HeartBeat—March 2015

A Message from Pastor Jeff

The season of Lent is one of those spiritual seasons that seem to be going out of fashion. Christmas and Easter still get plenty of attention in the church and in the retail market, but you hardly ever get an advertisement for the “Annual Ash Wednesday Sale” at Macy’s. Rather, Lent is that quiet season ignored by marketers and beloved by church geeks. Most of us grew up with the tradition of “giving up something for Lent.” The idea grew from the ancient tradition of fasting during Lent as a practice of discipline, penance, and devotion. Over the centuries fasting gave way to more accessible disciplines that didn’t require as much effort. In my case, I remember making a solemn vow in high school to give up broccoli for Lent. Since I didn’t like broccoli it turned out that I was very successful in keeping my solemn vow.

In recent years, many of us have turned the tradition of privation on its head and have established a new Lenten practice of adding something to our daily habits rather than subtracting something from our lives. Practices like adding daily Bible reading, evening prayers, healthy eating, or even daily gratitude are all ways which people honor the spirit of Lent by taking on new activities and habits. Both courses, fasting and adding, are certainly helpful for many of us; but neither is deeply helpful if what we take on is so easy that even we don’t notice (like my not eating broccoli!). I’m certainly not suggesting that you take to sitting on poles in the desert or walking around in sack cloth and ashes this Lent, but perhaps we might put a bit more thought and effort into our Lenten practice rather than making a last minute decision, like were being pressed to order by an impatient waiter.

Whether fasting or adding, our Lenten practice can enrich our spiritual lives and help us go deeper in the gift of spirituality. In breaking old habits or forming new ones we make room to grow in mind, body, and spirit. It may also help us to discover new ways to connect with those around us and better share God’s wonderful creation. As we intentionally engage in spiritual practices, whether they be physical (exercise, fasting, or eating broccoli), mental (meditation, reading, learning new words), or devotional (prayer, lectio divina, evening prayer every first and third Sunday), we grow in our appreciation of God’s great creation of our world and our selves.

Lent may not be much in fashion, but as we begin this journey we can begin to see how important this time of preparation is for us and for the church.

Council Highlights

• 2015 Council liaisons for committees/teams are as follows: April Smith, Property; Craig Clissold, Community Life/Social Ministry; Naomi Castro, Stewardship; Gary Brauer/Steve Miller, Finance; Fred Benco, Learning Ministry; Randy Castello, Worship and Music; Sophie Cheng, Youth Group; Hope Jahren, Communications; Lori Nishimura, Fellowship. Committee and team leaders, please contact your council liaisons periodically to keep us informed of your activities and needs. Mahalo!
• Courtyard Cover update: As of February 18, EcoShade is still waiting for City and County permitting to approve our design.
• James “Kimo” Olds resigned as our custodian/groundskeeper. We have posted the job and are receiving resumes as well as talking to cleaning services.
• Both of our paid childcare attendants have resigned. The hiring process for new nursery attendants is underway. We expect to fill the position shortly.
• We need a volunteer to start the process of obtaining bids and information to repair the cracked driveway aprons. Please contact April Smith, Craig Clissold, Naomi Castro, Gary Brauer, or Steve Miller if you can help.
• Council will continue discussion regarding the possibility of hiring a paid lay youth leader.

Godly Play—Sunday School News

Sunday School 9:20–10:20 am

LCH offers Sunday school for children from kindergarten through senior high. The older children (grades 6–12) meet in the Rainbow room. The younger children (grades k–5) meet in the Godly Play room. All are welcome!

Below is the schedule of Godly Play stories for March:

• March 1—The Faces of Easter I, II, III
• March 8—The Faces of Easter IV, V, VI
• March 15—The Faces of Easter VII/St. Patrick
• March 22—Seder Meal
• March 29—The Mystery of Holy Week/Easter Eggs

O‘ahu Youth Gathering

March 1, 4:00–6:00 pm
Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, ‘Āina Haina

We are getting together for a good ol’ fashioned game of kickball, followed by a picnic dinner provided by the church! Please join us. This is a great way to meet youth from around the island and participate in a lively afternoon of fun and games!

Stewardship of our Property

As we move forth in our year-round stewardship plan, we focus on stewardship of our property. We are especially challenged this month because of the recent transition (again!) with our custodian/groundskeeper.

Let us never take for granted that the trash cans will be empty, the restrooms clean, and the landscaping looking nice when we arrive at church each Sunday morning. It takes dedication and a true spirit of service to make sure our property is safe and well cared for.

The responsibility to care for our property lies with each one of us, old and young alike. If you see litter on the grounds, pick it up and put it in the trash. Spill your coffee or juice? Grab a rag or paper towel and wipe it up. Toys spread all over the nursery lanai? Even our youngest can pitch in and tidy up. See a broken chair, table, or pew? Please let a council member know, and we’ll see about getting it repaired.

Will you pick up a broom and sweep the leaves from the courtyard before services begin? Don’t wait to be asked—just go for it! If you can unclog your toilet at home, you can also do it at church! Trash bags, plunger, mop, and cleaning supplies are in the utility closet located in the men’s restroom just inside the entrance door. Several of our lay leaders have a key so please ask around if you need something.

These are just a few simple ways we can help care for the property that has been given to us for our use in spreading the Good News. Let us all be good stewards of the gifts we have been blessed with here on our little corner of Makiki.

Please plan to participate in the Stewardship of our Property work projects on Saturdays, March 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. Please plan to come and help out for any amount of time you can give on any of these days. Projects are described in a separate article later in The HeartBeat. Just bring yourself and a pair of work gloves. All tools and supplies will be provided. Please see me if you have any questions. Mahalo for your willingness to help care for our property!

April Smith, Council President

Lenten Soup and Salad Suppers

March 4, 11, 18, and 25, 6:00 pm in Isenberg Hall

Please join in the fellowship of a simple soup and salad supper on Wednesday evenings during the season of Lent. These meals precede a short worship service of word, music, and reflection of the Lenten season. Suppers will be served at 6:00 pm before the 7:00 pm services on March 4, 11, 18, and 25. A sign-up sheet will be available to contribute to each week’s meal and for help with set-up and cleanup. See Mary-Jo Estes for more information.

Holoholo Pick-Up

Thursday, March 5 & 19, 2:00–4:00 pm

The Holoholo General Store is a Community Supported Agriculture organization, or csa, that works with the Lutheran Church to bring you fresh produce from multiple local farms. Want to join? Just check out their website and sign up; bi-weekly prices range from $23 on up and LCH is a convenient pick-up location. Visit www.holoholostore.com.

Stewardship of Our Property Work Projects

Saturdays, March 7, 14, 21, and 28, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon

Projects include: tidying the Nave closet, tidying the robe room (need choir members and offering counters to help with this), organizing the vinyl banners in storage, tidying the Poki Street parking lot shed, cleaning up the “dirt pile” behind the dumpster, removing the grass/weeds from the playground and transplanting some overgrown plants in the landscape beds. Just bring yourself and a pair of work gloves. All tools and supplies will be provided. Please see council president April Smith if you have any questions. Mahalo for your willingness to help care for our property!

Children’s Benefit Concert

March 7, 4:00 pm at LCH

It’s that time of year again! The children and youth of LCH are busy preparing for another benefit concert. The beneficiary of the children’s fundraising concert will be the ELCA’s own Good Gifts program. Donations may be used to purchase income producing animals, construction of water wells, school fees for girls, micro-loans for women to start businesses, medicine, new homes for disaster survivors, and many other options to help those in need. Please visit their website www.elca.org/goodgifts for more information about the program. The children will select a gift to purchase with the concert funds raised.

We hope you will attend the concert and consider giving $1 a day during Lent ($40) toward this fundraising effort. In the past, children have performed with song and dance, on violin, cello, drums, flute, organ, and piano. Please join us on March 7, for an invigorating concert and consider contributing to the ELCA’s worldwide ministries.

Process Thought

Saturday, March 14, 9:30–11:00 am in the LCH Boardroom

The topic for March has everyone buzzing! Well, buzzing may be wishful thinking, for the title of the session is “The Disappearance of and the Spirituality of Beekeeping.” Included in this webpage from Jesus, Jazz and Buddhism is a TED Talk illustrating the current status of bee population. We would like to hear more buzzing bees inasmuch as they are such a vital part of our environment. The fragility of our ecological interconnected world is certainly illustrated by this issue. Please join us.

Exploring Boundaries and Beyond

Sunday, March 15, 6:00–7:15 pm • Tom Klobe to Speak at LCH

In the mid 1960s, a young American was posted to a remote village in northern Iran as a Peace Corp volunteer. From a youthful determination to perpetuate President Kennedy’s legacy, to grappling with unfamiliar customs and languages, to discovering the friendship and love of the Iranian people, Tom discovered that being “Tom of Iran” was as fulfilling as being “American Tom.” His future career, as gallery director and professor of art history (medieval Europe and Islamic art) at UHM, spanned 29 years and involved designing and installing over 200 exhibits, including five that won national awards. Mr. Klobe’s love of Islamic art provides the basis for this illustrated presentation, which will include autobiographical aspects of his time in Iran. He recently published a memoir, A Young American in Iran, available on Amazon.

Adult Forum—Charitable Giving

Sundays, 9:15 am in the Boardroom

Join Steve Miller for discussion and general perspective on charitable giving. Nobody will ask you for money or to work!

• March 15—Why Give?
• March 29—What Purpose?
• April 12—Which Organization?
• April 19—How Much and How?

LCH Women’s Book Club

Monday, March 16, 10:00 am

We will meet at the Murashiges to discuss the book The Clash of Civilizations: the Debate, by Samuel P. Huntington. Please join us for a fun morning.

Writers’ Workshop

Monday, March 16, 7:00–8:30 pm

Writers’ Workshop meets in the LCH Boardroom. Spring meetings are also scheduled for April 13 (LCH Rainbow Room) and May 11 (LCH Rainbow Room). All are welcome! For information, please contact Kathryn Klingebiel through the Church Office (808-941-2566).

Food for Thought

Saturday, March 21, 5:30 pm

A meeting of Food for Thought has been tentatively scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 5:30–8:30 pm, at the home of Irmgard and David Hörmann. Please check the eNews and the Sunday announcments for updated news. And once again, please note the early hour, much appreciated by Irmgard and David. All are welcome for potluck supper, video, and discussion. For information, please contact Kathryn Klingebiel through the Church Office (808-941-2566).

Seder Meal

Sunday, March 22, 9:20 am

Come join the Sunday school children at the Seder Meal in Isenberg Hall, between services. This is a traditional part of our Easter preparation at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu. It is the Old Testament remembrance of God’s special relationship with his people and his freeing of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Come learn more on the 22nd.

LCH Keiki to perform in South Pacific

Performances March 27–April 19

Our own Raphael and Sophia S. perform in Diamond Head Theatre’s production of “South Pacific.” They play the roles of Ngana and Jerome, and are the only children in the show! Come see them in this classic musical. For tickets and more information call 808-733-0274 or browse online at www.diamondheadtheatre.com.

JSB Ensemble

Interim choral director Jeremy Wong auditioned and accepted a spot with the Junge Stuttgarter Bach Ensemble (JSB Ensemble) for their annual workshop and concert series, taking place March 15–29. The JSB Ensemble was founded in 2011 as a part of the International Bach Academy in Stuttgart, Germany, and Jeremy is one of 34 singers picked from an open audition around the world to rehearse, study, and perform music from the great choral tradition.

The larger academy, founded in 1981 by maestro Hellmuth Rilling, is now being led by Hans-Christoff Rademann, known worldwide for his exciting interpretations of not only the music of Bach, but also exploration of contemporary choral music from around the globe. Works to be performed include two cantatas by J.S. Bach, his Easter and Ascension oratorios (BWV 249 and 11, respectively), and a concert of English and American music featuring music of the Lent, Easter, and Ascension seasons.

The three-week long event will take place primarily in Stuttgart, Germany, with a concert tour to Perugia, Varese, and Vincenza, Italy.

In addition to his wonderful dealings with the LCH Choir, Jeremy serves on the lecturer faculty of both the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and Kapi‘olani Community College where he teaches courses in voice and choir, respectively. He is also the music director of the Honolulu Chorale, one of the state’s longest-performing community choruses. He holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from UH Mānoa, and a Bachelor of Musical Arts from DePauw University, in Greencastle, Indiana. Prior to his interim appointment, Jeremy sang in the LCH choir, beginning in 2012, and has grown to love the music, the congregation, and all that the church has to offer.

Archives Committee Seeks Volunteers

The archives committee needs volunteers to help organize years of historical artifacts. Please see or contact Jim Cartwright through the Church Office (808-941-2566) for more information.

25th Anniversary Challenge—We did it!

The LCH ‘ohana recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the ordination of Pastor Jeff Lilley. To honor Pastor Jeff and his service to the local community, LCH members and friends were challenged to raise $2,500 in support of Life Foundation. Pastor Jeff serves as president of the board of directors for this non-profit organization, dedicated to stopping the spread of HIV and to assisting people living with HIV and AIDS in Hawai‘i.

As of February 22, LCH members and friends donated $2,723! In March, we will present a check to Life Foundation in honor of Pastor Jeff. Mahalo for your donation!

Evening Prayer

First & Third Sundays each month, 7:30 pm

Join us on the first and third Sundays for Evening Prayer. This is a peaceful experience of rejuvenation and prayer.

Change in Nursery Staff

The hiring process for new nursery staff is underway. Meanwhile, we may still need volunteer assistance in the nursery, which is open from 7:45 am to noon each Sunday. You need not commit to the entire time period; any time you are willing to assist will help and be greatly appreciated. Please see council president April Smith for more information.

LCH Family Sleepover Retreat

Saturday, April 25, 4:30 pm to Sunday, April 26, 8:00 am

Mark your family calendar! Families and friends are invited to a free sleepover retreat event at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu. Enjoy fun activities centering around church, self, and others.

Festivities include a trivia game, pizza, activities, a movie, a campfire, and more! The fun will conclude with “Pajama Church” when you get to wear your PJs to the 8:00 am service and enjoy a potluck brunch between services.

Children 8 years and older are welcome to sleepover and must be accompanied by at least one parent or guardian. Younger children are welcome to come for evening and morning festivities, but will sleep at home. If you’re interested in attending or helping out, please contact Georgine Stark through the Church Office (808-941-2566), or look for her in the courtyard between services.

Easter Sunday Fellowship

Sunday, April 5

Join in the fun of fellowship and food at the Easter Sunday potluck brunch, between services this Easter. All are welcome!

Electronic Funds Transfers for December

Offering Fund	Amount	Offering Fund	Amount
Offering	$7,515	Mission Campaign	$325
Music Fund/Instruments	$160	Wounded Warriors	$125

Attendance and Offerings for February

Date	Worship Service	Attendance	Offering Fund	Amount
February 1	8:00 am Service	51	Offering	$3,070
	10:30 am Service	84	Sunday School	$3
	Evening Prayer	16	Mission Campaign	$50
	Total	151
February 8	8:00 am Service	38	Offering	$2,991
	10:30 am Service	86	Altar Flowers	$35
	Total	124	Social Ministries	$60
			Life Foundation	$448
			Mission Campaign	$20
February 15	8:00 am Service	46	Offering	$1,099
	10:30 am Service	74	Life Foundation	$1,270
	Evening Prayer	15
	Total	135
February 18	Ash Wednesday Liturgy	67
February 22	8:00 am Service	62	Offering	$2,870
	10:30 am Service	57	Social Ministries	$40
	Total	117	Hörmann Courtyard	$135
	Total	139	Music Fund	$225
			Life Foundation	$1,005
			Children’s Benefit Concert	$40

HeartBeat Deadline

Tuesday, February 17, 9:00 am

Akiyo	Irmgard	Matthew Michael
Dan	Jean	Mickey
Denise	Jennie	Mildred
Diane	Karen	Quentin
Fay	Kent	Sandi
Gene		Sylvia

March Birthdays

Date	Name
03/05	Hunter N.
03/06	Nathalie J.
03/07	Lillie J.
03/07	Brian Weis
03/18	Ken Bauchle
03/18	Donald Womack
03/23	Nicholas Castello
03/28	Olivia Castro

LCH Worship Participants

Holy Communion (8:00 am)
DATE	March 1	March 8	March 15	March 22	March 29 Palm Sunday
LECTOR	Cindy Scheinert	Jimmy Castro	Chuck Huxel	Jim Sullivan	Amanda Lippert
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS	Kyra Takamiya Sheena Lim-Urban Bobby Broyles Wayne Gau	Laurie Leach Peggy Anderson Stephanie Luuloa Amanda Lippert	Sophia S. Chuck Huxel Laurie Leach Wayne Gau	Carolyn Koehler Jim Sullivan Peggy Anderson Sheena Lim-Urban	Amanda Lippert Stephanie Luuloa Kyra Takamiya Wayne Gau
ACOLYTES	Dylan D.	Sophie C.	Raphael S.	Hunter N.	Sophia S. Raphael S.
LAYING ON OF HANDS		Stephanie Luuloa
USHERS	Fred Benco Craig Clissold
Choral Eucharist (10:30 am)
DATE	March 1	March 8	March 15	March 22	March 29 Palm Sunday
LECTOR	Roy Helms	Peggy Brandt	Angie Niermann	Randy Castello	Olivia Castro
DEACON	Frank Haas	Josie Bidgood	Mary Fastenau	Jeanne Castello	Bob Zimmer
SUB-DEACON	Mary Fastenau	Chuck Pearson	Bob Tellander	Frank Haas	Jim Cartwright
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS	Randy Christensen Phyllis Hormann	Jim Cartwright Bob Tellander	Bob Zimmer John Bickel	Randy Christensen Phyllis Hormann	Josie Bidgood Chuck Pearson
ACOLYTES	Savannah M. TJ H.	Coco J. Nathalie J.	Lillie J. Scarlett S.	TJ H. Iara N.	Savannah M. Rebecca L.
LAYING ON OF HANDS		John Bickel
BANNER BEARERS					Reid W. Max W.
USHERS	William Fay Peter Flachsbart Chuck Pearson LaVerne Rickard		ALTAR GUILD	Olivia Castro Mary-Jo Estes Billie Jean Ries Noelani Nitz
COUNCIL MEMBER IN CHARGE	Fred Benco

Calendar: September 2014

Day	Date	Event and Time
Sunday	March 1	Angel Network In-Gathering 8:00 am, Contemporary Worship 9:20 am, Christian Education for all ages 10:30 am, Traditional Eucharist 4:00 pm, O‘ahu Youth Gathering 7:00 pm, Poetry Group 7:30 pm, Evening Prayer
Wednesday	March 4	6:00 pm, Lenten Soup & Salad Supper 7:00 pm, Holden Evening Prayer
Thursday	March 5	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:00 pm, Holoholo pick-up 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff meeting 7:00 pm, LCH Choir rehearsal
Saturday	March 7	9:00 am, LCH Property Work Project 4:00 pm, Children’s Benefit Concert
Sunday	March 8	8:00 am, Contemporary Worship 9:20 am, Christian Education for all ages 10:30 am, Traditional Eucharist 11:45 am, Confirmation class
Monday	March 9	6:30 pm, Worship and Music meeting
Wednesday	March 11	12:30 pm, Finance Committee meeting 6:00 pm, Lenten Soup & Salad Supper 7:00 pm, Holden Evening Prayer
Thursday	March 12	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly staff meeting 7:00 pm, LCH Choir rehearsal
Saturday	March 14	9:00 am, LCH Property Work Project 9:30 am, Process Thought Forum
Sunday	March 15	8:00 am, Contemporary Worship 9:20 am, Christian Education for all ages 10:30 am, Traditional Eucharist 11:45 am, Confirmation class 11:45 am, Sunday School teachers’ meeting 6:00 pm, Exploring Boundaries and Beyond 7:30 pm, Evening Prayer
Monday	March 16	10:00 am, Book Club 7:00 pm, Writers’ Workshop
Tuesday	March 17	April Heartbeat deadline! 6:00 pm, Executive Council meeting 6:30 pm, Council meeting
Wednesday	March 18	6:00 pm, Lenten Soup & Salad Supper 7:00 pm, Holden Evening Prayer
Thursday	March 19	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:00 pm, Holoholo pick-up 2:30 pm, Weekly staff meeting 7:00 pm, LCH Choir rehearsal
Friday	March 20	1:00 pm, IHS meals prepared 5:30 pm, IHS meals served
Saturday	March 21	9:00 am, LCH Property Work Project 5:30 pm, Food for Thought (tentative)
Sunday	March 22	8:00 am, Contemporary Worship 9:20 am, Seder Meal 10:30 am, Traditional Eucharist 11:45 am, Confirmation class
Wednesday	March 25	6:00 pm, Lenten Soup & Salad Supper 7:00 pm, Holden Evening Prayer
Thursday	March 26	Office closed—Prince Kūhiõ Day 7:00 pm, LCH Choir rehearsal
Saturday	March 28	9:00 am, LCH Property Work Project 10:00 am, One Pot One Hope
Sunday	March 29	8:00 am, Contemporary Worship 9:20 am, Christian Education for all ages 10:30 am, Traditional Eucharist
Monday	March 30	7:00 pm, LCH Choir rehearsal