Lutheran Church of Honolulu | E-News

The past several months of glum economic news, escalating poverty, world-wide hunger, and increasing political unrest in the world’s poorest nations is taking a toll on all of us. Here in the U.S., we worry about climbing gas prices, record high food costs, a weak dollar, and a sinking stock market. In Thailand, the price of rice has more than doubled as neighboring nations cut off export to meet domestic needs. Even Sam’s Club and Costco are limiting sales of large bags of rice, eroding consumer confidence and triggering widespread worry about future food supplies. On our own islands, families continue to be squeezed as the price of everything is rising much faster than wages. In some cases (the Honolulu Symphony for instance), workers are going without paychecks as organizations feel the pinch of fewer philanthropic dollars. How can we cope with these difficult times? I wish there was an easy answer, but there isn’t. The problems and issues are not anecdotal. Rather, they are rooted in a system that encourages some to have far more than they need while others starve. Unfortunately, greed sometimes overwhelms good stewardship. I am reminded of Psalm 69 that begins:

Save me, O God,

for the waters have come up to my neck

I sink deep in mire,

were there is no foothold;

I have come into deep waters,

and the flood sweeps over me.

The Psalm ends by praising God. Perhaps that is a place we can begin. For some that will sound trite or even impossible. But I am not talking about self-delusional happy thoughts about the divine. I am not suggesting that pasting on a blank-smile-for-Jesus will somehow ease pain or end hunger. I am suggesting that in difficult times, relying on God’s sure love, peace, hope may draw us to be comforted, comfort others, and share what we have for the sake of a broken world. Praising God is not just shouting alleluia; it is being light. Through prayer, the gathering of the faithful, and by sharing our own pain and grief, the community of Christ can mutually comfort one another and the world. Our ability to do that is rooted in God’s love for us. Surely the water is deep, but God does not leave us to drown.

B2B2B—Blessed 2 Build 2 Blessings

Lutheran Church of Honolulu is helping to the Pacifica Synod realize a dream of building a Center for Mission in California and a Lay Training Mission Center in Western Ethiopia. Our goal is to raise $4,000 for this effort. On a challenge from the congregational council, we are hoping to take a good portion of what we collect to the Synod Assembly on May 1. How can you help? Anyone can participate at any level! Every gift from $1 to $5,000 is a glorious gift to God and deeply appreciated. Everyone who participates will have their name included on a wall in the Center for Mission. Thanks for considering this special offering. See the bulletin board in the Hörmann Courtyard for more details.

Boardroom Dedication This Sunday

Please join us after each worship service this Sunday for the dedication of the remodeled Boardroom. Made possible by a generous donation by Steve and Linda Miller, as well as several other donations, the Boardroom is now a much more pleasant environment for meeting and learning, and can even serve as a small chapel. The renovation was undertaken by members of LCH who donated their time, expertise, and imagination for the project.

Concordia University Visit

A representative of Concordia University will be present this Sunday and present a short temple talk during worship. He will also be available between services to answer questions and provide information about this Lutheran university.

LCH E-News—April 24, 2008

From Pastor Jeff—Difficult Times, Desperate Hope

B2B2B—Blessed 2 Build 2 Blessings

Boardroom Dedication This Sunday

Concordia University Visit