HeartBeat—January 2024

Aloha to Pr. Jeff as He Returns from Sabbatical and
Mahalo to Pr. Margrethe as Her Time as Interim Pastor Ends

As the new year begins, we welcome back Pr. Jeff and Jean Lilley from Jeff’s three-month sabbatical in Texas. The sabbatical allowed Pr. Jeff to work on physical, mental, and spiritual health as well as music and visual arts. In addition, he was able to be with daughter Meghann for the birth of twin granddaughters in November. The photo shows Jeff and Jean with Meghann, her husband, the granddaughters, and their grandson.

We also express profound gratitude to Pr. Margrethe Kleiber for serving as our pastor while Pr. Jeff has been on sabbatical. Over the three months, Pr. Margrethe has provided caring leadership both in worship and the day-to-day business of being church. We have appreciated her commitment to the LCH ‘ohana and her simulating preaching. Happily, Pr. Margrethe will remain a member of the congregation, so we will still have her presence with us.

We will have an opportunity to thank Pr. Margrethe following worship on December 31 and to welcome Pr. Jeff back on January 7. The Fellowship Committee will provide special refreshments, and you invited to bring lei for both pastors.

First Mondays Chamber Concerts: Fiesta!

Monday, January 8, at 7:00 pm

Start the New Year right with electrifying string quartet versions of music by your favorite Latin American composers, including Oscar Eduardo Peña, Arturo Marquez, and others. You will be whisked away on a journey that begins 2024 in style!

The quartet is made up of Helen Liu and Rachel Saul, violins; Susan Leon, viola; and Sibora Miloradovic, cello.

All are invited to gather for pūpū in the Hörmann Courtyard and 6:15 pm. The concert is free, with a suggested donation $20. In addition, we will continue to collect packaged, unopened dry goods (e.g., cereal, flour, sugar, pasta, etc.) and canned food donations for the Angel Network at each concert.

As a courtesy to others, please wear a face mask inside the church.

Annual Congregational Meeting, Part 2

Sunday, January 28, at 11:20 am • In-the Nave

Part 2 of the 2023–2024 Annual Meeting is scheduled for January 28. The main items of business are approval of the 2024 budget and election of a youth representative to the Council. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend, but only members in good standing may vote. Please plan to attend!

Mahalo from Pr. Margrethe

Dear LCH Friends,

Mahalo for a delightful three months! I have enjoyed our time together.

Thank you for your patience with me as I learned and, in some cases, relearned your names. You have been gracious and forgiving when I blundered, always laughing with me instead of at me. Your unwavering support and affirmation are gifts that I treasure.

When we first joined LCH more than forty years ago, it was because there was something special about your hospitality, passion for justice, and commitment to excellence in worship. While many things have changed over the years, that has not. It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve as your interim pastor.

Mahalo,
Pastor Margrethe

Singing Alleluias in the New Year!

The holidays are drawing to a close. By the time you read this 2023 will be drawing to a close. We may bask in the holiday spirit a day or two longer, but soon it will be time to head back to school, back to work, back to our ordinary routines.

After the shepherds found Jesus in the manger, after the magi followed the star to Bethlehem, they went back to their ordinary routines, back to their flocks, back to their own country. It wasn’t until thirty years later that the implications of that night in Bethlehem begin to take shape in the words and deeds of an itinerant carpenter from Nazareth.

Scripture doesn’t tell us what happened to the shepherds and the wise men after they worshipped the baby Jesus. We don’t know if any of them ever saw Jesus again or knew what became of him. We do know, however, that their encounter with the Christ Child moved them deeply. Matthew tells us that when the star stopped over the place where Jesus was, the wise men were “overwhelmed with joy.” Luke tells us that the shepherds returned to their flocks “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.”

My hunch is that the source of their joy was not the round of holiday parties in 4 bce but their encounter with a mystery, to borrow a phrase from C.S. Lewis, with “deeper magic from before the dawn of time.” This encounter did not change the realities of their existence; they went back to their ordinary routines. Rather, what their encounter with Jesus changed was them. They came face to face with the glory of God in the infant Jesus and, having had this encounter with the divine, I suspect they became more sensitive to the mystery of God in the world around them. This is the source of joy, the experience of God’s presence, the experience of God-with-us.

My prayer for all of us is that we may encounter Jesus in many and perhaps surprising ways in 2024 and that like the wise men and the shepherd, we will grow ever more sensitive to the mystery of God in our lives. Let us go into the new year singing alleluias for all that we have heard and seen!

From Kneeling in Bethlehem by Ann Weems. © 1987. Used with permission of Westminster John Knox Press.

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

Given the persistence of covid in our community, the LCH office and church campus are generally closed to in-person meetings and gatherings as we continue to practice mutual care. 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.

In-reach and Community Renewal

Working with our theme “Continuing the Journey towards Wholeness,” the LCH ‘ohana continues to explore way to move towards healing and wholeness. Our focus during December and January is on In-reach and Community Renewal.

In December, Phyllis Hörmann wrote about ways each of us can renew and strengthen the community here at LCH by reaching out during worship or coffee hour to newcomers to our community or folks who have not yet become our friends and by visiting or calling those are no longer able to attend in person or haven’t been to church for a while. She also mentioned our return to using name tags and the efforts to revise and reissue our parish directory. This month I want to explore another idea for strengthening our community.

In October 2023, CNN reported on a Meta-Gallup survey taken in 124 countries that asked people 15 years and older the question “How lonely are you?” About one quarter replied that they were either very or fairly lonely. The highest level of self-reported loneliness appeared among young people, but even 17% of those 65 and older reported being very or fairly lonely. Responding to CNN about the survey, Dr. Olivia Remes, a mental health researcher at the University of Cambridge (who was not involved with the Meta-Gallup survey) said, “Human beings need social connections to thrive, and being embedded in strong supportive networks can protect our wellbeing when we’re faced with difficulties in life.”

In our December meeting, members of the Stewardship Team brainstormed some ideas that might facilitate social connections among members of the LCH ‘ohana. What if we had a buddy system where two or three folks committed to checking in by text, email, phone call, or even meeting in person on a regular basis? What if we had prayer partners where two or three folks committed to pray for each other, the people on the LCH prayer list, and world concerns on a regular basis? Or what if we formed a new interest group related to a shared passion and committed to meeting on a regular basis?

Each of these ideas has the potential to create new relationships among members of our LCH family, combat loneliness, and strengthen our church community. But, those of us on the Stewardship Team don’t know if any of them appeal to you, so we have created a short survey to find out what you think. Just follow this link and take the survey, or if you prefer responding on paper, look for a copy at church beginning on Sunday, January 7, or call the church office and a paper copy will be mailed to you. Please complete the survey and return paper copies by January 21.

Based on the survey results, we will match up people who express an interest in having buddies or prayer partners, and we will help anyone who wants to start a new interest group get the group going.

We look forward to the new year and the renewal and strengthening of our LCH community for the mission God has for us in this time and place.

Bill Potter for the Stewardship Team
Pam Buckley, Willow Chang, Phyllis Hörmann, Barbara Poole-Street, Bill Potter, and Cynthia Scheinert

Committee Chair Reports

It’s time to begin compiling the Annual Report! Please submit your committee’s yearly report to the LCH office by Monday, December 18. Direct questions to the office at 808-941-2566 or email LCH@LCHwelcome.org.

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 for New Year’s Day

Monday, January 1

Leadership Roundtable

Tuesday, January 2, 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 with login information. Please be prepared to share a little information on your activities with the group. Mahalo!

Book of Faith Bible Study

Thursdays, 10:00 am • In-person and Via Zoom Meeting

The Book of Faith Bible Study meets on Thursday mornings in-person or via Zoom meeting. All are welcome to join this lively discussion of the Biblical texts, relevant current events, and historical foundations. Please contact Cathy Baptista at cathynt@gmail.com to receive an invitation to the next Zoom Bible study discussion.

Restorative Yoga

Thursdays, January 4, 11, 18, and 25, 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 by sharing aspects of yoga, from pranayama (breathing exercises) and yogic philosophy (ahimsa), to poses, referred to as asanas.

Join for one, two, or all 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!

All Ages Sunday School

Come explore with each other the highlights of our Judeo-Christian tradition. We will meet each Sunday in Isenberg Hall at 9:00 am for a story, discussion, and creative response. We will use the form and techniques of Godly Play. This approach will help us understand how our history and practice weave together to create today’s church. Everyone is welcome from the youngest child to the oldest adult.

All Ages Sunday School topics for January:

• 1/7—Epiphany
• 1/14—Holy Baptism
• 1/21—Parable of the Good Shepherd
• 1/28—Parable of the Good Samaritan

Adult Forum

Sundays at 9:00 am • In-person in the Boardroom

Join members of the Adult Forum for stimulating discussions on a variety of topics on Sunday mornings in-person in the Boardroom. If you are coming for worship, just get your coffee and head to the Boardroom at 9:00 to join the others who are there.

Virtual Coffee Talk

Sunday, January 7, 11:30 am • Via Zoom Meeting

Virtual Coffee Hour will be held at 11:30 am on the first Sunday of each month. Hope you can join us! You are invited to join with your LCH ‘ohana on the first Sunday for a virtual coffee talk following online worship. This discussion time will be via Zoom Meeting, and will run for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

In order to avoid “Zoom bombing” (surprise visits from unsavory folks), you will need to contact Cathy Baptista via email at cathynt@gmail.com 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.

Confirmation Classes

Sundays, January 14 and 21, at 11:45 am • 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.

Please contact Pastor Jeff at pr.jeff@lchwelcome.org for more information.

LCH Office Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr., Day

Monday, January 15

LCH Women’s Book Club

Monday, January 15, at 10:00 am • In-Person at the Murashige’s Home and Via Zoom Meeting

LCH Women’s Book Club will meet on Monday, January 15, at the Murashige’s home. We’ll be reading The Odyssey in a new translation by Emily Wilson during January and February. Please come and join us for a fun morning.

If you are not already on the Book Club list, please contact Juditha Murashige at jcmurashige@earthlink.net to receive an invitation to join them. All are welcome.

IHS Sandwich Making

Thursday, January 18 • Isenberg Hall • 12:00–2:00 pm

LCHers will again convene to prepare sandwiches and pack sack lunches for distribution at Institution for Human Services (IHS). This continues a tradition stretching back decades. We meet monthly and could use a few new, dependable volunteers to join our dedicated group. Please join us. Mahalo!

If you would like to participate in this action-packed, fun activity, please let Brenda know at lch@LCHwelcome.org. She will pass your contact info on to event organizers.

Food for Thought

Saturday, January 20 at 5:30 pm • Hörmann’s Home

Food for Thought meets at the home of David Hörmann, who will provide the main dish, while others are asked to bring side dishes or dessert to complete the potluck. If you would like to participate virtually, please contact Peter Flachsbart at pflachsbart@gmail.com to receive an invitation for the next Zoom meeting. If you wish to come in person, contact Marlise Tellander at marlisetellander@hotmail.com. Those who plan to come in person should be vaccinated.

Compline

Sunday, January 21 , at 7:30 pm • In-person and Via Livestream Broadcast

We warmly invite all people in all places of faith and life to Compline. This beautiful candle-lit service is a meditative experience of a cappella singing and chanting to commemorate the day’s end. Led by members of the LCH Men’s Schola, musical selections include Gregorian chant, Taizé chant, Renaissance polyphony, and more.

Beginning this fall, Compline will be sung only on the third Sunday of the month from September through May.

For those not attending in person, Compline will be livestreamed on our Worship Services page and the LCH Facebook page.

Writers’ Workshop

Monday, January 22, at 4:30 pm • Via Zoom Meeting

Writers’ Workshop will continue to meet via Zoom meeting. All are welcome! If you would like to participate, please contact Peter Flachsbart at pflachsbart@gmail.com for information on how to connect remotely. Mahalo!

Mary Magdalene Society Potluck and Game Night

Saturday, January 27, at 6:00 pm • Hörmann Courtyard

Mary Magdalene Society will meet in-person for our potluck and game night in the Hörmann Courtyard. We invite LGBTQI members and friends of LCH to prepare their favorite potluck dish and join in the festivities. As part of our commitment to mutual care, participants should RSVP in advance and be fully-vaccinated. With the decline in covid cases, the group has decided that masks are optional.

An email will be sent on January 21 to those who are already on the Mary Magdalene mailing list, detailing the RSVP procedure. 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.

Punahou Academy Spring Term Parking

Monday–Friday • Church Lot and Poki Lot

The Punahou Academy spring semester begins Tuesday, January 3, 2024. 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 29.

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.

Please be aware that cars parked in the church lot after 10:00 pm will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Seeking Volunteers & Donations for One Pot, One Hope

Saturday, January 27, at 9:00 am • Maluhia Lutheran Church in Wai‘anae

The One Pot, One Hope ministry, a Hukilau project, continues each month at Maluhia Lutheran Church in Wai‘anae. Please consider participating by joining the volunteers, at the next meet-up.

You can also contribute by donating 5-lb. cans of chili, cartons of granola bars, or large jars of peanut butter or jelly; or you can support this outreach with funds either by check or via the LCH Donate page. (Be sure to designate donation for One Pot, One Hope.) Food items may be dropped off during coffee hour on Sundays or left at the office during open hours. Contact Billie Jean Reis or Linda Muller with any questions. Mahalo for assisting with this mission to provide meals to our neighbors.

Volunteers needed—Youth Fundraiser!

Punahou Carnival Parking • Friday & Saturday, February 2 & 3

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 worship service. Volunteer shifts on both Friday, February 2, and Saturday, February 3, 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!

Regular Offerings

If you are not attending church 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!

Electronic Funds Transfers for November

Offering Fund	Amount	Offering Fund	Amount
Offering	$5,300	Social Ministries/IHS	$125
Music Fund	$480	Family Promise	$50
Concert Fund	$320	One Pot, One Hope	$20
Capital Improvements	$255

Attendance and Offerings for December

Date	Worship Service	Attendance	Offering Fund	Amount
December 3	Hybrid Worship	66 + 102 views	Offerings	$1,822
	Advent Procession	51 + 112 views	Wounded Warriors	$1,300
			Maui Strong Fund	$924
December 10	Hybrid Worship	71 + 104 views	Family Promise	$140
			Altar Flowers	$45
			One Pot, One Hope	$20
December 17	Hybrid Worship	72 + 160 views
December 24	Hybrid Advent IV	59 + 168 views	Offerings	$11,005
	Hybrid Christmas Eve	80 + 112 views	Concert Fund	$1,043
	Hybrid Christmas Eve	112 + 107 views	Wounded Warriors	$575
			Social Ministries/IHS	$340
December 25	Hybrid Worship	32 + 79 views	Family Promise	$250
			One Pot, One Hope	$250
			Domestic Relief	$135
			Altar Flowers	$110
			Music Fund	$100
			Angel Network	$20

HeartBeat Deadline

Tuesday, January 16, 9:00 am

Betty H., Chuck H. and Nan W., Chuck P., Don Johnson, Dutton S., Elaine, Greg G., Harold W., Irene McLeod, James Takamiya, Mabel D., Miriam S., Nancy R., the family of Ruth S., Salina R., Star W., Yvonne and Andy M.

Please help us to keep the Prayer Requests list relevant. If you have a friend or loved one who should remain on the list, we are glad to keep them in prayer. Please email the office to let us know when a name may be removed from the list.

December Birthdays

01/03	Jeanne Castello
01/05	Fred Benco
01/06	Angie Niermann
01/06	Matthew Sato
01/12	Allen Bauchle
01/12	Mary Kubota
01/12	Michael Okikawa
01/17	Palmyra Hethcote
01/20	Robert Raasch
01/22	Chuck Huxel
01/23	Jim Niermann
01/29	Marcus Fikse

Calendar: January 2024

Day	Date	Event and Time
Monday	January 1	Office Closed—New Year’s Day
Tuesday	January 2	6:30 pm, Leadership Roundtable Zoom Meeting
Thursday	January 4	10:00 am, Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom Meeting 6:00 pm, Restorative Yoga Zoom Class 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Saturday	January 6	7:00 pm, Sinfonietta Honolulu Concert
Sunday	January 7	9:00 am, All Ages Sunday School, Isenberg Hall 9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom 10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service
Monday	January 8	7:30 pm, First Monday Concert, In-person Only
Tuesday	January 9	6:30 pm, Worship and Music Zoom Meeting
Thursday	January 11	10:00 am, Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom Meeting 6:00 pm, Restorative Yoga Zoom Class 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Sunday	January 14	9:00 am, All Ages Sunday School, Isenberg Hall 9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom 10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service 11:45 am, Confirmation, Rainbow Room
Monday	January 15	Office Closed—Martin Luther King, Jr., Day
Tuesday	January 16	HeartBeat Submissions Deadline
Wednesday	January 17	noon, Finance Committee Zoom Meeting
Thursday	January 18	10:00 am, Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom Meeting noon, IHS Brown Bag Meal Prep (closed group) 6:00 pm, Restorative Yoga Zoom Class 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Saturday	January 20	5:30 pm, Food for Thought, Hörmann Home
Sunday	January 21	9:00 am, All Ages Sunday School, Isenberg Hall 9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom 10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service 11:45 am, Confirmation, Rainbow Room 7:30 pm, In-person/Streaming Compline
Monday	January 22	10:00 am, Women’s Book Club at the Murashige’s Home 4:30 pm, Writers’ Workshop Zoom Meeting
Tuesday	January 23	6:00 pm, Executive Council Zoom Meeting 6:30 pm, LCH Council Zoom Meeting
Thursday	January 25	10:00 am, Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom Meeting 6:00 pm, Restorative Yoga Zoom Class 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Saturday	January 27	9:00 am, One Pot, One Hope, Maluhia Lutheran Church
		6:00 pm, Mary Magdalene Society, Hörmann Courtyard
Sunday	January 21	9:00 am, All Ages Sunday School, Isenberg Hall 9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom 10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service 11:20 am, 2nd Half of Annual Meeting, Nave