The HeartBeat

Message from Pastor

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Blessings to you!

With the recent departure of Intern Pastor Josh, the LCH Ohana once again is confronted with loss and grief, change and transition. We will certainly all miss Josh. However, we have cause to celebrate not only his ministry among us, but your contribution to his growth in ministry and pastoral leadership. I trust that you will join me in doing one more thing for Josh—keeping him in daily prayer as he begins his senior year at seminary.

LCH has been confronting change and transition for some time now, yet we do so with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. One does not have to look very hard to see the Spirit at work here, for there is evident a growing closeness, a heightened enthusiasm, and an enhanced personal commitment.

Efforts like the Transition Team-sponsored Ohana meetings have been and continue to be a blessing in enabling us to get to know one another better, heal some hurts, and share some dreams. Thank you for hosting and participating in them.

The Ministry Plan Task Force continues its work and is dedicated to ensuring that your efforts over these many months will result in clear and concrete suggestions to help us move forward during the interim period and beyond.

Now the pending visit by Pastor Karen Parker, Assistant to the Bishop for Ministry and Pastoral Care, September 16th and 17th represents yet another milestone in the transition process. She will bring names and “availability for call” packets of pastoral candidates and train the Call Committee for interviews. That Sunday, she will preach at both services and preside at a forum updating you on the call process at Christian education time. I strongly encourage you to participate in worship and dialog with her.

Along with these key elements of our intentional interim process, I will keep you advised of additional important steps for us to take as you prepare to call a new pastor. Even in the midst of those efforts, however, we return to LCH’s ambitious ministry and mission schedule this month. I invite and encourage you to take note of the many opportunities offered at LCH, to make the commitment to participate as you are able, and to invite others.

May we together continue to seek ways to be Christ’s disciples where He has planted us.

In the love of Christ,
Pastor Steve

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Foodland’s Give Aloha

Once again, LCH has registered for the Foodland’s Give Aloha program.

During the entire month of September, you may donate up to a cumulative total of $249.00 per person to the Lutheran Church of Honolulu by using your Maika‘i Card and the code 78224 at Foodland and Sack N Save checkouts, and Foodland will match a percentage of it as a donation to LCH. Donations made without a Maika‘i Card will not be matched.

For more information, go to http://www.foodland.com/givealoha/

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Compline Choir celebrates 30 years

The 30th anniversary celebration of the Compline service lasted two full days, August 5th and 6th, including a Saturday rehearsal with Compline regulars and alumni, followed by a seven-course Chinese dinner at On On Restaurant. After dinner, Carl Crosier passed out a roster listing those men (and one woman!) who had sung with the choir from 1976 to 2006. He also recognized seven individuals who had worked tirelessly behind the scenes: John Bickel, Eric Doescher, Fritz Fritschel, Carol Langner, Bill Potter, Mary Reese and Jerome Vasconcellos.

On Sunday, August 6th, the Compline Choir sang for the 9:15 am service, including Bairstow’s “Communion Service in E-flat” for men’s voices and organ, and motets by Palestrina and Viadana. At the announcement time, Pastor Steve Jensen recognized the dedication of all who have supported the ministry of Compline, as well as extending special thanks and recognition to Carl and Kathy Crosier for their dedication to quality music at LCH.

At pre-Compline that evening, Carl Crosier reviewed the history of Compline at LCH and his introduction to the Compline service in Seattle, which Peter R. Hallock founded over 50 years ago.

The anniversary Compline at 9:00 pm may have been one of the grandest Compline services ever at LCH, with 15 singers chanting the ancient service antiphonally across both sides of the altar rail. Pictures of the celebration may be viewed on the LCH website at http://www.lchwelcome.org/music/compline30.html.

The baton is passed...

After thirty years, the leadership of the Compline Choir is passed on to the next generation, and Carl Crosier hands the baton to Keane Ishii.

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Call Committee

Bob Zimmer

Your Call Committee has been meeting twice a month since April of this year. We have had sessions with the Ministry Plan Task Force (MPTF) and the Church Council. Our get-togethers have been very fruitful. We’ve gone over many ideas and one of the productive parts of our meetings has been putting the Church Profile together and forwarding it on to the Pacifica Synod. When we first looked at it we thought this was going to be a larger than life task. However, as each meeting went on we were able to move it through in pieces until we had a final document.

The Call Committee that worked after Pastor Johnson retired had done a great deal and we were able to update much of that. What the MPTF has spent much time on we were able to put much of their work to use. The Church Profile will be available at the adult education hour on the last Sunday of this month. We hope that this will be a well-attended session. The Rev. Karen Parker, the Bishop’s assistant, will be here to work with us on September 16th. At that time, our committee will be moving into the process of starting to go over mobility papers.

The Call Committee is a very cohesive group and is working very well together. We ask your prayers.

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Lots to choose from for Youth and Adults

Learning Ministry has been hard at work to develop or advance the opportunities for all members and friends, young and old. You have probably noticed that our Nursery is well attended on Sunday mornings, by Mary Jo Russell and one of her daughters. Moving on up, all of our youth, through senior high, have learning activities on Sunday mornings with dedicated teachers. Our Adult Class will discuss the church’s near future with Pastor Steve. Plus, our confirmation-age children will have classes in conjunction with other churches.

All of our Youth, with other Hukilau youth, are cordially invited to a September 9th fun day at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park between 10:30 am to 4:00 pm; $25.74 for admission and lunch ($6.75 for lunch only, if you have an annual pass); reservations no later than September 3rd to Pastor Steve or Peggy Anderson.

Hukilau OYEA Task Force—Saturday, October 15th at St. John’s in Kailua from 3:00-5:00 pm following the fall assembly.

There will be a high school youth Nuuanu-Judd hike on October 15th or 21st; awaiting details.

Thanksgiving project—We will be making and delivering Thanksgiving dinners to needy families on Sunday, November 19th, 2:00-5:00 pm at St. John’s in Kailua. There will be pizza for participants.

We need every member’s assistance to carry out this special ministry. Please contact Lois Swift or Fred Benco through the church office (941-2566).

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Food for Thought

The next Food For Thought will be at Irmgard Hormann’s home Saturday, September 9th at 6:00 pm. This is a potluck/video discussion/fellowship get-together open to all. Contact Linda Miller through the church office (941-2566) for directions and encouragement.

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Writers’ Workshop

The Writers’ Workshop will meet on Monday, September 11th, in the Pastor’s Office at LCH. Our schedule for the fall is as follows: Mondays...

• September 11
• October 9
• November 6
• December 4

All are welcome!

For more information contact Kathryn Klingebiel through the church office (941-2566) or email her at <kathrynklingebiel@yahoo.com>.

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In Stitches is starting again!

The LCH craft group, In Stitches will meet the second and fourth Saturdays of each month during the fall from 9:00 to 11:00 am in the Board Room. Meeting dates are as follows...

September 9th and 23rd

October 14th and 28th

November 11th and 25th

Come enjoy the fellowship and work on your own crafts or on a church pillow. We will also be learning a couple of ways to make yarn lei with the idea of perhaps giving them to visitors. Contact Linda Miller through the church office (941-2566) for information or encouragement.

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The Power Game: Empire vs. Counter-Empire

Fritz Fritschel

One of the most critical issues in theology today is the understanding of power. How are we to view the notion of divine power in relation to the forces of imperial power today? This session will be an examination of imperial ambitions from the critical perspective of Process Theology. How does an empire seek to justify and legitimize itself? What counter-imperial alternatives are available?

The session is open to the public, sponsored by the Learning Ministry. The presentation will be made by Fritz Fritschel, Saturday, September 9, 9:30 to 11:00 am in the Isenberg Hall at LCH.

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Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal is coming!

Worship is at the heart of our life as the people of God. God’s wonderful gifts of word and sacrament are signs that we live in God’s amazing grace for the whole church and the whole world.

Over the next few weeks our congregation will be anticipating the arrival of Evangelical Lutheran Worship, the new core worship resource for our church. This letter is your invitation to learn more about this new resource.

Evangelical Lutheran Worship has been prepared by the whole church, for the whole church. It has been prepared by the whole church through a five-year Renewing Worship process that was built from the beginning to hear from people and congregations across the church how the future of Lutheran worship might best unfold. A series of provisional Renewing Worship resources, each with feedback forms, allowed churches to explore possibilities and evaluate for themselves.

It was also built for the whole church. The Lutheran church in North America and the Caribbean is wonderfully rich with history and heritage, but also gloriously varied in its worship. Evangelical Lutheran Worship celebrates both our inheritance and our future in worship. Much that we know and love will continue in this new resource. Newer ideas, reviewed by the whole church, will bring fresh riches to us all.

During our Evangelical Lutheran Worship emphasis, we’ll explore how worship in the Lutheran church has changed over the years, how the church has helped to create this new resource, and how much richer our worship life will become.

This is an exciting time with unimagined possibilities for our congregation. When we come together to hear God’s word, to share the sacraments, to confess our sins in the assurance of forgiveness, and to worship God with joy and thanksgiving, we are strengthened and blessed.

Every Sunday, a table with a display will be set up in the courtyard for you to purchase hymnals. If we order before October 2nd, we’ll be able to take advantage of the discounted price of $17.50 (rather than $20.00) and FREE shipping. Bookplates will be available to purchase hymnals in honor or in memory of loved ones.

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Mahalo nui loa, Ya’all!

In my last article for the Heartbeat I wanted to express the “Aloha Exposure” I experienced during my internship year. I want to take one last opportunity to thank all of you for giving me such a memorable year. At one point in my last Internship Committee meeting I had to stop and say “I can’t believe I got to spend a year in Hawaii!” That revelation is not a one-time experience. I think throughout my life I will look back on this time with some skepticism—that I was actually able to be here and enjoy your company on this beautiful island. As I leave this place my faith and confidence have never been stronger. And I appreciate the contribution The Lutheran Church of Honolulu has made in my growth and development as a minister and as a person.

I’m no longer FOJ, but I appreciate that even though I was a short-timer you all treated me well right up until the end of my stay. While I still don’t know how to pronounce Shimabukuro or Kamakawiwo‘ole, I appreciate that you let me add my note, though sometimes off-key, to this congregation’s ongoing song of faith and hope in this place. As I leave, I recognize that this congregation still has a lot of work to do, some of which will not be easy. In my final months, I have appreciated working with Administrator Coleen and Pastor Steve, and I think LCH is lucky to have their leadership during this transition time. I hope each of you will take advantage of the conversations that go along with this intentional interim period, as a time where you can openly share the hurts and hopes you have as a member of LCH. Please take the next few months to think about your contribution to this community, and how those gifts added into LCH’s congregational calabash can form a renewed mission and ministry that will continue to bring people into relationship with a loving God who acts in the world and in our lives.

As I prepared to leave, I had to keep moving, and may not have gotten to spend the time I would have liked to with each of you, but I look forward to staying in contact with LCH and hearing how you’re all doing, and I hope to see you all again sometime soon.

With aloha,
Josh Graber

P.S. Update—I made it back to Saint Paul, and even went to the Minnesota State Fair today, eating many deep fried items on sticks and proving that I was over my bout with food poisoning once and for all! My roadtrip from Edmonton to Alaska went well and I have amazing photographs on my new digital camera to prove it!

I was blown away by the generosity and appreciation The Lutheran Church of Honolulu lavished upon me at my departure. Thank you all so much for your aloha, prayers, and support!

View all the pictures from Josh’s farewell at the church on Sunday, August 20, and from his departure the following Tuesday.

(Webmaster’s Note: Josh’s mailing address is available from the church office.)

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Mahalo to...

• LCH members who contributed to Intern Josh’s seminary fund and a digital camera, as well as all who gave personal gifts
• All who made the farewell potluck a success
• Those who helped Josh pack & clean the apartment
• Ohana members who saw Josh off at LCH and the airport
• Brian Weis & Peggy Anderson for reorganizing the youth room
• Peggy Anderson for assisting with the Confirmation campout
• Carol Langner for the courtyard photo tribute to Intern Pastor Josh and the “Seamless Transition” display regarding our Intentional Interim Ministry
• Bill Potter for keeping our web site updated and for adding an enhanced Youth section
• Those who are hosting the ohana gatherings
• The Transition Team for facilitating the ohana meetings

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Ohana news

• Welcome to Barbara and Don Rudd who have transferred their membership to LCH.
• Flo Foerster informs us that there are increasing family medical issues that will prevent her from returning to Hawaii. Please keep her and her loved ones in prayer.
• Our condolences to John Bickel on the recent loss of his grandmother.

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Baptisms

We welcome two new members of the Body of Christ:

• The son of Derek Hanson and Julia Fahey, was baptized on August 13, 2006, in the ocean at Calvary by the Sea by Intern Pastor Josh and Pastor Steve.
• The son of Justin Gray, Sr., and Melissa Schmidt, was baptized August 20, 2006, during worship by Intern Pastor Josh and Pastor Steve.

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Youth News

Check out the new Youth section of the LCH web site! Youth are invited to work with Bill Potter to make it your own with photos, articles, suggested links, and more.

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Confirmation

You, too, are a part of the Youth section of our web site and encouraged to help make it special. Look for the photos of our recent campout at Christ Lutheran, Mililani.

Anyone who has not yet registered for confirmation should contact Pastor Steve right away. Our first joint weekly training at Calvary by the Sea is Wednesday, September 20th, beginning at 6:00 pm and ending at 8:00 pm. Pizza and similar fun foods will be provided each week.

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Correspondences

Dear Members of LCH,

Thank you so much for your generosity and support that made it possible for us to go to Camp WAPO. This trip was really the highlight of my summer. I will always remember swimming in the lake and seeing the Milky Way for the first time. Not only did I enjoy making new friends and trying new things, but I learned a lot about God and Jesus and what it means to be a Christian.

Aloha,
Crescent

WOW, the new Heartbeat looks great and there is so much information! Thanks for keeping us on the mailing list! We really miss our church home in Honolulu but are active members of our church here in Lee’s Summit, MO, Martin Luther Lutheran Church.

Please pass along our Aloha to all the members of LCH who might remember us.

Joe & Nancy Suske

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Mahalo!

The members of LCH would like to recognize and thank Sterling Young, a former preschool parent, and the Boy Scout troop and their parents who unselfishly gave up their Admission Day weekend to renovate the preschool playground. Thanks to all! It looks great!

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ELCA News

The Rev. Mark Hansen, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, addressed a session of the 2006 International AIDS Conference on August 14th. Read more about it on the web at http:/www.elca.org/ScriptLib/CO/ELCA_News/encArticleList.asp?article=3422

Opportunities are possible in Lebanon, according to ELCA-Supported Ministry. For more information, go to the ELCA News Service at http://www.elca.org/ScriptLib/CO/ELCA_News/encArticleList.asp?article=3423

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Keep in Your Prayers...

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September Birthdays

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LCH Worship Participants 8:00 a.m.

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LCH Worship Participants 10:30 a.m.

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Cartoon

Heart Beat Deadline

Next Heart Beat Deadline is Tuesday, September 19!

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Calendar: September 2006

Saturday, September 2

9:15 AM Ohana Gathering—Carol/Fritz’s

Sunday, September 3—Sunday 22 • Time after Pentecost

8:00 AM Holy Communion

9:10 AM Learning Ministries

10:30 AM Choral Eucharist

Noon Wedding Meeting (after services)

4:00 PM Ohana Gathering—Peggy’s

8:30 PM Pre-Compline Discussion

9:00 PM Compline

Monday, September 4—Labor Day—Office Closed

5:00 PM Ohana Gathering—Castro’s

Wednesday, September 6

7:30 PM Young Adult Bible Study

Thursday, September 7

6:30 PM Ohana Gathering—Josie/Chuck’s

7:00 PM LCH Choir Rehearsal

Saturday, September 9

9:00 AM In Stitches

9:00 AM The Power Game (workshop led by Fritz Fritschel)

10:30 AM OYEA—Hawaiian Waters Park

6:00 PM Food for Thought

Sunday, September 10—Sunday 23 • Time after Pentecost

8:00 AM Holy Communion

9:10 AM Learning Ministries

10:30 AM Choral Eucharist

4:30 PM Confirmation—Maluhia

8:30 PM Pre-Compline Discussion

9:00 PM Compline

Monday, September 11

6:30 PM Ohana Gathering—Crosier’s

Tuesday, September 12

6:30 PM Worship & Music

Wednesday, September 13

12:30 PM Finance Committee

7:30 PM Young Adult Bible Study

Thursday, September 14

6:00 PM Ohana Gathering—Schmidt’s

7:00 PM LCH Choir Rehearsal

Friday, September 15

1:30 PM Prepare IHS Meals

5:30 PM Serve IHS Meals

Saturday, September 16

9:00 AM Call Committee

Sunday, September 17—Sunday 24 • Time after Pentecost

8:00 AM Holy Communion

9:10 AM Learning Ministries

10:30 AM Choral Eucharist

4:00 PM Ohana Gathering—Flachsbart’s

8:30 PM Pre-Compline Discussion

9:00 PM Compline

Monday, September 18

6:00 PM Mutual Ministry Meeting

Tuesday, September 19

9:00 AM Heart Beat Deadline

6:00 PM Executive Committee

6:30 PM Council Meeting

Wednesday, September 20

6:30 PM Confirmation—Calvary

7:30 PM Young Adult Bible Study

Saturday, September 23

9:00 AM In Stitches

Sunday, September 24—Sunday 25 • Time after Pentecost

8:00 AM Holy Communion

9:10 AM Learning Ministries

10:30 AM Choral Eucharist

7:00 PM Solemn Vespers (Compline will not be sung this evening.)

Wednesday, September 27

6:30 PM Confirmation—Calvary

6:30 PM 8:00 Ensemble Rehearsal

7:30 PM Young Adult Bible Study

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