Religion Briefs
Saturday, June 2, 2001
Christians observe birth of church
Pentecost, the day Christians traditionally mark as the birthday of the church, will be celebrated in a variety of ways in Hawaii houses of worship tomorrow.Episcopal Bishop Richard Chang will preside at the morning service at St. Andrew's Cathedral.
The 9 a.m. liturgy will combine baptisms, confirmation of youths and renewal of baptismal vows by the congregation.
"Vene Creator Spiritus," a composition by cathedral musician Arlan Sunnarborg, will be performed in English, Latin and Hawaiian by a double choir, organ and hand-bell choir.
A liturgical interpretive dance will be performed.
Jazz will be the music of the Church of the Crossroads Pentecost observance. The 10:30 a.m. service will feature John Norris and his New Orleans Jazz Band with improvisations of "When the Saints Go Marching In," "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" and "Over in Gloryland." The Crossroads choir will sing.
It's a tradition in both congregations for attendees to wear red, a color used to represent the Holy Spirit. Pentecost occurs 50 days after Easter.
Christians remember it as the day described in the Acts of the Apostles when the Holy Spirit fell upon believers in the form of tongues of fire.
Lectures focus on women in the Bible
At a time when summer church programs are offered for children, the Church of the Holy Nativity in Aina Haina has plans to engage adults in Bible study and prayer, too.A three-lecture series on "Beauty Queens" from the Bible will begin June 13. It will be followed by a free six-week Centering Prayer Workshop based on the teaching of the Rev. Thomas Keating.
Michelle Lopez, a Christian-education teacher at the church, will explore the lives of Bathsheba, Jezebel and Esther, talking about beauty, its power and its obstacles, in the lectures at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through June 27. Call 373-2131, ext. 105, for reservations. A $5 donation is suggested.
An introduction to Centering Prayer will be presented at 6 p.m. July 11 and 18 by Susan Thornett of Contemplative Outreach Ltd.
The contemplative method will be taught in the workshop and video series at 6 p.m. Wednesdays, July 25 through Aug. 29, with Thornett and Ann Brotherton as presenters. Call 373-2131 for information.
Summer classes mix fun with lessons for children
Many churches add touches of fun and adventure to Sunday School lessons in summer Bible camps and vacation programs for schoolchildren.>> "The Secret of the Stone Tablets" will be the quest for youngsters in the Waipio Community Baptist Church free vacation program, June 11-15 at 94-1210 Waipio Uka St.
Children from 3 years of age through the fifth grade will participate in stories, crafts, music and snacks in the format of an adventure by "Truth Trackers" through the deserts of Egypt and the Middle East.
A separate program, "Truth Uncovered," will be offered for youths from sixth grade through high school.
The programs are open from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Call 676-9397 to register.
>> Waikiki Baptist Church will follow the same "Truth Trackers" theme for its summer school, from 9 a.m. to noon June 18-22 at 424 Kuamoo St.
Youngsters in kindergarten through sixth grade will seek "The Secret of the Stone Tablets" in the free program and demonstrate the crafts, stories and music they've learned at a Friday evening program for parents.
Call 955-3525.
>> Another geography lesson will be the focus of Mililani Presbyterian Church's vacation Bible school at 95-410 Kuahelani Ave.
The evening program June 18-22 will take children on "A Polar Expedition" intended to demonstrate that "Jesus' love is cool."
It will start with 5:30 p.m. dinner daily, followed by crafts, storytelling and participation in the Kid-to-Kid mission project for needy children.
There will be an adult class for parents each night during the project.
Everyone will join in the "Ice Station Celebration" at the end of each evening.
Call 623-6663 to register.
RELIGION CALENDAR
