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LCH E-News—December 21, 2010Behold, A child is born...
As Christmas days draws near, most of us are busy preparing for the “big day” with shopping, house cleaning, cooking, baking, and attending wonderful holiday gatherings. It is a time rich with opportunity and joy, but also rife with possibilities for stress and sadness. In these last few days of Advent, I hope you will take time for reflection, for prayer, and for renewal for both yourself and your family. Here are some ideas using the acronym PEACE: Pause: When you are watching a really great movie on DVD and want to leave the room, you can press the “pause” button. Do the same with your life. Take a break and pray the Lord’s Prayer, breath quietly and deliberately, grab the hand of a loved one and ask them: “How are you?” Just Pause. Energize: Be sure you are consuming healthy and sustaining food. Body and spirit need good fuel to thrive. Eat wholesome grains, vegetables, and lean meats. Try (oh sure!) to limit your intake of Christmas candy. Secondly, exercise. It may be difficult to pull off with guests around, but you will be amazed how expending energy creates more energy. (Love is like that as well.) Ask: Ask for help when you need it. Ask for forgiveness and be ready to give it. Just ask. Create: A meaningful and powerful Christmas experience seldom “just happens.” Create opportunities for Christmas love with good planning and lots of help. Plan your meals to include time for conversation, create spaces for people to gather, and include children and grandchildren in planning the day! Expect: “Come thou long expected Jesus” is a great hymn–and a perfect sentiment for this week. Everything we are doing is occasioned by our celebration of the Messiah’s birth. Expect Christ is your life, at your table, and in your celebration. God is Immanuel! Pr. Jeff Christmas Worship at LCH
UPDATES on LCH ProjectsWhat is happening with...Associate Pastor Task Force: The task force has held three ‘Ohana Meetings to discuss the possibility of calling an associate pastor to enhance our missional outreach. Response from those participating has been largely favorable to the idea. Key concerns raised have focused around financing the position and needing additional clarity about the purpose and scope of the position. The task force is inviting members to further engage to proposal so that they can get a better feel for the congregation’s interest in this project. Look for additional details in the January HeartBeat. For more information or to sign up for an ‘ohana discussion, contact Chuck Huxel. Parking Lot Renovations: The two charrettes were completed and ideas from those meetings are being incorporated into the initial plan. The Congregational Council authorized expenditures not to exceed $7,500 to complete surveys and initial design. Cantor Task Force: 13 persons (all from the mainland) have expressed interest in this part-time position. Application packets have been mailed to the interested parties and are due back to LCH January 31. At that time, the task force will review applications and interview the top candidates. Hörmann Courtyard: Bids for covering the courtyard have been received. The project is temporarily on hold pending a property master plan and additional funds. In the mean time, rain gutters in the courtyard were replaced during the summer months and are working beautifully. Kitchen Updates: We have received a donation to purchase a dishwasher for the kitchen. In addition, the stove needs to be replaced. Both of these items should be completed in January pending additional funding from memorial funds. End of Year DonationsDear Friends in Christ, Thank you for your generous giving throughout this year. Your faithful stewardship has enabled us to grow in ministry and faithfully support the larger church and community. Mahalo! Your generous gifts are always needed and appreciated this time of year, and any gift you can give will be a blessing. Additional gifts to the general fund are always most helpful, but you may also make gifts to support capital projects, community assistance or any other need. The IRS requires that donations made for charitable purposes must be received here at the church or postmarked by December 31 in order to be counted as 2010 charitable deductions. 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 Honolulu1730 Punahou Street, Honolulu, HI 96822 • 808-941-2566 Comments welcome at webmaster@lchwelcome.org |
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On behalf of the whole Lutheran Church of Honolulu ‘ohana, I would like to extend our warmest Christmas greetings and blessings to you and your family. May God bless and keep you as these days of wonder unfold, and may the joy of the Christ child, Immanuel, be ever present in our lives.