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Summer Gatherings Emphasize ELCA Project (July 3 & 24 and August 7)

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called forward together in Christ graphicOver the course of the summer months, LCH will join thousands of ELCA congregations in participating in Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s church-wide initiative “Called Forward Together in Christ.” The initiative is an ongoing conversation taking place at every level in the ELCA including the church-wide office, seminaries, synods, regions, and congregations. The intent is to shape the future of our ministry in light of God’s call, the cultures in which we find ourselves, and the current economic and ecologic realities of a changing world.

At our congregational level, we hope to engage in conversation about emerging ideas for ministry and engagement in our neighborhood, community, and membership.

In a moment of madness we came up with a plan. On the dates listed above, we will worship from 9:15 to 9:45 am. Immediately following the worship service, we will gather in the courtyard to share a light brunch—food will be provided—and engage in conversation. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate. This should be a truly fun, energetic, and meaningful time of conversation about how God is working in our midst, and how we hope to be at work and prayer in God’s midst. Please plan to be there!

Requiem and Hope: A Service for Olando (June 19 • 7:30 pm)

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votive candlesPlease join the LCH community in meditation, prayer, and music. Together we will mourn, pray, and honor the dead as a united community in the wake of this tragedy. Our service will include selections from the Gregorian Mass for the Dead, featuring men from the LCH Choir and cantors.

“These victims had their futures stolen … their dreams stolen … their potential contributions stolen from us all… Hate and separation continue to bring forth too much grief, too many stolen lives across the world. May we also have the strength to address and deal with the roots of hatred that target any minority community with violence anywhere in the world.”—The Harvey Milk Foundation.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend this service as a sign of support for the victims in Orlando, and in solidarity with the LGBTQI community.

Meals for the Hungry

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Each month members of the LCH ‘ohana provide food for hungry people on the island of O‘ahu. You’re invited to be part of this important ministry.

Volunteers slice meatloaf and prepare to serve the guests at IHSOn Friday, May 20, we provide the evening meal at the Institute for Human Services (IHS) in ‘Iwilei. For more than 25 years, folks from LCH have shopped for, prepared, and served a special dinner on the third Friday of each month for as many as 300 individuals. The cost is underwritten by the LCH budget and by a grant from the German Benevolent Society of Hawaii. Shoppers, cooks, and servers are needed each month.

If you’d like to participate on May 20, contact Jimmy Castro through the Church Office (808-941-2566). The cooks begin work at 1:00 pm, and the meal is served at 5:30 pm.

In the picture on the right, volunteers slice the meatloaf and prepare to serve the guests at IHS.

On Saturday, May 28, folks from LCH and other churches from the ELCA’s Hukilau conference and other denominations in One Pot One Hope and prepare lunches for the homeless in Wai‘anae. The lunches consist of chili and rice, fresh fruit, granola bars, and water, and most recently, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The volunteers feed between 100 and 125 people each month.

On May 28 (and on the last Saturday of each month) the carpool leaves LCH at 9:15 am and returns around 1:00 pm. In addition to helping out on the last Saturday, members can support this mission outreach project by bringing donations of designated items (gallon-sized cans of chili from Costco, fruit, granola bars, bottled water, peanut butter, jelly, and recycled grocery bags) and checks (payable to “One Pot One Hope”) to church on the third Sunday of the month.

Contact Peggy Anderson through the Church Office (808-941-2566) for more information.

Pentecost Vespers (May 15)

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On May 15, Pentecost Sunday, the Lutheran Church of Honolulu will celebrate Vespers, the sunset evening prayer service of the canonical hours. This service is comprised almost entirely by music, with the LCH Choir singing a rich array of musical selections including the psalms for that evening. Other pieces include:

  • Herbert Howells’ “Magnificat” from Evening Canticles (Collegium Regale setting)
  • Kevin Siegfried’s “The Spirit of the Lord”
  • Gerald Near’s “Spiritus Domini”

The service begins at 7:30 pm, and all are welcome. A freewill offerings in support of the music ministry will be received.

All are welcome to the lecture “The Entanglement of Early Christianity and Islam” by Dr. Stephen O’Harrow, Professor of Philology and the Director, Center for Southeast Asian Studies at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, prior to Vespers at 6:00 pm. The lecture is part of our ongoing series, Exploring Boundaries….and Beyond.

Exploring Boundaries: The Entanglement of Early Christianity and Islam (May 15)

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LCH welcomes Dr. Stephen O’Harrow, Professor of Philology and the Director, Center for Southeast Asian Studies at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Based on the study of philology (the study of texts, especially early texts, in their historical, social, and archeological contexts), Dr. O’Harrow uses words and concepts from Greek, Hebrew, and Arabic to investigate connections in the early histories between these two great monotheistic religions, Christianity and Islam. He will especially focus on the evolving figure of the Virgin Mary.

Exploring Boundaries begins at 6:00 pm in Isenberg Hall and ends around 7:15.

Consider lingering after Exploring Boundaries for Pentecost Vespers at 7:30 pm. In this service, comprised almost entirely by music, the LCH Choir will sing a rich array of selections including the psalms for that evening, the Magnificat, and several motets

Book and Media Exchange (May 7)

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book swap graphicJoin us on Saturday, May 7, for a free book and media exchange! Bring your used books, CDs, and DVDs—fiction, non-fiction, children’s, cookbooks, travel guides—all genres welcome. Feel free to browse and take home titles that catch your eye. Books remaining at the close of the event will be donated to the Friends of the Library.

This event takes place from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in the Hörmann Courtyard and will be open to the local community as well. Contact Hope Jahren via the LCH office for more information.

Earth Day (Sunday, April 24)

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tree graphicFor many years, the Lutheran Church has observed Earth Day, in April, with special projects and worship. Sunday, April 24, is our 2016 Earth Day celebration.

The liturgy at both the 8:00 and 10:30 am services will be adapted to emphasize our communion with the earth, and in the face of climate change, the need to better care for the whole planet. Our theme this year is Trees for the Earth.

In addition to focused worship, there will be activities for children and an adult forum class.

25th Annual Honolulu AIDS Walk

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Volunteers slice meatloaf and prepare to serve the guests at IHSLCH will once again field a team for the Life Foundation Honolulu AIDSWALK.

Pastor Jeff is the President of the Board of Directors for this organization that is Hawai‘i’s largest provider of services for persons living with HIV/AIDS.

This year, our team hopes to raise $5,000 in support of Life Foundation. How can you help? Visit our Team Site to:

  1. Join our team and enlist friends and strangers to donate via your page, or
  2. Donate to the team or a member of the team.

IHS Dinner (Friday, April 15)

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Volunteers slice meatloaf and prepare to serve the guests at IHSFor over 25 years, LCH has shopped for, prepared, and served a special dinner on the third Friday of each month for over 300 of Honolulu’s homeless. The cost is underwritten by the LCH budget and by a grant from the German Benevolent Society of Hawaii.

Shoppers, cooks, and servers are needed each month, and all are welcome to join in this joyful ministry. To be apart of our team, speak to Jimmy Castro or call the Church Office (808-941-2566).

In this picture, volunteers slice the meatloaf and prepare to serve the guests at IHS.

To learn more about the Institute for Human Services, visit their website at .

Celebrating the Cross and Resurrection—
Holy Week and Easter at LCH

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Easter morning the 8:0 AM congregation was treated to special music on French horn and organ.For the children’s conversation, Pr. Jeff used plastic eggs to illustrate the meaning of Easter.Between services the congregation enjoyed a delicious potluck brunch.The children had an Easter egg hunt.For the 10:30 service, a brass quartet provided special music.Celebrating communion amid the festive Easter decorations.

Easter Sunday

Members and friends gather for a joyful celebration Easter Sunday morning.

Between two festive worship services at 8:00 and 10:30 am, the younger children enjoyed an Easter egg hunt, and everyone enjoyed a bountiful potluck brunch.

The Great Vigil of Easter began with the lighting of a new fire in the Hörmann Courtyard.The Pascal Candle was lit from the new fire, and the Exsultet was sung.Light was passed during the singing of the Exulted.After hearing lessons from the Hebrew Scriptures telling salvation history, the litany was sung while waiting to enter the Nave.The ministers led the congregation into the Nave and lit the presence candle before the Easter proclamation.Pastor Jeff incensing the altar at communion.Receiving communion at the rail.Breaking the Lenten fast with champagne, cookies, and strawberries following the Vigil.

Great Vigil of Easter

The last part of the Great Three Days (Triduum) began with the congregation gathered in the Hörmann Courtyard for the kindling of the new fire and the lighting of the Pascal Candle.

Members of the congregation lit their candles the flame passed from the Pascal Candle and listened to the Exsultet. The service continued with the retelling of salvation history through lessons from the Hebrew Scriptures, the renewal of baptismal vows, and the Litany of the Saints.

Following the litany, the ministers returned to the courtyard in white Easter vestments and let the congregation into the Nave as the choir sang the Kyrie. The Vigil continues with the joyous Easter proclamation and holy communion.

Following worship, the congregation returned to the Courtyard to break their Lenten fast with a sweet feast of champagne, strawberries, and cookes.

For the Good Friday portion of the Triduum, the cross is veiled, and ministers are dressed in black.The prayer that God “look with loving mercy on your family, for who our Lord jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed.”The Passion Gospel according to John was sung in a setting by Zachary Wadsworth.Behold the life-giving cross on which was hung the salvation of the world.Worshippers brought candles and knelt before the cross.Worshippers departed in silence to await the Easter Vigil.

Good Friday

The observance of the Great Three Days (Triduum) continued with the Good Friday Liturgy. Members gathered to hear the Passion Gospel and venerate the cross.

“The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to John” was sung in a setting by Zachary Wadsworth. David Del Rocco sang the part of the Evangelist, Simon Crookall sang Jesus, and Karol Nowicki sang Pilate; the choir took the part of the crowd.

The Passion was followed by the Solemn Collects and the the Adoration of the Crucified.

The Triduum concludes with the Easter Vigil Saturday evening at 7:30 pm.

The Triduum—Great Three Days—began with Maundy ThursdayPastor Jeff preached on the Gospel lesson of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet as an act of love.hen members of the congregation washed each others’ feet......moving out of their comfort zones to experience this act of service and love.Following Holy Communion, the elements were carried out of the Nave.Then the altar was stripped.Worshippers meditated in the bare Nave.

Maundy Thursday

Our celebration of the Triduum—The Great Three Days—began on Maundy Thursday on March 24. Members gathered to hear again the story of the Last Supper, when Jesus met with his disciples in the Upper Room before being handed over to suffer and die for us.

The Gospel of John recounts how after supper, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and gave them a new commandment (Latin, mandatum, from which we get the word “Maundy”): ”Love one another.” In response, members of the congregation washed each other’s feet in the Maundy ritual.

The Maundy was followed by Holy Communion, in remembrance that Jesus instituted the sacrament in the Last Supper.

The liturgy concluded with the stripping of the altar, as Jesus was stripped before being crucified.

Both morning worship services on Palm Sunday begin in the courtyard.After hearing Luke’s account of the entry into Jerusalem and a brief homily, palms we blessed for the procession.The process moved from the courtyard into the parking lot......along the side of the church on Dominis......along Punahou, and back into the courtyard.Young and old carried palms and sang.At 10:30, a brass quartet accompanied the singing of “All glory, laud, and honor.”Back in the Nave, the service continued with prayers and lessons.Worship continued with the chanting of the Passion Gospel of Luke and holy communion.

Palm Sunday

Our celebration of Holy Week began with Palm Sunday, March 20.

At both morning service, worshipers gathered in the courtyard to listen to the Palm Sunday Gospel, followed by the blessing and distribution of palms and procession around the church.

Once the congregation was inside the Nave, the focus turned to the chanting of the Passion Gospel according to Luke.

Worship concluded with holy communion.