LCH E-News Lite—November 25, 2008

From Pastor Jeff

On behalf of the staff and volunteers at Lutheran Church of Honolulu, “May God Bless you as you give thanks for all God’s gifts and the bounty of our lives this Thanksgiving!”

During these waning days of November, our thoughts often turn to the people, relationships, gifts, and all that we have as we give thanks to God around the family table. As people of God, we also remember in our prayers those who are hungry, have no shelter, are at war, are separated from loved ones, and who feel hopeless.

Our prayers are like a two-edged sword with one edge reflecting the bounty of the world and the other its suffering. Jesus walked this edge as he proclaimed the fullness of the kingdom, the wedding feast with no end, and the glorious bounty of God’s creation; while in the same breath sharing the misery of the poor, the diseased, the meek, and the suffering and calling all people to be light, healing, and comfort for the world.

One of the gifts of Christian faith is the able to walk the sharp edge of these two realities and live compassionately in both. We can feast, and share the feast. We can have wealth without being had by wealth. We can be poor and not be captive to poverty, we can be jobless and have our identity intact. This is possible simply because in wealth, distress, joy, anxiety, foolishness, fear, extravagance, and quiet contemplation, God claims us as God’s own. This alone is reason to give thanks in the season.

Thanksgiving Eve Service This Wednesday Night

Please join us this Wednesday evening at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church (the corner of Wilder & Makiki) for a joint Thanksgiving Eve Service at 7:00 pm. The service is simple and short and followed by a delicious pie potluck in the St. Clement’s Parish Hall. We have lots of pie donated, so we will need YOU to help us eat it all. Please do join us for this wonderful event. Thank you Carolyn and April for hosting the pie feast!

Thanksgiving Meal at Lutheran Church of Honolulu

Turkey, ham, cranberry relish, mashed potatoes, pie, fresh baked rolls, and lots of other great food are on the menu for a Thanksgiving feast at LCH in Isenberg Hall. Everyone is invited! If you know someone who would like a family to share Thanksgiving with this Thursday, bring them to us! So far about 18 people have RSVD’d for the event. If you would like to come, please email Pastor Jeff at pr.jeff@lchwelcome.org.

Advent is Here

Sunday, November 30, is the first Sunday in Advent, the church’s New Year. Join us for worship at 8 AM, Jesse Tree Celebration at 9:15, Sunday School at 9:30, and worship at 10:30.

This Sunday we will celebrate the Advent Processional at 7:30 PM. This unique service is a powerful evening of worship ushering in the Advent season. Poster (PDF) For more information please see the HeartBeat Newsletter which should reach you by Saturday. Otherwise you may read it online.

Christmas Trolley Event

Be sure to check the HeartBeat for information about the Christmas Trolley Event December 14th. We will eat together at Kinkaid’s in Ward Center and then board a trolley to view the amazing Christmas decorations in downtown Honolulu. This a special treat, especially if you are new to the Island. A sign-up sheet will be available after worship each Sunday to sign up.

Annual Meeting Completed

Congratulations to Chris Bushman, Olivia Castro, Colin B., and Ann Womack on your election to the Congregational Council. Mahalo for serving!

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