First Press First Press is the monthly newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu 45-550 Kionaole Road, Kane‘ohe, HI 96744
JUNE 2012 | Volume 17 | Issue 5
June 4-8 at First Prez
IN THIS ISSUE Our Green Initiatives Story on page 2
CHURCH NEWS
ON THE COVER
“Sky" Vacation Bible School Monday-Friday, June 4-8, 9 am-noon, First Prez Register your kids for VBS! Sign up your kids (keiki who have completed Kindergarten thru 5th Grade) for SKY Vacation Bible School where they will discover that everything is possible with God! The adventure will be June 4-8, 9 am to noon and the cost is $25 per child. You may register either online at www.fpchawaii.org or in the Children's Ministry area. We are offering a limited preschool program for children of SKY Volunteers and children who are familar with our FPC Aunties and Uncles.
Caption Contest And the winner is …. Captions submitted to last month's First Press were so creative! The winner of our contest, based on the number of likes from Facebook users, is Lauren McCartha! She wins a $10-gift certificate to Ko'olau Kitchen! Congratulations! Here's Lauren's winning caption: "This is how I really feel about the documentary 'Forks Over Knives.' Sorry, Senior Management Team. Now pass the gravy!" Other captions submitted: "Hey, Lady, look over there! I think I see a ram in a thicket! It's a sign I tell you! It's a sign!" - Mitchell Kimura "While everyone else gets that fake turkey on the dining table, this one is all mine!" - Ellery Lum "Wait, God asked for a LAMB?" - Noelle Chun "I'm cutting this bird loose. Go free—run like the wind!" - Shayna Kusumoto
2
JUNE 2012
Go Green for God
Energy-Efficient Lighting Retrofit Lights Up First Prez by Kirk Leavy "God saw all that He had made, and it was very good." (Genesis 1:31) Our Ko’olau campus setting is without question one of God’s most beautiful and awe-inspiring places on earth. A place God has given us for worship and celebration, a place from which we reach and serve the world in His name. Stewarding this resource is an awesome responsibility we take very seriously. It is a responsibility that is shared by our staff and ministry teams who work closely with our for-profit corporation to accommodate events ranging from worship services and Christian education, to corporate conferences and weddings. Last year alone, more than 500 events took place here on our campus, many generating revenue that we in turn use to support church ministry activities. Balancing the needs of all of this activity requires a deft touch. Add to that the needs of a golf course and a restaurant, and you have a great deal more than just a beautiful campus; you have one complex organization. It’s not only complex to manage, it’s also expensive to run. Controlling operating costs is critical if we are to realize our goal of using our campus to reach the world in Jesus' name. Controlling operating costs means keeping a close eye on our energy use. The air-conditioning and lighting systems are expensive to operate, and managing these systems to operate at the lowest possible cost is a high priority. In May 2012 we made a strategic investment in an energy saving solution - a campus-wide retrofit of our legacy lighting systems. By converting to more energy-efficient LED/CFL systems, it is projected that we will immediately reduce energy used by more than 70%.
| FIRST PRESS
Based on these savings, the $150,000 initial investment in new systems will be paid back in just over one year. This, combined with a previously installed energy management software solution and a more efficient chiller plant, will result in reducing campus-wide energy consumption by more than 40%. While much has been done, the Buildings & Grounds Team continues to work behind the scenes to develop additional energy efficient solutions for the future. Better lighting, reduced carbon emissions, and saving money through intelligent energy technology investments, now that's a bright idea.
YOUNG ADULTS
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
8 Tips for Deducting Contributions by Debbie Carreira-Johnson
For the next several months we will be sharing some information about charitable gifting. We will try to share creative ways to give to your favorite causes, charities, and church. To jump start the education, we start with eight basics (directly from the IRS). Look for this section in future newsletters authored by various professionals within our Ohana.
Eight Tips for Deducting Charitable Contributions
Charitable contributions made to qualified organizations may help lower your tax bill. The IRS has put together the following eight tips to help ensure your contributions pay off on your tax return. 1. If your goal is a legitimate tax deduction, then you must be giving to a qualified organization. Also, you cannot deduct contributions made to specific individuals, political organizations and candidates. See IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, for rules on what constitutes a qualified organization. 2. To deduct a charitable contribution, you must file Form 1040 and itemize deductions on Schedule A. 3. If you receive a benefit because of your contribution, such as merchandise, tickets to a ball game or other goods and services, then you can deduct only the amount that exceeds the fair market value of the benefit received. 4. Donations of stock or other non-cash property are usually valued at the fair market value of the property. Clothing and household items must generally be in good condition or better to be deductible. Special rules apply to vehicle donations. 5. Fair market value is generally the price at which property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing
seller, neither having to buy or sell, and both having reasonable knowledge of all the relevant facts. 6. Regardless of the amount, to deduct a contribution of cash, check, or other monetary gift, you must maintain a bank record, payroll deduction records or a written communication from the organization containing the name of the organization, the date of the contribution and amount of the contribution. For text message donations, a telephone bill will meet the record-keeping requirement if it shows the name of the receiving organization, the date of the contribution, and the amount given. 7. To claim a deduction for contributions of cash or property equaling $250 or more, you must have a bank record, payroll deduction records or a written acknowledgment from the qualified organization showing the amount of the cash and a description of any property contributed, and whether the organization provided any goods or services in exchange for the gift. One document may satisfy both the written communication requirement for monetary gifts and the written acknowledgement requirement for all contributions of $250 or more. If your total deduction for all noncash contributions for the year is over $500, you must complete and attach IRS Form 8283, Noncash Charitable Contributions, to your return.
A Day at Shhhh... Secret Island
Saturday, June 16, 9 am-3 pm, Kualoa Ranch It's not really a secret. Join us for a fun day of beach bumming, kayaking, standup paddling, and beach volleyball! We’re headed to Secret Island, a secluded beach about a 5-minute boat ride into Kaneohe Bay, off Kualoa Ranch. If you're up for it, you must RSVP as spaces are limited. We'll be meeting at 8:45 am at Kualoa Ranch (49-560 Kamehameha Highway, Ka‘a‘awa, HI 96730). Cost is $15 per person. All ages welcome. Payment confirms your spot. Just email ExperienceHI@gmail.com to make a payment or if you questions. Bring snacks to share and your own drinks and lunch. Don’t forget your beach attire, sunscreen, sunglasses, towel and other beach accessories. And if you want to be added to our email list for future events, let us know! shayna@fpchawaii.org
8. Taxpayers donating an item or a group of similar items valued at more than $5,000 must also complete Section B of Form 8283, which generally requires an appraisal by a qualified appraiser. IRS Tax Tip 2011-57, March 22, 2011, http://www. irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=106990,00.html
FIRST PRESS
|
JUNE 2012
3
Life Ministries
RAA! (Retired Active Adults)
A Back Office Tour of First Prez
,
Wednesday, June 27, 4 pm by Jane Tai
Have you ever wondered what’s behind those doors and down those hallways at First Prez? Most of us come on Sundays for the worship service, a Life Training class and probably for a meal or a cup of coffee, but we’ve never had the chance to explore the rest of the building. You can satisfy that curiosity when you join RAA in the “Back Office Tour of First Prez” on Wednesday afternoon, June 27th. Executive Director Ron Mathieu will lead us on a complete tour of the building, including non-public areas like the kitchens, offices, special rooms, and golf facilities. Not many of us realize the extent and the complexity of our building, and not many have ventured beyond the familiar areas, so here’s your chance to explore. Aside from the back office tour, Ron Mathieu will also give a 30-minute Power Point presentation to answer questions like, “How did a church come to be at a golf course and in such a large facility as Ko’olau?” A time for other questions and answers will follow. The back office tour starts at 4 pm and will take approximately 30 minutes. After all the walking and the listening and the clock striking 5, we will have an optional dinner at Honey’s Restaurant, with each person making individual dinner choices and payment. Menu selections will be available when you sign up for the Tour. So save the date! Sign up for the Tour on either June 17 or June 24th in the Fellowship Hall.
4
JUNE 2012
SMALL GROUPS MINISTRY
Small Groups
Where Everybody Knows Your Name Borrowing from a familiar television series musical theme, the Small Group Ministry Team took time out in late March to thank the dedicated Small Group leaders who meet weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly with their fellow participants. A delicious Mexican-themed do-it-yourself dinner was provided by the Team at Pastor David’s home and it was a highlight when the Team as a “flash mob” broke out into the theme song and everyone joined in. Under the Team’s chairperson, TracieAnn Tjapkes, the evening started with a fun ice-breaking game of getting organized and then a sharing by everyone of some of the highlights that happened in their small groups this past year. It is so encouraging to see the Christ-growth in all the small groups and by way of extension, how FPC continues in our lives not just on Sundays. The Team wishes we could print everyone’s name who leads a small group but let it suffice to say a big Mahalo to them for their commitment to leadership and caring for others in wanting to know Him better. “Where everybody knows your name” is really expressive of the function of a small group. Small groups pray together, study Scripture together, review the sermons together, eat together and have fun together plus some. We encourage you to get involved in a small group and if you
| FIRST PRESS
by Shelley Germain
missed us at last month’s Ministry Fair, we really want to “know your name”. Check us out at fpchawaii.org and click at the top on Ministries and then click on Small Groups. The website includes great information about Small Groups, including a list of the current registered small groups.Our excellent liaison, Patty Kamahele, will direct any additional questions you may have to the Team and by the way, our names are: Pastor David Stoker, Tracie Ann Tjapkes, Ellery Lum, Duane Stevens, Alison Stransky, Janis Loo, Barbara Harada, Jim Mee, Bev Heyberger and Shelley Germain. Stay tuned to this column for future exciting news on Small Groups and how they are impacting our community.
Summer WAKO 2012 August 1-29: FIVE Wednesday Nights! Boy, do we have a WAKO revvin’! Mark your calendar!
WOMEN'S MINISTRY
Coming Soon: The First Prez Cookbook! by Beverly Heyberger Calling all cooks and bakers! A new First Prez cookbook is in the making, and YOU can be part of it! The First Prez cookbook will have various sections, including sections for vegetarian and Daniel Fast recipes. A RECAP
We welcome your recipe submissions until August 15th. Include a sentence or two of why you like the recipe and where you got it from. Give us your e-mail address and phone number, too, in case we need to get back to you.
Women's Spring Retreat by Beth Fila That's right! Our women’s ministry just finished its annual Spring retreat at Paradise Bay Resort. It was full of laughs and lots of bonding time. We were blessed to have Debbie Alsdorf as our speaker. She is a best-selling author of, “A Women Who Trusts God” and is founder of Design4Living Ministries. She has served in women ministries for 25 years. Debbie spoke about “Living In the Meantime.” All of us have been there, feeling we are not where we would like to be. We sometimes fear our prayers are not being answered, and it is hard to put our trust in God. Debbie gave us a new perspective that she drew from her own personal experiences. She taught us to trust God Who gives us peace.
Submit recipes to Beverly Heyberger (heybev@aol.com) or to Linda Willoughby (lindawilloughby72@gmail.com). The First Prez Cookbook (hardcopy and CD) will be available during the Annual All-Church Bazaar in November. Watch for it!
The resort was filled with music led by our own Roz Catracchia. Sign dancing was performed by Trisha Burlison. The retreat ended with lots of hugs and tears. New relationships were formed and relationships went deeper with God.
FIRST PRESS
|
JUNE 2012
5
PRAYERLINES
Made to Praise Part 1, by Patti Marshall
While listening to a song entitled “I Was Made To Praise You,” I was reminded of how brief my adoration praying is. At times, I only dwell on my needs and wants and forget to adore God while lifting my heart in reverence, awe, and love before His worthiness and holiness. The highest form of prayer is adoration because it is the sheer worship and praise of God. Adoration doesn’t ask anything for others or us. It seeks only to be in the presence of God, acknowledging His nature and character. It’s praising Him for who He is, whereas thanksgiving is praising Him for what He does. So, who is He to us? If He is love, grace, mercy, power, sovereignty, and so much more, then we must respond with adoration, worship, and awe. What have we experienced personally with Him that brings forth adoration and worship from our souls? We’ll be reading 31 scripture-based, paraphrased praise starters in this 4-part series. Focusing on one attribute a day will open our hearts, minds and lips to 1 month of God’s character. 1. God the Creator: “Creator God, I praise You because You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry hosts, the earth and all this is on it, the seas and all this is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship You” Neh. 9:6. 2. The only God: “God, I praise You because You are the Lord, and there is no other. Apart from You there is no God” Is. 45:5. 3. The Almighty God: “O Lord God Almighty, who is like You? You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds You” Ps. 89:8. 4. The Everlasting Father, the Ancient of Days: “I praise You, Lord, as the Ancient of Days (Dan. 7:9), the Everlasting Father who lives forever and ever” Is. 9:6. Continued on page 7
6
JUNE 2012
People All the Good Things
What's the buzz with First Prez people by Marcia Wright It's June, and we are already feeling the heat! Now where did I put those sneakers? Or maybe it’s time to pull the surfboard or bike from your garage? However you plan to get out and enjoy God’s good things this summer, let’s get started! Sarah Stoker was one of the leads in Mid-Pac’s production of “East of the Sun and West of the Moon.” Good job, Sarah! Stephanie Castillo was featured in an article in the AAUW Dialogue written by Grants Intern Elyssa Shildneck. “Interacting with (Emmy Award Winner) Castillo will leave you inspired. She is proof that it’s never too late to go back to school. At 30 years old, she started her freshman year of college. And at age 50, she began her first year as a master’s student in executive business administration. Castillo stressed following your passion and path in life, a lesson that led her to work in Hollywood as a young woman. Castillo is in the process of making her 10th documentary but says that Simple Courage is still her most cherished.” “Do you believe an AAUW sister could do this? Do I hear some amens, hoorays, or right-ons out there?” Charter member Ellen Ho celebrated her 92nd birthday in our little coffee area. Barbara Coons, her dear friend and faithful driver, did a great job planning this celebration. So many folks dropped by to share some cookies and a smile and laugh with Ellen. Rosella Shishido helped with logistics, Eileen Lum, Thelma Kramer, Ruth De Mesa and Marcia Wright sang Happy Birthday, while others stopped in for short chats, giving of lei and flowers. Barbara Coons wants to thank all who made this day so special for Ellen. Elaine Masters has been posting on
| FIRST PRESS
Facebook. “She says she has heard from CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL that one of her submissions has made it to the final cut.” Elaine also posted that her grandson David Verburg will be going to Oregon for the Olympic trials. If he qualifies in the top four, he will represent America in London the end of July. Keep us posted, Elaine! “Phillip Hollstein, Jr., also known as Flip, was one of the 60 who recently earned the world’s record for SKYDIVERS OVER SIXTY. Flip and his friends held a 60 person formation from 13,000 feet for more seconds than had ever been done before. They were falling at 120 MPH and he said it was a blast.” Flip loves to sky dive and with over 12k jumps under his belt, or should I say air under his chute one can tell it’s true. Flip and wife Jan have been members since 2011 and both sing with the choir. Jan writes that “God has been good to us.” “Echoes of Rainbows” a major flower and horticulture show presented by the Garden Club of Honolulu was co-chaired by Dotty Nitta who also won, along with Barbara Mastumoto and Bertie Lee, best in show in their categories. Kudos! These same women along with the rest of the floral ministry team are the flower lovers and arrangers who make all the beautiful arrangements you see everywhere in our building. They just love to bring the beauty of God’s greenery inside for all to enjoy! Thank you for sharing all your talents and years of experience. Okay, gang, I will sign off until next month. Remember please share all the good things happening in your life or one day you might find this article blank! These good things are to glorify God’s good work in all of our lives! Let us encourage each other to good works and bless the Lord! manoaw@hawaiiantel.net
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
Upon This Rock Update The Upon This Rock Capital Campaign is off to a great start so the Finance & Admin. team wanted to start giving you regular updates to let you know exactly how things are going. Here is the monthly "temperature reading" for Upon This Rock.
As of 04-30-12 CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
Emily Mizue held by Norma Cabagbag in Nursery
Mahalo, Leaders!
• Campaign Goal = $7M • Actual Pledges received = $3,473,517 • Actual collection to date = $1,304,600
Children's Ministry Leaders, we can’t thank you enough for selflessly giving to the spiritual education of our children. Without you there would be no children’s ministry here at First Prez. Thank you for coming in early to prepare for each class. Thank you for taking the time to allow the Holy Spirit to move in the hearts and minds of our children as you teach them about who Jesus was and is. Thank you for being a constant week after week, for giving all that you have even when you are a bit tired. We appreciate all of you and hope that you have a wonderful summer refueling.
Nursery/Toddler Leaders Caregivers:
Phoebe Ambard Norma Cabagbag Maggie Gerk Penny McCarver Aulani Schenck Sarah Stoker Sheila Yuasa
Preschool Team:
Kelli Adachi Rona Adeline
$6M $5M $4M $3M $2M
by Shana Coonie Come one, come all...and help us THANK our Small Group Children’s Ministry Leaders. These are the people who week after week pour their love, dedication, time, energy, heart and soul into our children from September through May.
$7M
$1M
Leland Chesbro Rissa Fedora Karen Kaisan Candi Miller Samantha Moody Connie and Jay Tschillard Lanikai Walten Aianna Wong
0
Elementary Team:
Chris & Rebecca Caneda Brittney Hamilton Denee & John Hamilton Barbara & Scott Harada Gail Hashi Nat Higa Manami Keuning Tanya Kim Jesse Lee Jessica Lee Kimo Makishima Audrey Shoji Craig Shoji Maile Singson Julia Tashima Carolyn Thibault Shelly Tokunaga Kai Tsubota Marisa Wong Sheri Wong Russell Yamada Joan Young
PRAYERLINES, CONTINUED 5. A Loving God: “I praise You because You are a loving God, whose very nature is love” 1 Jn. 4:16. May the words of this song remind us to worship, to adore this One who is deserves our praise. “I was made to praise You. I was made to glorify Your name, In every circumstance, To find a chance to thank you. “O God, open my heart and ears to the music of praise at the beginning of each Sunday service. Adoring You with music, dance, drama, and your precious word brings joy and glory to You and renews my soul.” Amen. Hosteler, Bob. “Learning the Language of Praise”. Discipleship Journal. 2009.
FIRST PRESS
|
JUNE 2012
7
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, 9:30 and 11:11 am Visit our website at www.fpchawaii.org
WRITE A CAPTION FOR THIS
JUNE 2012 Upcoming Events June 4-8 June 14-17 June 16 June 17 June 9 & 23 June 23 June 27
Vacation Bible School Middle School Retreat Young Adults' Secret Island Day Father's Day Second Worship Military Mom's Night Out RAA! Back Office Tour of First Prez Ko‘olau
Recurring Events Sundays Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays 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 shay@entheos-i.com 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 Summer Gathering (off-campus) Choir Practice 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 June 15 for the July 2012 issue to: shay@entheos-i.com We reserve the right to edit articles submitted. Art director • Shayna Kusumoto; Copy editors • Ralph Kam, Patty Kamahele, Ivonne Litchkowski, Rosella Shishido, Linda Verdugo, Sarah Williams