JANUARY 2015 Volume 21, Issue 1

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

“Christmas Love”, Pastor Peter’s Message…………………….………………..2

Pastor Jim’s Message…….…………..…3

Financial Stewardship Update……..4

Home Maluhia Painting and Patio Project………………………………………...4

Manuia le Tausaga Fou!, Pastor Joe’s Message……………………………………...5

SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST

January Committee Meeting Schedule (page 2)

Passion Group Schedule (page 4)

Birthdays! (page 5)

2014 Alternative Gift Giving Update (page 5)

January Sermon Schedule (page 6)

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

8:00am WORSHIP 9:30am WORSHIP 11:00am YOUTH GROUP 2:00pm SAMOAN WORSHIP 4:00pm SAMOAN YOUTH

In 2015, Aiea UMC had many exciting goals, one of which is to

become more “digital”! This goal includes adding weekly sermon video

podcasts to our website as well as transitioning many of our “paper”

communications to an electronic format. The benefits of a digital newsletter

are numerous– it’s in color, budget friendly, “green” (less paper), and easily

shared with friends and family!

This January newsletter is our last traditional “paper” edition. It is

very important to make sure that EVERYONE still receives their copy of

The Herald. Here is how you can receive it:

1. Via Email– Use the below form to verify Aiea UMC has the correct

email address(es) on file.

2. Download From our Website- Newsletters are available from our

website: aieaumc.com. Click “Contact us (& more!) on the left side

column. Then click “Newsletter” on the bottom banner to access.

If you do not have email/internet access, you may receive the newsletter by:

1. Liturgy Rack– Copies of the newsletter will be available for pick-up

outside the sanctuary on the liturgy rack the 1st Sunday of the month.

2. Mailing– If you are unable to pick up the newsletter, Aiea UMC will

continue to mail a copy to you. Please fill out the below form.

THE HERALD IS GOING DIGITAL!!!

99-101 Laulima Street ● 808-488-5340 ● email: aumc@hawaiiantel.net ●www.aieaumc.com

AIEA UMC NEWSLETTER IS GOING DIGITAL!

Please complete and return to Aiea UMC by Sunday, 1/25/15

FAMILY NAME: _______________________________

Please check which box applies:

⃝ EMAIL: Please send the m onthly new sletter to the

following email address(es): __________________________

_____________________________________________

⃝ PICK-UP: Our fam ily does not have internet access

and will pick up their newsletter outside the sanctuary

⃝ MAIL: Our fam ily does not have internet access and is

unable to pick up their newsletter, please continue to mail.

CHRISTMAS LOVE COMMITTEE MEETING DATES

1.10.15 AD COUNCIL

9:00 AM

CHAIR: DELL EPPERSON

1.13.15 FINANCE

6:30 PM

CHAIR: DOUG RINEHART

1.13.15 SPRC

6:30 PM

CHAIR: AL BLANKENSHIP

1.17.15 FOUNDATION

9:00 AM

CHAIR: PAUL TAKAMIYA

1.24.15 LEADERSHIP

BREAKFAST

9:00 AM

CHAIR: REV. JIM WHITE

LITURGIST

8:00 GRACE OMURA (1/4)

MADDIE & FARESA TALI

9:30 CLAIRE RIVERO

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It’s always a great feeling to

that we are loved by someone. Life

Communities members felt that

special feeling this Christmas by our

Aiea UMC congregation. (Life

Communities is an Aiea UMC

outreach house church ministry

bringing Christ for non-churchgoers

in our community.)

There were many Christmas

events for Life Communities groups

and AUMC members supported the

groups in many ways. One church

member cooked lasagna and garlic

bread for the PMA homeless group

and the Yard workers’ group.

Everybody enjoyed the very delicious

homemade lasagna. Another family

prepared about forty sweet stuff gift

bags for all the Life Communities’

members. I was surprised by their

gift. They made the sweets at home

and packed one by one. Another

member made the toiletry bags for

the homeless group. Some people

visited the Ohana senior group with

me and sang Christmas carols

together. All the Life Communities

members felt that they were very

loved.

I shared a message about

God’s love for the house church

groups. Love is to share. Jesus

shared his love for us even before we

knew him. He came down on earth

to share his love for us and told us to

“Love one another”.

“God’s love was revealed

among us in this way: God sent his

only Son into the world so that we

might live through him. In this is

love, not that we loved God but that

he loved us and sent his Son to be

the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Beloved, since God loved us so

much, we also ought to love one

another.” (1 John 4:9-11)

Aiea UMC 2015-2016 scholarship application packets are now available to graduating high school seniors and to those continuing college or other post high school studies. An applicant must be an active member of Aiea UMC for at least one year at the time of application. Complete eligibility rules are described in the application packet. The application deadline is April 30, 2015. Contact the church office for packets and information.

AIEA UMC IS

LOOKING FOR A

FINANCIAL CLERK!

If interested in this part

time position, please

contact the church office

(aumc@hawaiiantel.net

or 488-5354) for an

application. Application

Deadline: January 15,

2015

Submitted by: Pastor Peter Lee

Effective January 1, 2015

MONDAY– FRIDAY

9am-1pm

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“When you come looking for Me, you'll find Me. Yes, when you get serious about finding Me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed... I'll turn things around for you.”

(Jeremiah 29:13-14, The Message)

New Years’ Resolutions. Many of us make them (Though we’re not always as good at keeping them!): To lose weight. To get in better shape. To read more. To take up a hobby. To finish that craft project we started years ago. To eat more healthy. And so it goes…

One category of New Years’ Resolutions that may have crossed your mind is spirituality. Growing closer to God. Developing your prayer life. Reading more Scripture. Spending time serving those in need. Being more consistent at worship. Growing towards tithing one’s finances. In short, deepening our spiritual life.

The musical group Delirious has a songs entitled “Deeper.” The song is all about wanting to grow deeper in one’s walk with God, but not exactly knowing HOW to do it! (Can you relate?). Here’s a few verses:

I want to go deeper / But I don't know how to swim

I want to be meeker / But have you seen this old earth?

I want to fly higher / But these arms won't take me there

I want to be / I want to be

I want to go deeper / But is it just a stupid whim?

I want to be weaker / Be a help to the strong

I want to run faster / But this old leg won't carry me

I want to be / I want to be

Then comes the chorus:

Maybe I could run / Maybe I could fly, to you

Do you feel the same / When all you see is blame in me?

And the wonder of it all / is that I'm living just to fall

More in love with you

We want to draw closer to God. But know our weaknesses & failures. (Sometimes we wonder if God can even accept someone like us?!?) And then the light dawns: The wonder of it all is that I’m living just to fall more in love with you, God! How true. That ’s the amazing gift of God – that we were created to be in a loving relationship with him!

As we begin 2015, I want to encourage you to go deeper! Our church’s focus this year is “SEEKING GOD. SERVING OTHERS.” We want to help you deepen your spiritual life – both in understanding more about God’s purposes for you, and in living out your faith in service to others. There are passion groups, Bible Studies, Scripture Journaling resources, and fellowship events to help draw you closer to God and each other. Pastor Peter will be helping more of us get involved in these areas in 2015.

We will also be starting Discipleship Huddles in February. These are small group gatherings once every other week, for 90 minutes. The purpose is to help us recognize how God speaks in our lives (and to respond to God’s prompts!). It’s especially helpful for people with busy lives. We’ll learn simple, practical tools to deepen our faith. (Guaranteed!) I encourage you to prayerfully consider joining one of the 2 groups we’ll be offering (more details in worship in January).

As we all approach a new year, may God’s spirit compel us into a deeper relationship with the One who created us, redeemed us, and sustains us! AMEN!

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The leadership of Aiea UMC is excited about where God is guiding our church! Pastor Jim envisions 2015 as a “Year of Abundance.” He is anticipating an abundance of spiritual growth, discipleship, and passion for the mission of the church. With the impending departure of AKUMC, we look forward to providing more opportunities for fellowship, study & connection.

Stewardship Sunday was held in November, resulting in 120 pledges to support the mission of AUMC in 2015. We are grateful for every one! In fact, the average gift per giving unit significantly increased from the previous year! This is still well below the number of people giving from last year, with a resultant decrease in the financial pledge amount. As it currently stands, without additional revenue, we face a potential deficit in the coming year.

However, there’s still time for this to change! If you overlooked sub-mitting a pledge during Stewardship Sunday, or if you feel led to increase the amount of your original pledge, please drop a note in the offering plate or give the church office a call at 488-5354 by January 12th. Help us keep AUMC moving ahead, and avoid reductions in a variety of programs and services. We believe 2015 will be a Year of Abundance!

FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

BASKETBALL: Join us to play “pick up ball” Wednes-

day’s @ 6:30PM at Halsey Terrace Courts. For more info,

contact Pastor Jim(whitehome@hawaiiantel.net).

GAMES FELLOWSHIP: Meets every Wednesday from 12:30-2:30 to play cards & board

games in the double classroom.

HULA: Meets every Monday @ 9AM in the double classroom to practice and learn the art of Hula.

MOVIE: The Movie Passion Group will be meeting on Sunday, January 4th to see “Unbroken” the

incredible true life story of Olympian & war hero Louie Zamperini, who survived in a raft for 47 days

after a near-fatal plane crash in WWII, only to be caught by the Japanese Navy & sent to a POW

camp (Exact time & theater to be announced).

QUILTING: This group will meet 1/17 and 1/24 from 9am-noon in the children’s room to quilt. Anyone with a passion of quilting, sewing, or needlepoint is welcome to join!

JANUARY

SCHEDULE

AUMC

PASSION

GROUPS

2015 Charge

Conference

1/27/15 @

7:00PM

Trinity Church

All welcome to attend!

HOME MALUHIA PAINTING AND PATIO PROJECT

Submitted by: Debra Bradshaw

The Missions Committee is looking for volunteers that would like to help our Home Maluhia Project. Aiea UMC will be painting the interior and constructing a patio at Home Maluhia, a non-secure facility run by the Detention Services division of the Hawaii Judicial Courts. Home Maluhia provides therapeutic counseling and rehabilitative services for juvenile status offenders and minor law violators who do not require detention. The facility services and houses six boys and six girls.

The Missions committee has been working on this project the past year and have scheduled a work day on Saturday, January 17th. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old. The State is supplying the paint so the volunteers will prepare and paint the interior of the building and construct a small patio in the backyard area. Contact Stefany Viega (stefnjason@me.com) or the church office for more information. Sign-ups are also available outside the sanctuary.

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JANUARY

1– Duke Shimabukuro

2– Teresa Falefia

3– Amelita Juan

5– Shizuyo “Pansy”

Asao

9– Angelica Hulett

11– Julie Fualema

12– Danny Gomez

Dell Epperson

14– Catherine

Dalmacio

Michael Sharp

16– Angelem Dalmacio

17– Cori Ann Takamiya

19– Angela NacNac

Mark Thomas

28– Kuresa Falefia

29– Amy Bishel

30– Yolanda Leaupepe

Maia Minshall

31– Garrick Kikuta

A 7-session Small Group that meets every two weeks

to learn specific ways for busy people to grow in their

spiritual life and discipleship.

LEADER: Pastor Jim White

To sign-up or for more information, email:

whitehome@hawaiiantel.net or call the church office today!

Greetings, Talofa, and Aloha church family at Aiea UMC! As we begin a new year filled with love and gratitude, I give thanks and praise to our Heavenly Father “for his steadfast and faithful love endures forever” (Psalm 106:1). Last year and all of its splendor has come and gone, and upon us now is a new day, a new season, where new memories can be made, filled with God’s love, joy, and peace. On behalf of the Samoan Fellowship and congregation, we thank you for your prayers, support, and commitment in sharing Christ love with all of His children, especially during this most precious time as we remember the birth of our Savior. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosever believes in Him will not perish but have life everlasting. During this time of transition, we continue to celebrate and give thanks to God for His many blessings upon our families and loved ones. In the Samoan tradition this celebration of praise and thanksgiving continues for several days and is known as Holy Week. It begins on New Year’s Eve, Night Watch, and continues for days until the following Sunday. In current times, the length of Holy Week varies, though the meaning and ways in which we celebrate remain rooted in God’s everlasting love throughout the past year, and as we enter into the new. We invite you to join us for evening worship services beginning New Year’s Eve at 6 pm. Families bear witness to the love of God and this practice of sharing is open to all ages, young and old, as a way to proclaim God’s mercy, goodness, and grace upon each of us. Come and join us! From our aiga (family) to yours, praying a very Joyous and Blessed New Year! Peace and Love, Pastor Joe Siofele

MANUIA LE TAUSAGA FOU… HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015!

2014 ALTERNATIVE GIFT GIVING UPDATE

Thank you for supporting the 2014 Alternative Gift

Giving Program! We were able to make the following

donations:

Imagine No Malaria- $1,360

First Lap- $410

Lanakila Meals on Wheels- $620

Tripler Fisher House- $70

CHURCH STAFF

Bishop: Rev. Minerva Carcaño

District Superintendent:

Rev. Dr. Tom Choi

Senior Pastor: James A. White

Associate Pastor: Joseph Siofele

Associate Pastor: Peter Lee

Director of Christian Education/

Pastoral Assistant: Sarah Beebe

Rainbow Choir Director: Peter Lee

Handbell Choir Director:

Karen Carlisle

Organist: Malia Poyer

Accompanist: Laura Shimabukuro

Non-Profit

Organization

U.S. Postage

Paid

Aiea, Hawaii

Permit No.1

AIEA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

99-101 Laulima Street

Aiea, Hawaii 96701

Return Service Requested

Our Purpose: Knowing, Loving and Serving God

Our Journey: Building a life-changing community that follows Jesus through worship, relationships, spiritual growth and service.

1/4 - Green Eggs & Ham

1/11 - Horton Hatches the Egg

1/18 - The Sneetches

1/25 - Yertle the Turtle

JANUARY SERMON SCHEDULE