HeartBeat—May 2015

A Message from Pastor Jeff

An Analog Faith—Part 1

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has been writing a great deal lately about the anxieties many of us in the church are feeling as we watch once-thriving congregations dwindle in membership, status, and hope. Some church “experts” offer up the latest programming, marketing, worship styles, and outreach schemes with the hope of raising the sinking ship, or at least slow the sinking a bit. But Bishop Eaton’s response has been clear and faithful, “Be the Church.” What she seems to mean is that the church in general—and the ELCA in particular—has been given by God the gift of grace, love, scripture, Spirit, and mission which we are called to pour out on the world in thankfulness and love. The primary way we pour out these gifts is relationships—some long-standing, and others fleeting—where we share God through worship, sacrament, service, teaching, forgiveness, accountability, music, or even silence with those who hunger for meaning, hope, or just a friend. So, if Bishop Eaton is right, why has our congregation experienced a downturn in attendance, budget, and activity? Why is the Christian ‘ohana shrinking at a furious rate while the number of people who list “none” as their religion continues to grow in national polls?

The church was founded and spent most of its history in a world terribly different than our own. Everything was so… analog! How can an analog church with its ancient traditions, archaic languages, nonsensical traditions, and funny clothes offer anything to a digital world of instant information, lightning fast communication, and instant everything from soup to relationships? How does the story of the birth of Jesus make sense in a world where couples can literally “construct” the genetic makeup of their embryo?

Although several authors are making a pretty good living trying to answer that question, and an equal number are selling high-priced solutions in the form of parish programs, advertising schemes, and sure-fire evangelism techniques (none of which seem to make any difference), nobody seems able to give a definitive answer or a successful solution. So far, in all my reading and study, the best advice I have found is, “Be the Church.”

So what might that mean? I am playing with the notion of “analog faith” because it seems clear that our faith is based on relationships that flow and move through time and space, are adaptive, and are subject to any number of variables. The word analog is often bandied about as a pejorative term meaning “old fashioned” or “out of touch.” But analog refers to a type of energy that is represented by a sine wave form. When viewed on an oscilloscope, it looks a bit like a stretched out, sideways “S.” Analog energy transmits information by varying the frequency and amplitude of the wave making the s-shape elongate or compact.

On the other hand, “digital” refers to energy or information expressed in series of the numbers 0 and 1, which can be arranged in an almost limitless number of variations. On an oscilloscope digital waveforms look like a series of square “U” shapes marching across the screen. Digital is either on or off.

Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. Analog is better at expressing relationships and nuance (that’s why audiophiles prefer vinyl records and tube amps, which are analog). But analog is less precise and more easily corrupted. Digital is very precise and accurate, but not as nuanced or flexible as analog. So, when an audiophile hears a music CD, to them it sounds “tinny.” Digital and analog each have a place in the world of science and life, but each has its own place.

So much for the science. How does it apply to church and religion? I contend, for the sake of this experiment, that the nature of faith, religion, and the church—like humans—is largely analog. That nature is better described and served by the image of a sine wave with all of its nuances, inaccuracies, and uncertainties than the precision of the digital form. “Be the Church” means forming our present and future by deepening relationships with God, one another, our neighborhood, and the world through authentic love. It means expressing that love through the gifts of Word, sacrament, service, justice, and advocacy rooted in deep relationships.

Deep relationships seem more analog than the on-off nature of the digital world. Relationships stretched over time and space draw people in the 21st century to find joy in the ancient words “Christ is Risen!” in the same way they did in 100 AD. When Jesus says, “love one another,” it means more than reaching out with a phone call or text. It means laying our lives on the line individually and collectively for the sake of our enemies. This is the radical, sine wave, nature of faith—our faith. It is God’s energy unleashed in the world through God’s people of every stripe and faith, in an endless and undulating analog wave, where the amplitude and frequency find a harmonic resonance in local congregations, communities, cities, broken hearts, and the tears of a grandpa setting eyes on his grandchild for the first time. This is being the church in a way that no program, marketing scheme, or souped-up worship service could ever encompass. To be the church is to dance to the rhythm of God right where we are, and fall in love with God and each other over and over again.

Next Time: Riding the Sine Wave

Stewardship of Work and Careers

When the Stewardship Committee was talking about who would write the article for May, I mentioned the frequently-referenced quote from Martin Luther: “The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship.” Of course, the committee assigned the article to me.

So, when I got to work on the article, I looked for the source of this gem, and that led me to the editorial in the Fall 2005 issue of Word & World from Luther Seminary. According to “What Luther Didn’t Say about Vocation,” Luther never said those words, and the alleged quotation doesn’t exactly fit within Luther’s understanding of work. It wasn’t going to be that easy after all! Fortunately, another article in the same issue of Word & World (“The Work of a Christian: Vocation in Lutheran Perspective” by Kathryn Kleinhans) did provide some guidance on a Lutheran view of work.

Those of us here at LCH have a wide variety of jobs and careers. I’m sure that for some of us, our job is an ordeal that we endure each weekday so that we have funds to contribute to church, take vacations, or just feed ourselves. And almost certainly some of us are excited to go to work each day because of the ways our job feeds us emotionally and spiritually. What can all these different kinds of jobs have in common, and what do they have to do with stewardship?

The very first worker—and the very first steward—was Adam, who was given the job of tending the garden (Genesis 2:15). There was no TV, he didn’t have an mp3 player, there were no newspapers or magazines, and he didn’t have any friends to hang out with (Eve comes later), so God gave him a job. But it was more than a job. This was after the seventh day, so God had finished the work of creation. As steward of the garden, Adam became the “hands” for God’s work—in effect, co-creator with God.

Since then, of course, things have become more complicated. We’ve been through the “fall” when work becomes more of a curse (“By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground” Genesis 3:19), and there are lots more kinds of jobs. However, just like Adam, we have the opportunity to be co-creators with God because our hands are necessary for God’s work to be done. So, Luther wrote “every occupation has its own honor before God, as well as its own requirements and duties” (“Lectures on Genesis [Genesis 8:17]”).

In this context, the alleged quote is correct when in saying that the “shoemaker does his Christian duty…by making good shoes,” but it’s not “because God is interested in good craftsmanship.” By making good shoes, the shoemaker serves not God but the shoemaker’s neighbors. In the same way, we serve our neighbors by doing our best in whatever job or occupation we have.

Understanding our jobs as one of the ways we serve our neighbors can help us view our own work as a positive contribution and as a social good. It can also help us appreciate the work of others. When we approach our jobs in this way, we are being good stewards of the blessings God has given us.

Of course, as with most anything, there are caveats. While this understanding can help us feel good about our jobs and careers, particularly in the modern world, it is easy to get totally wrapped up in the job as an end in itself and become a workaholic. And we should not let our understanding of the dignity of all labor keep us from agitating for just compensation for others and for ourselves.

I invite you to join me in seeking to approach my job as an opportunity to use my hands for God’s work and to see my co-workers as fellow co-creators with God in a just, peaceful, and bountiful world.

Stewardship of Creation Service Project

Saturday, May 2, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Join us for the Pahole service project. Please note, the meeting place has changed. We will meet at Waialua High School and car pool from there to the reserve. David Anderson will teach us how to be stewards of our ‘āina. This day-long project includes out planting of native species and controlling invasive plants, such as strawberry guava and Christmas berry. Bring a backpack with your own lunch, 2 liters of water, gloves, sturdy shoes for hiking, and a hatchet or hand saw, if you have. We will go, rain or shine, so plan accordingly with insect repellent and sunscreen/raingear. Weather permitting, we’ll hike to Mākua lookout for lunch. See the bulletin board for more details, and visit the sign-up table for release forms. We need a head count of attendees so that we have enough transportation to the reserve. See Pam Buckley for more details.

Godly Play—Sunday School News

Sundays, 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 May:

• May 3—The Good Shepherd and World Communion
• May 10—The Synagogue and the Upper Room
• May 17—Circle of the Holy Eucharist
• May 24—The Mystery of Pentecost
• May 31—End of Sunday School Play Day

O‘ahu Youth Gathering

May 3, 4:00 pm
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Wahiawā

Our final youth gathering of the school year will be hosted by St. Stephen’s, Wahiawa, with a guided tour of Kukaniloko—the birthing stones, followed by dinner at the church. Kukaniloko is one of the most sacred places in Hawai‘i. Parents and families are welcome to join. Come, be fed by the Spirit!

Sunday Adult Discussion: The Prophetic Tradition

Sundays through May 17 in the Boardroom

We are into the second week of this four-week series will be led by Fritz Fritschel. Under the theme of “prophetic tradition,” the group will use the prophet Amos as a springboard for wider discussion. The prophetic tradition has been vital in both Jewish and Christian histories. There will be ample opportunity to make relevant connections between the work and time of Amos and our own 21st century circumstance.

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.

Diana Butler Bass Presentations

Monday and Tuesday, May 4 & 5, 7:00 pm • Vi and Paul Loo Parish House, St. Clement’s Episcopal Church

The public is welcome to attend both sessions, offered by Diana Butler Bass, Scholar in Residence, at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church.

• Monday—The Religious Writer, Part I: Birthing a Book
• Tuesday—The Religious Writer, Part II: Writing Grounded (out in October 2015)

For more information, please call 808-955-7745.

Tea Party for Women and Girls

Saturday, May 9, 3:00–4:30 pm in Isenberg Hall

All women and girls are invited to join us for a tea party. We’ll enjoy tea, finger sandwiches, sweets, and fellowship. You are welcome to don your best hats and gloves and bring your favorite tea cup with a story to share. Please let us know if you can come by Sunday, May 2! Speak with Adriane Clissold or Jean Lilley, or contact them through the Church Office (808-291-2969).

We hope you’ll join us for this fun time!

Process Thought and Theopoetics

Saturday, May 9, 9:30–11:00 am

It’s time for us to look at some examples of poetry that stimulate one’s “spirited” imagination. We look at a selection of poetry from various traditions and times, all of which have the capacity to challenge our thought and action. A list of selected poems will be available and sent out later from Fritz. Most of the biblical prophets delivered their messages in poetic form. Poetry can carry a real punch.

Writers’ Workshop

Monday, May 11, 7:00–8:30 pm

Writers’ Workshop will meet at LCH in the Rainbow Room. This will be our last meeting of the Spring. All are welcome! For information, please call the LCH office 808-941-2566.

Holoholo Pick-Up

Thursday, May 12 & 26, 2:00–4:00 pmin the LCH Boardroom

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.

Exploring Boundaries and Beyond: The Pursuit of Mars: Should we? Could we?

A presentation by Rachel Lentz • Sunday, May 17, 6:00–7:15 pm

Science fiction stories have the luxury of taking giant what-if leaps and then fulfilling dreams of what could be with the stroke of a pen. But in our current world, where political insanity seems to be on the rampage and environmental catastrophe possibly only years away, should we be taking those leaps for real? Many consider that the only logical way to ensure the survival of humanity as a species is to spread beyond planet Earth. And the next best bet in our Solar System for a home is Mars. We’ll talk about the realities of what is necessary for a colony of humans to leave this planet behind and what it would take to colonize Mars in particular. We’ll also discuss whether this is a sensible or advisable goal in the next 10–20 years.

Rachel Lentz earned undergraduate and doctoral degrees in geology. Her lifelong interest in science fiction encouraged her to look to space for part of her dissertation topic, by way of studying Martian meteorites. She recently became interested in the troubles our world is facing through climate change. For many years, Rachel has contributed her beautiful voice to the LCH Choir as a soprano soloist and section leader. Her two children participate in LCH ministries for young people.

Giving Statements

Giving statements for the first quarter of 2015 are read. Please pick yours up at the back of the nave after Sunday service or at the church office to save on postage. Statements that are not picked-up by May 3 will be mailed.

We are grateful for all contributions, whether by check, cash, or electronic funds transfer (EFT). We do our best to accurately record contributions, but mistakes do happen. Please review your statement and let us know of any errors by telling the church office or financial secretary, Bill Potter.

Staffing Update

Dan Binkauski decided not to continue as our custodian/groundskeeper as of April 10. We are in the process once again of hiring to fill this position. In the meantime, congregation president and former professional church sexton, April Smith, has been filling in on a limited basis to take care of our cleaning and grounds keeping needs.

EcoShade Courtyard Cover Is Here!

Our building permit was approved, and installation of the EcoShade louvered roof cover for the Hörmann Courtyard began on Monday, April 20. For more information on EcoShade, please visit www.ecoshade.com.

We have designated funds for this project but will need more to complete it. Until fundraising for this project has been completed, we will effectively be loaning ourselves funds to pay the contractor. According to our treasurer, Steve Miller, we still need to raise $8,378.00. Please watch for information on fund raising in the coming weeks! In the meantime, if you would like to make a contribution toward the project, please make checks payable to Lutheran Church of Honolulu and list “Hörmann Courtyard” on the memo line.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact our council president, April Smith, through the church office at 808-941-2566.

Electronic Funds Transfers for March

Offering Fund	Amount	Offering Fund	Amount
Offering	$7,064	Mission Campaign	$150
Music Fund/Instruments	$110	Wounded Warriors	$125

Attendance and Offerings for April

Date	Worship Service	Attendance	Offering Fund	Amount
April 5	8:00 am Service	74	Offering	$5,858
	10:30 am Service	124	Social Ministries	$44
	Evening Prayer	25	Children’s Benefit Concert	$40
	Total	223	Wounded Warriors	$1,600
			Mission Campaign	$675
April 12	8:00 am Service	55	Offering	$1,738
	10:30 am Service	70	Trust Income	$5,528
	Total	125	Music Instruments	$10
			Memorials	$178
April 19	8:00 am Service	37	Offering	$3,255
	10:30 am Service	67	Altar Flowers	$40
	Evening Prayer	17	Children’s BenefitConcert	$140
	Total	121	Youth	$1,000
April 26	8:00 am Service	54	Offering	$3,115
	10:30 am Service	70	Altar Flowers	$40
	Total	124	Social Ministries	$60
			Capital Improvements	$110
			Hörmann Courtyard	$20

HeartBeat Deadline

Tuesday, May 19, 9:00 am

Akiyo	Gene	Kent
Cindy and family	Gianna	Matthew Michael
Dan	Irmgard	Mickey
Denise	Janet	Quentin
Diane	Jean	Sandi
Fay	Jennie	Sylvia
Karen

May Birthdays

Date	Name
05/04	Jamie Weeks
05/05	Vreni Griffith
05/09	Bill Fay
05/11	Ivan Kaeo
05/14	Miles Sato
05/18	Gertrude Ferdun
05/17	Karyn Castro
05/22	Miguel Felipe
05/22	Michael Tod Outlaw
05/23	Francisco Barajas
05/24	Stephanie Miller
05/29	Sydney Schaper
05/30	Ernie Peterson

LCH Worship Participants

Holy Communion (8:00 am)
DATE	May 3	May 10	May 17	May 24 Pentcost	May 31
LECTOR	April Smith	Jim Sullivan	Peggy Anderson	Cindy Scheinert	Chuck Huxel
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS	Peggy Anderson Sheena Lim-Urban Stephanie Luuloa Wayne Gau	Laurie Leach Kyra Takamiya Bobby Broyles Amanda Lippert	Sophia Stark Peggy Anderson Chuck Huxel Wayne Gau	Sheena Lim-Urban Amanda Lippert Laurie Leach Stephanie Luuloa	Kyra Takamiya Sophia S. Chuck Huxel Jim Sullivan
ACOLYTE	Charles C.	Sophie C.	Raphael S.	Dylan D.	Hunter N.
LAYING ON OF HANDS		Stephanie Luuloa
USHERS	Fred Benco Billie Jean Ries Craig Clissold
Choral Eucharist (10:30 am)
DATE	May 3	May 10	May 17	May 24 Pentcost	May 31
LECTOR	Randy Castello	Kathryn Klingebiel	Aaron Gould	Peggy Brandt	Peter Flachsbart
DEACON	Jeanne Castello	Shy Healey	Josie Bidgood	Teresa McCreary	Mary Fastenau
SUB-DEACON	Teresa McCreary	Mary Fastenau	Chuck Pearson	Bob Zimmer	Jim Cartwright
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS	Randy Christensen Mary Fastenau	Jim Cartwright Bob Tellander	Randy Christensen Phyllis Hormann	Shy Healey Bob Tellander	Josie Bidgood Chuck Pearson
ACOLYTES	Savannah M. Coco J.	TJ H. Rebecca L.	Nathalie J. Iara N.	Reid W. Max W.	Azure S. Scarlett S.
LAYING ON OF HANDS		Bob Zimmer
USHERS	Chuck Huxel Peter Flachsbart Chuck Pearson LaVerne Rickard		ALTAR GUILD	Josie Bidgood Lori Nishimura Sheena Lim-Urban Lois Watanabe
COUNCIL IN CHARGE	Randy Castell

Calendar: May 2015

Day	Date	Event and Time
Saturday	May 2	9:00 am, Pahole Reserve Service Project 10:00 am, Hukilau Spring Assembly
Sunday	May 3	8:00 am, Contemporary Worship 9:20 am, Christian Education for all ages 10:30 am, Traditional Eucharist 4:00 pm, Oahu Youth Gathering 7:00 pm, Poetry Group 7:30 pm, Evening Prayer
Thursday	May 7	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly staff meeting 7:00 pm, LCH Choir rehearsal
Saturday	May 9	9:30 am, Process Thought Forum 3:00 pm, Tea Party for Women & Girls
Sunday	May 10	Happy Mothers’ Day! 8:00 am, Contemporary Worship 9:20 am, Christian Education for all ages 10:30 am, Traditional Eucharist 11:45 am, Confirmation class
Monday	May 11	6:30 pm, Worship and Music meeting 7:00 pm, Writers’ Workshop
Tuesday	May 12	2:00 pm, Holoholo pick-up
Wednesday	May 13	12:30 pm, Finance Committee meeting
Thursday	May 14	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly staff meeting 7:00 pm, LCH Choir rehearsal
Friday	May 15	1:00 pm, IHS meals prepared 5:30 pm, IHS meals served
Sunday	May 17	8:00 am, Contemporary Worship 9:20 am, Christian Education for all ages 10:30 am, Traditional Eucharist 3:00 pm, LCH Confirmation outing 6:00 pm, Exploring Boundaries 7:30 pm, Evening Prayer
Tuesday	May 19	June Heartbeat deadline! 6:00 pm, Executive Council meeting 6:30 pm, Council meeting
Thursday	May 21	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly staff meeting 7:00 pm, LCH Choir rehearsal
Saturday	May 23	10:00 am, One Pot One Hope
Sunday	May 24	8:00 am, Contemporary Worship 9:20 am, Christian Education for all ages 10:30 am, Traditional Eucharist 5:00 pm, Organ 40th Anniversary Concert
Monday	May 25	LCH Office Closed—Memorial Day
Tuesday	May 26	2:00 pm, Holoholo pick-up
Thursday	May 28	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly staff meeting 7:00 pm, LCH Choir rehearsal
Sunday	May 31	8:00 am, Contemporary Worship 9:20 am, Christian Education for all ages 10:30 am, Traditional Eucharist