The HeartBeat

A Message from Pastor Jeff

For the Beauty of the Earth

One of the great joys of living in Hawai‘i is sharing the rich culture and landscape with visitors. When friends come to see us for the first time, we usually take them on the traditional “circle island tour.” At each stop they marvel at the incredible beauty of the palis and are impressed by the azure blue waters against the stark black of lava rock. They are delighted when they see their first hula and are moved to learn about the history and culture so deeply ingrained into our lives here in Hawai‘i. First time visitors see these sights and see them with a freshness and awe that those of us who have lived here for awhile may begin to lose. As we go about our lives and work we no longer bother to stop at the vista turnouts or bother to cross the Pali to spend a day at Lanikai beach. But a trip around the island with visitors helps remind us of the richness and beauty of the place where we live—created by God and sustained through the Holy Spirit.

We are also reminded that as people who live here, we play a part in preserving and enhancing the beauty of this place for generations to come. LCH continues her stewardship of the earth by investing in photovoltaic panels to produce clean, sustainable energy and continues to strive to be judicious in its use of water and energy. The landscaping team for the parking lot will use as many native, low maintenance, and drought tolerant trees and plantings as possible to maximize visual beauty while minimizing ecological impact. On Earth Day Sunday, we will plant four new trees in the parking lot to help provide shade and reduce green house gasses in our ‘aina.

But beauty is also a gift of human creation. On Sunday, February 12, members of the LCH ‘ohana will share their talents and gifts as part of Faith and Arts Sunday. Sculptures, paintings, photographs, textile art, and literature will adorn the walls and tables in the Hörmann Courtyard that Sunday, and the Stark family will bring a wonderful drama for the children’s message. In this way, we share the beautiful, God-given gifts and talents we possess with each other and with the world! Please take a moment to contact Linda Miller by Sunday, February 5, to share your art!

God has also given us the gift of beautiful worship. It may be that at times we take worship for granted in the same way that we take the incredible beauty of our islands for granted. In worship we have the privilege of giving thanks to God in an environment where gifted people share their visual, literary, musical, and liturgical arts for the glory of God. The best part is that we get to worship freely and joyfully. If you have gotten out of the habit of worship, come and see what God is up to and be re-engaged in God’s worshipping community at LCH.

Let us give thanks to God!

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

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January Council Highlights

Council met Wednesday, January 18. Here are some of the highlights of the meeting:

• Election of 2012 Council Officers: Mike Formby & Mary Fastenau (Co-Presidents), Olivia Castro (Vice-President), Fred Benco (Treasurer), and Jim Niermann (Secretary).
• Call Committee Update: Council approval of selected candidate. Planning begins for February interview.
• Parking Lot Taskforce update: Construction complete! Lot to be dedicated at annual meeting on January 28. Landscaping committee to be assembled.
• At year-end, approximately $21,000 ahead of budget.
• Since the PV installation, system has avoided 51,609.30 kg of CO₂, with a total yield of 73,727.57 kWh.
• 2012 Budget reviewed and approved for presentation at Second Half Congregational Meeting on January 28.
• OYEA: Lay leadership needed—burden cannot continue to be shouldered by clergy.
• M1ssion Campaign Update: About 32% of goal has been pledged. Committee meeting 1/19 and 1/23 to begin official campaign kick-off.

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Eighth Annual Faith and Arts Sunday

On February 12, we will have the eighth annual Faith and Arts Sunday, highlighting the creativity of our congregation by displaying our artwork, handwork, and writings during the services. Please allow us to show your art or craft item during that day or to put your poem or short work of prose up on the board. Sign up in the courtyard.

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In Stitches

In Stitches, the LCH craft group, will meet February 11 and 25 and March 10 and 24. We have some people learning to knit, some working on the ribbon lei, and others bringing projects of their own. Come join us! First and fourth Saturdays of each month 9:00 to 11:00 AM in the Boardroom.

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Food for Thought

Food for Thought will meet next on Saturday, February 18, at 6:30 PM at the home of Steve and Linda Miller for potluck supper and discussion. All are welcome. For information, please contact Kathryn Klingebiel through the Church Office (941-2566).

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Adult Forum: Living the “Good” Life?

Does moral behavior help us live a happy and fulfilling life? How can children and adults develop their morality over a lifetime? Please come to Adult Sunday School and exchange ideas. Led by Steve Miller on Sundays, 9:20 to 10:20 AM in the Boardroom.

Materials will be available before the sessions at the LCH website on a link from the Adult Education/Small Groups page.

Following Steve Miller’s presentations, Wayne Gau will present “Lenten Spirituality” to the Adult Forum beginning March 4. Please plan to attend!

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UH Men’s Volleyball Game/BBQ

Join in the fun of seeing the UH Warriors compete against the UCLA Bruins while cheering on LCH’s Nick Castello, libero and tri-captain of the team, in his senior year of collegiate volleyball. Meet at LCH on February 18 for the 5:00 PM meal of hamburgers, hot dogs, and beer before carpooling over to UH for the 7:00 PM match.

Ticket prices are $6 adult and $3 youth. Please sign up in the courtyard or email the church office to reserve your ticket. Payment is due to Mary Fastenau by February 18. Hope to see you there!

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Process Thought

Ideas of Lucretius/Epicurus vs. key ideas of Process Thought

The Process Forum group will meet on February 11 from 9:30 to 11:00 AM at Lutheran Church of Honolulu. A repeat session will be held Sunday, February 12, at 12:00 noon. Discussion will focus on comparing the thoughts of the ancient thinkers Epicurus and Lucretius with the current thought of Process thinkers.

You can download the key ideas of Process Thought found on the Jesus, Jazz, and Buddhism website. The list of Epicurean/Lucretian ideas will be available in the class. Any questions, contact Fritz Fritschel through the Church Office (941-2566).

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Soup and Salad Wednesdays

In the LCH tradition of observing Lent, we will again have soup and salad suppers held on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM. Suppers begin on February 29 and will continue for the four Wednesdays in March. Look for the sign-up sheet to contribute to the meal in the courtyard.

Please see Mary Jo Estes or Jeanne Castello for more information.

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Associate Pastor Candidate Visits This Month

The congregational Council voted January 18 to confirm the Call Committee’s recommendation of Pastor A. (due to issues of confidentiality the candidate’s full name will not be published in any online resource) as the selected candidate for the office of associate pastor. The next step in the call process is an onsite visit for Pastor A. and her husband scheduled for February 23–29. During her visit, members and staff will have ample opportunity to get to know the candidate, ask questions, and offer the best of LCH hospitality. She will meet with congregational leaders, members, various committees, and spend time getting to know Hawai‘i and learning more about the prospective call. Please plan to share as much time as possible with Pastor A. during that week. If you are able to help with hosting and hospitality, please contact Sarah in the office.

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What’s New on the LCH Website?

Bill Potter, Webmaster

During January the LCH website continued to document work on parking lot renovation and other aspects of the m1ssion campaign. The main page in the m1ssion campaign includes a “thermometer” giving a visual representation of progress in pledges and contributions, links to pages for making donations or pledges, and updates on the progress for each project. The parking lot page gives highlights of the renovation process and has links to the additional photos in the LCH Facebook page. The associate pastor page has an update from the call committee. Another page will be added when the task force is organized to take care of covering the Hörmann Courtyard.

In the Music section, a new page was created to pay tribute to Carl Crosier, our recently retired cantor, for his 38 years of service to the congregation. The page recounts some highlights from Carl’s ministry and includes links to additional information about that ministry, including a list of major choral works performed. (Instrumental works will be added soon.)

Finally, revisions were made to the images that rotate on the Home page and the slideshows that visitors are taken to when the click on the those images. For several years I have been modifying the list of images available for rotation and images in the slideshows to feature photos appropriate to the liturgical season along with standard photos of key aspects of our ministry. However, I would not always remember to make those changes at the beginning of the new season. So I decided to make use of the PHP program (mentioned in the June HeartBeat) that automatically changes communion photos on the Worship page so they depict the current liturgical season. By combining this bit of code with the rotator program, the change will be made automatically, and the photos on the Home page will always match the liturgical season. The online version of the HeartBeat has links to let you view the five different seasonal slide shows (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, “ordinary time”), which incorporate the rotating images on the Home page.

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From the Parish Coordinator: Racing Update

Cresting Diamond Head’s “heartbreak hill” with just one mile to go.

Although I published a brief update on the results of my marathon in the weekly announcements, many of you either missed the chance to read it or have asked for more information on my race(s). First of all, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all of the encouragement, support, and congratulations I have received from LCH members. I have been blown away by the response I have received—I had no idea you all would care so much about my life and hobby. So since inquiring minds want to know...

As I mentioned before, my goal was to finish the marathon in 3 hours 30 minutes (which would qualify me for the Boston Marathon). Unfortunately, I didn’t quite make my goal time thanks to a pulled muscle around mile 19, which left me with a finish time of 3 hours 46 minutes. Close, but not quite. I am still incredibly pleased with my time though, because despite those last, incredibly painful 7 miles, I never stopped running and was still able to fulfill my goal of completing the marathon for my dad. I still managed to finish within the top 125 females and thirteenth for my age division. The aloha spirit was vividly present throughout the event, both from the other competitors and the supporters along the way, making it a beautiful experience I will always remember.

Finally crossing the finish line!

I have been carefully nursing my injury and slowly working back up my mileage. Thanks to an incredibly quick recovering, I was running again only five days after the race and am now back up to twelve mile runs without pain.

As to my future running goals, (since many of you have been curious to know), my main intent is to just keep running and enjoying as many races as I am able. I have clearly found my fitness passion and niche, as is obvious from the fact that only four days post-marathon I was already craving a run. For the spring season, I will once again be running the Presidents’ Day Great Aloha Run as well as the Wahine Half Marathon in April. I am excited to finally have a team to run with for the annual 5-mile MCBH Swamp Romp on February 25 and will also be participating in Hawaii’s first Warrior Dash on March 24. Do you get the sense I like to run in the mud? I also plan on competing in the Hawai‘i Pacific Health Women’s 10k on March 4 and possibly the inaugural Honolulu Marathon Half Marathon on March 11. I am already anticipating next year’s December XTERRA World Championship Trail Run. After placing third for my age division in 2010, and second overall for the women this past year, I am now determined to move up to a first place finish in 2012.

But ultimately, regardless of races, titles, and times, I want to continue running and racing simply for the enjoyment and freedom it gives me. I have been blessed with a healthy body that allows me to pursue this passion and hope that I never lose the enjoyment and peace that comes from a simple jaunt up in the trails.

Thank you again for all your thoughts and prayers that helped push me through those last grueling miles of the marathon, and also for continuing to welcome me into your LCH ‘ohana. Your encouragement, interest, and support have meant so much to me. Healthy living, nutritious eating, and fitness are my passions, so don’t hesitate to pick my brain on the topic if you ever have a question or want to know more! So until my next race, mahalo!

Sarah Roseberg

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Prayer Requests

Barbie	Judy	Ruth
Carl	Karen	Ryan
Cindy	Katy	Sally
Debbie	Kristin	Stephen
Gene	Maggie	Susan
Gus	Pat	Ulrike

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February Birthdays

Date	Name
02/01	Christian David A.
02/02	Lynda Ikehara Gibson
02/04	Robin Bush
02/07	Rev. Karl Bachman
02/07	Cheryl Crozier Garcia
02/07	Daniel Gibson
02/12	Carolyn Koehler
02/12	Michael Okikawa
02/14	Raymond B. Herradura
02/16	Judie O. Boutá
02/16	Colin B.
02/17	Jaylene H.
02/21	Jordan N.
02/21	Don Johnson
02/24	Teresa McCreary
02/25	Noelani Nitz
02/27	Elijah Kaeo, Sr.
02/28	Roy Helms

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HeartBeat Deadline

Next HeartBeat Deadline is Tuesday, February 14!

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Heavenly Humor

God’s kids say the funniest things

At a First Communion Mass for young girls and boys in a southern Catholic Church, the priest asked the youngsters: “Can anyone tell me what Jesus and the disciples ate at the Last Supper?” A girl raised her hand and answered, “Well, first they had a salad....”

—Columnist Smiley Anders
Baton Rouge (LA) Advocate

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a church elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. A teacher had written a note, posted on the apple tray: “Take only one. God is watching.” At the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note: “Take all you want. God is watching the apples.”

—via Bart VanGiesen
Texas Township, MI

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