Congregational Life at LCH—October, November, and December

Work Continues on the Parking Lot

In the week after Christmas, the construction crew took care of the final touches on the parking lot itself and finished up the gravel drainage and overflow parking area at the makai end of the parking lot itself.

On Saturday, Pastor Jeff, Gaylen, our custodian, and several volunteers arrived to reinstall the fence around the preschool. Once that was taken care of, they replaced the palm trees that had been moved for the construction work. Then they cleared up the green waste so everything would be in good shape for church on Sunday.

At right, Gary, Jimmy, and Gaylen transplant some of the palm trees that had been moved for construction. Notice the new fence in the background.

Additional photos of work done during the week after Christmas are available on the LCH Facebook page.

Unto Us a Child Is Born

The people of LCH welcomed the birth of our Savior with three different worship services.

Candlelight Communion at 5:00 PM on Christmas Eve featured music by the children of the congregation. Before the sermon, Pastor Jeff called the children up to the altar area to bless the crèche and hear the story of the first Christmas.

Prior to Festival Choral Eucharist at 11:00 PM, the LCH Choir, Bach Chamber Orchestra presented “Music at Christmastide” with two Bach cantatas. Service music as Mozart’s Missa brevis in D minor.

On Christmas morning, Festival Choral Eucharist at 10:30 AM, the men of the LCH Choir provided the music.

At left, the congregation at the 5:00 PM service sing the opening hymn.

Additional photos from these three worship services are available in the Christmas 2011 slideshow.

Getting Ready to Celebrate Christmas

While workers were busy working on the back parking lot, members of the congregation were busy inside with preparations for Christmas celebrations.

Blue Advent paraments, the Advent wreath, and the Jesse Tree were replaced with the white of Christmas, the crèche, and a riot of poinsettias. A Christmas wreath of evergreens and fragrant laua‘e ferns was hung by the Nave entrance, and the brass handles on the Nave doors were polished up to welcome visitors.

By noon, everything was read for the Candlelight Family Communion at 5:00 PM on Christmas Eve, followed by Music for Christmastide at 10:30 and Festival Choral Eucharist at 11:00 PM.

At right, Mary-Jo Estes sweeps up around the altar after all the decorating was complete.

Additional photos of the decorating process are available in the Christmas 2011 slideshow.

First Cars Drive onto the New Parking Lot

Bright and early Friday morning, Jim Sullivan and Pastor Jeff Lilley drove their cars onto the new concrete back parking lot to christen it. Soon all the workers gathered around for a second shot, and then Jeff and Jim drove off so work could continue on the site.

There was dirt to put back along the building and gravel to fill in between the concrete and footer along the ‘Ewa side of the lot. And on the makai side, they got to work on the drainage and overflow parking area.

At left, Jim Sullivan and Pastor Jeff stand between their cars on the new concrete parking lot.

A picture of the workers gathered around Jim and Pastor Jeff and additional photos of work done on December 23 are available on the LCH Facebook page.

Finishing up the Concrete Work

The weather held on Thursday, so work moved along smoothly on the back parking lot, and the workers were able to finish pouring all the concrete. There is still finishing work to do, and then the landscaping, but worshippers will be able to use the lot on Christmas Eve.

At right, the whole of the back parking lot has been poured. The left half was done on Tuesday, and the right half on Wednesday.

Additional photos are available on the LCH Facebook page.

Pouring Concrete in the Back Parking Lot

In spite of the rainy weather, progress continues on the LCH back parking lot.

On Tuesday they were able to finish up the compacting and lay down the electrical conduits and pour concrete over them.

The real concrete pour began on Wednesday. The trucks pulled up and filled the forms, and then the workers smoothed the surface.

At left, one of the workers flashes a shaka in front of the newly poured concrete. Additional photos are available on the LCH Facebook page.

Work on the Parking Lot Moves Forward

Monday morning the workers we back at work, making great progress on the back parking lot. They finished the grading and compacting, and then they got to work building the forms for pouring concrete. By the end of the day, most everything was ready.

If all goes well, they expect to begin pouring concrete on Tuesday.

At right, some of the workers build the forms for the concrete. Additional photos are available on the LCH Facebook page.

Work Begins on the Parking Lot

Last May when the congregation approved the $250,00 m1ssion campaign, no one was quite sure when work would begin on any of the projects. There was a hint in this week’s E-News which said that “Due to some much-needed maintenance, the Church parking lot will not be available December 18th.” But Saturday morning, December 17, the heavy equipment rolled in, and they started to tear up the worn asphalt to prepare for the full-scale redoing of the back parking lot.

It may take a miracle for everything to be ready for worship on Christmas Eve, but Treasurer Fred Benco promised one for Christmas. So, pray for the workers and everyone involved in this first project of the LCH m1ssion campaign.

At left, the heavy equipment tears up the back parking lot. Additional photos are available on the LCH Facebook page.

Welcoming Advent with 37th Annual Advent Procession

Once again LCH welcomed the Advent season with the annual Advent Procession. The service of lessons and carols featured the LCH Choir, along with members of the 8:00 O’Clock Ensemble and the Compline Choir, in a works ranging from a medieval carol to the twentieth century.

As might be expected for the first Advent Procession lead by Dr. Miguel Felipe, LCH’s new director of music and liturgy, not everything was done “the way we have always done it.” However, following the service, one of the readers—who had attended the first Advent Procession in 1975—expressed her joy at seeing the tradition continued.

At right, the crucifer leads the retiring procession as the choir sings “O come, O come, Emmanuel.”

Additional photos from Advent Procession are available on the LCH Facebook page.

Jesse Tree Returns

November 27 is the First Sunday of Advent, and with the new church year comes the return of the Jesse Tree Liturgy, So often we think of adults teaching children, but the Jesse Tree gives our children a chance to remind us of the ancestors of Jesus and many of the highlights of salvation history.

Each week the children sing of four individuals from Jesus’ family tree—the Jesse Tree. The first week introduces Noah, Abraham and Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, along with their symbols, which are hung on the tree. Each week new individuals are added and the song gets longer and longer. And each week, we are reminded of God’s fidelity as we hear about those who waited for the coming of Emmanuel.

The children offer the Jesse Tree Liturgy at 9:10 AM Sunday mornings (between worship services) through December 18.

At left, one of the children hangs the ladder, symbol for Jacob, on the Jesse Tree.

Learn more about the Jesse Tree Liturgy on the Jesse Tree page in the Children section.

Aloha to Allen Bauchle

They say that “aloha” sometimes means “hello” and sometimes means “good-bye,” but there are other times when it means neither. Sunday, October 30, was one of those times as LCH expressed thanks to Allen Bauchle, assistant choirmaster for the last 20 years. Even though this was the last Sunday Allen would be on the payroll as a staff member, he will continue as part of the LCH family, sing in the LCH Choir, and help out occasionally when Miguel Felipe is away.

In recognition of his many years of service, the congregation expressed their appreciation at both morning worship services.

At right, Allen receives the thanks of the congregation following the 10:30 worship service. Additional photos are available LCH Facebook page.

Fun and Fellowship Mark Annual LutherFest

Again this year, fun and frivolity characterized the evening of fellowship that is the annual Lutherfest celebration. Mother Mary Margarita was there to sell indulgences along with LutherBucks that attendees could use when they made donations for wine or beer and to vote for winners in the dessert contest.

Contestants went all out for the apple (“the forbidden fruit”) contest. Entries ranged from an apple pie in the shape of a snake and an apple tart in the shape of the Luther Rose, to red jello mixed with apple sauce, and even apple syrup to mix with beer or ginger ale.

And of course, the potluck was both varied and bountiful.

After dinner, there were Reformation carols and a visit from “Brother Martin,” all brought to you by “Lutheran Airlines.”

Mark your calendar now so you don’t miss next year’s celebration on Saturday, October 27.

At left, Mother Mary Margarita selling indulgences and LutherBucks. Additional photos from LutherFest are available LCH Facebook page.

One Pot One Hope

Each month, O‘ahu Lutheran churches in the Hukilau Conference serve a meal to homeless people on the Wai‘anae Coast, and again this month our own Peggy Anderson was one of the main organizers.

Thanks to all the donations from LCH, we actually had enough fruit, granola bars, and water to serve 125. This was the first time to serve so many.

If you want to help with the next serving on November 26, bring your donations to church or write a check to “One Pot One Hope.” They always need fresh fruit, granola bars, water, recycled grocery bags, the big cans of chili available at Costco. Talk to Miss Peggy for more information.

At right, the group gathers around the truck loaded with packed lunches for delivery.

Celebrating Children’s Sabbath

The F.R.O.G.S. Choir and Chamber Orchestra brought their own special liveliness to Sunday worship on October 16 as part of LCH’s annual celebration of Children’s Sabbath.

At left, the F.R.O.G.S. present “The Lord is Good to Me” by Kim Gannon and Walter Kent as the call to worship. F.R.O.G.S. stands for Families Revering Our God in Song.

Additional photos from Children’s Sabbath are available LCH Facebook page.

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Pastor Phyllis Hormann Installed as Chaplain for the Hawai‘i State Hospital

Pacifica Synod Bishop Murray Fincke installed Pastor Phyllis Hormann, a daughter of our congregation, as chaplain at the Hawai‘i State Hospital on Saturday, October 15. Pastor Hormann recently completed her Clinical Pastoral Training and took up this position at the State Hospital in September. Bishop Finke was in town for the Fall Hukilau Assembly. Many from LCH joined in the celebration at the State Hospital.

At right, Bishop Finke (left), Pastor Hormann (second from the left), and members of Pastor Hormann’s family pose for a picture following the installation.

Welcoming New Members

The people of LCH welcomed three new members into our church family following their reaffirmation of faith during the 10:30 service on Sunday, October 9.

Sara Henry DeWitt, David DeWitt, and Brian Mark had all completed their new member class with Pastor Jeff during the last several weeks, and all three chose to commit themselves to the mission of the church and join the congregation.

At left, Brian, Sara, and David hold up the cake at the beginning of the reception in their honor following worship.

If you are interested in finding out more about LCH let Pastor Jeff know or notify the Church Office so you can be informed about the next set of inquiry classes.

Mozart Kicks off Abendmusiken 2011–2012

The 2011–2012 Abendmusiken concert series got off to a rousing start the weekend of October 1–2 with an all-Mozart concert.

The Mozart Konzert featured Carl and Kathy Crosier’s fortepiano in the Fantasia in D Minor and the Piano Quartet in G Minor. For this concert, the strings used gut strings and period bows to match the more delicate sound of the fortepiano. The concert also included Violin Concert in A Major, with Darel Stark conducting and playing the solo, “Exsultate jubilate,” with soprano Georgine Stark, and the LCH Choir singing “Venite, populi.”

New this year was the use of spoken program notes by Miguel Felipe, LCH’s new director of music and liturgy, and Darel Stark.

At right, Carl Crosier on the fortepiano, with Darel Stark, violin, Joanna Morrison-Pernela, cello, and Anna Womack, viola, in the piano quartet. Additonal photos are available on the LCH Facebook page.

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