Churches plan joint
Christmas service

11 congregations from
Central Oahu prepare for
a large seasonal celebration

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By Leila Fujimori
lfujimori@starbulletin.com

Three years ago, seven Central Oahu church pastors from various denominations decided to try something different for Christmas services.

"In one sense, we see ourselves as the same church because we all believe in Christ, so we don't see each other as different churches," said Michael Palompo, pastor of New Hope-Mililani.

So they set aside minor differences in the way they worship, and came up with one big, community celebration of Christ's birth, which drew 1,300 worshippers.

Last year, nine churches participated with about the same attendance. This year, the number grew to 11 congregations.

Pastors hope about 2,000 people will attend Central Oahu's 3rd Annual Community Christmas Celebration Friday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Mililani High School gymnasium.

The event includes Southern Baptist, Pentecostal Four-Square, Presbyterian, Brethren, Missionary, independent and Evangelical Free churches, ranging in size from 100 to 600.

The interdenominational group of mostly contemporary churches uses a variety of non-traditional methods to draw a younger crowd who are seeking to satisfy their spiritual and social needs.

Other churches in the mix are more conservative, but have separate youth ministries.

"Some of us use an organ, some of us use a guitar, and we may take communion differently, but they're such manini differences, we sort of set them aside," Palompo said.

The celebration will include Hawaiian-style worship with song and hula, without electric guitar.

A large screen will display the words to songs of worship, eliminating the need for hymn books, and the sermon will be delivered with a video presentation.

Palompo will present a Christmas message that will dash the misconception that God is almost unapproachable, but rather is someone who came down to us in the form of the Christ child and whom "we can all relate to."

His church, New Hope-Mililani, an offshoot of New Hope Christian Fellowship Oahu, tries to make its message relate to what people are going through, discussing family and relationships.

"We take the timeless principles of the Bible and apply them to contemporary life," he said.