The HeartBeat

A Message from Pastor Jeff

An Awakened Church

Pastor Jeff LilleyLast Sunday we celebrated Pentecost—the birth of the Christian Church—in wind, flame, and word. The book of Acts records how Peter and the disciples spoke in the Spirit to crowds of people who had gathered from around the world, including Crete, Pamphilia, and Cyrene. Each person heard the gospel in their own language even though those who spoke the words were from Galilee. It was as if the gospel message had crossed the barriers of language and culture, preference and apathy, to rest on the hearts of all who had ears. Those who heard the message of the disciples were “stirred up” or “awakened” and began to ask, “What does this all mean?”

This “awakened church” became the seed for a two-thousand year adventure that continues to this day. But many are noticing a bit of sleepiness in our midst.

Pentecost flames and dove graphicLast Sunday, we celebrated Pentecost Sunday here at Lutheran Church of Honolulu. While I am ever thankful for the many of you who faithfully serve and worship each week, I looked out on Sunday and asked myself, “What does this mean?” The crowd was, well, sparse. Please don’t get me wrong or think me petty, it is simply disheartening to see so few people on one of the great holidays of the church. Of course, we have many Sundays where there are lots of people in worship, but what does it mean that LCH is beginning to follow the overall U.S. trend of declining attendance and membership? Is something missing? Are you not being fed in substantive ways? Have the members or pastors let you down in some way? Do you have ideas for new ministry or yearn for something new? Maybe it is all of the above or none of the above, but I feel the worst thing is to pretend not to notice. Worship attendance is an important barometer in the health of any ministry, and Pastor Angela and I want to be sure we are paying attention. We also want to invite your feedback. If there are areas in need of improvement (there always are!), we want to hear about it from and in listening, to serve you in Christ.

Last Sunday, we celebrated Pentecost—the birth of the church in wind, flame, and word—but the celebration is not yet at an end; it is just beginning. After one hundred years of ministry I truly believe that the Holy Spirit is just getting started with Lutheran Church of Honolulu! You are an amazingly talented, gifted, and generous people who are called, gathered, and enlightened in Christ. What might be possible if we were awakened like the crowds from Crete, Pamphilia, and Cyrene were awakened on that first day of Pentecost? What ministries would you love to be a part of? What new ministries is the Holy Spirit calling us to? What would your answer be to the question, “What is God up to in me and in my church today?” An awakened church probably has more questions than answers. We may not be sure exactly what it all means, but we know that we experience God, one another, and the world in amazing and life changing ways. May God’s Pentecost Spirit awaken us.

With peace,
Pastor Jeff Lilley
pr.jeff@lchwelcome.org

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Don't Forget!!
Summer Worship Schedule
Begins June 2!

9:15 AM • Holy Communion

7:30 PM • Evening Prayer
(1st and 3rd Sundays)

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May Council Highlights

Council met Tuesday, May 21. Here are some of the highlights of the meeting:

  • Anticipated Lemke Trust bequest received. Funds used towards the payoff of Luther Place mortgage.
  • Since the PV installation, system has avoided 220,943.53 lbs. of CO2, with a total yield of 143,169.01 kWh.
  • Hörmann Courtyard Update: Still looking at design options from Kunkle Works. Further information to be presented at next month’s meeting.
  • Financial Review Committee has been assembled and will begin work in June to finish 2010 audit and complete 2009 audit.
  • Member/plate giving at approximately 89% of expected giving YTD.
  • Mission Investment Fund account has been cashed and closed out—no longer necessary after payoff of Luther Place mortgage. Funds used towards new refrigerator and Kathy Crosier’s celebration.
  • LCH constitution has been revised to meet current ELCA standards. Review tabled: will be reviewed by Council and finalized at next meeting.
  • Website team collaborating with web designer to update LCH website and communication outlets. New website launch date set for end of summer.

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Process Thought

Saturday, June 8, 9:30 AM–11:00 AM

Pastor Fritz FritschelThe topic for this month’s Process Thought group entails the relationship between Buddhism and Christianity. Our local demography suggests that we have a special opportunity to engage in a dialogue between the two faiths. As a focus, we will examine the article, “What is the purpose of life? Wisdom, Compassion, Creativity.” The article can be found on the website of “Jesus, Jazz and Buddhism,”—a website familiar to those who have attended our group before. Our discussions are always open to new comers and promise to be stimulating. Saturday, June 8, 9:30–11:00 AM at Lutheran Church of Honolulu.

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Good Gifts Benefit Concert Complete!

musical notes  graphicThe children would like to thank everyone who contributed to the 2013 Good Gifts Benefit Concert. In total, $3,165.00 was raised!

The children discussed how they would like to distribute the funds through the ELCA’s Good Gifts program, and after much discussion, they decided to opt for a healthcare package This healthcare package includes four surgeries for eyesight restoration, routine health and dental care for twenty-one children, immunization and vaccinations for twenty children, one-year home visits and medication for six HIV or AIDS patients, two mosquito nets, and three medical treatments for malaria. We will be sending an order request in the next few weeks.

If you would like to learn more about the Good Gifts program and the options the children chose to support, please visit <www.elca.org/goodgifts>. Thank you again for supporting the children’s endeavors here at LCH!

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Mokule‘ia Summer Camp

summer graphic“Breaking New Ground” is the theme for this year’s overnight summer camp at Camp Mokule‘ia! The camp is owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai‘i, but the program is open for all children—Lutherans too! For children entering grades 9–12, camp is July 5–11. For children entering grades 4–8, camp will be July 12–14. Talk with Pastor Angela for more info or visit the event website <www.LCHwelcome.org/camp13>.

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Register Now! Day Camp/Vacation Bible School

“REACH” • 2 Corinthians 5:16–20
June 3–7 • 9:00 AM–3:00 PM (M–Th), 9:00 AM–Noon (Friday)

This day camp program is for children entering grades K–6. Older children are invited and encouraged to participate as helpers. The registration fee is $80 for the first child and $50 for each additional child in a family. Children are asked to bring a lunch with them every day (except Friday). For more information or to register, contact Pastor Angela at <pr.angela@lchwelcome.org>.

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Congratulations Mark!

Mark Wong, our new organist has just accepted the position of Director of Communications for the City and County of Honolulu. We are proud to have him as a part of our wonderful staff and equally proud that he joins Mike Formby on the Mayor’s Cabinet.

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Committee/Interest Group Chairs

Committee/GroupLeader
Aloha Jam: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Archives: James Cartwright
Audit: Sarah Roseberg
Concert: Miguel Felipe
Communications: Carol Langner
Council: Mary Fastenau
Exploring Boundaries: Carol Langner
Fellowship: Jeanne Castello
& Mary-Jo Estes
Finance: Fred Benco
Food for Thought: Kathryn Klingebiel
Garden Club: Carol Langner
In Stitches: Linda Miller
Learning Ministry: Fred Benco
Mary Magdalene Society: Robert Zimmer
& Francisco Barajas
Ministry Plan Task Force: Olivia Castro
Mutual Ministry: Mike Formby
Pau Hana: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Process Theology: The Rev. Fritz Fritschel
Property: Jean-Paul Klingebiel
& June Smith
Scholarship: Fred Benco
Social Ministry: Jean Lilley
Stewardship: Pam Buckley
Sunday School: Laurie Leach
& Linda Miller
Worship & Music: Linda Miller
Writers’ Workshop: Kathryn Klingebiel
Youth: Pr. Angela Freeman

What’s New on the LCH Website?

Bill Potter, Webmaster

Bill PotterMay has been fairly quiet on the LCH website. An article about the visit of the Lehigh University Glee Club as the guest choir for Choral Eucharist on May 12 was added Congregational Life page. Additional stories are expected for Sunday School Fun Day and Trinity Vespers on May 26.

With the summer worship schedule due to take effect on June 2, the Home, Worship, and Visitor pages have been updated so that potential visitors are aware of the change.

In addition, Pastor Angela Freeman has brought together a committee to examine our website and our use of social. Carol Langner, Aaron Gould, Andrew McCaffrey, and I are working with Pastor Angela to shape our use of these media in order to communicate more effectively with both visitors and members. Watch for updates in the months ahead.

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A Message from Pastor Angela

Multi-media Outreach

Pastor Angela FreemanYou may remember that one of the responsibilities the congregation entrusted to me when issuing my term call was “Outreach Ministry.” A good portion of that was meant to send me (and hopefully others) into Waikiki to connect with people there and to build up the church outside our walls. While that is still a brewing idea that Pastor Jeff and I have discussed, are praying about, and are talking with other ministry leaders about, there’s another important outreach ministry that also is getting some attention. That ministry is our online presence through social media, website, email newsletters, and even our digital imaging or logo.

After the core staff and I mulled over our multi-media ministry for many months, I then turned to members of our communications team, as well as a few other folks, to discuss our online ministry. These technologies are rewriting the ways that we connect not only with one another who are already in relationship, but especially with the ways that new members of the ‘ohana connect with us for the first time. New technologies are changing the way conversations, influence, community, ministry, and leadership happen.

Even though social media, websites, etc. are still not the preferred way of communication for many people today, there’s no way of denying that it is invaluable for healthy outreach and connection to the wider community. They are not just tools—they are ways of being in the world. They have become an integrated part of our culture, our lives, and even the way we practice our faith.

Together with the newly formed website team and the staff, we are working on a “re-branding” of sorts. The goal for us is that by the end of the summer, we will have reworked our website, reinvigorated our use of social media, and started to refresh our logo. It is important that all of these tools work together to support each other so that we will have the best practice of outreach and community connection. We want to be clear that what we currently have and have been using certainly isn’t bad. In fact, it’s rather good and has been maintained and worked on by faithful and talented people. But we also believe that a fresh face to the wider community reflects healthy and vibrant ministry for new people. We hope that these updates and changes will help to show that.

We live in a very different world than we did just a few years ago. Our lives have changed, and our church and our leaders are working hard to keep up. Please pray for our web-based ministry and please share ideas with me if and when you have them. And, stay tuned for a fabulous revealing of website, refreshed logo, and social media practices that we hope will all come together by summer’s end!

Yours on the journey,
Pastor Angela Freeman
pr.angela@lchwelcome.org

P.S. If you haven’t done so yet, I invite you to start following me and connecting online.

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Ongoing Opportunity with Holoholo!

Local Goods & Shopping at LCH
Every Other Thursday, 2–4:00 PM

Buying locally is an act of environmental stewardship and care for God’s creation. Now, you can do it right here at LCH.

We’ve had our first successful pickup, but you can still join in at any time by going to <www.holoholostore.com>. There you can order your bag of produce and add on other items like honey, coffee, eggs and more. When you’re checking out, make sure you click on LCH as your pick up spot. There are multiple bag sizes offered and even trial bags available as well. The next pickup is scheduled for June 13.

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Office Closed—King Kamehameha Day

Tuesday, June 11

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Attendance and Offerings for May
Date Worship Service    Attendance Offering Fund    Offering Amount
May 5    8:00 AM Service 52 Offering $4,353.00
10:30 AM Service 79 Sunday School Offerings $6.00
Total 131 Social Ministry $55.00
    Good Gifts Benefit Concert $50.00
    Music Fund $5.00
    Mission Campaign $215.00
       
May 12    8:00 AM Service 66 Offering $2,160.00
10:30 AM Service 108 Sunday School Offerings $3.00
Total 174 Good Gifts Benefit Concert $500.00
    Mission Campaign $300.00
       
May 19    8:00 AM Service 63 Offering $2,515.00
10:30 AM Service 70 Sunday School Offerings $5.00
Evening Prayer 20 Altar Flowers $35.00
Total 153 Angel Network $10.00
    Wounded Warriors $1,250.00
    Mission Campaign $400.00
       
May 26    8:00 AM Service 55 Offering $2,137.00
10:30 AM Service 64 Sunday School Offerings $2.00
Holy Trinity Vespers 99 Music Fund $250.00
Total 218 Mission Campaign $60.00

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Prayer Requests
Alicia Eric Maggie prayer request graphic
Amy Gene Shirley
Carl George Stephen
Chris Karen Susan
Elaine   Trinity

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June Birthdays
Date Name Larkspur: June birth flower
06/03 Kiyoko Nitz
06/03 Vincent Reid W.
06/04 LaVerne Rickard
06/04 Michael Sato
06/04 Angela Freeman
06/05 Jaime Crozier Garcia
06/06 Crescent C.
06/07 Austin Buckley
06/09 John Bickel
06/09 Kathryn Klingebiel
06/10 Miriam Sato
06/11 Susan Burns
06/11 Diane Perushek
06/13 Don Blanchard
06/14 Randy Christensen
06/16 Max W.
06/18 Seth Lilley
06/22 Joseph Pettit
06/26 Jeff Lilley
06/27 Sylvia Hormann-Alper

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LCH Worship Participants
Holy Communion or Choral Eucharist (9:15 AM)
DATE June 2 June 9 June 16 June 23 June 30
LECTOR Jimmy Castro Jim Cartwright Fritz Fritschel April Smith Sara Heidenheimer
DEACON       Jim Cartwright Frank Haas
SUBDEACON       Juli Cummings Mary Fastenau
COMMUNION
ASSISTANTS
Laurie Leach
Peggy Anderson
Jeff Mack
Frank Haas
Mike Formby
Peter Lee
Ray Herradura
Mary Fastenau
Amanda Lippert
Sheena Lim-Urban
Jim Cartwright
Randy Christensen
Phyllis Hormann
Adriane Clissold
Sara Heidenheimer
Chuck Huxel
ACOLYTE Wyatt Y. Sophia S. Dylan D. Ian C. Nathalie J.
LAYING ON
OF HANDS
  Bob Zimmer      
USHERS Bill Fay
LaVerne Rickard
Peter Flachsbart
Bill Fay
LaVerne Rickard
Peter Flachsbart
Bill Fay
LaVerne Rickard
Peter Flachsbart
Bill Fay
LaVerne Rickard
Peter Flachsbart
Bill Fay
LaVerne Rickard
Peter Flachsbart
ALTAR
GUILD
Olivia Castro
Mary-Jo Estes
Billie Jean Ries
Penny Lawhn
Olivia Castro
Mary-Jo Estes
Billie Jean Ries
Penny Lawhn
Olivia Castro
Mary-Jo Estes
Billie Jean Ries
Penny Lawhn
Olivia Castro
Mary-Jo Estes
Billie Jean Ries
Penny Lawhn
Olivia Castro
Mary-Jo Estes
Billie Jean Ries
Penny Lawhn

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HeartBeat Deadline

Next HeartBeat Deadline is Tuesday, June 18!

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Calendar: June 2013
Day Date Event and Time
Sunday June 2 Angel Network In-Gathering
Holy Communion, 9:15 AM
Leadership Roundtable, 10:30 AM
Confirmation, 3:30 PM
Poetry Group, 7:00 PM
Evening Prayer, 7:30 PM
Monday June 3 Summer Day Camp (June 3–7), 9:00 AM
Mutual Ministry Meeting, 6:30 PM
Tuesday June 4 Hukilau Pastors’ Conference 9:30 AM
Thursday June 6 Book of Faith Bible Studies, 10:00 AM
Staff Meeting, 3:00 PM
Saturday June 8 Process Thought Forum, 9:30 AM
Sunday June 9 Angel Network In-Gathering
Holy Communion, 9:15 AM
Monday June 10 All Staff Meeting, 5:00 PM
Worship & Music, 6:30 PM
Tuesday June 11 Office Closed—King Kamehameha Day
Wednesday June 12 Finance Committee Meeting, 12:30 PM
Thursday June 13 Book of Faith Bible Studies, 10:00 AM
Holoholo Pickup, 2:00 PM
Saturday June 15 Prayer Group Meeting, 9:00 AM
Sunday June 16 Holy Communion, 9:15 AM
Evening Prayer, 7:30 PM
Tuesday June 18 HeartBeat Deadline, 9:00 AM
Council Meeting, 6:30 PM
Thursday June 20 Book of Faith Bible Studies, 10:00 AM
Staff Meeting, 3:00 PM
Friday June 21 IHS Meal Preparation, 1:00 PM
IHS Meal Serving, 5:30 PM
Saturday June 22 One Pot One Hope, 10:00 AM
Sunday June 23 Holy Communion, 9:15 AM
Thursday June 27 Book of Faith Bible Studies, 10:00 AM
Holoholo Pickup, 2:00 PM
Staff Meeting, 3:00 PM
Saturday June 29 Pau Hana, 5:00 PM
Sunday June 30 Holy Communion, 9:15 AM
Monday June 31 Mutual Ministry Meeting, 6:30 PM

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