First Press 50 First Press is the monthly newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu 45-550 Kionaole Road, Kane‘ohe, HI 96744
AUGUST 2014 | Volume 19 | Issue 6
CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PASTOR SIM’S ORDINATION
Sunday, Aug 24, 2014 First Presbyterian Church Grand Ballroom 5:30 pm Check-In 6 pm Dinner 6:30 pm Program DETAILS ON PAGE 2
IN THIS ISSUE
See Five Prayers for Your Son on page 7
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
50 Years of Being a Pastor
Celebrate Pastor Sim on Aug. 24, Sunday, 5:30 pm check-in, Sanctuary Turning fifty is nifty. No doubt a milestone. For Pastor Sim Fulcher, 2014 is the 50th anniversary of his ordination as a pastor. It was 50 years ago this year when he said, “Yes, Lord, I want to be a pastor,” committing to teach the faith and equip God’s people for the work of ministry. Pastor Sim has been a major part of the First Prez ohana for 14 years now. He’s the associate pastor in charge of what we call Life Ministries. His job and passion is to train adults through various classes in the church—whether it’s through Life Training Classes, WAKO, or Men’s Ministry—that will equip them with the tools to live in ways that honor God and benefit others. To the church staff, Pastor Sim is the “wise guy,” the one who almost always manages to insert a word of wisdom in what he says. Did you know that Pastor Sim was once a youth pastor? That he’s a Georgia Tech grad? And that he’s fascinated with astronomy and the golden plover? Find out more about his early years when you come to the celebration of his 50th Anniversary of Ordination on Sunday, Aug. 24th. Registration is at 5:30 pm with dinner at 6 pm, followed by a special program meant to warm the heart. Dinner tickets at $25 per person are available Sundays in the Fellowship Hall. CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PASTOR SIM’S ORDINATION
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IMPACT MINISTRIES
Mustard Seed Miracle by David Chang
Come and turn this (left picture) to this (right picture). The picture on the left is a vacant lot donated to the Mustard Seed Miracle (MSM) team to help a family build a home. The picture on the right is an example of a home that Art Hansen, MSM’s founder and architect, has built. The amazing thing is that this home is custom designed to meet the needs of the family and site. The more amazing thing is that the home is of the highest quality and built by volunteers. Another amazing thing is that Art has designed this house so it can be built by volunteers of all skill levels. Construction will start soon, and we're going to need your help. We can use you if you’re experienced in the construction trade and we can use you even if you’ve never picked up a hammer before. Let’s all join together to bring the Lord’s blessing to those in need. Contact David Chang to sign up or for more info: 808 531-1111 / davidchang@fpchawaii.org. Here's where we need help:
CONSTRUCTION
Experienced folks to provide supervision and training. New folks will be trained. • Carpentry • Masonry • Painting • Plumbing • Drywall • Yardwork • Cleaning • Carrying materials
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COMMUNICATIONS
Send out announcements, news, schedules to volunteers and other church teams via email, Facebook, updates web page, etc. • Writers • Email • Facebook • Web-Page
COORDINATION
Recruit and coordinate volunteers from FPC and works with other church coordinators. • Recruiters • Schedulers • Check-In
REFRESHMENT
Provide food and drinks to volunteer teams: • Shopping • Cooking • Transportation • Set-up
ADMINISTRATIVE
• Expense tracking • Inventory supplies • Inventory tool • Training manuals
DONOR COMMUNICATIONS
• Solicitation letters • Thank you letters
ANYTHING ELSE
If you’re interested in helping in a way that’s not listed, please contact us.
DEVOTIONAL
Small Ways in Small Places
by David H. Roper, Our Daily Bread®, © 2014 by RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Read Isaiah 49:1-6.
WOMEN'S MINISTRY
Try Mentoring and Be Blessed by Arlene Bohman
Walking the spiritual walk with another woman is an absolutely exhilarating experience! I have been so blessed to be a part of another woman’s spiritual growth and, in the process, I have also grown.
meetings will not end just because our four months of mentoring has ended. We will continue to meet until my mentee feels spiritually strong enough to fly away on her own … transformed from a mentee to a mentor... confident in passing our Lord’s We have met every week since we truth and love to another woman. joined the woman-to-woman mentoring program. Our time together just seemed If any woman desires to be used of to fly by, and there never seemed to be God, try mentoring and be blessed! If any an end of things to share about our walk woman has spiritual gaps or struggles to with Christ. We elected to just read the be totally immersed in Christ, try being Bible and talk about it. Our personal lives a mentee and be blessed. It does require and experiences got automatically woven listening to the Holy Spirit and obedience into our discussions about the Bible and to God’s direction in your words and all it contains. We started with the New actions. It requires acceptance of the risk Testament, first reading John, and then in being transparent and open to another sections written by Paul. I don’t recall ever person. Out of it will come freedom to be having a lull in conversations, and every all you can be in God’s Kingdom here on week it was suddenly time to close in earth. “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be prayer! There has always been such a sense done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” of anticipation, expectation, excitement, Try it. You'll like it! and hunger just to reach out and grasp more of our Lord. There was definitely an openness between us to just inhale the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit. I truly UPCOMING WOMEN’S EVENTS feel I have a sister in Christ with whom I can Aug. 3 share anything and I will still be met with Woman-To-Woman Mentoring love and friendship. Orientation Coffee I believe our Lord, through the Holy Spirit, urged me to mentor another woman. I answered that urging with obedience to Him, and He, in return, has showered us with His favor. Our friendship and our
Often I meet with people who serve in what they think are seemingly small ways in small places. They are frequently discouraged by loneliness, feeling that their acts of service are insignificant. When I hear them speak, I think of one of the angels in C. S. Lewis’ book Out of the Silent Planet. He said: “My people have a law never to speak of sizes or numbers to you. . . . It makes you do reverence to nothings and pass by what is really great.” Sometimes culture says bigger is better—that size is the truest measure of success. It takes a strong person to resist that trend, especially if he or she is laboring in a small place. But we must not “pass by what is really great.” It’s not that numbers aren’t important (after all, the apostles counted their converts; see Acts 2:41). Numbers represent living people with eternal needs. We should all work and pray for large numbers of people to enter the kingdom, but numbers mustn’t be the basis for self-esteem. God doesn’t call us to find fulfillment in the amount of work we do for Him, or the number of people who are a part of that work, but in faithfully doing our work for His sake. Serving our great God with His strength in a small way is not a steppingstone to greatness—it is greatness. Prayer: Lord, help me remember that there are no small places or small people. All are precious in Your sight. May I see the value of my work and cherish it as You do. Anyone doing God’s work in God’s way is important in His sight.
Sep. 27 Mixed Plate Nov. 1 All Church Bazaar
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LIFE MINISTRIES ,
"Apps for Living Life!" New Life Training Classes Starting Sunday, Sept. 21 "Apps for Living Life!" is the 2014-2015 theme for FPC's Life Training classes which will kick-off on Sunday, Sept. 21st. The brochure will appear on Sunday, Sept. 7th when class sign-ups will also begin. You can download these "apps" into your mind, heart, and soul free! Watching others on the field of play is boring but it's exciting when you are in the middle of the action. Plan to get in the game on Sept. 21st.
OUT & ABOUT
Exercise? Who, Me? Aug. 27, Wed, 10 am, First Prez
Finding ways to make physical activity part of your daily life is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself. Do you ask yourself, “How do I get started?” How do we improve our health, independence and quality of life? Even those who think they’re too old or out of shape can benefit from being active on a daily basis.
FINANCE & ADMIN
Upon This Rock Update Our "Upon This Rock" capital campaign is on the right track. Here's the "temperature reading" so far:
As of June 30, 2014
• Campaign Goal = $7M • Actual Pledges received = $3,473,517 • Actual collection to date = $2,966,863
$7M $6M $5M $4M $3M $2M $1M 0
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Research suggests that regular physical activity can help us maintain or noticeably restore our strength, balance, flexibility and endurance. It also improves your immune system, reduces stress, boosts your energy, increases muscle strength and balance, strengthens and increases bone density, and can improve your heart and cardiovascular system. Gene Corpuz of HMSA will be providing us a workshop that includes basic fitness components, ways to be active every day, and exercise demonstrations. He will even bring some “tools” we can use to get us started. It’s never too late to enjoy the benefits of regular physical activity and STOP being a couch potato. MIND YOUR MUSCLE is a hands-on workshop to offer tips and tools to increase the level of physical activity among us “Seniors.” Come and learn a healthy exercise routine that includes muscle anatomy, tips for strength training and stretching exercises. How do we get going? By keeping it simple with resistance based exercises.
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Physical activity doesn’t have to be boring, complicated, or serious. You don’t need a membership, strenuous workouts, special equipment, or a lot of time. It is simply making your body move. Just 30 minutes a day, even 10 minutes at a time, helps lower the risk of developing the health problems most often associated with an inactive lifestyle and can reduce the effects of current conditions. So put on some loose-fitting comfortable clothes and sneakers and get ready to get moving and MIND YOUR MUSCLE! After your muscles are warmed up, get ready for some lively two-step linedancing. What? MORE exercise? Cliff Angelias suffered TWO heart attacks and is a diabetic. Concerned for his health, he began not just dancing, but then began teaching line-dancing as a form of exercise to improve his health. He will teach us some basic steps and get us up off our chairs to step lively to the music. Even if you have two left feet, you will have lots of fun! Laughing AT yourself is healthy, too. Come and join us on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 10 am and get ready to M-O-V-E! Bring your family and friends, too. After all that exercise, you will probably be hungry, so Chef Jim will be preparing a delicious, healthy meal for us to share. Sign up at the OUT & ABOUT table on Sundays, Aug. 17 & 24. Cost is $15. Exact change or checks please.
CHURCH NEWS
THE ALPHA COURSE
PEOPLE
Hector Venegas (pictured on left) and Jan Tsukazaki (pictured on right) are famous for two symbols in our local culture.
LOCALLIVING by Rosella Bet you didn’t know that the creative geniuses behind two symbols of local living are active members of the First Prez ohana. Meet the songwriter of “Hawaiian Lullaby,” and the pastry chef who created a local favorite called the Apple Napple.
HECTOR VENEGAS
You see him on Sunday mornings greeting everyone who enters the Sanctuary. It’s Hector, the guy with the big smile who’s also generous with hugs.
Peter Moon. When Peter saw the poem, he asked Hector if he could put music to it. Hector agreed, and “Hawaiian Lullaby” as we know it today came to be.
JAN TSUKAZAKI
It was in 2012 that Jan committed her life to Christ. At the invitation of her brother (who has passed away since), she came to First Prez and attended the cancer support group and the Alpha Course. Today Jan serves the church through the Bell Choir and as an instructor for summer WAKO. She’ll be teaching an introductory pastry class for aspiring bakers.
It was back in 1970 when Hector wrote the words to “Hawaiian Lullaby,” which actually started as a poem: “Where I live there are rainbows with life in the laughter Yes, Jan is a pastry chef. She attended of morning and starry nights. Where I live the Kapiolani Community College Culinary there are rainbows and flowers full of colors program and continued at the Richemont and birds filled with song.” Baking School in Switzerland. She was later hired by Zippy’s to manage its Napoleon’s Those are the first two lines of the poem Bakery. She said, “I felt we needed an item for daughter Krista who was fighting a long that would be our signature product.” bout with bacterial meningitis. It was a That led to an idea for a special turnover very tough time for Hector and the family made with flaky French puff pastry dough, because, at less than a year old, Krista went instead of pie crust. She came up with a through eye surgery and draining of fluid special dough recipe and worked with from her skull. the baker who came up with the delicious Hector was extremely broken-hearted. filling. The owners loved it, and all the He said, “Putting the words on paper pastry needed was a name. A play on the helped me heal an array of emotions, from “N” from Napoleon’s and “apple” from the fear, anger, and resentment, to love. I had filling resulted in “Apple Napple,” which to turn my negative thoughts into positive turned out to be the sensation Jan and her team hoped it to be. ones.” At that time, Hector worked as an agent and handled bookings for local guitarist
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Alpha continues to grow around the planet and also right here at First Prez. In September we’re starting another Alpha Course! If you already came, we hope that you remember it as a positive experience where you felt safe and comfortable in learning more about God’s love for us. We want to encourage you to start praying and thinking about some non-churched friends that you could invite to Alpha. This time we’re trying to make the first night very special with special entertainment and testimonies hoping to get our first time guest to keep coming back for the rest of the Alpha course. Let your friends know that with September Alpha, they’ll have a choice to attend either the day course, which offers lunch, or the night course, which offers dinner. Alpha is a wonderful way to help us to share God’s love to those that we know. Questions? Contact the church office: 532-1111 / alpha@fpchawaii.org
SEEKERS & JOINERS MEMBERS) CLASS
(NEW
Our next new members’ class is a one-day session to be held on Saturday, Sept. 13, 9 am-4 pm. Pastor Dan Chun will lead the classes and will share from his heart the vision of First Prez, our core values, the teachings of the Presbyterian church, the miracle of our move to Ko’olau, and other helpful information. It’s also a great way to meet others who attend FPC-Honolulu! If you’d like to join First Prez, transfer your membership, or just learn more about us, this class is for you! To sign up, please e-mail rosella@ fpchawaii.org by Sept. 7. We will need your name, phone number, e-mail and childcare request (if applicable). There is no obligation to join the church after attending the class.
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FACEBOOK CAPTION CONTEST
Winning Caption The winner of last month's caption contest photo, based on the number of likes from Facebook users, is Rafonzel Pabunag! She wins a $10-gift certificate to Ko‘olau Kitchen! Congratulations! Here's Raf's winning caption: "How do I take a selfie on this computer?"
Other good ones: " I wonder how long it'll take before they figure out I'm Dan's ghost writer?" - Jen Sung "Hey Mac, I am Max; the only Apple of Dan's eye!" - Scott Schultz "Dear Kangs, I think I like it here so maybe you should get a cat." - Peter Kang "Time to write the sermon." - Julie Sparks "I don't get it. They stare at it and paw at it, but it doesn't smell good or move or anything that would make it interesting. I just don't get it!" - Kathy Makuakane "Does this selfie make me look fat?" Sammy Kawano "Doggone it! Dan says no dinner until I finish writing his sermon…!” - Julie Carter "May I help you? Pastor Dan will see you shortly." - Carolyn Noh "If only I had thumbs" - Heidi Sullivan " Working on my grrmeneutics paper." Jennie Joyce We wish we could fit them all! If you have a photo you think would be good for the Facebook Caption Contest, email it to shayna@fpchawaii.org. We love all your great captions – they keep us laughing!
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AUGUST 2014 |
People All the Good Things by Marcia Wright
What's the buzz with First Prez people This August give praise to God for His faithfulness. Isaiah 40:28-29 says, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." Just a heads up, for all you First Prez family and friends, save the date to celebrate Pastor Sim’s 50th Anniversary of Ordination on Sunday, Aug. 24. We'll be in the Grand Ballroom with festivities starting at 5:30 and ending at 8 pm. Keep an eye out for the tickets to go on sale Aug. 3. Congratulations to Rebecca Caneda for passing the National Marriage & Family Therapy Exam. She is now a Hawaii Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Rebecca says “It has been a professional goal for me ever since I completed my second major to my Master's degree several years ago. After much prayer and paperwork, I found out that I was eligible to take the National Marriage and Family Therapy Exam.... Throughout the exam, my husband Chris stayed and prayed for me while I was taking the exam. I passed! Praise God!” Mitch D’Olier was pictured in the Star Advertiser in his position as Chairman of the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation at their 2014 Kulia I Ka Nu‘u Awards Banquet. This awards banquet honors those who have made a significant contribution to the community. In an article in the Hawaii Business magazine Powell Berger reports that: “Dave Erdman, PacRim Marketing Group / PR Tech, has been named the Hawaii Small Business Person of the Year! Dave was sponsored by Mel Racadio of Central Pacific Bank. He founded PacRim Marketing Group
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almost 25 years ago on the idea that Asian markets deserve targeted, specialized marketing and communications, and he believed he could help local companies grow their presence in those markets.” Congratulations, Dave! Greg and Robin Chow found themselves in a full page article by Jay Sakashita in the MidWeek magazine, featuring their many years as dedicated sensei in Judo. “A judo sensei at Hawaii Tenri Judo and the head coach for Punahou judo, Greg Chow’s vocal presence is unmistakable at judo tournaments. His judoka listen for his voice and draw confidence and even calmness from it…” Greg and Robin’s three children Daniel, Chrissy, and Mindy are members of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) Hall of Honor, having won multiple state championships in wrestling and judo.” The Chows are Christians. The dedication to their faith is evident not in outward displays of religious pretension, like those who have the need to boast with T-shirts and car decals, but in the adornment of the inner self with a lasting and gentle spirit that is pleasing to God. They sacrifice their weekends and what little free time they have (Greg is also an orthopedic surgeon and was deployed to Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan to serve his country) to help their judoka. Theirs is an example for people of all faiths to follow. In short, Greg and Robin Chow make a lasting difference in the lives of their judoka by guiding them to find success on their own path, and in their own way.” Great job, Greg and Robin! Well, dear friends, keep those articles, emails, letters, and facts coming. I love that you want to share all the good things God does in your life with each other. Let us lift each other up and encourage all to the good work and faith to which God calls us. Aloha manoaw@hawaiiantel.net
KO‘OLAU KIDS
PRAYERLINES
Vacation Bible School Snapshots
Five Prayers for Your Son
June 2-6 at First Prez - a recap
by Patti Marshall Moms and dads, I am hoping that last month’s article provided some scriptural handles to grasp onto as you pray for your daughters. This month, we focus on our sons. Sometimes we forget and think that our kids, are the ones we’re fighting. Take a moment to remember Eph. 6:12. Remind yourselves that there is a real enemy, one that wants to steal, kill, and destroy our kids (Jn. 10:10). So we must fight on our knees for their minds, hearts, and souls. Here are five prayers that will help as you cry out for the heart of your sons. • Create in my son a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within him (Ps. 51:10). • May my son walk after You, God, and fear You and keep Your commandments and obey Your voice. May he serve You and hold fast to You (Deut. 13:4). • May my son be strong and courageous and not fear or be in dread, for it is You, Lord, who will never leave him or forsake him (Deut. 31:6). • May my son walk before You, God, as King David walked, with integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that You have commanded him, and keeping Your statutes and rules (1 Kings 9:4). • Like Timothy, may my son be an example to believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity (1 Tim. 4:12). Abba, how you love your Son, Jesus. We so love our sons. Your Word says, “The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with” (Ja. 6:16b, The Message). May we be the ones who Satan must reckon with for the minds, hearts, and souls of our sons. Help us to see who our real enemy is at all times. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Adapted from Praying for Boys: Asking God for the Things They Need Most. © 2014 by Brooke McGlothlin. Proverbs 31 Ministries, March 18, 2014.
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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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AUGUST 2014 Upcoming Events August 3 Aug 6, 13, 20, 27 August 7 August 15-16 August 16 August 22-23 August 23 August 24 August 27
Woman-To-Woman Mentoring Orientation Coffee WAKO (Wednesdays At Ko‘olau) Caregiver Support Group The Alpha Conference Book Club, PGA Golf Outing Life In The Spirit Conference Military Mom's Night Out Pastor Sim's 50th Anniversary of Ordination Celebration Out & About Monthly Event
Recurring Events Sundays Mondays 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 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 donated by Ko'olau Ballrooms. 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 MONDAYS: College-Age Bible Study and Fellowship Mighty Moms Gathering (High School), Old Town, WAKO Men's SPARTAN Group First Prez Crafters
First Press is also available online or can be sent to you via e-mail. 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 Aug. 15 for the September 2014 issue to: shayna@fpchawaii.org. We reserve the right to edit articles submitted. Art director • Shayna Kusumoto; Copy editors • Patty Kamahele, Julie Lockyer, Rosella Shishido, Linda Verdugo, Sarah Williams