aug 2015
DESCRIPTION
Olivet Baptist Church Honolulu Hawaii monthly newsletter.TRANSCRIPT
Volume XLI
No 8
August 2015
A COOPERATIVE EFFORT OF PASTORS, TEACHERS, AND VOLUNTEERS DEVELOPING A SOUND FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIAN FAITH
Olivet Baptist
Preschool staff &
family take to
Bellows (page 7)
Ignite worship night is a gathering of different Christian youth ministries to bring them together for a night of praise, worship, and fellowship. Olivet Baptist Church will be hosting Ignite on Friday September 18 at 7pm.
Frequently Asked Questions What is the Shelter?: It is a ministry that provides a smaller scale worship setting to supplement our Sunday morning service. It regularly includes a time of worship through music, prayer, teaching of God’s Word and discussion. Where: We currently are meeting in the Lower Auditorium of Olivet Baptist Church to aid in the sense of intimacy. When: Come visit The Shelter. Friday evenings at 6:30pm in the lower auditorium. Who: The Shelter ministry is for anyone who is seeking a more intimate worship setting that is safe and welcoming. It is an ideal place for people who might be looking for a smaller group experience and be open to discussing openly with others their thoughts and understanding of God’s Word. We have come to see over the last few months that every week you will never know who will be there. We have also come to see that even if a visitor comes just one week, there has been significant interaction and ministry that takes place in that person’s life. We see God using this ministry as a place where a person might come just for one day to be ministered to. With the faithfulness of the few that commit to serving in this ministry, we are ready to connect with whomever will walk through the doors. Why: There may be some that may not find our Sunday morning services to be a refuge they desire. The Shelter offers a different time and environment for those who seek it.
Contact Information:
Senior Pastor Timothy Morita
Office Phone: 808-946-6505
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.OlivetBaptist.org
Dear Olivet Family and Friends: We spend a lot time talking about the value of prayer. Every Wednesday we dedicate time to pray for various individuals, individuals that Roger Honda so lovingly adds to an ever-growing list. This urgency to pray has grown to another level – to pray for our surrounding community. Ruth Fujimoto has taken this for action – not under compulsion, but in response to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We need perseverance in prayer, constancy in prayer and trust in God as we pray. The Apostle Paul instructs Timothy to persevere in his ministry, to proclaim the Word of God with persistence in all circumstances and to use it “to correct, reprove and appeal with patience.” Jesus emphasized the “necessity of praying always and not losing heart.” Constancy in prayer is faith in action. Years ago there was a young man with only six months of formal school education. His mother home-schooled him and taught him to have a dream. She also taught him to keep dreaming and rely on the power of persistent prayer. When the opportunity presented itself, he ran for an office in the Illinois State legislature and was beaten. He started a business and failed at that. He spent the next 17 years paying the debts of his worthless partner. He fell in love and became engaged. Yet, she died suddenly. Her untimely death had a profound effect on him and led him to a short-term, nervous breakdown. Next, he ran for Congress and was again beaten. He then tried to obtain an appointment to the U.S. Land Office, but it went nowhere. With a strong belief in the power of prayer, he ran for U.S. Vice-Presidency and lost. Two years later he was defeated again for the office of Senator. He ran for office once more time and was elected the 13th President of the United States, thus realizing the power of persistent prayer. This was Abraham Lincoln. Talking to God, using our own words – to praise Him, thank Him and present our needs before Him – transforms our whole life into prayer. Prayers would even turn more perfect when we bring ourselves into God’s presence during our work, several times during the day, and offer Him all that we are, all that we have and all that we do to God.
Sincerely,
Pastor Tim
B U I L D I N G FA I T H I N Y O U R C O M M U N I T Y
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information, events, and
outreach opportunities.
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A Not So Christian Nation
In a seminary class we were discussing prayer in schools. The professor had us divide into two
groups. One group supported prayer in schools and the other opposed it. I was assigned to the
opposition group. Arguments were presented on both sides and I found myself in a one-on-one
debate with an older woman of the support group. The conversation escalated a little to the
point she replied to me, “Well this is a CHRISTIAN NATION!” I assessed that the debate had
escalated beyond rationale thought and simply suggested she explore that statement further.
We are NOT a Christian nation. We’ve never been a Christian nation. Now, I’m not a historian
so please challenge me on these facts. It’s my understanding that our founding fathers, while
many called themselves Christians, sought to create a world of religious freedom. Many came
to America to find religious freedom. That was not the fairytale story we often hear. The
French Protestants (Huguenots) landed in Florida only to be slaughtered by the Spanish
Catholics. Religious tensions continued with the arrival of the Mayflower as Protestant and
Catholic groups were at odds. Religious discrimination was rampant and when the birth of our
country materialized, the push for religious tolerance was interwoven in that. During the early
years of our union, Thomas Jefferson pushed for religious (and non-religious) freedom. In
1779 he drafted a bill that guaranteed legal equality for citizens of all religions—including those of no religion—
in the state. Jefferson wrote, “But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It
neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.”
Jefferson’s push did not have legs at the time, but a few years later in 1784, Patrick Henry drafted a bill to
support Christian teachers. James Madison, one of the chief proponents of our constitution, stood in opposition
to Patrick Henry’s bill. He stated in an essay, “The religion then of every man must be left to the conviction and
conscience of every man to exercise it as these may dictate. This right is in its nature an inalienable right.”
So what’s the big deal? I believe it is important that we know these things so not to get comfortable in leaning
on the support of the illusion that we are a “Christian nation.” This premise is false and unstable. With all that is
going on in our world, in our nation and in our government, there is only one thing we must stand on, the Word
of God.
Over the past couple weeks I have been encouraging people to get deep into studying the Word of God. Allow
the scriptures to be your guide. As a Christian there is one truth. That truth is found in God the Father, Jesus
Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit. This truth is shared to us through the scriptures. Hold firm to the teachings of
the Word of God. The scripture says in 1 Peter 2:9-12, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out
of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had
not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from
fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing
in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in
the day of visitation.” On these truths alone we must stand as one body, one nation in Christ. -jason
Jason Hew
Minister of Outreach &
Education
808-946-6505 ph
Japanese Dept. Schedule
*August 02 (Sun) 12:00 p.m. Japanese Sunday School Teachers Meeting教会学校教師会 *August 08 (Sat) 08:30 a.m. AHJCC (Association of Hawaii Japanese Christian Churches) Trustees’ meeting at Makiki Christian Church *August 13 (Thu) 07:00 a.m. Japanese Bible Study at First Baptist Church, Wahiawa *August 16 (Sun) 09:15 a.m. Pulpit Exchange Sunday for the AHJCC Japanese Radio Ministry “Kokoroni Hikario” 心に光を
講壇交換日 （オリベット教会には、関真士先生、＆渡辺牧人牧師は、ホノルル教会奉仕）Pastor Shinji Seki from Honolulu Christian Church will be preaching at Olivet, and Makito will be preaching at Honolulu Christian Church 12:30 p.m. Japanese Dept. Church Council meeting 評議委員会
*August 23（Sun）11:50 a.m. “Hope” Prayer Time 祈望会
*August 29 （Sat）08:30 a.m. Food Pantry
Maki to Watanabe
Japanese Language
Associa te Pasto r
Makito Watanabe 渡辺牧人
Japanese Language Pastor
Office: 808-946-6505 Direct: 808-380-7612
Email:
Japanese Worship Service: Sunday, 9:15-10:30am
Japanese Sunday School:
10:50am - 11:40am
Midweek Bible Study Wednesday, 9:30am
HOW ARE YOU?
OGENKI DESUKA? お元気ですか？
“Preach the Gospel to All People”
Mark 16:15 He said to them, "Go throughout the whole world and preach the
gospel to all people. 【Today’s English Version】
マルコによる福音書 16:15 それから、イエスは言われた。「全世界に行って、すべての
造られたものに福音を宣べ伝えなさい。【新共同訳】
I was invited to a week-long JEMS (Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society)
Christian Retreat at Mt. Hermon Conference Center in California (Santa Cruz
area) from June 28 to July 4. I was asked to preach at every morning worship
service and one evening service on Friday night during the retreat. JEMS asked
Chie to do 3 Hula workshops and to do special hula every time I preached during
the conference. I also had opportunities to preach at the Santa Clara Valley
Japanese Christian Church (San Jose area) on Sunday June 28 and at the 19th Ave.
Japanese Baptist Church in San Francisco on Sunday July 5. Therefore, I was able
to preach and sing eight times in a week. It is wonderful to be able to meet new
people and share the good news with them. When we follow God’s will, He
blesses us. Chie and I were so blessed to share God’s love and His goodness with
people as we traveled in California. We are so thankful to God for His faithfulness
in keeping His words and commandments. It was also a great learning
experience for me to meet with various Japanese Americans on the mainland. Let
us share God’s love and salvation to all people wherever we are. People are
looking for the truth, real love, and salvation.
In Christ’ Love & Peace,
Makito
Your Japanese Language Pastor
Japan Department R E L A T I O N S H I P S | L I F E | L O V E
The personalities of the Olivet Youth Ministry
An update from the Youth Department: The youth ministry continues to show growth in its overall health. We are working to deepen our
relationships with students and are seeing small steps towards increased youth engagement in the ministry.
We had three youth attend the Ignite worship night on July 24th, and three students who are interested in
helping form a youth worship team. OBC will be hosting Ignite in September (see page 2 for details).
We are wrapping up our teaching series titled, “Getting Real”; this series enabled the teachers to share
their testimony with the youth and has helped to foster transparency within the ministry. Our next teaching
series will focus on the book, I am a Church Member.
Over the past month, we’ve seen two youth accept Christ, one at camp and one at Sunday school. We are
working to follow up with these students and help them understand their next steps in their faith.
HURRY, There are just a few more vacancies
for the fall semester!
Our Mission
The mission of Olivet Preschool is to provide a nurturing Christ-Centered Weekday Preschool with a Bible-based early childhood program for the families of Olivet and the surrounding community as an outreach weekday education and childcare ministry of Olivet Baptist Church. NOW ENROLLING: We are currently accepting applications for our fall session for our 3, 4, & 5 year old
Academics
Creativity
Christian Principles
Independence
Social Development
Physical Fitness
A Loving Staff
Rebecca McGuire, Director www.olivetpreschool.com
Olivet Baptist Preschool 1775 S. Beretania St Honolulu, HI 96826 (808) 949-7548
School is Back in Session
During the summer break, the Olivet preschool
teachers, aides, and family members spent a few
days on a retreat. They stayed a few days at
Bellows for a time of fellowship, reflection, and
rejuvenation.
Please promote Christmas in August in your church and help our own International Ministry! Your missions group can directly help a North American missionary with items needed for ministry and outreach. What is Christmas in August? The North American Mission Board and national WMU partner in choosing the missionaries who then provide a list of items they wish to receive. Missions groups gather the requested items and send them to the missionaries. How did it begin? Started in 1927 by a group in Charlottesville, Virginia, Christmas in August has grown to be a national ministry each year. How can my group participate? Pray, choose a missionary (or a few), gather your supplies, mail your packages, and pray for how your items will be used. For more de-tails, go to wmu.org, click on ministries, then click on Christmas in August. When you do, you'll see that our own Carlye Lawrence is one of the NAMB missionaries that will receive the Christmas in August gifts. Here's the International Ministries’ address and wish list: Carlye Lawrence International Ministries 2004 University Avenue Honolulu, HI 96822 [email protected] Website: ibmhawaii.org Items Needed:
International Ministries reaches out to international students, scholars, and families on the island of Oahu. The internationals come from over 80 countries with the majority coming from Japan, China, Korea, and Taiwan. Many of the students and scholars come from countries where it is not possible to openly share the Gospel. The ministry provides programs and activities that help meet the spiritual, social, and physical needs of internationals. Volunteers and staff teach English classes and host global cafes, a weekly free lunch, Bible studies, childcare, and more. For many, this is the first time they hear about Jesus.
tea (individually wrapped/packaged, not loose leaf)
single-serve instant coffee packs
Walmart gift cards
twin sheet sets
Toothbrushes (individually wrapped)
pocket-size tissue packets
bath towels
Starbucks or Coffee Bean gift cards
stick-on nametags
small notepads
You are never too young or too old to start in ministry.
Thank you to everyone who came out for our
FAMILY FRIDAYS IN JULY
A BIG MAHALO to the 40 plus Olivet volunteers that helped at the second annual Wash-N-Glow car wash on June 12. We washed about 70 cars, including one limousine. We had youth and adults working in the hot sun washing, rinsing and drying cars and trucks, working almost nonstop from 10 am to 2 pm. Our visitors were treated to hot dogs, stew and rice, noodles and cold water. They were serenaded by ukulele and song. There was even impromptu karaoke. The children played games with rubber duckies and enjoyed balloons. It was a very eventful day. Some in the community without cars came by just to enjoy the wonderful meal provided. There were connections that were made through conversations while the visitors sat and waited for their car to be washed. Continual prayers were lifted to God. We prayed for conversations to point to God especially when we were asked why our church was doing this car wash for free. We surrounded and prayed for a new dad who came with his three-week-old daughter on his way to the hospital to see his wife who had complications from the birth. We had many opportunities to tell people about the ministries the members of Olivet were involved in. A couple found out that we had a food pantry once and month and gave away clothes to those who came. They said they were cleaning their house and would bring items to our church to help with the ministry. Another lady thanked us for the free car wash and for helping the community. A simple act of kindness goes a long way when we work together for the Glory of Our God.
Night oF Music
Sunday
August 30
7pm
FREE
ADMISSION
Pupu &
Dessert
Potluck
to follow
2015 Annual
Sunday School Kick Off Rally
September 6, 2015
9AM
OBC Sanctuary
This event is for all Sunday School
classes.
Refreshments to follow in the lower
auditorium.
HBA PROUDLY PRESENTS:
Legacy Night 2015
An evening to honor our award recipients for their impact on HBA's
history and success for future generations.
Saturday, November 7, 2015
4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Hawaii Baptist Academy, High School
2429 Pali Highway, Honolulu, HI 96817
Ticket Prices
$5000 Platinum (Table of 10)
$3000 Gold (Table of 8)
$1500 Silver (Table of 8)
$125 Individual seat on a table
$100 No Seat - Stand Up Rounds
Table sales began July 31. Individual ticket sales began August 17.
We are encouraging Olivet's members to attend this year. Here are a few of the Honorees: Dan Kong (Lifetime Legacy Award), Sue (Saito) Nishikawa (Distinguished Service), Andy/Maryann Young (Service to Community), and Todd Yokotake (Service to HBA). This is a fundraiser for financial aid for students and the Alumni Association. We are hoping to have individuals and/or couples sign up and make several "OLIVET" tables to show our support.
Contact Us Church Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 8am-4pm
Phone: 808-946-6505
Fax: 808-946-6507
Address: 1775 S. Beretania St
Honolulu, HI 96826
Web: www.OlivetBaptist.org
Email: [email protected]
Rebecca McGuire
Preschool Director
Jeffrey Mullis
Director of Youth Ministries
Makito Watanabe
Japanese Language Pastor
Jason Hew
Minister of Outreach & Education
Timothy Morita, Senior Pastor