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—May 8, 2008

From Pastor Jeff

90% of life is just showing up—Woody Allen

“And there was a sound like a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.”

“They were all together in one place,” says the author of Acts. The mighty wind woke up the residents of Jerusalem and they gathered around the disciples only to hear Jesus’ Galilean followers speaking about God’s mighty and powerful deeds in every language. The crowd was amazed and bewildered by what they saw and heard. It was the beginning of something the disciples themselves never expected. God gifted them with Holy Spirit that day. They spoke in tongues they did not know; they preached to a microcosm of the whole world; and it set them on a journey to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Imagine if no one had shown up that day. The wind would have blown, but no one would have known. Tongues of fire would have been flitting around finding nowhere to rest. The gift of the Spirit would have, at least on that day, gone un-given. Woody Allen once said, “90% of life is just showing up.” While somewhat cynical, it speaks a truth that we as Christians need to hear. If we do not show up, an opportunity is lost to share the Gospel. If we do not show up, are we sure someone else will feed the hungry in our stead? If we do not show up, who will take our place and tell the story of God active, loving, and graceful in the world? If we do not show up, on whom will God’s fiery Spirit rest? The disciples were there, the crowd was there, and God worked God’s Spirit that day. Imagine what God might have in store for us, if only we show up?

Pastor Jeff

Abendmusiken Supports IHS this Sunday

Thrivent logo Join us this Sunday and bring Mom and other friends to the Abendmusiken Concert Bach Pilgrimage V. Always a delight, the concert will feature beautiful music in the intimate venue of Lutheran Church of Honolulu. Seldom will you have the opportunity to experience such fine music and actually be able to see the musicians. This concert is a fundraiser for the Institute of Human Services. Thrivent Financial Services will match up funds raised 3:1 up to $1,600 as part of the Care Abounds in Community program. The concert begins at 4:00 pm and tickets are available at the door.

Mahalo!

Thank you for your generous donations to Angel Network! I will deliver the food tomorrow to our friends and neighbors who most desperately need your help.

Myanmar (Burma) Needs Prayers

A devastating Cyclone hit Myanmar, resulting in thousands of dead and tens of thousands of displaced and missing people. Lutheran World Relief has established a fund to help with this disaster. Check out the Lutheran World Relief website to see how you can help. In the mean time, please keep the victims of this disaster and all others in need around the world in your prayers. An exercise for your youngsters: Find Myanmar on a map. Here is a great link: <www.google.com/search?q=myanmar+map>!

Bread for the World Sunday

Bread for the World logo This Sunday is Bread for the World Sunday. Come hear how the Spirit is alive and at work in the world feeding the hungry and helping the hopeless. A representative from Bread for the World will bring greetings, lead Adult Forum, and speak with the Sunday School classes. There will also be an opportunity to participate in the annual BFW letter writing campaign. Mahalo to Social Ministry for sponsoring this event.

Pau Hana Party

Join Pastor Jeff and the Pau Hana crew Friday, May 30, at the Magic Island end of Ala Moana Beach. The Pau Hana crew will have dinner ready after 5 pm, but come any time after 3:30 to hang at the beach, play music, or have great fellowship. Show up after work, kick off those high heels and yucky leather business shoes, and remember that you live in Hawaii! Dinner, drinks, plates, and everything else will be provided.

B2B2B


Proposed for Ethiopia		Already finished Center for Mission in CA

The Holy Spirit is resting on our heads! Our Bishop is challenging every person in the Pacifica Synod to contribute to help build a Center for Evangelism training in Ethiopia. Christianity is growing at an amazing rate in Ethiopia, with Lutherans leading the way. Lay evangelists are bringing God’s word of hope in this African nation, and we can help. We hope to raise 1 million dollars to pay off the Pacifica Synod Center for Mission and Learning and build the Center for Evangelism in Ethiopia. You can help by placing your donation in the offering plate this Sunday marked B2B2B in the memo line. We have already raised more than $2,500 of our $4,000+ goal. Congratulations!