Lutheran Church of Honolulu, 1730 Punahou St., Honolulu, HI 96822; ELCA; 808-941-2566

LCH E-News—An occasional electronic newsletter for the LCH congregation

LCH E-News—July 12, 2007

From Pastor Jeff

Pastor Jeff Lilley A Living Inspiration: When I got home form work yesterday, there was a package waiting for me. A padded envelope with familiar handwriting in the usual blue Sharpie™ pen indicated that my friend Steve had sent his latest album. I’ve gotten dozens of these envelopes over the years, but I had been anticipating this one for a couple of weeks. This new album contains songs that I had heard Steve sing many times, but had seldom performed, and never recorded. In the liner notes, I was surprised to see my name mentioned. In the enclosed card, Steve thanked me for inspiring him to move ahead on this project. Frankly, I was a little stunned. For me, the inspiration in our relationship has always run the other way. In fact, Steve has really been a living inspiration for me- something everyone probably needs!

Years ago Steve Eulberg <www.owlmntnmusic.com> invited me to play guitar at a Synod Assembly in Kansas City. There were several instrumentalists of every ability. I counted myself among the novice group and tried to play as quietly as possible. It was amazing to watch how Steve encouraged, challenged, praised, and helped each musician as we rehearsed. As confidence built, so did the quality of our music. Over the years Steve continued to encourage my musical gifts, and we became very close friends. He was the first person outside my family to encourage my song writing and often made my songs better with back-up vocals and instrumental lead parts. Like every great mentor, he encouraged me to move beyond what I thought I could do and encouraged me to share that gift with the world around me. Perhaps that is why my name appears in the liner notes of Steve’s albums. The gift that he has been for me has returned to him. I am grateful for the many ways he has been friend and mentor, but most of all am grateful that his care and love have encouraged me to be an inspiration to others.

Someone once said that the greatest sermons are never spoken, but lived. As we move through our lives, we might do well to seek out those people who have inspired us and thank them. At the same time, we might want to set aside our own fears and discomforts, our anxieties and feelings of inadequacy, and open ourselves to being living inspirations for others. God gifts each of us in some way so that we can be a gift for others! Tutoring after school, sharing a word of encouragement with a lonely elder, sharing a joke with friend, or helping someone discover their own gifts are all ways we can inspire and bring the gift of God’s love to others. Perhaps you too are, or can be “a living inspiration.”

Mahalo!

To Carol and crew for the garden work party last week. Quite a lot of work was completed by this small but energetic crew. There is still a lot do, and your help would be greatly appreciated. Carol would like to have crews work each Sunday for the next couple of weeks to improve the looks of our grounds. If you would like to help, please contact Carol.
To Brian Weis for sponsoring our Kupuna Ohana gathering at the Wai‘oli tea room last week. Also, mahalo to Chuck and Paul for transportation and Jerelyn for scribing. We had a wonderful time!
To Geri for serving as our substitute musician these past weeks. You were wonderful!
To Peggy for bringing our youth home safely from summer camp on the Mainland.

The Little Lutheran

Little Lutheran cover Did you know there is a children’s edition of the popular publication The Lutheran? This new magazine is aimed at toddlers and young children and includes fun activities and faith builders. This might be a great resource for your children, grandchildren, or any young family you might know. Click here to find out more: The Little Lutheran <wwww.thelittlelutheran.org/little/>

FIRST SUNDAY INGATHERING FOR ANGEL NETWORK

Mark Sunday August 5th on your calendars and make that extra trip to Costco or Sam’s Club. While donations for Angel Network are welcome any time, I would like to set the first Sunday of every month as a special ingathering for Angel Network. Bring canned foods, sample-sized shampoo, soap etc., personal items. Spam, cup-a-noodle, and canned tuna are favorites. Also, bring plastic grocery sacks which are used to distribute the items to our friends in need. There will be a table set up in the courtyard to receive your donations.

DID YOU KNOW?

That the nearly $500 offering from Pastor Jeff’s installation was split between Angel Network and the Fund for First Call theological Education of the Pacifica Synod! Your donations are hard at work making a difference in people’s lives : )

The Gospel Is for Everyone!

We are having a wonderful time in worship every Sunday and we want to make sure you and everyone you know can be a part of our Ohana! One of the hallmarks of our congregation is that every person, regardless of age, ethnic background, sexual orientation or heritage, is welcome in this Ohana. Help us to be a welcoming congregation by inviting people you already know and love to worship and fellowship here. We are not hunting for members; we are excited about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with an ever-widening and inclusive community. So take a chance and invite someone to church!!!!

ALSO!!!!

Do you know of members who have drifted away? Invite them to join you for worship and take them out for a nice lunch afterward. Help Pastor and the rest of the staff to care for our lost sheep.

Mark your Calendars for Voices and Viols:

7:30 PM in the Nave of Lutheran Church of Honolulu. For more information, contact the church office or Cathy Crosier.

Ohana Gatherings:

Three more opportunities to participate in an Ohana Gathering are available. Saturday 7/14 @ Peggy A.; Sunday 7/22, 10:30 at Church; and Sunday 7/22, 6:30 PM at Peter and Micheal’s. Please contact the church office or Olivia C. to sign up!

Kieki Play Group Sponsored by Jerelyn!

I hope summer is going well for you. My girls and I are getting ready to go back to school at the end of July!

I’m hoping to start up a regular playgroup for the LCH keiki since my daughters are always thrilled to see their LCH friends outside of the church campus.

I was hoping to meet for a playdate at Manoa Park on Friday, August 3rd. I was thinking 3:30-6 but we could shift it a little later to accomodate those coming after work. If everyone brings a child-friendly snack to share we could plan to have a snack at about 5 or so. Please bring your own drinks since the drinking fountain is a little sketchy. If it rains we can play at our place (about a block from the park).

If you can make it (or think you might be able to), could you please email me (I check every day) or give me a call (I’m in the Directory) Please pass on this information to anyone I’ve missed or who might enjoy this opportunity.

Also, if you are not interested in participating in this playgroup, please do let me know and I will remove your email from my list.

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