HeartBeat—November 2016

From Pastor Jeff

An (almost) Fearless Forgiveness

Have you ever said or done something and immediately realized that you hurt someone’s feelings or committed a social faux pas? Do you remember that creeping discomfort and internal conversation that followed? You may have vacillated between an immediate apology and running to hide under the nearest stairwell, but you probably knew some sort of redemptive action was needed to restore what might become a broken relationship. Apologies sometimes stick in our throats and in our hearts. They can be hard to let out because apologies imply we are wrong, or broken, thoughtless, or even ignorant. Few of us are comfortable with those labels.

If apologies are difficult, forgiveness may feel impossible. An apology requires us to step through our own mistakes and admit them to the person we have harmed or offended. We have to quell the urge to side-step around our errors or minimize the hurt we have caused. In doing so we reclaim our personhood and leave open the possibility for restoration. Forgiveness requires us to step through someone else’s mistake or intentional hurt and give up our claim for retribution and revenge. Forgiveness asks us to quell the grip of injustice and wrong doing in clenched fists, and hold them more lightly in our open hands.

When Peter asks Jesus how many times a sinner must be forgiven, Jesus replies, “Not just seven times, but I tell you, seventy-seven times!” (Matthew 18:25) The theme of forgiveness permeates the stories about Jesus. He seems fearless in his willingness to forgive even those who, on the face of it, really don’t deserve it. In the sometimes-disputed account of Jesus and the woman caught in the act of adultery (Matthew 8:1ff.) Jesus takes forgiveness to a new level. Having dispersed the crowd who had been intent on dispensing justice, Jesus calls to the woman and asks, “Where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” Then he said, “Neither do I condemn you, go away and sin no more.” Jesus walks through her hurt and brokenness and her fear and longing right in the midst of her accusers, and then sends her home. There is no retribution, no remonstrance, no atonement—only words of loving forgiveness. His fearless love for her is astonishing. Perhaps that is why some of the church fathers sought to have the story excluded from the canon. Could Jesus love and forgiveness really be that radical, that complete, that fearless?

Fearless forgiveness puts aside the needs of the individual, both perpetrator and victim, in favor of the full personhood of both. Forgiveness calls us to set aside adversity in favor of sharing in the true person standing before us. Our grip on our need to be right, vindicated, or revenged, is loosened by seeing Christ in the eyes of another and living out God’s command to love.

In the end, forgiveness is an act of love. In love we set aside shortcomings, great and small. In love we live out the grace-filled forgiveness of a God who embraces our imperfection and brokenness with a love so deep even death could not break her grip. In fearless forgiveness, we find the life of the one forgiven transformed, and ourselves transformed by the very gift of love God has given us. God gathers us as a community of faith to share that gift of God’s perfect love with our own (almost) fearless forgiveness.

Neighborhood Cleanup

In keeping with our theme of “Restoring Creation—Renewing Christ’s Community” we will be organizing a neighborhood cleanup on Saturday, November 19. On the surface our corner of Makiki is pretty neat and clean, but this is a chance to make sure everything is real ship-shape.

We’ll gather in the Courtyard at 10:00 am for some stretching and divide up into groups of two or three to get to work. The plan is to pick up the trash in the area from Wilder Avenue on the mauka side up to Nehoa on the makai, and from Punahou Street over to Makiki Street.

The Stewardship Committee will have vests for you to wear, trash bags, and disposable gloves if you don’t have your own work gloves. We expect to finish up in about two hours, and there will be lunch when the work is all pau.

We invite you all to join in as we restore this little bit of creation that is home to our congregation. Check your calendar and sign up in the Courtyard to be part of this neighborhood cleanup.

Dedication of Financial Commitments for 2017

Sunday, October 30, we distributed Commitment Packets as you left church, or we put one in the mail for you. In the packet we asked each of you in the LCH ‘ohana to commit a portion of your treasure to the ministry God has entrusted to us as a congregation. Please bring or mail your Commitment Card to the church for dedication on Sunday, November 20.

If you bring your completed card with you to church, just put it in the box by the rose window. If you did not get your commitment packet or forgot your commitment card, there are some extras in the ushers’ stand. Copies of the materials in the commitment packet are also available on the LCH website under the “Stewardship” menu.

Peggy Anderson, Pam Buckley, and Bill Potter
LCH Stewardship Committee

Spare Vases and Candles Available

LCH has accumulated a surplus of glass floral vases in addition to partially used procession candles and slightly used tea candles. Linda Miller will make these items available on a table in the courtyard between services for anyone who wants them. Please take advantage of this opportunity to decorate before the holidays.

Book of Faith Bible Study

Thursdays, 10:00–11:30 am • LCH Boardroom

The Book of Faith Bible study meets on Thursday mornings in the Boardroom. All are welcome to join this lively discussion of the Biblical texts, relevant current events, and historical foundations. Please come for lively engaging fellowship and discussion!

Confirmation Preparation Classes

Thursdays, 6:15 pm • Rainbow Room

Confirmation is a voluntary program for youth, grades 6 and up, who would like to confirm their faith. At baptism we promise to “place in (your child’s) hands the Holy Scripture and provide for their education in the Christian Faith.” In confirmation class we study scripture, the Reformation, and Christian history, but we are more interested in helping young people develop as persons of faith.

This year we are having confirmation class on Thursday evenings, including dinner. If you are interested in having your youth participate in confirmation preparation, please contact Pastor Jeff.

In Stitches

Saturday, November 5, 9:00–11:00 am • LCH Rainbow Room

Join together, craft together, laugh together. Do you
have a project you want to start or you want help on? Do you like to sit with friends and work with your hands? In Stitches, the LCH craft group, will meet the first Saturday of the month, in the Rainbow Room. We have quite a few lei for visitors so we invite everyone to come with their own project and work together. See you there.

All Saints’ Sunday

Sunday, November 6

On All Saints’ Sunday, you have the opportunity to come forward during worship to remember a deceased loved one by lighting a candle during the prayers of the community. Please fill out a Saints Remembrance form or email the church office (Lch@Lchwelcome.org) with the names of those you would like printed in the special bulletin insert. Join us for this special remembrance.

Angel Network In-Gathering

Sunday, November 6

On the first Sunday of each month, an in-gathering of food and personal items is collected at LCH for Angel Network, a ministry based out of Calvary-by-the-Sea Lutheran Church. The items are taken to Angel Network during the following week. Over 2,500 individuals are served monthly through this program. We are grateful for your generosity and support.

Sunday School News

Sunday Mornings, 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 November

• 11/6—The Ark and the Temple
• 11/13—The Exile and Return
• 11/20—Jonah, the Backward Prophet
• 11/27—Advent I

Adult Forum through Early December

Sunday mornings, 9:15 am • LCH Boardroom

For two Sundays, November 6 and 13, we will continue our multimedia study of Martin Luther, his times and his impacts, in the spirit of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Beginning November 27 and continuing through December 11, Phyllis Hormann will initiate important discussions regarding Final Conversations. More details are provided in a separate article. Please bring your refreshments and join our discussion.

Leadership Roundtable

Sunday, November 6, 11:45 am • LCH Boardroom

Committee chairs and team leaders, please plan to gather for a short (45 minute) meeting. This is an opportunity for us to sit down together and share information on what is happening with all the ministries at LCH. If you are a committee or team leader, please be prepared to share a little information on your activities with the group. Mahalo and see you there!

Poetry Group

Sunday, November 6, 6:45 pm

Poetry group will meet on the first Sunday of November prior to Evening Prayer which begins at 7:30 pm.

Evening Prayer

Sunday, November 6 & 20, 7:30 pm

Join us for Evening Prayer, led a cappella by the evening prayer choir. This is a peaceful experience of rejuvenation and prayer.

Holoholo Pick-Up

Tuesdays, November 8 and 22, 2:30–4:00 pm • LCH Boardroom

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. To join or find more information visit their website www.holoholostore.com.

Office Closed for Veterans’ Day

Friday, November 11

Process Thought Forum

There will be no Process Thought gathering in November. Please check the LCH calendar, LCHNews, and HeartBeat newsletter for future meeting dates.

Irmgard Hörmann Memorial Service

Saturday, November 12, 11:00 • at LCH

The Hörmann family extends an invitation to join them for a memorial service celebrating the life of Irmgard Hörmann at Lutheran Church of Honolulu. All are welcome to join the family for this beautiful day and stay for light lunch following the service. In lieu of flowers or lei, memorial contributions are greatly appreciated and may be made to Lutheran Church of Honolulu or Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels.

Documentary Film From This Day Forward

Saturday, November 12, 6:30 pm • Isenberg Hall

Join us to view the documentary film From This Day Forward, a moving portrayal of true family values—unconditional love and life-long commitment for a parent who comes out as transgender.
Director Sharon Shattuck was in the awkward throes of middle school at the start of her father’s transition decades ago and while it was difficult for her straight-identified mother to accept, her parents stayed together. As the Shattucks reunite to plan Sharon’s wedding, she seeks a deeper understanding of how her parents’ marriage survived the radical changes that threatened to tear them apart. For more information or to watch the movie trailer visit the website: www.fromthisdayforwardfilm.com.

Writers’ Workshop

Monday, November 14, 4:30–6:00 pm • LCH Boardroom

Please note the Writers’ Workshop new meeting time. All are welcome! For information, please call the LCH office at 808-941-2566.

LCH Sponsors Wounded Warriors Meal

Thursday, November 17, 3:30 pm

LCH is scheduled to feed the Wounded Warriors this month. We need one or two shoppers and four or five for the meal prep and service itself. First-timers are welcome. We meet at the entrance gate to Marine Corps Base, Kāne‘ohe (at the end of H-3) at 3:30 pm. Cooking, feeding, and clean-up are relatively light work, and we are usually finished and on our way by 6:00 pm. Please contact Fred Benco or the LCH office, LCH@LCHwelcome.org or 808-941-2566, if you are willing to volunteer for this worthwhile event.

IHS Meals Prepared and Served

Friday, November 18, 1:30 pm prep and 5:30 pm serve

For over 25 years, LCH has shopped for, prepared, and served a special dinner on the third Friday of each month for over 300 of Honolulu’s homeless. The cost is underwritten by the LCH budget and by a grant from the German Benevolent Society of Hawai‘i. Shoppers, cooks, and servers are needed each month. To learn more about the Institute for Human Services, visit their website at www.ihshawaii.org. Contact the LCH office or speak to Jimmy Castro for more information.

Food for Thought

Saturday, November 19, 5:30–8:00 pm

The next gathering of Food for Thought has been scheduled to meet at the home of David Hörmann. All are welcome for potluck supper, video, and discussion. For location details and other information, please call the LCH office at 808-941-2566.

Adult Forum: Living As Well As You Can On Your Own Terms

November 20–December 4 • 9:20 am • Boardroom

This three session program will use the book, The Conversation by Dr. Angelo E. Volandes, short videos, audio recordings, and other resources to stimulate thoughts and discussion around one’s wishes for health care especially when one becomes unable to communicate those wishes. The three sessions are designed to assist participants to better plan their personal health journey. The sessions will 1) help keep you at the center of your care, 2) help keep you in control of your care, 3) help you live as well as you can on your own terms, and the sessions will help you convey to your family and doctors as accurately as possible your wishes for care in writing in the form of an Advanced Health Care Directive. These are important things to consider sooner rather than later. By stating your wishes for care in writing, you are leaving your loved ones with a gift that will help them should the need ever arise for another to make health care decisions on your behalf.

Phyllis Hormann and Pastor Jeff will facilitate the forum.

The book, The Conversation by Dr. Angelo E. Volandes (ISBN 978-1-62040-854-4), may be ordered through Amazon.com.

First Half of the Annual Meeting

November 20, 2016, 9:15 am

Each year congregational members gather as a community to tend to important matters of business and ministry. These include nominating leadership, passing a budget, receiving reports, and discussing our missional objectives. At LCH, we divide our annual meeting into two halves. In November we will nominatr Congregational Council members to take office January, review the draft budget, and conduct any other business that might need to be transacted. In January the main business is to elect Council members and approve a final budget for the new year. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend these meetings, but only members in good standing may vote. Please plan to attend!

LCH Women’s Book Club

Monday, November 21, 10:00–11:30 am

We meet to discuss Wonder, by R.J. Palacio; a compelling story about a little boy with craniofacial anomalies. Meeting place to be announced.

Thanksgiving Eve Joint Worship

Wednesday, November 23, 7:00 pm at St. Clement Church

St. Clement Church is hosting the Thanksgiving Eve worship this year. Pastor Jeff Lilley is scheduled to preach. St. Clement lay ministry will assist during this Holden Evening Prayer service.

The annual pie reception will follow immediately after worship. Sign-up sheets for the pie reception will be made available starting November 6.

Office Closed for Thanksgiving

Thursday & Friday, November 24 & 25

Annual Thanksgiving Dinner at LCH

Thursday, November 24, 3:00 pm • Isenberg Hall and Hörmann Courtyard

All are welcome to join the LCH ‘ohana for our annual Thanksgiving Dinner in the courtyard. This is a potluck meal for anyone who would like to attend. Please bring your friends, neighbors, college and university students, and folks who would like some fellowship and food. Pastor Jeff and Jean will prepare the turkeys and bring fresh-baked rolls. A donation of ham would be appreciated. Please plan to bring your favorite dish in quantities to feed at least six persons. Pupus, side dishes, casseroles, desserts, or any other dish is very welcome! Please sign up in the courtyard beginning November 6 so we can plan accordingly.

One Pot, One Hope

Saturday, November 26, 10:00 am

A consistent group of LCH volunteers helps feed 100 to 125 people each month in Wai‘anae. Help support this mission outreach project by participating or by bringing donations of designated items—Costco gallon-sized cans of chili, fresh fruit, granola bars, bottled water, recycled grocery bags, and large cardboard boxes—or checks, payable to “One Pot, One Hope.” Bring donated items to church on the third Sunday of the month (November 20). See Peggy Anderson for more information, including volunteering and carpool.

42nd Annual Advent Procession: The “O” Antiphons

Sunday, November 27, 7:30 pm

Lutheran Church of Honolulu celebrates our 42nd Annual Advent Procession with Peter Hallock’s mystical and beautiful setting of the “O” Antiphons. First presented in 1975, the Lutheran Church of Honolulu’s Advent Procession has become a Honolulu tradition. This year, Advent choral selections by composers F. Melius Christiansen, Jacob Handl, George Guest, and others will be intermingled with hymns, carols, and the timeless setting of the Magnificat by Charles Villiers Stanford.

Organist Mark D. Wong accompanies the LCH Choir on our beautiful Beckerath organ, and guest singers and soloists will join to make this both a musically and spiritually moving festival service. Please join us as we begin a new liturgical year, carry on a beloved Hawai‘i tradition, and look forward to the Christmas season ahead.

Please Consider Serving On the Church Council

We need nominees to be presented at the first half of our Annual Meeting, on November 20 to fill council vacancies.

The work of the council is: important, interesting, informative, good fellowship, and fun!

The work of the Council is not: scary, intimidating, overly time consuming, or difficult to understand.

What to expect:

• One, 2-hour meeting per month. Council members take turns hosting, providing a meal and short devotion, and also serve a month as “council in charge,” ensuring that the church is locked up and items put away after the last worship service on Sunday morning.
• You can also expect to communicate during the month via texting or email if necessary. If you don’t text or have email, we can make arrangements for you—don’t let that stop you from saying yes to serving on Council.
• Council members also serve as liaisons to church committees or teams to communicate back to the council on planned activities or needs. Planned and unplanned absences are expected and taken into consideration, so don’t assume you can’t serve if you’ll be away for a month or two.

Please consider putting your name on the ballot to serve on the 2016 LCH Church Council. Still have questions? Just ask a current council member: Craig Clissold, Mary Fastenau, Steve Miller, Karyn Castro, Dori Palcovich, Lori Nishimura, Josie Bidgood, Randy Castello, Noe Nitz, Carol Langner, or Pastor Jeff.

Mahalo for your prayerful consideration of serving as part of the Council!

Committee Chairs

It’s time to begin compiling the Annual Report! Please submit your committee’s yearly report to the LCH office by Monday, December 19. Direct questions to the office at 808-941-2566 or email Lch@LCHwelcome.org.

Give Aloha Results Are In!

Thanks to all who participated in this year’s Give Aloha, Foodland’s Annual Community Matching Gifts Program. Customer donations for LCH totaled $4,579.00, generating matching gifts of $143.02 from Western Union and $803.18 from Foodland. That’s a grand total of $5,525.20! Mahalo for your generosity.

Anticipating a Big Celebration: 500th Anniversary

The year 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the traditional beginning of the Lutheran movement that started in Wittenberg, Germany with the nailing of Luther’s 95 Theses to the door of that town’s church. The period, known as the Reformation, was inaugurated and its effects spread worldwide. Now we ask what our congregation can do to honor and celebrate that rich heritage? Ideas are already circulating, but there is certainly room for more. More definite plans will be elaborated after the first of the year. Meanwhile, let your own creative imagination suggest some activity or project that seems fitting for such a celebration.

Electronic Funds Transfers for August

Offering Fund	Amount	Offering Fund	Amount
Offering	$5,385	Mission Campaign	$50
Music Fund/Instruments	$170	Wounded Warriors	$117
Capital Improvements	$107

Attendance and Offerings for September

Date	Worship Service	Attendance	Offering Fund	Amount
October 2	8:00 am Service	44	Offering	$4,017
	10:30 am Service	82	Service Music Fund	$80
	St. Francis Compline	53
	Total	179
October 9	8:00 am Service	53	Offering	$2,505
	10:30 am Service	73	Social Ministries/IHS	$111
	Total	126
October 16	8:00 am Service	44	Offering	$4,482
	10:30 am Service	70	Wounded Warriors	$50
	Evening Paryer	8	Social Ministries/IHS	$10
	Total	122	International Relief	$100
October 23	8:00 am Service	42	Offering	$3,430
	10:30 am Service	61	International Relief	$225
	Total	103	Altar Flowers	$100
			Music Endowment Fund	$1,480
Attendance and offering for Sunday, October 30, not available at time of publication.

HeartBeat Deadline

Tuesday, November 15, 9:00 am

Alan, Denise, Geno, the Hörmann family, Irene, John, Leilani, Swede

October Birthdays

11/01	Beverly Kaeo
11/06	Pam Buckley
11/06	Anni Campbell
11/08	Jonathan Kaeo
11/10	Nathanael W.
11/12	Edward Ichikawa
11/13	Pamela Hethcote
11/13	Richard Cook
11/14	Mary Fastenau
11/18	Stephen Crosier
11/21	Justin Kaeo
11/22	Brysen Kaeo
11/22	Kainani Iara N.
11/23	Fritz Fritschel
11/30	Brandon Yeh

LCH Worship Participants

Holy Communion (8:00 am)
DATE	November 6 All Saints Sunday	November 13	November 20 Christ the King	November 27 Advent I
LECTOR	April Smith	Cindy Scheinert	Jimmy Castro	Peggy Anderson
ASSISTING MINISTER	Bobby Broyles	Laurie Leach	Peggy Anderson	Amanda Lippert
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS	Peggy Anderson Wayne Gau< Kyra Takamiya/td>	Sheena Lim-Urban Amanda Lippert Phyllis Hormann	Wayne Gau> Kyra Takamiya Stephanie Luuloa	Laurie Leach Sheena Lim-Urban Bobby Broyles
LAYING ON HANDS		Stephanie Luuloa
ACOLYTE	Hunter N.	Dylan D.	Hunter N.	Dylan D.
USHERS	Fred Benco (Captain) Craig Clissold Billie Jean Ries Chuck Huxel		COUNCIL IN CHARGE	Randy Castello
Choral Eucharist (10:30 am)
DATE	November 6 All Saints Sunday	November 13	November 20 Christ the King	November 27 Advent I
LECTOR	Peggy Brandt	Peter Flachsbart	Roy Helms	Iara Nitz
DEACON	Jacqui Darroch	Mary Fastenau	Josie Bidgood	Frank Haas
SUB-DEACON	Teresa McCreary	Marcus Fikse	Chuck Pearson	Jacqui Darroch
COMMUNION	Frank Haas	Nathalie Jones	Jim Cartwright	Shy Healey
ASSISTANTS	Sue Haas	Bob Tellander	Randy Christensen	Bob Tellander
ACOLYTES	Azure S. Scarlett S.	Lillie J. Coco J.	Iara N. Max W.	TJ H. Connor H.
LAYING ON HANDS		TBD
USHERS	Peter Flachsbart (Captain) Bill Fay Chuck Pearson LaVerne Rickard Jean-Paul Klingebiel		ALTAR GUILD	Josie Bidgood Stephanie Luuloa Sheena Lim-Urban Lois Watanabe Juditha Murashige

Calendar: November 2016

Day	Date	Event and Time
Thursday	November 3	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly staff meeting 6:15 pm, Confirmation Class 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Saturday	November 5	9:00 am, In Stitches
Sunday	November 6	All Saints Sunday Angel Network In-Gathering 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:15 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 11:45 am, Leadership Roundtable 6:45 pm, Poetry Group 7:30 pm, Evening Prayer
Monday	November 7	6:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal
Tuesday	November 8	2:30 pm, Holoholo pick-up
Wednesday	November 9	12:30 pm, Finance Committee Meeting
Thursday	November 10	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly staff meeting 6:15 pm, Confirmation Class 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Friday	November 11	Veterans’ Day—LCH Office Closed
Saturday	November 12	11:00 am, Irmgard Hörmann Memorial Service
Sunday	November 13	8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:15 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist
Monday	November 14	4:30 pm, Writers’ Workshop (New time!) 6:00 pm, Worship & Music Meeting 7:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal
Tuesday	November 15	HeartBeat Submissions Deadline 6:30 pm, Council Meeting
Thursday	November 17	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting 4:00 pm, Wounded Warrior Meal 6:15 pm, Confirmation Class 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Friday	November 18	1:00 pm, IHS Meals prepared 5:30 pm, IHS Meals served
Saturday	November 19	10:oo am, Neighborhood Clean-up Project 5:30 pm, Food for Thought 6:30 pm, Chamber Music Concert at LCH
Sunday	November 20	8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:15 am, First Half Annual Meeting 9:15 am, Sunday School 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 7:30 pm, Evening Prayer
Monday	November 21	10:00 am, Women’s Book Club 5:30 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal 6:30 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Tuesday	November 22	2:30 pm, Holoholo pick-up
Wednesday	November 23	7:00 pm, Thanksgiving Eve Service and Pie Social
Thursday	November 24	Thanksgiving Holiday—LCH Office Closed 3:00 pm, Thanksgiving Dinner at LCH
Friday	November 25	Thanksgiving Holiday—LCH Office Closed
Saturday	November 26	10:00 am, One Pot One Hope 3:00 pm, Advent Procession Dress Rehearsal
Sunday	November 27	8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:15 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 5:30 pm, Advent Procession Rehearsal 7:30 pm, Advent Procession
Monday	November 28	6:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal