Lutheran Church of Honolulu, 1730 Punahou St., Honolulu, HI 96822; ELCA; 808-941-2566

LCH E-News—An occasional electronic newsletter for the LCH congregation

LCH E-News—June 16, 2011

From Pastor Jeff

A New Creation

Pastor Jeff Lilley For some years now Kilauea Volcano has been making her presence known in the Hawaiian Islands. One of the most active volcanoes in the world, Kilauea is a tourism attraction, a spectacle of nature’s awesome power, or a supreme inconvenience depending on one’s perspective. But up close and personal, one might see a different perspective that is really quite awesome. Several years ago on a clergy retreat in Volcanoes National Park, several folks were able to hike out onto the flow and witness the lava flow. (Pr. Steve Jensen took the photo with this article.) Amidst the heat, awful smell, and sharp cutting lava rock they witnessed something very few people have ever seen—a new creation.

For most of us, land is the one solid, immovable object in which we invest, on which we live, and upon which we depend for agriculture, shelter, and building materials. It is usually stable and reliable. But Hawai‘i is privileged to be one of the few places in the world where “new land” is being formed as lava pours into the ocean. Once there was nothing but water, but now there is new creation. This “new creation” makes room for plants, animal habitats, and open range (even if it takes a few years). Land here is alive, flowing, and more than a little dangerous—creation is like that.

As we look to the future of the world, we cannot be certain what might be in store. However, it seems clear that the world is not quite finished forming. In the same way, we cannot be sure what God has in store for God’s people, but it seems certain that God is not done forming us either! At our best we have more in common with lava—flowing, hot, liquid, pouring out into fissures and low places—than with solid rock—immovable, immutable, and hard. As we move in God’s spirit, we are called to the new creation in Christ Jesus. The Pentecost story puts flames on our heads and wind in our ears. I wonder what new land God is asking us to make?

Wounded Warriors BBQ June 21

Another opportunity for LCH to show we care is to provide a meal at the barracks on Tuesday, June 21, from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. We will barbecue and have simple side dishes, but would love to have you bring your a favorite home cooked items as well. If you bring these dishes on Sunday, we can refrigerate/freeze them to bring to the dinner on Tuesday. Beans, salads, fruit, Lutheran jello, cookies, cakes, pies and pastries will literally give them a taste of a good Lutheran potluck. If you are free to help us cook and serve, please contact Pastor Steve.

Mahalo nui loa for your kokua!

Director of Music and Liturgy Candidate to Visit July 10

The Call Committee for the Director of Music and Liturgy invites you to meet one of the candidates for this position on Sunday, July 10, at the 9:15 worship service. Dr. Miguel Felipe, recently hired to teach in the music department at the University of Hawai‘i, will conduct the choir and be available for a visit following worship. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Felipe as part of his interview process.

All choir members are invited to join in singing an anthem conducted by Dr. Felipe. Rehearsal will be Saturday, July 9th, 4:30 MP. The rehearsal will be followed by dinner prepared by Pastor Jeff and time for conversation.

A Call to Serve—IHS

Social Ministries is again soliciting input from LCH members who would like to start a second group to provide meals for IHS patrons. We have a list of a few people who would be interested, but would like a group of about 10 members to make it a successful ongoing service. We are looking at starting up early this fall. Please let us know if you would be willing to serve during the week or on the weekend. Once we have the information, we will call a meeting of all those interested to discuss whether we want to provide the meal monthly or quarterly, as well as a meal menu and responsibilities. If you are interested in helping please contact Jean Lilley through the Church Office (941-2566).

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