Wednesday Worship Moments
From Micah Ganiron:
" I’ll be taking a break from Wednesday Worship Moments. I’ll be back here every Wednesday starting on December 2 with special songs and messages. God Bless,"
Aloha Everyone!
I’m Micah Ganiron. It has been a great privilege to share music on our WEDNESDAY WORSHIP MOMENTS. Every Wednesday we have a member of our congregation share their favorite worship song. Through that sharing, we learn how that song has impacted their faith, how it can impact others and ultimately share how they are doing during this time at home.
November 4, 2020
This week on WEDNESDAY WORSHIP MOMENTS, we have a song that is provided by our very own Mark Fujimoto ! He chose the song called "GIVE THEM ALL TO JESUS" by Phil Johnson and Bob Benson Sr.
Message from Mark Fujimoto ...
This is one of my favorite Praise Songs because of the uplifting lyrics and because it brings to mind many good memories for me.
I first heard this song while I was in Seattle attending the University of Washington (UW) in the late 70s. The Christian recording artist who sang it was Evie [Tornquist]. She was one of my favorite singers at the time and I had all her cassette tapes. Yes, I am that old.
During the two years that I was there I attended Japanese Baptist Church (JBC). My parents knew Rev. Paul Nagano who was the Senior Pastor there and by chance, or design, Rev. Chris Eng was the Youth Minister. I knew him from Makiki Christian Church. There were many people with Hawaii ties attending UW or working in Seattle while I was there. The young adult group at JBC was active and we did many things together. I remember my time in Seattle as a fun and carefree time of my life.
I had a poster of the Koolaus with a rainbow in the bedroom of my apartment to remind me of home. If you have been in Seattle during November to April, you will know why the start of the second verse reminds me of my time there. It really was good study weather.
The lyrics are most meaningful when I am undergoing hardships/trials. It reminds me that I am not alone even when things look bleak and that Jesus loves and cares for me. We are not promised happiness or a problem free life. We are promised that Jesus will be with us through it all and that we will experience joy in the end.
Have a Blessed week,
Mark Fujimoto and Micah Ganiron
"Give Them All to Jesus"
by Bob Benson Sr. & Phil Johnson
CCLI #350601
CCLI streaming #20436518
October 28, 2020
This week on WEDNESDAY WORSHIP MOMENTS, we have a song that is provided by our very own Norman Aramaki! He chose the song called "Jesus Loves Me ."
"Jesus Loves Me"
Poem by Anna Bartlett Warner
Public Domain
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me! This I know,For the Bible tells me so;Little ones to Him belong;They are weak, but He is strong.
Refrain:Yes, Jesus loves me!Yes, Jesus loves me!Yes, Jesus loves me!The Bible tells me so.
Message from Norman Aramaki...
MY MOM WAS RAISED IN A HOME WHERE BUDDHISM WAS THE FAMILY RELIGION. ON SUNDAYS SHE WOULD HELP HER SISTER-IN-LAW, WHO WAS A PUBLIC SCHOOL CAFETERIA MANAGER PREPARE AND SERVE REFRESHMENTS FOR THE CENTRAL UNION CHURCH CONGREGATION. HAVING NO ONE AT HOME TO CARE FOR MY OLDER SISTER AND ME WE ACCOMPANIED MOM TO CENTRAL UNION CHURCH WHERE WE ATTENDED SUNDAY SCHOOL AND LEARNED BIBLE SCRIPTURE; PSALM 23, JOHN 3:16, THE LORD'S PRAYER, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, AND MANY MORE. WE SANG THE DOXOLOGY AND OTHER CHRISTIAN SONGS. MY FAVORITE TO THIS DAY IS JESUS LOVES ME.. BEING CONSUMED BY ACTIVITIES THAT MOST OF US EXPERIENCE OVER THE YEARS (EDUCATION, FAMILY, CAREER, HOBBIES, ETC.) GOING TO CHURCH FELL BY THE WAY SIDE
UNTIL ONE DAY I OVERHEARD MY ELDEST DAUGHTER KARI ASK MY WIFE JEAN "MOM, WHY DOESN'T DAD GO TO CHURCH WITH US?" IN A FLASH, ALL OF THOSE SUNDAY SCHOOL MEMORIES ANSWERED THAT QUESTION. GOING TO THE ALOHA STADIUM SWAP MEET ON SUNDAYS WAS MY FAVORITE PAST TIME. AFTER HEARING KARI'S QUESTION, THE NEXT SUNDAY I WAS IN CHURCH AT HAWAII KAI UCC AND HAVE NEVER RETURNED TO THE SWAP MEET.
TODAY, OUR CHURCH IS BLESSED IN HAVING SO MANY CHILDREN LEARN BIBLE SCRIPTURE AND SONGS. EACH CHILD WILL WALK A DIFFERENT PATH THAN I DID. HOWEVER, THEIR SUNDAY SCHOOL MEMORIES WILL GUIDE THEM TO WHERE THEY SHOULD BE, IN HIS TIME.
THE BIBLE IS CONSIDERED THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD. FOR ME THE SONG, "JESUS LOVES ME” IS THE GREATEST CHRISTIAN SONG EVER WRITTEN.
Have a Blessed week,
Norman Aramaki and Micah Ganiron
October 21, 2020
This week on WEDNESDAY WORSHIP MOMENTS, we have a song that is provided by our very own Susan Tengan! She chose the song called "How Great Thou Art" by Carl Boberg.
Message from Susan Tengan...
Whenever I sing this hymn it brings back so many memories. I’ll share a few of them with you.
As a youth attending Christian Endeavor gatherings at Makiki Christian Church our youth Pastor, Rev. Dick Nishioka took us on many night outings to Hanauma Bay. Back then we could gather at the bay at all times of the day or night. We’d play and when it was dark we’d sit around and listen to a short message. Pastor would have us look up to the dark sky and see all the bright stars. Back then we could see the stars clearly since there was hardly any city lights. Then we would sing “How Great Thou Art.” How could we not sing that great hymn. To this day I cherish these wonderful memories and assurance of the words of God’s greatness.
The words to this hymn are filled with so many messages and reminders of how truly how great our God is. These words has and continues to take me through times of hardship, reminding me of the reason for the cross and his assurance of life with Him in time everlasting.
Have a Blessed week,
Susan Tengan and Micah Ganiron
"How Great Thou Art"
By Carl Boberg
Public Domain
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to TheeHow great Thou art, how great Thou artThen sings my soul, my Saviour God, to TheeHow great Thou art, how great Thou art
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamationAnd lead me home, what joy shall fill my heartThen I shall bow with humble adorationAnd then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to TheeHow great Thou art, how great Thou artThen sings my soul, my Saviour God, to TheeHow great Thou art, how great Thou art
October 14, 2020
This week on WEDNESDAY WORSHIP MOMENTS, we have a song that is provided by our very own Keith Molina! He chose the song called "I Can Sing of Your Love Forever" by Martin Smith.
by Martin Smith
CCLI #350601, CCLI Streaming #20436518
I could sing of your love forever,I could sing of your love forever,I could sing of your love forever,I could sing of your love forever.I could sing of your love forever.
Over the mountains and the sea,Your river runs with love for me,And I will open up my heartAnd let the healer set me free.I'm happy to be in the truth,And I will daily lift my hands:For I will always sing of whenYour love came down.
I could sing of your love forever,I could sing of your love forever,I could sing of your love forever,I could sing of your love forever.I could sing of your love forever.
Oh, I feel like dancingIt's foolishness I know;But when the world has seen the light,They will dance with joy,Like we're dancing now.
I could sing of your love forever,I could sing of your love forever,I could sing of your love forever,I could sing of your love forever.I could sing of your love forever.
Over the mountains and the sea,Your river runs with love for me,And I will open up my heartAnd let the healer set me free.I'm happy to be in the truth,And I will daily lift my hands:For I will always sing of whenYour love came down.
IMG_4306 (1).movMessage from Keith Molina...
Hello Church Family,
The Molina's are doing well and I am happy to share our update this week. Damien and Kayla celebrated their 6th and 1st birthdays during the lockdown in June and Eve will be celebrating her 4th birthday next week Wednesday (21 Oct). We are fortunate that Damien and Eve were able to return to school (in person) while Lauren and I returned to work. Kayla is still keeping Grandma Gail company during the week (thank you Mom!). On weekends you can often find us in the yard keeping the weeds at bay and tending a small garden we started back in April. We are looking forward to more beach outings and a chance to visit Maui as travel restrictions are eased.
I picked this song because it reminds me of when I began attending worship service with Lauren while we were seeing each other in Boston. We'd walk to church on Sunday and since she was in the music ministry, she would warm up by singing "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever" while we walked. Nowadays she sings it to the children and they sing along too!
To me this song is a proclamation of thanks to God for his love, healing, and sacrifice. What better way to profess thanks than by singing out loud for all to hear. Every once in a while our family is compelled to sing and dance. It's so fun to see the spirit awaken in our kids while we all bounce and twirl along to a given tune. The elevated heart rates and warmed up muscles reminds us that we are ALIVE. I am thankful for this reminder and the gifts that God gives us daily. I hope others can awaken their spirit with this song - sing, dance, and feel ALIVE.
Have a Blessed Week!
Keith Molina and Micah Ganiron
Majesty
By Jack Hayford©1981 New Spring. Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.CCLI #350601, CCLI Streaming #20463518[Verse 1]MajestyWorship His majestyUnto JesusBe all glory, honor and praise [Verse 2]MajestyKingdom authorityFlow from His throneUnto His ownHis anthem raise So exalt, lift up on highThe name of JesusMagnify, come glorifyChrist Jesus the King MajestyWorship His majestyUnto JesusBe all glory, honor and praise [Repeat verses 1 & 2]
Message from Micah Ganiron...
In 2017, I recorded “Majesty” for my first CD at Kapena DeLima’s recording studio "Buprint Studios". Kapena is a life-long Christian, and it was nice to hear his story of faith. We started to talk about how cool it would be to record the song live to really give everyone the feeling of true live worship.
With Dane Stilwell’s talented and artistic eye for filming the video, and with Keith Molina providing much needed support and encouragement, we produced this song to lift His name and in hopes of bringing others to Jesus.
"Majesty" is one of the first songs I remember learning while coming to church. Something about how the song builds, it was one of the first songs that I remember feeling I was singing directly to him. It was easy for me to remember the lyrics and it spoke with such grace. I really felt I was proclaiming for everyone to hear that our God is so powerful and graceful and it is something that everyone needs to know about and experience.
In all I do…
“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known
through all generations.”
(Psalm 89:1)
