Unihipili. October 4, 2020.

World Communion Sunday

The speaker welcomes the viewers to worship on World Communion Sunday and invites them to prepare communion elements so that they can participate in the service.

Celebration of World Communion Sunday

• The speaker explains that they will celebrate World Communion Sunday in their service.

• The church strives to be a place of extravagant welcome for people from all walks of life.

• Before beginning the in-home service, viewers are asked to create a sacred space around them and imagine the energy of connection with others.

Call to Worship

The speaker leads a call to worship and prayer.

Call to Worship

• Viewers are invited to join in a call to worship, with responses printed on the screen.

• As people of Christ gathered at table with siblings around the world, they remember whose they are and praise God.

Prayer

• A prayer is offered thanking God for creating each person uniquely and calling them to contribute their special colors and life around them.

Music Performance

A musical performance takes place during the service.

Musical Performance

• A song is performed about Jesus watching over us like he watches over sparrows.

Giving Gifts To God

Viewers are invited to give gifts as an act of thanksgiving.

Giving Gifts To God

• Viewers are invited to give their gifts through this church as they are able, as an act of thanksgiving for all that God gives us continually.

Praise and Beatitudes

The speaker introduces the topic of the beatitudes and reads from Matthew 5:4 and Romans 8:31-39.

Introduction to Beatitudes

• The speaker introduces the focus of their beatitude series, which is Matthew chapter 5 verse 4.

• The speaker reads from Romans chapter 8 verses 31 through 39.

Nothing Can Separate Us From God's Love

• The speaker quotes from Romans chapter 8, discussing how nothing can separate us from God's love.

• The speaker emphasizes that we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us.

Checking In with One Word

The speaker discusses a way to start group conversations by asking everyone to say their name and one word about how they're feeling today.

One Word Check-In

• The speaker describes a method for starting group conversations by having each person say their name and one word about how they're feeling.

• The speaker acknowledges that in current times, it's difficult to sum up our feelings in just one word.

• The speaker encourages people to feel their feelings because it allows God to heal and empower us.

Paradoxes of Emotions

• The speaker talks about experiencing paradoxes of emotions such as grief and despair but also hope and gratitude.

• The speaker references an interview with Dr. Mark Brackett on Brene Brown's podcast "Unlocking Us" where he discusses how acknowledging our pain while recognizing it isn't the end of the story can be a coping mechanism.

Comfort in Mourning

In this section, the speaker talks about how she copes with the gap between her expectations and reality. She also discusses the importance of acknowledging grief to allow comfort to move in.

Acknowledging Grief

• Jesus calls us to acknowledge our grief so that we can open the door for comfort to move in.

• If we pretend the pain isn't there, we don't open the door for comfort to move in.

Importance of Understanding Emotions

• Dr. Mark Brackett explains why understanding emotions matters.

• Attentional capacity is affected by anxiety and grief, making it difficult to focus and concentrate.

• Decision-making capacity changes based on mood, but people are often unaware of this fact.

• When we have an awareness of our emotions and how we're feeling, it will improve our outcomes and overall health.

Allowing God's Spirit to Enter Our Brokenness

• The Beatitudes teach us how to name our feelings and give God permission to enter into our brokenness.

• The ancient Hawaiian concept of "una hipili" refers to an inner part of our minds that helps us deal with our emotions.

• If we experience something traumatic or painful but don't have the emotional energy or maturity to deal with it at that moment, our una hipili will store it away somewhere deep in our body so that we can deal with it later.

Not Ready to Grieve

In this section, the speaker talks about how they are not ready to grieve and how sometimes emotions can unexpectedly bubble up.

The Black Bag of Emotions

• At some point in life, one might find a "black bag" of emotions that needs to be opened and released.

• Unexpected triggers like smells or photos can open the black bag and cause unexpected emotions to surface.

• Suppressing emotions can be harmful as it can become like poison to our physical, mental, and spiritual selves.

Comfort in God's Love

• Reading from Romans 8 reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

• However, we can separate ourselves from God's love by refusing to acknowledge our emotions and hiding from them.

Mourning and Comfort

• Jesus said blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.

• It is important to feel our feelings during this traumatic time in our world's history so that we can come out with as few black bags as possible.

World Communion Sunday

This section introduces World Communion Sunday and its significance.

Celebrating Interconnectedness

• Churches throughout the world celebrate World Communion Sunday on the first Sunday of October.

• It is a chance to acknowledge our interconnectedness across the globe and celebrate it.

Holy Communion

• This is a service of Holy Communion.

• The speaker welcomes everyone to participate in this celebration.

Introduction and Fundraising for Zimbabwe

The speaker introduces a healthcare-related need in Zimbabwe and announces a fundraising goal of $10,000.

Fundraising for Mount Salinda Hospital

• The United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe needs support for the Mount Salinda Hospital.

• The goal is to raise $10,000.

• Previous years have come close to reaching this goal.

• More information about the fundraiser will be provided around Christmas time.

Holy Communion Service

The speaker leads a holy communion service and invites members to name countries that are important to them.

World Communion Sunday Prayer

• The church joins together as a visual symbol on World Communion Sunday.

• Members are invited to name countries that are important to them.

Prayer for Oppressed and Suffering

• A prayer is said for those who are oppressed, estranged, weak, sick, widowed or orphaned.

• Countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, England, Mozambique and Zimbabwe are mentioned specifically.

Bread of Life

• Jesus is celebrated as the bread of life and cup of salvation during the communion service.

Moment with God at Bee Habitat Area

The speaker reflects on their visit to the bee habitat area after dropping off their mother at Independence Village following a hospital stay.

Reflection on Family Health Issues

• Speaker's mother was dropped off at Independence Village after a three-day hospital stay.

• Speaker's father had a third stroke affecting his speech, swallowing and left hand.

Finding Comfort in God's Presence

In this section, the speaker expresses gratitude for the love and support received from their church family during difficult times with their parents' health. They also share how they feel God's presence and comfort in a beautiful place surrounded by nature.

Gratitude for Church Family Support

• The speaker thanks their church family for providing love and support during difficult times with their parents' health.

• They express gratitude for feeling comforted by the church family even though some members may be unknown to them.

Finding Comfort in God's Presence

• The speaker shares how they feel God's presence in a beautiful place surrounded by nature, despite the challenges they are facing.

• They express feeling loved, supported, and comforted by friends, family, and all those listening to them speak.

• The speaker wishes everyone good health and safety while encouraging them to wear masks.

Blessing from God of Life

• The speaker offers a blessing from the "God of Life" to guide listeners on their journey every day, provide refuge during uncertain times, and rest when fatigued.

• They ask that listeners be strengthened when feeling weak or sad and hugged when feeling alone.

• The speaker concludes with an "Amen."