HeartBeat—December 2016

A Message from Pastor Jeff

A Mystery

The lack of mystery in our modern life is our downfall and our poverty. A human life is worth as much as the respect it holds for the mystery. We retain the child in us to the extent that we honor the mystery. Therefore, children have open, wide-awake eyes, because they know that they are surrounded by the mystery. They are not yet finished with this world; they still don’t know how to struggle along and avoid the mystery, as we do. We destroy the mystery because we sense that here we reach the boundary of our being, because we want to be lord over everything and have it at our disposal, and that’s just what we cannot do with the mystery… Living without mystery means knowing nothing of the mystery of our own life, nothing of the mystery of another person, nothing of the mystery of the world; it means passing over our own hidden qualities and those of others and the world. It means remaining on the surface, taking the world seriously only to the extent that it can be calculated and exploited, and not going beyond the world of calculation and exploitation. Living without mystery means not seeing the crucial processes of life at all and even denying them.—Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas

While preparing for Advent, I have been re-reading a compilation of Bonhoeffer’s thoughts about Advent and Christmas. The above quote, which I have seen many times before, struck home with particular force this year. Imagine what old Dietrich would think of our modern life! Technology and modernity in the 1930s and 40s must have seemed a marvel to him as the mysteries of nature were explored and explained through science and technology. But he could not have imagined a world where everyone with a modern phone would have instant and nearly limitless access to such information. Google, Bing, and the information superhighway have been valuable tools in democratizing access to information and popularizing forays into obscure and rarified sciences. Want to know how far a particular star is from your apartment? Launch StarChart and it will tell you. How does a protozoa move? Google it. If Bonhoeffer was worried about the demise of mystery then, he would be catatonic now. Mystery is being eaten up in hunger to know everything and know it now.

As Advent and Christmas wind their way closer to us, feel free to do a Google search about them. Google can give you a lot of information but will give you little of what makes these holy seasons, well, holy! The deeper meaning of Advent lies in the season’s exploration of the unfathomable truth of God’s presence in the past, present, and future. Advent waiting takes on new dimensions as we hear stories of apocalyptic destruction and renewal coupled with the expectation that God is still in love with God’s people. A kingdom will come. When, how, why? God gives no answers, just a promise. A child named Jesus is born to a maiden mother who can find no room in the inn. No room for the pregnant mother of God? A gentle healer and preacher of Good News is convicted and executed. How can this be? What does it mean?

While I am addicted to learning more from historians and archeologists, I am more interested in the way artists and poets ponder the mysteries of faith. Take a look at Carol Langner’s bulletin board near the church door and ponder the mysteries of the O Antiphons. Perhaps take a moment to look at Giovanni di Paolo’s The Birth of John the Baptist. For some people art, light, and poetry are able to heighten mystery without the need to explain or quantify it. Advent and Christmas are mysteries that are “not yet finished” and perhaps best explored with “open, wide awake eyes.” For these reasons, Advent and Christmas are rife with mystery and meaning that may be just beyond our reach but well within our curious sight.

May God bless and keep you as we live the mystery of God’s presence and peace in these mysterious days.

Aloha,
Pastor Jeff

Renewing Christ’s Community by Strengthening the Bonds of Fellowship

One way that we renew Christ’s community is by paying attention to the bonds of fellowship that connect us together.

Our community is like a piece of fabric. We start with the warp of our individual relationships with God, and the relationships we have with other members of the congregation are the woof that goes over and under those warp threads to make a beautiful whole. Without those bonds with each other, we’re just a bunch of warp threads, and with our ties to each other, we’re a piece of fine fabric.

In an ideal world, every member would participate in every church activity, and our church would be a fine, strong piece of fabric. But we know this is no ideal world. Demands of work and other obligations, illness, and all kinds of other distractions take us away from the community, and threads fray, and the cloth deteriorates.

We can all help to renew our church community by reaching out to members and friends who cannot be with us physically every week. If you know someone who hasn’t been in church for a week or two, please contact them with with a phone call, an email, or even a letter. Let them know that they’ve been missed and remind them that they are part of the fabric of this community.

Here at LCH, we have two long-term shut-ins who are not able to come to church, so we’re making plans to take church to them. On Sunday, December 18, we will be stopping be there homes for caroling. We’ll practice a bit here, share a light lunch, and then carpool to their homes. Sign up in the courtyard to be part of this outreach to our shut-ins.

Commitment Cards for 2017

We dedicated our 2017 Commitment Cards on Sunday, November 20, but if you didn’t turn yours in for that, it’s not too late. Just put your card in the offering plate, or bring/send it to the office. Additional commitment packets are available by the ushers’ stand and on the LCH website under the “Stewardship” menu.

Donate a Poinsettia for Christmas

Again this year you have an opportunity to dedicate a poinsettia plant to help decorate the nave for Christmas. Look for a form in your Sunday bulletin. If you wish to donate poinsettia, please fill out a form and put it in the collection basket, with check or cash for the total cost (plants are $8.50 each). After Christmas, you may take your plant home. Thank you for helping to make the environment festive for Christmas!

Annual Chrismon Tree

Last year, during the season of Advent, we participated in a project to make Chrismons (Christian symbol Christmas ornaments) to place on our tree in the nave. We would like to do that again this year. On November 27, the first Sunday of Advent, we began providing materials and patterns for pickup in the courtyard. Please visit the craft table and take what you need to create a Chrismon. We will gather all of the completed ornaments on the fourth Sunday of Advent, December 18. Please participate and enjoy this fun project and fill the Christmas tree with your beautiful creations. If you have any questions, please contact Peggy Anderson or Randy Castello.

Book of Faith Bible Study

Thursdays, 10:00–11:30 am • LCH Boardroom

The Book of Faith Bible study meets on Thursday mornings in the boardroom. All are welcome to join this lively discussion of the Biblical texts, relevant current events, and historical foundations. Please come for lively engaging fellowship and discussion!

Confirmation Preparation Classes

Thursdays, 6:15 pm • Rainbow Room

Confirmation is a voluntary for youth, grades 6 and up, who would like to confirm their faith. At baptism we promise to “place in (your child’s) hands the Holy Scripture and provide for their education in the Christian Faith.” In confirmation class we study scripture, the Reformation, and Christian history, but we are more interested in helping young people develop as persons of faith.

This year we’re having confirmation class on Thursday evenings, including dinner. If you’re interested in participating in confirmation preparation, please contact Pastor Jeff.

In Stitches Taking a Break in December

In Stitches, the LCH craft group, will not meet in December. See you next year!

Angel Network In-Gathering

Sunday, December 4

On the first Sunday of each month, an in-gathering of food and personal items is collected at LCH for Angel Network, a ministry based out of Calvary-by-the-Sea Lutheran Church. The items are taken to Angel Network during the following week. Over 2,500 individuals are served monthly through this program. We are grateful for your generosity and support.

Join Us for Jesse Tree Devotions

Sundays, December 4, 11, & 18 at 9:10 am • in the Nave

During the season of Advent we invite the whole congregation to join our children for the Jesse Tree devotions each Sunday in the nave at 9:10 am. It is a tradition at LCH for the children to present this short service of music and readings for the season. During the four Sundays of Advent, the children will focus on the people in the Old Testament that lead the way for Christ. This year the Jesse Tree service began on November 27 and continues December 4, 11, and 18. The older children will read Bible stories and prayers, the youngest children will hang ornaments on the tree representing each story, and everyone will sing the Jesse Tree song.

Godly Play—Sunday School News

Sunday Mornings 9:20–10:20 am

LCH offers Sunday school for children from kindergarten through senior high. The older children (grades 6–12) meet in the Rainbow room. The younger children (grades k–5) meet in the Godly Play room. All are welcome!

Below is the schedule of Godly Play stories for December:

• December 4—Advent II: The Holy Family
• December 11—Advent III: The Shepherds
• December 18— Advent IV: The Wise Men
• December 25—No Sunday School (one service at 10:30 am)

Adult Forum: Living as Well as You Can on Your Own Terms

Sundays, December 4, 11, and 18, 9:20 am • LCH Boardroom

This three-session program will use the book, The Conversation by Dr. Angelo E. Volandes, short videos, audio recordings, and other resources to stimulate thoughts and discussion around one’s wishes for health care, especially when one becomes unable to communicate those wishes. The three sessions are designed to assist participants to better plan their personal health journey.

The sessions will 1) help keep you at the center of your care, 2) help keep you in control of your care, and 3) help you live as well as you can on your own terms. And the sessions will help you convey to your family and doctors as accurately as possible your wishes for care, in writing in the form of an Advanced Health Care Directive. These are important things to consider sooner rather than later. By stating your wishes for care in writing, you are leaving your loved ones with a gift that will help them should the need ever arise for another to make health care decisions on your behalf.

Phyllis Hormann and Pastor Jeff will facilitate the forum. The book, The Conversation by Dr. Angelo E. Volandes (ISBN 978-1-62040-854-4), may be ordered through Amazon.com.

Please Consider Serving On the Church Council

We need nominees to be presented at the first half of our Annual Meeting, on November 20 to fill council vacancies. The work of the council is: important, interesting, informative, good fellowship, and fun!

The work of the Council is not scary, intimidating, overly time consuming, or difficult to understand.

What to expect:

• One, 2-hour meeting per month. Council members take turns hosting, providing a meal and short devotion, and also serve a month as “council in charge,” ensuring that the church is locked up and items put away after the last worship service on Sunday morning.
• You can also expect to communicate during the month via texting or email if necessary. If you don’t text or have email, we can make arrangements for you—don’t let that stop you from saying yes to serving on Council.
• Council members also serve as liaisons to church committees or teams to communicate back to the council on planned activities or needs. Planned and unplanned absences are expected and taken into consideration, so don’t assume you can’t serve if you’ll be away for a month or two.

Please consider putting your name on the ballot to serve on the 2016 LCH Church Council. Still have questions? Just ask a current council member: Craig Clissold, Mary Fastenau, Steve Miller, Karyn Castro, Dori Palcovich, Lori Nishimura, Josie Bidgood, Randy Castello, Noe Nitz, Carol Langner, or Pastor Jeff.

Mahalo for your prayerful consideration of serving as part of the Council!

Notice of Annual Meeting, Part One

Sunday, December 4, 11:20 am

Please plan to attend Part 1 of the 2016–17 Annual Meeting. Although normally held in November, this year’s meeting was delayed due to logistical challenges. At LCH, we divide our annual meeting into two halves. December’s meeting includes nominating leadership, reviewing the draft budget, and approving changes to the Bylaws. In January the main business is to approve a final budget for the new year and elect the new council members. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend these meetings, but only members in good standing may vote. Please plan to attend!

Poetry Group

Sunday, December 4, 6:45 pm

Poetry group will meet on the first Sunday of December prior to the Compline service, which begins at 7:30 pm.

Compline

Sunday, December 4, 7:30 pm

Join us for Compline, led a cappella by the compline choir. This is a peaceful experience of rejuvenation and prayer.

Holoholo Pick-Up

Tuesdays, December 6 and 20, 2:30–4:00 pm • LCH Boardroom

Holoholo General Store is a Community Supported Agriculture organization, or csa, that works with the Lutheran Church to bring you fresh produce from multiple, local farms. To join or find more information visit their website www.holoholostore.com.

Process Thought

Saturday, December 10, 9:30 am • LCH Boardroom

Process Thought Forum returns! Recently we listened to a book on Israel’s water policy and the many ways the country has managed to thrive in a water-starved area of the world. Water is a major concern for the entire planet, especially as we move more deeply into the uncharted impacts of climate change. This month we will listen to a TED talk on one possible solution to growing enough food for an ever-expanding global population, even as the areas where food can be grown shrink. This talk involves “resurrection plants” which can quickly revive after extreme desiccation. Look up this TED talk on their website.

Writers’ Workshop

Monday, December 12, 4:30–6:00 pm • LCH Boardroom

Please note the Writers’ Workshop meeting time. All are welcome! For information, please call the LCH office at 808-941-2566.

LCH Sponsors Wounded Warriors Meal

Thursday, December 15, 3:30 pm

LCH will feed the Wounded Warriors again this month. We need one or two shoppers and four or five for the meal prep and service itself. First-timers are welcome. We meet at the entrance gate to Marine Corps Base, Kāne‘ohe (at the end of H-3) at 3:30 pm. Cooking, feeding, and clean-up are relatively light work, and we are usually finished and on our way by 6:00 pm. Please contact Fred Benco or the LCH office, LCH@LCHwelcome.org or 808-941-2566, if you are willing to volunteer for this worthwhile event.

IHS Brown Bag Meal Prep

Thursday, December 15, 8:00 am • Isenberg Hall

Occasionally, as is requested this month, we are asked to prepare brown bag meals in Isenberg Hall, which will be transported to IHS for distribution. To learn more about the Institute for Human Services, visit their website at www.ihshawaii.org. To join the fellowship and fun of helping with this month’s meal preparation, contact the LCH office or speak to Jimmy Castro for more information.

Mary Magdalene Society

Saturday, December 17, 6:00 pm • Isenberg Hall

LGBTQI and friends, please join our potluck supper and games or video night in Isenberg Hall. Supper begins at 6:00 pm with games or video to follow. Set up begins at 5:30, and help is greatly appreciated. Please bring a food item to share.

For December, we’re encouraging everyone to share a Christmas season memory with the group. Games and or videos are also welcome for after-dinner entertainment. If you are bringing a video, please let Jim Cartwright, Roy Helms, or Bill Potter know in advance so that we can line up the equipment for viewing.

For more information, contact Jim at jasfcartw@gmail.com. Please share information of this gathering and an invitation to other LGBTQI and friends you know who may be interested in socializing with us.

Caroling for Shut-ins

Sunday, December 18, pm • Meet at LCH

Here at LCH, we have two long-term shut-ins who are not able to come to church, so we’re making plans to take church to them. On Sunday, December 18, we will be stopping be there homes for caroling. We’ll practice a bit here, share a light lunch, and then carpool to their homes. Sign up in the courtyard to be part of this outreach to our shut-ins.

Evening Prayer

Sunday, December 18, 7:30 pm

Join us for Evening Prayer, led a cappella by the evening prayer choir. This is a peaceful experience of rejuvenation and prayer.

LCH Women’s Book Club

Monday, December 19, 10:00 am

We’re meeting at Murashige’s for our annual brunch and planning session. Bring your reading suggestions and a little something edible to share. We’ll enjoy our friends, share some holiday cheer, and plan for 2017.

Committee Chairs

It’s time to begin compiling the Annual Report! Please submit your committee’s yearly report to the LCH office by Monday, December 19. Direct questions to the office at 808-941-2566 or email lch@LCHwelcome.org.

Come Deck the Halls

Saturday, December 24

We will be decorating the church for Christmas starting at 9:00 am Saturday, December 24. Come join in this festive transformation of the sanctuary.

LCH Office Closed for Christmas Holiday

Monday, December 26 and

One Pot, One Hope

Saturday, December 31, 10:00 am

A consistent group of LCH volunteers helps feed 100 to 125 people each month in Wai‘anae. Help support this mission outreach project by participating or by bringing donations of designated items—Costco gallon-sized cans of chili, fresh fruit, granola bars, bottled water, recycled grocery bags, and large cardboard boxes—or checks, payable to “One Pot, One Hope.” Bring donated items to church on the third Sunday of the month (December 18). See Peggy Anderson for more information, including volunteering and carpool.

New Year’s Holiday

Monday, January 2

End of Year Donations

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 churc or postmarked by December 31 in order to be counted as 2016 charitable deductions. Contributions brought to church on or after January 1 will be counted as 2017 charitable deductions, no matter what the date is on the check.

Invite Friends to Join Us for Christmas and New Year’s

Here’s a convenient way to tell your friends about our upcoming worship services and to invite them to join you in celebrating the season. We’ve created Facebook Events for our festive services on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Take a minute to share these events with friends who might be interested.

From the Hörmann Family

Dear Pastor Jeff, members, and friends of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu,

The Hörmann family would like to thank the many people that pulled together to make Irmgard’s Celebration of Life just that, a real celebration. We think she is smiling.

We know it took many hands and hearts, from planning the service, presiding and preaching, to bulletin prep, to music prep and musicians, to people to set up tables and chairs, to a kitchen crew, to readers, to speakers, to writers, to singers, to ushers, to a take down and clean-up crew. And, if we’ve left anyone out, please forgive us. We thank you all!

Most of all though, we thank you for your presence with us as we celebrated and gave thanks for Irmgard’s wonderful, long life.

With Much Aloha,
The Hörmann family

Electronic Funds Transfers for October

Offering Fund	Amount	Offering Fund	Amount
Offering	$5,385	Mission Campaign	$50
Music Fund/Instruments	$170	Wounded Warriors	$117
Capital Improvements	$107

Attendance and Offerings for November

Date	Worship Service	Attendance	Offering Fund	Amount
November 6	8:00 am Service	49	Offering	$3,047
	10:30 am Service	99	Music Endowment Fund	$3,047
	Compline	41	Wounded Warriors	$100
	Total	189	Memorials	$500
November 13	8:00 am Service	55	Offering	$3,350
	10:30 am Service	88	Music Endowment Fund	$275
	Total	143	Altar Flowers	$50
			Wounded Warriors	$50
			Memorials	$100
November 20	8:00 am Service	56	Offering	$1,974
	10:30 am Service	70	Service Music Fund	$300
	Evening Paryer	17	Emergency Fund	$40
	Total	143
November 27	8:00 am Service	64	Offering	$8,295
	10:30 am Service	78	Sunday School Offering	$2
	Advent Procession	103	Capital Improvements	$110
	Total	103	Emergency Loan Fund	$20
			service Music Fund	$80

HeartBeat Deadline

Tuesday, December 13, 9:00 am

Alan, Denise, Irene, John, Karen, Kirsten, Leilani, and Swede

December Birthdays

12/03	Betty Petersen
12/04	James Sullivan
12/04	Jerelyn Watanabe
12/06	Jean Lilley
12/09	Masako Schwabenitz
12/10	Tom Juvinall
12/12	Penny Lawhn
12/18	Jacob Burkman
12/18	Adelheid Khuehnle Wallace
12/19	Andrew Yeh
12/20	Peggy Anderson
12/25	Nicole E.-N.
12/23	Linden Doescher
12/24	Sophie Cheng
12/28	Rusty Walker

LCH Worship Participants

Holy Communion (8:00 am)
DATE	December 4 Advent II	December 11 Advent III	December 18 Advent IV	December 24 Christmas Eve—5:00 pm	December 25 Christmas Day
LECTOR	Chuck Huxel	Carolyn Koehler	Jimmy Castro	Cindy Scheinert
ASSISTING MINISTER	Laurie Leach	Bobby Broyles	Peggy Anderson	Peggy Anderson
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS	Wayne Gau Peggy Anderson Kyra Takamiya	Sheena Lim Urban Amanda Lippert Tim Freson	Stephanie Luuloa Wayne Gau Laurie Leach	Shy Healey Laurie Leach Stephanie Luuloa	ONE SERVICE ONLY
ACOLYTE	Hunter N.	Dylan D.	Hunter N.	Dylan D.
LAYING ON HANDS		Stephanie Luuloa
USHERS	Fred Benco Craig Clissold Billie Jean Ries Chuck Huxel		COUNCIL in CHARGE	All Council
Choral Eucharist (10:30 am)
DATE	December 4 Advent II	December 11 Advent III	December 18 Advent IV	December 24 Christmas Eve—10:30 pm	December 25 Christmas Day
LECTOR	Peggy Brandt	Peter Flachsbart	Iara Nitz	Roy Helms	Amanda Lippert
DEACON	Jacqui Darroch	Shy Healey	Josie Bidgood	TBA	Jeanne Castello
SUB-DEACON	Mary Fastenau	Frank Haas	Chuck Pearson	Jim Cartwright	Marcus Fikse
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS	Jim Cartwright Randy Christensen	Nathalie Jones Bob Tellander	Bob Tellander Jim Cartwright	Bob Tellander TBA	Phyllis Hormann Don Johnson
ACOLYTES	Rebecca L. Iara N.	TJ H. Connor H.	Azure S. Scarlett S.	Azure S. Scarlett S.	Max W. Rebecca L.
LAYING ON HANDS		John Bickel
USHERS	Peter Flachsbart Bill Fay Chuck Pearson LaVerne Rickard Jean-Paul Klingebiel		ALTAR GUILD	Olivia Castro Mary Jo Estes Billie Jean Ries Marlise Tellander Carol Ichinose

Calendar: December 2016

Day	Date	Event and Time
Thursday	December 1	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff meeting 6:15 pm, Confirmation Class 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Sunday	December 4	Angel Network In-Gathering 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:10 am, Jesse Tree Devotions 9:20 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 11:20 am, First Half Annual Meeting 6:45 pm, Poetry Group 7:30 pm, Compline
Monday	December 5	6:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal
Tuesday	December 6	2:30 pm, Holoholo Pick-up
Wednesday	December 7	12:30 pm, Finance Committee Meeting
Thursday	December 8	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff meeting 6:15 pm, Confirmation Class 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Saturday	December 10	9:30 am, Process Thought Forum
Sunday	December 11	8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:10 am, Jesse Tree Devotions 9:20 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist
Monday	December 12	4:30 pm, Writers’ Workshop (New time!) 6:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal
Tuesday	December 13	Committee Reports due HeartBeat Submissions Deadline 9:30 am, Hukilau Pastors’ Meeting at LCH 6:30 pm, Council Meeting/Annual Party
Thursday	December 15	8:oo am, IHS Brown Bag Meal Preparation 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting 4:00 pm, Wounded Warrior Meal 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Saturday	December 17	8:oo am, Makiki Community Blood Drive—Isenberg 6:00 pm, Mary Magdalene Society
Sunday	December 18	8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:10 am, Jesse Tree Devotions 9:20 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 12:30 pm, Caroling for Shut-ins 7:30 pm, Evening Prayer
Monday	December 19	10:00 am, Women’s Book Club 6:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal
Tuesday	December 20	2:30 pm, Holoholo Pick-up
Thursday	December 22	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Saturday	December 24	Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Eve 5:00 pm, Family Christmas Eve Holy Communion 10:30 pm, Christmas Eve Cantata 11:00 pm, Christmas Eve Choral Eucharist
Sunday	December 25	Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Day 10:30 am, Christmas Day Holy Communion
Monday	December 26	Christmas Holiday—LCH Office Closed
Saturday	December 31	10:00 am, One Pot One Hope
Sunday	January 1	New Year’s Day Angel Network In-Gathering 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:15 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 7:30 pm, Compline