(Left) November 30, 2020 - The Bishop shares an Advent Reflection with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Isaiah, and a call to help those most in need during these times.
(Right) November 25, 2020 - Bishop's Thanksgiving Message 2020
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Coming soon!
The Bishop’s Bible Study Beginning December 2:
The Gospel According to Mark
Bishop Bob will again be offering his weekly online reflection on a book of the Bible beginning on the first Wednesday in Advent, December 2, 2020. Over the following weeks, he will walk through the Gospel according to Mark. These twenty-minute reflections can be part of individual study and prayer, or they can be used as part of a small group study (perhaps for a Bishop’s Committee/Vestry as a shared study).
As preparation for this time together, Bishop Bob invites everyone (lay and clergy) in the Diocese to read a chapter of Mark out loud everyday from today until December 2. There are only 16 chapters, so if you start right away, you can actually read it through almost twice (although you will need to double up on a few days, but try to get through the Gospel twice). Remember, though written down, Scripture was meant to be read aloud in the community. The Bishop particularly thinks a believer can get much more out of Mark’s Gospel if it is read out loud. Right now, he and Bea are reading a chapter of Mark every night. Join the journey through the Gospel according to Mark.
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A message from the Rector |
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December 1, 2020
The season of Advent began with this past Sunday and will continue until Christmas. Advent is the beginning of the Church liturgical year. It is often referred to as the New Year of the Church. It is a season of preparation and anticipatory hope for the inbreaking of Christ, both at Christmas AND in the new creation of all things.
How come the Church new year does not begin with the birth of Christ as we celebrate Christmas in the Feast of the Nativity? To understand Jesus’ power and reign, we must not only look at his life through Jesus of Nazareth, but also the acts of God which led to the incoming of Christ in the world:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life,[a] and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)
Not only is Christ eternal in the Trinity, but the acts of God for the salvation of the world were in motion long before Christ became truly human. In the season of Advent, we get a telling of these stories through the prophets and unlikely characters that started pointing the world toward Jesus. Through them we receive an understanding of who He was, a king born in poverty, is now, a redeemer of sins, and ever will be, a beacon of light for the highest hope of humanity. We also embrace scriptural stories that point us toward the New Creation and the second coming of Christ.
What we find in all of this is a fluid, living, active narrative of God’s relationship with humanity over time AND with us as created beings living in present time. Where do you find yourself this season? Do you feel compelled to connect with your roots and grounding in the guidance of our ancestors and witnesses of the past? Do you feel urged toward shedding old skin and ways of being for newness in life and growth? Do you simply need to be still in the “Now”?
The season of Advent is a rich one for possibility. Take it as a gift.
In addition to partaking in Advent worship services, I’m offering a ZOOM group on Thursdays at 10am for one hour to reflect and share stories on the weekly themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love. I hope to see you there!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Katlin
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December 24th:
Kūpuna Mass IN PERSON only@ 2PM
Family Mass IN PERSON And ONLINE @ 4PM;
Sunday School ZOOM @ 6:30PM
Lessons in Carols ONLINE Only @ 7PM
December 25th:
Christmas Day Service - ONLINE And IN PERSON @ 9AM
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Enjoy a holiday message from the Interfaith Communities in Action. |
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Order a poinsettia for a loved one this holiday season. The suggested donation is $20. There are 9 poinsettia still available. Feel free to call the office at 935-5545 or click the link below to order.
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Stewardship Campaign 2021-Thank you for your pledges! |
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Stewardship Season 2021 kicked off with the mailing of a pledge packet. So far 49 people have turned in their pledges. With God’s Help you are invited to take a moment to reflect on our individual and collective callings as members of the Body of Christ, and how we each are blessed by our Lord with gifts to seek and serve Christ in those around us.
Do not neglect to do good and who share what you have for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16.
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Our last story of stewardship and thanksgiving is brought to you from Jane Torricer. Thank you, Jane for a very moving testimony.
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The Second Sunday in Advent
Advent means “coming.”
- The coming of the baby Jesus, God among us in human flesh.
- The coming of Christ again: "the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory."
In between those two great comings is God’s constant longing for each of us to come to God, to love God, and to let God love us. "Be alert." Notice. Listen. Watch. For what?
- For the ways God will choose to get our attention this season.
- For those moments when we notice that our ways are not in alignment with God’s ways.
- For those shimmering glimpses of the Kingdom of God.
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Sunday School Schedule
*please notice a change in scheduling
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Sunday Dec 13 Zoom 10:30am
3rd Sunday in Advent
Thursday Dec 24 Zoom 6:30pm
Christmas Eve Family Gathering
Sunday Dec 27 no class
*Sunday Jan 3 class rescheduled to Jan 10
Sunday Jan 10 Zoom 10:30am
Resume regular class
Sunday Jan 31 Zoom 10:30am
*CHA Annual Meeting
Sunday Feb 7 Zoom 10:30am Sunday School class
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New Podcast this Advent Season: |
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Centering Prayer - Prayer as Relationship
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"Be still and know that I am God."
Psalm 46:10
This simple wisdom saying is an invitation given to you by God. It is a call to set aside all activity, rest in silence, and come into an intimate relationship with the Beloved.
Throughout the ages, most cultures and religions have practiced some form of prayer as a way of relating to God or spirit. In the modern Western world, we tend to think of prayer as thoughts or feelings expressed through words. Often these prayers become supplications to a God "out there"--a God that we perceive to be somewhere else. Although these prayers are those most commonly practiced, they are not the only expressions of prayer.
In Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke, the word for prayer is shela. Shela can be interpreted to mean "to open oneself and listen to the Divine Presence." In this sense, prayer is not necessarily words being spoken; rather, it is closer to what, in the Christian tradition, is called contemplation. It is important for you to be open to a new understanding of prayer in the context of the contemplative Christian.
In the contemplative sense, prayer is not something you do, but is instead a relationship between you and the Divine Indwelling. To pray is to accept God's invitation to turn your mind and heart inward and open to the realization that you are not separate from God. God is always with you, whether you know it or not. This understanding of prayer as a relationship with God is a primary foundation of the practice of Centering Prayer. The more you practice silent prayer in the contemplative Christian tradition, the more you come to understand this new paradigm of prayer.
I invite you to spend ten minutes in silence. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and be still so God can use this time. It doesn't matter that odd thoughts will come to mind. When they do just let them go away. At the end of ten minutes, you are done.
Closing prayer: Thank you, God, that you are right here with me as I wait. Amen.
from Fr. Thomas Keating,"Centering Prayer"
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What is Contemplative Prayer and Why Is It So Needed?
"A Long, loving, look at the Real" – If you have not yet discovered contemplative prayer for yourself get ready. Soon you'll want to be doing nothing else! In this video Fr. Rohr dives into the essence of a contemplative inner life, what it is, how to start and its historical context in the Christian story....
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Are you needing assistance? Through the generosity of our congregation, we are able to meet some basic needs for anyone facing critical hardship to purchase groceries, rent, electric, and medicine. When we offer such assistance, it is done in the form of a check or giftcard and bills are paid directly to vendors and landlords. If you are in need of assistance from the church, call the office and leave a message for Pastor Katlin. 808-935-5545
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SCAM ALERT!! Please be aware that scammers posing as Bishop Bob or Pastor Katlin have been emailing random congregation members asking for favors. Please DO NOT respond or click on any links. If in question, please call the office at (808) 935-5545. Here is a reference link to the most current scams out there: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alerts
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