Easter Triduum—Easter Vigil

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.

Once inside the Nave, 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, 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 cookies.

The Vigil began with the lighting of a new fire in the courtyard, and then the Paschal candle was lit from the fire.The congregation processed into the Nave and candles were lit during the singing of the Exulted.The first part of the Vigil centered around lessons from the Hebrew scriptures and recounting salvation history, beginning with the creation.Following the Litany of the Saints, the ministers returned in their Easter vestments to lead the Easter proclamation: Christ is risen! Alleluia!The Vigil concluded with the celebration of communion amid the beautiful array of Easter lilies.

Easter Triduum—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. Jeremy Wong sang the part of the Evangelist, Simon Crookall sang Jesus, and Tommy Trotter sang other parts; 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 Passion according to Saint John in a setting by Zachary Wadsworth was sung by the choir and soloists.The minsters led the congregation in the Solemn Collects.The Taizé Cross was used for the Adoration of the Cricified.Members of the congregation knelt in prayer before the cross as they left worship.

Easter Triduum—Maundy Thursday

Our observance of the Great Three Days (Triduum) of Easter began with the Maundy Thursday Liturgy. 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.

The Triduum continues with the Good Friday Liturgy and Easter Vigil on Saturday, both at 7:30 pm.

The ministers entered the Nave to begin the service as the choir chanted the introit for the day.Following Jesus’ example at the Last Supper, members washed each other’s feet.The elements of communion were distributed at the rail in remembrance of the institution of the sacrament.Following communion, the elements of the eucharist were removed from the Nave, and then the altar was stripped bare.The congregation contemplated the bare altar and left in silence.

Holy Week Begins with Palm Sunday

Our observance of Holy Week began with the Palm Sunday liturgy on March 29. 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 dramatic reading of the Passion Gospel according to Mark.

Holy Week observances culminate with the Great Three Days, or Tiduum, at 7:30 pm on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Easter Sunday morning we will have festive celebration at both morning worship services, with a potluck brunch and Easter egg hunt at 9:15 am.

The Palm Sunday liturgy began in the courtyard with the reading of Mark’s account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and then the blessing and distribution of palms.The procession circled the church building, with everyone singing “All glory, laud, and honor.”The procession retuned to the courtyard and then entered the Nave.Everyone—both adults and children—participated in the procession.Once inside the Nave, the service focussed on the Passion Gospel from Mark, read by five members of the choir.

Advent Procession · November 30 · 7:00 pm

Advent Procession at Lutheran Church of Honolulu, Nov. 30 at 7:00 pm

What’s Happening…

Since 1975, the Lutheran Church of Honolulu’s Advent Procession has been a Hawai‘i tradition. This perennial favorite ushers in the Advent season with a service that melds music and word. To celebrate the 40th annual Procession, we offer The O Antiphons (2014) by Zachary Wadsworth, one of the leading composers of his generation. This remarkable new setting—the second initiative of LCH’s The Cantata Project—illuminates the ancient words of the O Antiphons anew. The service also features Arvo Pärt’s Magnificat, or Song of Mary, a modern masterpiece from 1989. Finally, this evening marks the end of Dr. Miguel Felipe’s tenure as director of music & liturgy. Join us as we begin a new liturgical year, carry on a beloved Hawai‘i tradition, and bid aloha to Miguel—a reception will follow.

The Musicians…

The LCH Choir and Mark Wong, organist
Miguel Ángel Felipe, conductor

How Much…

Free—a freewill offering will be taken

Cantata Project logoFor More Information…

Visit www.lchwelcome.org or call 808-941-2566
Driving Directions / Bus Information

Advent Procession graphic

Rain Can’t Dampen Children’s Sabbath

Not even a tropical storm warning could keep folks away from out annual celebration of Children’s Sabbath on Sunday, October 19. Our congregation’s talented children had been practicing their music and acting for weeks, so they were ready with enthusiastic performances during both morning worship services. They also provided ushers, readers, and communion assistants.

The highlight of the morning was the children’s skit which served as both children’s conversation and sermon. Under the direction of Georgine Stark, they retold the Gospel story when Jesus was asked whether it was OK to pay taxes to the emperor.

In keeping with our program of year-round stewardship, Linda Miller offered a Temple Talk emphasizing our congregation’s commitment to stewardship of our keiki (children) and our thanks to our children for participating enthusiastically in our Sunday School and youth programs.

Below is a slideshow with photos of some of the ways our children offered their talents.

A girl plays the prelude.The children singing the call to worshipThe children do a Gospel skitboy playing a violin pieceTwo brothers play part of a sonata

A Joyous Easter Celebration

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.

The Great Three Days: Easter Vigil

Pastor Angela celebrates communion during Easter VigilThe last part of the Great Three Days began with the congregation gathered in the Hörmann Courtyard for the kindling of the new fire and the lighting of the Pascal Candle.

Once inside the Nave, 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, 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 cooked.

The Holy Week and Easter slideshow below includes addition photos from Easter Vigil (beginning with the 26th slide), the rest of Holy Week, and Easter.

Holy Week Begins with Palm Sunday

The dramatization of the Passion Gospel from Matthew was the centerpiece of Palm Sunday worship.

Palm Sunday 2014 was marked with rainy weather and some changes to the usual way of doing things, but the rain did not dampen spirits at LCH.

Both morning worship services begin in the Hörmann Courtyard with the blessing of palms and a short homily, but instead of processing around the church building, the congregation processed around the Nave before taking their seats for the rest of worship.

Members of the congregation joined together for a dramatic presentation of the Passion Gospel from Matthew. At right, Sylvia Hormann-Alper (at the lectern) reads the part of the evangelist, while Jim Sullivan, Peggy Anderson (in white, taking the role of Jesus), and Amanda Lippert take other parts.

Between morning worship services, the children led members during the annual Seder Meal in Isenberg Hall.

All are invited for worship at 7:30 pm on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil). See the Holy Week and Easter Worship page for details.

The Holy Week and Easter slideshow below includes addition photos from Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter.

Lent Begins with Ash Wednesday

Pastor Jeff Lilley marks the foreheads of members of the congregation with ashes during the Ash Wednesday Liturgy.Pastor Jeff Lilley marks the foreheads of members of the congregation with ashes during the Ash Wednesday Liturgy.

LCH began the observance of Lent on March 5 with the traditional Ash Wednesday Liturgy with imposition of ashes.

Throughout the Lent, members and friends will gather on Wednesday evenings for Dinner Church at 6:30 pm. Basically, Dinner Church is both a meal with worship and a feasting with the Divine Love found in fellowship within community. The concept isn’t something totally new. In fact, it is thousands of years old. The experience is very different in our world today, of course, but it is modeled after what the earliest disciples might have experienced when they shared a meal with Jesus in the Upper Room.

As our congregations prepares for our Easter joy in the resurrection, all are invited to come together at the table, to be fed and nourished in body and soul, and to feast together as a faith community. We will break bread together, share in a meal, hear the Word, sing the Word, and bless the wine. The liturgy used during Dinner Church will incorporate the music and prayerful song from Haugen’s Holden Evening Prayer.