Category Archives: Congregational Life

Lenten Fellowship and Evening Prayer • Wednesdays, March 9–April 6, 7:00 pm

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Lenten Vespers graphicPlease join your LCH ‘ohana as we journey through the Lenten season each Wednesday evening beginning March 9.

Our theme this year is “Embraced by the Holy.” We will explore and expand our faith-life and spirituality through the beauty of God’s created world. How is God’s proclamation being communicated by the very environment around us? What do we see, hear, and feel of God in the misty wood or the urban garden?

Due to covid-19 limitations, we will not be able to have our usual Lenten Soup Supper this year. However, you are invited to join us for light pūpū and a cup of soup at 6:20 pm before the service. Evening prayer will begin at 7:00 pm with both in-person attendance and livestream broadcast.

For those not attending in person, the Lenten Evening Prayer will be livestreamed on our streaming page and the LCH Facebook page and then archived on the LCH Facebook page.

Ordination and Installation of Pastor Brianna Lloyd • Sun., Feb. 20, 5:00 pm

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Pastor Brianna LloydBrianna Lloyd will be ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament and installed as associate pastor at Lutheran Church of Honolulu on Sunday, February 20, at 5:00 pm. Bishop Andy Taylor of the Pacifica Synod will preside, and Sister Joan Mitchell, a sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ), whose community supported and funded Bree’s divinity schooling, will preach.

Offerings will go to the CSJ community to support women’s theological education and to the Pacifica Synod’s first-call theological education ministry. Donations may be made in-person at the ordination service, by check mailed to Lutheran Church of Honolulu, 1730 Punahou Street, Honolulu, HI 96822, or via PayPal using the donation button at the bottom of this page.

Limited in-person seating is available by reserving a seat through our Eventbrite page. Proof of vaccination or a negative covid-19 test taken within the past 72 hours is required for entry; masks are required throughout the performance. Those not attending in-person can tune in on our streaming page and the LCH Facebook page.




LCH Garden Planning 2022 • Wednesday, January 12, 1:00 pm

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Vicar Bree by the first garden bedThe 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.

Modified Christmas Worship Information

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modified worship graphicWhile we were all looking forward to celebrating a blessed Christmas season in the Nave as an in-person community, the rising covid positivity rate in Hawai‘i has caused us to rethink these plans. In the interest of safety, we’ve modified our Christmastide services as outlined below.

The following services will take place outside in the Hörmann Courtyard. All attendees must be fully vaccinated, wear a mask, and observe social distancing protocols. We ask that if you feel unsafe or unwell, you please stay home and join us online. Seating will be limited and physically-distances, so anyone planning to attend should RSVP using the link for that service.

The 7:30 pm Christmas Eve Choral Eucharist will be offered livestream-only. Family members of the choir and production crew may join in-person (while observing all safety protocols as mentioned above).

Plans for morning worship and Compline on Sunday, January 2, and German Vespers on Friday, January 6, will be determined at a later date.

Thank you for your understanding as we navigate the ups and downs of the pandemic together.

On behalf of the entire staff, we wish you a blessed, safe Christmas season.

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.

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.

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.

Cancellation of August 1 In-Person Worship

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Given the continuing rise in covid-19 cases this week, the Church Council voted to cancel our in-person worship event this Sunday. We will pause any in-person worship events until there is a consistent, downward trajectory in cases.

Thank you for your patience as we navigate the needed steps to practice at care-filled re-opening alongside the need to tend to the health of the community.

Mother’s Day Garden Celebration • May 9 at 1:00 pm

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Josie Bidgood planting seedsA blessed Mother’s Day to all those who identify as mothers in body and in spirit!

For anyone interested in celebrating Mother’s Day by planting flower seeds, this Sunday offers the opportunity to you. Vicar Bree will be in the garden from 1:00 to 2:00 pm this Sunday, May 9th, planting various flower seeds, as well as some other vegetable seeds.

Aside from planting seeds, it will be a chance to gather in-person outdoors for conversation and community. All are welcome to join.