Volume 3, Issue 46
December 21, 2018
THIS SUNDAY: December 23, 2018
Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year B)
Micah 5:2-5a
Canticle 15 
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45 (46-55)

8:00AM
Cami Pascua (EM)
John Hanaoka (U)
Marge Akana (AG)

9:30AM
Mary Margaret Smith (EM)
Linda Crocker, David Murray (R)
Mary Margaret Smith , CeCe Caldwell (U)
Flora Rubio (AG)
Braden, Soloman (A)
Mabel Antonio, Vikki Secretario (HP)
UPCOMING EVENTS
Preschool Christmas Program
Friday, Dec. 21
6:30 - 7:30PM
All Saints' Gym

Christmas Caroling
Saturday, Dec. 22
5:00 - 6:00PM
Mahelona Hospital

Youth Christmas Party
Saturday, Dec. 22
6:00PM
Youth Room, Gym

Youth Bible Study
Sunday, Dec. 23
11:00AM - 12:30PM
Youth Room, gym

Christmas Eve Keiki Service
Monday, Dec. 24
3:30 - 4:30PM
Gym

Festive Christmas Eve Mass
Monday, Dec. 24
5:30 - 7:00PM
Church

Christmas Open House
Monday, Dec. 24
7:00 - 10:00PM
Sloggett Center

Festive Christmas Eve Mass
Monday, Dec. 24
10:30PM - 12:00 Midnight
Church

Daughters of the King
Thursday, Dec. 27
7:00 - 8:00PM
Memorial Hall
RECURRING EVENTS
Adult Bible Study on Weekly Gospel
Every Sunday, 9:00-9:30AM
Under the big tree

Sunday School
Every Sunday, 9:30-10:15AM
Memorial Hall

Aloha Hour
Every Sunday,10:45AM - 12PM
Under the big tree

Monday Crew
Every Monday, 8:00AM
Church Office
Laundry Love
1 st & 3 rd Wednesday, 5:30PM
Kapa`a Laundromat

McMaster Slack Key Guitar and Ukulele Concert
Every Wednesday, 6:00PM
Church

Choir Practice
Every Thursday | 6:00PM
Choir Room

Daughters of the King
2 nd & 4 th Thursday, 7:00-8:00PM
Memorial Hall
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Tis The Season For JOY!
All Saints' Christmas Event Schedule
December 22, 2018
Christmas Caroling 
Mahelona Hospital 
5:00PM - 6:00PM 

December 22, 2018
Ke Akua Youth Christmas Party 
Gym – Youth Room 
6:30PM 

December 24, 2018
Christmas Open House Between the Services
Sloggett Hall 
PLEASE BRING A DISH TO SHARE
7:00PM - 10:15PM
All Saints' Christmas Service Schedule
December 24 , 2018
Keiki Service 
3:30PM - 4:15PM

Festive Christmas Mass with Choir and Music 
5:30PM - 7:00PM 

Carol Prelude and Festive Midnight Christmas Mass with Choir and Music 
10:30PM - 12:00AM 

December 25, 2018
Christmas Day Holy Eucharist with music 
9:00AM – 10:00AM
IT'S A PARTY!
Christmas Eve Between the Evening Services
No matter what kind of bird you are – an “early bird” who attends the 5:30PM service or a “night owl” who prefers the 10:30PM service – you are invited to attend the annual Christmas Eve Party from 7:00PM until 10:00PM on December 24, 2018 in the courtyard of the Preschool building.

It’s a pot luck event so bring a favorite Christmas dish or beverage to share if you are able.
Sit by the fire (YES, there will be a fire!) with a mug of hot chocolate or apple cider and listen to Christmas music while you talk story with family and old friends – maybe even make some new friends.
The Hospitality Ministry will provide beverages of all kinds for people of all ages from kids to adults.

Come early or come late, it doesn’t matter. Just as long as you come and enjoy yourself!

We look forward to seeing you.

Mele Kalikimaka!

-for the Hospitality Ministry
David Murray
A CALL TO SING
The All Saints' Choir extends a warm welcome to new members, amateur and professional, alike. Even if you are just visiting Kaua`i and would like to sing with the choir during your stay, you are more than welcome. We frequently have visitors join us during their stay.

Please consider singing with us this Christmas season, or any time, if you are able. We are in particular need of additional tenor and bass voices

Practice is held each Thursday at 6:00PM in the Music Room (south entrance of the All Saints' Gym). Sunday call times are generally 8:45AM. If you would like to "In-Choir" about the All Saints' Choir, please contact Hank Curtis . All Saints' welcomes you!
NEWS FROM KE AKUA YOUTH

Holiday Festivities Scheduled
Christmas Caroling

Just a reminder that our Christmas Caroling will be on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018 at Mahelona Hospital from 5:00 to 6:00PM. Please wear Holiday attire (Santa hats, red/green/Christmas shirts, etc). If you have any musical instruments we would love to hear them. We will meet in the Mahelona Parking Lot at 4:45PM. 

Christmas Party 6:00pm

Following the caroling, we will meet at the Youth Room back at All Saints' Gym for our Christmas Party. We will be having a pot luck , so please bring a dish to share. I will supply the pizza. 

We will also be having a Chinese Grab Bag/White Elephant gift exchange. If you want to play, please bring an anonymous present between $5-$20 in value that could be good for either a boy or girl. 

Parents and youth supporters are free to join in for the fun! Just let me know so I can setup enough tables and chairs for everyone.

Bible Study 12/23/18

We will be having bible study to reflect on the Christmas season. See you in the Youth Room on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018 at 11:00AM. 

Please let me know if you have any questions. Otherwise, see you Saturday.

Thanks,
-Cami
(808) 639-0357
cami@allsaintskauai.org
DECORATING THE CHURCH FOR CHRISTMAS
Let Us Prepare The Way Of The Lord!
Ever thought to yourself "I could make this Church look FABULOUS for Christmas"? Well, now's your chance. Go for it!

Please join us Christmas Eve morning as we change seasons and move from Advent into Christmas We will be decorating the Church and also setting up the Nativity scene on the lanai as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
We will also be moving tables and chairs from the gym over to the Preschool building and setting up for the Christmas Eve party.

Our day will start at 8:00AM at the Church and we will be sure to have lots of hot coffee and Christmas cookies to keep everyone going!

Mele Kalikimaka kakou!

David Murray
Senior Warden
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT ABOUNDS AT LAUNDRY LOVE
Celebrating The Holiday Through Clean Laundry, Compassion, and Fellowship
The Christmas Spirit was everywhere this past Wednesday night at Laundry Love.

Over the years we have gotten to know the people who come to Laundry Love and it was extra special Wednesday night to be able to share food, hugs and Christmas wishes with them.  

There was lots to share – the volunteers brought cookies, candy, soup, hot chocolate, coffee and more. Plenty for everyone. There was lots of laughter and fun working together. It was wonderful and joyful.  

A very special Mahalo to Norman Hashisaka , owner of the Kapa`a Laundry who presented Laundry Love Kaua`i a donation of $300 last night, something he graciously does on a regular basis. Without his permission to use his facility we wouldn’t be able to provide this service to the community. Thanks also to Reed Hashisaka who comes every time we are there and makes sure the machines are working.  
 
I was privileged to hear a young man’s high school presentation last week. The students worked 15 hours of community service as part of their project. He chose Laundry Love Kaua`i for his service project and he talked about how rewarding it was. We have touched a lot more hearts and minds then we realize.

Laundry love is special and I am blessed to be a team leader. Thanks to all the volunteers for your generous hearts. You are special and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

-for Laundry Love Kaua`i
Mary Margaret Smith
E KALA MAI!
Technical Issues Disrupt Availability of E-Programs
We regret to inform you that, for technical reasons, the Weekly Electronic Service Program ( E-Program ) is no longer available for download from the All Saints’ website ( http://www.allsaintskauai.org ). We are working to fix this technical problem so please monitor your Epistle for updates. We will have the E-Program available as soon as possible.
MAHALO NUI LOA!!
All Saints' Celebrates God's Blessings: In-Gathering of Pledges
Every faculty you have, your power of thinking or of moving your limbs from moment to moment, is given you by God. If you devoted every moment of your whole life exclusively to His service, you could not give Him anything that was not in a sense His own already. 
– C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Mahalo to everyone who has already made an individual pledge of support to the on-going work of God through All Saints' Episcopal Church and Preschool for the 2019 fiscal year. Many of you mailed in your pledges early and others preferred to present their pledges during the Offertory on December 9 th . Again we thank you and see your faith in the Lord and His servants at All Saints' as a model to us all!

To those who have not yet pledged - it's never too late! Keep those pledges coming.

All Saints' is truly blessed to have such a wonderful, caring congregation. We look forward to sharing this Christmas season with you all and also look forward to an interesting 2019. Who knows what the New Year may bring. However, we do know that it will be a good year because....

 "We were made to "Thrive!"

Mahalo nui loa! And may God continue to bless All Saints’ Church and our All Saints’ ‘Ohana.

David Murray, Sr. Warden
Mary Margaret Smith, Jr. Warden
Nelson Secretario, Stewardship Chair
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
My Soul Doth Magnify The Lord
Magnificat
This song of praise, also known as "The Song of Mary," is from the account in Luke 1:46-55 of Mary's visit to her relative Elizabeth when Mary was pregnant with Jesus and Elizabeth was pregnant with John the Baptist. It is attributed to Mary in the Lucan narrative, but a minority of ancient authorities attributed it to Elizabeth. The term is from the opening words of the passage in the Latin Vulgate, Magnificat anima mea Dominum ("My soul magnifies the Lord"). The Magnificat strongly resembles and may have been modeled after the Song of Hannah (1 Sm 2:1-10), which is quite similar in its structure and themes. Both songs emphasize God's holiness and power, God's option for the poor and judgment on the rich, the fulfillment of God's promises, and the redemption of God's people.

The Magnificat is the traditional canticle of vespers. It was the only canticle for use after the first lesson of Evensong in the 1549 BCP. It was not used in the 1789 American BCP, but it was restored in the 1892 BCP. The 1928 BCP allowed its use as the only canticle at Evening Prayer when one lesson was read. The 1979 BCP permits use of the Magnificat at both Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer. It appears as Canticles 3 and 15 in the BCP, and it is printed in both the Rite 1 and Rite 2 forms for Evening Prayer. It may also be used at the Act of Thanksgiving in the Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child (BCP, pp. 441-442).

The Hymnal 1982 has a variety of settings for the Magnificat (S 242-S 247), including Plainsong, Tonus Peregrinus, adapted by Bruce E. Ford (S 242) and the setting Cathedral of the Isles by Betty Carr Pulkingham (S 247). The hymn text "Tell out, my soul" by Timothy Dudley-Smith (Hymns 437-438) is based on the Song of Mary.
This glossary is intended to be a handy, quick, general reference for Episcopalians. It will appear occasionally in The Epistle and will include material specific to the Episcopal Church and its history and polity, liturgy and theology, as well as subjects relevant to the whole church. If you have a question, please send it to your  Epistle Staff .
FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT
Journeying in the World
As we come closer to the joy and promise of the Incarnation, we invite you to continue journeying the Way of Love. Consider this week which of the seven practices captured your imagination this Advent. Which challenged you or brought the most joy? Where did you find blessings or cross boundaries? Where is God calling you to witness to salvation being birthed into the world today?
Sunday, December 23
WORSHIP
Linger before leaving worship today. Ask God to prepare and send you to go out into the world to witness to God’s love.

Monday, December 24
GO
Notice and pray for all those who, like Mary and Joseph, are in need of shelter.

Tuesday, December 25
LEARN
Read Luke 1-2. Give thanks for the birth of the Christ-child. Pray that you may follow Christ Jesus on his Way of Love with your whole heart, mind, body, and spirit.
For more Advent resources related to the Way of Love, visit episcopalchurch.org/wayoflove . There, you’ll find links to the full Advent curriculum Journeying the Way of Love, as well as a nine-session curriculum for use anytime, a printable Advent calendar, video, and much more.

Published by the Office of Formation of The Episcopal Church, 815 Second Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017

© 2018 The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. All rights reserved.
PRESIDING BISHOP MICHAEL CURRY CHRISTMAS MESSAGE 2018

'Love Came Down At Christmas, Because God So Loved The World, That He Gave, Even To The Point Of Risking His Own Son'

Posted Dec 18, 2018
[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs] “Love came down at Christmas, because God so loved the world, that he gave,” Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry said in his Christmas Message 2018.
To watch the video of the presiding bishop’s message, recorded at Bryant Park in New York, click the link below.
The text of the presiding bishop’s message follows:

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry Christmas Message 2018

In the Third Chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus says at one point, “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that all who believe in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

For years, I’ve often thought that that passage only referred to Jesus giving his life as a sacrifice on the cross. And to be sure, that is part of what it means. But some years ago I was reading a commentary by Raymond Brown, on the Gospel of John, and Professor Brown said that that passage not only speaks of Jesus willingly giving his life on the cross, but it actually speaks of Christmas, of God giving his very self, his very son to the world, not for anything God could get out of it, but for the good and the welfare and the well-being of the world. Of us.

Someone once said, in a Christmas poem, “Love came down at Christmas.” That’s what love is. To give, and not to count the cost. To give, not for what one can get, but for what the other can receive. That’s what love is. God so loved the world, that he gave.

I realized recently how powerful that passage really is, when I saw an old poster from 1938. A poster produced by the Episcopal Church at that time, to encourage Episcopalians and other Christians, and other people of faith and good will, to do whatever they could to help Jewish refugees fleeing tyranny in Europe. To help people from all over Europe seeking refuge in America, this land of freedom. The poster depicts Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. They’re fleeing persecution in Palestine, as Matthew’s Gospel says. And the poster depicting Mary, Joseph, and Jesus says in the tag line, “In the name of these refugees, help all refugees.”

God so loved the world, that he gave, even to the point of risking his own son. And in the name of those refugees, in the name of that Jesus, help all refugees, all people who suffer, anyone who’s alone, everyone who is in need. That’s what love does.
Love came down at Christmas, because God so loved the world, that he gave.

In those days, a decree went out from the Emperor Augustus, that all the world should be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem because he was a descendent from the House of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged, and who was expecting a child. While they were there, she gave birth to her first-born son, and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Meanwhile, in that region, there were shepherds, living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then the angel of the Lord stood above them. And the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were terrified. The angel said unto them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all people. To you is born this day, in the City of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign. You will find the child wrapped in bands of cloth, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly, there was with the angels a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace to all people on earth.”

Have a blessed Christmas. Have a merry Christmas. Have a joyful Christmas.
God love you, God bless you, and may God hold us all in those almighty hands of love.

The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
ALL SAINTS' JAPANESE DANCE CLASS RINGS IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON
Mahalo For A Beautiful and Moving Holliday Dance
The All Saints' Japanese Dance Class performing on the Third Sunday in Advent, 2018.
The All Saints' Japanese Dance Class Third Sunday in Advent, 2018
Japanese-themed Offertory Anthem and Aloha Hour

On Sunday, December 16 th , the Japanese dancers presented a heart-felt interpretation of Oh Holy Night that captured the sacred nature of this timeless classic in a traditional Japanese format. The congregation was thrilled with the performance and couldn't hold back a standing ovation.

Mahalo nui loa to Carolyn Morinishi and the entire ensemble.

To see a slideshow of the performance, please click the video link below.
ALTAR FLOWERS
There Is Still Time To Reserve Yours
If you would like to donate Altar Flowers there is still time. We need volunteers to sign up for 3 Sundays this Summer and Fall:

June 2, 23 and November 24.

All this entails is signing up and letting us know if you want us to order your flowers from JC’s Flowers or Mrs. Tanaka or if you want to go to your own florist and have them deliver to the church or you have to bring them to the church yourself. 

You are responsible for paying the florist $40. Chris will send you a calendar reminding you of the date you signed up. That is all there is to it. So easy and very helpful to the church! Please consider it if you have never done it before.

If you are interested, p lease contact Chris in the Church office via phone 808-822-4267 or email  church@allsaintskauai.org  
13TH ANNUAL ALL ANGELS JAZZ FESTIVAL
Save On Early Bird Pricing Through December 31
St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church on Kaua`i will be holding their 13 th Annual All Angels Jazz Festival from February 1-3, 2019, featuring popular jazz artists from around Hawai`i and the mainland. The three-day event begins with concerts on Friday and Saturday night, and concludes with their popular free Jazz Masses on Sunday at 8:30AM and 11:00AM.  

For more information and to purchase concert tickets, visit the event webpage HERE. Purchase tickets before December 31 and save with early bird pricing! St. Michael's is located at 4364 Hardy Street in Lihue.
SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS WEEK
Jesus Our Savior Is Born!
This is our story, the story for us. In Jesus Christ, God born as a human to be among us and to save us, we become free from sin and death. We become reconciled to God.

Luke proclaims a message of pure joy in the birth of Jesus, and his story is infused with the absolute love of God for us. Even the whole heavenly host of angels appears to us to rejoice with us in the good news of a Savior for the world.

Luke places the birth of Jesus in its historical context, during the reign of Emperor Augustus.

Jesus’ humble birth, with a manger for a bed, is accompanied by the glory of the heavenly hosts appearing to the lowly shepherds as the angels announce the birth of “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Jesus is thus announced at his birth, and at the beginning of this gospel, as one who will bring salvation to us.
Prayer for the Search Committee
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a rector for this parish, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

BCP, p. 818
HALE HO`OMALU DECEMBER COLLECTION  
Saimin, Rice, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Instant Oatmeal
Place your donations in the red wagon by the door to the sanctuary on Sundays. Hale Ho`omalu also needs and appreciates monetary donations as well as gift-in-kind items.
Please note, we do not accept food items that are not mentioned on the monthly list and we do not accept clothing, toys or similar items unless a specific plea for such items is published in the Epistle. Your Epistle Staff will inform you of any special requests for donations.
IN BRIEF . . .
These news briefs were featured in previous issues of "The Epistle"
Please submit your story ideas to the Epistle Staff at epistle@allsaintskauai.org.