Pastor Stephen Kaneshiro - Clover...
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Valley Isle Fellowship Love God. Love His Church. Love His World 473 S High St • PO Box 886 Wailuku, HI 96793 Many times it is difficult to say “Goodbye.” Today, we bid “Aloha” to Jeremy, Amy, Grayson, and Ava. As we say “Goodbye” we are also saying, “God bless you as you follow His leadership and direction!” I know that this decision has been a difficult one for them because they love all of you here at Valley Isle Fellowship. They have also developed a very loving relationship with the neighbors along Pualani Street. I experienced that love and respect as we were invited to a going away party that the neighbors put together to honor and say goodbye to Jeremy, Amy, Grayson, and Ava. Loving, following, and obeying Jesus Christ is the ultimate goal of every Christian. Therefore, Jeremy, Amy, Grayson and Ava: Thank you for being an example of loving obedience to the Lord. We will continue to be in prayer for you as you confront the many challenges that lay ahead as you follow the Lord’s leadership. Last Sunday evening, we emphasized the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. We were reminded that many Christians across the world pay a heavy price to love and obey the Lord Jesus Christ. One story that stands out to me is the story of a mother in Syria who, as she prayed, contemplated the possible heavy price of her faith in Jesus. She was thinking about the possibility that her faith in Jesus might cost her her life, her husband’s life, and the hardest cost was the life of her two children. She came to the point of saying yes to Jesus, even though this might be a heavy price to pay. She talked and prayed with her husband and children and they even said yes. She ended by saying “This is what it means to be a Christian in Syria.” Then the video ended by saying, “This is what it means to be a Christian.” Imagine what it must be like to have to say “goodbye” to a dear family member when you know that the next time you see them might be when you greet each other in Heaven? Being totally in the loving and powerful hands of Jesus at that parting is all important. For if we are not in a right relationship with Jesus then the curse of Matthew 7:21-23 might bring eternal sorrow. Years ago, I heard of a missionary training program going on in the under-ground churches of Communist China. They were being prepared to follow the path know as the “Silk Road (or Trail).” This is the path that the traders from the Middle East followed to trade with the people in the East in order to bring the spices and other products to sell in the Middle East. These missionaries were being trained to take this path and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ as they traveled to the Middle East. When these missionaries finished their training and were making their final preparations to leave on their mission, they began to say their “goodbyes” to family and others who were significant in their lives. Their parting went something like this: Thank you for all of your prayers and support and we ask that you continue to pray for us as we carry out God’s mission. We will see you all when we get to Heaven. Goodbye.” Saying “Goodbye,” sometimes is not very easy. However, it is easier when you know that the parties are going in loving obedience to Jesus Christ. We can then say our goodbyes with greater ease (continued on page 2) ISSUE 1-2 Saying Goodbye 2-5 Announcements 6 VIF Calendar 7 Sermon Notes IN THIS Pastor Stephen Kaneshiro
Transcript of Pastor Stephen Kaneshiro - Clover...
Valley Isle Fellowship
Love God. Love His Church. Love His World
473 S High St • PO Box 886
Wailuku, HI 96793
Many times it is difficult to say “Goodbye.” Today, we bid “Aloha” to Jeremy, Amy, Grayson, and Ava. As we say “Goodbye” we are also saying, “God bless you as you follow His leadership and direction!” I know that this decision has been a difficult one for them because they love all of you here at Valley Isle Fellowship. They have also developed a very loving relationship with the neighbors along Pualani Street. I experienced that love and respect as we were invited to a going away party that the neighbors put together to honor and say goodbye to Jeremy, Amy, Grayson, and Ava.
Loving, following, and obeying Jesus Christ is the ultimate goal of every Christian. Therefore, Jeremy, Amy, Grayson and Ava: Thank you for being an example of loving obedience to the Lord. We will continue to be in prayer for you as you confront the many challenges that lay ahead as
you follow the Lord’s leadership.
Last Sunday evening, we emphasized the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. We were reminded that many Christians across the world pay a heavy price to love and obey the Lord Jesus Christ. One story that stands out to me is the story of a mother in Syria who, as she prayed, contemplated the possible heavy price of her faith in Jesus. She was thinking about the possibility that her faith in Jesus might cost her her life, her husband’s life, and the hardest cost was the life of her two children. She came to the point of saying yes to Jesus, even though this might be a heavy price to pay. She talked and prayed with her husband and children and they even said yes. She ended by saying “This is what it means to be a Christian in Syria.” Then the video ended by saying, “This is what it means to be a Christian.”
Imagine what it must be like to have to say “goodbye” to a dear family member when you know that the next time you see them might be when you greet each other in Heaven? Being totally in the loving and powerful hands of Jesus at that parting is all important. For if we are not in a right relationship with Jesus then the curse of Matthew 7:21-23 might bring eternal sorrow.
Years ago, I heard of a missionary training program going on in the under-ground churches of Communist China. They were being prepared to follow the path know as the “Silk Road (or Trail).” This is the path that the traders from the Middle East followed to trade with the people in
the East in order to bring the spices and other products to sell in the Middle East. These missionaries were being trained to take this path and to
share the Gospel of Jesus Christ as they traveled to the Middle East. When these missionaries finished their training and were making their final preparations to leave on their mission, they began to say their “goodbyes” to family and others who were significant in their lives. Their parting went something like this: Thank you for all of your prayers and support and we ask that you continue to pray for us as we carry out God’s mission. We will see you all when we get to Heaven. Goodbye.”
Saying “Goodbye,” sometimes is not very easy. However, it is easier when you know that the parties are going in loving obedience to Jesus Christ. We can then say our goodbyes with greater ease
(continued on page 2)
ISSUE
1-2 Saying Goodbye
2-5 Announcements
6 VIF Calendar
7 Sermon Notes
IN THIS
Pastor Stephen Kaneshiro
and comfort and we can pledge our loving and prayerful support as they go on and accomplish all that God has laid out before them.
As we say our goodbyes to Jeremy, Amy, Grayson, and Ava, let’s pledge to them our prayerful support. Let’s also let our goodbyes be a reminder to pray for those who are being persecuted for their love and commitment to Jesus Christ, the Persecuted Church. Goodbye, for those of us in Christ Jesus, is another way of actually saying, “Until we meet again!” If we don’t see each other again on this side of Heaven, then we will see each other in Heaven. As Christians, our goodbyes are but sweet partings. We will see each other in glory and until that day, we will be a glory to Jesus Christ as we live it in loving obedience to and for Him. God bless you all!
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(page 2 of 2) by Pastor Stephen Kaneshiro
Bring a favorite dish and join us as
we bid aloha to
Pastor Jeremy, Amy,
Grayson and Ava
Potluck Dinner
TONIGHT!!! 5:30 pm
Sign-up at the
back table
Yard/Bake Sale to help
Pastor Jeremy’s Family
in their move as they answer
God’s call to Midlothian, Texas
Saturday, April 23 7 am to 12 noon
Donations will be accepted in the annex
Friday, April 22 (4-6 pm)
or Saturday, April 23 (6:30 am)
For more information see
Helen Yoshizawa or Carol Sniffen.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Are you ready to say YES TO VBS?
An underwater adventure is coming to VIF
this summer! We will be submerged in
God's deepest ocean adventure yet!
Date: July 11-15, 2016
Time: 8:00-11:30 am
For children 3 years old through entering grade 5
For more information call Steffen@264-0397.
Note from Pastor Stephen
Attention: Everyone, especially ALL Potential Youth/Children Campers, Parents and Guardians ………...
Our MCBA will be hosting an informational meeting with Marc Nishimoto of the Department of Health this Tuesday (April 26) evening at 6:30 p.m. at Kahului Baptist Church (309 Puunene Avenue, Kahului) in regards to the mosquito borne disease, Zika. The information he will be sharing is very important and could play a big part in deciding if and how we are supposed to conduct our summer camps in Keanae this year. You are encouraged to attend.
Love Gifts for
Pastor Jeremy and Family
Due to IRS codes, we are unable to collect a love offering for Pastor Jeremy. However, if
you would like to bless him financially (even if it’s not tax deductible) as he answers God’s call to a new ministry,
please write checks directly to him. You may use the inserted envelope which will
be passed on to him.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
High Street Cleaning Schedule
Week of Apr 28-30
Edwards, Reimann, Balberdi
Week of May 5-7 Volunteers Needed
Week of May 12-14 Volunteers Needed
Week of May 19-21 Edwards, Reimann,
Balberdi
Today, April 24 Team 3: Flo N, Lillian T, Jennifer E, DJ Caoile
May 1 Team 4: Cheeng S, Jennifer B, Hawea R, Wayne S
May 8 Team 1: Marion K, Karen F, Kolbe F, Alysha F, Melanie F
Childcare Schedule
Missionary Spotlight:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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6:00 am Prayer Meeting
(Pastor Jeremy’s Office)
6:45 am Set-up
9:00 am Worship Service
(no childcare)
10:30 am Sunday School
(Children & Youth-High St Property; Adults-WES)
6:00 pm Evening Service (High St Property)
call Church Of-
fice
244-0865
Church
Cleaning
Ministry call Church
Office
244-0865
280-5810 [email protected]
Crisis Care Ministry Pastor Stephen Kaneshiro
419-8100
Andy Sniffen
264-0526
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with
thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2 (ESV)
Here are opportunities to gather together in prayer
Sundays 6am (Pastor Jeremy’s Office)
Mondays 10 am & 6:30 pm (High St Sanctuary)
Gather together to pray for God to move within ourselves, our church, community, nation and
world. Please join us for these very powerful times with the Lord and our brothers and sisters.
Valley Isle Fellowship Calendar
April 2016
24 6 am - Prayer Time (Pastor Jeremy’s Office)
9 am - Pastor Stephen
10:30 am - Sunday School at High St Property
- Adult Sunday School @ WES
5:30 pm - Aloha Potluck for Pastor Jeremy,
Amy, Grayson and Ava
25 10 am - Prayer Meeting @ Sanctuary
6:30 pm - Prayer Meeting @ Sanctuary
27 6:30 pm - Youth Group “Fuel” @ Sanctuary
May 2016
1 6 am - Prayer Time
9 am - Pastor Stephen
10:30 am - Sunday School at High St Property
- Adult Sunday School @ WES
6 pm - Pastor Stephen
2 10 am - Prayer Meeting @ Sanctuary
6:30 pm - Prayer Meeting @ Sanctuary
4 6:30 pm - Youth Group “Fuel” @ Sanctuary
7 6:30 pm - VBS Planning Meeting
8 Happy Mother’s Day! 6 am - Prayer Time
9 am - Pastor Stephen
10:30 am - Sunday School at High St Property
- Adult Sunday School @ WES
6 pm - Pastor Stephen
9 10 am - Prayer Meeting @ Sanctuary
6:30 pm - Prayer Meeting @ Sanctuary
11 6:30 pm - Youth Group “Fuel” @ Sanctuary
15 6 am - Prayer Time
9 am - Pastor Stephen
10:30 am - Sunday School at High St Property
- Adult Sunday School @ WES
Sunday Evening
Service
VIF Church Sanctuary 6:00 pm
Associate Pastor Darren Sarmiento
Cell: (808) 757-1651 Email: [email protected]
Associate Pastor Jeremy Kaneshiro
Cell: (808) 280-2780 Email: [email protected]
Valley Isle Fellowship
473 S High St, PO Box 886, Wailuku, HI 96793 ph: (808) 244-0865 [email protected] www.vifmaui.com
www.facebook.com/valleyislefellowship
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Sunday Morning
Services
Wailuku Elementary School Cafeteria
355 S High St. Wailuku, HI 96793
Service - 9:00 am
Sunday School - 10:30 am (Children & Youth Sunday School at High Street property;
Adults at WES) @VIFMaui
Senior Pastor Stephen Kaneshiro
Cell: (808) 419-8100 Email: [email protected]
Today's Worship Songs
Joy
I Will Stand
Holy Spirit
The Call to Follow Luke 9:57-62
Pastor Stephen Kaneshiro
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I. An initial response – v. 57
A. A of loyalty.
B. A of loyalty.
II. Jesus’ reality response – v. 58
A. The reality that it can be to follow Jesus.
B. The reality that there are earthly rewards.
III. Jesus’ priority call - v. 59
A. His call to follow takes priority over all family and
. (v. 59-60)
B. His call to follow takes priority over earthly . (v. 61-62)
NOTES:
