By Marianna Meachen, Director of Care Ministries

There is an age-old debate when you see a glass of water with the water line in the middle of the glass. Is the glass half-full or half-empty? I have always considered myself a glass-half-full kind of person. Have I always had an easy life? No, life did not hand me a beautifully wrapped package tied with a bow. Do I sometimes fail to see everything from an optimistic viewpoint? Yes, but I have tried to look at what I can learn from a situation or how I am being tested and use it to grow and learn small things along the way.

I know is God wants His goodness to be evident in every area of my life and to reflect His glory. He has already provided me with everything I need to survive and thrive on my journey to meet Him in eternity. God walks with me each step of the way. 

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20a, NIV)

That is an astounding statement. That God who created the universe knows me. He not only made me, He also paid the supreme sacrifice for me. 

God wants to bless us. His plan is still there even when we lose our way or deliberately walk away. We were ordained to be blessed; it is our inheritance in God through Jesus. 

So why are we lacking? Why do we have fears and anxieties? Why do we doubt? We so often let the world get in our way and do not see our blessings because we look at the world rather than relying on confident hope that God will what He promised. We rely on counterfeit gods and substitutions rather than allowing the one true God to do what He promised. 

Fear and doubt hide God's provision, goodness, faithfulness, and blessing from us, so we think that we lack what we need to survive. But in reality, we can thrive. If your glass is half empty, you can change it by changing your perspective on life. How? Commit to reading your Bible daily. Make a plan. If you need a Bible reading plan, e-mail me. I have lots. Pray, pray, pray! Spend time each day with God! Learn to listen to His voice. Get involved in a small group. Don’t have one? Call your friends or someone you’ve wanted to get to know and start one. Look at things through faith, and attach confident hope to each one. Faith draws us closer to God. Hope allows us to see what He offers, and confidence tells it is true. 

I told you I have always been a glass half-full type of person. Well, I used to be. Now? Now I am a person whose cup overflows because of the goodness of God. Now, 

“I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:11-13, NKJV)

Jump into His living water and get wet!

Prayer: Father, may Your hope drive out all fear and bring us to the beauty and fullness of what You have waiting for us. Let us always keep our eyes focused on You no matter what comes. To You be blessing, honor, and glory now and forever! Amen!

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By David Free, Deacon

God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.

This is the prayer at every Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting. It is called the Serenity Prayer.

Webster offers a number of synonyms for the word serenity: calm, peaceful, tranquil, all qualities of life appealing to each of us.

Faith-based AA is an amazing organization that has saved a multitude of human lives. I know this because the organization saved my father’s life. Well, it helped, but it was more miraculously God’s hand that was responsible for his life-changing experience. Let me tell you the story. 

When I was 17, my father’s drinking problem had hit the bottom. My sister had moved out of our home, and then my mother. My father lost his job and was drinking day and night.

I was in high school, and I was gone for most of the day, but would return home to do what I could for a pathetic man who could not see life beyond the bottle. One day, in between classes I passed an acquaintance in the hall. He enquired, “How’s things?” Being a teenager, I certainly wasn’t encouraged to come clean and level with him, but this is when God stepped in and took over.

Suddenly, I found myself relating my family’s problem to this acquaintance, and much to my surprise, his response was, “I have an idea. You see, my father belongs to AA, and he can get your father to a meeting for help.”

And that his father did. He got my father to his first AA meeting that very night and, praise God, that was it! My father did not have another drink for the rest of his life. My father went on to sponsor many other alcoholics in the program, aiding them to rid themselves of the disease. He also regained his family and their love, went on to own his own business, and he once again became my hero. 

So what is the moral of my story? It goes back to the Serenity Prayer. It is a prayer applicable to all Christians, not just alcoholics. For many, the first verse of the Serenity Prayer serves as a daily touchstone reminding us that to achieve serenity, we must approach each moment with wisdom and courage.

The Serenity Prayer is a wide door, one that's open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. It speaks wisdom to all who believe in its words and believe in God. People who live this prayer discover how to strike a dynamic balance between acceptance and change. This gift is precious, and it's one that we can enjoy for a lifetime of serenity.

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.” (Psalm 23: 2-3 KJV)

Prayer: God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can, and wisdom to know the difference. Amen.

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By Scott Schultz, Session Elder

While this quote is funny, it is also true. You may have seen it attributed to Yogi Berra. Bear with me, remembering that patience is a Fruit of the Spirit.

Joshua 24:15 “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

I retired on December 31, 2020 after 34 and-a-half years working for the City (I am the poster child for change aversion), and I stand at a fork in the road. What's next for me after retirement? A Bible Gateway search reveals 13 results for “fork,” 109 for “road,” but only one for “fork in the road.” So let’s move on…

A fork in the road is shaped like a Y, which reminded me of Pastor Tim’s January 3rd sermon and Pastor Steve’s January 10th sermon on “Knowing Your Why.”

“… your most important calling is a call into a relationship with Jesus. Our "why" is discovered when it emerges from a place of resting in His (God’s) love for us.” (Tim Shaw)

“If we think that there will come a day when we will be rid of fear and take a risk for God, we are deluding ourselves… Let me say that I'm convinced knowing your why will give you that something else more important than your fear." (Steve Peich)

I mentioned the “Y/Why” concept in an e-mail, and First Prez Elder Jeremy Lim replied in his usual wise and cogent manner: 

“Sometimes I wonder if maybe Jesus is more concerned with why we chose one direction or the other and not as concerned with which direction we choose. Not as much pressure about making the ‘right’ decision when the decision becomes more about following Him than choosing a path. This whole following Jesus thing is quite the adventure.” 

Thanks Jeremy!

Must I find a (new) “why” before determining the “whats”? I must actively know that Jesus chose me to discern how He wants me to follow Him. This will require humble faith, prayer, reading His word, listening, and ultimately trusting His lead. Perhaps WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) should be changed to WWID (Why Will I Do?). Not just now, but every day, in every encounter.

When you come to a fork in your road, take these things: Love, Joy, Peace, The Way, The Truth, and The Life. In other words ... take Jesus! Just flip the Y over, move the stem down, and point to Him. ↑ There’s the real Why!

Luke 3:4-6 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation.’”

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Give me ears to hear and eyes to see Your why for the rest of my life. Thank You for giving me life and love, hope and purpose. I ask for persistent courage and soulful certainty to live it fully and joyfully. From, through, and to You are all things and the glory forever! Amen. 

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By Rene Toyota, Administrative Assistant

“Finally, my brothers and sisters, always think about what is true. Think about what is noble, right, and pure. Think about what is lovely and worthy of respect. If anything is excellent or worthy of praise, think about those kinds of things. Do what you have learned or received or heard from me. Follow my example. The God who gives peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9 NIrV)

Excuse me for sounding ingenious, but I'm not a huge fan of the news. In fact, I’m not a fan of any of the sickness, deaths, hate, lies, murder, tantrums, shoving, pushing, and name-calling that’s been going on in this world. It’s so much craziness. I’m tired of seeing the world divided. I’m a passionate person, and if I pay attention all the time to what’s going on, it will all but overwhelm me, as it has done to many people. 

I watch the news here and there, but I don’t pursue it. I know I shouldn't hide from any of it, but this way helps me to remain neutral and focused on the kind of world God wants us to have. At the same time, I respect those who fight for their rights or express their opinions, but only if it is right with God. 

But what is right before God? Through Philippians 4:8, God tells us exactly what to do. We should always ask ourselves before we speak or do something. Is what we’re doing noble, right, and pure? Is it lovely and worthy of respect? Is what we are saying or trying to accomplish reflecting God and is excellent and worthy of praise? 

Those are the ways of our God. It’s who He is. He is noble, right, and pure. He is lovely and worthy of respect. He is excellent and worthy of praise. And if we follow His example and carry on practicing what we learn from Him, He will give us His peace. Don't you want His peace through all this madness?

Prayer: Father, forgive us our senseless behaviors that often cause harm, pain, and division in this world. Help us to spend more time reflecting on Your Word, to know You more, so that we can put into practice what we learn from You and to follow Your example so that we may have Your peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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By Chaz Umamoto, Worship Ministry Support Coordinator 

A big part of my testimony on how I came to Christ and how I came to First Prez came from reading Francis Chan’s Crazy Love. Great book! But I have to say that I ended up throwing away my first copy because it challenged me too much. And then I realized that I felt challenged because I needed Jesus to change my life.

Now 10+ years later I’ve taken up Chan’s latest book Letters to the Church. This has been such a heavy read for me that I’ve been taking walks around my neighborhood even before sunrise to pray, worship, and focus on some of the things the Lord has been showing me through the book, one of which is the importance of unity. Chan thoroughly laid out the foundation for unity before getting into the heavy stuff. I don’t know if this is for the faint of heart, but Chan’s words and writings are always challenging. 

But you know who’s words are more challenging? Jesus’. Read John 17:20-23.

Jesus establishes that unity is a gift that we are to live out for His glory and in response to what He has done. “I in them and You in Me” (verse 23). What a powerful prayer! Jesus doesn’t ask for organizational unity. He proposes unity amongst His people and through His people. He’s not proposing feelings of unity. Jesus is asking for a commitment to the practice of unity. The idea of oneness with Him is a daily practice of surrender, so that means we also need to sacrifice our own desires and commit to unity to those around us. Jesus doesn’t propose this as a privilege for His believers. He says, “May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.”

I don’t know what it will take to create tangible unity in the world, but I know that Jesus cares about the unity we commit to in our own circles. I can’t ask anyone else to sacrifice anything, but my commitment is to continue to love my family, neighbors, and community as Christ has loved me. Even if it means waking up before sunrise every day so I can meditate on these words, that God desires us to commit to unity. My prayer is that we pray for one another’s endurance and ability to desire unity over division, more than we pray for protection, or a platform for our voice to be heard.

Prayer: Lord, help us to fill the cracks where division exists. Help us to be better neighbors. Remind us of Your great love for us, and grant us the endurance to be better partners with the Holy Spirit as we go out and further our commitment to unity. Amen.

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By Patty Kamahele, Administrative Assistant

(Today’s devotional is a re-post of Patty’s July 30th devotional. We find the message of choosing peace as timely and appropriate for the times we’re in.)

An artist was once asked to put on canvas his interpretation of the word “peace.” People imagined it would be a painting of a beautiful lush valley, or a still calm lake, or a meadow of bright colorful flowers. But to everyone’s surprise, he painted a thunderous waterfall with water crashing down from a steep incline! However, if you looked very closely, there was a tiny bird sitting on the branch of a small tree near the bottom of the waterfall, as content as could be, completely and utterly at peace. 

We can find ourselves longing for peace when we are faced with the challenges of life. But how can we find peace in the midst of turmoil, uncertainty, or hardship, especially at this time? 

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Our verse today reminds us of our part and God’s Promise.

Our Part:

1.  Don’t worry–– worry can cause undue anxiety, fear, and stress.

2.  Pray about everything––there is no concern that we can’t bring to Him. 

3.  Thank the Lord––there is always something to be thankful for. And if we think we can’t find something to be grateful for, be thankful for what He has spared us from.

God’s Promise:

His peace WILL guard our hearts and our minds, keeping them from anxiety or worry as we live in His Son. God is faithful to His promises and He cares.

Pastor and author Alistair Begg said, “God’s care for His children is like the sun; it’s constant. Even when the clouds obscure it, it’s still there. It’s always there.”

Let’s trust God and His faithfulness. And let’s be like that peaceful and content bird today ... no matter what is going on around us.

Prayer: Lord, we come to You with the cares of our hearts. You want to hear from us. You want to know what’s on our hearts and minds. Please remind us of how much You care about all that concerns us. May we sit at Your feet … still and at peace, no matter what is going on around us. In the Name that is above all names, Jesus. Amen!

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By Pastor Tim Shaw

In the summer of 2020, composer Eric Whitacre wrote a piece of music called Sing Gently. (Thank you, Chaz Umamoto, for telling me about this remarkable song.) As the COVID-19 pandemic was devastating people’s lives last summer, as people were losing their jobs and economies were struggling,  and as loved ones were getting sick and some were dying, Whitacre wrote this piece of music. His purpose was to simply acknowledge that these are really difficult times we are living through. And because they are exceptionally challenging, he wanted to encourage us to be good, kind, and gentle with one another. 

While discussing this piece of choral music and the 17,000+ member virtual choir he assembled from 129 countries to perform it, Whitacre comments: “I wrote down the lyrics, the poetry, and it began with a very simple idea, this idea of Sing Gently. And I think what I was seeing around me is that suddenly, the whole world seemed threatening and dangerous and disparate. Everyone moved apart from each other. And I thought, in that kind of world, there's great potential for anger and misunderstanding, and real distance more than just physical distance. And so the idea with Sing Gently was to be gentle with each other, be compassionate with each other, show empathy, and to do that together.”

Here is Eric Whitacre’s song. Click here to watch the video.

Sing Gently

May we sing together, always, 
May our voice be soft, 
May our singing be music for others, 
And may it keep others aloft.

Sing gently, always. 
Sing gently as one

May we stand together always, 
May our voice be strong, 
May we hear the singing,
And may we always sing along.

Sing gently, always. 
Sing gently as one.

As Whitacre and his team considered how they would create the video of the virtual choir, the director of the film ask him if he’d ever heard of the Japanese art form called Kintsugi (or Kintsukuroi). In the podcast about Sing Gently, Whitacre explains that Kintsugi is, "the art of mending pottery or ceramics, and the idea is that if something important to you or special to you has dropped and broken — it’s in all of these shards and then you glue it back together. But you don't just glue it, you fill the epoxy with gold dust and what you do then is you highlight the scars. And in doing so, you don't try to erase its history, you make it part of its history.” To see an example of a bowl repaired using this art form, click here. 

In the past, I have NOT wanted to highlight the history of a broken cup or bowl. My approach to repair has been to try and fix it so there is little or no evidence that it had ever been dropped and shattered. If I was unsuccessful in hiding its history of ever being broken, my tendency has been to toss it in the trash since there is no use for a broken bowl. It had not occurred to me, until now, that by acknowledging the fractured history, even highlighting it in gold, could actually make the vessel stronger and more beautiful than it ever was. I’ve change my mind about all that.

The video Whitacre and his team created uses a similar technique to bring singers from around the world together. Starting out distant and floating, separate from one another, each singer is brought into contact with others until all 17,000+ singers are connected and healed. In many very important ways our country and our lives are broken. But here’s the good news. I am convinced that God wants to do his work of repair in each one of us, in our families, in our nation and world. I believe God is inviting you and me to be a part of His restoring, mending work in the world. 

Jesus has been and is so patient and gentle with us. His compassion is inexhaustible. He is filled with mercy for each one of us. In response to His great kindness, let’s join Jesus in His healing and restoring mission in the world. Let’s be gentle and compassionate with one another during these difficult and trying days. And may the shining repairs Jesus is doing in us and will do through us bring Him glory.

Prayer: Lord, help us to learn how to sing gently once again. Come, Holy Spirit, and fill us with Your peace that we might be makers of shalom. Come, Holy Spirit, and calm our fears, making room for courage. Come, Holy Spirit, and set us free from our anger that can so easily fill our lives. Makes us disciples of Jesus who are fit, ready, and willing to be a part of Your reconciling mission in our world. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen

EMAIL PASTOR TIM

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By Pastor Steve Peich

Last month I had my eyes examined. As I did, the doctor and I got into a conversation about cataracts. When I did some research on that ailment, I found this. A cataract is a clouding that develops slowly in the lens of the eye. It obstructs the passage of light. As a result, things don’t look clear. Moreover, contrast sensitivity is also lost. That is, differentiating this from that is more difficult. Without treatment they can cause blindness.

This is not a bad description of what may be happening to some of our souls. Because of the constant flow of polarizing politics, one-sided newscasts, algorithms guiding what we see and read on our devices, and the human proclivity toward confirmation bias, we may be forming cataracts on our souls. That is, we are not seeing things clearly, and so differentiating God’s purposes, values, and goals from human ideologies have become more difficult. 

As one anonymous sage once put it, “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” 

Like all of you, I was stunned, saddened, and angry over the mob violence of January 6th in Washington D.C. The temptation of my heart was to speak about people (whom God values, loves, and cherishes) in demeaning and denigrating ways. I wanted to vilify and demonize a whole list of folks who I think are responsible for leading this country to this point (can someone say cataracts?).

But on the Friday that followed that historic day, I went into solitude and prayed. For some reason the words of Jesus to Peter came to mind. These were the words He spoke after Peter stated that Jesus was the Christ. Jesus said: “Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not prevail against it.”

In that moment the anger (and cataracts?) started to dissipate, and hope started to arise. I realized that as a Christian I don’t need to panic or participate in rage because God’s Church and His Kingdom are not in danger. Human kingdoms may be, but not God’s. God’s church will prevail.

Let me be clear. God doesn’t eventually prevail, but He is, in this very moment, prevailing. The Church of God is an unstoppable force because God is at its head and not cataract-laden humans. This is why I can maintain hope (not some saccharine version of optimism, but real hope) in a time like ours. 

That being said, here’s a sober reality: He never said that about any other entity on earth. He didn’t say that about the Red Sox or the Yankees, the left or the right, Republicans or Democrats, China or the United States. 

What can you see beyond the latest rage fests on TV or online? What can you see beyond the heart sickening racism that still plagues us? What can you see beyond the violence and hostility of Seattle’s and Portland’s and Kenosha’s and Washington’s riots? What can you see beyond tribalistic politics and increasing polarization? 

Can you see God’s work prevailing?

One thing I see is that God is still Lord, His church will not fail, and I am a part of the mission of that church to speak and bring peace, healing, and redemption to a lost, violent, and sinful world. Yes, I want this nation to heal and flourish, but as one pastor and podcaster recently put it: “A divided nation needs a united Church.” (Carey Nieuwhof)

May God give you the eyes to see Him prevailing, and may you join Him in His unstoppable work in the world.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to see how You are prevailing even as chaos and division plague my country. Make me an instrument of Your peace; a peace that has the power to crush the gates of hell. Amen.

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By Kelly Miyamura, Executive Coordinator for the Ko’olau Property

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8 NIV)

Every third Monday in January we pause to honor and remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the minister and activist who became the most visible leader in the civil rights movement. His faith served as a foundation for his passionate pursuit of justice and equality until 1968 when his life was tragically taken. When I asked my three children (ages 11, 10, and 7) for the words that first come to mind when they hear the name Martin Luther King, Jr., they responded with, “hope, peace, a man who wanted people to love one another despite what they looked like on the outside.” It is obvious that his memory and his influence runs deep, long after his life and across generations. 

As we pause today, a little over half a century has passed since his death, yet we find ourselves once again at the crossroads of a deeply divided and hurting nation. From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963 in front of a crowd of over 250,000 people, Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech still resonates in our hearts today. In it he quotes four passages of Scripture, most famously Isaiah 40: 4-5, when he said this to express his God-inspired dream for humanity:

“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.” 

He was an imperfect man who prophetically called us to speak up in the face of injustice, and to create a world fueled by love where all people would be treated equally and made free from oppression. My children see the impact he had on the world and I love being able to make the connection that his ideas and actions were rooted in scripture itself. That God values justice, yet shows loving mercy. That we must learn to humbly rely on the Lord for strength beyond our own while we navigate the challenges of this life. And that Jesus himself is our greatest example of this and our greatest hope.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the truth and timelessness of Your word. Thank You for sending us Your son, Jesus Christ to teach us how to live. Help us all to be peacemakers in this divided world, to love others as You would love them despite our differences. We pray for vision, faith, and more of Your loving and courageous spirit in the days ahead. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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By Rosella Shishido, Communications Ministry Coordinator

“So be very careful how you live. Do not live like those who are not wise, but live wisely. Use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times. So do not be foolish but learn what the Lord wants you to do.” (Eph 5:15-17 NCV)

It’s the middle of January already––gee! Where did the time go? Like most people, I started the year prayerfully writing down goals to start off my year right. Praying and reading up about setting goals helped me decide on meaningful goals that I believe are in line with what God’s purpose for me. And that’s when I stumbled upon a short reading plan on YouVersion called “Win the Day” by Pastor Mark Batterson of Washington DC. He shared remarkable insights on how to live each day intentionally, and a big component of it is to not procrastinate.

That’s actually what spoke to me the most, especially when he referred to a vivid advice from Mark Twain: 

“If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.”

Ewwww. The thought of eating a frog, or worst yet a live frog, is repugnant, but it’s the perfect mental image for what Mark Twain wanted to convey.  

What is that one item on your to-do list that you’re most tempted to delay because it’s difficult? What’s that task, goal, or decision that hasn’t been checked off because you haven’t worked on it since you put it there?

That’s your frog! 

And why eat the live frog first thing in the morning? Because if we do, challenging as it is, we can get along with the rest of the day knowing that the hardest task is done (whew)! Brilliant, right?

But even before we tackle that thing we’ve been stalling on, there’s no better way to start the day than with prayer. It’s wise to ask the Lord to direct our steps, and show us the way we should go (Proverbs 16:9).

Yikes! I have three frogs on my plate right now.

What about you?

Prayer: Father, I’m sorry for the times I’ve procrastinated on things. Please help me to make better use of your daily gift of 24 hours. Help me to win the day for You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

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By Jenny Sung, Executive Coordinator

What does it mean to live by faith?

Hebrews 11:1 starts by defining faith in this way: “the confidence in what we hope for and the assurance about what we do not see.” I am highly driven by logic, so I get how hard this definition can be to digest. I remember conversations in Alpha about how difficult it is to have faith in someone we cannot touch or see. 

From early on, the world trains us to rest our confidence in what we can touch and see, and in ourselves, our own reasoning, and abilities. Recently, in taking a course on modern church history, I found that I am indeed a product of the “Age of Reason,” aka the Enlightenment. Even though this movement was forged in the 17th-18th centuries, the Enlightenment profoundly shaped our confidence in reason and the individual: 

“The new science confidently asserted that the complex principles controlling the universe could be discovered through human reason; once these had been discovered and understood, the universe could then be controlled. Nothing was beyond the reach of human reason. Optimism about the future, and confidence in human progress – including moral progress – led to the advancement of the concept of human autonomy, or the idea that man was no longer dependent on God and the church. This, in turn, gave rise to the supreme importance of individualism, an idea which has come to dominate much of Western society in the intervening years.” (Grayson Carter, The Enlightenment: A Brief Overview)

The article was helpful to see how a movement had such profound influence on the cultural values I esteem today. This is not a devotional about the binary choice between reason and faith, for I believe God gives us reason and abilities to be used for good, to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. I do hope though, that we spend some time searching and reflecting on where we rest our confidence and assurance. 

Does our faith rest in the things of the world that can change like the tides, or sometimes feel engulfed in flames of chaos and uncertainty? Does our faith rest in people who, with our flaws and foibles, can terribly disappoint and even betray? As Pastor Tim Shaw often points out in his teachings, humans were never designed to bear the entire weight of another.

But there is someone who took on the weight of us all, and there is someone in whom we can place all our confidence and assurance. Our faith can rest in Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith. We look to Jesus, who “For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2-3)

We can live by faith, not by sight (1 Corinthians 5:7) because of the love of Jesus. Because of His work on the cross, we have a secure place of hope and assurance in Him. We can live lives of faith resting in Jesus. He knows the future and what is best for us. Even when it feels unsure or out-of-control, we can release the need for control and ask for a greater measure of trust in Him.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for Your love and bearing my sin on the cross. I want to walk in faith each day, trusting and depending on You. Lord Jesus, help me to rest solely in You, the author and perfector of our faith. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

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By David Chang, Director of Ministry Support

I love asking Keiki what they got for Christmas and getting caught up in their excitement. Last week one of my spiritual mentors asked me a Christmas question that I couldn’t answer. He asked, “Are you a camel, a sheepherder, or one of the magi?” He said there are three kinds of people that encountered Jesus and that I should think about one that fits me.

CAMELS: They were the hard-working beasts of burden. They obediently went where the magi directed them carrying their loads of people and gifts, through long distances, over rough terrain, enduring hunger and thirst. Though they didn’t know their destination, they just kept going one step after another, trusting the magi. Because they were obedient and trusting, they brought people and gifts to worship the Lord.

SHEEPHERDERS: Someone pointed out to me that over-time, we “romanticized” the sheepherders, celebrating them on greeting cards. We forget that in those days, these sheepherders had the similar social status to the garbage collectors of today. But these are the people that God sent His heralds to.

Luke 2:8-12 There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:13-14 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, peace to all men and women on earth who please Him.

Luke 2:15-18 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

These sheepherders started off being terrified. But later they passionately ran toward Jesus and went on to share their excitement with everyone they met. They were perfectly picked by God to spread the good news.

MAGI: These were the wise men that had spent their lives looking for promises in the Scriptures, signs in the sky, and clues in current events that would point them to the God’s promised coming. 

Matthew 2:1-2 a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled His birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship Him.”

It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves. They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!

Luke 2:11 They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, His mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped Him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.

These magi were so faithful. They were diligent in searching, persistent in their journey, and sacrificial in their worship.

Wow, which one describes me? Is it the obedient and trusting camel? Is it the humble and passionate sheepherder? Is it the diligent and persistent Magi? More important question––which one describes you? It’s a fun meditation. Try it.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for making us all different. Thank You that Your gift of love for each of us is equally precious, but equally different. Help me to be obedient and trusting as a camel, as humble and passionate as a sheepherder, and as diligent and persistent as one of the Magi. In Jesus name, Amen.

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By Jeremy Lim, Session Elder

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed Him. (Matthew 4:18-19)

Last year I asked my 13-year-old son, Danner, if he wanted to go fishing with me in Alaska. To no one’s surprise, he said yes! River fishing for sockeye salmon was a new type of fishing for Danner, but I walked him through the set-up and casting technique. I showed him where to stand in the river, where to cast, and what to feel for before setting the hook. He quickly got the hang of it, and I’m honestly not sure which of us was more excited when his rod bent over with the weight of his first salmon!

If you’re thinking that I chose the above passage because of its reference to fishing, you wouldn’t be totally wrong. I love fishing! But let me focus our attention in this passage by summarizing it like this: “Jesus said, ‘Follow Me,’ and they followed Him.” Peter and Andrew embarked on an amazing journey with Jesus that day, but their journey didn’t start with them dropping their nets and following Him. It started with Jesus’ invitation. It started with Jesus saying, in essence, “Come, join Me and be a part of what I am doing in the world.” They could not fathom letting this opportunity pass them by! 

Jesus reminds me in John 15:16–– “You did not choose Me, but I chose you.” When I think about the beginning of my own faith journey, I often assume that it began when I, as a young teenager, invited Jesus into my heart. That was a huge decision, no doubt, but it was a response to Jesus reaching out to me, and it was the first of a lifetime’s worth of decisions to follow Him. More than 25 years later, Jesus continues to invite me to join Him in the things He’s doing all around me. My soul may be saved, but He still gives me countless opportunities to respond to Him every day.

Danner and I shared some incredible experiences fishing together in Alaska. He naturally followed my lead in everything we did, but we did everything together. Oh that our relationship with Jesus would be the same way! Whether you’ve been a Christian for 50 years, or you’ve not yet made that decision, Jesus’ invitation to follow and join Him is always waiting for your response. 

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for choosing me! Thank You for inviting me to be a part of what You are doing. Help me have the humble faith of a child to trust and follow You every moment of my life. Help me remember that You are leading me, and yet still walking right beside me, into the best life possible. Amen.

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By Lauren Stein, Session Elder

“For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 5:20

Growing up, my all-time favorite Disney princess was Belle. On the surface, I related to her love of reading that provided an escape from her provincial life. But beyond that, I admired Belle’s courage to love the Beast, ultimately, transforming him back into his human form. In a splendid light show, the Beast magically transforms, as beams of light shine from his fingertips and toes. If I’m really honest, Disney stories deeply impacted my understanding of the world around me. As a child, this scene illustrated transformation. But as I’ve grown, I’ve had to ask myself, does true and lasting transformation really happen as magically as it does in the Disney movies?

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus outlines how His disciples, both then and now, can experience transformed lives. I am struck by His words to the crowd in Matthew chapter 5 verse 20. Talking about the fulfillment of the law, Jesus says, “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” Though Jesus is full of grace and love for those He encountered, He is not afraid to speak out against the religious leaders of that time. At first, this seems like an odd statement, especially given Jesus’ disdain for the Pharisees’ self-righteousness. But Jesus isn’t calling us to have more of the Pharisees’ self-righteousness. Jesus is calling us to surpass them by having a righteousness propelled by transformed hearts. This transformation is so deep that the individual is no longer controlled by the same destructive patterns.

And while there are certainly wonderful stories of miraculous transformations that occur almost overnight, when I look at my own story, that is not what I see. Jesus and His grace and love have, without a doubt, transformed my life, but it didn’t happen in a magical light display. It happened slowly and sometimes painfully as I worked with Jesus through my destructive habits and thought patterns. Allowing Him to work in my heart has transformed the way I endure life's curveballs, handle conflict and communicate in truth. And if I’m wise, I’ll never stop allowing Him to transform my heart. The truth is that this is just the beginning, and it’s better than fairy tales.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the way You are relentless in pursuing my heart. You deeply desire for my heart to be transformed, and I am ready to do the work with You. Soften my heart to the changes You are calling me to make. Make me aware of where You are at work and how I can join You today in Your Kingdom work. Amen.

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By Heidi Lum, Session Elder

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose mind is stayed on You, because they trust in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” - Isaiah 26:3-4

My family and I recently adopted two rescue dogs, one as a COVID graduation present for our youngest son, and one who came to us quite by accident. I’ve never had a dog before, so this is a completely new experience for me. I love watching the dogs. They can be rambunctious and playful and they make me laugh, and they can also be at perfect peace with the world—when they are in my lap, in the room with me, or looking at me. (They’ve decided they’re primarily my doggies!) Their adoring looks and excitement when I walk into the room reminds me of what our relationship with the Lord is like.

I love when the Lord is in the room, and at the same time I feel at peace. My doggies remind me when I feel anxious about my responsibilities or what’s happening in the world, that I need only look to Jesus, and my mind is slowed down and kept at peace. I am reminded that "God is [my] refuge and strength, [my] very present help in times of trouble. Therefore [I] will not fear…”                          Psalm 46:1 (ESV) 

When I looked at my doggies during the recent fireworks, they were fine as long as I didn’t leave them and they could keep their eyes and paws on me. Their focus was everything. May we, likewise, always keep our eyes focused on the Lord!

Prayer: Lord, may my eyes always be on You, who gives me peace, comfort, and perspective, even when the world around me seems difficult, full of pain, and turned upside down. You are my rock. You console me, You rescue me when I feel overwhelmed, and You give me solid ground to stand on. Thank You that I need only to look to You, and You give me peace. You are a very present help in trouble, and I can rest in You. Thank You for this amazing blessing! In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

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By Tyne Cody, Session Elder

I wonder if you still send handwritten thank you notes? Writing them was a real chore for me as a child but a requirement of my mother’s. Christmas gifts from family relatives who had sent money meant a detailed handwritten thank you was required so the giver knew what I received. As much as I dreaded writing those detailed notes (I disliked writing assignments and, as most of you know, I would much rather “talk”). I now know how much it means to receive them.

In the apostle Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessalonica, he reminds the people of several things: 

• To encourage each other and build each other up.

• To honor those who are leaders in the Lord’s work.

• To think highly of them and give them wholehearted love because of their work.

• And no matter what happens, to always be thankful.

I want today’s devotion to be one of “thankfulness.” Consider this to be a “thank you note” from all of us to the Lord for our First Prez family—the pastors and church staff who have tirelessly and continuously encouraged us and built us up, even though we haven’t been able to meet in person. They have never let up in serving us from online services including beautiful worship music; fantastic preaching;  encouraging digital groups; happy chat opportunities; private prayer times, etc. All these things have been done with excellence as unto the Lord for us by our leadership at FPC. What an example they have all been for us. Thank you. 

It is God’s will that we always “be thankful,” and “give thanks in ALL circumstances.” Not sometimes but always thankful and not just in the circumstances we like.  

Colossians 3:15-17 reads “…And be thankful…with gratitude in your heart…do all in the name of Jesus giving thanks to God.”

So, the challenge becomes:  What can I be thankful for in today’s world? We don’t know what the future of 2021 holds for us, but we can be thankful we know the ONE who holds the future. And we can thank God for how much He loves us and that He is always with us to guide and protect us. 

Years ago I wrote in the back of my Bible something I had heard in a lecture: “Discouragement can never take root in a thankful heart!” In light of this past year of 2020 to alleviate any discouragement in 2021 please consider God’s Word in I Thessalonians 5:18: “No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (TLB) 

Prayer: Gracious, heavenly Father we are so thankful to have You in charge of all things.  We know You hold our future and are more than able to accomplish what concerns us today in Your perfect timing. We are thankful to you, Lord, for the leadership in our church and trust You to continue to guide them as they guide us in your ways. Please help us to always be thankful followers of Your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen. 

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By Scott Schultz, Session Elder

Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.” - John 20:29 (MSG)

Epiphany: 1) January 6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles; 2) An appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being; 3) An illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure. 

I’ve never had an epiphany involving choirs of angels, herald trumpets, or God’s voice. I accepted Christ during an altar call with my wife, Marianne. Since then, I have felt called to serve, first (as an introvert) on the Hospitality Team. That led to opportunities to serve on several teams and ministries and each of these has shown me some small epiphanies. Jesus reminds me that one smile, greeting, or kindness can mean the world to someone who is tired and broken. I feel an epiphany of joy every time I come to church (in-person or online). It is not just the beauty of the creation or building, but the shared love and purpose of God’s children (even online). I just retired and am expecting an epiphany…maybe it’s already here and I just need to have eyes to see?

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! - Matthew 2:1-2, 10 (NLT)

The Magi went to the light and we are reminded of this every year. I love “rigging up” our Christmas lights. They’re all red/green in the front (see pic below) and mostly white/blue in the back. I hope that it gives some joy to people who drive by our home—possibly a seed of an epiphany?

Sometimes I hear silence when I am seeking an epiphany. This quote from Pastor J. D. Greaar (“When You Can’t Feel God”) brings me back to John 20:29.

“Many Christians assume that silence from Heaven means something has gone wrong, that the inability to “feel” God’s Spirit means God has turned His face away. But this is not what God’s Word tells us. His apparent silence is…an important part of how He works in our lives and grows us up into the men and women of faith He wants us to be. …He wants us to walk by faith, not by sight; walking by faith means sometimes pressing on when we can’t feel or see Him.”

Christmas music brings epiphanies of light and hope. Two of my favorites are: 

• “Go to the Light” by Robert Cazimero. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKvveb7y8xQ   

• “Jesus is the Light of the World” by Charlie Daniels. “And the best part, is even though He’s gone away, He’ll be coming back someday…”  Now there’s an epiphany of Hope!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoWJSO2uXjQ

Advent has passed. The 12 Days of Christmas are over. The colorful lights will be unplugged tonight.

But The Light of the World remains! That’s the greatest Epiphany! 

1 John 1:5 (NIV) says, “This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.”

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, I am grateful for the light you bring to Your children and to a world in desperate need of your peace, joy, and love. Help me to shine a little bit of your light unto everyone I meet. May an epiphany of Your love, joy, and peace be my reflection of the love that you brought down in Jesus Christ. Emmanuel will remain far beyond January 6th or any Epiphany that I can sense.  I am grateful for that! In Jesus’ name, the source of all light, Amen.

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By Paul Zukunft, Session Elder

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9: 9-10:

It  was the summer of 1973 when I found myself on the absolute lowest rung of the United States Coast Guard as a “swab” at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.  Part of our daily routine besides squaring corners and cranking out countless push-ups for the slightest indiscretion was to belt out our Service song, Semper Paratus (meaning “always ready”) at each formation three times a day. What we lacked in singing prowess we compensated with decibels, and the refrain goes like this:

“We’re always ready for the call, we place our trust in Thee, through surf and storm and howling gale, high shall our purpose be.”

At that time, our nation was in the process of extracting itself from the conflict in Viet Nam and the military uniforms that we wore did not garner the public respect that deservedly prevails today. Along with my classmates, I was giving it my all just to persevere through swab year not knowing what God had in store for me. So I placed my trust in Thee.  

Fast forward, it was 45 years later when I retired from the Coast Guard in 2018, and through the grace of God, ascended every rung in that organization.

Of the many sea stories I accrued over those decades, one especially rings true as it relates to this theme. I was the commanding officer of the Coast Gutter Cutter RUSH home ported in Honolulu, yet patrolling the Bering Sea (home to the virtual reality TV series “Deadliest Catch”) in February 2002. At that time of year, “winter storms” that are truly Category 2 hurricanes ravaged the Bering Sea on a weekly basis. 

In the midst of one of those storms, we took refuge in the lee of St. Paul Island when we received a call of distress from a fishing vessel with a crew of 26 that was foundering 700 miles west of our current position. So, yes, we answered that call.  

As we rounded St. Paul Island, the RUSH was greeted with sustained winds of 90 knots and gusts of 110 knots. The pilot house of the RUSH, a 378-foot frigate was perched 55 feet above the ocean’s surface, and as we made best speed possible to render assistance, I was staring up, yes up, at the crest of sea swells that were washing over the bow of the ship. The ship’s log recorded those swells at 75 feet with an occasional rogue wave of 90 feet.  

One of my “green” crew members (in more ways than one!) asked me, “Captain, are we all going to die?” I dismissively responded, “Naw, I’ve seen worse.” (I did not share that that was in the movie, “Poseidon Adventure”.)  

Meanwhile, the captain of that fishing vessel was in a state of panic. They could hear us over the radio, but we were nowhere in sight. In fact, we were two days removed but checked in every 15 minutes to reassure the captain and his anxious crew that we were not going to let them perish, while providing hourly weather updates that indicated the storm was subsiding.

The vessel was nearly awash when we arrived on scene, and all 26 crew members were rescued without incident. To a person, they had all prayed fervently in their time of distress, and by trusting in the Lord, they were not forsaken. In fact, the captain said that every time he heard our voices over the radio at 15-minute intervals or roughly 200 transmissions throughout this ordeal, it was a testimony to their prayers being answered from a force that could not be seen.  

After recovering all 26 crew members aboard the RUSH, the fishing vessel settled by its stern, then descended to the depths of Davey Jone’s locker. As I conversed with the captain in my cabin over a hot meal and cup of coffee, he acknowledged that he had never come to know God in his entire life but that his life had been changed dramatically, and for the better, by placing his trust in God.

Clearly, the hand of God had brought me full circle, from my off-key singing of Semper Paratus in 1973, to a seasoned seafarer in surf and storm and howling gale navigating with my trust in Thee.

Prayer:  Almighty God, our lives have been surrounded by metaphorical surf, and storm and howling gales. We find ourselves immersed in a pandemic that has wreaked emotional grief and financial uncertainty, civil unrest, natural disasters and a divisive political climate.  

Jesus taught in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has trouble enough of its own.”  

Just as that captain and crew of that fishing vessel could not see their rescuers, we cannot see the Lord our God. But we take comfort in knowing that as we seek You God, we will not be forsaken. Amen.

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By Al Linton, Session Elder

Revelation 22: 14-15

14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those that practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. -

Wow, there’s a lot going on in that verse. At our weekly “Just Show Up” we recently finished Revelation. What a way to end 2020. What I want to focus on from this verse is idolaters. Idolatry is not just a graven image, it can be applied to many things. Love of money, sex, power, being liked on Facebook. The list can go on and on. 

But I want to focus on celebrity idols. I am a Beatlemaniac. I am a walking encyclopedia when it comes to the Beatles. I have books, all the albums on vinyl and CD, T-shirts and posters. Sometimes it seems I know more about the Beatles than…Jesus!

I came to this realization a few years ago when I came back to Christ and church and started to understand and read the Bible. I once made a New Year’s resolution that I wanted to know more about Jesus than John Lennon.

 I read an article written by a Christian attorney, Chad Napier, about the six signs that attraction to celebrity may actually be idol worship.

1. Seeking to promote the celebrity instead of the Word. Paul (not McCartney) teaches us to give up our earthly natures that produce a temporary satisfaction and promotes man more than our Lord.

2. Agreeing with everything a celebrity promotes. I remember when John Lennon’s Imagine was released: “Imagine there’s no Heaven”. I loved that song.  However, the first time I played it for my dad, I was around 13, he said, “It’s a song about communism.” What a bubble burst!

3. Attempting to mimic a celebrity’s lifestyle. With the Beatles it was the long hair. I always wanted the round John Lennon glasses. Never worked for my face. Except for growing a beard, I never mimicked Jesus.

4. Spending more time chasing a celebrity than God. Couldn’t wait to get the latest release from them rather than the latest from God.

5. Emphasizing the celebrity’s appearance over the Words of God they share. His point is to be careful to emphasize the message more than the messenger and to remember what the true message is. 

6. Giving higher credence to celebrity opinions based on accomplishments.  Just because the celebrity has won many awards and popularity doesn’t mean their opinions represent the word...“Imagine there’s no heaven.”  

I am continuing my journey to know and promote Jesus. I want to be the walking talking encyclopedia when it comes to Christ!

Are there things in your life you put before Christ?

Dear Father, I ask for you to help me separate my idol worship of things or people and focus more on you and your word. Help us recognize Your truth. In Jesus name. Amen.

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FIRST PREZ AND THE VINE OHANA

Aloha,

Thank you so much for stopping by! All of our writers are currently taking time to refresh from writing devotionals for the week of December 27, 2020, and will be back with more of God’s Word on January 4, 2021.

Please feel free to read our past devotionals or check out our website for upcoming events. Here are a few links that you can navigate through to see what might interest you along with events that are coming up:

Sermon Videos: https://www.fpchawaii.org/messages
Connect from home: https://www.fpchawaii.org/connect-from-home
Upcoming Events: https://www.fpchawaii.org/events
Different Ministries: https://www.fpchawaii.org/ministries-overview

We know it's been a tough year, But this past Sunday, in her sermon entitled "Peace and Goodwill," Jenny Sung reminded us of how God kept moving through it all. Here's a little of what she had to say.

"Despite the circumstances and the struggle, the kingdom of God is moving. The buildings may have been closed, but church was very much open. There are too many to cover them all, but I just wanted to reveal a few of the ways the church community – that's you- have responded in the last few months.

• Received 70-80 lbs of food/household at two food distributions.

• In partnership with Family Hui Hawaii, drive-by pick-ups were provided to the community to distribute packets with diapers, baby wipes, baby food, toiletries, school supplies, and more.

• Groceries were packed for 500 kupunas through Kakaako Kupuna, serving low-income senior apartments in Kakaako.

• The Trunk or Treat Drive-through served over 300 kids to bless the community with games and treats, costumes, and fun.

• Thanksgiving dinners and prayer of blessing provided thanksgiving meals to hundreds as they drove through the Koolau campus for the drive-by Thanksgiving meal distribution.

• Church members served with Life 360 to help youth learn computer skills for online school.

• Through the HI Foodbank, almost 2000 families drove through the Ko’olau campus.

• Hundreds came to the church Prayer Walk praying on the grounds of Koolau as God revealed full usage of the 246 acres of church property.

• The Nativity Walk telling the story of Jesus was also a food drive to help replenish Hawaii Food Bank for those in need in our community. 

• Volunteers continue to serve every week with the Pantry, and $100K was loaned to The Pantry so they could buy food with the CARES funding. They’re paying us back this week.

• The one million dollar repair of the roof is ongoing and should be finished next year.

• And all this while all four worship services went online with interactive online platforms, increasing in attendance and reach to the mainland and other countries.

Thank you God, for your provision and your continuous movement during this pandemic. Thank you for providing us a community of those with serving hearts. We look forward to MORE of Your love, grace, mercy, and guidance in 2021. Amen.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! SEE YOU ALL IN 2021!