A small cross sits atop of our steeple...
It often goes unnoticed, as it sits high
above the road, and is dwarfed by the size of the church and
the surrounding buildings. From the garage of the parsonage, which is
surrounded by a high fence, I see it prominently, because the large church
below is obstructed from view. I also have some beautiful pictures of that
cross at sunset, dawn and even moonlit. I often look at it as I
prepare my sermons, or during my prayer time. I have wondered how many
people even notice the little cross, sitting their silently on top as though it
were a small sentinel. It stands as a metaphor as well, as we enter the
new church year. God, through His only son Jesus, and His sacrifice of love on
the cross, embodies the truth on which our church has stood for 116 years. Yet,
over the years, through all the ups and downs of urban ministry, the erection
of high rise apartments around the church, and the internal issues of social
changes, financial challenges, and shifting relationships among the people, the
cross has somehow been forgotten, or has become so insignificant as
to not to be noticed.
As we enter this year of 2010, it is my
prayer that the cross, the symbol of forgiveness and hope, will once again
become the predominant beacon that guides our church and the focus of all we
say and do here.
To that end, God has called out among our family those who have gifts and
skills to promote and encourage effective ministry. On January 10, we will be
holding an installation service, and look forward to charging our new leaders
with the challenges of ministry for 2010. I know you will want to be here that
day to encourage, pray and offer assistance in ministry for the coming year.
(We will be introducing you to our new leaders in the following months'
newsletters.) Although some will obviously lead out in various areas, it
is imperative that all will be called upon to serve the Lord through
the church. Your faithfulness in service, in obedience to God's will, offers
our only hope for the continuation of our church's mission, and a way to
salvation for our community and neighbors.
As I begin my 6th year of ministry at FCC, I have never been more
excited and expectant of God working among us. Already we have all been
encouraged by the support of our Region, and the anticipation of Miracle
Week 2010. Let us begin now, at the outset of the new year, to begin praying
that this be the year that the church catch a new spirit, and that
the embers of faith be stirred up in us, so that a a fire will spread
from Kewalo Street throughout Makiki, the state of Hawaii, and the
entire world.
God has supplied us with all we need. All He needs now is YOU! We
hope this year, you will join us in dedicating this year to knowing,
loving, and serving the Lord more faithfully. May God bless you every day
of the year as we all seek to know Him more, and love each other more.
Join us this Sunday, and get the year off on the right foot...and let's all make
the cross, once again, the center of our attention.
See ya Sunday!
Pastor Jimmy
CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
JANUARY 2010
January 2, Saturday - Board
Meeting at 10:00am
January 9, Saturday - Swap Meet
9:00am-1:00pm
January 10, Sunday - Lunch Bunch (after
worship service)
January 17, Sunday - Family Promise week
begins.
Removable Calendar for
January 2010 on page 5.
F.C.C. AT LARGE
A gardener was walking across a lush meadow
one day when a rose seed fell from his bag. In the coming weeks and months the
seed took root and slowly began to grow into a lovely rose bush.
Then one day the wind blew some weed seeds
into the meadow that took root and grew all around the rose bush. Eventually
the different weeds had a stranglehold on the rose bush and it began to wither
and die. Around this time the gardener was once again crossing the meadow
when he came across the dying rose bush which had finally been overcome by the
weeds that had taken a hold of it.
The gardener took out some of his tools and
slowly and carefully cut away all the weeds which he then placed into his bag.
He knew if he didn't take them away and completely destroy them that they would
take root again and cause further destruction.
Finally freed from the clutches of the
killing weeds the rose bush, now fully exposed to the light and warmth of the
sun, returned to life and once again began to thrive. A while later the
gardener returned to the meadow to check on the rose bush.
There it stood in the midst of the meadow,
gloriously blooming and basking in the light of the sun which gave it life.
And yes, he saw that it was good.
Dawe Glover
FAMILY NEWS
Breakfast with Santa Many thanks
to all who participated in this event, also to Tamra von Blankenburg and Alan
Felieciano for cooking Santa’s very favorite meal. A very special thank
you goes to a jolly, lovable Santa, who was perfectly portrayed by Carlos.
(See pictures on next page )
Pastor Jimmy and Al Degrate opened the
Parsonage to everyone on December 6, 2009. It was great to
fellowship as we munched on delicious shrimp, ham, and many other Christmas dishes.
They worked so hard, we all thank you, Jimmy and Al!
was an evening to remember because of
the many participants who made this event successful by working together,
either in the spotlight, or background, they were:
Tim Earhart, John Heller, Sandy Myers, Lorna Soong, Winnie Kam &
Terry Sousa. Alan Pollock filled in for Tony Leonida. Maile Nicholas
played piano and organ, Mary Wilson & her girls, Malia and
Jenna were asked to light the Christ Candle.
Sanctuary setup and refreshments were
by
Tamra von Blankenburg & Alan Feliciano
Pastor Jimmy was away visiting Mom for
Christmas, so we invited Kent Anderson, Director of Family Promise
Hawaii to be a guest speaker, and give the message on December 27, 2009.
Mahalo
Kent!
(Family Promise & First Christian Church are in their third year of working
together, assisting many homeless families on Oahu to secure safe permanent
housing. We do this by providing meals and temporary housing while the
working family member saves their money for their move-in fees.)
Former Board Chair, Choir Director and Organist Charles Brennan is now at
home, having recovered from open heart surgery. He tells us that our
ongoing prayers are much appreciated. First Christian Church thanks
you for your many gifts! Get Well Charles!
Lorna Soong’s Grandmother has been moved to hospice care. Our
ongoing prayers for her health are appreciated by the Lorna and her entire
family. (UPDATE as of Jan. 12, 2010 – Lorna’s grandma passed
away on Jan. 3. Please keep your prayers up for her family. Thank
you!)
Grandma is 98 years young!
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
Happy 2010 everyone! The year 2009 has been quite a fun
and busy year for the children and we look forward to many exciting and new
activities in 2010. This past year we tried some new things, for subtle
changes, hoping for the best. Our Halloween Fair was changed to a “Monsters vs.
Aliens” themed party/movie night and we had a “Breakfast with Santa” for the
first time. Both of these activities were great learning experiences for us and
I am now much more aware of what to expect and ways we can improve on them next
year. We also went on our first hike since I have been here and although I was
not sure how the children would like it, we all had fun. It was a wonderful way
for the children to connect with nature and we will incorporate this into our
calendar again this year. We did have to forgo our summer camp this year due to
a lack of participation, but I am hopeful we can get this up and running again
this year as it truly is a stimulating and entertaining activity that draws us
all closer.
My most important goal for this year is to draw
more children into the church. Our enrollment is very sporadic and I hope to
have a more stable attendance of children this year. One way we can make this
happen is for all of us to get involved. If you have any children in the
neighborhood, invite them over. I know I have made special trips to pick some children
up just to get them to church on Sundays. My hope is to have a Sunday school
brimming with children every Sunday.
Another goal I have for this year is to reach out
to the community a little more. I am looking for ways to help our immediate
area and maybe gain new members for our church at the same time. I think this
is definitely a possibility with our new outreach and missions positions being
filled, as we can work together to make these things happen.
Thank you for all your care and support toward the
children this past year. I am always open to suggestions on ways we can improve
so feel free to come and talk to me if you have any ideas. In addition, I do
have someone who has volunteered to be my “helper” during Sunday school
classes, but please do not hesitate to join us in our activities and outings;
we would love for anyone to attend.
Sabrina Feliciano
Prayer Requests
Rita Pollock
Andy Guten
Family of Jenny Soden
Charles & Ruth Brennan
Mea Moon
Meana Torigoe
Ken Kakazu
Annie Palamites
Steve Oliver
The Glover family
Addison Palanza
George & Laura Kendall
Jo Ann Russell
Mary Wilson & family
Pastor Jon & his daughter
Michele
Al Gardner
Family of the Late Yuen Kyau Lee
Ben Bohren
Linnea Martin
Michele DeCosta
& family
Fran DeCosta
Joan Hudson
Mary & Mafi Galeai
Charles Chapman
Ellen Chapman
Miguel Sayers
Gayle Silva
Beverly McKeague
CHURCH INFORMATION
First Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
1516
Kewalo St
Honolulu, HI
96822
Reaching out to you in Love!
Church Office Hours
Monday—Friday
9:00
am 12:30 pm
Sunday Schedule
Sunday School &
Youth
Activities 9:30am
Worship Service 10:45am
Hawaii Glory
Church
(Korean Language) 1:00 pm
www.firstchristianchurchhonolulu.org
( first
christian church honolulu . org )
Newsletter
and Calendar
available
on our website .