LCH E-News—November 18, 2009

From Pastor Jeff

Each morning I get up, grab a cup of coffee, and tune in the news. By 5:30 Hawaii time, the hard news based in New York and Atlanta is over, and news shows focusing on finance and the economy dominate the airwaves. Each morning the talking heads deliver increasingly depressing economic forecasts illustrated with crashing line charts and bathed in red ink. With strikingly empathetic voices, news anchors lament the desperate plight of auto workers, teachers, manufacturing line workers, and salespersons and offer condolences to those who are under the economic gun. Layoffs and bleak economic forecasts are set against the backdrop of new record salaries for bank executives and Fortune 500 CEOs. All the while, the Dow ticker flashes red or green in the lower right hand corner of the television serving as an ever-present barometer of our economic day. As CNN’s Tony Harris is fond of saying “we are living in a new reality.” I wonder.

Certainly Tony is right that the current economic situation is drastically different for many North Americans than a few years ago, but it is the same old reality for much of the world. Children were starving all over the world in 1999, and children are starving in 2009. Women were being raped and abused ten years ago, and it is happening again today. How is that a new reality? It that the reality to which we ascribe?

As we approach the season of Advent, our readings turn to words of comfort for an afflicted people. The prophet Daniel envisions a new world where the tyrant is overthrown and the “son of Man” rides a cloud to earth. John on Patmos pens his vision of the new reality where the justice of God reigns. And Samuel sees God doing a “new thing.” At a time when we and the world are feeling afflicted, we need the Word of Hope offered by the one who is coming, and we, the body of Christ, can be hope for those to whom God sends us. Our reality is not defined by line charts or stock markets, but by the cross. Our lives are not measured by net worth and salaried, but in love.

Pastor Jeff

Operation Backpack a GREAT Success

Many thanks to all of you who donated items for Operation Backpack. Although overall donations were down this year, several hundred pounds of supplies were delivered to those in need. Mahalo!

Book of Faith Bible Study Thursday

You are cordially invited to join the book of Faith Bible Study Group this Thursday, Nov. 19, at 10:00 AM. We are finishing up our study of the Apostles Creed.

Thanksgiving Day Potluck

Turkey, ham, fresh baked pie, fresh baked rolls, and traditional orange cranberry salad will be on the table this Thanksgiving at Lutheran Church of Honolulu! Join us Thanksgiving Day at 4:00 PM for a festive gathering. Ham and turkey will be provided, and you are invited to bring your favorite side dish in quantities to share. So far our guest list is at 11 people. If you would like to join us, please RSVP to Jean Lilley through the Church Office (941-2566). Everyone is welcome!

Thanksgiving Eve Service

Come worship the Lord and eat pie at our annual joint Thanksgiving Eve Service Wednesday evening, November 25th, at 7:00 PM. Our sister congregation, St. Clement’s Episcopal, will join us for this excellent evening. Worship will be followed by pie potluck. Bring your favorite fresh-baked or store bought pie—Chocolate Haupia is always a favorite :)—and Pr. Jeff is bringing ice cream.

New Member Classes Concludes this Saturday

Pastor Jeff invites all interested persons and families to join him for LCH Inquiry Class this Saturday. Inquiry Class is for anyone interested in exploring congregational membership at Lutheran Church of Honolulu or anyone who might be interested in the subject matter. We will touch on issues of faith, theology, the history of Christianity, Lutheranism, and whatever else is of interest to the participants. November 21, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. Everyone is welcome!

Pledge Cards Accepted this Sunday

The Congregation will receive all pledge cards for 2010 and present them in thanksgiving this Sunday during both morning worship services. Families and individuals are encouraged to estimate their giving to the ministry of Lutheran Church of Honolulu and offer that estimate on a pledge card so that we can better plan our budgeted income for 2010.

Financial gifts enable us to live out the mission God has given us through worship, education, community outreach, staff support, and benevolence that supports the work of the wider church. Although the budget is formed around the mission of the congregation, pledged giving helps assure leaders of the congregation that they are on the right track for the coming fiscal year.

Pledge cards and forms to initiate electronic fund transfers are available in the church office or online and will be available on Sunday from any usher. Please take a moment to share your financial commitment to the ministry of God at LCH!

Parking Notes

Aloha! Parking in the Makiki Neighborhood is very tight. For this reason, the Congregational Council recently renewed a towing contract with ACE towing. Every evening ACE towing patrols the church parking lot (not the Poki Lot) and tows any cars present in the lot after midnight. Cars are towed to the ACE towing yard on Sand Island where they can be redeemed for $175 cash only.

If you are having a church event that will run past 11:00 PM, please make arrangements with the Parish Administrator (Kanani) well in advance of your event. Participants will be issued a placard to hang on their mirror so they will not be towed. If your car breaks down in the church parking lot or you must leave your car over night for any reason, be sure to contact Kanani immediately so that she can authorize your car with the towing company.

We know this is inconvenient. However, since we contract with Punahou students to park in our lot Monday–Friday, it is important to assure that their parking places are available when they arrive for school.

Mahalo for your understanding.

Help Needed—but so far not a single response :(

Our Church building and grounds are one of the many gifts God has given us to care for. Currently we are in transition with our groundskeeping staff and would appreciate any help you might be able to give to keep our grounds and building beautiful.

What needs to be done? Sweeping perimeter sidewalks, raking beds, pulling weeds, cleaning windows and benches, powerwashing the entryway, and stripping and polishing Isenberg Hall are all jobs that need help.

If you are able to donate a little time, please contact Pastor Jeff at pr.jeff@lchwelcome.org,

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