As was referenced in Sunday's sermon, yesterday (1/17) was the anniversary of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, when private American businessmen conspired to force Queen Lili'uokalani to abdicate her throne, leading to the annexation of Hawaii. This is a sad moment in our nation's history, but one we face not only because it is true, but because God's grace covers us even as we examine ourselves honestly.
You can view Sunday's sermon here: youtu.be/Op0_WrN4ko4
Big Island Now : ‘Stand Steadfast’ Peace March Commemorates Overthrow of Hawaiian Monarchy on O‘ahu
bigislandnow.com
Onipa’a Peace March and Gathering is taking place today, Monday, Jan. 17 on O‘ahu, commemorating 129 years since the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchyLooking forward to this morning's worship service with you! Here's the link to join online: youtu.be/yW4mBe4bfc0.
YOUTH GROUP CANCELLED TONIGHT - we apologize for the late notice, but because of the rapid rise in covid cases and the news that local schools are going to virtual learning, youth group will be cancelled tonight. We are also low on youth volunteers because of covid exposures. Sorry for the disappointing news!
This Monday is MLK Jr. Day! There are a variety of ways to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King, including participating in Urban Impact's MLK Prayer Breakfast, an event which brings together community leaders to celebrate Dr. King, and to honor leaders who have been continuing his legacy. Our sister Romanita is one of the co-chairs of the event, and this year, they will be celebrating the transformative contributions of the Davis family!
www.mlkprayerbreakfast.com
Keynote Speaker View fullsize Dr. Rev. Otis Moss lllDr. Moss is part of a new generation of ministers committed to preaching a prophetic message of love and justice, which he believes are inseparable ...Good morning, Rainier Avenue Church! Let's worship God together this morning, livestream service on Youtube will start at 9:50am: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpSOwYMdL1g. Hope to see you there!
New Launch Groups (short-term Small Groups) are starting! Groups will meet 6-7 times -- a great way to plug into community and go deeper in faith. The groups are for anyone at RAC -- those who are newer and those who have been RAC a long time. Learn more or sign up here: bit.ly/3neYFYb.
New groups include:
--Let’s Read the Bible Together in 12 Weeks: Read the Bible cover to cover with little as 30 minutes a day and see the big picture of God’s great story unfold before you. Meets every other Thursday starting January 13, led by Sarah Kane.
--Tough Questions: This group will focus on “tough questions” from faith, scripture and culture. The group will meet every other Sunday starting February 6, led by Mandy Fiechtner.
--Thrivers: A group for those with chronic pain and illness, led by Becky Snider.
--Discussion Group on "Becoming Rooted: One Hundred Days of Reconnecting with Sacred Earth" by Randy Woodley. Rachel McKelvey will lead this group starting January 12. The book "invites us to live out a deeply spiritual relationship with the whole community of creation and with Creator." Each day has a page of reading with an optional simple action. The group will meet virtually bi-weekly, likely Sunday afternoons / evenings, possibly week nights, also include occasional in-person gatherings in nature.
We hope to add more groups soon and are also looking for more Small Group leaders! Contact Pastor Mark Nsimbi or Devin Bruckner to learn more.
Happy New Year, everyone! With covid cases rising dramatically in King County, we are shifting Sunday worship services to online only until further notice. Small groups and other functions can continue to meet with safety precautions like wearing masks, distancing, and ventilation that have kept our groups relatively safe so far.
We're sad for the shift away from seeing each other in person, but want to be sure that as a church we are doing our best to protect our most vulnerable neighbors. But we thank God for the tools to be able to still connect with each other online, and encourage you to check on each other as God brings people to mind. You can find online Sunday services each week on our YouTube channel, you follow up on announcements at church on our link tree (linktr.ee/rainieravechurch), and you can connect informally with others through our Facebook group.
Today is the LAST day for your offering to be counted towards 2021! Your generous tithes not only allow us to function as a community, but are a reminder that all that we have has been given to us by God - so we are merely returning those blessings back to Him!
Click here to give your offering: rainieravenuechurch.ccbchurch.com/goto/giving?fbclid=IwAR1oMNdm7RpLMwvOJDnJuZjpzWZW0ksamH_SB3XcFl...
Good morning, Rainier Avenue Church! Hope you can enjoy the snow today! No in-person church service today, but we'll still gather on livestream at 10am: youtu.be/ell3o_Yu3ZY. With the snow falling this morning, Pastor Peter will give a shorter devotional from home. We'll also take communion together, so get some bread and juice ready from whatever you have available at home. Looking forward to worship God together as we continue this Christmas season!
Thanks everyone for sharing meaningful anchor points in your relationship with God this past Sunday! You can read the anchor points shared by others in this past Sunday's livechat here: youtu.be/CBIrP6NcWSQ?t=5484
And here are some anchor points shared in writing -- please keep sharing your encounters with God as we all grow together!
“I read Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John and I knew then when God is not just a man BUT GOD Almighty. I had just thought he was a man - now then GOD!! That was when my husband gave me a small New Testament in my little Easter basket. Thank God!” - Kaye
"I didn't realize until two days ago, God intervened when a man planned to kill me. I needed money for a plane fare and I said to myself, 'I need a miracle.' I received a phonecall from an old boyfriend and told him I feared for my life. My phone was broken so a call couldn't have come through, so I thought this is actually the voice of God giving me a miracle. The man who was threatening me came into my apartment with a key and had picked up an ice pick and the police came right at that moment, took the key, and sent him away. I got the money for a plane ticket to move out of that city and leave everything behind me. God saved me -- thanks be to God!"
