November 24, 2022

Happy Thanksgiving!

Note: The Church Offices are closed today, Thursday, November 24,

and tomorrow, Friday, November 25, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

THIS SUNDAY

November 27

First Sunday of Advent - HOPE

In-person Worship

7 AM in Atherton Chapel

9 AM in the Sanctuary

11 AM in the Parish Hall

To view the worship bulletins, click HERE on Sunday.

Online Worship

10 AM via Zoom or Facebook

Central Union Windward Ministry

In-person Worship

10 AM in the Windward Sanctuary

Sermon by Rebecca Woodland

"Mary’s Advent"

Dr. Sunyong Hwang

Worship Musician

All guidelines will be posted and should be reviewed before being seated. We encourage worshipers to wear masks to keep themselves and others safe, especially as we sing!

We had an outpouring of kokua from our congregation last week and we were able to transform the sanctuary to be ready for the Advent season. Please join us as we celebrate the First Sunday in Advent in a wonderful atmosphere for worship.

You're Invited!

Join Children's Ministry this Sunday for the in-person return of our Advent Workshop and Children's Ministry Open House!

Sunday, November 27, 10-11 AM

in the Women's Building

Create an Advent Wreath for your family and visit our Sunday school classrooms and nursery. Grab a yummy treat as we celebrate the start of Advent, the kickoff of our new Godly Play Sunday school program, and the soon reopening of our nursery!

Take-home Advent Wreath kits will be available. Hope to see you there!

Devotionals Available for Advent!

This Advent and Christmas season, we will explore "What's Left of the Night?" with this devotional written by the Stillspeaking Writers’ Group. There is a reflection for each day of Advent through Epiphany, responding to a yearning for a new day, and reminding us that night's renewal is needed for rest, imagination, and even growth.

Get a hard copy at an in-person worship service or find it online under the Daily Devotionals on our website starting November 27.

White Gifts Sunday is December 18

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – White Gifts time! Help us to support adults and youth who are houseless or in transition due to circumstances beyond their control.

While we will NOT collect wrapped gifts this year, you can partner with us by offering a monetary donation which our shoppers will use to purchase gifts based on our partner agencies' needs.

If you would like to contribute to this important ministry,

please submit your monetary donation before December 13!

Cash, check, and online donations are welcome.

Be sure to join us on December 18th for our celebration and pageant in worship! All keiki are invited to check in for Sunday school and participate in the pageant. Costumes will be ready! We look forward to this treasured tradition!

Our 2022 schedule of Christmas services is now available!

Take Action for Gun Safety

Central Union's Resolution of Witness, On Becoming a Church Against Gun Violence, affirmed by the 200th ‘Aha Pae‘āina of the Hawai‘i Conference United Church of Christ in June, calls on us to take meaningful action to address gun violence.

Take a moment to send the Honolulu City Council a message:

"Guns don't belong on playgrounds and in schools!"

Click "TAKE ACTION" to learn more and easily send a message to your council member!

Finding God in the Silence

Many times, the days immediately after Thanksgiving become frantic times of Black Friday shopping or football fanaticism. The Faith Action communications committee shares a prayer to help us all remember the value of silence, "loud silence like Elijah experienced."

The Book of Kings tells us that Elijah heard God not in the wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire . . . but in a whisper. Rev. Jonathan Roach, Associate Conference Minister of the Hawai‘i Conference UCC, builds on that inspiration in his prayer which celebrates how creation praises God.

I asked a bird: will you pray for me?

Will you pray for me?

I asked a sparrow, an LBJ, a little brown job

I asked an albatross . . .her name is Wisdom from Kuaihelani

I asked a vulture soaring on weak wings.

All I got was silence . . .

Join Our “One ‘Ohana” Distribution List

We are in the midst of big pastoral transitions and there are many manini tasks that we will need help with in the coming months! You can sign up for our “One ‘Ohana” distribution list to receive emails with specific errands/tasks that you can sign up for.

Mahalo for supporting your church in this time!

Poinsettias for Christmas

The Flower Committee will distribute poinsettias among our various worship spaces in time for Christmas! If you’d like to donate and dedicate a poinsettia, please submit your order by Monday, December 19.

You may complete a hard-copy order form (printed in the Sunday worship bulletins) OR you can order online!

Please submit your Estimate of Giving card!

We are still REACHing toward 2023! As a church, and as individuals, we have been asked to consider giving as a part of our faith journey with Christ. Many have already pledged via Estimate of Giving cards and we praise God for the generosity of church members and friends!

If you have not yet submitted an Estimate of Giving (EOG) card, please consider doing so as it greatly helps our church to plan well and live within our means. You may submit an EOG card at an in-person service, by mail, or online.

Insights! Stories! Books!

To make space for the next Senior Minister at Central Union, Pastor Brandon has cleared the bookshelves. There are loads of books on faith formation, theology, leadership, church development, counseling, history, relationships, and more! The books are all FREE and can be found in the front admin office of Central Union Church. Come check it out!

View the November 2022 issue of The Spire:

Content for the December publication of The Spire is due Friday, November 25.

Please submit articles to news@centralunionchurch.org.

All new singers are welcome to join the choir!

• Thursday rehearsals: December 8 (6-7 PM), no Thursday rehearsals from 10/20–12/1

• Sunday rehearsals on the Sundays we perform: November 27 (8:00-8:40 AM)

Questions? Contact rebecca-chock@centralunionchurch.org.

Volunteer at the Thrift Shop!

The Central Union Church Honolulu Thrift Shop is looking for volunteers on Saturdays and Wednesdays from 9 AM to 3 PM to assist customers at the jewelry/display counters and on the sales floor.

Contact our Thrift Shop Manager, Joanne, at thriftshop@centralunionchurch.org if you're available to help with this important ministry.

Centering Prayer Meditation

All are welcome to join the Centering Prayer group:

• Mondays, 7:30 PM on Zoom, contact margie3@mac.com for more info.
• Wednesdays, 6:30 PM, in person at Central Union Church, Music Building.

Mindfulness Meditation

Mondays, 5:00 to 5:30 PM on Zoom

Join on Zoom

Mindful Movement with Bamboo Sticks

Wednesdays, 5:00 to 6:15 PM on Zoom

Join on Zoom

• Pray for those feeling anxiety or grief on this holiday.
• Give thanks for each person who makes up our church and carries out our mission of Engaging and Embracing ALL while seeking to Embody Christ!
• Pray for our church and leaders as we enter the season of Advent. May we all experience the hope, peace, joy, love of this season.
• Pray for the individuals who will soon join the church staff!

HCUCC NEWS

View this week's

Coconut Wireless

HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE?

The due date for articles for the December 2022 Spire is Friday, November 25.

We welcome relevant news and articles for the CUC Website, e-Blast, and/or to post on our bulletin boards. The deadline for each publication is the Wednesday preceding each Sunday.



Please submit all articles to news@centralunionchurch.org.