First Press First Press is the monthly newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu 45-550 Kionaole Road, Kane‘ohe, HI 96744
SEPTEMBER 2013 | Volume 18 | Issue 8
Find what you're looking for at The Alpha Course (Details on page 2)
IN THIS ISSUE
New Life Training Classes –info on page 3
FACEBOOK CAPTION CONTEST
Announcing the Winner The winner of last month's caption contest photo, based on the number of likes from Facebook users, is Marianna Meachen! She wins a $10-gift certificate to Ko‘olau Kitchen! Congratulations! Here's Marianna's winning caption: "Talk about cool runnings, the Jamaican bobsled team doesn't have anything on us!"
ON THE COVER...
Alpha Returns in September
Day Alpha Course: Sept. 4-Nov. 13 (Wed) 11 am–1:15 pm Evening Alpha Course: Sept. 4-Nov. 13 (Wed) 6:30 pm–8:45 pm
"Nathan Lee goin' haaaaam" - Dylan Shen
The Alpha Course is a series of ten sessions that provides an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith. It’s relaxed, low-key, friendly, and fun. It’s a course supported by all main Christian denominations.
Cullen thinking, "this is my boogie board! Go get your own! I kick you off now" Jenny Wilk Cerney
Listen, learn, discuss, and discover. Ask anything! Alpha is a place where no question is too simple or too controversial.
"Get that haole off us, so we can get going!" - Mike Kate Stello
A meal opens each session, giving everyone an opportunity to get to know one another.
Other good ones: Nathan Lee: "Ahhhhh, I've got a serious Wedgie! " - Mason Lee
"OMG, tell that guy in front of us he's going too slow!" - Joy Hrobak "Sometimes the Holy Spirit reaches us through a gentle nudge, but other times it can be a major PUSH! Enjoy the ride!" - Audrey A. Koizumi
The Alpha course consists of video teachings on topics such as “Who is Jesus?” and “How can we have faith?” After each video, we get into small groups for discussion. Alpha is for everyone, especially: • Those wanting to investigate Christianity • New Christians • Newcomers to the church • Those who want to deepen their understanding & faith
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There is a one-time cost of $10 to purchase the ALPHA course manual. Everything else, including the dinner is free, although we appreciate any donation to help offset food costs. Childcare is only available for children 6 months to 12 years old at the evening Alpha course. Please let us know that you need childcare when you register. For more details, please go to www. fpchawaii.org/alpha
LIFE MINISTRIES
Grow Up (To Your Potential)! by Pastor Sim Fulcher
Life Training Classes begin on Sept. 15. We have a great fall lineup of classes with a new added attraction. Yes, we used the word attraction, and, no, we have not succumbed to the world of entertainment. When you want to attract people new in the faith to a course in basic Christian living or appeal to those not new but jump starting again after a spiritual hiatus, you have to use a word like attraction.
IMPACT MINISTRIES
Love the Philippines 2014 by Pastor Tim Shaw About four years ago, Compassion International facilitated a church-to-church relationship between our congregation and Life Church on the island of Palawan in the Philippines. We’ve been building that relationship ever since. In 2011, Pastor Dan Chun commented, “We were looking for a way to go deeper and really work together, one local church with another local church. Church-to-church was one of the best things we’ve ever done in our church’s life. It has been a phenomenal experience.” In February 2014 First Prez Honolulu will once again deepen our partnership, with Life Church in Puerto Princesa as five remarkable ministries, Compassion International, Aloha Medical Mission, Hawaiian Islands Ministries, Life Church and our congregation, will come together to love the people of the Philippines.
booster. It’s like God is saying, ‘I care for you!’” Jesus Christ continues to pour His love into our lives and He’s inviting us to join Him in the good work of grace He is doing in our communities and around the world. Join us February 14-23, 2014 as we seek to live out the love of Christ with the people of the Philippines. Come with your abilities and skills, a heart to serve, and an openness to what God just might want to teach you. For more information contact Pastor Tim Shaw at tim@fpchawaii.org.
The new attraction is a class called "Beta: Because You have Questions." It will run for 12 Sundays (Sept 1-Dec 1) with a virtual faculty of eight outstanding LifeGuides, leading the discussion classes mostly as teaching teams. In the Greek alphabet Beta comes after Alpha. We’re hoping this course will attract Alpha “grads” too. Just sign up like you would in taking any of the other Life Training classes. And speaking of the other classes, we have nine altogether. One is just for women and that’s new, too. Some are studies in books of the Bible, characters of the Bible, or Christian history and cults. Some have to do with direct application, like biblical instruction for family finances or identifying your spiritual gifts. Grab a brochure and sign up for a class. Then come and grow up to your potential!
Commenting on this partnership, Pastor Ancho Buenaventura of Life Church said, “The Filipino has the attitude that they are the underdog, a third-world country, we’re subservient. To be able to be partners with a church of their size and humility, power and excellence I thought, ‘Wow! Finally we have a brother. We have somebody who would walk along with us. That’s a faith
This new course will appeal not just to those folks mentioned above, but to anyone wanting some plain talk about the Bible, human nature, God, and how to communicate with Him. We're going all out to make this new course attractive because you asked for a course like this, and we heard you.
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MEN'S MINISTRY ,
Men's Fall Kick-Off Dinner Sept. 17, Tues, 6 pm, Fellowship Hall
Our speaker is Dr. Greg Chow and his topic is, “A View from the Battle Zone.” Greg was recently deployed to the battle zone in the middle east for the second time. We’ve asked him to share from his experiences as an orthopedic surgeon in the battle zones of Afghanistan. And there will be plenty of Q and A time. Greg is a member of First Prez. He and his wife, Robin, have three children, and Greg has served formerly for a number of years on FPC’s Men’s Leadership Team.
OUT & ABOUT (FORMERLY RAA!)
Kamaka Ukulele Factory Tour Sept. 26, Thurs, 10:15 am, 550 South St. Have you ever visited the factory of the world-renowned Kamaka ukulele? Come and join us on a tour of the 93-year-old Kamaka Ukulele Factory and learn how the Kamaka ukulele came to be. Find out, too, how the factory in Honolulu continues to skillfully handcraft Hawaii's finest ukelele. Samuel Kaiali‘ili‘i Kamaka began creating koa ukuleles in the basement of his Kaimuki home and soon established a solid reputation for making only the highest quality ukuleles. His patented Pineapple Ukulele which produces a resonant, mellow sound distinct from the traditional figure-eight continues to be Kamaka’s signature ukulele to this day.
Dr. Greg Chow, our fall kick-off Men's Ministry dinner speaker
Sam Sr. introduced his two young sons, Samuel, Jr. and Frederick, to the craft of ukulele-making and the business soon became known as “Kamaka and Sons.” In 1952, Sam Sr. went into semi-retirement due to illness and Sam Jr. abandoned his studies to continue the family business. He restored the factory soon after Sam Sr.’s passing in 1953. Fred Sr. joined the business as its general manager after retiring from the Army. Soon Sam Jr.’s sons, Chris and Casey and Fred Sr.’s son, Fred Jr. become involved with the business and today play major roles at Kamaka Hawaii, Inc.
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Sam Kamaka Sr. in the Kamaka Ukulele Factory
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The making of a Kamaka ukulele is an art in itself. It takes years of experience, apprenticeship, and a woodcrafter’s patience and perfectionism to become a Master Kamaka craftsperson. Kamaka is a company that reflects the positive Hawaiian values of aloha, malama, and pono. For example, they hired disabled employees at a time when these workers were viewed as a liability. Sam Jr. hired two hearing-impaired individuals. Their dedicated perfectionism and heightened sense of touch allowed these individuals to measure the thickness of the ukulele sound boxes with complete accuracy by drumming their fingers on the wood and feeling the vibrations. Their perceived disability turned out to be a benefit. The Kamaka ukulele has been the instrument of choice for musicians like jake Shimabukuro, Keali‘i Reichel, Daniel Ho, Aunty Genoa Keawe, George Harrison, and Ziggy Marley. Join us on this FREE tour of the Kamaka Ukulele Factory on 550 South Street, Honolulu. Please note that only on-street, metered parking is available, so bring plenty of quarters. After the tour, we'll be heading to the Jade Dynasty Chinese Restaurant at Ala Moana Center for an $18-lunch. Sign up for this event on Sundays, Sept 17 and 24, in the Fellowship Hall. Tour is limited to 25 people.
WOMEN'S EVENT CALENDAR Women’s Small Group Study Sundays Sept.13-Nov. 24 “Broken Treasures” with Julie Daubenspeck Mixed Plate Sept. 21, Saturday Mini-classes on crafts, exercise, cooking, special topics, including a delicious Ko’olau lunch. Invite your friends! Want to share your passion by offering a session? Contact julie@fpchawaii.org. WOMEN'S MINISTRY
Clothed in God's Love by Judy Ensing “Auntie, can you read this to me?” After scampering off to examine the contents of her bag of new back-to-school clothes, fiveyear old Kamalei had returned with the note card she had discovered inside. She listened intently to the words telling her she had a nice name, encouraging her to study hard, and to always remember that Jesus loved her.
clothing to 200 homeless children in Waipahu with the help of local churches, the organizer was delighted that our inquiry came just after she had been asked to provide clothing for another 28 children at the Kakaako shelter. God’s timing was perfect, the amount of funding needed was perfect, and Linda, Marlene, and Judy went shopping!
Kamalei spends her nights at the The Women’s Ministry Team is exploring Next Step homeless shelter in Kakaako, more ways to provide service in our local where she shares a small cubicle with her community. Stay tuned for information on family in a large warehouse that provides how you can get involved! sleeping quarters for 200 homeless men, women, and children. On that Friday evening, just before the start of the new school year, Linda Willoughby, Marlene Yamami, and Judy Ensing presented the school-aged residents with drawstring bags each containing a shirt, pair of shorts, socks, slippers, underwear, Bible, and a notecard with a message from a First Prez member. For some, it was the first time they had ever had new clothing. After last year’s Annual Church Bazaar, the women’s team designated $2000 for the cause of homeless women and children in Hawaii. For nine months, the team prayerfully searched for the “right” organization to receive the funds. When the team learned of a grass roots project called “Clothed in God’s Love,” they decided to check it out. Having just distributed
FIRST PRESS
All-Church Bazaar Nov. 2, Saturday Crafts, silent auction, food, Baked Goods and Cafe, Ko'olau Market, etc. Serve on bazaar team, help at the bazaar, and (of course) shop! Contact Patt Emminger if you would like to help on the team. Women’s Correctional Center Christmas Project Month of November Bring last year's unused Christmas cards or purchase a box or two to donate to incarcerated women who can use the cards to send to loved ones. Postage stamps are also needed. Christmas Brunch Dec. 14, Saturday Make this a special Christmas season event. Invite your friends and family members to enjoy a special brunch prepared by Ko‘olau Ballrooms!
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People
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
Ko‘olau Kids Small Groups
All the Good Things
Ko’olau Kids has started back in full swing with our fall curriculum and small group leaders! Now that we have completed Kick-Off Sunday, everyone has been promoted and is getting settled in their small groups. We are so thankful to have our leaders return after a much needed summer break. Just as a consistent small group has been found beneficial to our spiritual growth as adults, we believe the same method works for our kids. We strongly encourage families to commit to a service time so that each week their child can have the same small group leader and peers praying for them and lending support. May this school year be one of excitement as we commit ourselves to discipleship and following Jesus, no matter how old we are!
Upon This Rock Update
• Campaign Goal = $7M • Actual Pledges received = $3,473,517 • Actual collection to date = $2,450,872
$7M $6M $5M $4M $3M $2M $1M 0
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by Marcia Wright September is the time to share recaps of summer happenings and here are some fun ones! Zenia Moura received a Po‘okela award for her work in "Rapunzel! Rapunzel!" Congratulations, Zenia. With only a couple of months before the First Prez Church Bazaar, Caroline Kim encourages us to start looking for items around the house that we can donate. “Congratulations! You have successfully tackled the garage, now for the bedroom. This is where many of us keep those holiday and birthday gifts that others thoughtfully bought for us that we never use. It’s time to clean those closets and simplify your life! We are unable to take electronics or lingerie, but do set aside the hand turned pen you never used, or those scarves you never wore, or that perfume gift that just wasn’t you.” Bazaar donations will be accepted starting in October. Pat Wrath spent a good deal of her summer traveling to various Boy Scout outdoor conventions. In June she was at the America National Training Center at a conference for trainers at the Philmont Scout Ranch in northeastern New Mexico, and also on the faculty there at a Boy Scout conference in August. She attended the Boy Scout National Jamboree as a volunteer staff member near Beckley, West Virginia at The Summit Bechtel Scout Reserve. She wrote: “Along with 7,000 other volunteer staff and some 28,000 youth participants, we hiked the hills in high humidity and hot weather, dodged the lightning and heavy downpours and mud, lived in tents with bunk beds, took frigid showers heated only by solar camp showers, and provided the experience of a lifetime for the Scouts who attended.” At the Jamboree, Pat worked in the medical center as a support staff member. She hiked about 2.5 miles on hills each way to work rain or shine! One morning she met a fellow
Our "Upon This Rock" capital campaign is on the right track. Here's the "temperature reading" so far:
As of July 31, 2013
What's the buzz with First Prez people
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Pat Wrath at the Boy Scout Jamboree with the granddaughter of the founder of the 106-year-old World Scouting Movement
walker going her way. They spoke about the Jamboree and Scouting. Pat writes, “I knew right off the woman wasn’t just another volunteer staff member although she was very unassuming and fun to talk to as we made our way up the hill. This was an amazing moment for me because this lovely woman, who had been enjoying the thrill of this huge event, is the granddaughter of the founder of the 106-year-old World Scouting Movement that now encompasses 161 countries and millions of scouts around the world. Her grandfather is Sir Robert BadenPowell. She travels the world to Jamborees in many countries and continues in her grandfather’s footsteps. It was such an honor to meet her!” Pat has been involved with scouting from the age of 7-18 from Camp Fire Girls to Girl Scouts then Boy Scouts with her son who became an Eagle Scout in 2003. She has been actively scouting for 22 years. She obviously loves it! Patti Marshall sent a mahalo to June Watanabe's Kokua Line column in the Star Advertiser thanking the honest person who returned the fanny pack that she inadvertently left in a Costco cart. What a good lesson, Patti, to encourage those who do good! A.J. McWhorter of the Star-Advertiser interviewed Bill Baist aka “The Golden Voice” on his broadcasting career which spans almost 60 years. Bill has used his voice to earn a living at various radio stations and in other arenas such as the old “Hawaii Five0”, movies, and TV game shows. Bill Baist can still be seen or heard in commercials, theatre, and on KUMU radio. He’s hoping to be able to appear again on the new “Hawaii Five-0.” See you on TV, Bill! Thank you to all those who set aside those news articles and bits of info and then send them to me. You cub-reporters are the best! Keep all those Good Things coming. Mahalo, manoaw@hawaiiantel.net.
CHURCH NEWS
BodyWorks: Understanding God’s Design for Your Life Sundays, Sept. 15-Oct. 20, 9:30 am - a Life Training Class
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 self-discovery, identifying your passions, your spiritual gifts, and your personal style. Join us Sundays at 9:30 am beginning Sept. 15th as we discover God’s design for us in service to the body of Christ! Sign up at the Life Ministries table on Sundays. Cost is $10 for the workbook. PRAYERLINES
The Activity of Intercession by Patti Marshall
“As long as Moses held up his hands, the group of untrained soldiers, begin to defeat Israelites were winning…” (Ex. 17:11) the Amalekites, but only as long as Moses’ arms are in the air. As soon as his arms get One of the most difficult things for us tired (remember he is 80), the battle begins to grab hold of in intercessory prayer is to turn against Israel. Now the Amalekites the fact that it doesn’t appear to be doing are winning. What an old man does with anything. If you bake a pie and take it to his arms on top of the mountain shouldn’t the neighbors, you are doing something. have any effect on the battle in the valley If you stand at the church door and pass below, but it does in the kingdom of God. out bulletins you are doing something. And what you and I do sitting in our homes The hardest thing to get past when trying and churches while praying for a village in to understand intercessory prayer is that it India or China, or for someone we know or somehow seems we aren’t doing anything. don’t know, shouldn’t seem to have any Most of us want to do something for God. effect logically, but it does in the kingdom The scriptures teach us something of God. amazing about the activity of intercessory Father, help me to trust that when I prayer. Let’s go back to Exodus 17:8-13, intercede on behalf of Your plans and where the children of Israel had been purposes, You are moving in power. Let me released from their bondage in Egypt. This continually be aware that this will always huge group of one to three million people be the most effective “doing” I can engage in had just crossed the Red Sea and were throughout my life. on their way to Mt. Sinai when they are Taken from the article, Intercession: Unleashing God’s attacked by the Amalekites. With Moses’ Power on Earth by Dave Butts. arms outstretched to God in prayer, an amazing thing happens. The Israelites, a
FIRST PRESS
Seekers & Joiners (New Members) Class Sept. 28, Sat, 9 am-3:30 pm, Mauka Room
Our next new members’ class is a oneday session to be held on Saturday, Sept. 28th from 9 am-3:30 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. 20th. We’ll 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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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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SEPTEMBER 2013 Upcoming Events September 2 September 4 September 5 September 14 September 15 September 17 September 21 September 28 September 29
Labor Day, Church Office Closed The Alpha Course Starts Caregiver Support Group, Jam & Jelly Making PGA Ko‘olau Annual Golf Scramble Life Training Classes Start, Blood Drive Men's Dinner Women's Mixed Plate Seekers & Joiners (New Members Class) Military Mom's & Dad's Night Out Installation Service for Pastor Tim Shaw
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 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, GriefShare Alpha Course, Gathering (High School) Choir, Men's SPARTAN Group Women's Craft Group, F2, 5th Quarter
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 September 15 for the October 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