Congregational Life at LCH—October, November, and December 2010

Celebrating God-With-Us

The people of LCH are celebrating Christmas in a big way again this year.

The popular Family Worship at 5:00 PM on Christmas Eve once again drew a crowd ranging in age from a few months to many, many years—all eager to begin celebrating the birth of Christ. The F.R.O.G.S. Choir and Chamber Orchestra provided special music. And this year they added hula to their presentations.

Midnight Mass began as it has for many years with a Bach cantata, and the service music was Michael Praetorius’ Missa: gantz Teudsch. Most of the other music throughout the service was also by Praetorius. In order to accommodate the multiple choirs and orchestras necessary for this music, a brass choir (along with timpani) was set up in the loft over the Boardroom.

Christmas morning saw yet another festival choral eucharist, this time with the trebles of the LCH Choir singing Messe Basse by Gabriel Fauré for the service music.

On Sunday, December 26, St. Stephen’s Day provided the framework for lessons and carols for both morning worship services. In the evening, the LCH Choir and Bach Chamber Orchestra presented Solemn Vespers for St. Stephen’s Day, with Bach cantata 57 and a German Magnificat by Georg Melchoir Hoffmann.

The Christmas celebration continues with the Second Sunday of Christmas on January 2 and German Vespers for New Years that evening.

Above, Pastor Jeff Lilley preaches on the importance of God-with-us with the crèche in the background.

Additional pictures are available in the Christmas 2010 slideshow.

Preparing for Christmas

As the days flew past leading up to Christmas, a small but dedicated crew gathered on December 23 to decorate the LCH Nave for this joyous celebration. Once the Advent paraments and banners, the Jesse Tree, and the Advent wreath had been put away, the work began in earnest.

Star and angel were hung and the crèche was put up, the altar was vested in Christmas paraments, the poinsettia tree was assembled, and pew candles were deployed for the festive services of the Christmas season.

At right, Ilse Layau and Mary Jo Estes check the Christmas paraments to make sure everything is just right.

Additional pictures are available in the Christmas 2010 slideshow.

The LCH Christmas celebration begins with Family Worship at 5:00 PM on December 24 and continues through German Vespers for New Years on January 2. Complete schedule of Christmas worship services.

Advent Begins with Jesse Tree Liturgy

November 28 marked the first Sunday of Advent, and once again the children of LCH led the congregation in the Jesse Tree Liturgy between morning worship services. This tradition—based on Jesse Tree: Advent Song and Paraliturgies for Children by Dennis J. Newman (Chicago: GIA Publications, 2001)—has been a highlight of the season for many years. This year, Teresa McCreary led the children, and handbells replaced the Orff instruments used in the past.

As always, older children read about the key Bible personalities who “waited for the coming of Emmanuel” while younger children hung the symbols on the Jesse Tree, and all the children sang the chorus. Find out more about the Jesse Tree symbols and watch a video from 2009 on the Jesse Tree page in the Children section.

The Jesse Tree devotions continue at 9:15 AM on December 5, 12, and 19.

At left, one of the girls helps her younger friend with the words as the children sing the Jesse Tree chorus.

Planning Charrette Looks at LCH Campus

The first of two charrettes* designed to gather congregational input for campus planning was convened on Saturday morning, November 6. About a dozen members of the congregation gathered under the leadership of Jim Niermann and Jim Sullivan for this exercise.

Following prayer and a brief introduction to principles of “green” design, the group reviewed the proposed Owners Project Requirements and then went out to survey the campus. Everyone shared ideas at each stage of the tour and then returned to Isenberg Hall to mark up campus plans with their ideas for ways to improved the campus. Much of the discussion centered on the back parking lot, which needs a lot of work.

A second session is scheduled for Saturday, November 13, at 10:00 AM. All are welcome to take part and contribute to the process.

At right, Jim Sullivan and Jim Niermann lead members of the congregation as they share ideas about the future of the LCH campus.

* Charrette “any collaborative session in which a group of designers drafts a solution to a design problem.” Wikipedia

Preparing for the Monteverdi Vespers

The soloists have arrive, The Whole Noyse is here, and the final rehearsals have begun for the historic first performance in Hawai‘i of Claudio Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610. Tuesday night, November 2, the orchestra and soloists met for the first time at St. Teresa’s Co-Cathedral. Rehearsals continue every night this week.

Two performances are schedule for this weekend: Friday night, November 5, 7:30 PM, at St. Teresa’s (712 North School Street) and Sunday afternoon, November 7, 4:00 PM at St. Andrew’s Cathedral (229 Queen Emma Square). Tickets are available online at <www.earlymusichawaii.com>.

At left, members of The Whole Noyse, period brass ensemble from San Francisco, join with Honolulu string players, and soloists from Hawai‘i and the continent, in one of the psalms from the Vespers.

Celebrating our Lutheran Heritage at LutherFest

October 30 was the last Saturday in October and the eve of Reformation Day, so the LCH ‘ohana gathered for the annual LutherFest celebration. Highlight of the evening was Sr. Peggy Anderson who showed up in costume to sell indulgences and LutherBucks (which could be used to donate for beer and wine and to vote in the talent show). All together, $709 was raised for the renovation of the back parking lot.

Following pupus in the Hörmann Courtyard and dinner, everyone enjoyed the talent show. Voting took place while everyone enjoyed dessert, and then the winners were announced.

At right, Sr. Peggy sells LutherBucks to Jim Cartwright and Jerelyn Watanabe.

Additional pictures can be found in the LutherFest 2010 Slideshow.

F.R.O.G.S. Featured at Children’s Sabbath

LCH held its annual celebration of Children’s Sabbath on October 17, with the F.R.O.G.S. Choir and Chamber Orchestra taking the lead.

Talented children provided gifts of music for the prelude, during communion, and following worship, and the F.R.O.GS. sand and played for the introit, following the children’s conversation, and at the benediction.

At left, Teresa McCreary directs the children in “The Holy Trinity” for the introit.

Additional pictures can be found in the Children’s Sabbath 2010 Slideshow.

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Lutheran Night Returns to KHPR

It was Saturday night during the semiannual KHPR fundraisers, and folks from LCH were preparing to answer phones and take pledges. Peggy Anderson prepared the tuna hot dish (a favorite of host Beth Ann Kozlovich), Bill Potter brought the green jello, and Roy Helms baked brownies. In addition, the LCH volunteers brought a challenge of $50 a piece (up to $500) for every Lutheran who called during their 3-hour shift.

The night was a little slow because of the UH football game, but 10 Lutherans (including 6 from LCH and the other Hukilau congregations) called—along with a lot of “Thistle and Shamrock” fans from Pahoa and a lot of other Public Radio supporters—responded to keep the fund raising on target for the evening.

At right, Peggy Anderson, Roy Helms, and Crystal and Adam Landherr answering phones during the fund drive. Jim Cartwright also helped on the phones, and Bill Potter spent some time on the microphones.

Victory at OYEA Chili Cook Off

Pastor Jeff Lilley and Jean both emerged victorious at the 2nd Annual OYEA Chili Cook Off and Pie Bake Off. This year’s event took place at St. John Lutheran in Kailua on Saturday, October 16. The number of entries was a bit smaller than last year, but the competition was just as keen for the awards.

Pastor Jeff offered smoked pork chili, and Jean baked chocolate haupia pie. Attendees were able to sample all the chilis and pies and then deposit their “chilibucks” to vote for their favorites.

In the end Pastor Jeff and Jean each won the people’s choice award for their category, and more than $300 was raised for OYEA activities.

At left, Pastor Jeff serves up some of his chili and Jean prepares to serve some pie.

Blessing of the Animals

Members and friends gathered on Sunday afternoon, October 3, for a blessing of their pets. They brought along their pets—many dogs, a rabbit, and some cat collars since the cats refused to come along—and hearts full of gratitude for the love and companionship of these special pets.

The services was scheduled in connection with the remembrance of Francis of Assisi, renewer of the church who is commemorated on October 4. Among other stories, Francis is said to have preached to the birds, and his well-knows hymn “All creatures, worship God most high” (ELW 835) calls on all creatures to bless the Lord.

As part of the service, all the pets were blessed individually, and there were even refreshments for them all following worship.

At right, pets and humans join in the final hymn. Additional pictures can be found on the LCH Facebook page.

Pau Hana Escapes the Rain

The weather was beautiful in the morning, but by the time the crew was ready to set up for October’s Pau Hana Friday, the rains had come. So the event was moved to the LCH campus, and the phone tree was activated to let everyone know. By 5:00 PM, the food was ready and folks were gathering in the Boardroom and under a tent by the entrance.

The rain certainly did not dampen spirits, and more the 40 members and friends showed up to eat, talk, and play “buckets and balls.” (No one was really sure what the rules were for the game, but it was fun.)

At left, folks enjoying food and fellowship in the Boardroom. Additional pictures can be found on the LCH Facebook page.

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