12/25 - 9:00 am
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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December 31- First Sunday after Christmas - 7:00 am & 9:00 am
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
Find scripture readings for upcoming Sundays and learn about the liturgical seasons in the Episcopal Church here.
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Dear St. Augustine's 'ohana,
With Christmas approaching in less than a week, I am pausing to reflect on what a journey this Advent has been. At this time last year, I doubt I would have believed stories of the news unfolding right now.
Our personal lives may or may not reflect the wider difficulties on the planet, but we are all affected. Conflicts, war, and idealogical rifts divide our world.
And it's at such as time as this that we prepare for the arrival of the Christ Child. We've been talking about hope, peace and joy these past weeks, and now, this week, we talk about love. These are common words—hope, peace, joy, and love—but they are far from trivial concepts. These are ageless markers of well being and order, and we peer out into the world in our searching, straining to find them, and yearning for hope, peace, joy, and love in our lives.
And yet.
Yes, there is always an "and yet" with the Divine! God's presence reminds us that hope, peace, joy, and love live inside us. No need to look elsewhere, because God's presence flows always. We need only to step inside it. God's love is not for us to hold. God's love is for us to allow. Stepping inside ourselves, we step inside the flow of God's endless love.
Unfathomable chaos is no match for eternal love. This is what we celebrate on this and every Christmas.
Warmest wishes to you for a blessed and merry Christmas!
Aloha nui loa,
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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Kim Lambrecht for serving as lay reader last Sunday.
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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, John & Cori Lorenzo, Ennis Gibbs, Tom Leonard, Linda Leonard Powell, David Peter Franco, Erin Manuel, George Webb Jr., all the people of Maui, Church of the Holy Innocents in Maui and Vicar Bruce & Sylvia DeGooyer, Arcadio & Filomena Badua, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Lisa Andrews, Guy Kaoo, Koa Paulo, Tula Brickel, Becky & Ludwig Simmet, Reni Aʻi aʻi Bello, Kaikoa-Aina Brown, Karen Miller, 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, December 26th at 5:00 pm to sing through the hymns for the following Sunday. All are welcome!
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GODLY PLAY ADVENT
Last week we enjoyed the Third Sunday of Advent Godly Play story with Sunday School teacher and director Kathy Matsuda. After the story, Kathy led us in a fun Christmas wall hanging craft. You can find a video of this 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 have been bell-ringing for Salvation Army 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.
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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TRIMMING YOUR HOME—CREATION CARE FOR ADVENT
Get creative this year when decorating your hale!
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Decorate with nature. What might you find in your own backyard? Pine cones and evergreen clippings make beautiful centerpieces and backdrops for nativity scenes.
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Melt down old candles to create new ones. Canning jars make great containers, and wicks are readily available at craft stores.
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Visit the Thrift Shop at St. Augustine's! We have a number of Christmas decorations, stockings, and ornaments available. Come and shop Wednesdays from 12-6PM.
Mahalo to the Episcopal Church in Colorado for this week's Creation Care tip!
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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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