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 3, 2008

From Pastor Jeff

The Trouble with Freedom

Happy Fourth of July! In a recent newscast done as a background story for Independence Day, a reporter asked several people what they valued most about being an “American.” By far the most common answer was, “freedom.” One person responded “Nobody can tell me what to do. I love that!” The high value of freedom is certainly echoed by immigrants to the U.S. from totalitarian regimes and repressed societies. They view the rights and privileges afforded to the average U.S. citizen with wonder and awe and embrace their new found freedom with joy and thankfulness. Those of us who have never known anything but freedom may need to see our lives through the eyes of those who have been oppressed to fully appreciate just how free we are. But how free are we? As we watch the bombs bursting in air, share a cold drink with friends around the BBQ, or watch the million dollar Macy’s Fireworks show from New York, should we be raising some questions?

After 9/11, increased security measures were enacted that curtailed both individual and collective freedoms to a degree seldom seen in U.S. history. In a rare and controversial move, the president allowed that persons who were even thought to be terrorists could be held in prison indefinitely without counsel or communication, without charges being filed, or without any communication with family. Some have argued that most of those being held are not U.S. Citizens and therefore not entitled to rights common to all of us. But the erosion of individual freedoms under the guise of protecting collective freedom extends even to you and me. Wiretapping without court order, combing of internet traffic and email, unfettered access to banking information and personal communication are all tools used each day on persons who have not been accused or suspected of any criminal activity. To say the least, it is difficult to be both free and secure—but we want both. I don’t pass judgment on the necessity or legality of such action, but point out that while we value freedom conceptually, we may not always be aware of how complex freedom becomes when considered from a global perspective. We are clear about freedom when it applies to us individually but are bit fuzzy when asked to apply the same concept to our neighbor.

For Christian people, it is the neighbor who is the beneficiary of our freedom. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God’s people have been set free in a way that no political or socio-economic system could achieve. We worship and honor a God who has declared us a holy people, a royal race, beloved and sacred. This same God freed us from the yoke of slavery to idols of every sort. Nothing we can do or say can break the love that God has for us. Paul, a lover of the Law and prosecutor of the early church, sees in God’s grace a freedom so powerful that he is overwhelmed. It is a freedom celebrated not with fireworks and BBQ’s but a life of compassion and care. In almost the same breath that Paul asserts that faithful disciples of Christ are perfectly free, he also asserts that they are also perfectly slaves. In gaining the freedom grace, we bind ourselves inextricably to our neighbor. Luther asserts that a living faith necessarily takes into account the needs of the neighbor. (See Luther’s Large Catechism, the Ten Commandments.) It can difficult to reconcile popular/secular freedom which values freedom from my neighbor with Christian freedom that values freedom for the sake of my neighbor. But it is not impossible!

The trouble with freedom is that it is not pure or easy to define. Certainly not everyone asserts that American freedom is purely individualistic, nor does every Christian advance the cause of her or his neighbor. However, it might be helpful on this Independence Day to stretch our notions of freedom beyond the obvious. While we give thanks and honor those who died in military service, let also remember those who advanced the cause of freedom through peaceful means. While viewing the fireworks which signify the battles that won freedom from England, let us see there also the light of those who have fed the hungry and refused to strike back. As we eat and fellowship with one another, let us remember those around the world who are hungry, homeless, and helpless. As our hearts are filled with hope in the music and pageantry of the day, let be light and hope for the world. There is plenty of love to go around, feel free to share!

Pastor Jeff

Worship at LCH!

Please join us for worship this Sunday morning! Worship with Holy Communion begins at 9:15 AM. Compline is at 9:00 PM.

Leadership Roundtable this Sunday at 10:30 AM

Committee chairs and ministry chairs are invited to join Pastor Jeff this Sunday after worship for our monthly Leadership Roundtable. If you are not able to attend, please arrange to have a member of your committee represent you at the meeting.

WAPO on Oahu is a success!

Reports from OYEA summer camp have been very positive. Leaders from Camp Wapogassett in Wisconsin have kept the campers and sponsors very busy this week. Please keep our campers in your prayers as they wind up camp on July Fourth.

Traveling this Summer?

If you are off-island this summer, please remember to support the ministry at Lutheran Church of Honolulu by sending your contribution to the office. Our summer slump in giving leaves us gasping a bit by Fall. Thanks for being such wonderful stewards!

Gay Pride Parade a Success!

Several members of LCH participated in the annual Honolulu Pride Parade down Waikiki. Appreciation for our participation was truly palpable as parade watchers cheered us along. We even picked up a couple gentlemen from Germany who were happy to march with fellow Lutherans. Thank you to Jim Cartwright and Bob Zimmer for coordinating this event. Check out our website for pictures.

Human Sexuality Draft

There are three remaining opportunities to discuss the ELCA Draft Study on Human Sexuality.

Join the Miller Family Friday evening, July 11th, at 7:00 pm in Aina Haina.
Join the Castro family in Mililani Saturday, July 12th, at 4:30 pm
Join Bishop Murray Finck at Christ Lutheran in Mililani on July 19th at 9:00 for a listen post event.