FRIDAY'S UPDATE, MARCH 7, 2025
A. ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Deacon Dr. Dan Belcher’s Adult Sunday School class on the Book of Romans will not be in session for the next 2 Sundays. Classes will resume on March 23.
2. A Women’s Ministry meeting will be held after church this Sunday to discuss Resurrection or "Pau Hana" ("It Is Done!") plans. For information, see Deacon Nalani Laititi or via text (808) 640-8344.
3. Plans for Resurrection Weekend are underway for a 3-day event culminating in a glorious Resurrection Sunday on April 20. The Women’s Ministry and the Hospitality Committee are seeking assistance to prepare for Good Friday Service, an Ohana Day Saturday event, and for Resurrection Sunday worship service. Kahu Zeke Tomaselli and his family will be here to celebrate with us that weekend. If you can help, please contact Deacon Nalani Laititi via text at (808) 640-8344. Please also attend a Resurrection planning meeting after church on Sunday, March 16.
4. Potted palms are also needed for the April 13 and 20 Sunday services. Please contact Cyd Shiroma as soon as possible at (808) 756-6470.
5. Pastor Zeke Tomaselli’s video update to WUBC, which was shown at last Sunday’s service, may be viewed through this: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PhD84fO0Dn_5ODNT48VMp5Aq11fVCNxB/view?usp=sharing_eil&ts=67c1e1bf Kahu Zeke also invites anyone to make direct contact with him via email at kahu@waiakeaukabiblechurch.
6. The annual Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for missionaries who are sent out through the North American Mission Board (NAMB) continues through the month of March. Support our missionaries, first and foremost, through prayer and also through your donations. Write your checks to “WUBC” and designate “Annie Armstrong” in the memo line. 3 John 1:7-8 (ESV): “For they have gone out for the sake of the name. … therefore, we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.”
7. WUBC Master Plan. Deacon Jim Pedersen has been tasked to develop a master plan for WUBC. If you have questions or want to meet to share your insights, please contact Jim @ 970-887-3759 or pedersenplanning@gmail.com, or indicate your interest by signing up on the “Request for Interview” sheet in the back of the sanctuary.
8. The January/February issue of Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention’s online newsletter is out. An article on Pastor Zeke Tomaselli’s acceptance to be pastor at WUBC is included as well as other interesting information. Go to: https://www.hpbaptist.net/pacificconnector/. Members are encouraged to consider attending the upcoming HPBC Annual Meeting that will be held November 20-21 in Kailua-Kona this year. Information will be posted on the HPBC website.
9. Volunteers needed: Prayers are answered as church members have come forward to assist in various church needs. But more volunteers will be welcomed to help lighten the loads. If the Lord is leading you to serve but you're not sure what you could help with, please contact one of the deacons.
B. PRAYER REQUESTS
Note: Please contact Prayer Update Coordinator Susie Frias or one of the deacons to provide updates on any of the following prayer requests.
1. Pray and thank the Lord for continuing to provide for Waiakea Uka Bible Church, as we await Pastor Tomaselli’s arrival in June.
2. Pray for Pastor Tomaselli and family as they proceed with plans for their departure from Tennessee, and pursue plans and make arrangements for relocating to Hawaii. Pray specifically for their Tennessee home to sell and that the Lord will provide just the right home for them to purchase in Hilo. Pray also for their plans to travel to Hawaii to be with us over Easter week and their busy schedule in May ministering to various churches in Tennessee.
3. Pray for BCM’s plans to come together for their 'epic game night' with teens and other church youth during the March 17-21 Spring Break.
4. Pray that the Lord will reveal His plans for use of our newly paid off church facility and grounds. Pray for the Lord to work with the Property and Facility Management Committee and Deacons as a long-range plan is developed.
5. Pray for the Lord to thwart the enemy as he places barriers and challenges to our hard working and obedient members.
6. General prayer for our church and individual members as we continue to strive to obey and to seek God's guidance.
7. Various concerns for members, as well as family and friends: Ian Sakai, Al Nakaji, Alvin Kawauchi, Charmaine Kawauchi, Karen Pupuhi, Maleen Martin, Bob Martin, Karen Tanabe, Lance Niimi, Violet Tanimoto, Pono Warfield, Ava Kadohiro and her cousin Diana, Al Inoue, Hirono Haraguchi, Wayne Suzuki, Gerald Higa, Nelson & Michelle Nako, Steve Eagle, Bob Smart, Mary Palmer, Carmen Miller, Lynn Torigoe, Tessie Nacis, Herbert Yamamura, Haruye Hagiwara, Raymond Tanouye, Teresa Laititi, Noah Pila, James Summers, Julie Bartha-Vasquez, Lena Higa, Marcus Grohs, Peter Kubo, Milton Nahinu, and many others not listed. Please provide updates as we continue to lift them in prayer.
8. Family and friends in the military: Ralph Miller, Pono Nahinu, Justin Okuyama, Jonah Knell, Christopher Knell.
9. Continue to pray for God's will and for an orderly and peaceful transition of our federal, state, and local governments as our newly elected officials take office.
10. The safety, well-being, and recovery of all affected by extreme weather conditions including tropical storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and the recent plane crashes and other tragedies.
11. The conflicts and chaos around the world, including wars, political unrest, and conflicts between nations.
C. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Sunday Worship services are available online. You can subscribe to the Waiakea Baptist Bible Church Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@waiakeabaptistbiblechurch2481. The link to last Sunday’s service is https://youtu.be/RD-N4GQGt84. Note that all videos are reviewed and some content in videos may be edited in the safety and best interest of the speakers and WUBC.
2. Child care/nursery is available for children from age 3 through Grade 4 at the residence when the message is being delivered during worship service. Parents may also accompany their children under age 3. If you are available to volunteer as a caregiver, please contact Melanie Higa, (808) 990-9440, or Lynne Higa (808) 217-2733.
3. Sunday School Classes:
3a. Adults: Dr. Dan Belcher leads a study of the Book of Romans. There will be no class on March 9 and 16. Links to videos are available at: https://www.youtube.com/@waiakeabaptistbiblechurch2481. You can also connect to last Sunday's class by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/MaEIWJBNHJM.
The class meets in the residence.
3b. Adults: Charlene Hatada’s class, “A Closer Walk with Jesus" meets in a separate classroom in the residence. The final class will be held March 9th.
3c. Children and Youth: Classes with Aunties Lynne, Charmaine and Sylvia meet in the cottage adjacent to the pavilion. Teachers for Grades 3-4, 5-6, are still needed.
4. Mid-week Bible study for women, “Walking in God’s Promises,” led by Susie Frias meets Tuesdays at 10 am in the Residence. Contact Susie at theway1cor13@gmail.com.
5. AWANA Club for ages 2 to 18 meets Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30 pm. The program includes snacks/meal, large and small group gatherings, and games. The Awana program provides Bible-based evangelism and discipleship. Children and youth are provided opportunities to know, love, and serve Jesus. Contact Dr. Mark and Erin Sakai to volunteer and for information, (325) 370-5557.
6. "Graceful Moves" Health and Wellness Class for men and women is temporarily suspended. The class, which will start back up on April 10, is held on Thursdays from 10:30-1l:45 a.m. Participants meet on the patio at church and are asked to wear stretchy clothes and walking shoes and to bring an exercise band. Contact leader Grace Chao for information at (808) 936-7116.
7. Friday Prayer Meetings are via Zoom at 9:30 am. Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89102223488. Please contact Susie Frias at theway1cor.13@gmail.com.
8. Recommendations and Wish List Items for WUBC: We’d like to hear from you. Use the blank sheets provided to place into the Suggestion Box. (Please date and provide your name.) Or submit your thoughts via email to one of the deacons (emails provided below).
9. Lost and Found: If anyone is missing something they may have left at church in previous weeks, please check with ushers (ushers are wearing red lanyards).
10. Recycling: Our church youth are collecting empty plastic bottles and aluminum cans. Proceeds will be used toward children and youth and Awana activities. Please help by separating recyclables in the proper containers when disposing.
11. Donations: Miki Asejo continues to collect old clothes, blankets and food to give to the homeless and needy. Drop off your donations in the designated area at church or arrange for them to be picked up. If donation is perishable, contact: Miki at (808)-365-6701, and she will arrange to pick it up from you.
12. Book Exchange: The Book Exchange Library is located in the residence. All are invited to come and browse. The book exchange makes available information that assists people of all ages to further their knowledge of God. These include Bibles, study materials, fiction, and non-fiction books; as well as DVDs, CDs, and tapes. No sign out is required. Materials may be borrowed and returned, or kept, or passed on. Donors: please place your items in a box or package with your name marked on it and complete the sign-up sheet provided. Leave the items in the designated area and inform Deacon Sandy Pedersen. The Book Exchange Committee reserves the right to reject/return books that may be deemed inappropriate.
12. Tithes and Offerings. Please leave your offerings (checks, or place cash in envelopes) in the bowls and envelopes available in the back of the sanctuary. Write out your checks to “WUBC”. To mail in your offering, please mail checks only (do not mail cash) to: WUBC, re. Offerings, PO Box 10749, Hilo, HI 96721. If you are donating for a specific cause, e.g., “Awana Ministry”, please note that on your check or envelope. Thank you for generously giving as the Lord leads you.
13. Church Contacts: (Deacons) Larry Balberde - lbalberde56@gmail.com, Dan/Sylvia Belcher - dhbelcher@gmail.com; Liusa Laititi - llaititi@yahoo.com; Nalani Laititi – nalani.laititi@gmail.com; Sara Narimatsu – ssn74529@hotmail.com; Jim Pedersen - pedersenplanning@gmail.com; Sandy Pedersen - sandypedersen249@gmail.com; Church email - waiakeaukabiblechurch@gmail.com; Pastor Zeke Tomaselli - kahu@waiakeaukabiblechurch.com.
PRINTED COPIES OF THE FRIDAY UPDATE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT CHURCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND PRAYERS!
IF YOU HAVE AN ITEM TO INCLUDE IN THE FRIDAY UPDATE, NOTIFY SUSIE FRIAS AT theway1cor13@gmail.com.
