HeartBeat—April 2020

A Message from Pastor Jeff

Living Water

The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, “Mortal, can these bones live?”—Ezekiel 37:1

Normally, I would be writing about Easter and the joys of the resurrection, coming in fewer than two weeks. But recent days have led us to a different place.

In the 37th chapter of Ezekiel, God leads the prophet into a valley of dry bones and asks, “Mortal, can these bones live?” The prophet answered, “O Lord God, you know.” The past few weeks have led us near to the valley of dry bones. The covid-19 virus has disrupted normal lives around the world. Institutions, health care systems, and government agencies that have always seemed able to deal with any crisis are struggling to keep up with the rapidly advancing challenges before us. For most of us, the things that give us identity and purpose have suddenly changed. Work, church, social interaction, play, education, childcare, and even hobbies have been curtailed or canceled altogether. We are left trying to find our way to a new normal through the valley of dry bones. Can these bones live again?

In the story in Ezekiel, God tells the prophet of old, and us today, “I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

God does not end the story by leaving the dry bones of Israel abandoned in the wilderness. Rather, God reminds us that through all the desiccation, she remains fully and firmly present and brings living water that we might live, and live abundantly. God brings us living water as we reach out to one another and those most isolated in these trying times. God brings us living water as we share what we have with those around us. God brings us living water as we share the hope of Jesus with our friends. God brings us living water as we share worship together, even though we are far apart. God brings us living water in the hope of Jesus who forgives us our shortcomings, our fear, our anger, and even our despair.

Over the next few weeks, or however long the covid-19 response continues, let’s be living water for a thirsty world and drink deeply of God’s waters of grace in our own lives. Like many of you, I sometimes feel my bones are dried up and that there is no end in sight. There is no way around the valley of dry bones. But we have the joy of going through it together, connected with family, friends, and strangers, bearers of God’s promise and God’s living water. And where some of us are struggling, we will help bear you up. For we journey together in Christ for the sake of the world.

Pastor Jeff

March 25 COVID-19 Letter from Pastor Jeff

Aloha and blessings,

In response to the covid-19 crisis, Governor Ige announced a statewide shelter-in-place order effective through April 30, 2020. Although difficult for all of us, the order is intended to provide the best chance to manage infection rates, especially among the most vulnerable in our population. We thank our government and health authorities for their leadership and example.

Sadly, this means that the LCH community will not be able to hold in-person worship services for Holy Week, Easter, and the Sundays of the Easter Season through April 30. However, we have received communication from Mayor Caldwell’s office that churches may use their sanctuaries for live-streaming worship as long as a very limited number of worship leaders adhere to rules of social distancing and personal hygiene. Our worship team has carefully designed our worship to abide with these guidelines and will continue to stream worship from our sanctuary, unless it is determined unsafe to do so. We hope and pray that you will join us online and share this worship opportunity with your extended family far and wide. Many congregations are not able to provide online worship. We can be a temporary church home for them during this crisis. Our first online Lenten service was viewed over 1,200 times and reached over 2,500 people!

Secondly, I will am reaching out to several members to serve on a “calling tree,” to make weekly calls to members and friends of the congregation. If you would like to help with this, please contact Pastor Jeff at pr.jeff@lchwelcome.org. I am also setting up three online fellowship opportunities each week to help keep us connected and encouraged over the next few weeks.

Lastly, several members of our congregation have been laid off or have lost their jobs, as businesses are forced to close, due to the state and federal shutdowns. We do not expect those folks to continue with their usual patterns of giving and encourage them to care for their families. For those of us who are able, an additional stewardship gift would be welcome. If you or your family have need of emergency financial help, please contact Pastor.

As always, God is walking with us through dark days, and we know that Easter dawns each day. Thank you to staff members Anne Sing, Scott Fikse, Reid Ishikawa, Mark Wong, and Carolyn Koehler for their hard work and dedication. And a huge mahalo to our steadfast council and volunteers who keep the faithful work of the church alive and thriving!

Peace,
Pastor Jeff Lilley

The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it—Psalm 24:1 (NRSV)

As we look toward Easter we will continue to weave strands of Faith and Justice into our daily lives while socially distancing ourselves as part of our covid-19 precautions. The courtyard tapestry will be waiting for you to add strands of Justice when we are finally able to return to community worship at LCH. In the meantime, let us worship together online. Links are available on the LCHNews email blasts and on the homepage of the LCH website.

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received—1 Peter 4:10 (NRSV)

How do we promote justice while maintaining social distance? We can show compassion for the vulnerable. We can take time to renew contacts with friends by phone, facetime, text, email, or, imagine, even picking up a pen and writing a note. We can share what we have or buy what we need. We can support restaurants by ordering take out or buying gift certificates to use at a later date. Read a book. Finish a potholder. (Did you know that you can make loops by cutting clean socks into strips?) Take an online class.

Easter is a time of transformation, growth, and renewal. During the fifty days of the Easter season, we will introduce weaving strands of Faith and Creation. We are, after all, stewards of God’s creation.

As the world practices social distancing, the earth heals. Less travel means fewer emissions, a global reduction of our carbon footprint. What can we now do to care for the earth as we return to our more normal daily routines? Slogans abound. Go Green—use public transportation, ride share, walk. Sign up for electronic statements. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Buy only what you need. Reduce the use of plastics. Consider thrift shops especially for items that you may not use frequently. Reuse or repurpose items. (Socks can become potholders!) Donate items you no longer need. Recycle—visit opala.org for recycling guidelines on O‘ahu.

We plan to have a plant exchange between services at a future date, in celebration of Earth Day. If you have a plant that needs some TLC, please consider repotting and/or propagating plants now to share later. The plants will be available for anyone who wants to give them a home.

We also hope to plan a hike, possibly in May, so watch for more details in the weeks to come.

LCH Office Hours

The LCH office and church campus are currently closed, through April 30, in accordance with the Governor’s mandate regarding the covid-19 virus. We recommend that you do not leave a phone message on the office voicemail. It is preferable that you please email LCH@LCHwelcome.org to contact the administrator or pr.jeff@lchwelcome.org to contact Pastor Jeff directly. If you prefer to leave a brief voicemail message, your call will be returned when someone is able to check in at the LCH office. Please visit the LCH website at www.lchwelcome.org for more information about weekly events and ministries, and to access the public LCH Facebook page for online worship services (you do not need a Facebook account to access the LCH Facebook page).

Easter Lilies

Help brighten the Nave for Easter by donating money for an Easter lily plant to decorate the altar. Plants may be donated in memory or in honor of a loved one. Donations, in the amount of $8.50 per plant, may be submitted via check payment to “LCH.” Please indicate “LILIES” on the memo line. Please email your dedications, in memory or in honor of loved ones, to lch@lchwelcome.org. Your dedications will be included in the Easter Sunday Order of Worship bulletin.

Final Online Lenten Service

Wednesday, April 1, at 7:00 pm • Live-streamed to LCH public Facebook page

Please join us Wednesday evening for live-streaming of the LCH Lenten Prayer Service, broadcasting on the LCH Facebook page. You do not need to have a Facebook account to access this service.

The LCH Facebook page is a public page, available to all. You may access the page directly from the LCH website at www.LCHwelcome.org. (If a “Login” window appears, simply click the “Not Now” prompt in the bottom right section of the Login window.) Click the video play prompt (button) to start the livestream. You may view a full recorded version of this and all previous worship services after the livestream completes.

The Order of Worship for Wednesday’s service will be provided via LCH eNews. If you wish to subscribe to LCH eNews announcements, please send your email information to LCH@LCHwelcome.org with a request to join the eNews distribution.

Book of Faith Bible Study

Thursdays, 10:00–11:45 am • LCH Boardroom

The Book of Faith Bible Study usually meets
on Thursday mornings in the LCH Boardroom. However, during the statewide “stay at home” mandate, meetings have been conducted via the Zoom online meeting platform. All are welcome to join this lively discussion of the Biblical texts, relevant current events, and historical foundations. Please contact Pastor Jeff at pr.jeff@LCHwelcome.org to receive an invitation to the next Zoom Bible study discussion.

Mary Magdalene Society

Online Happy Hour Saturday, April 4 at 6:00 pm • Via Zoom meeting login

LGBTQI members and friends of LCH are invited to prepare their favorite beverage and pupu and gather for an online happy hour. Those who are already on the Mary Magdalene mailing list will receive an email with directions for accessing the Zoom meeting. If you want to be added to the mailing list, please contact Bill Potter, group facilitator, at bill.potter808@gmail.com to be added or for more information.

If the Saturday event is successful and there is interest, more frequent virtual happy hours may be added for the duration. The suggestion has also been made that they be scheduled for an earlier hour to facilitate participation by friends on the continent.

Angel Network In-Gathering

LCH is not collecting donations for Angel Network Charities until further notice. However, Angel Network is accepting donations at the Calvary-by-the-Sea Lutheran Church location in east O‘ahu: 5339 Kalaniana‘ole Highway, Honolulu 96821.

For those who are able and interested in donating, they accept donations on Thursdays and Fridays, from 8:30 am to noon. They will only accept packaged, unopened dry goods (e.g. cereal, flour, sugar, pasta, etc.) and canned goods. Angel Network requires that donating drivers identify themselves and remain in their vehicle. Volunteers will offload donation items from your vehicle with protective gloves. Over 2,500 individuals are served monthly through this program. Mahalo for your generosity and support.

Adult Forum

Sundays at 9:00 am • Online via Zoom meeting login

Dr. Stephen Miller continues a 6-part series of discussions entitled What Is Your Love Language. How do you give and receive love? Connect better with your partner by knowing your love languages. Connect better with God by feeling his love languages and using yours for him.

Almost 18 years ago, Gary Chapman wrote 5 Love Languages, followed by God Speaks Your Love Languages. They are available in paperback on Amazon. These have helped many people connect with others and with God. Discussion on the rewards and importance of knowing love languages will be led by Steve Miller.

All are welcome to join the Zoom meeting, live on Sunday mornings. This works best if you download the free Zoom app beforehand. Also, you may need to enable your microphone and video capabilities. Links will be provided for each Sunday’s meeting via eNews or on the LCH calendar (accessible through www.LCHwelcome.org).

Godly Play—Sunday School

We miss the children during this time of social distancing! To help us keep in touch and give you tools for home study, Linda Miller has put together a list of the Godly Play lessons for this month, with links to YouTube videos. Links to weekly YouTube videos are included in this article and are also available in the calendar for each Sunday on the LCH webpage (www.LCHwelcome.org) and in the weekly eNews distributions.

Here is a little background on these lessons. The Faces of Easter tells the whole story of Jesus’ life. It’s 20 minutes long and can be viewed on Palm Sunday or Easter. The other Godly Play stories are each about 10 minutes long. On Easter, we usually have an Easter egg hunt. During the hiding of the eggs we tell the children an old folk tale that explains why the Easter bunny (called the Easter Hare in this story) is part of Easter. A PDF link to the Easter Hare story, which you can read to your children, will be included in the eNews distributed in Holy Week.

Usually, following the story and after addressing questions the children may have, the class breaks for crafts or to play with the things that tell the stories. Lastly, all come together and end with a small feast, including conversation and prayer.

Wishing all a safe and comfortable April!

• April 5—The Faces of Easter
• April 12—Easter (check eNews distribution for PDF link)
• April 19—The Good Shepherd and World Communion
• April 26—The Synagogue and the Upper Room

Confirmation Preparation Classes

For April, confirmands should check their email or contact Pastor Jeff for updates.

Compline

Sundays, April 5 & 19, 7:30 pm • Live-streamed to the LCH public Facebook page

Join us on the first and third Sundays of each month for Compline, led a cappella by members of the LCH Men’s Schola. April compline will be broadcast live on the LCH Facebook page. You do not need to have a Facebook account to access this service.

The LCH Facebook page is a public page, available to all. You may access the page directly from the LCH website. (If a “Login” window appears, simply click the “Not Now” prompt in the bottom right section of the Login window.) Click the video play prompt (button) to start the livestream. You may view a full recorded version of this and all previous worship services after the livestream completes.

Leadership Roundtable

Monday, April 6, 6:30 pm • Via Zoom Meeting invitation

Committee chairs and team leaders, please plan to gather for a short (45 minute) meeting. This month’s meeting will be conducted via the Zoom online meeting platform. Please refer to your email for the Zoom Meeting details. 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, you will have received an email from Pastor Jeff, via Zoom Meeting, regarding login information. Please be prepared to share a little information on your activities with the group. Mahalo!

First Mondays

Monday, April 6, CANCELED

Unfortunately, we have to cancel the First Mondays concert for April. Stay tuned for possible May performance information.

Triduum and Easter at LCH

The Triduum is our journey with Christ through the Great Three Days leading up to Easter Sunday. Join us online, via the public LCH Facebook page for this powerful journey. We plan a rich liturgy of music and heartfelt special worship. Please check back for more details.

April 9, 7:30 pm + Maundy Thursday

We remember the Last Supper and the New Commandment to “love one another” as told in the Gospel of St. John..

April 10, 7:30 pm + Good Friday Procession

We follow the Passion journey through the story of Jesus’ suffering and death.

No Easter Vigil Service

We regret that we are unable to offer Easter Vigil services this year. We are being careful stewards of volunteers and staff during this covid-19 emergency. Please join us for worship Easter morning at 10:00 am..

April 12, 8:00 & 10:30 am + Easter Sunday

Join us for online Easter worship, as we rejoice in the glorious Risen Christ!

Process Forum

Process Forum meetings are canceled until further notice. Our usual source for material is the website openhorizons.org. We explore theology and philosophy through the Process lens. Process Thought is based on the work of Alfred North Whitehead, an early 20th Century philosopher and mathematician, whose work continues to attract a global following.

IHS Brown Bag Meal Prep

This month we prepare brown bag meals to transport to IHS for distribution. Please stand by for updates on how this will be arranged. Volunteers will be contacted directly, probably by phone or email, for willingness to participate in preparing the brown bag meals.

To learn more about the Institute for Human Services, visit their website at www.ihshawaii.org. Mahalo to all who help with this ministry to Honolulu’s homeless.

LCH Women’s Book Club

Monday, April 20, 10:00 am

The in-person meeting scheduled for April 0 will not take place. Juditha is looking for interest in setting up a Zoom meeting, but hasn’t had much of a response. If it goes forward, regular participants will be contacted via email with details.

Writers’ Workshop

Tuesday, April 21, 4:00 pm

Writers’ Workshop will meet via the internet, since restrictions on group meetings at LCH are still in effect. All are welcome! If you would like to participate, please contact Peter Flachsbart at pflachsbart@hawaiiantel.net for information on how to connect remotely.

One Pot, One Hope

Saturday, April 25, 9:30 am is CANCELED

Regular Offerings

Online giving information is available in the bottom right corner of each page of the church website at www.LCHwelcome.org. You may also mail your offering check directly to the church: Lutheran Church of Honolulu, 1730 Punahou Street, Honolulu HI 96822. Thank 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.

Edward Shipwright Memorial Piano Fund

The church has an ongoing need for maintenance of our current piano, which is on generous loan from Mark Wong. We also need to plan for eventual purchase of an excellent, permanent piano for LCH.

Therefore, we have established the Edward Shipwright Memorial Piano Fund. Dr. Shipwright was the head of the piano division of the Music Department at UH Mānoa. Many people associated with LCH were students or friends of Ed. The fund will be a fitting memorial to his 50 years of teaching and playing.

Electronic Funds Transfers for February

Offering Fund	Amount	Offering Fund	Amount
Offering	$5,113	Family Promise	$60
Music Fund/Instruments	$239	One Pot, One Hope	$20
Concerts	$50

Attendance and Offerings for March

Date	Worship Service	Attendance	Offering Fund	Amount
March 1	8:00 am Service	49	Offering	$4,046
	10:30 am Service	99	Family Promise	$100
	Compline	21	Social Ministries/IHS	$80
	Total	136	Domestic Relief	$30
March 8	8:00 am Service	42	Offering	$3,303
	10:30 am Service	83	Concert Donations	$635
	Total	125	Wounded Warriors	$200
			Service Music Reserve	$80
			Family Promise	$80
			Social Ministries/IHS	$30
March 15	8:00 am Service	41	Offering	$3,908
	10:30 am Service	46	Social Ministries	$1,040
	Compline	19	Capital Improvements	$1,000
	Total	106	Concert Fund	$100
			Family Promise	$80
March 22	Online Service	569 views	Offering not available at time of publication
March 29	Online Service	722 views	Offering not available at time of publication

HeartBeat Deadline

Tuesday, April 21, 9:00 am

Arnold, Barbara M.-F., Billy S., Carol M., Charlotte, Colleen K., George, Greg, Kathy S., Keahi, Kendra K., Patricia, Resi, Shirley S., Vonia

April Birthdays

04/02	Brent Buckley
04/04	Marisa Castello
04/07	Dr. Carl Watanabe
04/08	Azure S.
04/12	Eric Ogawa
04/13	Larry Nitz
04/15	Peter Flachsbart
04/15	Darel Stark
04/17	Carol Langner
04/17	Joseph Pearson
04/19	April Smith
04/26	Anna Womack
04/29	Sarah Roseberg

Calendar: April 2020

Day	Date	Event and Time
Wednesday	April 1	7:00 pm, Online Lenten Evening Prayer service
Sunday	April 5	Sunday of the Passion 9:00 am, Online Adult Forum 10:00 am, Special Online Worship Service 7:30 pm, Online Compline
Monday	April 6	6:30 pm, Leadership Roundtable Zoom Meeting
Thursday	April 9	10:00 am, Zoom Meeting Book of Faith Bible Study 7:30 pm, Special Online Maundy Thursday Service
Friday	April 10	7:30 pm, Special Online Good Friday Service
Sunday	April 12	Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter Day 10:00 am, Special Online Easter Worship Service
Thursday	April 16	8:00 am, IHS meal prep (closed group, by assignment) 10:00 am, Zoom Meeting Book of Faith Bible Study
Sunday	April 19	9:00 am, Online Adult Forum 10:00 am, Special Online Worship Service 7:30 pm, Online Compline
Tuesday	April 21	HeartBeat Submissions Deadline 4:00 pm, Zoom Meeting Writers’ Workshop
Wednesday	April 22	12:00 pm, Finance Committee Zoom Meeting
Thursday	April 23	10:00 am, Zoom Meeting Book of Faith Bible Study
Sunday	April 26	9:00 am, Online Adult Forum 10:00 am, Special Online Worship Service
Tuesday	April 28	6:00 pm, Zoom Executive Council Meeting 6:30 pm, Zoom LCH Council Meeting
Thursday	April 30	10:00 am, Zoom Meeting Book of Faith Bible Study