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Virtual LutherFest • Saturday, October 30, at 6:00 pm

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LutherFest graphicOnce again, LutherFest will be a virtual event via Zoom on Saturday, October 30, beginning at 6:00 pm. Entertainment (music and Lutheran trivia) is being planned.

LutherFest wouldn’t be the same without traditional bratwurst. Paradise Brats has agreed to supply us with their very German bratwurst. Place your order by emailing Pastor Jeff at pr.jeff@LCHwelcome.org. The bratwursts can be picked up at church on Friday, October 29, between 4:00 and 6:30 pm.

Watch your weekly E-News for further details.

Congregation Considers New Initiatives

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Call Committee Recommends Associate Pastor

Vicar BreeOver the past few months, members of the congregation have approached Pastor Jeff about the possibility of calling Vicar Bree Lloyd to serve as a pastor at LCH. After several conversations with Bishop Andy Taylor and other synod staff, it was determined that Vicar Bree was eligible to be a pastoral candidate at LCH. Pastor Jeff and Vicar Bree had several conversations exploring her sense of call, the mission of the congregation, possible roles, and the challenges and opportunities such a call might present; and Vicar Bree expressed interest in working with the congregation toward a part-time call. Pastor Jeff forwarded the request from members to the Congregational Council Executive Committee, and they agreed to bring it to the attention of the full council.

At their July meeting, the Congregational Council appointed an exploration team consisting of members of the congregation to explore the possibility of calling an associate pastor. Josie Bidgood, Keene Ishii, April Olsen, Steve Miller, Mary Fastenau, and Peter Flachsbart served on the committee. They have worked enthusiastically to developed a mission profile and considered how God might be moving LCH into the future and what role an associate pastor might play. At the September meeting, the council received the report of the exploration team and voted to move forward with consideration of calling Vicar Bree as a part-time, term-call pastor.

In the next couple of weeks, you will receive a report from the call committee and council outlining the missional opportunities they believe the congregation might undertake and how Vicar Bree, as a pastoral candidate, might help the congregation to move forward. Of particular interest is working toward a deeper ministry in creation care and community involvement. You will be invited to take part in one of two Zoom “town hall” meetings where you will have a chance to be heard, make suggestions, and ask questions. If the results of the town hall meetings are positive, the council will schedule a special congregational meeting in the next few weeks and ask the congregation to authorize a call. Calling a pastor is a congregational decision that is not to be made lightly. Please be assured that, throughout this process, congregational leadership has been serious in their discernment and focused on the mission of the congregation. We ask for your prayers as we look boldly into the future!

Digital Organ Discussion

organ graphicThursday, October 14, at 7:00 pm • Via Zoom Meeting

Many of you have noticed the new organ console in the Nave. This instrument is on loan from BYUH with the possibility of remaining at LCH as a supplementary instrument. There will be a Q&A and discussion hour regarding the organ on Thursday, October 14, at 7:00 pm. All are invited to attend. Please email Scott Fikse at scott@LCHwelcome.org to receive the Zoom invitation. Bring your questions, praise, and concerns. This will also be an opportunity to learn about the instrument and the pros and cons of owning a digital organ.

First Mondays: Art and Song in Vienna • October 4 at 7:00 pm

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Viennese maiden photo by Simon Berger public domainAny list of the greatest composers of art song would be sorely incomplete without the names Brahms, Mozart, and Schubert.

These three musical giants, who spent much of their lives in Vienna, Austria, will be featured prominently in a performance that blends the visual art of that time and place with some of their most enchanting compositions for solo voice or small ensemble.

Performing this month are Leslie Goldman, soprano; Sarah Lambert Connelly, mezzo-soprano; Timothy Carney, baritone; and Maka‘i Nash, piano.

The concert will be livestreamed on the LCH Facebook page and our streaming page October 4 at 7:00 pm and then archived on the LCH Facebook page.

Through the generous sponsorship of the Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation and support from other individual supporters, this concert is free. Additional donations to support the concert series are gladly accepted (details below).

Concert Program (PDF in a new window)

First Mondays 2021–2022 Concert Series





Help Make “First Mondays” a Success by Becoming a Sponsor

Your tax-deductible donations make it possible for us to offer these free concerts to the community. Please consider a donation by sending a check (payable to “Lutheran Church of Honolulu”) to the church at 1730 Punahou Street, Honolulu HI 96822 or using the button to the right to make a secure donation via PayPal. Mahalo for your support.

Feast of St. Francis: Blessing of Pets and Vespers • Sunday, October 3

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Blessing of Pets graphicBlessing of Petsat 10:00 am

Recognizing God’s love for all creatures and in celebration of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, we will have our annual blessing of the pets on October 3, during the streaming worship service at 10:00 am.

We are collecting photos of your beloved pets—any animals or stuffed animals—for including during worship. If you wish to participate, please email a photo of your pet(s), including the pet name(s) to Pastor Jeff Lilley at pr.jeff@LCHwelcome.org.

Morning Worship will be livestreamed on our streaming page and the LCH Facebook page and then archived on the LCH Facebook page.

St. Francis graphicVespers for the Feast of St. Francis at 7:30 pm

St. Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar, deacon, mystic, and preacher, and today he is associated with patronage of animals and our beautiful planet, as well as peace and compassion.

We will offer a special vespers service in place of Compline Sunday evening at 7:30 pm. The service will feature music by Christopher Tambling, Healey Willan, and Emilis Melngailis. All are welcome for the livestream as we take time for prayer, praise, and reflection.

Vespers will be livestreamed on our streaming page and the LCH Facebook page and then archived on the LCH Facebook page.

Bach and Prayer Debuts Wednesday, September 22, at 7:00 pm

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Bach and Prayer graphicAll are invited to join us for our first Bach and Prayer service on September 22 at 7:00 pm. A quiet time of prayer and reflection, Bach and Prayer offers a space for silent prayer and meditation interspersed with contemplative organ works by J. S. Bach and his family.

Contact the church office to reserve a seat, or tune in for the livestream on our streaming page or the LCH Facebook page. If you miss the livestream, the service will be archived on the LCH Facebook page.

This service will be offered on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

God’s Work, Our Hands Volunteer Day • Sat., Sept. 25, at 9:00 am

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God's work, our hands logoPlease join us Saturday, September 25, at 9:00 am for God’s Work Our Hands Volunteer Day at Sand Island Beach Park. Though not the same day as God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday, this will be LCH’s opportunity to participate in the ELCA’s national day of service. God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday celebrates who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America—one church freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

On September 25, we will serve our neighbors—humans, birds, turtles, plants, and fish—by cleaning and caring for Sand Island. This is a wonderful way to share our love for the earth and demonstrate our care for all God has made.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are limited to a group of 25 for this event; masks and social distancing are required to participate. Please register for the event by emailing Pastor Jeff at pr.jeff@LCHwelcome.org. Event details, including meeting place at the park, will be emailed to you once you register. Bring gloves, a water bottle, sun screen, and a sense of adventure! Trash bags, snacks, additional gloves, and spiritual support are provided by LCH.

Godly Play and Compline Return

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Linda Miller telling a Godly Play storyThe beginning of the new school year marks the return of Godly Play, LCH’s Sunday School program for children from kindergarten though 5th grade.

What is Godly Play, you ask? Godly Play is more than a program or a curriculum. Godly Play is a way of learning that offers children (and adults) the opportunity to live into the sacred stories of the Bible and the church. Children will be welcomed and loved, and they will have opportunities to playfully and creatively learn about God in Jesus.

While we are are not meeting in person, Godly Play is gathering via Zoom Meeting for Godly Play stories and crafts. Godly Play is taught by Linda Miller. Contact the church office at lch@LCHwelcome.org to be added to the list.

e LCH Men’s ScholaSeptember also brings the return of Compline, or Prayer at the Close of the Day.

We warmly invite all people in all places of faith and life to Compline. Offered on the first and third Sundays of each month at 7:30 pm, 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.

Compline will be livestreamed on our streaming page and the LCH Facebook page and then archived on the LCH Facebook page.

Farewell Celebration for Vicar Bree • Sat., Aug. 28 @ 4:30 pm

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microphone graphicIncredible as it may seem, Vicar Bree’s time with us as an intern is almost over. She has been a wonderful addition to this ministry, and we want to say thank you in grand (pandemic-appropriate) style. We hope that you will be able to join us to thank this exceptional vicar who has brought vitality and optimism to our congregation during this very challenging year.

What:     Farewell Celebration For Vicar

Where:   LCH Poki Lot

When:    August 28, 2021, 4:30–6:00 pm

RSVP:    lch@lchwelcome.org or 941-2566 by Wednesday, August 25

This will be a drive-in event with music, entertainment, presentations, and no sermons. For refreshments, BYOB and your own picnic to eat in your car. Hot dogs will also be available while supplies last.

Attendees are encouraged to bring lei with photos, memories, notes, prayers, and/or poems attached. These can be given to a volunteer on entry to the parking lot presentation to Vicar Bree during the program. Or, if preferred, you may send a photo, memory, note, prayer, and/or poem via email to lch@lchwelcome.org no later than Wednesday, August 25, to be added to communal lei. There will also be a calabash at the entry if you would like to drop off a card or gift.

COVID Precautions

  • This will be a drive-in event. Parking spaces will be designated, and volunteers will assist in directing participants to specific stalls.
  • Attendees need to be masked, except when actively eating or drinking, and remain in their vehicles for the entire time.
  • As appropriate and as time permits, Vicar Bree will be invited to walk the parking lot and greet attendees. Some of us have never met her in person. She’s not a bot!
  • “Pack out what we pack in,” especially rubbish. There will not be trash receptacles at the site.

Summer Jazz Series: Honolulu Vocal Jazz • Fri., August 20 @ 7:00 pm

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microphone graphicEnjoy a night of vocal jazz in the swinging styles of legendary groups like Manhattan Transfer, New York Voices, and Singers Unlimited. Wearing a hat from a previous life with Celebration Vocal Jazz and Celebrity Cruises, our music director Scott Fikse will be joined by five fabulous vocalists and the LCH Jazz Combo for an evening of unforgettable music from the pop, musical theater, jazz, and rock genres.

Honolulu Vocal Jazz: Vanessa Manuel and Naomi Barrett, sopranos, Melissa Walker Glenn, alto; Daniel Henderson and Benjamin Sobel, tenors; and Scott Fikse, bass.

LCH Jazz Combo: Reid Ishikawa, piano; Alika Lyman, bass; and Jeremy Lawi, drums.

The concert will also be livestreamed on our Worship Services page and the LCH Facebook page August 20 at 7:00 pm and then archived on the LCH Facebook page.

The concert is free; and donations to support the concert series are gladly accepted using the link below. Suggested donation for this concert is $10–20.

Our First Mondays Concert Series returns for the 2021–2022 season one September 6 with La Camera e la Chiesa.




Support Our Summer Jazz Series with Your Donation

Your tax-deductible donations make it possible for us to offer these free concerts to the community. Please consider a donation by sending a check (payable to “Lutheran Church of Honolulu”) to the church at 1730 Punahou Street, Honolulu HI 96822 or using the button to the right to make a secure donation via PayPal. Mahalo for your support.

Website Back!

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Because of technical issues with the LCH domain name and another issue with settings on the server that hosts our website, the website was not available from Monday morning, August 9, through Friday morning, August 13. These issues have all been resolved, and the website is functioning properly.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this outage.