Congregational Life at LCH—October, November, and December 2008

Celebrating Twelve Days of Christmas

Not content with two festive services on Christmas Eve and another on Christmas Day, LCH is continuing to celebrate all twelve days of Christmas.

This year, the Sunday after Christmas fell on December 28, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, so that became the focus of the service of Nine Lessons and Carols which LCH traditionally holds on that Sunday. At right, Karyn C. sings the opening solo verse of “Once in Royal David’s City,” which begins the service.

See more pictures from this service and pictures from other events in the celebration of Christmas at LCH in the Christmas 2008 Slideshow.

You won’t want to miss German Vespers for New Year’s Day on January 1 at 4:00 PM. Find out more about this service on the postcard (PDF) or see the list of music for the service.

Preparing for Christmas

All four candles on the Advent wreath have been lit, Christmas is right around the corner, and all the many preparations for the celebration of that day are moving along.

At left, a Norfolk pine, festive with twinkling lights and decorations made by children of Our Redeemed Preschool at LCH, livens up the Hörmann Courtyard.

See more pictures of our preparations for and celebration of Christmas at LCH in the Christmas 2008 Slideshow.

Dinner and the Trolly

Again this year, LCHers enjoyed fellowship and the beautiful “Honolulu City Lights” Christmas decorations with dinner and a ride on the Honolulu trolly.

The group gathered at Kinkaid’s for an early dinner, and then boarded the trolly for a ride through the streets of downtown Honolulu enjoying the lights and decorations. Thanks to Jeanette Hanson and the Fellowship Committee for organizing the event.

At right, three happy members of the group on the trolly.

Top of Page

Jesse Tree Video on YouTube

Our children’s weekly offerings of the Jesse Tree Liturgy are poised to “go viral” now that a portion of the December 14 offering has been posted on YouTube.

Special thanks go to Vicki Gorman and other Sunday School teachers who have worked to prepare the children, to Pastor Jeff who shot and edited the video, and to GIA Publications, Inc. for permission to post the video.

Jesse Tree by Dennis Newman © 2001 by GIA Publications, Inc. www.giamusic.com 800.442.1358 All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Find out more about the Jesse Tree Liturgy and see pictures from past years.

(If the embedded video does not appear with this article or does not work, you should still be able to view it on YouTube.)

Process Thought and Poetry

The Process Thought Forum spent their December meeting considering a number of poems selected by leader Fritz Fritschel because they either might contain ideas related to process thought or were “just fun.”

Several members of the Saturday group, shown at right discussing Emily Dickinson’s “I heard a fly,” had obviously studied the poems in advance, and one very brought a commentary so she could share background information about the poems. In fact, they delved so deeply into their discussion that they only finished four of the ten poems chosen by Pastor Fritz and decided to continue the same topic in January.

Moving Advent Procession

Every year on the First Sunday of Advent, the LCH Choir presents the Advent Procession service of readings, hymns, and seasonal music that tell the story of the coming of the Messiah.

This year’s service was built around the “O” Antiphons, with ann added dimension of textile art to visually focus on the symbols pointing to Christ’s coming. During the service, banners for each of the “O” Antiphons (which formed the basis for the familiar Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”) are presented during the singing of the antiphon, followed by a scripture reading, special music, and a prayer. The service ends with an exiting procession of the banners while the congregation sings this hymn.

At left, two of seventeen acolytes that participated in the service bear the torch and banner for “Rising Dawn.”

Find out all about the “O” Antiphon banners on this page.

Jesse Tree Liturgy Kicks Off Advent

As has been the case for the last few years, the children of LCH kicked off our observance of the Advent Season in a very meaningful way by offering the Jesse Tree Liturgy between morning worship services on November 30, the First Sunday of Advent. This liturgy, based on “Jesse Tree: Advent Song and Paraliturgies for Children” by Dennis J. Newman (Chicago: GIA Publications, 2001), uses song and story show God’s fidelity, as illustrated by interactions with our ancestors in faith.

At right, some of the children sing the Jesse Tree chorus.

The Jesse Tree Liturgy continues on each of the Sundays of Advent (December 7, 14, and 21) at 9:15 AM in the Nave.

Find out more about the Jesse Tree Liturgy and see pictures from past years.

Top of Page

IHS Meatloaf and Red Jello for LutherFest

Rain fell on this year’s celebration of LutherFest but could not dampen spirits. Before dinner, attendees enjoyed fine LCH-label wine prepared by members of the Mary Magdalene Society especially for LutherFest and marvelled at the variety of creative entries in the Red Jello Contest. The centerpiece of the bountiful potluck was the same delicious meatloaf served to guests at IHS each month. Following dinner, members of the F.R.O.G.S. Choir and Chamber Orchestra entertained.

At left, Carol Langer, Ray Herradura, and Randy Castello check out entries in the Red Jello Contest.

See more pictures of this event in the LutherFest 2008 Slideshow.

Lots of Meatloaf for Guests at IHS

Once again, as happens the third Friday of every month, members of LCH and their friends prepared and served a delicious meatloaf dinner for the guests at IHS, Honolulu’s homeless shelter. At right, Billie Jean, Jimmy, Rodney, and Chuck finish mixing up the meatloaf in the early afternoon.

You can enjoy the fellowship of this ministry by volunteering to help prepare the meal at 1:00 PM or serve at 5:30 PM the third Friday of any month. Speak to Jimmy or Olivia Castro, or call the Church Office (941-2566).

Taste the delicious LCH meatloaf at this year’s LutherFest on Saturday, October 25, beginning at 5:30 PM.

F.R.O.G.S. Perform for Children’s Sabbath

Performances by the F.R.O.G.S. Choir and Chamber Orchestra, along with individual performances by many of our talented keiki, brought special joy to the annual celebration of Children’s Sabbath at LCH. Especially notable were the Introit and Gospel Acclamation (left) presented by the the Choir and Chamber Orchestra (made up of all the Sunday School children and teachers), which were accompanied by one of the older children on the organ.

See more pictures of these performances in Children’s Sabbath Slideshow.

(If the embedded video does not appear with this article or does not work, you should still be able to view it on YouTube.)

Top of Page

LCH Helps with Public Radio Fund Drive

Saturday, October 11, was LCH night at Hawai‘i Public Radio as several members showed up to help with the semi-annual fund drive. And who better to help answer the phones during “A Prairie Home Companion” than a bunch of Lutherans. Our participation was organized by Josie Bidgood, LCH member and past president of the Public Radio Board, who brought along tuna hotdish to feed the volunteers and make it a real Lutheran evening. Joining Josie were Chuck Pearson, Bill Potter, and Bob Zimmer.

At right, Bob Zimmer (in the blue shirt) prepares to go on the air with true stories of Minnesota during the pledge breaks.

Honu ‘Ohana Groups Kick off Stewardship Drive

The annual Stewardship Drive began in earnest on Sunday, October 5, with a series of Honu ‘Ohana Groups meeting after both morning worship services. Member and friends had been seeing the honu (turtle) graphics for weeks, and then got their invitations to the small group meetings on September 21. Now they are getting to hear from group leaders and share their own thoughts on stewardship during the short and lively Honu ‘Ohana Groups.

At left, one of the groups meeting in the Punahou entrance way between morning worship services.

Additional meetings will be held on Thursday evening, October 9, at 8:15 PM and Sunday, October 12, at 9:30 AM and noon. Reserve your spot by calling the Church Office (941-2566) or by email to <honu@lchwelcome.org>.

Stewardship materials are also available online.

Pau Hana Friday at Ala Moana Beach Park

The new LCH tradition of Pau Hana Fridays continued into the fall with a gathering on Friday, October 3. The group returned to picnic area 28A, near the road through Ala Moana Beach Park.

This month’s gathering continued tradition with hamburgers and hot dogs on the big grill, but there was also a birthday celebration and cake. An earlier sunset also moved up the Hilton fireworks half and hour to 7:30 PM.

At right, Pastor Jeff finishes up grilling as the rest of the group chats before dinner.

Top of Page

Copyright © 2008 Lutheran Church of Honolulu
1730 Punahou Street, Honolulu, HI 96822 • 808-941-2566
Comments welcome at webmaster@lchwelcome.org