Weekly Ward Message 9/6/26
Updated: 5 days ago
Click for our Sacrament Program (programs are visible on Sunday morning):
Having Aloha For Ourselves and Others
By Malu States
Aloha,
One verse stood out to me as I read through the chapters of Psalms this week, and it made me think about how we think about and treat ourselves and others.
Each of us comes from various backgrounds, cultures and qualities of life, so it's no surprise that we all start at a different point than the person next to us. Although we may pray, read the scriptures and attend church, our personal progress in the gospel varies.
For example, some members find it easy to do the "Come Follow Me" lessons every week. Some members find it easy to attend the temple regularly. Some find it easy to eat healthy and exercise weekly. Some find it easy to fulfill their calling. Some find ministering to be a delight.
Where some members find these things easy, others struggle with them. Brothers and Sisters, the truth is that all of us struggle to live up to all of the expectations in the church. I don't believe there is one person on earth today who is successfully doing it all.
Human beings have a tendency to look to the person next to them and make comparisons. Sometimes a comparison can leave us feeling better than someone else. Sometimes a comparison can leave us feeling terrible about ourselves.
In Psalms 103:8 it reads, "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." Because I am a Hawaiian language teacher, I can't help but share something about the word aloha. In this particular scripture the word aloha is used for both grace and mercy in the Hawaiian bible and I'll be replacing grace and mercy with aloha for the rest of this message.
This scripture made me think of how God and Christ perceive and treat us compared to how we perceive and treat ourselves and others. I tend to be very hard on myself. There's not a lot of room for aloha and I am quick to anger when I fall short. Some of you may be the same way.
Thankfully I am not the example you should look to. It has been my experience that God and Christ have an immense amount of aloha for us and are slow to anger even when we fall short, and we fall short all the time.
I want to encourage us all to keep striving to improve ourselves. We shouldn't compare ourselves to the next person because we have our work cut out for us, I can assure you. Finally, as we work on ourselves, let's have more aloha for our shortcomings and for our ward members as well. Our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ have a balance of challenging us to improve while showing us aloha along the way, and I am grateful for that example.
Aloha,
Brother States
'
Monthly Family Message
By Brianne Richter
“...Remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, … it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall. -Helaman 5:12
This scripture reminds us that when we love and trust Jesus Christ and make him the foundation of our testimonies, we can endure life's most challenging storms. This week as we prepare for dangerous weather, let’s also prepare ourselves spiritually by strengthening our foundations. It is important to make thinking about the Savior's hand in our lives a daily habit. When we can focus our thoughts and see Him more clearly in our everyday lives, we are able to strengthen our spiritual foundation.
Missionary Corner
An Update from Elder Moheni Matavale
Where are you currently serving?
Right now I am currently serving in the Woodmont Samoan Ward in Federal Way. As a Samoan speaking missionary we cover two areas: Auburn and Federal Way. There are a lot of Samoan that are here and never heard of the Plan of Salvation but they have heard of the church.
I have been called to district leader about 3 weeks ago, and I can tell you. although I'm looking over 13 missionaries it is kinda stressful to always think of how they are doing not only physically but mentally, emotionally and spiritually. As you know the mission is a very hard time for missionaries especially the first 6 months. A lot of missionaries that could be the make or break for them. I do try my very best in trying to care for these missionaries. When they share their hardships with me, I feel so much for them.
What has been a challenge lately?
A challenge recently has just been finding friends to teach but right now the Lord has blessed us with three people to teach and one person to keep in contact with and hope to teach soon. I am not going to lie, it gets very tough here in the mission with so much stress, sometimes feeling homesick, or friends not wanting to talk to us after we had an awesome lesson or contact. But I knew what I signed up for, I knew it wasn't going to be easy because it was never easy for Him.
Where have you seen God's hand in your missionary work?
I have seen too much to deny that this is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Seeing someone spiritually change is the best thing you can ever see, even better than seeing them baptized. When you can see that change in their eyes, countenance, and spirit it is amazing to see and you can't unsee it. Now this is no trance or brainwashing, this is the work of the Lord. There have been many times where the spirit told me to stop, pull over and knock on that door, and someone saying, "I was just thinking of you". You can't tell me that was by coincidence. The Lord is at the head of this church and this gathering. All those who are ready to be harvested are listening. My dear brothers and sisters, I love this work so much. I love the joy when I see someone's spirit jump when they hear His name. It doesn't get any real like this.
What would you like the K4 Ward members to know?
Something that I want the ward to know is that I thank you for your prayers, I truly feel all of your love here in Seattle. I'm thankful for the neverending support towards my family and other families whose sons and daughters are on missions.
Email Elder Matavale your life update and send him some love!
Sharing the Gospel in Natural Ways
Take a minute to listen to a message on sharing the gospel from our missionaries, Elder Garner and Elder Guillermo. If you like the message, see the next section.
Missionary Meals
Feeding the missionaries is a happy little service with a big impact. Please add your name to the SIGN-UP SHEET and spread some aloha, or call Elders Garner & Guillermo at 808.253.8666 to meet with them.
Meet the Hamills
Hello and thank you for your warm welcome into Kaneohe 4th Ward! We are the Hamill family from Orem, UT. Wayne recently retired from Orem City Fire Department, and Tonya recently started law school at UH. Wayne is from Santa Clarita, CA. Tonya is from Seattle. She lived in Hawaii Kai for three years as a child.
We are currently living with the Fitzgeralds. Leslie is Wayne’s younger sister. We have five children. Malia is 18 and attending BYU-H. Micah is 16. He loves working on cars, music, and art. Otto is 14, and last year he won first place in nationals for skateboarding. Ruby is 8. She is fantastically creative. Maverick is 6 and his newest hobby is catching lizards and geckos.
As a family, we love to travel. We had a chance to visit relatives in Vietnam for a month this summer. Something that keeps us spiritually grounded wherever we are in the world is our family motto and family prayer. We close each day with both. If members of the family are missing, we call them so that they can join in. First we say our short motto which unites us and reminds us who we are and what we value. Then we pray. It is nice to end each day with the right perspective: that God is in charge, and if we put our faith and trust in Him and his Son, Jesus Christ, life will work for our good.
Hamill Family Motto
Hamills are curious, creative, and we show Christlike compassion. Curiosity leads to adventure, creativity leads to light. Christlike compassion leads to service which is the key to life. We are honest, we work hard, we have the courage to choose the right.
Ward Congratulations
Congratulations to Leihaliʻa ʻAʻaliʻikūmakani Healani DeCambra, daughter of Doug and Bobbie DeCambra, who was blessed on September 6, 2026, by her father, Doug DeCambra.
Congratulations to Porter McCoy, who received his mission call to serve in the Nevada Henderson Mission, English speaking! He will be reporting on December 30.
Young Women
Primary
Check out the Primary Newsletter! CLICK HERE to view it.
Announcements
Join our WhatsApp Community for mobile Ward alerts. While on your phone, CLICK HERE
Tithing Declaration starts in September and ends on December 15. Please sign up with Brother Owen Adams to schedule an appointment.
Laie Hawaii Temple Closure - Mon, Sept 7, 2026 - Mon, Sept 21, 2026
YSA Institute (18-35) - Every Thursday at 7 pm at the Kailua Chapel
Institute (open to anyone) - Every Thursday at 7 pm at the Kaneohe Stake Center
Youth Stake Mission Prep
2nd Sunday at 2:15 pm - Keolu Chapel
4th Sunday at 2:15 pm - Stake Center
Starting on September 6, 2026, we will begin the new Sunday 2nd Hour Schedule:
11:30 am - 12:30 pm Sacrament
12:35 pm - 1:00 pm Sunday School
1:05 pm - 1:30 pm Class & Quorum Meetings
Calendar
September 6, 2026 11:30 am - Sacrament Meeting @ Kaneohe Stake Center
September 10, 2026 7:00 pm - YW Activity - Game Night (Messengers of Hope)
September 12, 2026 10:00 am - Ward Conference Brunch @ Kaneohe Stake Center
September 13, 2026 11:30 am - Ward Conference @ Kaneohe Stake Center
September 17, 2026 7:00 pm - YW Activity - Braiding (Builders of Faith)
September 19, 2026 8:00 am - 9:00 am (Registration) | 9:00 am - 12:30 pm (Activity) - Kaneohe Stake Relief Society Activity @ Kaneohe Stake Center
September 24, 2026 7:00 pm - YW Combined Activity
September 26, 2026 5:00 pm - Stake Blast to the Past Dance
October is Chapel Cleanup Month at 7:30 am every Saturday morning
October 2, 2026 7 pm - Ward Chapel Cleanup & Dessert Activity
October 3-4, 2026 - General Conference
December 6, 2026 - First Presidency Christmas Devotional
December 20, 2026 11:30 am - Sacrament Meeting Only
Annual Ward Events
October 24, 2026 - Ward Trunk-or-Treat
October 25, 2026 11:30 am - Primary Presentation @ Kaneohe Stake Center
December 19, 2026 - Ward Christmas Party
Stake Temple Recommend Schedule
In-person temple recommend renewal interviews will be conducted at the following buildings and chapels during the listed times:
Buildings/Chapels | Sunday | Address | Time |
Waimānalo Stake Center Keolu Hills | 1st 1st & 3rd 3rd | 41-972 Oluolu St. 46-117 Halaulani St. 1461 Kanapuʻu Dr. | 9:30 - 11:30 am 9:30 - 11:30 am 9:30 - 11:30 am |
No appointment is necessary for renewal interviews.
First-time temple recommend holders (for your own endowment): After your
interview with your bishop or branch president, please call Dayton Labanon 808-232-9869 to schedule an appointment. You may contact the temple only after your interview with the stake president is complete.
You are welcome to attend any of the listed chapels for your interview. Please come dressed in Sunday best attire.
Awesome
Above and Beyond Bishop. Mahalo.
Mahalo for each of your messages! ❤️
🤍 Great messages!