LCH E-News—November 15, 2007

From Pastor Jeff

Thanksgiving was always a big deal in our home. Although my Mom was not always off that day, I remember many traditional meals of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, and that jiggly cranberry jelly that comes out shaped like the can. I am sure there were vegetables, but since I didn’t eat vegetables then, I have conveniently blocked it from my memory. I do remember that we generally tried to pass the mashed potatoes to my brother Ron last. He loved mashed potatoes and would eat them all if given the chance. There was contentment around the Thanksgiving table at our house—at least as much contentment as you can get with four active boys! That is how I remember it. It is possible of course, that we had some truly horrible Thanksgivings complete with big family fights and everyone stomping off in different directions. But the Thanksgiving of my heart is the one that I carry around with me and pass on to my children. It may or may not be accurate, but it is real.

For many years, Jean, Meg, Seth, and I have shared the Thanksgiving season with a different sort of family. Our friends Connie and Steve and their children have become a staple of our Thanksgiving meal. Music, laughter, and very competitive games of Liverpool Rummy punctuated smoked turkey and blue cheese walnut dip around the family table. We kept the poor and the hungry in our prayers and shared the joy of loving and being loved by God. Maybe that is what makes Thanksgiving so wonderful: Food, fellowship, and play are wrapped in God’s wonderful presence and love. Perhaps my memories of Thanksgiving are wrapped in that same presence, and that is why they are so real.

Pastor Jeff

Thanksgiving Eve Service and Pie Potluck

Join us Wednesday, November 21st for a worship service and Fellowship event. Our sisters and brothers in Christ from St. Clement’s Episcopal Church will join us for worship and share a pie potluck afterward in the courtyard. Pastor Liz will preach and Pastor Jeff will preside over the service. Jeanette H. will have a signup sheet for pies after church this Sunday.

Joint Thanksgiving Eve Service Wed. November 21st, 7:00 PM

Congregational Meeting Part 1 This Sunday

The first part of our Congregational meeting will take place this Sunday, November 18th, at 9:15 AM. We will distribute the proposed 2008 budget and elect 5 persons to the congregational council. Please plan to attend this very important meeting. There will be refreshments available after the meeting. The final vote for the 2008 Budget will take place on January 27, 2008 at 9:15 AM.

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Office Closed November 22-23

The church office will be closed next Thursday and Friday to allow our employees to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday. Please submit your announcements and other bulletin items to the office by Tuesday, November 20th. Please accept our apology for any inconvenience.

Boardroom Renovation Underway

The boardroom renovation is well underway! As of Thursday, the laminate flooring is being installed, repair and painting of the walls is complete, and materials for the counting room/choir robe room are being purchased. A very dedicated work crew helped empty the three rooms under renovation on Sunday, and then came back to help paint! For renovation pictures visit http://lchwelcome.org/life/2007/renovations.html Look for a long list of mahalos in an upcoming bulletin and newsletter.

LutherFest a Success

Thank you to our wonderful Stewardship team for their efforts on our annual stewardship campaign “Giving from the Heart.” The campaign ended with a celebration party called LutherFest held on the occasion of Martin Luther’s 524th birthday. Great food, fellowship, and a charity auction were part of the festivities. A full report will be found in next month’s Heartbeat.

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