First United Protestant Church, UCC

Serving Hilo since 1869 ~ Serving you today!

Recent Events

Please be sure to view our new Archive Pages!

They hold events that are important in our church life during the past years.

Would you like us to e-mail our most recent newsletter? or have us put you on our e-mail newsletter mailing list? Please send your request to FUPCFirstnews@gmail.com

FUPC at Hilo's American Cancer Society's Relay for Life

July 17

24 members of the fellowship attended as walkers or support folk who helped out behind the scenes to make the Relay a truly wonderful community event. The evening began with a dinner honoring cancer survivors; from FUPC: Carol Stepleton, Jim Paulsen and Debbie Walter. Caregivers Rod Stepleton and Larry Walter were also on hand.

The walkers had a grand time making their many circuits of the stadium. Family groups were very much in evidence! FUPC folks wore their church T-shirts. June is highlighting our church banner which was displayed adjacent to our rest area.

Late night antics were also part of the fun!

June 20 ~ Another Unique Morning at FUPC

Father's Day Surprises and Chili "Fun-raiser" for the Relay for Life

As we entered our sharing of Joys and Concerns time Joanne and Margo stepped forward to share the Joys of Father's Day. They presented leis that had been made here at church the day before! Sali had invited folks to join with her on that Saturday for a special - though secret - Father's Day project. The leis were the project! {Thank you, Sali!} Carrying over our Mother's Day format, Joanne and Margo presented leis to a few special fathers. On their list: the oldest father in church; the father with the most members of his family with him; father named for his father; etc ....

Then !!!

Following Worship

A Bowl of Chili

Chef Bob Ahia served up ample bowls of his home made chili! This was a "Fun-raiser" for our participation in the July Cancer Society Relay for Life. We were pleased that so many stayed to share the food and fellowship!

FUPC is Once Again "Five for Five" in Mission Giving

At the recent Annual Meeting of the Hawaii Conference, UCC, Bob Ahia was presented with the certificate of appreciation from the UCC for our participation in the five annual mission offerings received by the United Church of Christ: Neighbors In Need, One Great Hour of Sharing, the Christmas Fund, Strengthen the Church and Our Church's Wider Mission.

Bob presented the certificate to the congregation with his personal thanks for the enthusiastic support FUPC has brought to each of the mission offerings. Bob also mentioned our additional mission endeavors focused on Haiti, Chile, and the Philippines.

June 6: "$1 Bake Sale" Fundraiser

Following worship, we had a bake sale to raise funds for our participation in the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life". We had a wonderful variety of homemade baked goods, from Mochi to Caraway Rye Bread. Everybody had a great time.

May 30: Honoring our Graduates

Our graduates, two little ones graduating from preschool, and Tulpe Day, who received her BA in sociology, from UHH, received leis. After worship, we had a special coffee hour in their honor.

Pentecost is Near

We've added symbols of Pentecost, a dove and flames, to the white Easter hangings in the narthex.

Mother's Day

As has become a tradition for us, at the end of worship on Mothers Day Rev. Walter reads a new "Daytime Story for Mothers" in the series of Mothers Day stories he has written to honor Mothers Day; and then "special mothers" receive a flower. This is a fun game, where each year there is some advance speculation as to what this year's "special" categories might be.

The little ones, ready to distribute the flowers

One of the special mothers (third from left) surrounded by some of her family. Her category: "mother with most family members in church today" (18 of her family were there!). Some of the other categories were: "oldest mother in church today"; "mother or grandmother with a child or grandchild farthest away at college"; and a surprise category: "single dad who raised a child".

Just an ordinary Sunday morning....

Before worship, several of the youngsters were intrigued by the beautiful flower arrangements.

Gifts of Music: an anthem by New Song; and little Tyler performs a dance with signing to the music

Fun with crafts at Sunday school

A Gift of Music

First Sunday after Easter: for the first time, Kepola and Jordan gave us a gift of music, a Hawaiian hymn. What joy!

Easter

The children were very excited and happy: they got to process with palm fronds again, accompanying the acolyte, bringing the light of Christ into the sanctuary, singing "We are Marching in the Light of God".

during children's time, Rev. Walter, as has been his custom for Easter, had a keepsake present for each of the children. He had crafted little wooden plaques in his woodworking workshop: the symbol of Alpha and Omega; and he explained its meaning to them as he handed out their presents.

We had great gifts of music: the children sang "We are the World" for us. And Michael Russell, violin, and Michael Springer, piano, played for us.

After worship, we enjoyed refreshments while the Keikis had their traditional Easter Egg hunt.

Maundy Thursday

Communion and Tenebrae

Our traditional meditative evening service

Palm Sunday

When we arrived for worship, we were greeted not only with our worship bulletin, but, as has become a tradition on Palm Sunday, with crosses Rev. Walter had woven from palm fronds.

The children were happy and excited waiting for their palm processional. This year it was especially joyful; the children sang "We are marching in the light of God" as they entered the sanctuary.

Getting Ready for Easter

On our workday Saturday, March 27, an energetic group thoroughly cleaned and polished everything; and even, despite the cold drizzle, worked outside in the yard cutting back the encroaching jungle.

Community Outreach ~ Again!

FUPC at Hilo's March of Dimes Walk

Once again Carlene Wolf gathered a community spirited group from within the fellowship to show support this time for the March of Dimes. The walkers endured the rain but everyone had a great time! Many of the walkers then joined us for worship! For those who plan ahead be looking for the July Cancer walk.

The Season of Lent Draws to a Close

On Ash Wednesday we began this sacred season in prayerful reflection on our need to faithfully prepare for the joy of Easter. We shared the Bread and Cup of our Lord's Table, received the anointing of Oil and the Ashes of Penance. The somber liturgical colors of the season will soon give way to the vibrant greens of Palm Sunday and then to the brilliance of Easter Day. Yet, there are shadows that remain: Gethsemane, the vigil of Maundy Thursday and the darkness of Holy Friday.

Sunday, March 14th

A Day of Worship Begins with a Wedding!

LeeRoy Noda and Hattie Edwin united their lives in marriage in a family celebration at 7:am ! They then gifted the church with their beautiful flowers and a magnificent Coffee Hour Luncheon. We wish them well as they begin their new life together!

Sunday, March 7

We Celebrate a Baptism...

This baptism was a special joy for our church family. The baby and his parents had traveled from their home in Arizona to share this important event with their extended family in Hilo, and with our church family.

...and Collect an Offering for the Children in Chile

last Sunday, after our tsunami scare, Tyler and her mom June talked to us about the tsunami and the earthquake in Chile which caused the tsunami, and asked us to get out the little baskets the children had made for us to collect for the children of Haiti, and fill them again - this time for the children of Chile. Today, our little ones eagerly came through the congregation to collect our offering.

It looked like their bags were quite heavy!

Sunday, February 28

Our Annual Party for New Babies and Their Parents

After worship, we gathered on the lanai for the party. Each of the babies got a quilt; the moms got to choose which one they wanted. Volunteers sewed a dedication label into each quilt, with the baby's name, and "With Aloha from the fellowship of First United Protestant Church, Hilo, Hawaii". We celebrated 7 new babies this year!

The Christian Service Committee and the women of the Kosraean fellowship had gone all out to create a festive setting on the lanai, and provided an abundant and delicious lunch for everybody.

A Healthy Heart For Church and Community

Hilo Heart Walk 2o10

FUPC Team Leader and Organizer Carlene Wolf assembled her walkers in a matter of a few days! All it took was a few phone calls - and a wager with her husband - to put it all together! She was still making calls as the Walk began.

One of the church banners was proudly carried along the way. FUPC was well recognized! Word has it that the banner won a prize! The most valuable prize was the fellowship shared along the way!

Church Moderator Bob Ahia lead the way as 27 members of the FUPC family participated in Heart Walk 2010. Young and Old shared in the beauty of the day!

Everyone wore the shirt designed by June DelaCruz		There was plenty of time to talk-story!
The Walk was a family event for the Quejas		For the little ones the walk was a ride!

Back to Home Page

Trouble with this page or if you would like to contact us please send your email note to: FUPCFirstnews@gmail.com

Page last updated: 7/19/2010