Congregational Life at LCH—April, May, and June

Spectacular Floral Display for Pentecost

Members and friends were greeted by a spectacular and whimsical display of flowers, leaves, and metallic streamers on Pentecost Sunday, June 12. The lesson from Acts telling of the coming of the Holy Spirit in a mighty wind and tongues of flame provided the inspiration of the arrangement created by former pastor Don Johnson with help from Jim Sullivan.

At right, displays of leaves and flowers around the altar vested with Pentecost paraments and metallic streamers suspended from the ceiling bring to mind the tongues of flame from the first Pentecost. A larger version of this photo and two additional pictures from Pentecost are available on the LCH Facebook page.

Fun Day Ends the Sunday School Year

Along with the last Sunday of the regular schedule of two morning worship services on May 29, the Sunday School year also drew to a close. To mark the occasion, the Sunday School teachers planned their annual Fun Day of games and food.

At left, one of the younger pupils enjoys decorating a flag cookie with white icing for the base, blue icing and sprinkles for the field and red licorice stripes. Adam Landheer, one of the teachers, helps with guidance and encouragement. Other games included a coint toss, tic-tac-toe, matching games, and a grab bag. And every youngster who collected a seal for each game won a new book as a prize.

In addition to the games, Fred Benco prepared a picnic meal of hot dogs for both young and old.

Additional photos from the Sunday School Fun Day are available on the LCH Facebook page.

Third Friday Brings LCH Back to IHS

May 20 was the third Friday of the month, so the faithful LCH crew was back at the IHS facility in Iwilei to serve dinner. This month, there were boxes of oranges instead of cookies or pastry for dessert, but the rest of the meal was the same: meatloaf, mixed vegetables, and cole slaw. Billie Jean Ries had even made Audrey Keller’s dressing for the slaw.

At right, Peggy Anderson, Ilse Layau, Marjan Lynch, Jimmy Castro, and Billie Jean Ries pose for a picture before they begin serving the guests.

Additional volunteers are always welcome for this fun service event. Join in the cooking at 1:00 PM, or come at 5:30 PM to help serve. See Jimmy Castro for more information or to volunteer.

Sell-Out Crowds for B-Minor Mass

All the tickets had been sold, but rather than turn away eager patrons, a few extra seats were squeezed in, people listened from the Boardroom on Friday evening, and some stood throughout the entire performance on Saturday. But it didn’t matter. The audience thoroughly enjoyed performances that will not soon be forgotten, and thunderous applause erupted at the end of each half.

Above, a composite picture shows the entire choir and orchestra for J. S. Bach’s Mass in B-minor. (Click on the photo for a larger version.)

Many more pictures taken by Pastor Jeff Lilley at Friday’s performance are available on the LCH Facebook page.

The program booklet (PDF) for the B-Minor Mass.

Read about all the preparations, see many more pictures, and sample audience comments in Kathy Crosier’s blog “Another Year of Insanity.”

Final Rehearsals for B-Minor Mass

After weeks of choral rehearsals, the full forces of choir, orchestra, and soloists finally assembled for three final rehearsals for J.S. Bach’s monumental Mass in B-Minor to be presented Friday, May 13, and Saturday, May 14.

At right, combined orchestra of 22 and 46 singers rehearse in preparation for the performances. They worked on the two halves of the mass on Monday and Tuesday, with a complete run through on Wednesday.

Additional photos are available on the LCH Facebook page. Read about everything leading up to these rehearsals and see many more pictures in Kathy Crosier’s blog “Another Year of Insanity.”

Read the articles in the Today and TGIF sections of the Star Advertiser and listen to the story on Hawai‘i Public Radio about these performances.

Tickets for both performances are available online or by calling the Church Office at 941-2566.

Celebrating Earth Day Sunday

This year’s late Easter complicated the annual observation of Earth Day Sunday at LCH. Since the “secular” Earth Day fell on April 22—which was Good Friday this year—we had to transfer Earth Day Sunday to May 1.

Jim Sullivan preached at both morning worship services (listen to his sermon), and during the Adult Forum between services, Annie Leonard, author of The Story of Stuff, spoke by video hook up.

In addition, everyone could check out the Wheego, a new all electric vehicle. At left, Francisco Barajas gets a feel for the Wheego.

Preparing for Easter

The three days before Easter day are traditionally observed with daily worship and commemoration of Jesus’ betrayal, passion, and crucifixion.

Maundy Thursday focuses on the washing of feet and the institution of Holy Communion.

On Good Friday, we hear the Passion according to John and participate in the procession of the cross and adoration of the crucified.

On Holy Saturday, at the Great Vigil of Easter, salvation history is told through lessons from Hebrew Scriptures and we welcome Easter with shouts of Alleluia.

At right, a member of the congregation places a candle as part of the Adoration of the Crucified.

Additional photos are available in the Holy Week & Easter 2011 Slideshow.

Lent Begins with Palm Sunday

Sunday, April 17, marked the beginning of Holy Week 2011. Both morning worship services begin with the Palm Sunday Gospel in the Hörmann Courtyard, followed by the procession with palms into the Nave.

In the Nave, worship continues with the dramatic reading of the Passion according to Matthew. This year, Sylvia Hormann-Alper assembled an all-female cast for the Passion.

At left, the 10:30 procession rounds the corner at Dominis and Punahou to head back to the Courtyard.

Special worship services are scheduled for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, all at 7:30 PM. Festive Easter Sunday worship services are at 8:00 and 10:30 AM and for Compline at 9:00 PM.

Additional photos are available in the Holy Week & Easter 2011 Slideshow.

AIDS Walk 2011

We’re not sure who was responsible for the scheduling, but the Life Foundation’s annual AIDS Walk ended up being scheduled for April 17—Palm Sunday. But that didn’s stop a number of LCHers from forming a team to walk and help raise money for the Life Foundation.

Making the most of the scheduling snafu, the team decided to take their palms with them to the Walk. They also decked themselves in LCH T-shirts so no one would have any doubt who they were. In the end, the joyful LCH team raised more than $2,000 for the work of the Life Foundation.

At right, members of the LCH team pose with their palms at the beginning of the walk.

Additional photos are available on the LCH Facebook page.

Lutheran Challenge at Hawai‘i Public Radio

LCH volunteers descended on the studios of Hawai‘i Public Radio to answer phones during “Prairie Home Companion” and “Thistle and Shamrock” as part of the semi-annual spring pledge drive. Fortified with tuna hot dish (courtesy of Chuck Pearson), green jello (from Josie Bidgood), and apple cake (made by Bob Zimmer), they answered phone calls and took pledges from listeners.

Also during the evening, Josie Bidgood, Bob Zimmer, and Bill Potter joined host Chad Blair on the microphones to encourage pledges. Other LCH volunteers were Jim Cartwright, Ray Herradura, and Shama Stewart.

At left, Jim Cartwright takes a pledge while Josie Bidgood digs into the hot dish and the others chat until the phones ring.

Joint Evensong at St. Andrew’s

Sunday evening, April 3, the LCH Choir joined with the choir of the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew for Evensong at the cathedral.

The service opened with Carl Crosier’s setting of “The Queen’s Prayer” by Lili‘uokalani, followed by two Anglican chant psalms. The evening canticles—Magnificat and Nunc dimittis—were the St. Paul’s Service of Herbert Howells, and the anthem was “Ich lasse dich nicht” by J.S. Bach. The closing organ voluntary was Bach’s “Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir” (BWV 686).

At right, the combined choirs sing the Bach anthem, accompanied by Kathy Crosier on the harpsichord and Teresa McCreary on the cello.

Additional photos are available on the LCH Facebook page.

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