STAY FAITHFUL, STAY CONNECTED, STAY COMMUNITY!
(Editor: Pastor Frances Masthead: David Taba)
PASTOR HOLLY SAYS—ALOHA CCH OHANA!
I am thrilled to be spending Holy Week with you! By now you have seen the schedule for this week, and I hope you have scheduled yourself some time to be in worship. I just wanted to lift up something that I have been pondering this week. As we enter into this new normal of worship as a virtual experience, many new opportunities are at our fingertips. And yet, with that comes a danger in lulling into a reversed sense of worship with regard to whom the worship is for. We eagerly jump on our computers or phones or tvs to "get" the worship, and we should! But as we do that my ohana, let us always remember that worship is not something we "get" it is something we "give." We are not the recipients of the worship services, God is.
This is more important than ever to remember because it is too easy to sit back and watch the service, rather than engage and participate in your own way to GIVE the worship to God in your own home. The great news is that there are lots of ways to take the virtual worship and make it your own to give to God. Take Palm Sunday for example. So many of us prepared a table for the worship, offered it over to God and received God's blessings. Perhaps you sang along with the music or engaged in the call to worship, offering your words to God!
Let's think through some ways to use the virtual worship as a way to give worship to God. Perhaps on Maundy Thursday, you and your ohana will choose to watch it during dinner, and dedicate your whole meal together to worshiping God. Perhaps on Good Friday, you and your ohana might consider waiting to participate in the service together after everyone's day is over, the things that need to be done are finished, and you have quiet, dark time to sit and be in each moment of the journey to the cross. Perhaps for Easter Sunrise service, you may choose to get up just before sunrise, find a place of peace, sit on your lanai, or even put your feet in the sand if you have some around you and watch with the miracle of the Son rise. And finally, perhaps for the Easter celebration, you gather together, put on a kukui nut lei, sing the hymns, blow the bubbles (spoiler alert) and embody the worship as you give all that you have to praising our Risen Christ!
In this time of virtual worship, let us always remember that we do not receive worship, we GIVE it to God!
Let Us Join Together This Holy Week to Prepare the Way of The Lord
Virtual Holy Week
April 8th
12:30pm: Lunch with Pastor Holly LIVE on Facebook
1:00pm: Zoom Lunch with Pastor Holly – look for the link in email and on Facebook
April 9th
6:00pm: Maundy Thursday worship available – look for the link
April 10th
6:00pm: Good Friday worship – look for the link
April 12th
6:00am: Easter Sunrise Celebration – look for the link
6:30am: Virtual Easter Fellowship – LIVE on Facebook
9:00am: Easter Worship! – look for the link
10:00am: Zoom Easter Fellowship – look for the link
We are all trying to get the hang of our virtual community. If you have any questions about the worship or fellowship opportunities, please reach out to Pastor Holly for help:
Call or Text: 808-371-4701 -OR- Email: hollynorwick@gmail.com
YOUTHFUL VOICES
QUARANTINE FROM MY P.O.V BY MIA LUM
As we all know, we are all on quarantine and we can’t really go anywhere besides the grocery stores. All the schools are now using online chats like Webex or Zoom so that they still can do schoolwork. For me as an online schooler, my social time would be going to dance or going to my friends’ houses after school and hanging out and making dinner together.
Along with doing online class, we now do online dance class for drill. It’s great and it’s been working pretty well, other than the fact that there's a lag and there’s always people who can’t get on the site. I’ve actually been liking staying at home, or maybe I've just been getting used to it so I forgot that we’re actually being forced to stay home.
To keep myself busy during this time I’ve started MANY projects. Have I finished any of them? Nope, ha! I get bored easily, but I’ve been trying to finish all the projects. I started cross-stitch on a bag, and that’s coming together pretty nicely. I’ve been painting and drawing a lot, as well as creating a photo wall in my room, so I keep myself pretty busy. I also ordered an inflatable kiddie pool since we don’t have a real pool. I love it and so does my mom.
Having so much time in my house and looking at the situation of COVID-19, it made me feel like I was just going to bed then waking up and living the same day over and over. It feels like the whole world just got put on pause. But I miss my friends and I miss being able to LEGALLY go to the beach. However, I went to a beach between Waimanalo and bellows the day before we went on quarantine (lucky me!), and I realized that when we were driving past Waikiki and Diamond Head, the water had never looked so clear, and I think that’s because there’s been less pollution in the water and the air.
I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during this time! Can’t wait to see you all once we go back to church :)
cross-stitching
painting
The Lums' New Pool!
THE PARTY LINE
FRIENDS: this is YOUR column. Send in announcements, joys, concerns, whatevers to the church. Email: ardisg@cchonolulu.org Phone number: (808) 595-7541. Mail: 2345 Nuuanu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96817.
EASTER LILIES
Kee Fun was a long-time member of CCH. Born on March 19, 1913, Kee Fun went home to the Lord on March 16, 2020, just shy of her 107th birthday. She is remembered as a very pleasant and very supportive church member. We are grateful to God for her place in the CCH ohana and for blessing her with a long life.
Pastor Dean will be conducting her graveside service today, Wednesday, at Kyoto Gardens, with members of her family.
It was Kee Fun’s desire to have a memorial and celebration of life gathering at CCH. This will be something to look forward to after this coronavirus crisis has eased.
Our deepest condolences to Kee Fun’s family. We hope to meet some of you at her wished-for gathering at church when we are able to gather safely.
Prayer from the UCC Book of Worship:
Oh God, whose days are without end and whose mercies cannot be counted,
awaken us to the shortness and uncertainty of human life.
By your Holy Spirit, lead us in faithfulness all your days.
When we have served you in our generation,
may we be gathered with those who have gone before,
having the testimony of a good conscience,
in the communion of your holy church,
in the confidence of a certain faith,
in the comfort of a saving hope, in favor with you, our God,
and in perfect peace with the world semicolon through Jesus Christ Our Redeemer.
Amen.
Excerpts from an email sent April 7th from the Office of Sen. Schatz
As a result of the recently-passed coronavirus aid legislation, there are new federal resources to help individuals, families, and businesses during this time. This email provides information for seniors.
ASSISTANCE FOR SENIORS
Overview
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provide important protections and assistance for seniors. This fact sheet provides information on financial relief, retirement savings, tax relief, health, nutrition and support programs for seniors, and housing security.
Information on related topics, including individual health resources, tax relief, homeowners and renters is available at www.schatz.senate.gov/
Direct Payments
The CARES Act directs the Department of the Treasury to make a one-time direct payment to individuals, including seniors, to help them recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government will send you a payment if:
1. You meet the eligibility criteria;
2. You fall within the income cap; and
3. You have filed a tax return or you already receive Social Security benefits.
If you filed a tax return in 2018 or 2019 or you receive Social Security benefits, you do not need to apply for this benefit. For Social Security beneficiaries, you will receive your direct payment the same way that you receive your Social Security benefits. More information about direct payments is available here.
Unemployment Assistance
The CARES Act provides supplemental unemployment insurance (UI) funding to expand individuals’ eligibility, increase benefit amounts, and lengthen the duration of benefit availability. This includes individuals who are self-employed, independent contractors, part-time workers, and gig-economy workers. If you are retired but still earn income from part-time work or if you are self-employed, you may be eligible. More information about UI and how to apply is available here.
The CARES Act provides supplemental unemployment insurance (UI) funding to expand individuals’ eligibility, increase benefit amounts, and lengthen the duration of benefit availability. This includes individuals who are self-employed, independent contractors, part-time workers, and gig-economy workers. If you are retired but still earn income from part-time work or if you are self-employed, you may be eligible. More information about UI and how to apply is available here.
Retirement Savings
Temporary Waiver of Required Distribution Rules for Retirement Plans and Accounts
The CARES Act waives minimum distributions that are required to be made in 2020 from defined contribution plans (such as 401(k) plans) and IRAs. The waiver includes required minimum distributions that are due by April 1, 2020, because the account owner turned 70 ½ in 2019. You may want to reach out to your plan manager if you want to suspend your required minimum distribution for 2020. This provision of the CARES Act does not prevent you from taking any distributions if you choose to take them.
Loans from Retirement Plans
Under the CARES Act, defined contribution plans are permitted to allow plan loans up to $100,000 (increased from $50,000 currently allowed) for 180 days after the enactment of the law. Repayment of new and existing plan loans that would occur between now and December 31, 2020 will be extended for one year for employees who are affected by the coronavirus.
Under the CARES Act, defined contribution plans are permitted to allow plan loans up to $100,000 (increased from $50,000 currently allowed) for 180 days after the enactment of the law. Repayment of new and existing plan loans that would occur between now and December 31, 2020 will be extended for one year for employees who are affected by the coronavirus.
Tax Relief
Tax Filing and Payment Delayed to July 15
The IRS delayed both the tax filing and payment deadlines from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. For more information, visit the IRS coronavirus website here.
The IRS delayed both the tax filing and payment deadlines from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. For more information, visit the IRS coronavirus website here.
Expansion of Charitable Tax Deduction
The CARES Act expands the charitable tax deduction for individuals by allowing taxpayers who do not itemize to take up to $300 in an above-the-line tax deduction. For taxpayers who itemize, the CARES Act allows them to increase the limitation on charitable deductions from 60 percent to 100 percent of modified income for cash contributions generally to public charities in 2020. [emphasis added by the editor]
Health Information
Testing for COVID-19
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act requires health insurers to cover the COVID-19 diagnostic test at no cost to individuals. This includes Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, TRICARE, veterans’ plans, federal workers’ health plans, private health plans, and the Indian Health Service.
- This means that individuals are not responsible for deductibles, coinsurance, or co-pays for a COVID-19 test or for the visit associated with receiving that test.
- Plans may not use tools like prior authorization to limit access to the test.
- Insurers must also cover the cost, without cost-sharing, of a patient’s visit to a provider, urgent care center, or emergency room to receive this testing.
- Please note that a doctor’s order is currently required to receive a COVID-19 test in Hawaii. Please see here for more information on the criteria for testing.
These requirements do not apply to certain types of private health plans that are not in compliance with requirements of the Affordable Care Act, such as short-term limited duration plans. Please contact your insurance plan with any questions.
Prescription Drug Coverage for Medicare Beneficiaries
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, a senior on Medicare can get up to 90 days of a prescription if that is what their doctor prescribed. Medicare drug plans will also allow beneficiaries to fill prescription early for refills up to 90 days, depending on the prescription. In the past, Medicare drug plans only let beneficiaries receive a 30-day supply of their prescription.
Telehealth
The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act and the CARES Act provide new flexibilities to increase access to telehealth in Medicare during the coronavirus public health emergency. The Department of Health and Human Services also is using their authority to increase access to telehealth.
- Medicare now pays for office, hospital, and other visits provided via telehealth in all areas of the country and in patients’ homes.
- Additionally, health care providers may reduce or waive cost-sharing for telehealth visits.
- Providers can now use telehealth with beneficiaries who have audio phones only.
- Health care providers can use everyday communications technologies, such as FaceTime or Skype, to provide telehealth during the COVID-19 public health emergency
More information on new telehealth policies is available here.
Home Health
The CARES Act permanently allows physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists to order home health services for beneficiaries, which will reduce delays and increase beneficiary access to care in the safety of their homes.
More Information
More information and resources are available on the following websites:
More information and resources are available on the following websites:
- Hawaii Department of Health: hawaiicovid19.com/
- Information on Testing: hawaiicovid19.com/
screening/ - Medicare: www.medicare.gov/
medicare-coronavirus and www. cms.gov/files/document/ 03052020-medicare-covid-19- fact-sheet.pdf
For more or updated information on federal coronavirus resources, visit www.schatz.senate,gov/
THE LAST WORD GOES TO THE HYMN “IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL”
This public domain hymn was written by Horatio G. Spafford with music composed by Philip Bliss. Spafford wrote the hymn after losing one son and four daughters in separate tragedies.
This video was made by The Nashville Studio Singer Community - Virtual Cell Phone Choir – with the music arranged by David Wise. 31 of Nashville’s Studio Singers used their cell phones during Nashville’s Safer at Home order to record and lift their collective voices to share a message of hope and encouragement during these challenging days. It is well.
This video premiered on March 25, 2020, and it now has over one million views.
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul
MRS. KEE FUN LEE
Rest in peace in the loving arms of the Lord.
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