St. James' Episcopal Church

St. James' Episcopal Church

About Us

Relevant application of the Gospel to today's life. Joyous and welcoming

At St. James’ we have learned that who we are as Christians in the world is shaped by our experience of worship. We believe that the experience of prayer and communion within the Church helps transform us into the people God is calling us to be.

Like a beautiful Hawaiian quilt, we are a colorful tapestry of faith, weaving together believers and seekers; those who where born and raised in Hawai’i and those of us who found ourselves drawn to the islands. We come from different backgrounds and cultures, gathering around one table. We believe this to be an important witness of the Kingdom of God on earth. We are ‘ohana. We hold to the fullness of the Christian faith as we have received it, but we seek to practice the openness that Jesus displayed in his own life. He rejected judgmental religion and believed everyone had a right to a relationship with God. He welcomed everyone. So do we.



Our Services

Sunday
09:00am
Joyous music, preaching that relates to the Gospel to today’s questions and a warm aloha waiting for you. Nursery provided throughout. Also, Godly Play for ages 3-12, a Montessori based teaching to make the Bible stories come alive for the keiki!
07:30am
Holy Eucharist (a said service) at St. James’. A more contemplative, quiet service with preaching that relates the Gospel to today’s questions and a warm aloha waiting for you.
Saturday
05:00pm
Join us for our “Service on the Sand” on the beach at Kawaihae Harbor in front of the Canoe Club (next to the boat ramp). Bring a beach chair or towel. Stay around and watch the sunset!

What to Expect

What are services like?
At the heart of our worship life is the Holy Eucharist (also called Communion, Mass, and the Lord’s Supper). Our worship is grounded on the two pillars of Word and Sacrament. Through scripture and preaching, through prayer and proclamation, the offering of beautiful music, and through the sharing of holy food and drink, we respond thankfully to God’s love for us in Christ.

What is the community like?
St. James’ Church joins with billions of Christians around the world in seeking the truth and loving justice of God’s reign in our own lives and in the life of the world around us. We move with the mainstream of the Christian movement throughout the ages. Our understanding of God and life is deeply rooted in the Episcopal tradition. We stand at the center of our town. We are called to do something with those intersecting facts. We are committed to growing in membership and in depth of spiritual commitment. We seek to expand the ways we offer to people to explore and grow in faith, particularly with children and youth. As servants of Christ, we try to listen to the pain of those in need and to serve others. We seek an honest and powerful spirituality for ourselves and others. We practice a warm aloha. We let our worship be joyful.

What if I'm not a Christian?
It is said that, “If you want to know what Episcopalians believe, come and worship with them.” What you will hear and see is that we believe that God is the loving and purposeful Creator of the universe. We believe that in Jesus Christ, God gave a singularly lavish gift to humankind. That in Christ, God makes real the promise of reconciliation of all. That the Church is the reality of that reconciling love in the world, and therefore the Church is to welcome all persons. That the Holy Spirit of God is active and alive today. That the Church–God knows–is not perfect. That there are no easy answers. That getting the questions right takes time and help, and that the right questions are themselves a gift. That regular worship and prayer in community with others really changes lives. That, with God’s help, we are called to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves. That we are called to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being. And that it is a joyful privilege to invite you to join us in the journey toward this faith.


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