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| LCH E-News—An occasional electronic newsletter for the LCH congregation
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LCH E-News Lite—March 25, 2009From Pastor Jeff
Ministry is much like that pineapple plant. We plant new churches and new ministries into ground we hope is fertile. Sometimes the ministry bears fruit, and sometimes it does not. Often God surprises us with unexpected results and unlooked-for joys! Sometimes the plant that grows is obviously beautiful, but often the beauty may be hidden in deeper layers. Over the past few weeks many of our members have taken the Spiritual Gifts Inventory and learned new ways in which they might be planted for God’s glory. Some were surprised to find they had pastoral gifts; others were delighted to see their gifts of administration lifted up. Others were affirmed in the work they are doing, while still others saw new opportunities to serve. But as the Apostle Paul reminds us, “all gifts are from God.” This Sunday the Stewardship Committee will make available to everyone a catalogue of ways you might be able to share your gifts of ministry as part of the LCH Ohana. I pray you will take a few minutes to browse the catalog and see where you might be planted, where you might help another to find good soil, or where you can bear fruit in Christ. Peace, Please join us this evening for
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| Time | Event | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6:00 PM | Soup & Salad Supper | A simple meal of soup, salad, and bread is offered. Everything is provided; everyone is welcome. |  |
| 7:00 PM | Holden Evening Prayer | A beautiful, quiet and reflective service of the word. Our theme for this evening is “Streams in the Desert.” | |
| 7:30 PM | Book Study | We are studying “The Holy Way” by Paula Huston. Pastor Jeff will lead the discussion. |
You are welcome to come for all or part of this evening’s activities and are encouraged to invite family and friends for this evening of simple fellowship and prayer.
There will be a congregational workday this Saturday, March 28. 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.. Jim Sullivan is coordinating the effort to take care of several projects around the church grounds that need attention. We will be repairing doors, painting, doing grounds work, power washing, and cleaning the Nave (worship space) in preparation for Holy Week and Easter. The Fellowship committee will have coffee, juice, and goodies available upon arrival, and Pastor Jeff will be providing lunch around noon. Jim and his helpers will have all the materials, tools, and instructions ready for each crew. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come help beautify our campus.
Your April HeartBeat will arrive this weekend! Thank you to Billie-Jean, Ernie, Betty, and Paula for preparing the HeartBeat for mailing. Your service is greatly appreciated!
Thank you Steve Miller and the Finance Committee for your careful attention to the financial condition of our congregation. Mr. Miller made some very helpful points about giving and stewardship in his April article for the HeartBeat. Please take a few minutes and read Steve’s musings. I would only add that if your financial situation has changed since you submitted your financial pledge for 2009, and you will not be able to fulfill it (or are able to raise it ☺), please contact Steve Miller so that we have the information we need to make prudent decisions about financial matters. We remain confident in our members, our ministry, and the presence of God in our mission.
Copyright © 2009 Lutheran Church of Honolulu
“I think you just stick it in the dirt and wait.” That was the wisdom that began our pineapple growing experiment on the lanai of our Nuuanu flat. We had just enjoyed one of our favorite fruits of the island, and I wondered what I should do with the spiny head left over from the feast. I remembered reading somewhere that pineapples grow from, well, other pineapples. But there was no seeding or planting of seedlings, nor careful cultivation of vines or pruning of tree branches involved. So we stuck the freshly cut head of the pineapple into the dirt and pretty much left it alone. The plant took hold and grew new, green spiny leaves. The old leaves died away and made room for fresh young shoots growing from the center of the plant. I would not say the plant is pretty, but it has an austere beauty and symmetry that catches both eye and heart. Two years have passed since that fateful leap into Hawaiian agriculture. A couple of weeks ago I noticed that a spiny little flower with barely perceptible purple petals forming in the center of the pineapple plant. This morning as I stood on the lanai drinking my coffee, I discovered that the “flower” was actually a tiny little pineapple complete with its own little spiny head growing up out of the center of the plant. What an amazing (and common) experience!