In this issue:
- A Message from Pastor Jeff
- Stewardship Corner
- Committee/Interest Group Chairs
- LCH Scholarship Applications Available
- Summer Schedules
- Book of Faith Bible Study
- Confirmation Preparation Classes
- In Stitches
- Angel Network In-Gathering
- Godly Play—Sunday School News
- Leadership Roundtable
- LCH Choir Spring Concert
- Holoholo Pick-Up
- 2017 Pacifica Synod Assembly
- Process Forum
- LCH Women’s Book Club
- Writers’ Workshop
- LCH Sponsors Wounded Warriors Meal
- Karol’s Karolers Spring Concert
- IHS Meals Prepared and Served
- Compline
- Food for Thought
- One Pot, One Hope
- No Mary Magdalene Society in May
- Play Day for Godly Play
- Office Closed—Memorial Day
- Leis for Vietnam Veterans
- An Easy Way to Donate
- 500th Anniversary Plans Underway
- HeartBeat Deadline
- Electronic Funds Transfers for March
- Attendance and Offerings for April
- Prayer Requests
- May Birthdays
- LCH Worship Participants (8:00 am)
- LCH Worship Participants (10:30 am)
- Calendar: May 2017
A Message from Pastor Jeff
Mahalo!
This simple word is barely adequate to communicate my thanks for the wonderful expressions of support, love, and humor the congregation shared at the surprise party honoring our first ten years together, as pastor and congregation, on April 23. The music, food, limericks, poems, lei, gifts, and donations to charity shared by congregation members were truly overwhelming. It was delightful for me to see all of you having such a fabulous time and humbling to be a part of the celebration. Mahalo!
For all of the accolades and well wishes on Sunday, it remains clear that ministry is all about what we do together. That is what makes pastoring at LCH such a lot of fun. Together we are able to focus on welcome, service to the community, love, care, music, worship, joy, and a passion for justice. Together, we are able to dream dreams that would be impossible for one person to accomplish. Together we can celebrate not only the last ten years, but also the past 117 years that the congregation has existed and the 100 years in store for our future. God is not done with us yet, nor are we done with God. I wonder what adventures await us in the future. How will God use our gifts for the sake of others and what gifts will we develop that we can’t even imagine right now?
Sometimes it feels a bit like embarking on a new adventure. God is still revealing the route, and we are not sure where we will end up. Yet God calls us to put one reluctant foot in front of the other and remains steadfastly with us along the way. One wonders what the disciples must have felt when Jesus sent them out into the world without a cloak or extra bag “to proclaim the Gospel in every city.” Their adventure took them to places where they were rejected, beaten, and thrown out. In other places, they found welcome and hunger for the words of Jesus. In still other places they had to shake the dust from the soles of their sandals as a testament against the village that would not hear. Although our adventure may not be quite so challenging or arduous, it shares the same urgency as that of the first disciples.
Our adventure sometimes calls us out of our comfort zone to be with and serve persons and causes many have abandoned: the hungry, the homeless, the refugee, the sick, the aged, the different, the unpleasant, the lost, the questioning, and the stranger. Part of our discomfort may be that we are not just asking these folks to join us on our journey—rather, we are called to join them on their journey. It is a subtle but important difference. When we invite someone into our adventure, we are hoping they will find value in what we do, believe, and love and will find something helpful there. But when we join in their adventure and accompany them on their journey, we find ourselves transformed, and ministry happens in a wholly different manner. We become part of the fabric of their lives, and they a part of ours. Community forms with stronger bonds, and Gospel-breathing spirit becomes the air we breathe together.
In many ways, I feel that over the past ten years you have invited me to be a part your journey, and I find myself changed for the experience. Your kindness, generosity, joyful spirit, patience, and willingness to seek new ways of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ are an inspiration. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us next!
Blessings,
Pastor Jeff
Committee/Interest Group Chairs
| Committee/Group | Leader |
|---|---|
| Archive: | Jim Cartwright |
| Concert: | Scott Fikse |
| Communications: | Carol Langner |
| Council: | Craig Clissold & Mary Fastenau |
| Exploring Boundaries: | Carol Langner |
| Fellowship: | Jeanne Castello & Mary-Jo Estes |
| Finance: | Steve Miller |
| Financial Review: | Ron Murashige |
| Food for Thought: | Kathryn Klingebiel |
| In Stitches: | Linda Miller |
| Lay Ministers: | Carolyn Koehler |
| Learning Ministry: | Fred Benco |
| Mary Magdalene Society: | James Cartwright |
| Process Theology: | Fritz Fritschel |
| Property: | Jean-Paul Klingebiel & Greg Gebhardt |
| Scholarship: | Fred Benco |
| Social Ministry: | Jean Lilley |
| Stewardship: | Pam Buckley |
| Sunday School: | Laurie Leach |
| Worship & Music: | Linda Miller & Randy Castello |
| Writers’ Workshop: | Kathryn Klingebiel |
| Youth: | Pr. Jeff Lilley |
Use Simply Giving to Make Your “Shallow Subsidy” Pledge
The Church Office has completed preparations so that you may pay your Shallow Subsidy pledge by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) using Simply Giving. If you are new to Simply Giving, just complete the registration materials available in the Ushers Stand at the rear of the Nave. Submit the form along with a voided check. If you are already using Simply Giving, please complete a new form and include the Shallow Subsidy pledge along with the contributions you are already making.
If you have questions about EFT using Simply Giving, speak to Bill Potter at church or call Anne in the Church Office. Forms may also be downloaded from the LCH website.
LCH Scholarship Applications Available
Scholarship applications are available for the coming summer and 2017–18 school year. Scholarships may be used for tuition assistance, music study, and the like. If you wish to apply for an LCH scholarship, please call the church office (808-941-2566) or send an email request to lch@lchwelcome.org for an application.
Scholarship applications should be submitted by Wednesday, May 10, for review and approval.
Summer Schedules
As June approaches, please keep in mind that we change our Sunday service time to the summer schedule for June, July, and August. There will be one worship service on Sundays, at 9:15 am. This is a communion service. There will be no Compline during the summer months. Compline resumes on the first Sunday of September.
Other programs, such as Confirmation classes, Food for Thought, Poetry Group, and Writers’ Workshop, may break for the summer as well. Check the LCH calendar on-line, or The HeartBeat and the weekly LCHNews calendars for scheduling information.
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
Thursday, May 4, 6:30 pm • LCH Rainbow Room
Confirmation is a voluntary 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.
For more information, please contact Pastor Jeff.
In Stitches
Saturday, May 6, 9:00 am • Rainbow Room
In Stitches, the LCH craft group, will meet the first Saturday of May in the Rainbow Room. Bring your project, learn a craft, and join in the fellowship. All are welcome!
Angel Network In-Gathering
Sunday, May 7
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.
Godly Play—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 stories for May:
- May 7—Circle of the Service
- May 14—Jesus and the Twelve
- May 21—Paul’s Discovery
- May 28—End of Sunday School Play Day!
Leadership Roundtable
Sunday, May 7, 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!
LCH Choir Spring Concert
Sunday, May 7, 5:00 pm
Lutheran Church of Honolulu is proud to present Cantate, featuring captivating works by Grieg, Schubert, Bach, Mendelssohn, and others in celebration of Good Shepherd Sunday. The LCH Choir will perform Bach’s pastoral Cantata 104: Du Hirte Israel, höre with the Bach Chamber Orchestra and soloists Renson Madarang and Jeremy Wong. The program continues with the lesser known yet richly beautiful Fire Salmer by Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, a treasure of the choral library. The Men’s Schola will offer three settings of Psalm 23 and then combine with the LCH Choir and soloists for our finale. Join us for this wonderful concert with selections that will lift your spirit and feed your soul.
Tickets available at the door. $25, general | $10, students.
Holoholo Pick-Up
Tuesdays, April 11 and 25, 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.
2017 Pacifica Synod Assembly
Voting members from around the Pacifica Synod will gather in Irvine, California, May 11–13, for the Pacifica Synod Assembly. Pastor Jeff, Jim Cartwright, and Linda Miller are voting members from LCH attending the assembly this year. Rev. Phyllis Hörmann is also attending as clergy. The assembly is a time for ELCA congregations to gather for prayer, worship, discernment, and business. Please keep the assembly, our bishop, and all voting members in your prayers. Our voting members will provide a brief report of their experience when they return.
Process Forum
Saturday, May 13, 9:30 am • LCH Boardroom
Using findings from recent Pew Research Center, we look at projections about the size and role of religions globally in the year 2050, and how this might impact the role that religions play in responding to our ecological challenges. Check out www.jesusjazzbuddhism.org/religion-in-the-year-2050-projected-trends-and-ecological-hopes.html to get a preview of our topic. The web page has many links to other presentations that you can follow-up on later if you are interested. Please join us!
LCH Women’s Book Club
Monday, May 15, 10:00 am
Our group meets at the Murashige’s to discuss Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. At our next meeting, on June 19, we’ve scheduled America’s First Daughter by Stephanie Dray for review and discussion. All are welcome.
Writers’ Workshop
Monday, May 15, 4:30–6:00 pm • LCH Boardroom
Writers’ Workshop will meet in the LCH Boardroom. The next meeting is planned for June 12. All are welcome! For information, please call the LCH office at 808-941-2566.
LCH Sponsors Wounded Warriors Meal
Thursday, May 18, 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.
Karol’s Karolers Spring Concert
May 19, 7:00 pm
Karol’s Karolers is excited to continue its new tradition of summer concerts, and we are thrilled to make another appearance at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu to present a free one-hour variety concert. Several LCH members sing in this choral group, so we’d love to sing for you and hope to see you in the audience!
IHS Meals Prepared and Served
Friday, May 19, 1:30 pm prep/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.
Compline
Sunday, May 21, 7:30 pm
Please join presider John Bickel and the LCH Men’s Schola for one final Compline service before our summer break. Compline contains chanted verses and responses, short prayers, a lesson, the Nunc dimittis, and a cappella motets for the liturgical season spoken and chanted in an atmosphere of soothing candlelight. All are welcome.
Food for Thought
Saturday, May 27, 5:30–8:00 pm
The next gathering of Food for Thought has been scheduled to meet at the home of David Hormann. In addition, we have scheduled a get-together for June 17, 2017. All are welcome for potluck supper, video, and discussion. For location details and other information, please call the LCH office at 808-941-2566.
One Pot, One Hope
Saturday, May 27, 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. See Peggy Anderson for more information, including volunteering and carpool.
No Mary Magdalene Society in May
Join us June 24, 2017 for our next gathering in LCH’s Isenberg Hall. For more information, contact Jim at jasfcartw@gmail.com. Please share information of this gathering and an invitation to other LGBTQI and friends you know who may be interested in socializing with us.
Play Day for Godly Play
Sunday, May 28, between services
To celebrate another great year of Godly Play, we have a Play Day planned involving games, crafts, and food. There are no Sunday school classes during the summer months, June through August. If you are interested in helping with the Godly Play program, beginning in September, please contact the LCH office for information.
LCH Office Closed
Memorial Day—Monday, May 29
Leis for Vietnam Veterans
Call-out to any church members interested in helping to make ribbon leis for the Welcoming Home ceremony for Vietnam Veterans to be held May 23–28. Team RWB is a non-profit organization that will be making the leis. Ribbon has been donated, we just need volunteers to help make the leis. Please email Robin Cushing at robinecushing@gmail.com if you’re interested. Visit www.vietnam50years.org for more information about the ceremony.
An Easy Way to Donate
Did you know you can donate to Lutheran Church of Honolulu while shopping without spending any extra money? Shop at smile.amazon.com and increase donations to Lutheran Church of Honolulu! Any Amazon purchase can be made through LCH’s unique charity-link, which will take you directly to smile.amazon.com in support of LCH. Just type this URL in your browser and start shopping: smile.amazon.com/ch/99-0079975.
500th Anniversary Plans Underway
A 500th anniversary ecumenical service is in the works for this very special celebration year. The event will be held on Saturday, October 14, at the Cathedral of St. Andrew. The joyful service will be concelebrated and acclaimed by combined choirs.
Other events, including a very special LutherFest, are being planned for this year. Stay tuned for updates and calendar scheduling.
| Offering Fund | Amount | Offering Fund | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offering | $4,759 | Capital Improvements | $107 |
| Music Fund/Instruments | $210 | Wounded Warriors | $117 |
HeartBeat Deadline
Tuesday, May 16, 9:00 am
Amanda, Diane, Irene, Jeff S., Johnny, Jonathan, Karen, Kathe,
Keahi Y., Kim K., Kirsten, Lee M., Mark S., Micki S., Sara, Swede
| 5/05 | Vreni Griffith |
| 05/09 | Bill Fay |
| 05/11 | Ivan Kaeo |
| 05/14 | Miles Sato |
| 05/17 | Karyn Castro |
| 05/22 | Miguel Felipe |
| 05/23 | Francisco Barajas |
| 05/24 | Stephanie Luuloa |
| 05/30 | Ernie Peterson |
 |
|
| Day | Date | Event and Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | May 1 | 6:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal |
| Thursday | May 4 | 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 6:30 pm, Confirmation Class 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal |
| Saturday | May 6 | 9:00 am, In Stitches 7:30 pm, EMH Chatham Baroque Concert |
| Sunday | May 7 | 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 5:00 pm, LCH Choir Spring Concert |
| Monday | May 8 | 6:00 pm, Worship & Music Meeting 7:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal |
| Tuesday | May 9 | 2:30 pm, Holoholo pick-up |
| Wednesday | May 10 | 12:30 pm, Finance Committee Meeting |
| Thursday | May 11 | Pacifica Synod Assembly, San Diego, CA 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal |
| Friday | May 12 | Pacifica Synod Assembly, San Diego, CA |
| Saturday | May 13 | Pacifica Synod Assembly, San Diego, CA 9:30 am, Process Thought Forum |
| Sunday | May 14 | Mother’s Day 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:15 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist |
| Monday | May 15 | 10:00 am, LCH Women’s Book Club 4:30 pm, Writers’ Workshop 6:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal |
| Tuesday | May 16 | HeartBeat Submissions Deadline 6:30 pm, LCH Council Meeting |
| Thursday | May 18 | 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 4:00 pm, Wounded Warrior Meal 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal |
| Friday | May 19 | 1:00 pm, IHS Meals prepared 5:30 pm, IHS Meals served 7:00 pm, Karol’s Karolers Concert |
| Saturday | May 20 | 7:00 pm, String Chamber Music Concert |
| Sunday | May 21 | 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:15 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 7:30 pm, Compline |
| Monday | May 22 | 6:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal |
| Tuesday | May 23 | 2:30 pm, Holoholo pick-up |
| Thursday | May 25 | 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal |
| Saturday | May 27 | 10:00 am, One Pot One Hope 5:30 pm, Food for Thought |
| Sunday | May 28 | 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:15 am, Adult Christian Education 9:15 am, Sunday School Play Day 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist |
| Monday | May 29 | Memorial Day—LCH Office Closed 6:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal |