Category Archives: Congregational Life

Preparing for a Joyous Christmas

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With only one more day until our celebration of Christmas begin, members gathered to prepare for worship. The antique crèche (imported from German in the 1920s) was brought out from storage, poinsettias were unwrapped and placed around the Nave, a wreath of greens was assembled and hung by the entrance, a tree was decorated, and worship booklets prepared for all three Christmas worship services. It was a lot of work, but with many hands, it was completed quickly.

At right, Jim Cartwright and Peggy Anderson decorate the Christmas tree.

Below, Steve Miller and the kids unwrap poinsettias.

All are welcome to the three Christmas worship service:

  • Family Worship on Christmas Eve at 5:00 pm featuring a Christmas skit by the children, familiar carols, and Holy Communion.
  • Festival Choral Eucharist on Christmas Eve at 11:00 pm featuring the LCH Choir, familiar carols, and Holy Communion. Come early and enjoy a concert of Christmas music by the LCH Choir and Organist Mark Wong at 10:30.
  • Choral Eucharist on Christmas Day at 10:30 am featuring the women of the LCH Choir, familiar carols, and Holy Communion

Interim Music Leadership Installed

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Today, LCH installed the first member of the interim leadership for its music program during morning worship. Jeremy Wong was installed as interim director of the LCH Choir during the traditional choral eucharist at 10:30 am. Michael Bartels will be installed as interim director of the Eight O’Clock Ensemble during the contemporary worship service next Sunday.

Neither Jeremy not Michael is new to the LCH ‘ohana. Michael has been playing piano and filling in for Miguel Felipe from time to time for the contemporary worship service, and Jeremy has been singing in the LCH Choir.

You can learn more about Michael and Jeremy on the Leadership page

At right, Pastor Jeff installs Jeremy Wong as interim director of the LCH Choir.

LutherFest Rescheduled

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LutherFest – Postponed

Due to the uncertain nature of Tropical Storm Ana, LCH has postponed LutherFest to NEXT Saturday, October 25th.

Same time. Same place! One week later!
Bring your pretzels and your friends!

We pray that you all stay safe and sound over the weekend.

Sunday’s Worship events will be as scheduled unless otherwise notified via eNews, Website, Facebook and via phone.

New Members Received

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Today, LCH welcomed two new members into its ‘ohana of faith.

Lindsey (left) – serves in the US Navy and has begun discernment in the candidacy process toward possible ordination in the ELCA

Melody (right) – currently PhD Candidate at University of Hawai’i recipient of Fulbright-Clinton fellowship and soon on her way to East Timor for field work in her studies as a linguist.

We pray for them and for the whole of our family of faith.

If you are interested in learning more about LCH and what “becoming a member” means, contact the church office or the pastor directly. We’d be happy to schedule a time to sit down together and get to know one another and answer any questions.

Angela Freeman Installed as Co-Pastor

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Members of the congregation gather around to lay on hands as part of the InstallationThe first summer Sunday with one worship service saw a joyful celebration of the ministry of LCH as we gathered to formally install The Rev. Angela Freeman as co-pastor. Even though Angela has been working among us for almost two years, her initial call was for a term of two years, so after the congregation voted to extend a regular call, she had to be installed again.

The service of installation featured special music from several children in the congregation, elements from the traditional “10:30 style” (the LCH Choir singing the psalm and special music by Sir Ralph Vaughan Williams), and the Alleluia Mass regularly sung for contemporary worship.

Following worship, everyone enjoyed a summer barbecue and fellowship inn the Hörmann Courtyard and Isenberg Hall.

At right, members of the congregation crowd around to lay hands on Pr. Angela during the installation.

AIDS Walk 2014—God’s work. Our feet.

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The walkers pose for a team photo prior to the beginning of the WalkTwelve folks from LCH teamed up to participate in the Honolulu AIDS Walk 2014 to benefit the Life Foundation on Saturday, May 24. It was a rainy morning, but nothing could dampen team spirits as nine members gathered on the grounds of Honolulu Hale prior to the walk. (The other three had work obligations, so they couldn’t walk.) With everyone wearing the goldenrod shirts from the 25th anniversary of the ELCA, the group certainly stood out.

The nine walkers were right up front when the walk began at 9:30 am, but a misstep by one of the members about half way through the walk resulted in an injury. Everyone gathered around to offer support and comfort until the ambulance arrived and transported the member to the hospital. As a result, Team LCH was one of the last to cross the finish line.

In the end, Team LCH raise almost $3,000 for the Life Foundation to help fight HIV/AIDS in Hawai‘i and help those living with the disease.

At right, team members pose for a photograph before they stepped off on the Walk.

Gearing Up for Summer Camp

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Two campers from last summer talk of their experiences and encourage participationSummer is fast approaching, and with it opportunities for our young people to enjoy Day Camp on the LCH campus June 30 through July 4. Again this year, leaders will come from Southern California Lutheran Outdoor Ministry.

To get everyone excited about Day Camp, youth from the congregation provided special music and spoke about how much last year’s experience meant to them at both morning worship services on May 18.

Between services parents and friends held a FUNraiser bake sale to raise funds for the camp.

At right, one of the girls gives her testimony while her brother shows the shirt he made for camp.

Below, one of the boys plays the courante from the Sonata in G minor by Henry Eccles (1670–1742).

Anyone wanting more information or interested in registering for Day Camp should contact Pastor Angela Freeman at pr.angela@lchwelcome.org.

In addition to Day Camp, LCH will be joining with other ELCA churches on O‘ahu and the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai‘i for summer camp. There are three sessions between June 21 and July 3. For more information and a link to register, see the May issue of The HeartBeat.

Special music for at the 11:30 service

Allen (Hanson) Baby Welcomed in Baptism

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The baptism of the daughter of Janelle Hanson, baptized May 11The people of LCH welcomed a new member, the daughter of Janelle and Jon into the family of faith through the sacrament of Holy Baptism during the 8:00 am worship on Sunday, May 11, 2014.

Jordyn’s baptismal sponsors are Parker W.K. Hanson and Kristina Hanson.

“We rejoice with you in the life of baptism. Together we will give thanks and praise to God and proclaim the good news to all the world.” (ELW rite of Holy Baptism—affirmation from the congregation)

LCH at the 2014 Pacifica Synod Assembly

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Pastor Angela Freeman celebrates communion at the opening worship for Synod assemblyMembers and clergy from LCH played key roles in the annual Pacific Synod Assembly held in Waikiki, May 1–3. The Assembly brought together pastors and lay delegates from across the Pacifica Synod, which includes all of Hawai‘i and parts of Southern California.

Pastor Jeff Lilley, in his capacity as dean of our Hukilau Conference of Hawai‘i congregations, took the lead in making local arrangements, and Pastors Angela Freeman and Phyllis Hormann coordinated the myriad of local volunteers during the assembly. Our two pastors also coordinated the opening and closing worship services.

At right, Pastor Angela presides at communion during the opening worship service, with Mary Fastenau of LCH and Pastor Keith Waltor of Christ Lutheran in Mililani serving as assisting ministers. The service took place at St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church, right across the street from the Waikiki Beach Marriott which hosted the assembly.

The assembly was particularly pleased to welcome newly-elected Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton to join in the fellowship. Bishop Eaton spoke during the business meetings and preached at the closing worship service on Saturday, May 3. Also participating in the closing worship were the LCH Choir and brass from the Bach Chamber Orchestra.

The congregations of the Hukilau and everyone at LCH were pleased to host the assembly this year, and we look forward to welcoming them back again in the future.

Listen to Presiding Bishop Eaton’s sermon at the closing worship.

Huliklau clergy with Presding Bishop Eaton (center, with a head lei and wearing the LCH cope), Pacifica Synod Bishop Murray Finck (wearing a maile lei) following the closing worship service.Huliklau clergy with Presding Bishop Eaton (center, with a head lei and wearing the LCH cope), Pacifica Synod Bishop Murray Finck (wearing a maile lei) following the closing worship service.

A Joyous Easter Celebration

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The children's sermon on Easter morningJoy was the emotion of the day on Easter morning. The 8:00 am service had the joy of baptizing one our young people and welcoming her into the family of Christ.

Between services, there was a bountiful potluck, and the children enjoyed an Easter egg hunt.

At the 10:30 am service, the Choir and Bach Chamber Orchestra presented J. S. Bach’s Cantata No. 4, Christ lag in Todesbanden, as part of worship.

At right, Pastor Angela shares the Easter message during the children’s conversation.

The Holy Week and Easter slideshow below includes addition photos from Easter Sunday (the last eight slides) and Holy Week.