In this issue:
- A Message from Pastor Angela
- What’s Happening with the Budget?
- Council Highlights
- Worship Time Change
- Committee/Interest Group Chairs
- Give Aloha Returns September 1!
- ELCA Day of Service
- Godly Play—Sunday School News
- Process Thought Forum
- Teen Confirmation Classes
- LCH Book Club
- Exploring Boundaries & Beyond: A Report from Honduras and Guatemala
- Writers’ Workshop
- Healing Sunday Help Needed
- Change of Office Hours
- Music Director Search
- Lutheranism 101
- Altar Guild Help Needed
- Stewardship Team Gears Up Again
- Targeted Relief Assistance for Victims of Iselle
- Welcome to Anne Sing!
- SEED Restaurant: Justice is Served
- HeartBeat Deadline
- Attendance and Offerings for August
- Prayer Requests
- September Birthdays
- LCH Worship Participants (8:00 am)
- LCH Worship Participants (10:30 am)
- Calendar: September 2014
A Message from Pastor Angela
Giving freely…
A woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair.—Luke 7:37–38
My maternal grandfather was very dear to me. Grandpa, was one person I knew absolutely, always, 100% loved me. I knew Grandpa’s love was unconditional and that he would always be there when I called him or needed anything.
It was ever so clear the time I was driving across the country, from California back to Michigan, as the seminary semester had come to a close. My old Ford Taurus was continually breaking down! It would suddenly stop taking fuel, no matter how hard I pushed down on the gas pedal. Eventually I would have to find my way to the side of the interstate and come to a gliding stop. Sometimes the car would start right back up. Other times it wouldn’t. Now, when you’re driving through Death Valley, miles and miles from cities and towns, this is not a good thing. My friend, who was traveling with me, was supposed to know tons about cars….
He didn’t.
We made it to Grand Junction, Colorado and I called Grandpa. What you need to know is that my grandpa had been struggling with advanced-stage lung cancer for a couple of years by this time. He was pretty much strapped to a hospital bed and oxygen tank in his living room.
Still, as he always did when I had a need, he rose to the occasion to make sure I felt loved and that I was safe and cared for. He calmed me down, eased my sobbing, and helped me to stop crying. And he came up with a plan to get me back on the road and traveling to see him.
I went to the next car supply store I could find, bought a new fuel filter for my car, and while I was holding the cell phone up to my ear, my grandpa, from his hospital bed—taking deep breaths and talking slowly so as to not loose his breath—walked me through the process of changing the fuel filter without getting myself covered in gasoline. Within a few minutes I had it figured out, and we were back on the road. A couple of hours later we left Grand Junction, CO, and headed toward home without any more car troubles!
I knew Grandpa loved me, and he knew I loved him. I remember fondly, even as a young woman, sitting at the foot of Grandpa’s Lazy Boy recliner and, later in his illness, on the side of his hospital bed, just leaning on him. Making contact with him, simply because I loved him and knew of his love for me.
In the Gospel of Luke (7:37) we hear Jesus say to Simon, about the woman at his feet, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair.”
She not only recognized who Jesus was, she revered him. She adored him. She made a fool of herself for him. She even went to the lengths of kissing his feet! She didn’t care who saw her. The only thing on her mind was to be near the Beloved, to touch and kiss him, and to praise and adore him with love.
She didn’t stay at a polite distance. She didn’t stare from another room. She busted through societal norms—and even put her life at stake—to “show great love” and worship him.
I remember the desire to just sit at my grandfather’s feet and adore him. More so does our Lord Jesus desire our presence at his feet. Jesus desires our whole selves, not just a cordial relationship or friendly acquaintance. Jesus wants deep intimacy with us.
Yet, in our lives, we tend to have times—moments, days, months, or longer—when we keep things at a polite distance. I think Jesus desires a relationship with us like the woman in the passage from Luke 7, who holds nothing back. He desires us to sit at his feet simply to connect, share love, and worship. Not because Jesus needs us. Not because Jesus has low self-esteem and needs to be encouraged, or anything!
We were first loved—loved so much that he suffered death on a cross so that we would forever be free.
Luke does not tell us whether the ointment in the woman’s alabaster jar carried any noticeable scent. But, in John’s Gospel, a similar event makes a point of informing readers, “The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume,” and even more, “costly perfume of pure nard.” She was offering Jesus an extravagant gift; one that everyone in the room would have noticed.
We’re not just called to think that, “God has done so much for us. It is the least we an do to give something back to God!” We’re called always to remember that we get to celebrate the incredible nature of God’s gifts to us. The woman who anointed Jesus’ feet did so out of gratitude, not out of guilt. She gave to Jesus freely. She seems to have known in her heart what the apostle Paul would later teach, that there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
When we grow in sincere thankfulness for all of God’s gifts, we also grow in our capacity for giving cheerfully back to God. We grow in our relationship to God through Jesus Christ. We’ll find ourselves sitting at the foot of Jesus—eyes fixed on the one of Love.
May you find yourself in a season and a life of generosity and love for the sake of Jesus.
Yours on the journey,
Pastor Angela
What’s Happening with the Budget?
The past couple of Sundays, Pr. Angela’s homilies got my attention. She talked about keeping my eye on Jesus during the storms in my life (Peter walking on the water) and about how faith in Jesus can change the apparent course of life (the persistent Syrophonecian woman). I wonder how those lessons apply to our current financial picture. Not having taken a course in practical theology, I will keep my “wonderments” to myself.
Our financial picture is improving from where we were in May. Instead of running an average of $7000 per month behind budget, the amount has decreased to an average of $4170 per month behind. Praise God! Mahalo for the many ways you respond in supporting the ministry of our congregation.
I wanted you to know. Let us pray for God’s guidance in our mission and ministry. Continue to pray to discover how God asks you to respond.
Gary Brauer
Church Council Treasurer
Council Highlights from August
- We bid a fond aloha to former parish administrator Sarah Roseberg and welcomed new administrator, Anne Sing.
- Four resumes have been received by the music director search committee for consideration. Closing date to accept resumes is September 19th.
- The sabbatical project committee has drafted letters to be sent to community leaders and church leaders in a two mile radius of LCH seeking their input regarding needs of our neighborhood.
- Financial review committee has completed audits through 2013. Two new members are needed to serve on this team to begin the audits for 2014. Please speak with Ron Murashige or Randy Castello if you are willing to serve.
- Council voted to cancel the courtyard cover project as it stands and request a refund from Kunkelworks for the deposit on the materials. City and County of Honolulu is requiring a number of costly alterations to the building to comply with current fire codes, including installing a full fire sprinkler system, before they are willing to approve a permit for this type of addition. We continue to pursue other options for shade/rain protection that may not require a permit.
Committee/Interest Group Chairs
| Committee/Group | Leader |
|---|---|
| Archive: | Jim Cartwright |
| Audit: | Randy Castello |
| Concert: | Miguel Felipe |
| Communications: | Carol Langner |
| Council: | April Smith |
| Exploring Boundaries: | Carol Langner |
| Fellowship: | Jeanne Castello & Mary-Jo Estes |
| Finance: | Gary Brauer |
| Food for Thought: | Kathryn Klingebiel |
| In Stitches: | Linda Miller |
| Lay Ministers: | Carolyn Koehler |
| Learning Ministry: | Fred Benco |
| Mary Magdalene Society: | Robert Zimmer & Francisco Barajas |
| Process Theology: | The Rev. Fritz Fritschel |
| Property: | Jean-Paul Klingebiel & April Smith |
| Scholarship: | Fred Benco |
| Social Ministry: | Jean Lilley |
| Stewardship: | Pam Buckley |
| Sunday School: | Laurie Leach |
| Worship & Music: | Linda Miller |
| Writers’ Workshop: | Kathryn Klingebiel |
| Youth: | Pr. Angela Freeman |
Worship Time Change
Sunday, September 7
LCH begins its program year schedule in September. Worship services return to 8:00 am and 10:30 am. Every first and third Sunday, Evening Prayer will meet at 7:30 pm. Sunday School, for children and adults, will meet between morning services 9:20 am to 10:20 am. Thank you for helping to get the word out there to your friends and neighbors!
Give Aloha Returns September 1!
LCH Org Code: 78224
Participate in the Give Aloha Program sponsored by Foodland and Western Union. During the month of September, use your Maika‘i card and make a donation of up to $249 to Give Aloha at any Foodland or Sack ’n’ Save. Use the LCH Organization Code (78224) at the time of your donation. Foodland and Western Union will match every gift received up to $300,000 for all combined participating organizations.
ELCA Day of Service
Sunday, September 7, 2014
For the second year in a row, the elca has set aside an intentional day of service. Each congregation is encouraged to work together in a specific act of service on this day. LCH has a number of “irons in the fire” with our sabbatical project taking shape, the courtyard covering, and music director search—alongside normally scheduled services to the community. The leadership has decided not to take on another special project for the day of service. However, we encourage you to be part of serving every day, especially on September 7. If you have last year’s elca t-shirt or want the office to order you one, please let us know.
Godly Play—Sunday School News
Sunday School 9:20–10:20 am
LCH offers Sunday school for children from kindergarten through senior high! The younger children will begin a new curriculum called Godly Play. Sunday School begins Sunday, September 7, and will meet every Sunday morning of the program year. All are welcome! Below is the schedule of stories that will be told during the month of September.
- September 7—The Holy Family/orientation
- September 14—The Circle of the Church Year
- September 21—Creation
- September 28—The Flood and the Ark
Process Thought Forum
Saturday, September 13, 9:30–11:00 am
A recent article on the “Jesus, Jazz and Buddhism” website promises to be a real challenge for our changing economic, political, and religious world. Philip Clayton is a talented interpreter of contemporary thought and brings together insights and developments from three different areas. To examine his short article, search the Internet by using the following title: Organic Marxism, Process Philosophy, and Chinese Thought by Philip Clayton. We hope that is enough to tantalize you to join our discussion.
Teen Confirmation Classes
Sunday, September 14, 11:45 am
Teens entering grades 6 or 7 are invited into a time of more formal faith learning and discernment. Confirmation classes explore the Bible, Lutheranism, and personal faith understanding. If you or your teen would like to participate in the coming year, please come to the information session and speak with Pastor Angela.
LCH Book Club
Monday, September 15, 9:30 am
The LCH Book Club will meet at the Murashiges’ to discuss the book Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls.
The October book is Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes by Tamim Ansary. We will meet on October 27 at the Murashiges’ to discuss this book.
All are welcome. Please join us!
Exploring Boundaries & Beyond: A Report from Honduras and Guatemala
with Barbara Polk, Ph.D.
Sunday, September 21, 6:00–7:15 pm, Isenberg Hall
We know America is part of the global community. We are acutely affected by what happens in other countries and regions of the world. Much current political debate centers around the immigration of unaccompanied children. Behind that is the humanitarian crisis driving the news out of Central America—borders, refugees, immigrants, drugs, poverty, etc.
Barbara Polk, Ph.D., recently visited the region and provides an illustrated report on her observations. Barbara’s academic work includes a doctorate in Social Psychology and many years as part of the administration of the UH system—including chancellor of Leeward Community College. Upon retirement, Barbara has become a familiar face at the Hawai‘i State Legislature, giving testimony and tracking bills relating to social issues in Hawai‘i.
Evening Prayer follows at 7:30 pm.
Writers’ Workshop
Monday, September 22, 7:00–8:30 pm
Writers’ Workshop will have its next get-together on Monday, September 22, at LCH. For information, please contact Kathryn Klingebiel through the church office (808-941-2566).
Healing Sunday Help Needed
Every second Sunday of the month we offer a station for people to come and receive anointing with oil and prayer. We’re looking for a few additional people to serve as prayer station care-givers. Volunteers receive training and preparation. There is a scheduled rotation for servers and you would serve every third or fourth month. If you are interested, please contact Carolyn Koehler or Pastor Angela Freeman. Mahalo!
Change of Office Hours
Please note that LCH church office hours will change beginning September 2. The new office hours will be from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Reminder: you can always make an appointment to meet with the pastor during or after regular office hours.
Music Director Search
www.lchwelcome.org/mus-dir-search
The music director search committee has posted this position. Please direct possible candidates to the website for more information. If you have questions or concerns about the process, please direct them to Randy Castello, chair of the search committee, or to Pastor Angela.
Lutheranism 101
Due to a lack of rsvp’s, the Lutheranism class is postponed until a little later in the fall. If you are interested in this short class series to help explore cores of the Lutheran faith and how the core concepts connect to every day life, please contact Pastor Angela in the church office. Stay tuned for more information and future dates.
Altar Guild Help Needed
We need more people to serve on altar guild. Altar guild volunteers set out and clean up the communion equipment every Sunday. Duties are very simple but necessary for helping service run smoothly. There are three teams so volunteers serve only one month every quarter. Work is completed on Sundays within about 15 minutes. Volunteers are trained and take responsibility for part of any one Sunday’s duties. This offers a concrete, simple, but important way to help the church.
Contact Linda Miller or sign up in the courtyard on Sunday if you are interested.
Stewardship Team Gears Up Again
Your trusty Stewardship Team is working together again! You are probably used to the typical fall stewardship campaign where you’re asked to prayerfully consider how you are being called to financially share your gifts with the wider ministry.
Well, this year the team is plotting and planning something much bigger and better! We are working to create a “year-round” plan for LCH. We will be exploring how we as people of faith and as a congregation being good stewards of Our Whole Lives and exploring ways we’re being called deeper into the our lives of faith.
The goal of stewardship is to help God’s people grow in their relationship with Jesus through the use of their time, talents, and finances that God has entrusted to us. It is about using our whole lives to serve and love God.
Stay tuned for October and the unveiling of more details of the year round plan! This is going to be fun!
Targeted Relief Assistance for Victims of Iselle
Many family and friends of our congregation are impacted by the aftermath of Hurricane Iselle. Christ Lutheran Church in Hilo made arrangements with Thrivent to match funds for any donations made to their relief fund. They provided ice, water and meals in the immediate aftermath of the storm and are planning other actions to address unmet needs in their community.
You may send contributions to: Christ Lutheran Church, 595 Kapiolani St., Hilo, HI 96720. On your contribution, designate “Neighbor to Neighbor” to ensure Thrivent matches your gift.
Welcome to Anne Sing!
We’re delighted to announce that we have filled the position of parish administrator! Anne began her work with the LCH team on Monday, August 4, and trained with Sarah Roseberg for two weeks before Sarah’s departure from the Island.
Anne comes to us with a diverse background and a wide range of gifts. We’re confident you’ll feel welcomed by her warm smile as well! Anne and her family live in Hawai‘i Kai and attend Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Please help us make sure Anne feels our warm LCH Aloha and welcome!
SEED Restaurant: Justice is Served
Looking for a reasonably priced, healthy meal that serves a greater mission? Consider visiting SEED restaurant, a progressive ministry of Bluewater Mission. Opened February, 2014, SEED has gained widespread support and media attention in Honolulu for its unique, justice-driven business concept. As a struggling new restaurant, it still needs patrons to support it and spread the word.
Bluewater Mission took on the bold task of starting SEED restaurant as a threefold justice ministry. First, SEED’s food is is locally sourced, whenever possible, and some even comes from an urban garden on the premises. SEED uses chemical-free produce and responsibly managed animal sources. Recipes vary depending on local produce availability.
Second, SEED’s mission is to serve healthy meals. SEED won’t serve what isn’t true to the body. Proportioned plates are balanced for optimum health.
Finally, the business is an expression of justice. SEED is staffed by survivors of homelessness, human trafficking, domestic abuse, and other unique challenges. SEED creates flexible jobs in the community with the help of volunteer employees. Justice works.
Please consider supporting this mission-based enterprise. Stop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. SEED is located at 1137 11th Ave., in Kaimuki, behind Big City Diner and below Himalayan Kitchen. Visit www.seedhawaii.com or call 808-732-1137 for more information.
Enjoy the food, join the mission!
HeartBeat Deadline
Tuesday, September 16, 9:00 am
| Bob | Fay | Juanita |
| Carl | Gene | Karen |
| Denise | Irmgard | Melissa |
| Diane | Jason | Stephanie |
| Edward | Jeff | Sylvia |
| Jerry |
| Day | Date | Event and Time |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday | September 4 | 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:00 pm, Holoholo Pickup 3:00 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting |
| Sunday | September 7 | 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:20 am, Christian Education for all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 7:00 pm, Poetry Group 7:30 pm, Evening Prayer |
| Monday | September 8 | 6:30 pm, Worship & Music Meeting |
| Tuesday | September 9 | 9:30 am, Hukilau Pastors’ Meeting 7:00 pm, Mutual Ministry Meeting |
| Wednesday | September 10 | 12:30 pm, Finance Committee Meeting |
| Thursday | September 11 | 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 3:00 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting |
| Saturday | September 13 | 9:30 am, Process Thought Forum |
| Sunday | September 14 | 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:20 am, Christian Education for all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 11:45 am, Confirmation Meeting |
| Monday | September 15 | 9:30 am, LCH Book Club at Murashiges’ |
| Tuesday | September 16 | Heartbeat Deadline! 6:00 pm, Executive Council Meeting 6:30 pm, Council Meeting |
| Thursday | September 18 | 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:00 pm, Holoholo Pickup 3:00 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting |
| Friday | September 19 | 1:00 pm, IHS Meals Prepared 5:30 pm, IHS Meals Served |
| Sunday | September 21 | 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:20 am, Christian Education for all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 6:00 pm, Exploring Boundaries & Beyond 7:30 pm, Evening Prayer |
| Monday | September 22 | 7:00 pm, Writers’ Workshop |
| Thursday | September 25 | 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 3:00 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting |
| Saturday | September 27 | 10:00 am, One Pot One Hope |
| Sunday | September 28 | 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:20 am, Christian Education for all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist |