First Press First Press is the monthly newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu 45-550 Kionaole Road, Kane‘ohe, HI 96744
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 | Volume 18 | Issue 1
WITH A
Y T R A PA E S O P PUR
3 WA K O A U 1 0 2 R E T WIN KO‘OL T A S Y A WEDNESD6, 13, 20, 27 FEB PM 5:30-8:30
IN THIS ISSUE Ice Palace Photos See page 3
FACEBOOK CAPTION CONTEST
Announcing the Winner You had to get pretty creative to think up appropriate captions for last month's caption contest photo. The winner, based on the number of likes from Facebook users, is Scott Schultz! He wins a $10-gift certificate to Ko'olau Kitchen! Congratulations!
PASTOR'S LETTER
One of Oscar Romero's many murals in El Salvador
Francisco, Romero, and You by Pastor Dan Chun Last month I went on a five-day trip to El Salvador in Central America with 19 other people, 17 of them pastors from California and Hawaii. Primarily, they were pastors from San Diego Presbytery, which our church became a part of this year. The primary purpose of the trip was to see Compassion International projects that help thousands of children in need.
Here's Scott's winning caption: "Leavy-tation!" Other good ones: “I'm going to make it to heaven, even if it kills me!” - Ellery Lum "Kirk, I told you to be a Mighty Man....not Spiderman!" - Dan Chun "I'm really getting the hang of this photoshop thing." - Jesse James Agustin "Stickin to Jesus like Spidey to a building." - Lee Breon "I know Dan said to hold on to things lightly, but can't I make an exception just this one time?" - Marianna Meachen "Tom Cruise ain't got nothing on me!" Joy Yoshida " Excuse me, is this the way to heaven?" Ted Otaguro "What?! I have safety goggles on!" - Kathy Makuakane "Mission on the rise" - Paula Caracol
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My hope was that the pastors would catch the vision of releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name. My prayer was that the churches of these pastors would have Compassion Sundays like we do at First Prez to sponsor children. The first time I did a trip like this, 1600 children were sponsored, plus 12 college students. And on top of that, an entire infant survival project was funded.
much of their body. I met gang members who have each killed more than 10 people. The youth pastor of this church was himself a gang leader. After being shot five times in the chest, he decided he had to change his life. He gave his life to Christ. It was touching to hear his testimony on how he is now married and his children go to church and how his nine-year old plays keyboard in the worship band. Third, I got to do house visits. Seeing the Compassion children’s homes broke my heart. These were one-room houses with dirt floors, large mosquito nets (to protect them from the Dengue mosquito), (Continued on page 3)
There were four highlights for me of the trip. First I got to meet my new Compassion child: 13-year-old Francisco. His mother died four years ago from brain cancer. His father abandoned the family. Francisco lives with his older brother, an aunt, and grandmother. So violent is his neighborhood that I could not go to his house. My heart went out to him. Already a Christian, he continually thanked me for coming to see him and for giving him gifts. Second, I went to a Compassion project (which always works out of a church) that ministers to gang members of the infamous MS5. They have tattoos over
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My Compassion child, Francisco
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE EVENT RECAP
FRANCISCO CONT'D FROM P. 2
At the Ice Palace
and very little food. During home visits, Compassion provides meals for the families being visited and the visitors (like us) so we can all eat together. The food was a Salvadoran version of KFC, which was a real treat for them.
by Carolyn Thibault
On November 25, the First Prez ‘ohana showed their holiday spirit by taking over the Ice Palace for a festive evening in a true winter wonderland. Skaters of all ages took to the ice and showed off their graceful moves (or not!) while others warmed up on hot chocolate and restored their energy by sampling the tasty desserts brought by all.
I ate my chicken and took a bite from one of two biscuits. After I was done, I was about to throw away the leftover biscuits and chicken bones from lunch, when I was told that the family would take all of my leftovers for a meal later that day. My biscuits that had bites marks would be eaten and the chicken bones would be used for a soup. I felt horrible. They were so poor that they hardly had any food.
We watched the “limbo bar” snag the unsuspecting elf hat or reindeer antler and laughed as the rude buzzer knocked another skater out of the game. During the free skate period, we witnessed the more experienced skaters coaching and encouraging newer skaters and often offering a stable hand to grab onto. What a metaphor for our walk with Christ!
The next time I went on a house visit, I didn’t eat my food at all knowing that the family could use my food for their meal that night.
All and all, joy abounded on this dark and not so stormy night!
Fourth, Oscar Romero. One of the heroes of El Salvador is the late Roman Catholic Archbishop Oscar Romero who was appointed to his position in 1977. His pictures were everywhere in El Salvador, even in airport murals. I had read about him while I was in seminary. He fought against the injustice of the government and paramilitary groups against the poor. On March 23, 1980, he preached a sermon calling on soldiers to be true Christians, to obey God’s higher order, and to stop carrying out the government’s violations of people’s basic human rights. The next day, while he was celebrating mass in a chapel near a hospital, a gunman came to the door of the chapel and shot and killed Romero as he was elevating the chalice at the end of Communion. We visited the chapel where he was assassinated and the outside of his home a few hundred feet away. It occurred to me, that if we are a sponsor of a Compassion child, we continue Romero’s dream that Christians would fight against injustice and actively release children and their families from poverty in Jesus’ name.
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RECOVERY GROUPS ,
Divorce Care
Current session: Tuesdays, Jan 8-April 2, 2013, 6:30 pm, Glass Classroom Facilitators: Al & Marsha Coscina Separation and divorce are among life’s most difficult and painful experiences. You need the help and encouragement of others as you attempt to heal and restore balance to your life. A DivorceCare group is a special place of encouragement, information and sharing. DivorceCare meets weekly for 13 weeks, providing you with an ongoing “Support Team” as you deal with the issues surrounding your separation or divorce.
SAVE THE DATE!
The
Making of a
Man
MEN’S RETREAT WITH TONY CAMPOLO FIRST PREZ MARCH 1-2, 2013
LIFE MINISTRIES
There are two parts to each weekly DivorceCare session. During the first 30-40 minutes of the meeting, the group watches a videotape featuring top experts on divorce and recovery topics. These videos contain valuable information about recovering from divorce and are produced in an interesting television magazine format.
Tony Campolo Speaks at First Prez Dr. Tony Campolo, preacher, educator, and founder of Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education (EAPE), is our guest speaker at the March 1-2 Men's Retreat at First Prez Ko‘olau.
orphanages, AIDS hospices, urban youth ministries, summer camps, and longterm Christian service programs in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Africa, Canada and throughout the USA.
Following the video, the participants spend time as a “support group,” discussing what was presented on that week’s videotape and what is going on in the lives of the group participants.
Dr. Campolo, Professor Emeritus of sociology at Eastern University in St. Davids, PA is among the most celebrated and sought-after speakers and writers in the United States. He has authored 35 books, the most recent of which is "Red Letter Christians."
Cost is $75 (not an overnight event, but includes four meals) and includes a $20 non-refundable registration fee.
Join the sessions at any time during the 13 weeks, and feel free to attend more than one series.
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March 1-2, 2013
Through EAPE, Dr. Campolo has developed and nurtured elementary and secondary schools, universities, adult and child literacy centers, tutoring programs,
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Pick up a flyer Sundays at the Men's Table where you can get more info and register.
WOMEN'S UPCOMING EVENTS
Save these Dates!
2013 Women's Ministry Events RAA! (Retired Active Adults)
Kung Hee Fat Choy!
Jan. 31, Thurs, 9 am, Heritage Gallery (1040 Smith St.)
Aquarium Tour
Feb. 27, Wed, 11 am, Waikiki Aquarium
Ever seen a monk seal up close and personal? Well then mark your calendars for our February RAA event! Come see the ocean and its inhabitants through the eyes of a child, filled with wonder and amazement while staying dry. Where better to do this but at the Waikiki Aquarium.
When was the last time you took a stroll through Chinatown? There are so many interesting shops, sights, and smells that can be experienced while on foot and not in a car. Chinatown is the gateway to Hawaii for many immigrants. It is a Meet us on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 11 am colorful and eclectic blend of Southeast as we explore the undersea world. Bring Asian cultures where merchants work lots of quarters as street parking is metered. harmoniously together, selling their wares What exactly is a coral? Is it a rock, a plant, and perpetuating their respective cultural or an animal? Then see the Jet Set: animals traditions. who use jet propulsion to move from place Locals come daily to buy fresh produce, to place by pulling water from the outside, fish, meat, dim sum, candied fruits and through their gills to exchange gases, and vegetables, noodles, tea, duck eggs, char then forcefully direct it back outside their siu, exotic herbs for healing, and other bodies through a muscular tube called the Asian delicacies. Siphon. Within a 15-block area, you can consult an herbalist, view an art exhibit, see dancing lions with drummers, buy precious jade and a Cheong Sam, and visit temples and shrines. To accomplish this, we will be taking a two-hour docent-led walking tour of Chinatown on Thursday, Jan. 31st. Meet at 9 am at the Heritage Gallery at 1040 Smith St. (between Hotel and King Sts.) where we will have an opportunity to view exhibits, taste samples, and get a 16-ounce bottle of water in preparation of our walk. Please wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Our walk will end with lunch at The Golden Palace on N. King St. This will not be a shopping tour. Sign up at the RAA! table on Sundays, Jan. 20 and 27 after the 8 and 9:30 am services. The cost is $20 and includes the tour and lunch. ($10 for just the tour, without lunch.) Cash only, please.
The Hawaiian Monk Seal and tourists in Hawaii have something in common. They are active in the morning and evening and then lounge on the beach the rest of the day. This rare seal is found only in the Hawaiian Islands and is one of the most critically endangered species in the world. They are not highly social and spend lots of time alone. The two male residents are Maka onaona and Ho’ailona. This is just a sneak preview of our adventure at the Aquarium to whet your appetite.
February 9 Women’s Tea/Brunch: Passports & Possibilities February 17 Woman-To-Woman Mentoring Orientation Coffee (tentative) March 4 Coed Dinner Event Pami Ellis, Speaker May 3-4 Spring Retreat Information on other events upcoming later in the year will be posted in the Sunday Bulletins and/or future editions of First Press. Stay tuned and we hope to see you soon!
Upon This Rock Update Our "Upon This Rock" capital campaign is on the right track. Here's the "temperature reading" so far:
As of Nov. 30, 2012
• Campaign Goal = $7M • Actual Pledges received = $3,473,517 • Actual collection to date = $1,848,578
$6M $5M $4M $3M $2M
Sign up at the RAA! table on Sundays, Feb. 17 and 24 after the 8 and 9:30 am services. Admission for the Aquarium is FREE for seniors and $4 for all others, to be paid at the door. And for those who would like to join us, we have lunch reservations for ONLY 25 at the Elks Club, following our Aquarium visit. See the RAA! table on Sundays for more details.
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$7M
$1M 0
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People
PRAYERLINES
Sweet Hour of Prayer
All the Good Things
by Patti Marshall
"Now Peter and John went up together … at the hour of prayer." Acts 3:1 What does a writer/poet, a clergyman, and a composer have in common? God worked through their lives, just as He works through ours, in ways we can never even imagine. Their combined endeavors catapulted “Sweet Hour of Prayer” to becoming one of the best known and loved hymns on prayer. It describes the sweetness and high honor of our private and corporate times before God’s throne. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care, And bids me at my Father’s throne Make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief, And oft escaped the tempter’s snare, By thy return, sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! The joys I feel, the bliss I share, Of those whose anxious spirits burn With strong desires for thy return! With such I hasten to the place Where God my Savior shows His face, And gladly take my station there, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! May I thy consolation share, Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height, I view my home and take my flight. This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise To seize the everlasting prize, And shout, while passing through the air, “Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!” Just as the three “unknown by each other” collaborators of this hymn, your faithful obedience and service brings comfort, peace, and hope to those you may never know this side of heaven. Words: William W. Walford, 1772-1850; Rev. Thomas Salmon, 1800-1854; Music: William B. Bradbury, 18161868 (composer of What a Friend We Have in Jesus, Just as I am, Jesus, Like a Shepherd Lead Us).
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One of six Christmas services in 2012
What's the buzz with First Prez people by Marcia Wright Happy New Year to all! Well it’s been a little wet these first few days of the New Year. Ah…we can be thankful for God’s blessing raining down for us from Heaven. Just as the rain blesses the thirsty land blessings from the Lord help us grow and gives an abundance of the HIS goodness to share with others. I hope you were able to miss or circumvent the “traffic” to come to one of the six uplifting services we had for Christmas this year. Friends from long ago and many new friends joined us to make this a special celebration of our Lord’s birth. I know many families had children home for the holidays and I reveled in the joy that was being shared. The choir sends out its heartfelt Mahalo to the Gabe and Sheri Wong family, with daughter Cat, Patrick and Vivian Tsuji, Stan and Donna Koki, friend Cathy Rubasch, and all the other helpers who set up, laid out the contributed food, and cleaned up for 150 choir, staff, volunteers, and Orchestra members for six Christmas services. What a gracious group these folks are for making sure everything went smoothly and all were fed and energized for our Christmas services. Sheri even pulled out the ubiquitous ketchup bottle from the box for us locals who need to put some on our scrambled eggs! Thank you also to the myriad staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to bring glory to God and joy to the people throughout the Christmas season and all year long. If you loved the music this past month and are interested in being part of the choir, the choir is always looking for people who love to sing in a group. Remember we are a welcoming group whether you sing only for one of the holy days or want to join us for the whole year. You choose the
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schedule that fits your life. Vicki Lepick was seen in a picture, taken at St. Andrews Priory School where she teaches religion, honoring the Honolulu Marathon celebrity Wilson Kipsang. Margo Baist shared her pretty face again in a half page ad for HMSA in the Honolulu Star Advertiser. You may have also caught her in an HMSA TV commercial. I seem to see many of our FPC members in commercials or newspaper ads. As Life Ministries starts a new circle of classes, I know many of you will be signing up or already going to one of the many Life Training classes. If you need more information, check the church website (fpchawaii.org) or drop by the Life Ministries table on Sundays in the Fellowship Hall.Keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming WAKO session in February and our next Alpha class in March. You don’t want to miss these! Members Danny and Lucille Wong celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last December with a luncheon at Mandalay Restaurant on the last weekend of the 2012. Congratulations! Well, I have spent most of this article looking back thankful for all that has come before; the joy, the music, the love, the coming of the LORD in a new way in our lives. But life is not lived in the past nor in the future but in the present. So let’s look forward to the miracles God will yet perform in your life and the lives of your loved ones. Daily look to Him minute by minute, walking in the Spirit, choosing joy over sadness, and love above all! Aloha no marciaw@hawaiiantel.net
MEN'S MINISTRY
WINTER WAKO 2013
For Men Only
GO WAKO! by Sim Fulcher
by Kirk Leavy Pastor Dan gave the men of our church a challenge during his talk at the September Men’s Ministry Dinner. It was a challenge to become men of active faith, willing to don the full armor of God to protect and defend others. Through prayer and service to others, the challenge was to engage men willing to commit to being protectors and defenders of their families, their church, and their community. And collectively, these men will be known as the SPARTANS, an acronym for Special Prayer Army Ready To Be Activated Now. The spiritual component of Pastor Dan’s challenge at the Men’s Ministry Dinner when he asked for 300 men to become his spiritual warriors. A hundred men responded that night and became the first cadre of Spartans to join arms in the spiritual war. For his part, Pastor Dan agreed to send the Spartans regular updates about him personally and about the church corporately, and ask them to pray for them both. Pastor Dan is asking the Spartans to pray for these common purposes because he knows that when they do, they will be knitted in a unique bond of fellowship that even the gates of hell cannot break. The physical component is a commitment to acts of service. Spartans are to seek out ways in which their acts of service will meet the needs of others in Jesus' name. As Reformed Christians, we know that acts of charity and service have nothing to do with salvation but that they are the result
of grace through faith. But we also know that acts of service are a natural response to this grace. Theologian Martin Luther wrote: “Faith is God’s work in us, that changes us and gives new birth from God. It changes our hearts, our spirits, our thoughts and all our powers. It brings the Holy Spirit with it. Yes, it is a living, creative, active and powerful thing, this faith. Faith cannot help doing good works constantly. It doesn’t stop to ask if good works ought to be done, but before anyone asks, it already has done them and continues to do them without ceasing.” Pastor Dan’s vision is that every Spartan would live out their faith through prayer, devotion, worship, and acts of service. And he is looking for more men to join him on this journey. This journey takes another step on January 29 when the Men’s Ministry Dinner features Art Hansen, a local architect who has built more than 30 lowcost houses for Hawaii families that were without homes. Art will provide the men of FPC with a very practical way that they can engage in meeting the needs of some Hawaii’s most vulnerable, in Jesus' name. If you are interested in attending this Men’s Dinner, please contact Pastor Sim Fulcher at revsimf@fpchawaii.org. If you are interested in knowing more about becoming a Spartan, contact Scott Schultz at xb_@mac.com, or Peter Selvey.
WAKO is many things. It's a celebration. Like the song goes, it celebrates good times (and in a beautiful setting.) It's a three-ring circus. It's a place to play or learn more about the Bible or do both at the same time. (You choose like you do on your TV remote.) It's good food and it's cheap. It's lots of people young and old to mingle with. It's meeting new friends. It's fun while you're being serious. It's being serious while you're having fun. There's a happy feeling in the halls of WAKO reminding us that "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." WAKO helps focused Christians become more focused and people afraid of focused Christians to become less afraid. It helps people new in the stream of God's Spirit to wade in slowly, while giving others the opportunity to scuba dive The Faith. It's even a place where, if you don't believe much of anything, you can have fun around believers having fun, and maybe get a taste that God is good. WAKO is a party and what a party we have lined up for you at Winter WAKO 2013 with 19 classes from Roz and Pastor Dan to stretching, to sign language hula, and from Mah Jong, to Nick Love, to spiritual warfare. Lots too for keiki and youth! WAKO is a party—a party with a purpose! Pick up a brochure and and register on Sunday!
A PARTYSE WITH A
Men's Monthly Dinner, Jan 29, Tues, 6 pm, Fellowship Hall
SPIRITUAL GIFTS CLASS
PURPO
BodyWorks Understanding God's Design for your Life Wednesdays starting Feb. 6, 5:30 pm & 7:30 pm It's not what you do, it's who you are that matters to God. This dynamic, interactive course will help you on this journey of selfdiscovery, identifying your passions, your spiritual gifts, and your personal style. Join
us to grow in your understanding of God’s design for us in service to the body of Christ! Register at the Life Ministries Table on Sundays. It's a WAKO class. Cost is $10 for the workbook.
FIRST PRESS
The church office will be closed on Monday, Jan 21 (Martin Luther King Day) and Monday, Feb 18 (President's Day).
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NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID KANEOHE, HI PERMIT NO. 120
45-550 Kionaole Road Kane‘ohe, HI 96744 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
WORSHIP SERVICES
Sundays at 8 am, 9:30 am, 11:11 am Visit our website at www.fpchawaii.org
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JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2013 Upcoming Events January 17 January 19 January 26 January 29 January 31 February 6, 13, 20, 27 February 9 February 13 February 15 February 17 February 27
Stephen Ministry Training Session Starts Seekers & Joiners Class Mom's Night Out Men's Dinner RAA! Chinese New Year Event WAKO (Wednesdays at Ko‘olau) Women's Tea, "Passports & Possibilities" Ash Wednesday Service Singles Ohana Valentine Dinner Woman-To-Woman Coffee, Healing Service RAA! Aquarium Event
Recurring Events Sundays Tuesdays Thursdays Wednesdays Fridays
Write a caption for this photo, and enter to win! Post your suggestion on our facebook page: www.facebook.com/firstprez or email it to shayna@fpchawaii.org and we'll post it for you. Captions with the most "LIKES" will be published in next month's First Press. Winner will receive a $10 gift certificate to Ko‘olau Kitchen. Go now to www.facebook.com/firstprez, and enter your caption as a comment on this photo!
Worship Services at 8, 9:30 and 11:11 Mighty Moms, DivorceCare Choir Practice Gathering (High School) Women's Craft Group
If you would like to opt out of receiving our newsletter by mail, please email pkamahele@fpchawaii.org or call 532-1111 First Press can be viewed online at www.fpchawaii.org/?page_id=19 Submit articles by February 15 for the March 2013 issue to: shayna@fpchawaii.org. We reserve the right to edit articles submitted. Art director • Shayna Kusumoto; Copy editors • Ralph Kam, Patty Kamahele, Julie Lockyer, Rosella Shishido, Linda Verdugo, Sarah Williams