Congregational Life at LCH—November and December 2006

Joyful Worship and a Festive Potluck Bring 2006 to a Close

Members and friends enjoy food and fellowship in the courtyard. The Sunday after Christmas is sometimes referred to as “low Sunday,” but as Pastor Jensen said in his sermon, that was certainly not the case this year at LCH. There was a full house for Lessons and Carols from the LCH Choir, as well as two baptisms.

Following worship, everyone moved to the courtyard for a delicious potluck hosted by the Fellowship Committee. The food table held a variety of dishes, so no one went away hungry.

LCH Gets Ready for Christmas

The F.R.O.G.S. Ensemble prepares for the Jesse Tree finale on December 24

Randy Castello uses the lift to hand the star over the crèche The LCH Nave was alive with activity on Saturday, December 23, as both children and adults worked on preparations for our Christmas celebration. Members of the F.R.O.G.S. Ensemble (above) came early to practice for the final Jesse Tree liturgy, which would be the service of the Word for Advent IV worship on Sunday morning.

When they were finished, adults arrived to begin preparing the Nave for Christmas worship. The star was hung from the ceiling (right) so that the stable could be made ready to receive the figures of the crèche after Advent IV worship. Others assembled the wreath and hung it near the entrance.

Adjustments are made to the poinsettia tree Following worship on Sunday morning, December 24, the altar was vested with the Christmas paraments, the figures were added to the crèche, and poinsettias were brought into the Nave. At left, the poinsettia tree is arranged (left). As a final touch, pew-end torches were prepared for the candlelight services on Christmas Eve.

When all the work was done, the Nave was beautifully arrayed to celebrate our Saviour’s birth (below).

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Holiday Fun at Kincaid’s and on the Trolley

LCHers gathered at Kincaid’s Sunday evening, December 10, 17 from our LCH ‘ohana (some of whom are pictured at the right) gathered at Kincaid’s restaurant in Ward Warehouse for the first annual holiday social sponsored by our Fellowship Committee. In addition to LCH regulars, the group included Intern Pastor Derek Fossey from St. John (Kailua) and his family.

The event started off with good food and good company at the restaurant and continued with good caroling on the Christmas Trolley. The trolley took them through the festive holiday lighting in downtown Honolulu.

Based on the smiles in the pictures and reports from participants following the event, you can expect a similar outing next December.

LCH Children Lead Jesse Tree Liturgy

A child adds a symbol to the Jesse Tree Each Sunday during Advent, the children of LCH lead the congregation in the Jesse Tree Liturgy, which tells how our ancestors in faith—from Noah to Joseph—“waited for the coming of Emmanuel.”

Each week’s presentation is divided into segments referring to key figures in the genealogy. Each segment begins with one child who introduces the character by describing key events in their life. The children then sing about that person, and in response, a child hangs the individual’s symbol on the Jesse Tree, as shown in the picture to the left.

The Jesse Tree Liturgy continues between worship services on December 17 (beginning at 9:15 AM) and in our one worship service on Sunday, December 24, also at 9:15 AM.

Pictures from last year’s Jesse Tree and the “Jesse Tree Study Guide” are available in the Children’s section.

Ministry Fair Gathers First Fruits of Time and Talents

Mary Fastenau, Peggy Brandt, and Pam Buckley talk about service opportunities coordinated by the Social Ministries Committee. This year, the Stewardship Committee invited us all to consider new ways to share our “first fruits” of time and talents through a Ministry Fair. On Sunday, November 19, tables were set up in the courtyard, and representatives of various ministries eagerly offered opportunities for service. Members and friends had received booklets describing these service opportunities, and the information is available on this website as well.

The Ministry Fair will continue on November 26. Time and Talent Sheets as well as Pledge Cards will be received again at the Ministry Fair that Sunday and dedicated during the morning worship services on December 3. If you have misplaced your cards, you can also download either the Time and Talent Sheet (PDF) or the Pledge Card (PDF).

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LCH Children Provide Music for Postposed Children’s Sabbath

The Kona earthquake and blackout in Honolulu on October 15 forced a postponement of parts of our Children’s Sabbath celebration. Our children and youth were able to carry through on their commitments on November 12 when they provided music and took a variety of roles in the 10:30 AM worship service. At left, the F.R.O.G.S. Choir and Chamber Ensemble sing the Alleluia Verse.

Follow this link to see more pictures from this worship service.

Hukilau Joint Confirmation at LCH

Youth from all the churches fellowship together over supper. On Sunday, November 5, youth from six ELCA congregations on O‘ahu gathered for their fourth joint confirmation activity. They enjoyed songs, games, and good food, but more importantly, they studied together about the Bible and Luther’s Small Catechism connections to the idea of “Defend Truth.”

Find out more about this event and see pictures from from the day in our Youth section.

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