The HeartBeat

A Message from Pastor Jeff

A Blessed Christmas

In Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge embarks on an unexpected journey into his own life with the assistance of three ghosts. First, he returns to his boyhood, where he was estranged from his father and sent away to boarding school. But there he also remembers his beloved sister and the friends of his apprenticeship. In those days, he danced and sang and saw the great possibilities of life. The ghost of Christmas present takes him to see the squalor of workhouse families and the poorest of the poor living in London. There he witnesses the suffering of those left behind by society’s indifference and greed. But most touching is the sight of Bob Cratchit’s family gathered around the table to bless their meager fare and little Tim, whose wistful blessing moves even Scrooge’s stone heart. But it is the shade of things to come that puts the greatest fear in Scrooge’s heart. Here he encounters a future where his death brings only scorn, and he is unremembered except with ridicule. Tiny Tim, dead and gone, is remembered fondly by his family, and Bob Cratchit is a broken man staring at the lonely crutch by the fireplace.

Of course, Scrooge awakens from his nightmares motivated by fear and emboldened by hope to become the “best keeper of Christmas in all the good Old City.” Scrooge is redeemed on Christmas day and sets about righting a lifetime of wrongs. His metanoia creates change within each person he touches, and finally he understands that he too is transformed by each person touching him. He is a changed man.

Interestingly, the story never mentions Jesus, or Mary, or even Joseph. The manger, the donkey, and the star appear nowhere in the story, and yet it remains (in my humble estimation) one of the great staples of Christmas storytelling. Through the “Ghosts of Christmas,” Dickens draws us into the very heart of what will become the ministry of the manger child—love. Scrooge is not just mean and selfish. When he lost his sister and his fiancée, he also lost his will to love and be loved. He filled his days and nights with accounts and acquisitions, coins and accounts, and forgot how to sing, to dance, and to live. But as Scrooge gazes upon the scene of Cratchit and his family preparing to eat the feast, Bob raises a glass in Scrooge’s honor and blesses him. Even misused and abused, Bob Cratchit insists on the blessing—that is the sort of love Jesus talks about. Bob has turned the other cheek and unawares becomes Scrooge’s Samaritan. That is love.

Now that the madness of Christmas shopping is over and the presents have all been opened, will Christmas have changed us much at all? It is good for us also to adopt the Christmas spirit and be lifted into joy by Handel’s music and Luke’s Christmas story, but will it last? Will it change us for a season or for a lifetime? Will our generosity peak during the days of Christmas and wane away by summer? Or will we, like Scrooge, be transformed by love—the love of God—to live this season each day?

Maybe we would do well to sit around our living rooms come June and read the Christmas accounts and sing the great Christmas hymns so that we too can “live Christmas” each and every day. May God bless and keep you.

Aloha,
Pastor Jeff Lilley
pr.jeff@lchwelcome.org

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December Council Highlights

Council met Tuesday, December 14. Here are some of the highlights of the meeting:

• The preliminary 2011 budget projects a $2,000 deficit.
• Member monthly donations are slightly lower than expected; however, we are slightly ahead year to date when we look at income minus expenses. We appreciate your continued support.
• The Parking Lot Task Force requested authorization for up to $7,500 for topographical, engineering, design, and soil mapping from Torrill.
• The Executive Committee will meet for Pastor/Ministry evaluation.
• The photovoltaic system is fully operational, and since installation, has avoided 13,580. 71 kg of CO₂, with a total yield of 19,279.54 kWh.

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Process Thought Forum

The Process Thought and Faith Forum for January 8 and 9 will focus on an article from the journal Tikkun. The article is “Nature Has a Mind of its Own” by Christian de Quincey from the November/December issue of the journal. I think it is a most interesting and challenging article, delving into the matter of consciousness as it emerges in our evolving world. You can get the article at <www.tikkun.org/article.php/november2010dequincey>.

There have been more articles written on this topic in the last five to ten years than all the years preceding. A hot topic. Join us, Saturday, January 8, at 9:30 AM or the repeat session at noon on Sunday, January 9.

Fritz

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Writers’ Workshop

Writers’ Workshop will hold its next meeting on Monday, January 17, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the LCH Boardroom. All are welcome. For more information, please contact Kathryn Klingebiel through the Church Office (941-2566).

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Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

A message from Charles Buck, UCC Conference Minister

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

For over a hundred years, Christians have observed the days between January 18 and 25 as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This annual observance is a call for us to pray with Jesus for the unity of all God’s people—“that they all may be one” (John 17:21).

Here in Hawaii, one of the important and meaningful ways we observe the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is our annual ecumenical worship. This year, the worship service will take place on Wednesday, January 19, 2011, beginning at 6:30 PM, at historic Kawaiaha‘o Church (957 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu).

As this year’s host (which rotates among the local Christian communions), I cordially invite you, your ministers and the members of your congregation to be in the spirit of oneness and join together in worship that evening.

Through praise and prayer, song and scripture, we will meditate on Acts 2:42 and the theme for 2011: “One in the Apostles’ Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking of Bread and Prayer.” Our preacher this year is Mary Ann Swenson, Resident Bishop of the California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United States Methodist Church, which includes the churches in Hawai'i.

Please make notice and announcement of this very special ecumenical event in your local communications channels. For those who would like more general information about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, including ideas for personal and corporate observance, please refer them to website of the Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute: <www.geii.org>.

I look forward to seeing you on January 19 and welcoming the members of your local congregations. Until that day, may we continue to be faithful witnesses we are called to be and to pray and work for the unity that is both our promise and reality through our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Aloha ke Akua,
Charles Buck

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Food for Thought

Food for Thought will meet next on Saturday, January 22, at 6:30 PM at the home of Irmgard Hörmann for potluck supper and discussion. All are welcome. For information, please contact Kathryn Klingebiel through the Church Office (941-2566).

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Egg Carton Reminder

Please keep bringing those recyclable egg cartons to the LCH campus. They are very much appreciated. Save The Food Basket buys eggs in bulk for distribution to clients and repacks them into these containers.

This is both an HIV/AIDS project and a green one!

For more information, contact Robert L. Zimmer through the Church Office (941-2566).

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Last month Bill wrote about the rush of joy and gratitude he experienced while reading and recording the commitments of time and talent you made in our pledge drive. There was a real outpouring of faith in God shown in gifts of laughter, helping hands, prayer, music, art, and much, much more. We encourage you to continue discerning how the Spirit is moving among us, and when you feel called to service, why not write it down and put it in the offering plate or use the online pledge scroll.

We hope that it is OK for us to share with you some of the time and talent pledges we have received (with identifying information removed). In addition to many pledges to specific tasks and committees, we received the following:

• I pledge to greet all strangers as I enter and leave worship.
• I will pray for the church every day.
• I pledge my time and talents whenever called upon.
• I pledge to keep people in prayer.
• We will continue pledging our time and talents as they are useful. Ask us, and we will try to be helpful.
• I pledge to pray for our church and our world and all people and their needs.
• I pledge much time, much laughter, some actual work.

The four of us want to end by expressing our thanks and gratitude for the opportunity to help advance God’s mission among the members of this faithful congregation. We joyfully pledge to continue in this ministry.

Your LCH Stewardship Team
April, Bill, Karen, and Pam

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LCH Property Stewardship

Our vision for the immediate future in caring for our property is to recruit a team of “Property Stewards.” Each steward would be responsible for a specific area of the campus, observe and report on needed maintenance, and help develop a plan of action.

Here is an initial list of areas for which Property Stewards would be needed:

• Audio/Visual—lighting and sound
• Kitchen and restrooms
• Nave and furnishings
• Offices, classrooms, meeting spaces
• Isenberg Hall
• Landscape and hardscape
• The Hörmann Courtyard
• Luther Place apartments

If you have a gift or passion for helping to maintain our campus, please contact me, Jean-Paul, or Pastor Jeff and let us know you are interested in serving as a Property Steward!

In Christ’s Aloha,
April Smith

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Youth Activities Calendar of Events

Epiphany Party: Sunday, January 9, 3:00–6:00 PM Snorkeling: Friday, January 21, 4:30–7:00 PM OYEA Summer California Trip: Monday, June 27, to Wednesday, July 6 (more details to follow)

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It’s an Epiphany Party!

Sunday January 9th, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Calvary by the Sea

We’ll gather for games, fun, food, and a gift exchange. Bring a wrapped gift to exchange with other OYEA youth ($10 limit, please bring one gift that a boy and a girl would like) and an unwrapped gift for those in need.

Some suggestions for the unwrapped gift:

• Socks, shoes, shirts, pants, shorts.
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap.
• Comb, washcloth, lotions, deodorant, hand sanitizers.
• Diapers, baby bottles, baby clothes, baby wipes, blankets, and small toys.

Come join us for fun and fellowship and bring a friend. Any questions? Call the LCH Church Office (941-2566).

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We’re Going Snorkeling!

Friday January 21, 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM

Come snorkel with OYEA and Island Divers Hawaii, located in the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center. Address: 377 Keahole St., Hawaii Kai, 96825 (you will see a McDonald’s at the entrance of the shopping center). Website: <www.oahuscubadiving.com>. Cost is just $5.

Eat before you come on the boat (no food allowed), and don’t forget your sunscreen, beach towel, and (if necessary) motion sickness pills (take at least one hour before departure).

Please arrive by 4:30 PM so we can be fitted to snorkel gear. The boat leaves at 5:00 PM. Do not be late!

RSVP on the sign-up sheets available at church. You must pay your $5 when you sign up and take a consent form (to be signed by your parent) that must be brought with you the day of the event.

Come join us for fun and fellowship and bring a friend. It’s prime whale watching time!

Any questions? Call the LCH Church Office (941-2566).

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Calling All Punahou Carnival Parking Volunteers!

February 4th and 5th, 2011

Each year the youth group requests your help with their Punahou Carnival Parking fundraiser. This year, the carnival takes place on Friday, February 4, and Saturday, February 5, from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. We need the following volunteers:

• Four strong adults to help with set-up from 6:00 to 7:00 PM on Thursday
• Two early birds to help with the pre-school parking from 6:15 AM to 8:15 AM on Friday
• Six adult volunteers for each of the following shifts:
  • Friday from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM
  • Friday from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
  • Friday from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM
  • Friday from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
  • Saturday from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM
  • Saturday from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
  • Saturday from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM
  • Saturday from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM

Event coordinators provide snacks, drinks, flashlights, and safety vests. You provide the fellowship! Sign up in the Hörmann Courtyard on Sunday or contact Jerelyn Watanabe through the Church Office (941-2566) if you have any questions.

Here are a few reminders for those who have volunteered to work:

• Please arrive 15 minutes before your designated shift and check-in with a coordinator in the Boardroom. This will allow enough time to set up the parking lots at the start of the day and relieve the previous shift worker promptly.
• If you’ll be parking your car, please pay the parking fee asked of you in order to eliminate any confusion of your identity as a volunteer. You will be reimbursed.
• Wear appropriate clothing to protect yourself from the elements: sunscreen, hats, rain gear (ponchos, umbrellas), and jackets (especially for the shift starting at 3:00 PM and throughout the night).
• Light snacks and beverages will be available throughout the weekend and a meal if you work two or more consecutive shifts.

Thank you!
Pam Buckley, Jean Lilley, and Jerelyn Watanabe

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Staffing Task Force Update

The Task Force on Growing God’s Ministry at LCH, after prayerful consideration, recommends calling an associate pastor at this time. The congregation will vote on the Task Force recommendation at the Annual Congregational Meeting held on January 29, 2011. It is a very important decision, and it is imperative that the congregation is solidly behind it.

The Task Force is continuing to reach out to members of the congregation for their suggestions and comments regarding this recommendation. Several ‘Ohana Meetings have already been held for this purpose, with more planned in the coming weeks. Also, a suggestion box to receive input from the congregation is set up on the name tag table on Sunday mornings. The Task Force will make the comments and suggestions received from the congregation available in the February Heartbeat.

The Vision Statement for an associate pastor at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu presents the Task Force thinking on why we need an associate pastor and how God’s ministry at LCH can grow by calling one. This Vision Statement (PDF) has been posted on the church website if you would like to read it for yourself.

If you would like to host an ‘Ohana Meeting to discuss our recommendation, either in your home or at the church, please call Sarah at the church office or one of our Task Force members. If you wish to have a Task Force member attend your ‘Ohana Meeting or to help you with it, please call and let us know.

Sincerely,
Your Task Force Team
Pam Buckley, Mike Formby, and Chuck Huxel

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Seminar on Wills, Trusts, and Leaving a Legacy

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Greg Shepherd, ELCA Regional Gift Planner, to present a wills, trusts, and legacy seminar next February. This seminar pertains to new tax laws, wills, trusts, estates, and gift planning.

The seminar will be for all Hawai‘i Lutheran congregations and will be conducted on O‘ahu.

Watch The HeartBeat for further details.

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What’s New on the LCH Website?

Bill Potter, Webmaster

As the year draws to a close, I took a look back at the stats for the sitemap on our website. At the end of 2007, the website had 427 different pages. A year later, there were 556. In December 2009, the count was 631, and on December 13, 2010, the sitemap lists 793 pages.

One reason for recent growth was the addition of people pages over the last year, but the consistent yearly jump indicates the vibrant nature of our congregation.

I look forward to continued development of our church website as the Lutheran Church of Honolulu continues to proclaim the gracious love of God.

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Attendance and Offerings for Sunday, December 26, 2010, were not available at time of publication.

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Prayer Requests

Carl	Karen	Ruth
Gene	Maggie	Shane
Judy		Susan

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January Birthdays

Date	Name
01/01	Biz Person
01/03	Jeanne Castello
01/05	Fred Benco
01/06	Angie Niermann
01/06	Matthew S.
01/12	Allen Bauchle
01/12	Mary Kubota
01/12	Michael Okikawa
01/15	Dennis Rike
01/17	Palmyra Hethcote
01/20	Robert Raasch
01/22	Chuck Huxel
01/23	Jim Niermann
01/29	Annelore Yakabi

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Heart Beat Deadline

Next Heart Beat Deadline is Tuesday, January 18!

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Heavenly Humor

Jokes Pastors Can Tell

Marvin and Sue were not a church-going couple, and only went to church on Christmas. As they were leaving the church, the pastor said, “Marvin, it sure would be nice to see you and Sue here more than once a year.”

“Thank you,” Marvin replied. “We’re very busy people with our business and many other activities, but at least we keep the Ten Commandments.”

“Good!” the pastor said. “I’m happy to hear that you keep the Ten Commandments.”

“Yes, we do,” Marvin said. “Sue keeps six of them and I keep the other four.”

—via Kitty Katzell, Medford, NJ

Words to Jump-Start the New Year Joyfully

“I’ve learned that making a 'living’ is not the same thing as making a life.”

—Maya Angelou

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.”

—Martin Luther King

“Remember that January is the eraser God uses to provide a new beginning.”

—Author unknown

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