‘Aha Opening Worship 2022 (message by Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy)
Call to Order & Opening Worship service of the 200th ‘Aha Pae‘āina of the Hawai‘i Conference United Church of Christ.
Order of Worship:
0:00 Call to Order
Rev. Eric Anderson, Conference Council Chair
2:11 Call to Worship: Halelū 145:1-7, Psalm 145:1-7
Anela Rosa & Kent Stewart)
4:19 Music & Church Legacies
34:10 Scripture Reading of Matthew 18:1-5
"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.'"
34:50 Sermon - Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy, President of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California
59:00 Hymn: "O God Our Help in Ages Past" ("Ko Kakou Akua Kokua Mau")
1:01:01 Benediction - Rev. Dr. David Popham, Hawai‘i Conference Minister
1:04:25 Video Credits
Mahalo to Karen Welsh of the ‘Aha Planning Committee for putting together much of this worship service!
https://www.hcucc.org/aha-paeaina
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About the Guest Preacher:
Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy serves as President of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California—a progressive, multi-denominational seminary and center for social justice that prepares theologically and spiritually rooted leaders to work for the well-being of all. A committed pastor, a nationally recognized higher education and immigration leader, and a sought after speaker, Vásquez-Levy leads at the intersection of faith, higher education, and social change.
Vásquez-Levy is committed to innovation and access in theological education and leadership formation. He serves as convener for the GTU Consortial Council, is co-founder and convener for the Latinx Presidents and Deans of ATS schools, and is a member of the executive leaders group of AshokaU campus network and the Asociación para La Educación Teológica Hispana (AETH). He also serves on the board of Church World Service, one of the largest ecumenical development agencies in the world, and the Advisory Council for Encore.org.
Vásquez-Levy regularly contributes a faith perspective to the national conversation on immigration, including speaking at a congressional briefing, immigration consultations with the both the Obama and the Biden White House, engaging in a series of public conversation with various State Attorneys across the country in an effort to reframe our national conversation about immigration. He has worked on consulted on a number of documentaries on immigration, labor, and human rights and is the author of various publications that explore migration stories in sacred texts and in people's lives.
Vásquez-Levy has lived in four countries, including working on refugee resettlement in Canada, and taught courses and led international study and service trips across the globe. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from Texas Lutheran University and a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, including studies at Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich, Germany.