First United Protestant Church, UCC

Serving Hilo since 1869 ~ Serving you today!

Recent Events

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

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Sunday, September 18

Fond Aloha to Gisela Robeck

The fellowship wished Gisela God's Blessings as she relocates to Vermont. Amid teasing about leaving sunshine for snow the church family thanked her for her years of faithful dedication. Bob Ahia served a wonderful luncheon in Gisela's honor. Greetings were read from friends, tributes were shared and gifts were presented. Gisela extended her thanks to the church for the many ways her life was enriched while here.

Sunday, August 28

Backpack Mission Project

Once again the FUPC family responded well to Sali's annual appeal to provide school supplies to children newly arrived here on the island. From the time of her initial announcement until the supplies were dedicated on August 28th enough supplies were received to fully cover the needs of 24 children! Sali and Jarnell delivered the back packs and supplies to the Department of Education on Monday the 29th.

Sunday, July 17

Our Backpack Mission Project is off to a Good Start

This year, we again are preparing backpacks filled with school supplies for newly arrived immigrant children. Our goal is to prepare 24 of them. The project is well under way: the first 12 are almost done!

thanks to Rev. Walter for the picture

Saturday Evening, July 16

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

FUPC participated again in the American Cancer Society's Hilo Relay for Life.

thanks to Rev. Walter , Susan Hahn, Dr. Joanne Pocsidio, and Carlene Wolf for the pictures

Saturday, July 16

Painting the New Storage Shed

A small group of volunteers spent Saturday painting our new storage shed.

thanks to Rev. Walter for the pictures

Sunday, July 10

Strengthen the Church Mission Offering

This past Sunday we participated in the annual Strengthen the Church Offering – one of the Five for Five Mission Offerings of the United Church of Christ.

Rev. Walter told the fellowship that the children would be involved in the offering – something we often do – to help them understand the importance of mission. He shared with the children the different kinds of tools that are needed to strengthen churches. He presented them with an empty tool box that was in need of tools; an empty detergent pail that was in need of “stuff” to clean churches; an empty lunch box that was in need of food to feed the workers; an empty box of screws that needed screws to help rebuild churches; and, an empty box that once contained a lamp that needed a new lamp. The children then went throughout the church seeking what was needed to fill the various containers. Sure enough when they returned there was plenty of things to help strengthen churches!

Sunday, July 3rd

Our Annual Ice Cream Sundae Sunday

After worship, all had fun making their own ice cream sundaes.

Saturday, June 16

Shed Project ~ Completed!

The finishing touches have been added to the shed. Darrin DelaCruz and John Wolf completed the doors and added the finish trim. Murray was on hand to assist with cutting the long sections of the lower trim and Rev. Walter patched the holes in the roofing panels. The shed is now ready for painting and the addition of a few windows. Interior shelves will be fabricated as time and material permit. Sincere thanks is extended to all those who helped in so many ways over the course of these past many Saturdays.

Sunday, June 12:

A Big Celebration

Pentecost

and the

40th Anniversary of Rev. Walter's Ordination

The narthex looked very festive with Pentecost banners. One of our bulletin boards had an interesting display of pictures of Rev. Walter at different stages during his ministry; and letters of thanks and congratulations for Rev. Walter from far away. And there was a book to sign with our thanks and congratulations.

Karena Asejo opened worship with a chant. Children of our Sunday school did a hula.

Our moderator, Robert Ahia, had brought congratulations from the UCC Hawaii Conference and the United Church of Christ to Rev. Walter from the Aha. And there were gifts of leis for him, and greetings and congratulations from afar.

Michael Springer and Michael Russell had a splendid gift of music. And our Kosraean fellowship sang a wonderful anthem.

Following worship, we had a great pot luck on the lanai.

thanks to Elaine Lyons for some of these pictures

Working on the New Storage Shed - Phase 4

Saturday, June 11

The day began with a full crew - Just what was needed to make major gains on the project! Interior roof supports were installed and then it was panel after panel of siding. The Kosraean Fellowship was of invaluable help with this demanding task! John Wolf kept everyone focused and on task throughout the morning. There was even enough help to get the lawns mowed – no small task of itself. The day ended with the doors framed and put in place. Next weekend will see the doors completed; trim attached and maybe some interior shelving fabricated. After that it will be painting and gutters!

thanks to Elaine Lyons for these pictures

The shed on Sunday, June 12

Missions: FUPC receives 5 for 5 award at the Aha

Our moderator, Robert Ahia, and Carlene Wolf, our Resource Committee chair, were our delegates to this year's Aha, the annual meeting of the Hawaii Conference of the UCC.

FUPC again received the 5 for 5 award for participating in all 5 of the UCC annual Mission offerings.

Working on the New Storage Shed - Phase 3

Saturday June 4

The day began picking up where we left off last week. The remaining supports for the roofing were installed and the first sections of siding were attached to check for ‘fit and true.’ Then it was on the higher endeavors! The panels of metal roofing were cut to size and installed. Kurt and John did the installation while others worked on the ground. As the day progressed the roof was finished! Murray continued demolition of the old shed. Gisela provided a delicious Beef Stew luncheon to the hungry crew – Thank you Gisela! Next phase should see the siding completed and maybe the doors fabricated and installed.

thanks to Rev. Walter for the pictures

Honoring our Graduates

Sunday, May 29

We honored our graduates with leis and a festive coffee hour following worship

Working on the New Storage Shed - Phase 2

Saturday, May 28

The second full day of work on the new shed began with the “removal” of the old metal structure. Having long stood it was a bit recalcitrant to accept its demise!

It did yield, however, to being uprooted from its foundation. With the roof ridge cap and roofing panels removed for use on the new shed the old structure soon collapsed and gently rolled onto the adjacent lawn with a clamorous thud.

Curt and John soon had the wall sections in place and secured. When all was ‘trued and plumb” the ridge beam was set and the rafters installed. Phase three is scheduled for Saturday, June 4th. Goal: new roof installed and siding attached.

Thanks is extended to all who helped and to Dorothy Kataoka for providing lunch!

thanks to Rev. Walter for the pictures

Working on the New Storage Shed

Saturday, May 21

The project began with the very able help of the Kosraean Fellowship as the fellows moved the pile of construction materials from the parking lot to the construction site at the rear of the church. All hand labor and in the rain! (Well that’s Hilo!) John Wolf brought his equipment to cut materials to size and Curt Iokepa had the walls framed in no time at all.

Then John and Curt set the forms for the concrete foundation of the new shed. The concrete was mixed and poured. John and Curt did the detail work and then it was step back, clean up and wait for everything to dry. Rev. Walter served as general assistant and gofer. The next phase will be to dismantle the old metal shed and construct the new! The new shed will provide storage for the lawn tractor and other yard maintenance items and general storage for the church. Many thanks to John and Curt for their hands on commitment.

thanks to Rev. Walter for the pictures

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Page last updated: 9/26/2011