LCH E-News—February 3, 2010

From Pastor Jeff

The Musings of a Backyard Mechanic

A few days ago I found myself under an old VW bug pounding out damage from an accident two years past. The car has sat for awhile patiently waiting my attention. Some changes in our family situation dictate that the VW had to be brought out of stasis, so I began cutting off mangled rear fender sand the crushed decklid and removing the severely damaged engine. Over several weeks—an hour here, and an hour there—I began to put it all back together. I found fenders from someone else’s project car that didn’t quite fit, so I pounded out the old fenders, smoothing the creases and bending them into shape. The rear apron was toast, so a replacement was fastened in. Wiring that had been hastily torn out after the accident took time and patience to restore, but now the right lights come on when the right switch is thrown, so well done and good grief. Other parts were purchased and still others scavenged from other projects. Today I am waiting for Steve-the-VW-engine guy to call and tell me he has the engine back together. Soon we will be puttering along-not quite done, but serviceable.

Someone asked me why I didn’t just get rid of that car and get something that didn’t take time or effort. It is a great question. I’ve thought about her question of couple of times over the past few days and concluded a couple of things. First, that old car is, I think, a metaphor for the church. She is old, timeless, mostly functional, reliable, but always in need of a little work. Like the church, she has accidents major and minor that ding her up and even lay her up. But eventually someone comes along willing to put the time, energy, and money needed to bring her up to snuff. Like the church, she takes me somewhere, and takes me there in style. When I drive to Long’s Drug Store in my Saturn Vue, nobody even notices. But the same journey in a vintage VW seems to stirs memories and smiles. It is a great bridge between people. The church is like that. It helps us notice one another and bridges the gaps between us. Pretty cool. And the church is really never quite done. We are always learning more about God, our selves, and the world. We constantly seek to understand how we can better learn to live together in the world. So like my old car, the church is never quite finished.

Finally, the church takes all kinds. Gifts of mechanics and marriage counselors, preachers and painters, sheet metal workers and sextons, car buffers and choirs are needed to keep the wheels turning and the journey joyful. (There is even room for those folks content to watch the parade go by and contribute with sheer admiration.) So I give thanks for the church, for the work and joy that she brings, and for the opportunity to make God known through her. ’Scuse me, I see a dent that needs tending.

Book of Faith Bible Study Thursday, Feb. 3, 10:00 am

Join the Book of Faith Study group this (and every Thursday) in the Boardroom for Bible Study and fellowship. We are just getting started studying the Book of Romans. Often regarded as one of the earliest New Testament writings, the letter to the Romans is Paul’s powerful—and sometimes controversial—theological treatise. We will study Chapters 2 & 9 this Thursday. Persons of every level of biblical knowledge (or none at all) are welcomed and encouraged to join this very fun group.

Punahou Carnival Parking Fundraiser this Weekend!!

The youth group and their wonderful volunteers will be manning the parking lots this weekend parking cars for the Punahou Carnival. The fundraiser benefits our youth program and helps support Oahu Youth Education and Activities each month. For this reason, doing business at the church on Friday Feb. 5, and Saturday, Feb. 6th, will be very problematic. If you have business that can’t be transacted via phone, please plan to come to the office on Thursday.

Thank you Jerelyn Watanabe, Pam Buckley, Jean Lilley, and the rest of the planning team, volunteers, and youth helping with this fundraiser!

Adult Sunday School

CONNECTING WITH THE SACRED

Adult Sunday School (9:15 am, Boardroom) will explore different ways to connect with the sacred. Each of us has a preferred way of interacting.

Led by Steve Miller. Please come and discuss with us. All ages welcome. Maybe you will discover a new way to put more meaning in your life!

Evensong at St. Andrew’s Cathedral

The Lutheran Church of Honolulu Choir and Pastor Jeffrey Lilley will join the Cathedral Choir and clergy for a joint Evensong at 5:30 PM at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. Evensong—the traditional Anglican form of Evening Prayer—is sung at the Cathedral on the first Sunday of each month. We last joined them on November 2, 2008. Music for the Epiphany Season to be featured will be “Hail, gladdening Light” by Charles Wood, Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (Gloucester Service) by Herbert Howells, and the double choir motet “Duo seraphim clamabant” by Jacob Handl. The Cathedral cordially invites you to attend.

Compline at LCH will not be sung this evening.

Reception for Phyllis Anderson Canceled

The wine and cheese reception for Phyllis Anderson, president of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, has been canceled. Originally scheduled for Sunday evening, Feb, 7th, the event was canceled due to scheduling conflicts.

Congregational Retreat Feb 27th

Please plan to join the Congregational Council and Pastor Jeff for a congregational retreat February 27th beginning at 10:00 a.m. here at LCH. President Olivia Castro and Jim Niermann will present the Ministry Plan that has been under construction for several years, and we are seeking your input on this document that will inform and shape our ministry for the next few years.

We want to hear:

• your ideas and desires for growing the ministry of LCH
• your passions for service and your ideas for small groups
• your joys and delights
• your hopes for the future and your disappointments in the present and past.

This is a great opportunity for you to share your ideas and be heard by your fellow members and elected leaders.

Top of Page

Would you like the full week’s schedule at LCH? Visit our online calendar.

Do you have news you would like included in the LCH E-News? Please send your text to pr.jeff@lchwelcome.org by Wednesday morning along with the dates and duration of publication. Mahalo!

Would you like to have LCH E-News delivered directly to your email box? Subscribe to the LCH E-News mailing list.

Copyright © 2010 Lutheran Church of Honolulu
1730 Punahou Street, Honolulu, HI 96822 • 808-941-2566
Comments welcome at webmaster@lchwelcome.org