Congregational Life at LCH—April, May, and June 2007

A Busy Sunday Brings June to a Close

The month of June drew to a close at LCH with a jam-packed Sunday of sending, welcoming, and just plain celebration. As part of Sunday morning worship, three LCH youth and Peggy Anderson, their leader, were commissioned as they head off to Camp Wapo in Wisconsin later this week. This is the second year for Peggy to lead youth from our congregation to Wapo.

Following worship, the Fellowship Committee provided a delicious lunch of Sloppy Joes for everyone in the courtyard (below left). In addition to wishing Peggy and our youth aloha, we were able to welcome Pastor Jeff’s wife Jean (below right) to Honolulu on a permanent basis.

Another part of the of the busy day was a celebration of Pastor Jeff’s birthday later this week with cake

If all that was not enough, there was another of the ongoing Ohana Gatherings, and Summer Sundays continued with the final hula lesson.

“Summer Sundays” Begin with Hula

“Summer Sundays,” LCH’s summer Christian education program of intergenerational activities, began on June 10 with two youth teaching hula for both young and old. Teachers Crescent and Sophie C. (in the back, facing the camera in the photo at left) are working with their students on two songs: the traditional chant “O Kalalau” using the kala‘au and the modern song “Spread a Little Aloha.” Hula will continue on Sunday, June 24.

Activities scheduled for future Sundays include liturgical sign language, needlecraft, and watercolor painting. Watch for additional details in the weekly announcements or The Heart Beat.

“Summer Sundays” will continue through August 12, the last Sunday with one morning worship service.

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Restoration for the Beckerath Organ

LCH is currently hosting two visitors from Germany, and the pipes piled around the organ (right) are a dead give away that they have come to do periodic restoration of the Beckerath organ.

Our two visitors are Hans-Ulrich Erbslöh and Jens Kirschner, and they both worked for the Beckerath firm until it was acquired by a new owner in 1996. In fact, Hans was an apprentice to Rudolf von Beckerath when the LCH organ was installed in 1975, and he has now formed his own company.

The last organ restoration was done by Klaus Schmeckel and Christof Randal of the Beckerath firm in 1996. However, according to Hans (shown at left cleaning the keyboard), the level of dust in the organ is equivalent to what would be expected after 20 years, probably because of the renovation of the nave in the year 2000 for the St. Matthew Passion. So even though it has only been 11 years, it is time for a general cleaning.

Along with the cleaning, the pair will repair damage left by the previous technician, which has resulted in a large number of misshapen and bent pipes. Hans will solder supporting seams on the cone-tuned pipes to prevent them from being damaged again.

In addition to the cleaning and repairs, Hans will revoice and tune the organ, the process which he says requires the most patience and experience. At right, he can be seen working on a reed from one of the pipes in the trumpete stop of the Hauptwerk. The reeds are made from pieces of spring-hard brass ranging from thickness of 0.06 mm down to thinner than a piece of paper. In many cases, Hans can “true” the reed using his hand-crafted tools. But when the reed cannot be repaired, he cuts a new piece of brass and fashions a new one.

The 1996 restoration cost $40,000, which was raised through donations from LCH members and the community as well as through grants. Since then, the Worship and Music Committee has set aside $3,000 a year for this type of maintenance so that fundraising would not be necessary every 20 years. The current job is expect to cost only about $18,000 and will leave our organ “as good as brand new.”

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LCH Marches in Gay Pride Parade

Again this year, members of LCH participated in Honolulu’s Gay Pride Parade. The group—led by Pastor Jeff Lilley—gathered at Magic Island to join in the march down Kalakaua Avenue to Kapi‘olani Park. The unit drew lots of applause along the route. Joining Pastor Lilley were his son Seth (just arrived from Kansas), former Assisting Pastor Fritz Fritschel, and several other members of the congregation, including two children and a dog.

Our celebration of Gay Pride continues with Reconciling in Christ Sunday on June 17.

Pastor Lilley Installed as 12th Pastor of LCH

Members and friends of the congregation, Pacifica Synod Bishop Murray Finck, and clergy from across O‘ahu joined together on Sunday afternoon, May 20, for the installation of the Rev. Jeff Lilley as the 12th pastor of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu. The joyful service began with the sound of the conch and Hawaiian chant and included a sermon by Bishop Finck, the rites of installation (right), Holy Communion, and musical offerings from our children and all three choirs. Following worship, everyone enjoyed a delicious served meal.

Follow this link for more pictures from the installation service.

Congregation Sends Jacob Burkman to Seminary

The congregation bid a heart-felt farewell and Godspeed to Jacob Burkman as he prepared to leave Honolulu for Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. As part of the 10:30 worship on May 20, Jacob was blessed (left) and presented with tokens of the congregation’s support.

Following worship, members and friends said their personal farewells and enjoyed cake in the courtyard.

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Courtyard Bakery Raises Money for Hospital in Jerusalem

The Annual Mother’s Day Benefit Bakery Sale on May 13 was a rousing success. In addition to a wide variety of homemade baked goods from talented members of LCH, the Social Ministry Committee offered fair-trade coffees and fair-trade chocolate bars. The sale raised more than $1,200 for Augusta Victoria Hospital on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. The hospital, founded by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1907 and now operated by the Lutheran World Federation, provides health care in East Jerusalem without regard to race creed, sex, or national origin. Read more about Augusta Victoria Hospital in the May Heart Beat.

At right, Jeanne Castello and Carol Langner of the Social Ministry Committee, enjoy a laugh with customer Dori Palkovich.

Mary Magdalene Makes Wine for Luther Fest

Members of the Mary Magdalene Society (MMS) gathered at the Diamond Head Winery on Saturday, May 12, to make wine for next fall’s Luther Fest. Remembering the fine wines premiered at the All Church Banquet in November 2003 in conjunction with the Capital Campaign, Roy Helms invited others from MMS to help select a new wine for this fall. After sampling 12 different wines, they settled on a South African Chenin Blanc, which they then mixed up. The wine will ferment until this summer, when it will be bottled and labeled for sale at Luther Fest.

At left, Jim Cartwright and Michael Burnett mix the wine under the guidance of staff from the Diamond Head Winery.

Irmgard Hörmann Talks about the Beginnings of Lutheranism in Hawai‘i

As the Synod Assembly began its business, LCH welcomed many attending the Assembly to our campus as part of their visits to a number of churches on the Island. A highlight of their visit was a talk by Irmgard Hörmann (right), who described the beginnings of Lutheranism in Hawai‘i.

Irmgard began with the founding of first the Kaua‘i church and then LCH by the Isenbergs and Hackfelds. Then she talked about the troubles of World War I and her father’s time as pastor. After discussing the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the influx of Lutheran service members during World War II, she ended with our affiliation with the United Lutheran Church following the war.

The talk was rich with stories that brought the history of LCH to life.

View a QuickTime movie of Irmgard’s talk.

LCH Choir Sings for Opening Worship of the Synod Assembly

The twentieth assembly of the Pacifica Synod, meeting in Hawai‘i for the first time, convened Wednesday evening, May 2, with opening worship at St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church in Waikiki. Everyone was grateful for the hospitality of St. Augustine’s, which is just across the street from the assembly headquarters at the Marriott, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu.

Music for the service was provided by the LCH Choir and a brass and percussion ensemble. Follow this link for a list of all the music for the service.

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Bach Pilgrimage Benefit Concert Raises Funds for IHS

On Sunday, April 29, LCH offered another in its series of Bach Pilgrimage Concerts, featuring works from Bach’s time at Cöthen. The first half of the concert consisted of three virtuoso solo performances: Suite Nr. 3 in C Major (BWV 1009)for cello (Andrew Eckard), Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue (BWV 903) for harpsichord (Carl Crosier), and Partita in D minor (BWV 1004) for the violin (Darel Stark). For the second half of the program, the Bach Chamber Choir and Bach Chamber Orchestra presented Cantata Nr. 21 “Ich hatte viel bekümmernis” in the version written for St. Jacobi Church in Hamburg. Soloists in the cantata were Georgine Stark, soprano, and Timothy Schulz, bass. The picture at the left shows the final chorus of the cantata.

More than $2,200 from ticket sales and donations at the concert will be donated to IHS (Institute for Human Services), Honolulu’s homeless shelter.

Up to Their Elbows in Salad at IHS

Mary Jo Estes and Jimmy Castro (right) were up to their elbows in salad as they worked with others from LCH to prepare dinner for guests at IHS (Institute for Human Services, Honolulu’s homeless shelter). LCH provides a meal of meatloaf, rice, salad, cooked vegetable, and dessert the third Friday of each month. Contact the Castro family to help with cooking (Friday afternoon at 1:00) and/or serving (Friday evening at 6:00).

LCH will be providing additional support to IHS through the upcoming benefit concert. Enjoy music from J.S. Bach’s time at Köthen in “A Bach Pilgrimage IV” Sunday, April 29, at 4:00 PM. Tickets are $15 (general)/$12 (seniors)/ $10 (full-time students) and will be available at the door. Poster (PDF)

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Members Greet Pastor Jeff Lilley at Airport

After weeks of anticipation, a group of expectant LCHers headed for Honolulu International Airport on Monday, April 9, to welcome our new pastor, Jeff Lilley. After greeting Pastor Lilley (with the lei in the picture to the left) in the baggage claim area, they took him to lunch and then to his temporary accommodations.

Don’t miss Pastor Jeff’s first service this Sunday (April 15). His formal installation will be May 20.

Children’s Egg Hunts Adds to the Easter Festivities

Easter morning at LCH was alive with “Alleluias!” but also the sounds of excited children on their Easter Egg hunt. Sunday School teachers hid both colored real eggs and plastic eggs filled with treats around the campus, and then the children hurried to find them. At right, a young girl is quite serious about her hunt.

The Fellowship Committee also prepared a delicious brunch for everyone to enjoy between morning worship services, making a truly festive occasion for all.

Holy Week Celebration Begins with Seder Meal and Palm Sunday Liturgy

Our celebration of Holy Week began with the observance of Palm Sunday. Between services, the Sunday School hosted a Seder Meal. Having studied the Exodus story and made all the preparations during Lent, the children were ready to lead the Seder. Pictures from this year’s Seder will be added to those from previous years that are available in the Children’s section of the website.

The 10:30 AM Choral Eucharist began in the courtyard with the liturgy of the palms. After the blessing of the palms, all sang “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” in procession around the church (left). A brass quartet provided music for the procession.

Observance of Holy Week continues with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday Liturgies (both at 7:30 PM) and and culminates with Easter Vigil (7:30 PM) and two services Easter morning. See this page for details.

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