THIS SUNDAY: January 10, 2021
First Sunday after the Epiphany
Scripture Readings
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ON-SITE CHURCH SERVICES
WITH COMMUNION
8:00AM
Joe Adorno (EM)*
Bob Terao (U)
Lorna Nishi (AG)
Muriel Jackson (DM)
9:30AM
Dileep Bal (EM)
Mario Antonio (U)
Nelson Secretario (LR)
Jan Hashizume (AG)
Vikki Secretario, Nelson Secretario (HP)
Curtis Shiramizu, Carolyn Morinishi (DM)
Live Stream
9:30AM on our home page, YouTube, or Facebook accounts
@allsaintskauai
* EM - Eucharistic Minister; U - Usher; LR - Lay Reader; AG - Altar Guild; HP - Healing Prayers; DM - Digital Ministry
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ON-SITE CHURCH SERVICES WITH COMMUNION
8:00AM and 9:30AM
Aloha Hour
Every Sunday
10:45AM - 12:00PM
Tent
Monday Crew
Every Monday
8:00AM
Church Office
Communications Workshop #3
Saturday, January 9th
8:30AM - 12:30PM
Zoom meeting
Those who are interested in the Communications Workshop may contact Carolyn Morinishi for login information.
Daughters of the King Meeting
Thursday, January 14th
7:00 - 8:00PM
Zoom meeting
Those who are interested in the Daughters of the King Meeting may contact Jan Hashizume for login information.
EAM/ACAM Meeting
Sunday, January 17th
12:00 - 1:00PM
Zoom meeting
Those who are interested in the EAM/ACAM meeting may contact Cami at Cami@allsaintskauai.org for login information.
Annual Parish Meeting
Sunday, January 24th
10:00AM
Church and Zoom meeting
Register in advance for the secure Zoom meeting:
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For the aged and infirm, for the widowed and orphans, and for the sick and the suffering, especially Renee, Donavan, Kul, Uncle Nathan, Ken, Rosalind, Glen, Linda, and those we name silently or aloud, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For all who have died, especially those affected by the COVID-19 virus, and those we name silently or aloud, in the hope of the resurrection, and for all the departed, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. Amen.
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What Is an Annual Parish Meeting?
The Annual Parish Meeting is a meeting of the members of a parish. The by-laws of the parish generally require an annual parish meeting and state the qualifications to be a voting member of the parish. Diocesan canons may state requirements concerning parish meetings. The annual parish meeting typically elects vestry members, and it may elect vestry officers. Delegates to diocesan convention and representatives to other diocesan, deanery, or parish entities may also be elected by the parish meeting. The budget of the parish may be presented. The rector, vestry officers, and ministry leaders may make presentations at the annual parish meeting. The parish by-laws may allow the rector or a majority of the vestry to call a special parish meeting at any time. The by-laws may specify the requirements for a special parish meeting, including the requirements for notice to the members of the parish.
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All Saints' Annual Parish Meeting
Sunday, January 24, 2021, 10:00AM
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On Sunday, January 24th, All Saints' will hold its Annual Parish Meeting. On that Sunday, we will have only one service at 9:00AM in the sanctuary. This will be livestreamed as usual.
After the service is finished, we will hold our Annual Parish Meeting in the sanctuary. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are giving members the option to attend the Annual Parish Meeting virtually, via a secure Zoom link.
With Zoom, attendees will have the option of participating in the meeting and voting, via hand-raise, chat or Zoom poll. Please click on the link below to register for your Zoom attendance.
Zoom Annual Parish Meeting 2021
When: Jan 24, 2021 10:00AM Hawaii
Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
If you have any technical questions regarding Zoom, please call the church office.
During the Annual Parish Meeting we will elect new Vestry members and 2021 Diocese Convention Delegates.
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Vestry Nominations Are Now Due
Election To Be Held During Annual Meeting
Sunday, January 24th, 10:00AM
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Aloha i ke Akua,
To say that 2020 has been an eventful year is an understatement! We have traveled together these past 12 months through the greatest pandemic and the deepest economic upheaval since the Great Depression, yet I am struck by the positive resolve and uplifting spirit with which all of you have faced this year together. Muriel and I are so thankful for your support and for the blessing it is to be part of our church ʻohana together.
I’d like to offer a special mahalo to the Vestry, whose leadership has been unselfish and unflagging, and who make business meetings fun, full of wisdom and insight, and meaningful: Linda Crocker (Senior Warden), Ron Morinishi (Junior Warden and Chair of Buildings & Grounds), Jan Hashizume (Treasurer), Joe Adorno (Term 2021), Mario Antonio (Term 2023), CeCe Caldwell (Term 2023), Vikki Secretario (Term 2023), and Faith Shiramizu (Term 2023). I’d like especially to thank Joe, whose term expires this month and who has served admirably with voice, vote, and action, as well as David Murray, who had served untiringly as Senior Warden for five years, and Linda and Ron, who respectively stepped up into their roles as our amazing and awesome Wardens and have blessed us immeasurably!
At the Annual Meeting we will choose the following Vestry positions:
One full 3-year term (Term 2024, to replace Joe)
One 2-year term (Term 2023, to complete Linda’s elected vestry position she left to become Senior Warden)
I’d like to ask each of you to consider if God may be calling you to serve in one of the above capacities. Serving on Vestry is a special call to leadership at All Saints’, and asks for people of vision who both represent all the constituencies of our church and preschool, as well as the ability to have the birds’-eye view of the whole rather than merely representing only one’s own perspective. It is a joyful privilege that also comes with expectations and responsibilities.
Those who serve on the Vestry of All Saints’ participate in the broad life of our church. Regular attendance at worship services and Vestry meetings is the cornerstone of a Vestry member’s duties. In addition, Vestry members exercise servant leadership by example and by participating in both the business and spiritual life of the church.
A simplified Vestry member job description includes the following:
- A regular attender of church services who is a pledging giver.
- Committed to regular attendance at the monthly Vestry meetings.
- Maintain an active prayer life which includes praying daily for the clergy, staff, lay leaders, and members of our ‘Ohana.
- Continually engage with members of the congregation—being attentive to their concerns, needs, hopes, and visions for the Church.
- Participate in and promote the annual financial stewardship campaign of the Church.
- Provide sound stewardship and oversight of All Saints’ finances and facilities.
- Be an active minister of the Gospel in daily life and work.
- Bring one’s whole self to the table; being present in mind, body and spirit.
- Identify and recruit individuals to serve in leadership roles and committees as needed.
- Embody and promote love, accountability, authenticity, healthy habits, and spiritual well-being.
- Share openly one’s ideas, beliefs, and desires.
Since we have good representation from the 9:30AM service, we especially need at least one person from the 8:00AM congregation to serve; however, we welcome people of diverse backgrounds, skills, and experiences, and there is no one set of qualifications that make a person an excellent candidate. It is important for us to have new ideas, new perspectives, and new views as we discuss issues and make decisions.
The work of the Vestry is for everyone and anyone - young and young at heart. Whether you have been at All Saints’ a lifetime or just a little while, you might be called by God to serve on the Vestry. All of us have very busy lives and lots of demands on our time and energy, but if you can bring a sense of joy and wonder to your work on the Vestry, you will be doing a great service for yourself, your family, and the entire All Saints’ ‘Ohana.
We invite you to submit your name for consideration to be on Vestry. Applications will be available on the table at the entrance of the Church, as well as through The Epistle e-newsletter.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to speak to me or any of our current Vestry members.
Mahalo nui loa i ke Akua,
Kahu Kawika+
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To access the Vestry Nomination Form, please click here.
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The Rosales Opus 41 Organ Update
Organ Voicing Crew Arrival Temporarily Delayed
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The organ voicing crew’s arrival on January 4th has been delayed. The increase in COVID cases in the Los Angeles area from where they will depart has made the virus tests difficult to obtain. They will be unable to get a pre-travel tests for at least two weeks. Morris Wise is in contact with the Rosales Workshop and will let us know as soon as we have a new date for their arrival.
Many thanks to everyone has who provided meals for the organ crew in the past, and signed up to provide meals for the next crew. The “Feed the Crew” sign up form has been taken down until we know when the crew will be able to come for next steps in completing the organ.
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Reflections from Kahu Kawika
The Gifts That Keep on Giving
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Christmas 2B
Matthew 2:1-12
All Saints’ Kapaʻa
3 January 2021
We’re all familiar with the story of the Magi and visit of the Wise Men to baby Jesus with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Using our imaginations, what if there had been the Three Wise Women instead of the Three Wise Men?
They would have asked directions,
Arrived on time,
Helped deliver the baby,
Cleaned the stable,
Made a casserole, and
Brought practical gifts!
All kidding aside, we do tend to have notions of the Magi that may not quite line up with what the Bible says about them or with what we know about historical circumstances. What do we know about this story from Matthew 2 versus what we think we know?
For instance, the name “Magi” is a collective singular loanword from ancient Persia (modern-day Iran), from which we get our English word “magic.” This implies that the Magi were people who dealt in spiritual powers of some kind, using an early form of science to make sense of the world. They were either Gentiles, or they could have been descended from Jews who had decided to remain in Persia after the Jewish exile in the 500’s BCE. They were definitely astronomers, and took it further than our own notion of astronomy by finding spiritual meaning in celestial phenomena that they would observe – hence their wonder and amazement at the bright star that seemed to move with them until their arrival to baby Jesus in Bethlehem.
Were the Magi “kings”? Most likely not. While the biblical text doesn’t specify, it is unlikely kings would have made such a long and arduous trip and would have sent emissaries instead. In addition, King Herod seems to act towards them as if he expected them to obey him and return after seeing the baby Jesus – not the posture to take to fellow monarchs.
Were there three of them? The Bible doesn’t specify – however, chances are that there would have been a considerable entourage for such a long journey (to fend off likely bandits, look after supplies, etc.). Tradition, though, probably ascribes the number three to the Magi because of the record of three gifts given.
Were they men? Probably true, but again our account from Matthew today doesn’t say, and in fact it wouldn’t have been surprising if some women had accompanied the men in, again what could have been a rather large entourage.
Did the Magi visit Jesus in the manger? Not according to our story today from Matthew, who records in Matthew 2:10 that they came to Jesus’ house rather than to a stable. This suggests that Jesus had been born in a manger first, and then a bit of time had passed before the Magi arrived at the Holy Family’s house.
Was Herod really the “King of the Jews”: Well, in a way both yes and no! He may have called himself that, but he was neither Jewish nor an actual king as such. He came from the nearby region of Idumea (ancient Edom) and was more a puppet ruler appointed by the Roman government to manage the local populace. Interestingly, there is an Old Testament prophecy about Jesus breaking the rule of Herod, who again came from Edom: The prophet Balak predicted, “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel … Edom will be conquered …” (Numbers 24:17-18a)
What is clear in this story is that the Magi brought Jesus three very unusual gifts, which may not seem very practical to give to a baby but were very pricey and valuable: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. What can we learn from these three gifts? They each tell us something about how the Magi regarded Jesus as the Messiah and the Savior of the World, which in turn can help us with our own view of Jesus’ place in our own lives today.
Gold – Jesus as our High King: Back then as well as now, gold has always been a valuable commodity. The gift of gold was especially appropriate as presents to a king, queen, or to some other kind of monarch. Even today, when there is a royal coronation taking place, the monarch may ride in a golden chariot and be given a specter and crown overlayed with gold. When emissaries or ambassadors would give gold to a ruler, the idea was to pay the sovereign tribute and homage as a superior.
From their gift of gold, we can conclude that the Magi regarded baby Jesus as their superior and worthy of all adulation, loyalty, and obedience. This idea got me thinking: How much do I regard Jesus as my High King in my life? I’m used to thinking of him as my friend and support in life, but am I conscious each moment of each day to obey his high standard of holiness, and great love for God and people? Am I willing to allow my life circumstances to be rearranged, if necessary, in order to follow Jesus in my life?
Frankincense – Jesus as our High Priest: As the name implies, frankincense is a very aromatic type of incense used for worship as well for honoring guests. Many of our churches today use incense in their time of worship, especially during high holy days. By the way, the Episcopal Church’s use of incense comes from the Medieval Ages, when people and their farm animals would pack into churches and cathedrals, often sitting down on the floor (there were no pews back then). As you can imagine, with smelly farm animals present as well as people who bathed infrequently, things could get rather ripe inside the church! So incense certainly had a practical application in making worship together bearable.
But beyond the practical, in the Old Testament incense was used to symbolize the ascending prayers of the priest and people up to God, who would “smell” the fragrant and pleasing aroma of their prayers, praises, and petitions. Finally, again in churches today incense can symbolize the presence of God’s Holy Spirit inhabiting the praises of the worship congregation.
All this suggests that the Magi regarded baby Jesus not just as a political ruler, but also as a spiritual leader. The writer of the New Testament book of Hebrews also makes this clear, that part of Jesus’ “job” as Messiah is to be our High Priest, who now sits at God’s right hand in Heaven and makes constant intercessions for us and advocates for us, as an Old Testament priest would do to be a “go-between” connecting the people to God: “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16) What great news indeed!
This makes me wonder about Jesus’ role in our lives: Do we really depend on him to act as our “go-between” before a holy God? This means we have to have the humility to remember that we need God’s mercy in our lives, that we are not perfect, and that we can do nothing for ourselves to make ourselves perfect – which really takes a load off of our shoulders, thank God! We don’t have to regard ourselves as inadequate or somehow not up to God’s approval, because Jesus has already taken care of that for us and is acting on our behalf in the here-and-now. This leads me to the third gift of the Magi.
Myrrh – Jesus as our High Offering: This, perhaps, is the most puzzling gift the Magi gave to baby Jesus. Myrrh is a sweet-smelling liquid perfume used primarily for anointing someone who had just died. Why give this gift to a baby full of the promise of life? You may remember that Mary the Mother of Jesus and the other women came to anoint Jesus’ body before he was entombed in his burial cave – maybe it was this very potion of myrrh that the Magi had given many years before!
In any event, the Magi had a keen insight as to Jesus’ ultimate purpose on earth: For him to lay down his life so that the world would know God’s love for them and that the wide gulf between a holy God and sinful people had been bridged.
Jesus gave the ultimate offering of his life for his love for the world, and for you and me. If we are to take this seriously, it also demands that we follow in Christ’s footsteps as Christians and offer back to God our very lives: all the pieces of our personality that we would rather hang onto, all aspects of our will that would rather not grow in holiness and goodness, and all the physical resources with which God has blessed us – to give them to honor God and to be a blessing to all people and this world.
These gifts, then, were quite costly and highly symbolic. They may have had a practical purpose in the immediate future of the Holy Family – they would soon have to flee the wrath of the threatened King Herod who wanted to kill the newborn “King of the Jews” by escaping to Egypt and living there for a few years until they heard of Herod’s death. Maybe Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were able to live off of the proceeds of these expensive gifts until they could return to their hometown of Nazareth.
Whoever and however many were the Magi, this we know: they thought it worth the time, effort, and expense to give these very expensive gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honor the new arrival of the world’s Messiah. Can we do no less with our lives?
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Christmas Videos Available
Watch or Rewatch Our Christmas Celebrations
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Click on the presentation you'd like to watch.
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All Saints' Preschool Christmas Video 2020
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All Saints' Virtual Choir: Peace, peace Video 2020
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All Saints' Keiki Service Video 2020
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Sunday School Update
In-Person Classes on the First Sunday of Each Month
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Plans for our Sunday School format have been finalized. Vikki and Rachel Secretario will be taking the lead. In-person Sunday School will be held on the first Sunday of each month, run by the Secretarios, during the 9:30AM service. An online video recording of the lesson plan will be available on the church website and published in The Epistle for those using remote learning. The lessons and activities will be tailored toward any holidays or important holy days for the month. June and July will be summer vacation for Sunday School.
If you are interested in teaching Sunday School, please contact Cami (church@allsaintskauai.org). For families interested in participating, but not teaching, an option to email pictures or 1-minute videos of their completed projects will be provided for posting on the church website and in The Epistle under the Sunday School banner.
Many thanks to the Secretarios for their continuing service as Sunday School teachers.
-Cami Baldovino
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2021 Pledge Envelopes Now Available
At Services, Church Pickup, or by Mail
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The boxes of pledge envelopes for 2021 will be available before and after services on the table outside the sanctuary. If you want to pick up your envelopes at the church office during the work week, please call Cami at 808-822-4267 ext 3204 and she will hold them in the office for you. If you need to have the envelopes mailed to you, please contact Cami.
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Sign Up for 2021 Altar Flower Donations Now
Donation Forms Available Online or at Church
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Ever wonder where all our beautiful altar flowers come from each Sunday?
Our flowers are lovingly arranged by Mrs.Tanaka or by JC Flowers. These flowers were all donated by members of the congregation. To participate with a donation in 2021 and for more information, click here: Altar flowers, or sign up on the form outside Memorial Hall before or after services.
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Rioting in the Capitol
January 6, 2021
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Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick addresses the unrest and rioting taking place at our nation's Capitol and around the country, with a reflection on Isaiah 26:1-7, and a passage from a book by William Stringfellow, An Ethic for Christians and Other Aliens in a Strange Land (Word Books, 1973). Stringfellow (1928-1985) was an Episcopal lay theologian, lawyer, and social activist.
The Bishop also asks everyone to take a moment at noon on Thursday, January 7, 2021, to pray for our nation and the world.
To view his video message, click on the image above, or go to the Diocesan website HERE.
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Baptism of Our Lord
January 10, 2021
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The Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord is celebrated each year on the Sunday following the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. The event of Christ’s baptism is recorded in all four gospel accounts:
“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased’” (Mark 1:9-11).
“Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased’” (Luke 3:21-22).
“The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God’” (John 1:29-34).
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased’” (Matthew 3:13-17).
Published by the Office of Formation of The Episcopal Church, 815 Second Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017
© 2021 The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. All rights reserved.
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Epiphany: Carrying the Light of Christ into the Darkness
By the Rev. Canon Heather L. Melton, Staff Officer for the United Thank Offering
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Epiphany is a wonderful liturgical season that sometimes gets lost between the bookends of Christmas and Lent; however, I think Epiphany is a really important moment to engage with, particularly in relation to the practice of gratitude. There are some really lovely traditions associated with Epiphany, and thankfully, many are intended to be done at home, from king cake (either in the New Orleans or Mexican style), which can be shared at a party but best enjoyed at home this year, to chalking the doorway with an Epiphany blessing. My favorite is the tradition of candle lighting through Epiphany. I first learned of this tradition when I was working at a church in Colorado several decades ago. On Epiphany, a small group gathered for prayers and then each lit a candle from the Paschal candle to carry the light of Christ home with them. People brought glass lanterns and other assorted items to get the flame safely home. Then, they would light the candles in their house as a sign of Christ’s love and hope. I love the image of light spreading out into the darkness on Epiphany, and it is fitting since Epiphany (for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere) falls during a time when daylight feels fleeting, yet is increasing steadily with each passing day.
For me, Epiphany poses these questions: How are we bearing light into the darkness of our world? How are we carrying Christ into our communities and homes? Where can we be signs of hope, peace, and love for those who are hurting and feeling bleak?
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Prayer to Close the Joint Session of Congress to Certify the Results of the Election
January 7, 2021
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Dr. Barry Black, chaplain of the Senate, references the Capitol violence in his closing prayer for Congress’ vote count: “These tragedies have reminded us that words matter…We have been warned that eternal vigilance continues to be freedom’s price.”
To view this historic moment, please click on the Facebook icon below.
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Epiphany 2021: A Call to Prayer for our Nation from Presiding Bishop Curry
Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs
Posted Jan 6, 2021
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[January 6, 2021] On this day of the Feast of the Epiphany, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites Episcopalians and people of faith to turn and pray on behalf of our nation.
Watch the video of the Presiding Bishop’s statement here.
A transcript of the statement follows:
Today is January the 6th, 2021. It is the Feast of the Epiphany. And on this particular day at this particular moment, even as our nation’s capital is being endangered and assaulted, we pray that the Lord Jesus Christ, we pray that God, in his Way of Love, might prevail in all of our hearts.
The events at our Capitol today are deeply disturbing. We believe the actions of armed protesters represent a coup attempt. We are a democracy, with long-standing institutional norms that must be honored, foremost among them, following the processes laid out in the Constitution and Federal statute to facilitate the peaceful and orderly transition of power.
Today’s protesters pushed through police barricades and forced their way into Congressional chambers, and the Capitol building are now threatened, and threatening the safety of lawmakers, their staff, and others who work in the Capitol complex. This threatens the integrity of our democracy. The national security of our nation, the continuity of government, and the lives and safety of our legislators, their staffs, law enforcement, and all who work in the Capitol.
I, therefore, ask you now to join me in prayer for our nation, praying first from the prayers that accompany Morning Prayer:
Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance;
Govern and uphold us now and always.
Day by day we bless you;
We praise your name forever.
Lord, keep us from sin today;
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, show us your love and mercy;
For we put our trust in you.
In you, Lord, is our hope;
And we shall never hope in vain.
-Morning Prayer II, Book of Common Prayer, p. 98
Let us pray:
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered together under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one God and Creator of us all; to whom be dominion and glory, now and forever.
- For Peace, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815
Oh God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your son. Look now with compassion on the entire human family; and particularly this part of the family, in the United States, and those in our nation’s capital; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
- For the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815
On this day and at this moment, we pray for our nation. We ask God to heal us, to show us the way to healing, to show us the way to be one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory,
forever and ever.
Amen.
And now, may the peace of God which passeth all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
The blessing of God Almighty the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be on you and on this nation and on the entire human family and all of creation this moment and forevermore.
Amen.
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Becoming Who We are Called to Be
January 7, 2021
Leslie Scoopmire
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Yesterday was a day when we teetered on the brink of deep waters—waters that, if they were to close over our heads, threaten to overwhelm us and all that we hold dear. Since there has already been too much of that kind of loss during these last nine months of pandemic, the events many of us watched unfold yesterday felt almost too intense to be borne. I went from working on exegesis on the readings assigned for this Sunday on the baptism of Jesus, to being glued to my television and twitter for much of the afternoon. I went from contemplating the beauty of the opening words of Genesis to seeing the ugliest impulses generated in our political life play out before my horrified eyes. Unbidden, the opening words of Psalm 130 echoed through my head and heart as I watched the chaos in our national capitol unfold: “Out of the depths have I called to You O Lord: Lord hear my voice!”
As I watched the forces of chaos, conspiracy, and division rampage through the halls of democracy, all I could think of was the depth of the waters into which our nation was treading. Sometimes, though, profound shocks can lead to a shaking off of the willingness to accept the banal, everyday evils that creep and infiltrate into our moral framework.
Deep waters, which in Genesis are the canvas upon which creation springs forth, became a murky symbol of loss of control and danger. From my TV screen, I heard person after person, on both sides of the aisle as the events of the day spiraled more and more out of control, protest that “this is not who we are.”
Such statements are more than just a bit of empty protest. When violence, intimidation and murder are elicited from a mob, we must face the uncomfortable truth that, yes, somewhere within us, this IS who we are. There is a size-able portion of our population that denies kinship with those who differ from them, who see difference as threat. The fact that this is done by people who also claim identity as Christian is a problem that affects all of us who profess to be disciples, because their very public identity becomes a net the watching world casts over all who proclaim the name of Jesus. The ties that bind become a snare that we strain against to escape.
But that admission is the necessary first step to repentance and redemption. We are too prone to lash out at perceived threats. Admitting that tendency can help us shed our old skin and embrace who we are called to be. And that is exactly the rebirth at the center of baptism— giving us the courage to let go of our instinctive defensiveness to embrace the new life we are called to in Christ.
In our gospel reading for Sunday, Jesus leads us by example into the waters of baptism to give us the courage and endurance to lean toward who we are called to be. In Christ, we are called to be one people, united by our common heritage as beloved children of God. The waters of baptism are waters of creation, of new life that is centered in hope, faith, and embracing the miracle of the panoply of life all around us. The waters of creation from which we are born, the waters of baptism which are the gates to eternal life and for which we thirst, call us to resist the anarchy, intimidation, and mob rule swirling violently around us yesterday.
Where can we find solid footing for what today may bring? Perhaps these events can finally drive us to reject demagoguery in favor of remembering the shared sacrifice, integrity, justice and compassion that is the foundation of virtue, generosity, and decency. Perhaps we can begin to instead embrace the transformative power of God to aid us in becoming a beloved community, guided by values of shared burdens, shared dreams, and shared sacrifice for the common good.
Almighty God,
we boldly proclaim your Holy Name
and lift our hearts to You in praise.
Living Savior,
our brother in baptism,
our model for holy living,
we embrace you with all our might:
lead us and guide us as your beloveds.
May we make straight the way of the Lord
by all we can contribute as your witnesses,
and represent the gospel of love and inclusion
in all we say and do today.
Draw us to enter joyfully, O Lord,
into the discipleship to which you lovingly call us
through the waters of baptism and beyond.
Purify our wills to reflect your lovingkindness
and help us turn aside from all evil,
embracing instead the pure truth
that calls us to be advocates for others,
walking in integrity and bold ministry in the world.
Spirit of the Living God,
fall afresh on us and bless our common life and labors today,
and let the peace and comfort of God
rest like a dove upon all those for whom we pray.
Amen.
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IN BRIEF . . .
These news briefs were featured in previous issues of "The Epistle"
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HALE HO`OMALU ACCEPTING DONATIONS
There is an on-going need for travel sized toiletries and canned goods so these items will be accepted every week. As always, monetary donations are gratefully accepted. Leave them in the red wagon outside the sanctuary.
ZONTA OF KAUAI FOUNDATION CHRISTMAS FUND is accepting donations for Christmas 2020. To donate, click here: Zonta Christmas Donation.
KUPUNA SHOPPING ASSISTANCE MINISTRY
Any of our All Saints' kupuna who need assistance with grocery shopping can contact Carolyn Morinishi at church@allsaintskauai.org to set up a delivery.
ALL SAINTS' VIRTUAL SWAP MEET
If any ministry has an unmet need, reach out to put it in the All Saints' Virtual Swap Meet and it will be published in the Epistle. Contact Bill Caldwell at news@allsaintskauai.org.
PASTORAL CARE CONTACT INFORMATION
Whenever you have a need for support, please call (650) 691-8104 and leave a voice mail. The system will immediately forward the information to the Pastoral Care Committee who will respond to each request. If you prefer, you may send an electronic pastoral care request via email to pastoralcare@allsaintskauai.org.
PRAYER CHAIN MINISTRY
Individuals who want to participate in the Prayer Chain Ministry must re-enroll to continue receiving the email communications. To re-enroll, please visit the newly established Pastoral Care web page or contact the Church Office at (808) 822-4267.
SUBMITTING A PRAYER REQUEST
Prayer requests will now be submitted online or by contacting the Church Office at (808) 822-4267.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Names can be added to the Prayers of the People petitions by using the Prayer Chain Request form or by contacting the Church Office at (808) 822-4267. Names will remain in the Prayers of the People for a maximum of four Sundays before a name must be resubmitted.
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