1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

The Agape Herald
A Newsletter of Wahiawa United Methodist Church
1445 California Avenue
Wahiawa, Hawaii 96786
Reverend Dr. David Choi
February 2015
Greetings from the Precious Name of Jesus Our Savior
Hallelujah, praise the name of Jesus!
The first month of 2015 has already passed. It seemed that it was only yesterday when we began
the first day of this year. I offer up thanksgiving, praise, and glory to God for allowing revival to
happen and our Sunday worship services to be more abundant. The current average attendance of
our Sunday worship service is 90-95 people. All thanks be to God for allowing all these things to
happen.
From January 10th to 11th, our church hosted a Winter Camp. Eighteen children participated in
the event. Mrs. Maxine Wheeler and Rosie Dowson served this event as the teachers and many of
our youth students assisted them with the program. The teachers didn't even have the time to sit
down and instead enthusiastically carried on with the program with the children. Also, our
women's group and the evangelism committee served to provide lunch and dinner for the
program. I want to give all of you my sincere gratitude.
On the 27th at 7 PM, our church attended the Charge Conference at the Trinity United Methodist
Church. Aiea UMC, Aiea Korean UMC, Bethany Korean UMC, Trinity UMC, Olive, and we
participated in the conference with the ministers and the lay members from the other churches.
Our district superintendent DS. Dr. Tom Choi led the meeting, reviewed, and checked the report
of each church. It was educational experience and a time of grace. I want to thank all the members
who attended the event.
I want to explain a little about our church's currently ongoing programs. Our youth and young
adult group will have a 3-day camping trip in the summer. For this camping trip, we will invite a
guest speaker from L.A, Pastor John Lee. You are welcome to join them, if you have the time to
listen to the words of grace. The youth group will begin to meet for Bible Studies. As of now,
there are 10 students in our youth group, and they have been attending every Sunday worship
service. Starting from February, our faithful member Damein M. Wood, will lead the Bible
studies with me and other various activities with the youth group. I want to give my deepest
gratitude to him for serving to lead our youth group. Lastly, I want to ask for your financial
support and prayer for our youth group.
I pray that God's abundant grace and growth will be upon our church for the month of February.
Also, I pray that God's blessings will always be in you homes, workplaces, and your children's
lives. May you always be victorious in our Savior Jesus Christ.
Rev. Dr. David Choi
Evangelism Committee Report
My Faith Journey
We are all Evangelists, when we share our faith journey with others. The easiest people to share your
story with are your immediate family and relatives, friends and fellow workers., other Christians.
Sometimes, the Holy Spirit will guide you to certain people, too. Before public kindergartens, our
mother sent three of her children to the Harris Memorial Kindergarten nearby. Mrs. Yasumori, the
school principal, would pick us up in her car early in the morning. Religion was not taught there.
However, we would say, “God is great, God is good; Thank you, God, for all this food.” We
especially liked our snack, graham crackers and pineapple juice. The church also had a very active
Methodist Youth Fellowship, which we called the “MYF” group. Many of us grew up in a Buddhist
culture. However, we enjoyed being able to go to the MYF. This was a time when Sundays were
“holy” and the stores were closed. No football or baseball games to attend. No soccer or basketball
games to play. No TV sets but we had the radio. We were poor, but so was every other kid on the
block. The MYF was the center of many fun and meaningful activities. There was even a young
deaconess assigned to our church from the “home office”. Her name was “Jonesy”. Later, Elizabeth
Ho took over and we were invited to Elizabeth’s wedding at the First Methodist Church in town. That
was when I first heard 1 Corinthians 13:1 to 13. It was the best description of Love that I have ever
heard. WOW! I admired Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president. I felt that he should have been our
first president. He was a man of God. His speech about a house divided against itself cannot stand,
came right out of the Bible. Lastly, going to Camp Kailani, in Kailua (the Methodist Youth Camp), I
made the decision to become a Christian. The verse that “saved” me was Genesis 1:1 to 31. God
was able to ease me to my decision. I learned that my dad was a Christian but stopped going to
church, for the sake of his family. My grandmother, a very devoted Buddhist, blessed me by saying
she was glad I believed in something. Mrs. Buffins, the kindergarten Sunday School teacher, taught
me the value of short, spontaneous prayer.
Rev. David Harada, who became our District
Superintendent, called me “little sister” and made me feel special. Rev. Butterworth, who can
commune with God while walking to church, showed me the presence of God’s love.
Rev.
McCullagh and his wife, Jeannine, made Wesley Foundation in Manoa, a real family affair. Rev.
Matsushita, Jason Ching, Rev. Robert Nakata, Rev. Wendell Coe, Rev. Robert Hoshibata, Rev. Sam
Domingo, and many, many more people helped when I needed verification that I was heading in the
right direction. I thank God for my husband, who is strong in his faith. Rev. Shijeo Tanabe and his
wife, visited me in Oregon, when I was feeling homesick.
So many people and places were
instrumental in learning about the Holy Spirit and God’s mysterious ways to strengthen my faith. I’m
still learning and as some say, “striving for perfection”. I hope others will give us a glimpse of their
faith journey too.
God bless,
Doris Lee of the Evangelism Committee
Wahiawa United Methodist Women
Things are hopping in February, March, and April for the WUMW
January was a month of many activities and the high light for the Wahiawa United Methodist Women
was our Installation of Officers on January 25th during our Sunday Worship service. Our Officers are
as follows:
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President………………………Sharuee Kurch
Vice President………………...Atina Pascua
Secretary……………………...Doris Lee
Treasurer……………………...Hanne La Rue
Nominations chair…………….Edna Pascua
Reading Program chair……….Teli Isaacson
Spiritual Growth chair………..Carolyn Steuer
Social Action chair…………...Florence Maruyama
Education chair……………….Benita George
Membership chair…………….Ellen Wakabayashi
Communications chair………..Dina Cornwall
Please pray for our officers and give them your guidance and help.
February, our regular meeting date is on Valentine’s Day at 10 am in Room 14. We are preparing for
our Mid-Winter Event on February 21 at Susannah Wesley Community Center. Also, start thinking
about our Rummage Sale on March 21th and who will be our “Quiet Disciple” for April’s Spiritual
Retreat. Many things to think about and many people to roll up sleeves and work together. We are
thinking of working with the homeless on an ongoing manner. Perhaps by getting inspiration from
Rev. Loranza Andrade-Smith, who is living with the homeless. If the Lord whispers a thought in your
ear, please share it with us! 2015 is living up to the promise of being another good year in our church!
Like Rev. David Choi is always saying, “Thank you very much; we love living in Hawaii!” God bless.
Make someone smile every day, especially yourself.
* * *
Workday
Trustees Committee: Workday is on Feb.28 at the church and the parsonage from 8am to noon. Two
men are needed with chain saws to trim pannax and Norfolk pine trees and to haul to the dump for the
minister. Also, need a volunteer with a rotor tiller to till a section for Mary Choi’s vegetable and
flower garden at the parsonage. Meanwhile, we need other workers to tear down the shade hut (green
house) behind the sanctuary, to clean and patch the holes in the parking lot, to clean and paint the speed
bumps with yellow paint, to pain the rails to the restrooms of building A, to weed the mauka side of
building A and the sand box in the preschool yard, and to repair the tile floors in Building A. Lunch
will be pot lunch from noon to 1 pm. and members if you can, please donate some dishes to share in
fellowship. Thank you, Aloha Bob Lee.
RUMMAGE SALE TIME!
It is official. Our “Big Event” is coming. Mark your calendars for March 21, Saturday, from 8 am to
12 noon.
We had our Administrative Council meeting and all agreed to it. I know our church members and
friends are waiting to bring their gently used things to the social hall for this day. It is our church’s
fund raiser. Many of us, including myself, have treasures that are no longer being used and need to
find a new home. We help the community by “recycling” our things, as well as clean the clutter in our
homes. I confess, I am a “Hoarder”. Being married to another “Hoarder” makes for a very bad
situation. The Lord is telling me to get these things to the rummage sale. In 25 years, the good Lord
willing, my home will be clutter-free…ha, ha, ha! I might be with the Lord by then.
If you can’t wait till the beginning of March to get your things to the church, you can take them to
room 17, which still has room for some things. Call the office at 622-4361, so that David can open the
door and give you a helping hand. Hopefully, we can start storing them in the social hall in March to
prepare for our event. We will have sign-up sheets for people to say where they want to work. Look
at the moving bulletin board at church. If you want to be on the ground floor and help with the
planning, let Doris or Bob Lee know. We will put more information in the Sunday Bulletins too. I
know our congregation is making jams and jelly for the County Store. The Outreach Committee, with
the cooking talent of Naia Sua, will be making beef stew plate lunches for $10 each. We will start our
“Spring Cleaning” and go through our closets for clothes, books, luggage, handbags, shoes, clothes,
toys, games, cooking appliances, kitchen utensils, garden tools, clothes, household items, small
furniture, camping equipment, nik-naks, linens, clothes, towels, bedding, jewelry, paintings, etc. As
you can see, we always have lots of clothes to sell. The children’s clothes are our best sellers.
Thank you, Rosie, for announcing the Rummage Sale at our New Year’s Luncheon! I call it the “Big
Event” because of the three areas we cover…Plate Lunches, Country Store, and Rummage. We will be
getting “lunch” tickets to sell, ethnic foods and goodies to buy, lots of “new clothes” to wear, and fun,
fun, fun getting to help each other. As always, pray for a sunny day and God’s great help.
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God bless,
Bob and Doris Lee!
NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST
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WHAT:
2015 BRITT LECTURES
WITH REV. LORENZA ANDRADE-SMITH
WHEN:
FEBRUARY 13 TO 16, 2015
WHERE:
First United Methodist Church
1020 S. Beretania St., free parking off of Victoria St.
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!
WWW.HAWAIIDISTRICTUMC.ORG
FRIDAY, FEB 13 @ 7 P.M.
“You’ll Never Be Ready: Just Go!”
SATURDAY, FEB 14 @ 7 P.M.
“In the Midst of Holy Chaos: Rejoicing and Giving Thanks”
SUNDAY, FEB 15 @ 7 P.M.
“R&R: Recognizing Renewal”
MONDAY, FEB 16 @ 9 TO 12 PM
“Oh, the Places You’ll Go!**: Sacred Travels”
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February
2015
1
John 13:34-35
2
Romans 5:1-5
3
Matthew 5:13-16
4
Mark 9:14-29
5
Psalm 19:1-6
6
Luke 1:30-37
7
Psalm 18:1-6
8
1 Samuel 3:1-10
9
1 John 4:7-12
10 1 Corinthians 15:35-45
11 Romans 8:18-28
12 John 8:1-11
13 Matthew 22:34-40
14 James 5:13-18
15 Colossians 3:12-17
16 Isaiah 9:1-7
17 Ephesians 3:13-21
18 Isaiah 58:1-12
19 2 Corinthians 4:15-18
20 Luke 24:13-35
21 Isaiah 43:18-19
22 Exodus 3:1-14
23 Genesis 33:1-4
24 Matthew 26:36-46
25 Mark 2:23 – 3:6
26 Jeremiah 1:1-10
27 Philippians 2:12-18
28 Isaiah 43:1-7
Christian symbol
Scroll
A scroll may symbolize the
writings of Scripture, particularly the
Old Testament. In Luke 4, Jesus reads
from the scroll of Isaiah in his home
synagogue at Nazareth. A scroll may
also symbolize the Day of Judgment,
with the names of the elect, or saved,
written on it. In Revelation 5, the
creatures and elders around God’s
throne sing to Christ the Lamb: “You
are worthy to take the scroll and to
open its seals, because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased
for God persons from every tribe and
language and people and nation” (v. 9,
NIV).
CALLING ALL SOS
The Survivors Of Spouses Ohana will resume meeting on
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in Pastor’s Study.
Come and join the Ohana to plan for our visit to the Doris
Duke estate and to prepare for a workshop on conducting
visitations to the sick at the hospital and at home. Please
bring your coffee mug for light refreshments. Contact Chuck
at 623-2437 or [email protected] if you have any questions
or comments.
Sweethearts Dinner
Plan on bringing your sweetheart to our annual get-together at
Ruby Tuesday, Mililani on Sunday, February 8 at 6pm. This
wonderful time of fellowship promises an evening of games,
laughter, and yummy food (Dutch treat, of course). Sign-up
clipboard is in the narthex. Discount gift cards are available
at Sam’s Club. Get 2 $25 Gift Cards for $38.48.
Laws or love?
Businessman John Barrier, unrecognizable in jeans and a
T-shirt, cashed a check at his longtime bank. But the teller refused
to validate his parking ticket, saying Barrier hadn’t made an
official transaction. A manager agreed, saying rules were rules.
Barrier then performed a major transaction, withdrawing $1
million and taking it elsewhere. He got his parking ticket validated
after all.
What a great illustration of the perils of legalism, when
man-made laws become more important than people. Jesus
repeatedly healed and “worked” on the Sabbath, much to the
dismay of religious leaders. He was concerned about people’s
hearts, not their appearance.
What matters more to you: laws or love? appearance or
substance? A heart examination may be in order!
February
2015
February
Feb. 18 - Service at 7pm
Sunday
1
8
Monday
2
9
Tuesday
3
10
6pm
Sweethearts
Dinner at
Ruby
Tuesday
Mililani
15
16
7pm
Britt
Lectures
President’s
Day
22
23
17
9am to noon
7pm
Britt
Lectures
24
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
4
5
6
3:30 to 7pm
Music
Lessons
9am
GriefShare
9:30am
Royal
Haw’n
Band
3:30 to 7pm
Music
Lessons
3:30 to 7pm
Music Lessons
11
12
13
14
3:30 to 7pm
Music
Lessons
9am
GriefShare
3:30 to 7pm
Music
Lessons
7pm
Trustees’
Mtg
3:30 to 7pm
Music Lessons
5:30pm
Book Group
7pm
Britt Lectures
10am UMW
Meeting
18
19
20
21
3:30pm
Music
Lessons
7pm
Ash
Wednesday
Service
9am
GriefShare
3:30 to 7pm
Music
Lessons
3:30 to 7pm
Music Lessons
HI Dist. UMW
Mid-Winter
Event at SWCC
25
26
27
28
3:30 to 7pm
Music
Lessons
9am
GriefShare
3:30 to 7pm
Music
Lessons
3:30 to 7pm
Music Lessons
8am to noon
Church
Workday
Britt Lectures
February 13 to 16
at First UMC
See flyer
for more
information
7
7pm
Britt Lectures
All
Events
&
Times
Are
Subject
To
Change
Birthdays for February
Birthdays
1 Edna Pascua
2 Jeannie Wheeler
3 Masina Kauha
5 Tony Kaneshiro
6 Nicole Nonies
7 Paul Misaka
8 Janis Loventhal
9 Wayne Yanamura
11 Lesia Pedro, Clarence Yagi
12 Nathan Lee
13 Helen Yanamura
16 Kathi Yanamura, Tino Bagasol,
Honcho Hernandez
18 Shirley Ibarra
20 Michael Kurch
21 Ed Harada
25 Ruth Salausa
26 Janet Rivera
Anniversaries
7 Teli and Keith Isaacson
21 Kim and Piula Alailima
Wahiawa United Methodist Church
1445 California Avenue
Wahiawa, HI 96786
1
8 June and Jim Higa
15 UMMen
22
Church Office
Phone: (808) 622-4361
E-mail Address
[email protected]
Web Page
www.wahiawaumc.org
Food Bank Sunday
February 1, 2015
1 Doris and Bob Lee – in honor of
all
grandparents
8
15 Doris and Bob Lee – for son
Nathan and granddaughter
Sarah’s birthdays
22
March Agape Deadline
February 25, 2015