First Press September 2014

First Press First Press is the monthly newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu 45-550 Kionaole Road, Kane‘ohe, HI 96744

SEPTEMBER 2014 | Volume 19 | Issue 8

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IN THIS ISSUE

Find out more about the Alpha Course on page 6 Have you taken Alpha?

ON THE COVER

CHURCH NEWS

Apps for Living Your Life!

Meet Chris Pan

Classes Start Sunday, Sept. 21 The theme for the Life Training classes from fall 2014 to the fall of 2015 is "Apps for Living Your Life."

Apps: Because application is the key to our ministry. We call our teachers LifeGuides because teachers can impart knowledge and take it a step further into applying what is taught.

Living Your Life: Because as great as it is to know the Bible and know its teachings and doctrines, it amounts to no more than a hill of beans if none of it gets into the living of life. The Bible is not a book about how to live the Christian life. It’s a book about how to live life - at work, at home, at play.

The Six Biggies: The FPC Life Ministries Team focuses on six main themes, not all are always carried at once but all are priorities. They are: how to pray, knowing God’s will, sharing your faith, biblical financial principles, identifying your spiritual gifts, and how to read and study the Bible.

Downloading is free! Starting Sept. 21, open your heart mind and soul to some good biblical downloading. Choose a class that’s right for you and get started.

September 7 and 14 will be sign-up Sundays at the Life Ministries table in the Fellowship Hall.

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by Rosella Shishido

This New Haven, Connecticut native is the newest member of the church staff. His job: Executive Coordinator, and he’ll be working closely with Executive Director Ron Mathieu and fellow Executive Coordinator Kirk Leavy in the overall leadership of the church staff and the financial and business operations of the church. Let’s get to know Chris.

On a side note, when Alia and I got married in 2002 in Hawaii, it was Pastor Dan who officiated our wedding. We didn’t know any pastor in Hawaii but someone referred us to him. I had never met him before the wedding and didn’t see him again for eight years. Now he’s my boss!

TELL US A BIT OF YOUR BACKGROUND. I was born and raised in New Haven where I grew up in a small Chinese church and accepted Christ as a teenager. I went to Yale for undergrad and then to Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Next was Berkeley, California for a few years, where my then-fiancé (now wife) Alia was completing her Ph.D. (We became part of First Pres Berkeley where we first met Pastor Tim Shaw.) From CA, we spent a few years in New York while I got my law degree from NYU, then a few years back in the San Francisco Bay Area while I worked for a big law firm. In 2010, we moved to Hawaii where Alia is originally from.

WHAT IS YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT? Administration. Seriously. In college, I went to the InterVarsity Urbana Missions Conference, and I took the spiritual gifts assessment test on the flight home. I was hoping for something glamorous, but got administration.

WHY FIRST PREZ? Our family first started coming to First Prez because Shayna Kusumoto invited Alia to to her small group and Josh Hayashi invited her to the parenting class taught by Sam and Karen Lee at the church. We had just recently moved back to Hawaii and had thought that we would go to a church closer to our home in Kaimuki, but we very quickly fell in love with First Prez. The parenting class, the Children’s Ministry, all the young families with children, the preaching, and all the great people made us feel right at home. I have “kicked against the goads” (as Pastor Dan preached) for many years, resisting entering full-time ministry. As I’ve gotten more involved with First Prez over the past year with the denominational discernment process, my love for this church has only grown. Even though I was happy with my career at a law firm here, when the opportunity came to work at First Prez, I knew the answer was yes.

SEPTEMBER 2014 | FIRST PRESS

WHAT INSPIRES YOU? People who sacrifice for others.

People who work to combat injustice. I actually went to law school after divinity school because I heard Gary Haugen of International Justice Mission (IJM) speak at the First Pres Berkeley Church retreat.

During law school, Alia and I spent a summer as interns for IJM in Mumbai, India, combating forced child prostitution.

It was an amazing experience.

WHAT IS SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? I am a big New York Mets fan.

WHO LIVES AT YOUR HOUSE? My wife Alia, daughter Kaira Grace (age 7), and son Isaac (age 5). We also have four chickens named after various Wellesley alumnae.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FOOD? I have many, many favorite foods. I really like xiao long bao, which are the round Shanghainese dumplings with soup inside. Every time I go back to New York, I go to Katz’s Deli on Houston Street and have a pastrami Reuben sandwich with a bowl of matzo ball chicken noodle soup.

Having lived in California for a few years, I’m a big fan of Mexican food trucks— burritos, tacos, and sopes in particular. My wife is an amazing cook, so anything that she makes is my favorite too.

OUT & ABOUT

Mai Tais and Monet

Sept 25, Thurs, 10 am, Makai Room What do Mai Tais and Monet have in common?

Well, not much, but the alliteration is great!

MEN'S MINISTRY

Who's Your Man?

The Schedule 'Til the End of the Year That’s FPC’s Men’s Ministry theme for the coming church year 2014-2015. It has a layered meaning. It asks, "What kind of man do you look up to," "Are you looking to God to be of help to another man," and "Who is the man you are you becoming."

It’s the September kick-off theme, and it will carry right through next spring’s retreat with speaker Jeff Schulte (March 6 & 7) and beyond.

Sept 30—Men’s Ministry Dinner

Pastor Rick Bundschuh from Kauai will be coming to challenge us at the September dinner. Pastor Rick serves as Teaching Pastor and Resident Trouble Maker (his words, not ours). He is passionate about God, his wife Lauren, his four kids, surfing, cartooning, writing, and telling people about Jesus. He is a popular HIM speaker and has written numerous books including Deep Like Me (Or Another Failed Attempt To Walk On Water), Passed Through Fire, Soul Surfer, and many others. So come on out and join us on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 6 pm. Pre-sale dinner tickets $ 10.

7 pm. Tickets will be $18. Email John Schum at jschum@hawaii.rr.com for information and reservations. We will purchase group tickets so that we can get seats together.

Nov 7-9—Men’s Fall retreat

We hope the entire FPC male population will come for the men’s fall retreat. Pastor Dan will be the featured speaker for the weekend. There’ll be games, competitions and champions. If you consider yourself a man, we want you there.

Dec 2—Men’s Annual Coed Christmas Dinner

Two top writers and speakers in the national Christian community will lead our Annual Men’s Coed Christmas Dinner. Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn will be with us in the Fellowship Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 2, to share from their book writing experiences (several between them but the most famous by Shaunti being “For Women Only”), their around-thenation presentations to Christian groups, secular gatherings, and churches, and the most compelling, their own marriage.

Oct 24—Wahine Volleyball Game Three years ago the Feldhahns were Spartans—unite and energize this at First Prez, and now they're back by body of men and show some spirit as our popular demand. Everybody, circle on your University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine calendar, 6 pm, Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Volleyball Team takes on Cal Poly at the Stan Sheriff Center. We will meet somewhere before the game for a meal and Christian male-camaraderie before cheering on the Wahine. The game starts at

FIRST PRESS

Monet is the founder of French Impressionist painting. Mai Tais are tropical drinks poured over crushed ice, and said to have been invented in California in 1944. (Maita'i is also the Tahitian word for "good.")

Out and About invites you to Mai Tais and Monet, a mobile painting class where you'll be provided the easel, the canvas, the paint, the brushes, and all other tools necessary to create, paint, and have fun.

Oh yes, you'll be given NON-alcoholic Mai Tais too, plus snacks, to help your creative juices flow.

Not artistic or creative? Don't worry.

You'll be guided with step-by-step instruction by skilled artists. So whether your painting experience consists of no more than painting your bedroom walls, or you are an artist with an extensive portfolio, join us and create your own masterpiece on canvas. Invite friends and family too who have a desire to become budding artists.

Mai Tais and Monet happens on Sept 25, Thursday morning at 9:30 in the Makai Room. Cost is $35, which includes painting supplies, Mai Tais, snacks, and your masterpiece. Sign up at the Out and About Table in the Fellowship Hall on Sept 14 and 21. Cash and checks accepted.

Please note: this event is scheduled on a Thursday, and not on our usual Wednesday. No lunch will be served.

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EVENT RECAP ,

Some of the Highlights of the Celebration of Pastor Sim's 50th Anniversary of Being a Pastor

Pastor Sim and Mimi arrive in a limo

A Deep and Heartfelt Thanks "We, Pastor Sim and Mimi Fulcher, cannot find words to express in print what we feel in our hearts toward the entire First Prez family for the love and affirmation showered upon us over this past weekend in remembering Sim's 50 years as an ordained pastor. By all of you -- the attention given, the words spoken and written, the gift of lei and more -- we have been filled with the warmth of your love, and through you we've felt God's bright smile upon us. It doesn't get any better than this!

Son Mark and grandson Joshua surprise Pastor Sim at the Aug 24th celebration

A deep and heartfelt thanks to you all from your fellow servants in Christ, Sim and Mimi" Roslyn Catracchia, the mastermind behind the program

Leon Williams singing "I am His and He Is Mine"

Ron Mathieu was a class-act emcee

Reenacting Sim & Mimi's arrival at Honolulu Airport

David Bachler and Jody Bill as the young Sim and Mimi

Zan and Charlie Timtim give us a lesson in pidgin

Pidgin 101 song Choir sings "A Song of Grace"

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SEPTEMBER 2014 | FIRST PRESS

Pastor Dan presents a framed copy of the lyrics of the original Fulcher hymn "A Song of Grace"

Sim as a 20-yearold at Georgia Tech University

Played linebacker for the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets

Pastor Sim's story of Mary & Joe comes to life and ends with snow

Wedding day for Mimi and Sim June 10, 1958

Mark Fulcher shares about his dad

Pastor Sim giving heartfelt thanks to the crowd

FIRST PRESS

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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 Jack Laufer!

He wins a $10-gift certificate to Ko‘olau Kitchen! Congratulations!

Here's Jack's winning caption: "Wait til they hear MY sermon about the giants and monsters in your life!"

Remember, 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 – keep them coming because they keep us laughing!

CHURCH NEWS

The Alpha Course

12 Wednesdays, Sept 3–Nov 12, 10:30 am or 6:30 pm, Sanctuary

WOMEN'S MINISTRY

The Alpha Course is a series of 12 sessions that provide 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. Listen, learn, discuss, and discover. Ask anything! Alpha is a place where no question is too simple or too controversial. A meal opens each session, giving everyone an opportunity to get to know each other. For more details, please go to: www.fpchawaii. org/alpha or stop by the Alpha table in the Fellowship Hall Sunday.

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SEPTEMBER 2014

Mixed Plate

Sept. 27, Sat, 8 am-3 pm, FPC Get ready for a day of fun and fellowship on Sept. 27, 8 am-3 pm! The Women’s Ministry Mixed Plate is here again, a fun fusion of enriching one-hour sessions where you can learn about everything from time management or social media, how to make truffles (nom nom…), chocolate molds, coconut weaving, take and make crafts, massage self care, essential oils, mahjong and more! you can even tone up with stretch for strength or

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come boogie to Zumba. The possibilities are almost endless!

Register at the Women's Ministry table in the Fellowship Hall on Sundays until Sept 21. Cost is $15, or $20 at the door (there are some minimal charges for some classes collected by the instructor).

If you need childcare, request for it no later than Sept 14. We hope to see you there!

PRAYERLINES

Approaching God in Prayer

by Patti Marshall

How can we please God as we approach Him in prayer?

Be simple. Flattery is not effective with God. Our God is the one being who knows us inside and out and insincerity will not work. If you are overwhelmed with love of God, gratitude, or a response of praise, by all means extol Him. He loves the praises of His people. But, faith is not magic, so simplicity is always a good rule.

Be familial. God is our Creator, the great Parent who loves us perfectly and has bought us back at a great price. We are precious to God who is our heavenly Father. We are adopted as heirs, so, if you are a believer in Jesus, you can call God your Father, too.

KO‘OLAU KIDS

Moving On Up!

by Aunty Karen Makishima

It’s that time of year again where change IMPORTANT TIPS TO HELP YOUR CHILD is happening all around us. For most of us GET THE MOST OUT OF OUR KO‘OLAU the summer is over, and now it is time for us KIDS PROGRAM: to get back into the swing of things. Here at 1. Relationships are key to our program.

Your child’s small group leader is Ko’olau Kids it is no different. What a huge committed to serving from Sept. to blessing it has been to have parents come May so that they can get to know your in and serve during our summer program child. Please choose a worship service so that our small group leaders and team that fits best for your family and try to could have the summer off to refuel and be consistent in attending that service get refreshed. AND NOW...our small group so that your child can be in the same leaders are back and ready to go, ready to group in Sunday School and build be intentional with the children God has relationships within their team. put in their care, ready to point them to 2. Get to know your child’s small group Jesus! leader. They are dedicated to praying On Aug. 31st all of our keiki and students for your child and helping them to (preschool thru High School) will be know their Creator. Their desire is to promoted to their next grade level. Our partner with you in this process. teams are looking forward to wrapping up 3. Your child will go home each week with our summer program and we are excited a God Time Card or Parent Cue. This is a to see what the Lord has in store for this tool to help them to have a quiet time school year. We have planned “meet & with God. Please encourage them to greet” opportunities prior to this move complete this each week. up date for our keiki/students who will be changing actual classrooms to help We cannot wait to see what the Lord has with this transition. We would love for you in store for this school year. I’m so glad that (parents/care givers) to come and see the we are on this journey together. environment and meet the team who is committed to partnering with you and your children this school year.

FIRST PRESS

Be respectful. “Lord,” “Sovereign God,” “Almighty One,” are terms which are all appropriate and address God as completer of an action, or the giver of a gift (Hagar). So, we can call God our Healer, our Divine Physician, the One who loves us, the One who caretakes us—the list seems endless.

Be biblical. Generational blessings of God as the One who succors the faithful, or even the One who sustains our individual family (especially when we do it by reviewing God’s great actions in Scripture) is a powerful way to honor and invoke Him. Abba Father, how grateful I am to have been grafted into Your family, and that You desire to have a relationship with me!

I will never be able to fully comprehend all that You are, but I am thankful that You love me and bring purpose into my life. It amazes me that I can share my feelings, thoughts, questions, disappointments and joys with You. Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to be my teacher. In You I live and move and have my being! Thank You, Father!

Adapted from Giving Ourselves to Prayer: An Acts 6:4 Primer to Ministry by Alvin VanderGriend.

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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

SEPTEMBER 2014 Upcoming Events

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September 3 September 4 September 13 September 21 September 21 September 25 September 27 September 27 September 30

The Alpha Course starts Caregiver Support Group Seekers & Joiners New Life Training Classes Start Healing Service Out & About Event Women's Mixed Plate Military Mom's Night Out Men's Dinner

Recurring Events Sundays Worship Services at 8, 9:30 and 11:11 Mondays MONDAYS: College-Age Bible Study and Fellowship Tuesdays Mighty Moms, DivorceCare Wednesdays The Alpha Course, Gathering (High School), Old Town Thursdays Men's SPARTAN Group Fridays First Prez Crafters, F2 (Jr. High) Saturdays GriefShare

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!

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 Sept. 15 for the October 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