In this issue:
- A Message from Pastor Jeff
- Stewardship Corner
- Congratulations!
- LCH Office Hours
- Committee/Interest Group Chairs
- End of Year Donations
- Donate a Poinsettia for Christmas
- It’s time for the Jesse Tree!
- Angel Network In-Gathering
- Godly Play—Sunday School
- New Member Inquiry Classes
- Leadership Roundtable
- 45th Annual Advent Procession
- First Mondays: Organ PLUS
- Book of Faith Bible Study
- Confirmation Preparation Classes
- Compline
- LCH Women’s Book Club
- Writers’ Workshop
- IHS Brown Bag Meal Prep
- Deck the Halls!
- Worship Schedule for the Christmas Season
- LCH OFFICE closed December 25–27
- Invite Friends to Join Us during the Christmas Season
- One Pot, One Hope
- Committee Chairs!
- Save on Your Taxes!
- An Easy Way to Donate
- Edward Shipwright Memorial Piano Fund
- HeartBeat Deadline
- Give Aloha and Electronic Funds Transfers for October
- Attendance and Offerings for November
- Prayer Requests
- December Birthdays
- LCH Worship Participants (8:00 am)
- LCH Worship Participants (10:30 am)
- LCH Worship Participants (Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
- Calendar: December 2019
A Message from Pastor Jeff
Merry Christmas
I have been saying those words every Christmas for over five decades. As a child, like so many other kids, my brothers and I would slip out of our beds to take a peek at the Christmas tree late Christmas Eve. We were one of those families that opened all the presents on Christmas morning, not Christmas Eve. Sometimes our parents would still be up wrapping presents, or in special years, my dad might be attempting to assemble a bicycle. (This was disastrous because my dad and tools had a tenuous relationship.) Finally, as the sun was coming up, we would shout “Merry Christmas!” at the top of our lungs and dive into the excitement and joy of the day. For some reason, I remember the song “Do You Hear What I Hear?” playing in the background.
Once we were old enough to start getting underwear and sweaters for Christmas, instead of Rock’em Sock’em Robots, the joy of “Merry Christmas” abated. We still had a good time but the Fruit of the Looms and plaid sweaters sort of killed a lot of the excitement. Christmas became almost as mechanical as the Christmas greetings of the employees at the local mall. We did Christmas, but with a certain lack of enthusiasm or depth.
Of course, the “Merry Christmases” gained earnestness and enthusiasm once our own children were born. Thank goodness Jean’s family had introduced me to reading the Christmas story as a family the night before Christmas. It’s not that my family was not religious, it was just that the “Charlie Brown Christmas” television program seemed a bit more relevant to the times. Plus, if you had to choose between Snoopy and the Bible’s Bethlehem innkeeper, who would you choose?
“Merry Christmas” became a key phrase through the years that we had kids in our home. As a family we chose not to go big on Christmas presents. We enjoyed the Christmas story on Christmas Eve and opened our stocking stuffers. The rest of Christmas was spent at “Dad’s work.” The kids grew up going to church every Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I suppose their friends thought we were some sort of religious nuts. “Who goes to church on Christmas Day?” they would ask. “It’s a day off.” I remember many years sitting in the living room of our old house, stockings full of candy, little toys, and a huge Christmas tree in the corner and sighing, “Merry Christmas kids,” and falling promptly asleep.
Our kids have grown and gone, and there are not yet grandchildren to spoil and fuss over, but the phrase “Merry Christmas” has come to mean more than ever. Each year we put a Christmas tree on the lanai and decorate with the strange array of ornaments we have collected over the years. There is the stained-glass window Seth made in first grade, the popsicle stick cross Meg made in fifth grade, the chubby mermaid blowing a golden horn, and sweet Jesus in the manger. Some of the ornaments remind us of wonderful times, others recall hard, even sad, times. One ornament is from our first family reunion after my father died, when I was twenty-five. Another celebrates the arrival of our first child. Yet another was from the choir party the year of 9/11, and another is from a dear friend who loves us even today. Each silly ornament recalls a moment when God whispered to the world and to us, “I love you,” through a child named Jesus.
Those ancient words, “Merry Christmas,” have come to remind me that in the midst of poverty, discrimination, apathy, pain, war, political unrest, stress, fear, and anxiety, God is still whispering to us the words we most need to hear. These are words that cannot be domesticated, or ignored, or reduced to a generic “Happy Holidays!” The phrase “Merry Christmas” is no hollow greeting; it is a hallowed utterance proclaiming that the God of love has arrived and dwells with us even if the world refuses to see her. “I love you,” God is whispering in the voice of a crying baby in a manger, a voice crying in the wilderness, and a dying man on a cross. Do you hear what I hear? Merry Christmas!
Peace,
Pastor Jeff
A Note from the Stewardship Team
“Gathering up life’s varied fibers, every texture, every hue;
grant us your creative vision. With us weave your world anew.”
With these words, which are part of the first verse of Restless Weaver, a hymn written by O.I. Cricket Harrison, we begin a new church year and a year-long focus on weaving God’s tapestry here at LCH.
What does this mean? (A question Martin Luther would ask.) It means that each one of us is part of God’s tapestry and contributes/adds to it by living out our lives using the varied gifts God has given us. It means participating in some of the ministries and/or interest groups of the congregation. It means living out our faith in the world “spinning threads of justice and peace,” guided by God’s love, while keeping our eyes on the cross. It means helping to restore hope and trust in a broken world and, in so doing, weaving God’s world anew.
It also means contributing to the actual tapestry, the foundation of which our resident weaver, Juditha Murashige, created. We will do this by adding to it meaningful items that somehow express our unique ways of participating in the weaving of God’s ever-evolving living tapestry. The tapestry will be laid out on a table the first Sunday in Advent, December 1, for you to begin adding to it. It will also be hanging on the wall near the ramp and can be added to at any time. We will provide some materials that might help you add to it, but if you have something to bring from home, better yet!
During Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, our focus will be on weaving faith and the arts into God’s living tapestry. Many of you have musical gifts that contribute to the life of the congregation. Others of you have other artistic gifts. There will be a Faith and Arts Fair on Sunday, February 16, near the end of our focus on faith and the arts. It provides an opportunity for people to display their work for others to enjoy.
We look forward to seeing how God’s world will be woven anew!
Your stewardship team,
Peggy Anderson, Pam Buckley, Willow Chang, Phyllis Hörmann, Carol Langner, Juditha Murashige, Barbara Poole-Street, Bill Potter
Congratulations!
On June 25, 2017, the Seating Taskforce held its first meeting to explore replacement of LCH’s aging pews. On October 29, 2019, we received a pew chair donation that put our fundraising effort over the top. In just over two years, research was completed, the order submitted, the chairs unboxed and installed, and the chairs were completely paid off! To the entire congregation, “Congratulations and well done!” To undertake a project of this scale and complete it so quickly is quite remarkable. Donors included congregational members, interested community members, and friends of the congregation. It is a gift to share this burden so that we can better serve everyone who calls LCH home. Thank you. Let us also thank the Seating Taskforce: Sue Haas, chair; Olivia Castro, Bill Potter, the Stark family, Mary Fastenau, Chuck Pearson, Pastor Jeff Lilley, and Scott Fikse for their hard work and guidance.
Committee/Interest Group Chairs
| Committee/Group | Leader |
|---|---|
| Archive: | Jim Cartwright |
| Concert: | Scott Fikse |
| Communications: | Carol Langner |
| Community Life: | Larry Anderson |
| Council: | Josie Bidgood |
| Fellowship: | Mary-Jo Estes |
| Finance: | Steve Miller |
| Financial Review: | Dori Palcovich |
| Food for Thought: | Kathryn Klingebiel |
| Lay Ministers: | Carolyn Koehler |
| Learning Ministry: | Fred Benco |
| Mary Magdalene Society: | Bill Potter & Roy Helms |
| Process Theology: | Carol Langner |
| Property: | Richard Mundell |
| Scholarship: | Fred Benco |
| Social Ministry: | Jean Lilley |
| Stewardship: | Phyllis Hörmann & Willow Chang |
| Sunday School: | Laurie Leach |
| Worship & Music: | Roy Helms & Randy Castello |
| Writers’ Workshop: | Kathryn Klingebiel |
| Youth: | Pr. Jeff Lilley |
LCH Office Hours
- Monday—9:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Tuesday—9:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Wednesday—9:00 am to 12:30 pm
- Thursday—9:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Friday—9:00 am to 3:00 pm
We recommend calling the office (808-941-2566) before making a visit to see Pastor Jeff or the administrator, as schedules may vary with appointments, other work commitments, and lunch breaks.
End of Year Donations
Thank you for your generous giving throughout this year. Your faithful stewardship has enabled us to grow in ministry and faithfully support the larger church and community. Mahalo!
Your generous gifts are always needed and appreciated this time of year, and any gift you can give will be a blessing. Additional gifts to the general fund are always most helpful, but you may also make gifts to support capital projects, community assistance, or any other need.
The IRS requires that charitable donations must be received at LCH, or postmarked by December 31, in order to be counted as 2019 charitable deductions. Contributions brought to LCH on or after January 1 will be counted as 2020 charitable deductions, no matter what the date is on the check.
Donate a Poinsettia for Christmas
You have an opportunity to dedicate a poinsettia plant to help decorate the nave for Christmas. Look for a form in your Sunday bulletin. If you wish to donate poinsettia, please fill out a form and put it in the collection basket, with check or cash for the total cost (plants are $8.50 each). After Christmas, you may take your plant home. Thank you for helping to make the environment festive for Christmas!
It’s time for the Jesse Tree!
Sundays, during Advent, at 9:10 am
As Advent approaches, we invite the congregation to join our children for the Jesse Tree devotions each Sunday of Advent, in the nave at 9:10 am. It is a tradition at LCH for the children to present this short service of music and readings during the four Sundays of Advent. The children will be focusing on the people in the Old Testament that lead the way for Christ. This year, the Jesse Tree services will be held on December 1, 8, 15, and 22. The older children will read Bible stories and prayers, the youngest children will hang ornaments on the tree representing each story, and everyone will sing the Jesse Tree song.
Angel Network In-Gathering
Sunday, December 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.
Godly Play—Sunday School Continues!
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 December:
- December 1—Advent I, The Prophets
- December 8—Advent II, The Holy Family
- December 15—Advent III, The Shepherds
- December 22—Advent IV, The Wise Men
- December 29—Christmas
New Member Inquiry Classes
Sundays, December 1, 8, & 15, 9:20 am • LCH Boardroom
Are you interested in learning more about the Lutheran faith? Are you interested in learning more about becoming a member of Lutheran Church of Honolulu? Bring your coffee and refreshments from the courtyard and join Pastor Jeff for this series of fun and informal classes. LCH members are welcome and encouraged to participate. We will learn or refresh our knowledge about Lutheran faith, discuss your questions, get to know one another, and share some laughs. Please let Pastor Jeff know if you would like to attend, pr.jeff@lchwelcome.org.
Leadership Roundtable
Sunday, December 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!
45th Annual Advent Procession
Sunday, December 1, 7:30 pm
Lutheran Church of Honolulu celebrates our 45th Annual Advent Procession with lessons and carols to usher in the season of Advent. First presented in 1975, the Lutheran Church of Honolulu’s Advent Procession has become a Honolulu tradition. This year, Advent choral selections by composers James MacMillan (b. 1959), Gabriel Jackson (b. 1962), F. Melius Christiansen (1871–1955), Peter Hallock (1924–2014), and others will be intermingled with hymns, carols, and the Magnificat for King’s College, Cambridge, by Herbert Howells (1892–1983). Organist Mark Wong will accompany the LCH Choir and Men’s Schola on our beautiful Beckerath organ. Please join us as we begin a new liturgical year, carry on a beloved Hawai‘i tradition, and look forward with expectation and wonder to the Christmas season ahead.
First Mondays: Organ PLUS
Monday, December 2, 7:00 pm. Refreshments at 6:30 pm.
Organ Plus is a term that has been used to indicate music for organ with instruments. In spite of the organist having the reputation of being a “one-person orchestra,” the addition of instruments greatly enhances the listening experience and expands the repertoire.
As part of the First Mondays Chamber Concerts series at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu, organists Katherine Crosier and Jieun Kim Newland will present a concert featuring the organ in duets with trombone, oboe, violin and recorder, plus two works for organ duet and organ trios. The program, Organ PLUS, will also feature instrumentalists Luke Reed, trombone; Sara Ricer, oboe; Darel Stark, violin; and Charles Coldwell, recorder.
- Concerto in C major, bwv 595: J.S. Bach
- Sinfonias from Cantatas 12 and 156: Bach
- Concerto in A minor after Vivaldi: Bach
- Fantasia on Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme: Johann Krebs
- Adagio in G minor: Tomaso Albinoni
- Trio Sonata in B minor: Albinoni
- Laudate dominum: Claudio Monteverdi
Book of Faith Bible Study
Thursdays, 10:00–11:45 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 engaging fellowship and discussion!
Confirmation Preparation Classes
Sunday, December 8 & 22, 11:45 am • 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.
Compline
Sunday, December 15, 7:30 pm
Join us on the first and third Sunday of each month for Compline. On this Sunday, Compline will be led, a cappella, by women of the LCH Choir. This is a peaceful experience of rejuvenation and prayer.
LCH Women’s Book Club
Monday, December 16, 10:00 am
The LCH Book Club will hold its annual Christmas party and book selection at the Murashige’s home. Come join us. It’s fun and all are welcome. Please contact the church office if you have questions, 808-941-2566.
Writers’ Workshop
Monday, December 16, 4:00 pm
Writers’ Workshop meets in the boardroom at LCH. All are welcome. For more information please contact the LCH office at 808-941-2566.
IHS Brown Bag Meal Prep
Thursday, December 19, 8:00 am • LCH Isenberg Hall
Again this month, we are preparing brown bag meals to transport to IHS for distribution. Enjoy fellowship time with other members while assembling 400 sandwiches and brown-bag meals. Pastries will be available, and there will be plenty of coffee to keep the assembly lively.
To participate in this month’s meal preparation or for additional information, you may contact the LCH office. Another driver with a van or SUV is needed to help transport meals. Please join the group on December 19, if you are available to help. To learn more about the Institute for Human Services, visit their website at www.ihshawaii.org.
Deck the Halls!
We will decorate the church for Christmas on Monday, December 23, from 9:00 am until it’s finished. Come help us transform the sanctuary. Mahalo!
LCH Office Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Tuesday & Wednesday, December 24 & 25
Invite Friends to Join Us during the Christmas Season
Here’s a convenient way to tell your friends about our upcoming worship services and to invite them to join you in celebrating the season. Research tells us that Facebook events are most effective two weeks before an event, so around December 10, we will create Facebook Events for our festive services of the Christmas season. Take a minute to share these events with friends who may be interested.
One Pot, One Hope
Saturday, December 28, 9:30 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. Chili donations are appreciated, #10 sized cans (from Costco or Sam’s Club).
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 16. Direct questions to the office at 808-941-2566 or email lch@LCHwelcome.org.
Save on Your Taxes!
For individuals taking required distributions from a retirement account, under the new tax law, if you give cash or check donations from your personal funds, you will be taxed on them and you may not be able to take the deduction. There are two ways to avoid this.
- Donate directly to LCH from your IRA. If you take money directly from your IRA to give to LCH, this increases your income and may increase your tax bracket. You may not be able to use the deduction because of the new, higher standard deduction. Give directly by telling your IRA provider to donate to the church—the account representative will do this easily.
- Give appreciated stock directly to LCH. If you sell stock and then donate, it increases your tax bracket, and you may not be able to use the deduction because of the new, higher standard deduction. Instruct your broker to donate directly to LCH.
The church’s legal name and address is:
Lutheran Church of Honolulu (Note: no The in the title)
1730 Punahou Street, Honolulu, HI 96822
If you need the Federal Tax ID (EIN) or if you have questions, please contact Steve Miller. As always, please check with your tax advisors to determine what is appropriate for you.
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.
| Offering Fund | Amount | Offering Fund | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offering | $7,476 | Music Fund/Instruments | $340 |
| Shallow Subsidy | $90 | Capital Improvements | $25 |
HeartBeat Deadline
Tuesday, December 17, 9:00 am
Bobby, Carol M., Chuck P., Colleen K., Frank, George, Greg,
Karen O., Keahi, Kendra K., Margaret H., Patricia, Resi,
Richard B., Penny, Shirley S., Vonia
| Day | Date | Event and Time | Sunday | December 1 | First Sunday of Advent Angel Network In-Gathering 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:10 am, Jesse Tree 9:20 am, New Member Inquiry Class 9:20 am, Sunday School 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 11:45 am, Leadership Roundtable 7:30 pm, 45th Annual Advent Procession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | December 2 | 7:00 pm, LCH First Mondays concert | |
| Wednesday | December 4 | 5:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal | |
| Thursday | December 5 | 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal |
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| Saturday | December 7 | 7:00 pm, Oahu Choral Society concert | |
| Sunday | December 8 | 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:10 am, Jesse Tree 9:20 am, New Member Inquiry Class 9:20 am, Sunday School 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 11:45 am, Confirmation Class |
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| Monday | December 9 | 6:00 pm, Worship & Music Meeting | |
| Wednesday | December 11 | 6:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal | |
| Thursday | December 12 | 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal |
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| Saturday | December 14 | 12:00 pm, LCH Choir Concert at Hawai‘i State Library | |
| Sunday | December 15 | 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:10 am, Jesse Tree 9:20 am, New Member Inquiry Class 9:20 am, Sunday School 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 7:30 pm, Women’s Compline |
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| Monday | December 16 | Annual Committee Reports due 10:00 am, Women’s Book Club 4:00 pm, Writers’ Workshop |
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| Tuesday | December 17 | HeartBeat Submissions Deadline 12:30 pm, Finance Committee Meeting 6:30 pm, Council Meeting/Holiday Party |
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| Wednesday | December 18 | 5:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal | |
| Thursday | December 19 | 8:00 am, IHS Sandwich assembly 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal |
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| Friday | December 20 | 7:00 pm, Karol’s Karolers Concert at LCH | |
| Saturday | December 21 | 10:00 am, Christmas Pageant Rehearsal 7:30 pm, Songs of the Season Concert at LCH |
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| Sunday | December 22 | 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:10 am, Jesse Tree 9:20 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 11:45 am, Confirmation Class |
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| Monday | December 23 | 9:00 am, Altar Guild Christmas Set-up 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal |
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| Tuesday | December 24 | Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Eve 5:00 pm, Family Christmas Eve Service 10:00 pm, Music for Christmastide 10:30 pm, Christmas Eve Choral Eucharist |
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| Wednesday | December 25 | LCH OFFICE Closed—Christmas Day Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Day 10:30 am, Christmas Day Holy Communion |
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| Thursday | December 26 | LCH OFFICE Closed—Christmas Holiday | |
| Friday | December 27 | LCH OFFICE Closed—Christmas Holiday | |
| Saturday | December 28 | 10:00 am, One Pot One Hope 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal |
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| Sunday | December 29 | 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:20 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist |
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| Wednesday | January 1 | LCH OFFICE Closed—New Year’s Day 4:00 pm, German Vespers |