WEEKLY NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
November 15, 2020
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Sunday Worship
November 15, 2020
The Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture Readings for this Sunday:
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Service of Holy Eucharist
with Music,
in the Sanctuary
8:00 am
Please make a reservation as we are allowed a limited number due to social distancing.
Email the church office at:
Please wear a mask.
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Service of Morning Prayer
with Music, on Zoom
9:30 am
Here is the link to join us on Zoom:
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PRAYER REQUESTS THIS WEEK |
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Healing of body, mind and spirit
for Michael; Terri (multiple myeloma); Stevan (Tinnitus); Scott (dementia); Elaine, Sue Ellen, Peter, Xavier, Susan, Web & Kelly (cancer); Nancy (radiation treatment); Doug (stroke); Matt’s dad (polio) and Matt's mom (strength); Bill, in hospital (infected shoulder); relief for Nelli family who lost their home in a fire; those hospitalized by the virus; healing for our world.
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A Prayer for our President |
My prayer today is for the President Elect Joe Biden. He will surround himself with wise people and listen to them. He will be truthful with all of us even when the truth hurts. He will work with the world's leaders and seek new ways of resolving conflict. He will care for the least among us, especially the poor, the sick, and the marginalized. He will listen to the cry of Mother Earth. He will have a spirit of compassion, kindness and humility. He will pray for guidance.
Pastor Gae +
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MORNING COFFEE WITH PASTOR GAE |
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Aloha Friends,
Our Wednesday bible group recently began a study of the letters of Paul. The first thing we did was refresh ourselves a bit about Paul’s conversion by reading
Acts 7:54-60 and Acts 9:1-19. The first reading has just a snippet about Paul’s character as he stands in approval at the stoning of Stephen, a devoted Christian. Paul was arrogant and mean, very narcissistic, committed to taking down the church. The second reading is the changing event in Paul’s life that occurred on the road to Damascus. This was not just a little spiritual epiphany that caused him to start thinking about Jesus in a new way. It was an extremely frightening event that resulted in an entire shift in his life. In later years as he planted churches he would speak of that event probably because it was the worst day of his life and yet it ended up being the best day of his life. Without it, who knows what kind of man he would have been.
It’s interesting to me to wonder how God works to gain our attention. I believe God is always trying to show us something of God-self and the Kingdom. If our consciousness is open to it, epiphanies often appear. And then what follows is life becomes better. We become better people, growing into what God created us to be. Unfortunately, as we all know, we can easily get distracted by the seductions of the world, and we end up missing those opportunities. And so sometimes it takes discomfort and even terror to get us to pay attention.
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In my opinion, the shadow of our 21st century American culture is that we have become proud, arrogant, self-centered, materialistic, unkind and insensitive to the weakest, and very, very divisive. Have I missed anything? Covid has been a big kick in the you-know what. We’ve learned the virus does not give a hoot about status, power, or wealth. Over the past year, we have been whacked at the knees, like Paul was on the road to Damascus. We’ve been humbled by the fact that our country, the great US of A, today has more Covid cases and deaths than any other country in the world. And I would say it has caused most of us to pause as we feel pretty powerless.
So where is God in this? On the bright side, Covid has opened up channels of solidarity that haven’t existed in a long time. And I do think priorities are changing, hearts are being stirred and we are realizing the interconnectedness of all human beings. In some ways I feel more connected to my brothers and sisters in Christ than I did pre-Covid. (Thanks be to Zoom!)
Knowing a little about how God has worked in shifting my life, and from what I’ve learned in scripture, I have confidence that this year, in all its struggle, pain, fear and loss, might end up being one of the best things that could have ever happened to us. I think we will emerge as better people. God is in this and God is always good.
Your thoughts please,
Gae +
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Continued Conversation to the Coffee Chat titled, "Bad Apples"
"I was a Brownie and a Girl Scout. I look back on my experience with both troops with fondness. I was totally into all the crafts I learned. I have shared them over the years with children in a variety if situations including the religious ed class for Kilauea School kids at Christ Memorial. I enjoyed the camp outs and jamborees. I kept my sash. Scouting helped form me to have a positive can-do attitude and have respect for myself and others. I don't know who sponsored my Brownie troop, but my Girl Scout troop was sponsored by my Catholic school, Notre Dame Academy. We had volunteer Moms leading the troop. It was a supportive bridge from school to the outside and outdoor world. I pray for healing and scouting to continue in some form."
Suzanne Kobayashi, Postulant
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Advent Begins in Two Weeks! |
Start thinking about your intention for this Advent. How do you need the Christ to be born in your life this year? Over the next two weeks, we’ll be making suggestions for new ways to create a spiritual Advent and Christmas. Stay tuned!
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For the new church year Christ Memorial has developed and launched an innovative new program for the Episcopal Church. By invitation active or retired clergy will be coming to our island for a period of 6-13 weeks to write, study and explore in exchange for leading worship and providing a teaching in an area of spiritual growth, theology, prayer, scripture study, social justice or church history.
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CONNECT - A Note to Our Zoom Family |
One big blessing for our church that has come out of the struggle with the COVID-19 virus is the connection we have made via Zoom. Many folks who are either seasonal residents, timeshare residents, or even tourists consider us their church community. They can now be a more active part of our church. We have a Sunday worship service, two Bible studies, an Adult Confirmation class and Centering Prayer, made possible through Zoom. Who knew? This has been a learning experience for us. The good news is that even after the virus crisis is over, we will continue many of these offerings on Zoom.
Here are some things everyone can do to help us all have the best experience possible:
- Please try to connect at least 10 minutes before the service or the meeting to make sure everything is working correctly.
- If possible, keep your video on so it feels more like being together in church.
- Have your audio always on mute unless advised by the facilitator.
- Be present. Try not to multi-task. Having your water or coffee nearby is fine but since your video is on, probably best not to be moving around.
- Try your best not to leave early. If your computer drops you out, come back on but make sure your video is on and your audio is muted.
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Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Wednesday 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Saturday 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
For a safe shopping experience, we can only allow 8 shoppers in the store at any time. All must wear masks and use hand sanitizer.
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Monday 10:00 am-11:15 am:
Spiritual Lessons from the Book of Genesis
Wednesday 2:00 – 3:15 HST
Letters of Paul
If you wish to join us, let Pastor Gae know and she will send you the link and the questions we will discuss.
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Online Centering Prayer & Scripture Reflection |
Tuesdays, 9:00 - 9:45 am (HST)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7532197968
Centering Prayer is every Tuesday morning on Zoom, 9:00 - 9:45 am. We begin with a Scripture reading for the day followed by 12 minutes of meditation. Then a reflection is read and anyone who would like to share an insight is invited to do so. We finish with prayer time for those in need of healing.
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Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Meets in the Parish Hall:
Monday 6:15 - 7:15 pm & 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday 10:00-11:00 am & 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Wednesday 7:30 - 8:30 pm
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Our giving is important, especially now.
Although we aren’t gathering in the sanctuary for worship, our church bills are still the same. We’ve had questions from our Sunday worshippers and now our Zoom worshippers about how to give. Your continued gifts really matter, especially in this time of uncertainty.
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If you like to give by check, please send to:
Christ Memorial Episcopal Church,
P.O. Box 293, Kilauea, HI 96754
Or consider changing to Automated Giving. It makes life easy. Just click on the button below to make a one-time or recurring donation.
Thank you for your love and care for our Christ Memorial community!
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Keep up-to-date with messages from the Bishop. Click on the buttons below to view the Bishop's weekly Monday & Wednesday messages, and find links to online worship in the Diocese. |
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Newsletter Mission: Our weekly newsletter was launched to inform our island community, as well as connect with our broader community of old and new friends, near and far. Whether you live on Kaua'i, visit seasonally or joined Christ Memorial for the first time during vacation, we welcome you into our global family. We endeavor to include inspiration, new ideas, practical advice and updates on news and events of Christ Memorial. Let us know how we can serve you best in 2020 by replying to this newsletter or emailing us.
Have you met Pastor Gae? Pastor Gae wants to get to know you all – phone chats, home visits, morning coffees, afternoon teas or walks on the beach. Near or far, reach out to meet or share your thoughts by emailing her or call (623) 208-9436.
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Christ Memorial Episcopal Church
2509 Kolo Road, Kilauea, HI 96754
Mailing: PO Box 293, Kilauea, HI 96754
Phone: (808) 482-4824
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