HeartBeat—October 2017

A Message from Pastor Jeff

“Help Me St. Anne, and I Will Become a Monk!”

Having entered the university then quickly achieving his master of arts degree, Luther could now choose a specialty degree and continue his studies. Martin settled on studying law. His father was so delighted in his choice that he presented young Master Martin with a copy of Corpus Juris Civilis, the standard law text and a very expensive volume indeed.

A month into his studies, Luther was caught in a terrible thunderstorm. Living in a time when death seemed always close at hand and nature was the untamed author of uncounted ways to die, Luther fell to knees and cried out “St. Anne, save me and I will become a monk!” True to his word, Luther wrote his father, Hans, and broke the terrible news—he would not be a lawyer after all. Hans was furious. His dreams for a life of ease and good fortune for him and his son vanished in the flash of a lightning bolt. In the end, Hans relented and wished his son well in his new vocation.

Many scholars believe Luther’s decision to become a monk may not have been so sudden. He had taken time away from the university to walk and to think. Perhaps the seeds of his vocation had been sown well before that stormy night.

Luther thought long and hard about which religious order to join and eventually settled on the Black Friars, an Augustinian Observant Order, located in Erfurt. His admission as a friar was not automatic or guaranteed. He spent a month or so as a guest of the community so that he could come to know their life and for them to determine he was joining out of faith rather than fear. Once accepted as a novice, Luther’s day would be highly ordered.

His first worship service of the day was at 2:00 am, followed by prayer, a little more sleep, breakfast, worship, prayer, work, and other activities which left him bone tired. His life was not easy, but he was content, to some degree, to live this calling. Eventually, Luther’s monastic peers and his spiritual guide saw something special in him. Not every friar would become a priest, but Luther seemed chosen for this path. A year or so after entering the cloister he celebrated his first Mass. Like many other new priests, he was scared to death at the prospect of presiding over the holy meal and describes himself almost dropping the bread as he uttered the sacred words “the body of Christ.”

His lingering sense of unworthiness plagued him day and night. While all priests were required to go to confession daily, Luther approached the obligation with almost maniacal fervor. Sometimes he would get only a few steps from the confessional when he would suddenly remember some minor sin or unkind thought he had omitted in his confession, and back into the booth he would go. His father confessor once said, “Martin, I have taken your confession for many years now and I have yet to hear anything even remotely interesting.”

Having been freed from the rigors of the novitiate, Luther had more time on his hands for study, and for worry. The devil lurked around every corner, and temptations seemed to dog Luther close at his heals. Fasting, self-mortification, confession, and work did not quiet the dark night of his soul. His monk’s cell, which once seemed such a comfort, became a symbol of what he would call Anfechtung—a persistent sense of being lost. God seemed always to be angry and accusing. His spiritual guide would one day say to him, “God is not angry with you, but you are angry with God.”

Despite his personal doubts and demons, Luther was a very good monk. He once commented, “If anyone could have gained heaven by being a monk, I would have been among them.” His learned approach and quick mind were to be rewarded. The Black Friars found themselves in disagreement with other Augustinian orders and appealed to Rome for help in settling the matter. Luther was chosen, along with another friar, to represent the Black Friars. He found himself traveling to the Holy City for the first time in his life, a journey that would change everything.

Mahalo for Give Aloha Donations!

We are grateful to all who participated in the Give Aloha Program sponsored by Foodland/Western Union during the month of September at local Foodland and Sack ’n’ Save locations.

Note: If you made a contribution and want it listed on your giving statement, please put your receipt in the offering plate or leave it in the office, clearly noting your name. Although, for tax purposes, your contribution is listed as “Foodland” or “Sack ‘n’ Save,” we are happy to include it on your giving statement and consider it as giving towards your annual pledge, or we can direct it someplace other than the general fund if you make that designation.

No In Stitches, but Consider K2, P2

In Stitches is not currently meeting, but if you are interested in joining a knitting group there is one available at St. Peter’s Episcopal church. It is called K2, P2—meaning Knit 2, Pray too. They knit and crochet items to send to the mainland. They just blessed and sent off a load of hats, scarfs, and blankets to Seamen’s Church Institute and to an Indian reservation. Contact Linda Miller or stpetershonolulu.org for more information.

Angel Network In-Gathering

Sunday, October 1

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.

Martin Luther Front and Center in Adult Forum

Sundays, 9:20 am • LCH Boardroom

In celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, instigated by Martin Luther, Adult Forum utilizes videos, writings (including Luther’s own), commentaries, and critiques to deepen our knowledge and understanding of Luther, the opposition to Luther, and the results (both good and bad) of the Reformation. We discuss the wide cast of characters who participated in these historic events. Join us in the boardroom immediately following the 8:00 service, each Sunday morning through Reformation Sunday, for this in-depth discussion about Martin Luther.

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 October:

• October 1—Francis of Assisi Object Box
• October 8—The Story of Joseph
• October 15—The Story of Moses
• October 22—Martin Luther Object Box
• October 29—No Sunday School

Leadership Roundtable

Sunday, October 1, 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!

Compline

Sundays, October 1 and 15, 7:30 pm

Join us on the first and third Sunday of each month for Compline, led a cappella by the LCH Men’s Schola. This is a peaceful experience of rejuvenation and prayer.

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 • LCH Rainbow Room

Confirmation is 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.

Process Forum—Exploring Mysticism (Part 2)

Saturday, October 7, 9:30–11:00 am • LCH Boardroom

At our last meeting, we discussed an article about mysticism from the Jesus Jazz and Buddhism website. We turn this month to poetry by mystics whose words will provide material for more in-depth discussion. Poets include Silesius, Rumi, Hafiz, and others. All are invited to come be part of this group.

Please note that we are meeting on the first Saturday of October in deference to the Reformation Service on Saturday, October 14, at St. Andrews Cathedral. Be sure to come celebrate the Reformation at this ecumenical service, beginning at 3:00 pm.

LCH Office Closed

Discoverers’ Day—Monday, October 9

Holoholo Pick-Up

Tuesdays, October 10 & 24, 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.

Volunteers Wanted

The planning is underway for an incredible worship service in honor of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. We will gather on Saturday, October 14, at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Honolulu. Worship begins at 3:00 pm and we have an amazing preacher coming from the mainland, who will help bring us the Word. There will be a joint choir, and we have invited bishops and other church leaders from throughout Hawai‘i to join us on that day. For this celebration to truly be a gift to our community, we are asking members of our Hukilau congregations to step forward and help in various ways. We need:

1. Worship Greeters and Ushers: Please be at the cathedral by 2:00 pm.
2. Bakers: Following the worship service, we will be serving catered, heavy pupus. We would also like to provide cookies, cupcakes, brownies, or other tasty homemade treats. (Please note that store bought is also okay!) If you can, please bring a dozen of your finest offering to the cathedral by 2:00 pm.
3. Fellowship Hosts: We are also looking for a few folks willing to set up the food or stay after the fellowship time to clean up.

If you can help us be good hosts to those we have invited to this reformation celebration, please contact Pastor Ruth Peterson, Revruthp@gmail.com or 808-236-7814. Mahalo!

LCH Women’s Book Club

Monday, October 16, 10:00 am

We have a change of book and venue. We’ll meet in the LCH Boardroom to discuss The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery. Katherine leads that discussion. Our next meeting will be back at the Murashige’s on Monday, November 20, when we consider Hillbilly Elegy, by J.D. Vance. Audrey Keller will lead the discussion. All are welcome.

Writers’ Workshop

Monday, October 16, 4:30 pm

Writers’ Workshop meets in the LCH Boardroom. A meeting is also planned for November 13, and possibly, December 18. For more information contact the LCH office at 808-941-2566.

IHS Meals Prepared and Served

Friday, October 20, 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.

Echoes and Refrains: Music for Reformation

Saturday, October 21, 7:30 pm and Sunday, October 22, 5:30 pm

The LCH Choir and soloists are preparing for a pair of Reformation Quincentennial festival concerts. Each night features a different program. We welcome Canadian ensemble ¡Sacabuche! and grammy-nominated tenor Eric Neuville as they join forces with our own Bach Chamber Orchestra and the LCH Choir. The program will feature the grand polychoral motets of Heinrich Schütz and Hermann Schein, as well as intimate solos and duets for instruments and singers. Bach’s Cantata No. 38 Aus Tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir (Saturday) will also be performed, as well as Cantata No. 80 for the Festival of the Reformation (Sunday). Purchase tickets at www.LCHwelcome.org/500 or by emailing Director of Music and Liturgy Scott Fikse at scott@LCHwelcome.org.

Students: $15 or both nights $25
General: $25 or both nights $40

Seeking Cookie Bakers for Echoes & Refrains Reformation Concerts

Saturday, October 21, 7:30 pm and Sunday, October 22, 5:30 pm

The LCH Choir, soloists, Bach Chamber Orchestra, and special guest artists from the mainland are pulling out all the stops for the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation (see the announcement above for details).

During intermission on both nights, we will serve refreshments to our guests. We try to offer home-made cookies, snack bars, pastries, etc. because they are tasty and present nicely. Please let Carol Langner know, or call the church office, if you are willing to help bake and/or serve refreshments on either date. We need 6–8 people each evening to host our intermission receptions. Thanks for being part of this activity—fun for us, and welcoming to others.

No October Food for Thought

The next meeting of Food for Thought is planned for December 2. (October has been cancelled.) Check the LCH Calendar, HeartBeat, and LCHNews for information or call the LCH office at 941-2566.

One Pot, One Hope

Saturday, October 28, 9:30 am

Please note the new time. 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 (earlier, 8:30 am, because of new time).

LutherFest!

Saturday, October 28, 5:30 pm

Come celebrate our Lutheran heritage at our annual LutherFest, where we eat, drink, laugh, and have fun in the Hörmann Courtyard. Festivities will begin at 5:30 pm with light pupus and non-alcoholic punch provided. Beer and wine are available for a donation. A German themed potluck follows at 6:00 pm. Brats will be provided, but please bring a German dish, if possible. To help ensure a balanced table, we suggest the following guidelines:

• A thru H—main dish
• I thru Q—salad or side dish
• R thru Z—dessert

You can look online for suggested German dishes like sausages and sauerkraut, sauerbraten, roast chicken, potato salad, potato dumplings, spatzle, and many other options.

In honor of the quincentenial of the Reformation, we return to our roots with a contest focusing on that most Lutheran—and versatile—of potluck ingredients, green jello. Use your imagination to create a salad or dessert that shows your mastery of green jello—the possibilities are endless. Judging will be based on use of the special ingredient, Lutheran heritage, taste, and appearance.

Voting for the contest and donations for beer and wine will be by LutherBucks, so bring a check or cash to exchange for your LutherBucks. Donations will go towards new pew chairs for the Nave.

More details will be forthcoming in future Sunday announcements. Danke sehr and hope to see you there!

500th Anniversary Worship and Education

In the late days of October 1517, Martinus Luther, an Augustinian Monk teaching in Wittenberg, Germany, posted 95 theses he hoped would be debated by scholars. Those questions coupled with social, economic, and religious unrest, gave birth to a revolution we call “the Reformation.” October 29, 2017, marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of the reformation that would trigger profound changes in the European world.

Communities around the world are observing this important historical and religious anniversary, and Hawai‘i is no exception. Below is a list of observances in celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformaion:

• Saturday, October 14, 3:00 pm: An ecumenical and interfaith service will be held at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Honolulu. The Rev. Dr. David Lose, scholar, past seminary president, and respected biblical commentator, will deliver the sermon for the day.
• Sunday, October 15, 2:00 to 4:00 pm: The Rev. Dr. Lose will offer a lecture to the public, courtesy of the Margaret “Peggy” Kai memorial Fund, at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, Tenney Theatre.
• Monday & Tuesday, October 16 & 17, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm: The Rev. Dr. David Lose will offer continuing education for pastors and interested laity of all denominations, courtesy of the Margaret “Peggy” Kai memorial Fund
• Sunday, October 29, 9:30 am: 500th Anniversary Reformation Service at Lutheran Church of Honolulu. We come together for one Choral Eucharist Service to celebrate together the spirit of the Reformation.

All Saints’ Sunday

Sunday, November 5

On All Saints’ Sunday, you have the opportunity in worship to come forward to remember a deceased loved one by lighting a candle during the prayers. Please fill out a Saints Remembrance form at church 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.

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.

Electronic Funds Transfers for August

Offering Fund	Amount	Offering Fund	Amount
Offering	$5,110	Capital Improvements	$107
Music Fund/Instruments	$210	Wounded Warriors	$117
Shallow Subsidy	$60

Attendance and Offerings for September

Date	Worship Service	Attendance	Offering Fund	Amount
September 3	8:00 am Service	55	Offering	$3,007
	10:30 am Service	74	Altar Flowers	$45
	Compline	31	Social Ministries	$160
	Total	160	Shallow Subsidy	$270
			Domestic Relief Funds	$818
			Music/Instruments	$580
September 10	8:00 am Service	43	Offering	$2,641
	10:30 am Service	84	Social Ministries	$61
	Total	127	Domestic Relief Funds	$1,649
			Pew Chair Fund	$100
September 17	8:00 am Service	42	Offering	$2,970
	10:30 am Service	81	Shallow Subsidy	$70
	Compline	24	Altar Flowers	$40
	Total	147	Domestic Relief Funds	$400
			Wounded Warriors	$50
			Service Music Fund	$300
October 24	8:00 am Service	46	Offering	$2,607
	10:30 am Service	66	Service Music Fund	$500
	Total	112	Domestic Relief Funds	$100/td>

HeartBeat Deadline

Tuesday, October 17, 9:00 am

Amanda, Dainan and Romney, Dot, Foua, James C., Jennifer,
Karen, Keahi Y., Kim K., Kim V., Kirsten, Lee M., Marc V.,
Mark S., Micki S., Sara, Shirley, Swede, Vonia

September Birthdays

0/03	John Purtzer
10/03	Mary Jo Estes
10/05	Akiyo Takamune
10/07	Lois Watanabe
10/09	Dorothy (Dot) Hutchins
10/10	Paul Benco
10/12	Jacob (K.) W.
10/14	Stephen Miller
10/17	Karen Roberts-Ogawa
10/19	Sophia S.
10/19	Mahina Katherine Williams
10/24	Katherine Crosier
10/25	Lynn Juvinall
10/26	Rafael S.
10/28	Randy Castello
10/28	Jan Flachsbart

LCH Worship Participants

Holy Communion (8:00 am)
DATE	October 1	October 8	October 15	October 22	October 29 One Service 9:30 am
LECTOR	Jimmy Castro	Carolyn Koehler	Cindy Scheinert	Chuck Huxel
ASSISTING MINISTER	Amanda Lippert	Tim Freson	Peggy Anderson	Laurie Leach
COMMUNION	Don Johnson Sheena Lim-Urban Peggy Anderson	Bobby Broyles Kyra Takamiya Phyllis Hõrmann	Laurie Leach TBA	Sophia S. Wayne Gau Chuck Huxel
ACOLYTE	Dylan D.	Hunter N.	Dylan D.	Raphael S.
LAYING ON HANDS		Stephanie Luuloa
USHERS	Fred Benco Billie Jean Ries Dylan DePretto		COUNCIL IN CHARGE	Randy Castello
Choral Eucharist (10:30 am, 9:30 am on October 29)
DATE	October 1	October 8	October 15	October 22	October 29 Reformation Sunday
LECTOR	Peter Flachsbart	Frank Haas	Randy Castello	Roy Helms	Amanda Lippert
DEACON	Shy Healey	Marcus Fikse	Teresa McCreary	Frank Haas	Mary Fastenau
SUB-DEACON	Frank Haas	Josie Bidgood	Mary Fastenau	Bob Tellander	Frank Haas
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS	Josie Bidgood Randy Christensen	TBA Chuck Pearson	Shy Healey Bob Tellander	Sue Haas Marcus Fikse	Randy Christensen Teresa McCreary
ACOLYTES	Lillie J. Coco J.	Rebecca L. Hunter N.	Lillie J. Coco J.	Scarlett S. Rebecca L.	Scarlett S. Rebecca L.
LAYING ON HANDS		John Bickel
USHERS	Peter Flachsbart Bill Fay Chuck Huxel Chuck Pearson		ALTAR GUILD	Linda Miller Lori Nishimura Marjan Lynch Marlise Tellander

Calendar: October 2017

Day	Date	Event and Time
Sunday	October 1	Angel Network In-Gathering 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:20 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 11:45 am, Leadership Roundtable 7:30 pm, Compline
Tuesday	October 3	6:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal
Thursday	October 5	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 6:15 pm, Confirmation Class 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Saturday	October 7	9:30 am, Process Thought Forum 1:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Sunday	October 8	8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:20 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist
Monday	October 9	Discoverers’ Day—LCH Office Closed 6:00 pm, Worship & Music Meeting
Tuesday	October 10	2:30 pm, Holoholo pick-up 6:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal
Wednesday	October 11	12:30 pm, Finance Committee Meeting
Thursday	October 12	Bishop Andrew Taylor Office Hours 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 6:15 pm, Confirmation Class 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Friday	October 13	Bishop Andrew Taylor Office Hours
Saturday	October 14	3:00 pm, 500th Anniversary Ecumenical Service
Sunday	October 15	8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:20 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 7:30 pm, Compline
Monday	October 16	10:00 am, Women’s Book Club 4:30 pm, Writers’ Workshop 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Tuesday	October 17	HeartBeat Submissions Deadline 6:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal 6:30 pm, Council Meeting
Thursday	October 19	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 6:15 pm, Confirmation Class 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Friday	October 20	1:00 pm, IHS Meals prepared 5:30 pm, IHS Meals served 7:00 pm, Echoes & Refrains Dress Rehearsal
Saturday	October 21	Honolulu Pride Parade 7:30 pm, Echoes & Refrains Concert I
Sunday	October 22	8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:20 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 5:30 pm, Echoes & Refrains Concert II
Tuesday	October 24	2:30 pm, Holoholo pick-up 6:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal
Thursday	October 26	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 6:15 pm, Confirmation Class 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Saturday	October 28	9:30 am, One Pot One Hope 5:30 pm, Annual LutherFest!
Sunday	October 29	Reformation Sunday 9:30 am, Festival Choral Eucharist
Tuesday	October 31	6:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal