Neighbors in Need Special Offering 2017

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1 C H U R C H O F T H E H O L Y C R O S S The Messenger S e p t e m b e r 2 0, Neighbors in Need Special Offering 2017 S e p t e m b e r U p c o m i n g D a t e s 28 Senior Ministry 30 Trustees Service Day S e p t e m b e r B o a r d M e e t i n g s 24 Deacons Meeting Just who are these Neighbors in Need? There are those in our society who have been denied opportunity and justice because of race or ethnicity; youth and seniors whose voices are too rarely respected; inner city and rural residents who are menaced by violence and environmental hazards, and people who have no one to turn to when facing employers who withhold their pay. All of these are our Neighbors in Need. Also among our Neighbors are the 1 out of 5 American children who live in poverty. NIN cannot guarantee all of them the safe environment, nutritious diet, immunizations against disease, and early childhood education they need to fulfill their God-given potential. But our gifts can support the advocacy programs that bring these needs to the attention of our lawmakers in government. This offering, which we will receive on October 1 st, supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. Two thirds of the offering is used to fund a wide array of local and national justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects. One third supports CAIM (the Council for American Indian Ministries). Today there are 20 UCC congregations on reservations and one urban, multi-tribal UCC congregation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. These churches and their pastors are supported by CAIM, which is also an invaluable resource for more than 1,000 individuals from dozens of other tribes and nations who are members of other UCC congregations in the U.S. Thank you for your support to this special offering. Together we can continue to imagine another world is possible. Board of Stewardship and Mission

2 P a g e 2 The Pastor s Corner Rev. Eric S. Anderson The Bible can be a tricky book to use. Going out on a limb here, I ll guess that most of us usually read the Scriptures for a couple of reasons: First, to find some spiritual insight, or a window into the heart of God. We might hope for comfort, or wisdom, or inspiration from the Biblical words. Second, to find guidance for our own actions as individuals, that we might live a life that s closer to the one God intends for us. We might hope for direction, clarity, or confidence in our decisions. I search for this kind of thing every week as I prepare sermons, most of which are intended to teach you something true, convince you of something important, or persuade you to do something vital. The problem is that much of the Bible was written by people with different agendas. The writers of the first five books of the Bible Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy wanted to establish the nation s long relationship with God and establish its legal and moral code. The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and so on typically sought to persuade the national leaders, the kings and nobility, to take on different policies. The psalm writers wanted to preserve the worship songs of Israel. The Apostle Paul wanted to correct both the beliefs and practices of churches he had worked with. The Gospel writers wanted to demonstrate the power of Jesus in his life, as well as his death and resurrection. We can still find insight and guidance in these books, for certain! It s useful sometimes, though, to listen for what those ancient writers were trying to do: establish a righteous nation, or recover a tradition of justice; preserve songs of praise, or argue with old friends; celebrate a Savior in his words and teachings as well as his resurrection power. By the grace of God, we may find new insights and guidance there! Blessings, Pastor Eric Bible Study With Pastor Eric We gather for: Deep questions Surprising wisdom Unforgettable stories Seeds of thought Refreshment for the spirit Bible Study: Revelation Sundays, 8:30 a.m. in J s Café Follow the Lectionary Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. or Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. in The Pastor s Study: September 24 Genesis 8:20-22, 9:12-17 Psalm 104:27-33 Revelation 22:1-5 Matthew 28:1-10 October 1 Exodus 17:1-7 Psalm 78:1-4, Philippians 2:1-13 Matthew 21:33-46 Contact Pastor Eric Office phone: Parsonage/cell phone: esanderson.ucc@gmail.com Instagram: esanderson_ucc Facebook: facebook.com/rev.eric.anderson facebook.com/holycrosshilo

3 Page 3 On September 17th during worship, the Board of Christian Education presented its proposed budget for We look forward to another great year of providing learning opportunities and experiences for everyone. Please see any member of the BCE if you have any questions or suggestions. Thank you for allowing us to serve! Sr. Ministry News The next SENIOR MINISTRY gathering will be on Thursday, September 28th in the Building of Faith at 10 am. Nic Los Banos, Aging & Disability Service Manager with Office of Aging and Disability, will provide an overview of services to seniors available through the Office of Aging. Please sign up on our bulletin board or call the church office at if you're able to attend. The Gathering Place On October 2, 2017 we will be playing ukuleles, singing and having a luncheon potluck! Bring something to share; we will set up a Blue Zone table for health eating too! Don t forget to bring your smiles and your appetites. Congratulations! Lei Jack Robinson s daughter, Grillena Leilehua Jack gave birth to a healthy 4 pounds, 11 ounces baby boy, Keanu Ralph Hirano, on Wednesday, May 31st, 2017at Hilo Medical Center. If you would like to send them a card, Grillena s address is: P O Box 67 Hilo, HI, For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

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5 P a g e 5 S e p t e m b e r 01 Masutomi, Reiko 03 Tanita, Miyoko 05 Tadaki, Gary 08 Johnson, Rhonda E. 09 Mishina, Faith Uchima, Mildred 12 Yoshiyama, James 12 Debus, Cynthia 13 Katayama, Mary Ann 14 Okabe, Jolie 18 Kusinski, Joy 19 Chin, John 21 Kondo, Jennie Matsui, Dorothy Tanouye, Lolita 22 Mathews, Travis 24 Nakamura, Greg 25 Torigoe, Margaret Robert, Sabrino 28 Okada, Irene 29 Masutomi, Benjamin Lum, Crista 30 Miyake, Shirley O c t o b e r 03 Osterwalder, Christine 06 Hayashi, Wataru 07 Niino-DuPonte, Ruth 08 Petrus, Burdon 09 Sakumoto, Mark 10 Chen, Christopher 11 Okuda, Erin 12 Enomoto, Michiko Nakamoto, Jordan Tanouye, Eric 14 Kita-Seckman, Jennifer 17 Ushijima, Andi 21 Nakamura, Chiyoko Tanaka, Moira 22 Albano, Theone 24 Sakaba, Joan 25 Mortemore, Avis 26 Miyashiro, Kimiyo Uchima, Lester 29 Tanouye, Mark September VOLUNTEERS U S H E R S Charity Mori, Anita Matthews, Joyce Nakamoto & Millie Daikawa Sunday, September 24 Lay Reader Anne Sadayasu Chapel Decoration Lillian & Eric Tanouye, & Kyle Nakayama Family Childcare Lolita Tanouye Sunday, October 1 Lay Reader Karl Kawahara Chapel Decoration Laura Ota Childcare Merle Okabe Sunday, October 8 Lay Reader Bob Smith Chapel Decoration Bob & Sue Smith Childcare Jeanne Hernandez The Messenger The Messenger is a bimonthly newsletter distributed by the Church of the Holy Cross in Hilo. If you have an article you would like to submit, please send it via in Word format to holycrosshilo@hawaii.rr.com or via postal service by September 29, 2017

6 Church of the Holy Cross UCC 440 West Lanikaula Street Hilo, HI RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Sunday Worship Service begins at 10:00 am Pastor: Rev. Eric S. Anderson Weekly at the Church of the Holy Cross Bible Study: Sundays, 8:30 am, Wednesdays, 9:30 am and 6:30 pm A Gathering Place: Mondays 9:00 am, Building of Faith. Rhythm & Life: Tuesdays 3:00 pm, Building of Faith IYAA Bible Study: Wednesdays, 7:30 pm in the Lounge. Ballroom Dance: Wednesdays, 6:30 pm, Building of Faith. Ron Fujiyoshi, Ohana Ho opakele: Thursdays at 9:00 am in the Lounge. Qigong : Fridays, 9:00 to 10:30 am, Building of Faith. CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS 440 West Lanikaula Street Hilo, HI Office Hours Mon Thurs 8:30 am-12:30 pm Friday 8:30 am-12:00 pm Ph holycrosshilo@hawaii.rr.com Other Congregations Worshiping Here The United Church of Christ, Pohnpei Rev. Bensis Henry: 10 am to 1pm in the Building of Faith Meeting Room. Bedesta Church - Pastor Edmes Edwin: 1:30 to 3:30 pm, Building of Faith, Meeting Room Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa, Hilo [CCCAS] - Rev. Ausage and Rev. Rae Lelili`o: 12 to 1 pm in Sanctuary. The Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga - Stiven Pousima; Assistant to Pastor: Tevita Talanoa: in the Sanctuary on Sunday from 2 to 4 pm, and Wednesday 6 to 7 pm. Islamic Center of Hawaii: Fridays, 1 to 3 pm, Building of Faith Meeting Room.