In this issue:
- A Message from Pastor Jeff
- LCH Office Hours
- Stewardship Corner
- Committee/Interest Group Chairs
- Angel Network In-Gathering
- LCH Office Closed in Observance of New Year’s Day
- Godly Play at LCH
- Adult Forum
- Virtual Coffee Talk with Pastor Jeff
- Compline
- First Mondays: Jacob Scharfman in Concert
- Leadership Roundtable
- Punahou Academy Spring Term Parking
- Book of Faith Bible Study
- Restorative Yoga
- Mary Magdalene Society Virtual Happy Hour
- Confirmation Preparation Classes
- LCH Garden Planning 2022
- LCH Office Closed for Dr. Martin Luther King Day
- LCH Women’s Book Club
- Writers’ Workshop
- Food for Thought
- IHS Brown Bag Meal Prep
- Annual Congregational Meeting, Part 2
- Volunteers Needed—Youth Fundraiser!
- 2021 Giving Statements
- Regular Offerings
- Save on Your Taxes!
- An Easy Way to Donate
- Edward Shipwright Memorial Piano Fund
- HeartBeat Deadline
- Electronic Funds Transfers for November
- Attendance and Offerings for December
- Prayer Requests
- January Birthdays
- Calendar: January 2022
From Pastor Jeff
Mahalo for Making LCH Vibrant and Faithful
I usually use the last HeartBeat article of each year to thank everyone who makes the ministry at Lutheran Church of Honolulu vibrant and faithful. As 2022 begins to unfold, I want to start with thanksgiving (and hopefully carry it through the rest of the year!).
First, thank you for being an active and crucial part of the ministry of Christ at LCH. Too often we focus overmuch on the work of the pastor, music director, and other staff. Without the work of committed and joyful members such as yourself, there would be no ministry at LCH. You are the ministers God has chosen for the holy work of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ! It is too important a calling to be left to the professionals. So, I want to thank you for listening to God’s persistent voice in your life, and saying “yes.” For all of you who serve on Council, committees, task forces, ushering, altar guild, Sunday School, confirmation, or just show up to help, thank you! A special thanks to Jean, Marcus, Dan, Carol, Bill, and Renee who have been the tech crew for worship throughout the pandemic. I have already ordered extra stars for your crowns in heaven.
Although your work is at the center of our ministry, I also want to thank our staff who have had to face incredible challenges over the past two years with covid-19. Scott Fikse has not only met the challenge but has grown our music ministry during the pandemic, bringing innovative and exciting additions to an already fine program. Thank you, Scott, for working through your exhaustion over Christmas. We all look forward to what you will bring in the coming year, but want you to know how much you are valued and appreciated.
Mahalo to Mark Wong, who after nearly nine years of service at LCH as organist and assistant music director, will take up a new role at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. You have inspired us from the beginning, and we will never forget your gifts as preacher of the gospel through music.
Mahalo nui loa to our incredible office staff: Brenda, who coordinates the world for us every week. You have graciously taken on a difficult and complicated job and done it with humor, humility, and joy. We appreciate everything you do and look forward to the coming year under your guidance. Mahalo to Carolyn, who somehow makes sense of all the bills, accounts, and check requests and keeps us on the financial straight and narrow. You are an unsung hero!
Lastly, I am thankful to be part of a denomination that is constantly seeking to reform itself. The last couple of years have brought into sharp relief the deeply imbedded racism, misogyny, and religious intolerance of our society—and even of our denomination. Our national church is working hard to become the church that Christ would have us be. Although the way is hard, I truly believe that we will continue to reform both our denomination and the world toward the vision of peace, justice and love to which God is calling us.
As 2022 unfolds, I pray we can commit ourselves even more deeply to the work of Christ—the work of justice, worship, peace, community, sustainability, and hope. May we begin as we hope to end.
Pastor Jeff
LCH Office Hours
- Monday—Closed
- Tuesday—9:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Wednesday—9:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Thursday—9:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Friday—9:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Saturday–Sunday—Closed
The LCH office and church campus are generally closed to in-person meetings and gatherings as a precaution in accordance with the CDC, Hawai‘i State Governor’s Office, and Honolulu City and County Office of the Mayor’s recommendations regarding covid-19 virus safety. We require masks for in-person interactions and recommend calling the office (808-941-2566) before dropping in to see Pastor Jeff or the administrator, as schedules may vary with appointments, other work commitments, and lunch breaks.
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.
Committee/Interest Group Chairs
| Committee/Group | Leader |
|---|---|
| Archive: | Jim Cartwright |
| Aloha: | Bruce Holmberg |
| Concert: | Scott Fikse |
| Communications: | Carol Langner |
| Community Life: | Larry Anderson |
| Council: | Pam Buckley |
| Fellowship: | Mary-Jo Estes |
| Finance: | Steve Miller |
| Financial Review: | Dori Palcovich |
| Food for Thought: | Marlise Tellander |
| Lay Ministers: | Carolyn Koehler |
| Learning Ministry: | Fred Benco |
| Mary Magdalene Society: | Bill Potter and Roy Helms |
| Process Theology: | Carol Langner |
| Property: | Richard Mundell and Pastor Jeff Lilley |
| Scholarship: | Fred Benco |
| Social Ministry: | Jean Lilley and Miles Sato |
| Stewardship: | Phyllis Hörmann and Willow Chang |
| Sunday School: | Laurie Leach |
| Website: | Bill Potter |
| Worship & Music: | Roy Helms and Randy Castello |
| Writers’ Workshop: | Peter Flachsbart |
| Youth: | Pastor Jeff Lilley |
What Gift Can I Bring?
As a singer, a Christian, and someone who loves holiday music, I can’t possibly escape the multitude of Christmas carols during this season. Although I regard this as a blessing, I’m also comfortable acknowledging that a few songs never really moved me. (I could even say that times I felt irritated!) Just the chorus of Rum pa pum pum from the song The Little Drummer Boy sets my teeth on edge.
As a choir member over many years, I couldn’t escape this song, so I tried to figure out why it was so troublesome to me. At first, I thought it was the rum pa pum pum sound of the “drum,” which never sounded percussive or drum-like to me. I also cringed at the phrase “the ox and ass kept time, rum pa pum pum.” My third-grade-self clutched nonexistent pearls!
As an adult, it dawned on me that the openness with which this song addresses poverty is likely what hit a nerve. Other than Paul Simon’s masterpiece, The Boxer (“I am just a poor boy, though my story’s seldom told”), or The Four Seasons song, Dawn, (“Think what your family would say? Think what you’re throwing away/Now think what the future would be with a poor boy like me”), I’m hard-pressed to think of songs that address being poor head on.
Little baby, I am a poor boy, too.
I have no gift to bring, that’s fit to give our king.
Shall I play for you, on my drum?
Here, after so many years, I finally understood the message of this song. In the world that places such a crushing emphasis on consumerism, economics, and material wealth, this message shares the true spirit of giving, which is Christmas. As a Christian, I am reminded that our talents and gifts, our faith and hope, these are the true gifts that we can give in our sacred practice, and to others in the world.
The hymn we sang Christmas morning, In the Bleak Midwinter (elw 294), concludes with the same thought: “Yet what can I give him? Give my heart.” There is no greater gift than for us to love God and love one another. Rum pa pum pum.
Of course, many of us—like the drummer boy—don’t immediately recognize the gifts and talents we have to give our king. This is part of the process of looking in as we respond to God who continually comes down to us. We each have different talents and gifts, so we can’t just look at the folks around us and assume that our gifts and talents are the same as theirs. And we grow over the years as we have new life experiences, work different jobs, and deepen our faith. It can be hard to know just what gift we have to bring.
Next month, Pr. Phyllis Hörmann will share some thoughts on ways to identify our individual spiritual gifts in the February HeartBeat and lead a class during Adult Forum that will include a spiritual gifts inventory to help you pinpoint your gifts and uncover strategies for developing them further. We hope you will join in this class and confirm or figure out what gifts you have to bring.
Willow Chang for the Stewardship Team
Peggy Anderson, Pam Buckley, Willow Chang, Phyllis Hörmann, Barbara Poole-Street, Bill Potter
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.
LCH OFFICE CLOSED in Observance of New Year’s Day
Monday, January 3
Godly Play
Sundays at 9:00 am • Hybrid Vitual/In-person Meeting
This is a time of changes in Godly Play at LCH! If LCH services are in-person in January, we will be transitioning to a hybrid virtual/in-person version of Godly Play. This will take place in Isenberg Hall at 9:00 and will follow the same covid guidelines as LCH in-person worship. If LCH services are livestreaming only, we will have Sunday school via Zoom meeting before service at 9:00.
This class is geared for children in kindergarten through 5th grade. A story is followed by a craft which we can make together. Each Saturday the link for the meeting will be sent to all who want to join. Contact the LCH office if you wish to be added to the invitation list. All are welcome!
Below is the schedule of Godly Play stories for January:
- 1/2—Epiphany
- 1/9—Holy Baptism
- 1/16—Parable of the Great Banquet
- 1/23—Parable of the Good Shepherd
- 1/30—St. Brigid object box
Adult Forum
Sundays at 9:00 am • Via Zoom Meeting
All are welcome to join the Adult Forum Zoom meetings, live Sunday mornings. Participation in Adult Forum via Zoom works best if you download the free Zoom app beforehand. You may need to enable your microphone and video capabilities. If you are not already on this list for the Adult Forum, please contact Dr. Stephen Miller at stevedmiller.sm@gmail.com to receive an invitation to join the next Zoom Adult Forum discussion.
Virtual Coffee Talk with Pastor Jeff
Online Coffee Talk, Sundays, 11:15 am • Via Zoom Meeting
You are invited to join with your LCH ‘ohana on Sundays for a virtual coffee talk following online worship. Discussion is conducted via the Zoom Meeting platform, and runs for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
In order to avoid “Zoom bombing” (surprise visits from unsavory folks), you will need to contact Pastor Jeff, via email at pr.jeff@LCHwelcome.org, for a meeting number and password to log into the meeting. While these are not ideal gathering circumstances, we can at least enjoy a chance to commune together briefly.
Compline
Sundays, January 2 and 16, 7:30 pm • Livestreaming
We warmly invite all people in all places of faith and life to Compline. Offered on the first and third Sunday of each month, this beautiful candle-lit service is a meditative experience. Join us for a 30-minute meditative time of prayer and reflection by candlelight. A cappella singing and chanting are led by the LCH Men’s Schola with John Bickel presiding.
Compline will be livestreamed on our streaming page and the LCH Facebook page and then archived on the LCH Facebook page.
First Mondays: Jacob Scharfman in Concert
Monday, January 3, at 7:00 pm • Livestreaming
Join us for a livestream concert featuring the wildly talented baritone Jacob Scharfman. Mr. Scharfman is a classically-trained American baritone performing opera, concert, and song repertoire. He won First Place in the 2021 National Opera Association Competition. Mr. Scharfman sang the 2019–20 season in the Opéra national du Rhin Studio, following his European début in the 2018–19 Salzburger Landestheater Studio. A graduate of The Juilliard School and the Merola Opera Program, he won the Oratorio-Lied Prize at the 2019 Viñas Contest in Barcelona and was a National Semi-Finalist in the 2018 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Mr. Scharfman has prepared a concert for our audience featuring the works of Mozart, Ravel, Bach, Tchaikovsky, and others. Suggested donation, $20.
The concert will be livestreamed on our streaming page and the LCH Facebook page and then archived on the LCH Facebook page.
Find out more about our featured artists at www.jacobscharfman.com.
Leadership Roundtable
Tuesday, January 4, 6:30 pm • Via Zoom Meeting
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 receive 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!
Punahou Academy Spring Term Parking
Monday–Friday • Church Lot & Poki Lot
The Punahou Academy spring semester begins Tuesday, January 4. Student parking resumes in the LCH Poki Street and church parking lots. All Poki Street lot spaces are reserved for Punahou student parking, Monday through Friday, from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm on school days only, through May 27. There are ten spaces reserved for Punahou students in the church lot for the spring semester. All spaces along the Poki Street side of the church lot and two spaces in the gravel area nearest to the dumpster are reserved. Please do not park in the designated student spaces Monday through Friday, from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm on school days only, through May 27.
Please do not park in the Poki Street lot during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Even if spaces are empty, they are paid for by and reserved for Punahou students. It is recommended that you observe posted “Reserved Parking” signs and park in the church lot, against the LCH office building, during office hours when visiting LCH on regular business days. The church lot parking diagram is included, following this article, for guidance.
Please be aware that cars parked in the church lot after 10:00 pm will be towed at the owner’s expense.
Book of Faith Bible Study
Thursdays, 10:00–11:45 am • Via Zoom Meeting
The Book of Faith Bible Study meets on Thursday mornings via the Zoom online meeting platform for the duration of the pandemic. 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.
Restorative Yoga
Thursdays, December 2, 9, and 16, at 6:00 pm • Via Zoom Meeting
Explore the restorative and ancient practice of yoga, led by LCH member Willow Chang. As a yoga practitioner for over 30 years, Willow shares the joy, wonder, and enthusiasm of a beginner. She emphasizes the origins, cultural context, and safe practice of yoga for all. In this 4-week session, she’ll share various aspects of yoga, from pranayama (breathing exercises) and yogic philosophy (ahimsa), to poses, referred to as asanas.
Join for one, two, or all four sessions from the safety of your own shelter-in-place. These unique classes also provide an opportunity to answer your questions about yoga practice and form. You don’t need yoga pants, previous experience, youth, flexibility, or any real-life experience in India to learn about yoga. Bring your amazing self to be in wonder of your abilities! Please contact Willow Chang (willowchang@hotmail.com) to be included in the weekly Zoom meeting invitation. Let’s learn and find a new center, together!
Mary Magdalene Society Virtual Happy Hour
Saturday, January 8, at 5:00 pm • Via Zoom Meeting
With deteriorating covid-19 situation in Honolulu, Mary Magdalene Society will return to virtual happy hours until conditions improve. We invite LGBTQI members and friends of LCH to prepare their favorite beverage and pupu and join in the virtual festivities. Pastor Andy and Justin will be in town for this meeting, and while we are disappointed not to be able to gather in-person, we are happy they will be able to participate in the virtual happy hour from the same time zone.
Those who are already on the Mary Magdalene mailing list, an email with the Zoom link and our discussion topic will be sent out on Wednesday, January 5. If you don’t receive your invitation, have questions, or want to be added to the mailing list, please contact Bill Potter, group facilitator, at bill.potter808@gmail.com.
Confirmation Preparation Classes
January 12 (6:00 pm) and 23 (4:00 pm) • Via Zoom Meeting
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 at pr.jeff@LCHwelcome.org.
LCH Garden Planning 2022
Wednesday, January 12, 1:00 pm • LCH Garden
The small but mighty LCH garden is reviving! For anyone who has garden ideas or who has interest in planning this year’s garden, let Pastor Bree know at pr.bree@LCHwelcome.org. You are also welcome to join Pastor Bree in person for a gardening hour on Wednesday, January 12, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. We will clean-up the two beds, maybe start some seeds, and dream about what the garden might provide for the church and neighborhood.
LCH OFFICE CLOSED for Dr. Martin Luther King Day
Monday, January 17
LCH Women’s Book Club
Monday, January 17, at 10:00 am • Via Zoom Meeting
LCH Women’s Book Club will meet via Zoom online meeting. The group will discuss No Stopping Us Now: The Adventures of Older Women in American History by Gail Collins. Come join us for fun and new insights.
Connecting to Zoom meeting works best if you download the free Zoom app beforehand. You may need to enable your microphone and video capabilities. If you are not already on the Book Club list, please contact Juditha Murashige at jcmurashige@earthlink.net to receive an invitation to join the next Zoom online Book Club meeting. All are welcome.
Writers’ Workshop
Tuesday, January 18, 4:30 pm • Via Zoom Meeting
Writers’ Workshop will meet via Zoom 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@gmail.com for information on how to connect remotely.
Food for Thought
Saturday, January 22, at 5:00 pm • Via Zoom Meeting
Food for Thought will meet virtually this month. Peter Flachsbart will send out a zoom invite. Given the current covid 19 situation we are exercising caution and will not meet in person. New persons interested in participating should contact the office at 808-941-2566 or by email at lch@LCHhwelcome.org.
IHS Brown Bag Meal Prep
LCH continues our commitment to IHS to assist with feeding the homeless during these difficult times. Although stay-at-home orders may have relaxed a bit, we anticipate that all the requirements of social distancing, masks, sanitizing, etc. will still be in force. Therefore, only a small group will be asked to make sandwiches, and those individuals will be contacted directly by phone or email. We will keep you updated about when we can be back to our regular group. Thank you for your patience as we navigate our way through the uncertainty.
Annual Congregational Meeting, Part 2
Sunday, January 23, at 11:00 am • Via Zoom Meeting
Part 2 of the 2021–2022 Annual Meeting is scheduled for January 23. The main business is to approve a final budget for the new year. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend, but only members in good standing may vote. Please plan to attend!
Volunteers Needed—Youth Fundraiser!
Punahou Carnival Parking • Friday & Saturday, February 4 & 5
Each year, the LCH youth request your help with their Punahou Carnival parking fundraiser. The carnival begins annually on the first Friday of February and lasts for two days. We need adult and youth volunteers for three-hour shifts during the carnival on both days. Event coordinators provide snacks and drinks, flashlights and safety vests, and you provide the fellowship! Sign-up sheets will be made available in the Hörmann Courtyard after the 8:00 and 10:30 am services. Volunteer shifts on both Friday, February 4, and Saturday, February 5, are: 10:30 am–1:30 pm, 1:30–4:30 pm, 4:30–7:30 pm, and 7:30–10:30 pm. Thank you!
2021 Giving Statements
Mahalo to everyone for your generous giving to LCH over the past year. Giving statements for the 2021 tax year will be distributed via email during the week of January 17. Statements to anyone who has given $25 or more this calendar year will be generated by the church’s accounting software and sent as PDF attachments to emails from statements@LCHwelcome.org.
If the church does not have your email address, the statement will be mailed to your address in the accounting software. To help us save postage and receive your statement as quickly as possible, if you have not gotten a giving statement by email in the past or have changed your email address, please email me at fin-sec@LCHwelcome.org with the best email address for your statement.
Please contact me at the email address on the statement if you find any errors or are unclear about anything on your giving statement. If you have given $25 or more and do not receive a statement by January 21, please check your spam folder first, and if it is not there, please let me know at fin-sec@LCHwelcome.org, and I will make sure you get a statement.
Bill Potter, financial secretary
Regular Offerings
While we are not able to meet in person, you are encouraged to mail your offering check directly to the church: Lutheran Church of Honolulu, 1730 Punahou Street, Honolulu HI 96822. If you would like to set up regular electronic funds transfer from your checking or savings account, forms are available at www.lchwelcome.org/support or can be requested by email to LCH@LCHwelcome.org. If you prefer to make a one time contribution or ongoing pledge by credit card, there is a link in the bottom right corner of each page of the church website or you can go directly to www.lchwelcome.org/donate. Thank you!
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 your distribution, 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: There is 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.
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.
| Offering Fund | Amount | Offering Fund | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offering | $9,845 | Capital Improvements | $1550 |
| Music Fund | $305 | Family Promise | $70 |
| Concert Fund | $193 | One Pot, One Hope | $20 |
HeartBeat Deadline
Tuesday, January 18, 9:00 am
Anita B. and Malissa T., Bill, friends and family of Billy S., Bruce H., Carole C., Colleen K., Dean A., Greg, Ilse L, Jonathan M., Judy M., Kai K. and his family, Karen and Richard E., Kathy M., Kawai S., Keahi, Kendra K., Lori W., Michael, Miles S., Patricia, Pomai S., Resi, Samantha C., Ted R., Tom P., Tom R., and William
