sharing the blessing of god’s grace with aloha...beauty, it is found in the message the gos-pels...
TRANSCRIPT
Staff Tim Mason, Pastor [email protected]
Tom Poole, Director of Worship & The Arts [email protected]
Shelby Yuu, Parish Administrator [email protected]
Lehua Nakamaejo, Parish Assistant [email protected]
Patti Kendall, Finance Secretary [email protected]
Jennifer Hawkins, Calvary Preschool Director [email protected]
Mai Ly Schultz, Preschool Admissions [email protected]
Sharing the Blessing of God’s Grace with Aloha
www.CalvarybytheSea.org VOLUME 18: Issue 12 DECEMBER 2013
IN THIS ISSUE
Articles of Inspiration
A Message from Pastor Tim Pg. 2
Notes from Tom Pg. 3
CBTS Montessori Preschool Pg. 4
Global Missions Pg. 5
Stephen Ministry pg. 5
What’s going on at Calvary? Marathon Sunday pg. 4
Calvary Christmas pg. 4
Confirmation Schedule pg. 6
Sunday School pg. 6
Adult Forum pg. 6
Gift of Generosity pg. 6
Prayer List pg. 6
Aloha Groups pg. 7
Birthday Greetings pg.
December Calendar pg. 9
Council of Deacons
Jim Myers, President
Bob Joseph, Vice President
Susan Schwichow-Lord, Treasurer
Peggy Trout, Secretary
Jack Ashby
Don Hardaway
Rafael del Castillo
Karen Sisler
Adam Sylvester
Thea Johanos-Kam
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“Isaiah had foretold it, the Rose I have in
mind; With Mary we behold it, the virgin
mother kind. To show God’s love aright, she
bore to us a Savior, when half-spent was the
night.” (From the hymn, Lo, How a Rose E’er
Blooming, ELW 272)
How can the season of Advent possibly sur-
vive in a world of instant messaging, instant
notices, alerts, and even the need for in-
stant satisfaction/gratification? Advent is all
about “preparation,” but that means we
must be patient and at the same time alert
to the subtle or not so subtle changes that
we know are coming our way. We are pre-
paring our hearts, mind and even our faith
to welcome the God of all the Cosmos and
Creation to enter our world and more so,
our lives.
Some say that the season of Advent is a
season for the mystics since it is the season
where we are forced into anticipating what
our minds can barely comprehend. The
Promise of God becoming a human being
and living amongst us… even in a world rav-
aged by war, the wanton sacrifice of our
earth and our children’s future all for the
sake of immediate wealth and profit, and
the constant manufacturing of unsubstanti-
ated self-justifying truths… in short, the truth
about the broken world in which we live…
I know the potential of God’s grace and
beauty, it is found in the message the Gos-
pels and seen in the awesome beauty of
the land and sea… but where the humans
seem to have claimed control, there seems
appear the ravages of that which God cre-
ated and called good. This may be the ex-
act reason there must be a season of wait-
ing, and then the celebration of the birth of
the savior. Unlike the days of Noah, as the
God of Love, God could not leave us to our
own devices, God had no choice but to
enter our broken world, and mend it
through Jesus’ suffering, death and resur-
rection.
Selections from Thomas Merton’s “Advent:
Hope or Delusion?”
The certainty of Christian hope lies beyond
passion and beyond knowledge. Therefore
we must sometimes expect our hope to
come in conflict with darkness, desperation
and ignorance. We must remember that
Christian optimism is not a perpetual sense
of euphoria, an indefectible comfort in
whose presence neither anguish nor trage-
dy can possibly exist. We must not strive to
maintain a climate of optimism by the mere
suppression of tragic realities. Christian opti-
mism lies in a hope of victory that trans-
cends all tragedy: a victory in which we
pass beyond tragedy to glory with Christ
crucified and risen.
The anticipation of Advent does not end
with the birth of the Christ, but with the fulfill-
ment of ALL salvation, hope, grace and
mercy. The empty tomb and Jesus walking
amongst his very confused but joyous disci-
ples.
See you in church,
Pastor Tim
NOTES FROM TOM
I know a woman, a colleague of mine, who doesn’t do
well during the holidays. Years ago the holidays were
the time when she could no longer keep in check the
profound conflicts in both her personal and family
lives. Even though the conflicts have long been re-
solved, she continues to allow these memories to have
power and to shape her attitude. You see, her father
was an alcoholic, and his alcohol abuse and the fami-
ly abuse that went with his alcoholism were intensi-
fied at the holiday times.
It is as if during the holidays the scars in this wom-
an’s life not only become exceedingly tender and sen-
sitive to the touch, but also become freshly made. We
all know what it is like to have a sore knee and to hit
it. I think that is what happens with this woman. The
scars from an earlier time in her life are so deep that
they have remained tender and sensitive, especially
during the holidays when she bangs them again.
Unfortunately, this woman, like many of us, hasn’t
learned how to protect her scars or how to deal with
the pain. She, like many of us, gets stuck by what
happened in the past.
Rather than recognizing the pain for what it is—the
result of actions and circumstances from the past—the
pain is treated as if is all happening now, for the first
time. Rather than understanding these memories as
healthy reminders of how not to live one’s life, they
become an occasion to wallow in unhappiness and to
relive the past. Rather than understanding that memo-
ries of past traumatic times are normal and are re-
minders of the difference between life then and life
now, the memories become a knife to make the scars
deeper.
But this woman isn’t alone. We all have our scars,
both visible and invisible ones. It might be helpful to
remember that God doesn’t remove our scars. Ra-
ther, God transforms our scars.
Remember how the scars from Jesus’ death became
the means by which he was recognized follow Easter
Sunday (see John 20). As we enter this holiday sea-
son, as we worship the God who comes to us as a
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child, as we remember the scars, let us also remember
that is it God who is transforming our scars!
Natalie Sleeth, that productive American composer,
said it this way in 1985:
In the bulb there is a flower;
In the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise:
Butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter
There’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season,
Something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence,
Seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn for every darkness,
Bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future;
What it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season,
Something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning;
In our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing;
In our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection;
At the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season,
Something God alone can see.
Keep singing, remembering, and rejoicing—
scars and all!
See you in worship—
Calvary Calls
A monthly publication produced by:
Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church
5339 Kalanianaole Hwy,
Honolulu, HI 96821
Ph:808-377-5477 fax: 808-373-7233
www.calvarybythesea.org
Page 4
Happy Holidays from the children and staff at
Calvary by the Sea Montessori School! During
the holiday season we have been spending time
thinking about and celebrating the many things
that we have to be grateful for. We recently had
our school Thanksgiving Feast where families,
children, and staff gathered together for a deli-
cious meal. Dishes were provided by each family
to share. The children also brought non-
perishable food items to donate to Angel Network
Charities.
In December, the children from both the Toddler
and Primary classrooms will be having a Holiday
Program to celebrate the Christmas season. Par-
ents and the community are invited to attend De-
cember 13 at 9:00 a.m. The school is also having a
Slipper Drive to collect slippers for children in
need. If you would like to participate in our Slip-
per Drive for children, please bring slippers to
the school no later than Friday, December 13.
The children have been working hard at making
ornaments for the Christmas tree that will be
placed in the chapel and are looking forward to
the opportunity to decorate it.
As a school, we are so grateful for supportive and
involved families, alumni, and community mem-
bers that contribute to our school. Many families
and church members offer donations and supplies
and we are extremely grateful. We rely on these
generous gifts to maintain a high quality Montes-
sori program and creating a memorable experi-
ence for our students. We will be finishing up our
Annual Giving Campaign on December 31. It is
not too late to make a charitable donation to our
501(c) 3 non-profit school. Feel free to contact the
school office at 377-5104 with any questions re-
garding donations.
On behalf of the staff and children at Calvary by
the Sea Montessori, I would like to wish everyone
a blessed Holiday season.
With Aloha,
Jennifer Hawkins Calvary by the Sea Montessori School Director
Calvary by the Sea
Christmas Schedule
Blue Christmas
Friday, December 20, 2013 at 7 pm
Christmas Eve–
Christmas Pageant
Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at 5:30 pm
Christmas Eve–
Christmas Choir Concert
Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at 10:30 pm
Christmas Eve–
Mid-Night Service
Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at 11 pm
Christmas Day Service
Wednesday, December 25, 2013 at 10 am
Marathon
Sunday
Sunday, December 8, 2013 is Marathon Sunday!
There will be NO 7:30am or
10am service that Sunday. Worship will be held at
7:00pm that evening.
Page 5
Excerpts from David & Lara Narita newsletter-
WHO Are The Naritas?
Dr. Lara Narita was born and raised in Kailua. She went to Hawaii Baptist Academy, and had her medical training in Io-wa. Her mother is a retired social worker, who worked for the State Department of Health. Dr. David is from New Jer-sey, and received his medical training in Cincinnati. They met during residency training in family medicine, and found they both wanted to become medical missionaries. They joined the Overseas Missionary Fellowship [OMF] and have worked in Cambodia since 2003. They have two sons, Ben and Jon, and a daughter Kai.
WHAT Do the Naritas Do? The Naritas have worked in the local Khmer churches in Cambodia and in the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, pro-moting Christian witness among students in local universities. Dr. David and Dr. Lara have provided direct patient care in hospitals and villages. They also have trained local providers so that they could provide better care themselves and also pass these skills on to others. Since their return to Cambodia, Dr. David has been involved more with helping lead the OMF team (now over 80 adults) and focusing on church planting efforts. Dr. Lara is a team doctor for the OMF mis-sionaries. She also helps their oldest son, Ben, with his schooling as the local English-speaking community has few school children his age. He has had some challenges settling into this arrangement. Lara has also been hampered by a per-sistent nagging elbow injury which has not responded well to surgery.
HOW Are They Supported? OMF strives to give their missionaries strong prayer support and good working conditions. Another experienced mission-ary couple is joining the Naritas this month. OMF is non-
The Blessings of Serving as a Stephen Minister
Since 1975, more than 60,000 Christian men and woman from all wals of loife have trained
and served as Stephen Ministers. Most be-came a Stephen Minister as a way to help oth-ers who were hurting– but they quickly dis-covered that God blesses them in amazing
ways in return.
Ever Thought about Becoming a Stephen Minister?
Calvary by the Sea will be training another class of Stephen Ministers beginning
late January, 2014.
Stephen Ministers work alongside our pastors to care, encourage, and provide emotional
and spiritual support to people who are going through a difficult time, such as divorce,
grief, hospitalization, unemployment, termi-nal illness, relocation, chronic illness, or lone-liness. If you have gifts for caring, encourage-ment, and listening, please begin to prayerful-
ly consider whether you might want to be part of this exciting ministry. If you think you might be interested, talk with Abby Sylvester
at 225-0232 or [email protected].
denominational and depends on the physical, prayerful finan-cial support of local churches and individual Christians. Those who are interested can learn more from the blog the Naritas have set up, and keep up with them by requesting their regu-lar newsletters and prayer requests.
Enhancing Our Prayer Life
Being able to communicate with God on behalf of ourselves
and someone else is a great gift God gives us. We ask that
you join us in this gift. You can phone in their names and
requests, write them on the prayer request forms, or email
requests to [email protected]. We also ask that as
prayers are answered that you submit their name again for a
thank you to God for answered prayer
All these dates are based upon the first Sunday of
each month which is reserved for Adult Forum
between worship services 8:45 am to 9:45 am in
Hale Aloha.
December 1, 2013 A Christmas arm-
chair play or background of some popu-
lar carols and church hymns.
January 5, 2014 Chaplaincy speaker
J.P Sabbithi
Page 6
Confirmation Schedule
December 2013
Wednesday, December 4, 6:00pm– Ohana Lani
Lesson: Commandment– Part I
Wednesday, December 11, 6:00pm– Loft
Lesson: Commandment– Part II
If there are any questions, or if you’d like to register
your child for Confirmation, please contact the church
office at 377-5477. Or by e-mail at
2013 Sunday School Christmas Party will be on
Sunday, December 22, 2013 from 8:45-9:45am.
Parents MUST register children who will attend the
party. Please call the church office at 377-5477.
* Also, please bring a canned food item for ANC.
Sunday School will be on Christmas break be-
ginning December 29, 2013 and will resume on
Sunday, January 12, 2014.
The Gift of Generosity This holiday season,
we thank everyone
who has supported
Calvary by the Sea
this past year with
their time, talent and
financial contribu-
tions and look for-
ward to support
from all of our mem-
bers in the year
ahead. If you need a
convenient way to
make regular offer-
ings or if you plan to
make an additional gift before the end of the
year, we encourage you to look into our electron-
ic giving options. As the pace of life speeds up,
especially around the holidays, you may find
electronic giving a most welcome way to make
contributions. Visit www.calvarybythesea.org or
contact the church office for more information.
Roy Hayashi
Tim Bowman
Todd Weeks
Adopted Missionaries
Dr. John Lunn
Dr. Jim & Carolyn
Brown
Mary Borgman
Pastor Qiu Lin
Chiquita Ohana
Eric Dusang
Gloria Semon
JC Johnson
Julia Sprowls
Logan & Luke Abadie
Nahon Ohana
Ryan & Cacula
Stoddard
Rebecca Heron
Sunday
Worship Times
7:30 am & 10:00 am
Prayer Circle
Tuesdays at 9 am
Pastor’s Office
Bible Study
Friday’s 10:45 am
Hawaii Kai Retirement
Center
Alcoholic Anonymous
meetings in Hale Aloha
Sunday at 5 pm,
Monday at 7 pm
Friday at 8 pm
Al Anon
Tuesdays at 7 pm
Hale Aloha
Hula
Tuesdays at 7 pm
Sanctuary
Handbell Choir
Tuesdays at 6:30pm
Ohana Lani
Calvary Choir
1st Thursday of the
month
at 6:30pm
Sanctuary
Submission deadline for
articles in Calvary Calls is
the 15th of each month to
THE ADULT FORUM A Christian education aimed at adults in our congregation. It
is open for topics that increase spiritual growth, expand knowledge and broaden awareness
and compassion for others outside our personal comfort zone. The Forum meets on the first
Sunday of the month at 8:45 in Hale Aloha when a topic or series has been developed. Watch
the Sunday activity bulletin, and newsletter for topics. Coordinator is Karen Sisler.
AFTERSHOCK Calvary by the Sea's youth group program. All high school
students are invited to join each Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm in the youth trailer for fun,
friends and fellowship. Please contact Kari Larson with any questions 715-497-0499 or
ANGEL NETWORK CHARITIES Donations through “The Whale” at Sunday Wor-
ship are greatly appreciated. To offer your time and assistance to the group contact our Man-
ager, “Mac” Macalino at 808-386-8644.
BIBLE STUDY CLASS Please come and join Pastor Tim at his weekly Bible Study.
These classes are held every Friday at 10:15am in the Hawaii Kai Retirement Center, 3rd
floor, Phase 2 building. Please call the church office (377-5477) weekly to confirm dates and
times and schedule may occasionally change.
BOOK OF THE MONTH GROUP The December Book of the Month is “Orange is
the New Black” by Piper Kerman. Meeting will be at Assagio’s, Koko Marina at 6:30pm on
Thursday, December 19 2013. For more information contact Cindi at 225-8240.
CALVARY IN THE SEA (CITS) Join in caring for our beautiful bay and ocean front
by removing invasive species of seaweed while learning about our reefs. Contact Michael
@253-970-2435.
GLOBAL MISSIONS TEAM For more information on Global Missions Committee
Meetings, contact Ted Hsia, 597-1452, [email protected].
MEN'S ADVENTURES IN SPIRITUALITY A group not for everyone. Meets Sat-
urdays at 7:30am on the marina side of Cha Cha Cha Salsaria in Hawaii Kai. Ed Kimsey, 732
-0268
PEACE & SOCIAL JUSTICE This reading and discussion group meets on the last
Sunday of each month at the home of Bob & Judy Joseph after the 10 am service (at ca. 11:45
am) for brunch followed by a discussion on the topics of the month. Contact Bob Joseph 377
-8565, [email protected] for more information.
PRAYER CIRCLE Come join Pastor Tim in his office on Tuesday mornings at 9:00
am for Prayer Circle! We will pray for those in need (those on our prayer list), our Church
Ohana, the needs of the Community, and the world.
STEPHEN MINISTERS Stephen Ministers are trained to provide confidential, one-
on-one care, prayer, and support to those who are going through a difficult time. If you
would like a Stephen Minister to support and help you carry your burden or if you are inter-
ested in serving as a Stephen Minister, please contact Pastor Tim or John Travis at 371-
2557.
YOGA BY THE SEA Expand your physical, mental and spiritual horizons through
Maya yoga. Classes are offered Wednesday evenings at 6:45 and Saturday mornings at 8:30
am in Hale Aloha. You will be guided by certified yoga teachers Martha Staff and Laura
Sprowls, Maya yoga blends mindfulness, alignment and flow in an accessible and gentle
style. Open to all ages, no previous experience required. First class free, subsequent classes
are by donation to support CBTS and Angel Network. For further information call 372-1280
Page 7
Calvary Lutheran Church
5339 Kalanianaole Highway
Honolulu, Hawaii 96821
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Honolulu, HI
Permit No. 362
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Visit us on the web at: www.CalvarybytheSea.org!
December 11 Michelle Kozlowski Miki May
December 13 Chris Gahl Shean Harken Isabella Sylvester
December 15 Kim Driftmier
December 16 Jack Ashby Delorese Gregoire
December 18 Hokule’a Taniguchi
December 20 Mary Osorio
December 21 Megan Adelberger
December 22 James Chilen George Poppe
December 24 Rafael Del Castillo
December 25 Kathleen Omori
December 26 Richard Sisler Laura Sprowls
December 27 Jeanie Evans Borror Anne Shaw
December 1 Minako May Patricia Wong
December 2 Susan Lord
December 3 Nancy Furuta
December 4 Kaneolani Contretas Neal Mchenry
December 5 Elise Johnson
December 9 Christian Flowers
December 10 Jean Ganzer Sara Wong
December 28 Susan Mathewson
December 31 Indigo Mathewson Gregory Rudin Leonard Wiener
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1. 7:30 am Worship 8:45 am Choir (S) 8:45 am Sunday Sch (OL) 10:00 am Worship 3:00 pm PAC (S) 5:00 pm AA (HA) 5:00 pm OYEA Christmas Event
2. 7:00 pm AA (HA) 6:30 pm GO-Dancers (S)
3. 9:00 am Prayer circle (PO) 6:30 pm Hand bell (OL) 7:00 pm Al-Anon (HA) 7:00 pm Hula (S)
4. 1:00 pm Voice Class w/ Tom (OL) 3:30 pm Children Choir (OL/ HA) 6:00 pm Confrmtion (L) 6:30 pm Aftershck (YT) 6:45 pm Yoga (HA)
5. 6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal (S)
6. 10:15 am Bi-ble Study (HKRC) 8:00 pm AA (HA)
7. 8:30 am Yoga (HA)
8. MARATHON SUN-DAY! 3:00 pm PAC (S) 5:00 pm AA (HA) 7:00 pm Worship
9. 7:00 pm AA (HA) 6:30 pm GO-Dancers (S)
10. 9:00 am Prayer circle (PO) 7:00 pm Al-Anon (HA) 7:00 pm Hula (S)
11. 1:00 pm Voice Class w/ Tom (OL) 3:30 pm Children Choir (OL/ HA) 6:00 pm Confrmtion (L) 6:30 pm Aftershck (YT) 6:45 pm Yoga (HA)
12.
13. 10:15 am Bi-ble Study (HKRC) 8:00 pm AA (HA)
14. 8:30 am Yoga (HA) 6:00 pm Orchestra of Hawaiian Islands (S)
15. 7:30 am Worship 8:45 am Choir (S) 8:45 am Sunday Sch (OL) 10:00 am Worship 5:00 pm AA (HA)
16. 7:00 pm AA (HA)
17. 9:00 am Prayer circle (PO) 7:00 pm Al-Anon (HA) 7:00 pm Hula (S)
18. 1:00 pm Voice Class w/ Tom (OL) 3:30 pm Children Choir (OL/ HA) 6:30 pm Aftershck (YT) 6:45 pm Yoga (HA)
19.
20. 10:15 am Bi-ble Study (HKRC) 7:00 pm Blue Christmas (S) 8:00 pm AA (HA)
21. 8:30 am Yoga (HA)
22. 7:30 am Worship 8:45 am Choir (S) 8:45 am Sunday Sch (OL) 10:00 am Worship 5:00 pm AA (HA)
23. 7:00 pm AA (HA)
24. Christmas Eve 9:00 am Prayer circle (PO) 5:30 pm Christmas Pageant (S) 7:00 pm Al-Anon (HA) 10:30 pm Christmas Concert (S) 11:00 pm Christmas Eve Worship (S)
25. Christmas Day Office Closed 10:00 am Christmas Day worship service (S)
26. Office Closed
27. Office Closed 10:15 am Bi-ble Study (HKRC) 7:00 pm Movie by the Sea (OL) 8:00 pm AA (HA)
28. 8:30 am Yoga (HA)
29. 7:30 am Worship 8:45 am Choir (S) 10:00 am Worship 11:45 am Peace & Social Justice (OC) 5:00 pm AA (HA)
30. 7:00 pm AA (HA)
31. New Year’s Eve
Terminix Tenting (Ohana La-
Page 9