HeartBeat—December 2017

From Pastor Jeff—500 Years of Grace

Wittenberg—Descent and Ascent

Having angered his fellow brothers by insisting his order submit to the will of the Augustinian order’s power, Luther found his order transferred from his beloved community at Erfurt to a little back-water town called Wittenberg. Luther himself described the village in less than complementary terms: small, rural, unsophisticated, and undeveloped. The town boasted fewer that 2,000 inhabitants, whose primary occupation was brewing (and apparently drinking) beer. According to one author, a fellow monk insisted on a transfer from the Wittenberg monastery on the grounds that the environment was ruining his health! (Kittleson, James; Luther the Reformer, p.63)

Perhaps the greatest saving grace for Luther was his assignment to teach at the University of Wittenberg. During his years in Erfurt, he had risen among the ranks of brothers in academia. His keen mind, insatiable curiosity, and deft tongue had propelled him forward toward a lecture position. His mentor and friend, Von Staupitz, had quite a time convincing young Martin to accept the post, and he received his doctorate on October 4, 1512. It was through his study and lectures that Luther gradually came to develop a theology that brought grace to the forefront in God’s relationship with God’s people. His early lectures held on to a more traditional understanding of righteousness as something earned or, at the very least, part of a divine remnant present in each person. This divine spark needed only to be encouraged for righteousness to blossom.

Later, Luther would see righteousness in quite a different light. His previous assumption, that righteousness was the domain of humanity, fell by the wayside as he observed all around him the propensity for people to always put themselves first. In his study of Romans, he came finally to understand that righteousness was not the result of a vestigial diving spark but wholly and completely alien to the human person. In short, righteousness came from God and God alone, through grace.

His pessimistic theological view of humans, as morally and ethically depraved, set the stage for a view of salvation that depended totally on the action of God for redemption. It seems a small thing in light of modern theology, but Luther’s little theological twist would turn medieval theology upside down.

For centuries, the church has operated from the assumption that a person could—with right action, penance, prayer, and submission to ecclesiastical authority—come into right relationship with God. In effect, goodness was present in the depths of the soul and just needed the right transaction to bring it out. This simple theological premise developed over centuries into a kind of crass business deal between the church (representing God) and supplicant. Salvation became a product to pursue either through righteous living or, for those of sufficient means, hefty donation. Luther came to see not only the scriptural/theological weakness of this system but also the practical toll it levied on the common person, burdened in body and soul, of seeking to purchase what he or she could never buy: God’s love.

The radical notion that God’s love extended even to the most wretched person and was given freely and abundantly to everyone was a breath of fresh air for many who were suffocating under the weight of religiosity. Luther had known the crushing weight of his own inconsolable guilt and recognized it in his parishioners as he preached at the church in Wittenberg. His position, while highly theological, has its roots in his pastoral concern for those under his care. His search for holiness had led to despair; only through submission to God’s love had he come to see God as more than righteous judge, but also as loving father.

Luther’s descent into the backwaters of Wittenberg led to a theological and pastoral ascent to a new plateau of grace. His more mature understanding of God’s relationship with God’s people would become the foundation for his reforming movement. From Luther’s point of view, humans were not the pinnacle of creation as thought by the humanists, nor were they the pawn of a theological system of moral despair. Luther would declare that the human person was “simul justus et peccator,” or “at the same time sinner and saint.” In other words, our deep-seated sinfulness exists at the same time as God’s deep love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

A few years later, Luther would face down John Tetzel, who came to Wittenberg to literally scare the hell out of the inhabitants and blackmail them into buying indulgences to support the Pope’s excesses. He would challenge Tetzel on these very grounds, and the first flames of the Reformation would be fanned.

Next time… Luther Stands His Ground

Donate a Poinsettia for Christmas

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!

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 church or postmarked by December 31 in order to be counted as 2017 charitable deductions. Contributions brought to church on or after January 1 will be counted as 2018 charitable deductions, no matter what the date is on the check.

Invite Friends to Join Us during the Christmas Season

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 Epiphany. Take a minute to share these events with friends who might be interested.

Food for Thought

Saturday, December 2, 5:30–8:30 pm

Food for Thought gathers for the last meeting of the year at the home of David Hörmann. All are welcome for potluck supper, video, and discussion. For more information, call the LCH office at 808-941-2566.

Angel Network In-Gathering

Sunday, December 3

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.

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 3—Advent I: The Prophets
• December 10—Advent II: The Holy Family
• December 17— Advent III: The Shepherds
• December 24—Advent IV: No Sunday School (one service, 9:15 am)
• December 31: Christmas

Adult Forum to Discuss Comtemporary Heroes/Saints

Sundays, December 3, 10, and 17, 9:20 am • LCH Boardroom

Adult Forum will discuss modern-day heroes/saints each Sunday until Christmas. Several years ago, we looked at past heroes like William Wilberforce (who spent a lifetime seeking to abolish the British slave trade) and Pastor Jeff’s friend, Tshenuwani Farisani (who was terribly tortured while seeking to lift South Africa out of apartheid). Our discussions will focus on recent acts of heroism in the name of Christ worldwide. After picking up your refreshments, please join us for this interesting topic.

Leadership Roundtable

Sunday, December 3, 11:45 am • LCH Boardroom

Committee chairs and team leaders, please plan to gather for a short (45 minute) meeting. This is an opportunity for us to sit down together and share information on what is happening with all the ministries at LCH. If you are a committee or team leader, please be prepared to share a little information on your activities with the group. Mahalo and see you there!

A Way to Hope: An Advent Procession

Sunday, December 3 • 7:30 pm

Join us for the 43rd annual Advent Procession. In our chaotic, stressful time, this meditative service explores the theme “A Way to Hope” through word and song. Find comfort in beloved readings of the Advent season, congregational carols, and the anthems of Howells, Biebl, Mathias, and Scheidt sung by the Men’s Schola and LCH Choir. All are welcome. Freewill offering accepted.

Holoholo Pick-Up

Tuesdays, December 5 and 19, 2:30–4:00 pm • LCH Boardroom

Holoholo General Store is a Community Supported Agriculture organization, or csa, that works with LCH to bring you fresh produce from multiple, local farms. For more information visit their website at www.holoholostore.com for bag options and prices and to sign up.

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!

Process Forum

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

“Participation in the life of a religious community teaches us that human beings are much more than economic or political abstractions. We learn this through disciplines like prayer, meditation, liturgical practices, interreligious dialogue, and community outreach to the poor and disadvantaged—to those who for whatever reason didn’t measure up to economic success—because capitalism has no room in its worldview for the poor.”

This quote comes from our article for December by Paul O. Ingram (emeritus from Pacific Lutheran University) entitled “What Can Be Done: Interreligious Dialogue and Climate Change,” available on the Jesus, Jazz, Buddhism website.

Read ahead if you’d like, or just join us for a lively discussion. All are welcome.

IHS Brown Bag Meal Prep

Thursday, December 14, 8:00 am • Isenberg Hall

Occasionally, as is requested this month, we are asked to prepare brown bag meals, which will be transported to IHS for distribution. Enjoy fellowship time with other members while assembling 400 sandwiches and brown-bag meals. Jimmy always shows up with pastries, and there will be plenty of coffee to keep the assembly lively. 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. Jimmy is also looking for another driver with a van/SUV to help transport meals, so contact him if you are available to help. To learn more about the Institute for Human Services, visit their website at www.ihshawaii.org.

Mary Magdalene Society

Saturday, December 16 • LCH 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 to follow. Set up begins at 5:30, and help is greatly appreciated. Please bring a food item to share.

Games and/or videos are welcome for after-dinner entertainment. If you are bringing a video, please let Jim Cartwright 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.

Compline

Sunday, December 17, 7:30 pm

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

Women’s Book Club

Monday, December 18, 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 2018.

Writers’ Workshop

Monday, December 18, 4:30–6:00 pm • LCH Boardroom

Writers’ Workshop gathers for the last meeting of 2017. We’ve had a remarkably active year, with a total of 11 meetings. All are welcome! For more information, please call the LCH office at 808-941-2566.

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 18. Direct questions to the office at 808-941-2566 or email lch@LCHwelcome.org.

Come Deck the Halls

Saturday, December 23

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.

Noche de Paz: Christmas Eve Worship

Sunday, December 24 • 5:00 & 10:30 pm (10:00 pm prelude concert)

Christmas Eve Services will be celebrated at 5:00 and 10:00 pm, accompanied by traditional carols as well as beautiful choral works of Spain, Portugal, and the Southwest. 
Music at the 5:00 pm Family Service will be provided by the Early Worship Ensemble.
 Join us at 10:00 pm for prelude music featuring harp, marimba, spanish 
guitar, and the LCH Choir as they present the Hawai‘i premier of Conrad Susa’s beautiful cycle of Spanish and South-American carols and lullabies. Festival Worship begins at 
10:30 pm with the LCH choir, and carols lead by harp and the Beckerath organ. In addition to motets of New Spain, the choir will sing Padilla’s lively Missa Ego flos Campi for double choir.

Christmas Day Choral Eucharist

Monday, December 25 • 10:30 am

Welcome the newborn king with beloved carols and readings at Christmas morning worship, with music lead by the men of the LCH Choir.

LCH Office Closed for Christmas and New Year’s Holidays

Monday, December 25, and >Monday, January 1

One Pot, One Hope

Saturday, December 30, 9:30 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.

Please Consider Serving On the Church Council

We need nominees to be presented 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 2017 LCH Church Council. Still have questions? Just ask a current council member: Josie Bidgood, Mary Fastenau, Steve Miller, Juditha Murashige, Carol Langner, Mel Siebert, Phyllis Hörmann, Noe Nitz, Bruce Holmberg, Dylan DePretto, or Pastor Jeff.

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

German Vespers for Epiphany

Saturday, January 6, 7:30 pm

Join the LCH Choir, guest soloists, and Bach Chamber Orchestra for our annual German Vespers. A tradition at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu since 2002, this service honors the church’s German heritage with prayers, hymns, and even the sermon auf Deutsch, creating a wonderfully unique Vespers service on the Feast of Epiphany. Again, we welcome the Rev. Anke Flohr as presider for this festival worship.

From April Smith

Aloha LCH ‘ohana,

I will be moving to the mainland on December 19. The owner of our condo here has finally decided to sell it. We have been paying less than fifty percent of the market rent for so long that it is now not possible for me to afford to stay in Hawai‘i.

I will be staying with my twin brother and sister-in-law, Alan and Kathy Wood, until I can get a job and a place of my own. Beginning December 20, I’ll receive mail at: 23 Emerald Crossing, Westerville, OH 43082. Email and cell phone will remain the same.

This is not an ending but a different step in the journey. I’ve been blessed beyond measure with more than 17 years in Hawai‘i but need to settle down where I can afford to live within my means. Please keep Carolyn and me in your thoughts and prayers as we live apart but continue our relationship.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the experience of being a member of such a welcoming and loving congregation. Not wanting to say goodbye, I will simply say a hui hou—until we meet again.

Mahalo nui loa,
April Smith

LGBT Senior Hotline Available

The SAGE LGBT Elder Hotline is available for anyone ages 50 and over who wish to discuss issues related to sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

A program of SAGE (www.sageusa.org) and operated by the LGBT National Help Center (www.LGBThotline.org), this FREE and completely CONFIDENTIAL telephone hotline can help people with feelings of isolation, coming-out, relationship concerns, HIV/AIDS questions, family, and much more. We also maintain the largest LGBT resource database of its kind in the world, with over 16,000 local resources throughout the United States and beyond.

Staffed entirely by highly-trained LGBT volunteers, the SAGE LGBT Elder Hotline can be reached toll-free at 1-888-234-SAGE from 4:00 pm to midnight, Monday thru Friday, and on Saturdays from noon to 5:00 pm, Eastern time. You can also access the hotline online at www.LGBThotline.org/SAGE.

Electronic Funds Transfers for October

Offering Fund	Amount	Offering Fund	Amount
Offering	$4,960	Capital Improvements	$110
Music Fund/Instruments	$220	Wounded Warriors	$120
Shallow Subsidy	$60

Attendance and Offerings for November

Date	Worship Service	Attendance	Offering Fund	Amount
November 5	8:00 am Service	47	Offering	$4,092
	10:30 am Service	67	Shallow Subsidy	$210
	Compline	37	Wounded Warriors	$20
	Total	151	Service Music Fund	$80
			Music/Instruments	$50
			Pew Chair Fund	$270
November 12	8:00 am Service	49	Offering	$1,864
	10:30 am Service	63	Altar Flowers	$40
	Total	102	Shallow Subsi00	$61
			Service Music Fund	$70
			Music/Instruments	$110
			Seminarian Fund/td>	$100
November 19	8:00 am Service	45	Offering	$3,151
	10:30 am Service	68	Social Ministries	$71
	Compline	37	Shallow Subsidy	$40
	Total	140	Wounded Warriors	$50
			Domestic Relief	$25
			Music/Instruments	$120
November 26	8:00 am Service	43	Offering	$2,165
	10:30 am Service	70	Service Music Fund	$935
	Total	113	Pew Chair Fund	$1,500

HeartBeat Deadline

Tuesday, December 19, 9:00 am

Clement and Claudette and family, Dainan and Romney, Jennifer, Karen, Kawena, Keahi Y., Kim K., Kim V., Kirsten, Lee M., Micki S., Sara, Shirley, Swede, Tammy, Vonia

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
12/18	Jacob Burkman
12/20	Peggy Anderson
12/25	Nicole Engel-Nitz
12/23	Linden Doescher
12/24	Sophie Cheng
12/28	Rusty Walker

LCH Worship Participants

Holy Communion (8:00 am)
DATE	December 3 Advent I	December 10 Advent II	December 17 Advent III	December 24 Advent IV	December 31 Christmas I
LECTOR	Carolyn Koehler	Peggy Anderson	Cindy Scheinert		Jimmy Castro
ASSISTING MINISTER	Amanda Lippert	Laurie Leach	Tim Freson		Peggy Anderson
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS	Phyllis Hõrmann Sophia S. Sheena Lim-Urban	Don Johnson Kyra Takamiya Peggy Anderson	Amanda Lippert Sophia S. Wayne Gau	ONE MORNING SERVICE ONLY	Bobby Broyles Kyra Takamiya Stephanie Luuloa
ACOLYTE	Dylan D.	Hunter N.	Raphael S.		Hunter N.
LAYING ON HANDS		Stephanie Luuloa
USHERS	Fred Benco Billie Jean Ries Dylan DePretto		COUNCIL in CHARGE	All council members
Choral Eucharist (10:30 am)
DATE	December 3 Advent I	December 10 Advent II	December 17 Advent III	December 24 Advent IV	December 31 Christmas I
LECTOR	Peter Flachsbart	Angie Niermann	Jim Cartwright	Jim Sullivan	Aaron Gould
DEACON	David Barber	Shy Healey	Josie Bidgood	Frank Haas	John Bickel
SUB-DEACON	Chuck Pearson	Teresa McCreary	Mary Fastenau	Josie Bidgood	Bob Tellander
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS	Bob Tellander Randy Christensen	Frank Haas Randy Christensen	Bob Tellander Marcus Fikse	Chuck Pearson Phyllis Hõrmann	Mary Fastenau David Barber
ACOLYTES	Scarlett S. Rebecca L.	Iara N. Mary Fastenau	Scarlett S. Rebecca L	Iara N. Coco J.	Max W. Rebecca L
LAYING ON HANDS		Juditha Murashige
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
DATE	December 24 Christmas Eve 5:00 pm	December 24 Christmas Eve 10:30 pm	December 24 Christmas Day 10:30 am
LECTOR	Chuck Huxel	Jim Cartwright	Iara Nitz
ASSISTING MINISTER	Peggy Anderson
DEACON		Marcus Fikse	Frank Haas
SUB-DEACON		John Bickel	Bob Tellander
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS	Stephanie Luuloa Kyra Takamiya	Jeanne Castello Don Johnson	Bobby Broyles Carolyn Koehler
ACOLYTES	Max Womack	Nathalie J. Max W.	Iara N. Rebecca L.
USHERS	Peter Flachsbart Bill Fay Chuck Huxel Chuck Pearson Jean-Paul Klingebiel	ALTAR GUILD	Olivia Castro Mary-Jo Estes Billie Jean Ries Noelani Nitz

Calendar: October 2017

Day	Date	Event and Time
Saturday	December 2	5:30 pm, Food for Thought
Sunday	December 3	Angel Network In-Gathering 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:15 am, New Member Inquiry Class 9:20 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 11:45 am, Leadership Roundtable 7:30 pm, Advent Procession
Monday	December 4	6:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal
Tuesday	December 5	2:30 pm, Holoholo Pick-up
Thursday	December 7	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Saturday	December 9	9:30 am, Process Thought Forum 7:30 pm, Songs of the Season vocal concert
Sunday	December 10	8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:20 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist
Monday	December 11	6:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal
Wednesday	December 13	12:30 pm, Finance Committee Meeting
Thursday	December 14	8:00 am, IHS Brown Bag Meal Prep 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Saturday	December 16	6:00 pm, Mary Magdalene Society
Sunday	December 17	8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:20 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 7:30 pm, Compline
Monday	December 18	Committee Reports due 10:00 am, Women’s Book Club 4:30 pm, Writers’ Workshop 5:45 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Tuesday	December 19	HeartBeat Submissions Deadline 2:30 pm, Holoholo Pick-up 6:30 pm, Council Meeting/Annual Party
Thursday	December 21	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Saturday	December 23	9:00 am, Nave decoration 7:00 pm, Karol’s Karolers concert
Sunday	December 24	9:15 am, Advent 4 Choral Eucharist Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Eve 5:00 pm, Family Christmas Eve Holy Communion 10:00 pm, Music for Christmastide: Carols & Lullabies 10:30 pm, Christmas Eve Choral Eucharist
Monday	December 25	LCH Office Closed—Christmas Day Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Day 10:30 am, Christmas Day Holy Communion
Thursday	December 28	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Saturday	December 30	10:00 am, One Pot One Hope
Sunday	December 31	8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:15 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist
Monday	January 1	LCH Office Closed—New Year’s Day