HeartBeat—July 2025

In this issue:

Index of other issues of HeartBeat

LCH Free Store

Saturday, July 12 • 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Shoppers at the last free store.The LCH Free Store is back—bigger and better than before!

On Saturday July 12, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, we will be offering donated goods at our Free Store while musicians and a bubble maker fill the air with pleasant melodies and incredible bubbles. If we only had a face painter to complete the fun!

But this event will accomplish more than fun. As well as recycling useful goods with our Free Store, we will also collect donations of non-perishable food items for the Hawai‘i Foodbank, school supplies for Helping Hands’ drive, and HI-5 cans and bottles for Cat Friends, an organization that sterilizes feral cats for no fee. Finally, recognizing the strains and stresses everyone faces these days and the usefulness of prayer, we will have a big jar where folks can deposit a written prayer which will prayed by church members after the event.

Donations of used but clean items in good working condition are necessary for the success of this Free Store. Clothing, kitchen wares, hand tools, toys, books, and other items that can be safely carried by one person are most welcome. But, no furniture, please; we just can’t handle that. Donated goods can be left in the former Nursery Room on Sunday mornings, June 29 and July 6, from 8:30 to 11:30 am.

There are many ways you can help!

  • Help publicize the event—distribute flyers, tell your friends, use social media.
  • Donate items for the Free Store.
  • Help with the Free Store set up beginning at 8:30 am July 12.
  • Help with the sale beginning at 10:00 am.
  • Help with cleanup beginning at 1:00 pm.
  • Bring school supplies and Foodbank donations on Sunday mornings, June 29 and July 6, or on the day of the sale.
  • Bring HI-5 recyclables for Cat Friends the day of the sale.
  • Be a prayer partner and pray prayers left in the jar after the event.
  • Serve as our face painter.

Sign-up sheets and further details about the school supplies, Foodbank, and HI-5 recycling drive will be on the table in the courtyard on Sunday mornings. For those not attending in-person services, please email freestore@lchwelcome.org for information and to sign up to help.

Thank you for your help. It is greatly appreciated.

 Summer Jazz logo Summer Jazz Journey: Groovin’ with the Cats

July 20 • 7:00 pm

Join us for the first of two unforgettable evenings of live music at our upcoming jazz concerts! On Sunday, July 20, we will enjoy an exciting performance featuring Allen Won on saxophones, Tommy James on piano, Dean Taba on bass, and Noel Okimoto on drums. This all-star ensemble will take you on a musical journey through time with an exciting blend of jazz standards and original compositions.

This summer the LCH music program jump starts our “Music in Mission” ministry by collecting school supplies for children on O‘ahu at both Summer Jazz Journey concerts. We encourage to donate items such as #2 pencils, pens, pencil pouches, spiral-bound or composition notebooks, folders, three-ring binders, erasers, rulers, crayons, colored pencils, highlighters, backpacks that can withstand everyday wear and tear, and lunchboxes with food-safe interior liners.

Bring Your Electronic Device to Church

Help us be good stewards of God’s creation. This summer, we are inviting you to participate with us in an experiment. We have a goal to reduce the number of bulletins that we print to 40 by January 2026. To accomplish this goal, we are inviting you to download the bulletin with the link found in each Friday’s eNews. Then bring your electronic device to church on Sunday, open your downloaded bulletin, and follow along. If you haven’t downloaded the bulletin before you come to worship, we will have a QR code for you to use to access it. Thanks for helping us be good stewards.

From Pastor Lesley

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.—Romans 8:26-28 (The Message by Eugene Peterson)

When we gathered for Adult Forum on Sunday, June 22, I said I was almost at a loss for words of what to pray for as the world seems to be unraveling, and chaos seems to be deepening. As I said those words, I remembered an image I saw on Facebook. It was a photo of a prayer which began, “Dear Jesus,” and was followed by a big jumble of letters. Then, the closing line of the prayer was “Amen.”

When I thought about the picture that I had seen a long time ago, I realized that all the jumbled-up letters were like my jumbled-up thoughts in these days of conflict, chaos, and the unknown.

I could see myself beginning my prayers with “Dear Jesus,” but then having no idea of what to say next. Maybe you too are finding yourself at a loss for words to add to your prayers. My heart, at times, feels so concerned I do not even know where to begin my prayers. I wonder what I can say new or different. I feel like I have prayed for everything already.

But that’s where the passage from Paul to the Romans can offer hope and, if not a solution, at least a way to “be” in these times. Theologian Dr. Audrey West writes, “For Paul, hope is not pie-in-the-sky optimism that disavows the reality of sin and suffering, as if one simply needed to stop worrying and be happy. True hope is born out of the assurance that what we see and experience—the groaning reality all around us—is not the end of the story. This is hope as a woman in labor hopes: breathing through the pain, holding tight to a companion, looking ahead to what cannot yet be seen, trusting that a time will come when this pain is but a memory.”

It is easy to lose hope when we listen to the news, when we see signs of war against one another, exclusion of people, and the list goes on. Sometimes I wonder if I we have been through or are in the worst of it right now or if there is and may be even more painful activities to come.

But then I hear words of scripture like these from Paul to the Romans. Paul tells us that when we struggle to find the words, when we feel incapable of expressing the most profound needs within us, the Spirit intercedes on our behalf “with sighs too deep for words.” The Spirit offers us the prayer we cannot speak.

We know that the Holy Spirit is always among us and we are not alone. We know that God is present in our greatest need. This is the Good News—that even in this time of uncertainty, chaos, and what seems to be a volatile and uncertain time, God is with us giving us confidence and hope that a time will come when this pain is but a memory. We have survived and we can move forward.

May the Holy Spirit empower us to live in the hope and promise of God’s love, mercy, and grace. As you live through these times, please know I’m available if you ever want to talk or pray together. Just give me a call at 443-683-4090, send me an email at pr.lesley@lchwelcome.org, or stop by LCH. Through God’s grace, we will come out the other side and have many stories of where we saw the Spirit intervene for us and where we saw the Spirit at work, even when all we could pray was sighs.

God’s comfort, peace, and prayers that are sighed,
Pastor Lesley

Smiles and service! Our amazing volunteers making a difference, one warm meal at a time at One Pot, One Hope.Smiles and service! Our amazing volunteers making a difference, one warm meal at a time at One Pot, One Hope.

Transition Team Update

The Transition Team has been busy in the background, planning our fall events. We want to give you an overview of the upcoming events that will help us to fill out the Ministry Site Profile. We also want to thank you in advance for participating in these events and giving us your insight to help the discernment process. Finally, we appreciate your continued prayers. Mahalo.

JULY—The Transition Team encourages everyone to participate by completing a Spiritual Gifts Inventory. This resource from the Women of the ELCA helps us understand the importance of spiritual gifts. “The purpose of spiritual gifts is two-fold: to unify the body of Christ in their faith and to produce, within the church, growth that is both numerical and spiritual.” With these completed inventories, we will have an accurate picture of all the varied gifts we have at LCH. This will help the Call Committee as they interview pastoral candidates to determine how the candidate’s own gifts will fit, support, and enrich God’s mission and ministry at LCH. In July, Pastor Lesley will be sharing more information about how we will complete the inventory process. Mahalo for helping us create an informed picture of the abundance of spiritual gifts at LCH.

AUGUST—You will have the opportunity to help us complete a timeline of life at LCH. This timeline begins September 9, 1900, and goes through September 9, 2025. The timeline will include events that have happened at LCH and events that have happened in the community, state, nation, and world. You are invited to record on this timeline the events of LCH that you remember. These events include both times of celebration and times of challenge within the community. For example, someone might put the LutherFests as times of celebration and then put the pandemic as a point of challenge. In August, the timeline will be on tables in the courtyard for you to complete, will be displayed during September anniversary events, and will be used in our first community gathering in October.

OCTOBER 5—Our 10:00 am worship service will include a time for us to share information gathered from the timeline and to talk about what we learned from the recorded events. We will also focus on how these events have shaped and formed our community and influenced how we live out our communal life as ‘ohana, called to be about God’s work, with our hands. This information will help us, as a faith community, continue to better understand ourselves and the type of servant leader that will be a good partner in the proclamation of the Gospel in word and deed.

OCTOBER 19—Our 10:00 am worship service will include a time for asset assessment and visioning. Again, this gathering will be designed to gather more information that will help us in our discernment process of what is God’s preferred and promised future for LCH and who God might be calling to join us in this work.

OCTOBER 26—Immediately after our 10:00 am Reformation Service, we will be gathering to answer questions that the Ministry Site Profile asks. These questions are designed to give a snapshot of LCH and how it lives out its communal life.

NOVEMBER—The Transition Team will take all the information that have gathered from the faith community and use it to help us complete an accurate snapshot of LCH and what might be needed in the next pastor being called to partner in mission and ministry with LCH. The Transition Team plans to have the completed Ministry Site Profile to the Council for their approval at their November 24 meeting.

DECEMBER—Once LCH’s Council has approved the Ministry Site Profile (MSP), it will be sent to the Pacifica Synod for their approval. Once they have approved it, the synod staff will begin looking for possible pastoral candidates for LCH. Once the MSP has been approved, the Transition Team has finished their assigned task and will be decommissioned.

JANUARY—At the 2026 Congregational Meeting, the congregation will approve the slate of candidates for the Call Committee. Once the slate has been approved, the Call Committee will begin their work with the desired outcome being a new pastor at LCH.

Apply for LCH Scholarships

Deadline: July 14

In 1995, LCH established a Scholarship Fund to help our members and friends to fulfill their dreams. Irmgard Hörmann, a lifelong LCH member and librarian, gave generously to seed the fund and move it along. Initially, LCH set a limit of $500 for any annual scholarship.

The Scholarship Fund had funding priorities as follows: LCH members who wish to attend seminary and join the ministry; LCH members who intend to study religion in college; LCH members who study any other major in college; and friends of LCH who study at college, trade school or any other cultural discipline. The scholarship checks are written directly from the church to the provider.

In June 2025, the LCH Church Council voted to raise the annual scholarship limit to $1,000. Furthermore, Council voted to extend the application deadline to July 14. Applicants can re-apply if they wish to take advantage of the new $1,000 limit.

LCH encourages all members and friends to apply for a 2025–2026 scholarship. Mahalo!

LCH Office Hours

  • Monday—Closed
  • Tuesday—9:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • Wednesday—9:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • Thursday—9:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • Friday—9:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • Saturday–Sunday—Closed

We recommend calling the office (808-941-2566) before dropping in to see the pastor or the administrator, as schedules may vary with appointments, other work commitments, and lunch breaks

Please visit the LCH website at www.lchwelcome.org for more information about weekly events and ministries, and to access the public LCH Facebook page for online worship services.

Committee/Interest Group Chairs

Committee/Group Leader
Archive: Jim Cartwright
Concert: Barry Wenger
Communications: Carol Langner
Council: Olivia Castro
Hospitality: Jeanne Castello
Finance: Roy Helms
Financial Review: Dori Palcovich
Food for Thought: Marlise Tellander
Lay Ministers: Carolyn Koehler
Learning Ministry: Fred Benco
Mary Magdalene: Bill Potter
Roy Helms
Process Theology: Carol Langner
Property: Richard Mundell
Scholarship: Fred Benco
Social Ministry: Mary Fastenau
Stewardship: Phyllis Hörmann
Willow Chang
Website: Bill Potter
Worship & Music: Randy Castello
Writers’ Workshop: Peter Flachsbart

Stewardship Corner

Serving II

Stewardship 2025 logo: serving

For the month of July, the stewardship committee is continuing its focus on service. Jesus repeatedly called his followers to service, and service is ingrained in Christianity.

An Episcopalian as a child, I remember sitting in church listening to my father pray the General Thanksgiving each Sunday as he led morning prayer services in the tiny country church where he was the lay reader in charge. It still is my favorite prayer (especially the petition “that we show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving ourselves to service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days.” (A slightly different version is found in Evangelical Lutheran Worship on p.74.)

One of things I admire most about LCH is that it is filled with people who are doing just that. The number of service projects this small church undertakes are many: musical offerings for the community, feeding the hungry, stewarding the environment, to name just a few. Clearly in LCH there is dedication to service, with our church members sporting shirts that declare “God’s Work, Our Hands” at our events. Additionally, my impression is that most members participate in service activities outside our church community.

However, even with all of our efforts and those of countless others across the world, the news constantly reports urgent needs in so many places. I am constantly receiving pleas for aid to Gaza, Syria, and the Sudan, and for so many other needs and organizations. It is easy to get discouraged, realizing that the small amount I can contribute of my time or money will do very little to solve the enormous problems. There is so much to do, each of us has our limit, and it seems as though our efforts are useless.

It is at these times that it’s is best to remember the old story about the fellow who, seeing scores of starfish washed up upon the shore, began picking them up and throwing them back into the water. An old man walked by, shook his head and noted “What a waste of time. You will never save them all. There are so many you cannot make a difference.” “You are right,” the young man responded, as he picked up a starfish to fling into the water. “But it sure will make a difference to this one.” May we all be given the fortitude to continue to make differences, big and small, during these tumultuous times.

The Free Store on July 12 gives us an opportunity to make a difference to our neighbors. Your participation—by donating goods, providing manpower, or just coming to browse the store and offering a friendly welcome to our neighbors—will help our neighbors meet some needs and also experience God’s love that sustains us all. See the article on page1 for all the details.

Barbara Poole-Street for the Stewardship Team
Willow Chang, Phyllis Hörmann, Barbara Poole-Street, Bill Potter, and Cindy Scheinert

Angel Network In-Gathering

LCH is not collecting donations for Angel Network Charities until further notice. However, Angel Network is accepting donations at the Calvary-by-the-Sea Lutheran Church location in east O‘ahu: 5339 Kalaniana‘ole Highway, Honolulu 96821.

For those who are able and interested in donating, they accept donations on Thursdays and Fridays, from 8:30 am to noon. They will only accept packaged, unopened dry goods (e.g. cereal, flour, sugar, pasta, etc.) and canned goods.

Angel Network requires that donating drivers identify themselves and remain in their vehicle. Volunteers will offload donation items from your vehicle with protective gloves. Over 2,500 individuals are served monthly through this program. Mahalo for your generosity and support.

Adult Forum

Sundays at 9:00 am • In-person in the Boardroom

During the month of July, Stan Baptista will continue his very informative presentation on land acknowledgments. Join members of the Adult Forum for this stimulating discussion on Sunday mornings in person in the Boardroom. If you are coming for worship, just get your coffee and head to the Boardroom at 9:00 to join the others who are there.

Maestro of melodies and marinades! Who knew our Barry could conduct a grill with such flair?Maestro of melodies and marinades! Who knew our Barry could conduct a grill with such flair?

Leadership Roundtable

Tuesday, July 1, at 6:30 pm • Via Zoom Meeting

Committee chairs and team leaders, please plan to gather for a short (45 minute) meeting. This month’s meeting will be conducted via the Zoom online meeting platform. Please refer to your email for the Zoom Meeting details.

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, you will receive an email with login information. Please be prepared to share a little information on your activities with the group. Mahalo!

Game Day

Wednesday, July 2, at 1:00 pm in Isenberg Hall

Please join Paula Wheeler for Game Day on Wednesday, July 3, from 1:00 to 3:00 in Isenberg Hall. We will meet for lively conversation and some fun games. If you have any questions or suggestions call Paula at 808-542-2843.

Book of Faith Bible Study

Thursdays, 10:00 am • In-person and Via Zoom Meeting

The Book of Faith Bible Study meets on Thursday mornings in-person or via Zoom meeting. All are welcome to join this lively discussion of the Biblical texts, relevant current events, and historical foundations. Please contact Cathy Baptista at cathynt@gmail.com to receive an invitation to the next Zoom Bible study discussion.

Restorative Yoga

Thursdays, July 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31,, at 6:30 pm • Via Zoom Meeting

Explore the restorative and ancient practice of yoga, led by LCH member Willow Chang. As a yoga practitioner for over 30 years, Willow shares the joy, wonder, and enthusiasm of a beginner. She emphasizes the origins, cultural context, and safe practice of yoga for all by sharing aspects of yoga, from pranayama (breathing exercises) and yogic philosophy (ahimsa), to poses, referred to as asanas.

Join for one, two, or all sessions from the safety of your own shelter-in-place. These unique classes also provide an opportunity to answer your questions about yoga practice and form. You don’t need yoga pants, previous experience, youth, flexibility, or any real-life experience in India to learn about yoga. Bring your amazing self to be in wonder of your abilities! Please contact Willow Chang (willowchang@hotmail.com) to be included in the weekly Zoom meeting invitation. Let’s learn and find a new center, together!

LCH Office Closed for Independence Day

Friday, July 4

Big smiles, bold voices! Randy and Jeanne Castello showing up with love and conviction at the “No Kings” protest standing for justice, equality, and community.Big smiles, bold voices! Randy and Jeanne Castello showing up with love and conviction at the “No Kings” protest standing for justice, equality, and community.

IHS Sandwich Making

Thursday, July 17, 12:00–2:00 pm • Isenberg Hall

LCHers will again convene to prepare sandwiches and pack sack lunches for distribution at Institution for Human Services (IHS). This continues a tradition stretching back decades. We meet monthly and could use a few new, dependable volunteers to join our dedicated group. Please join us. Mahalo!

If you would like to participate in this action-packed, fun activity, please let Brenda know at lch@LCHwelcome.org. She will pass your contact info on to event organizers.

Writers’ Workshop

Monday, July 21, at 4:30 pm • Via Zoom Meeting

Writers’ Workshop will continue to meet via Zoom meeting. All are welcome! If you are new to our group and would like more information on how to participate, please contact Peter Flachsbart at pflachsbart@gmail.com. He will send you a Zoom link if you prefer to participate remotely. Mahalo!

Mary Magdalene Society

Saturday, July 19, at 6:00 PM • Hörmann Courtyard

Mary Magdalene Society will meet in-person for our potluck and game night in the Hörmann Courtyard. We invite LGBTQI members and friends of LCH to prepare their favorite potluck dish and join in the festivities. As part of our commitment to mutual care, participants should RSVP in advance and be fully-vaccinated.

An email will be sent on July 13 to those who are already on the Mary Magdalene mailing list detailing the RSVP procedure. If you don’t receive your invitation, have questions or want to be added to the mailing list, please contact Bill Potter, group facilitator, at bill.potter808@gmail.com.

Seeking Volunteers & Donations for One Pot, One Hope

Saturday, July 26, at 9:00 am • Maluhia Lutheran Church in Wai‘anae

The One Pot, One Hope ministry, a Hukilau project, continues each month at Maluhia Lutheran Church in Wai‘anae. Please consider participating by joining the volunteers at the next meet-up.

You can also contribute by donating 5-lb. cans of chili, cartons of granola bars, or large jars of peanut butter or jelly; or you can support this outreach with funds either by check or via the LCH Donate page. (Be sure to designate donation for One Pot, One Hope.) Food items may be dropped off during coffee hour on Sundays or left at the office during open hours. Contact Billie Jean Reis or Linda Muller with any questions. Mahalo for assisting with this mission to provide meals to our neighbors.

Sweet sounds, sweeter slice! Celebrating our organ’s anniversary with a cake as grand as the music.Sweet sounds, sweeter slice! Celebrating our organ’s anniversary with a cake as grand as the music.

Beckerath Birthday Recital Video

The entire recital by Dr. Barry Wenger for the 50th birthday of the Beckerath organ is available on the LCH YouTube page. Just click on this link.

Mahalo for the Beckerath 50th Birthday!

Notes from the 50th Birthday Organ Bench

I thank you for your support in so many ways: from approving the Beckerath organ renovations through a unanimous vote in January 2024 to your amazing monetary gifts to the project and your excitement as the project began to take shape with the expert work of Hans Erbslöh and Bernd Becker. And with Steve Hoover’s expertise as well, the whole project has come to wonderful fruition!

I am working on a plaque that will be displayed on the wall beside the organ to commemorate your gifts to the organ. I will have a mock-up for you to confirm your information including the dedications to loved ones. It will be available for corrections after Sunday service. I will check in with personally with those I don’t hear from.

Thank you for your support of my concert on the 50th birthday of the Beckerath organ’s debut in Honolulu on June 6, 1975. I could not have asked for more! In addition, our talented LCH Choir led a Pentecost worship service on June 8 for the community and helped to show how well the renewed organ worked to support choral and congregational singing. I am thankful for our choir’s gifts and talents!

A special note, the new zymbelstern was a personal gift from Hans. He asked me to keep that a secret before its installation. I must share that now. He has cared so beautifully for this instrument over the years and he continued to do so in this lovely gift.

Several important volunteer thanks: Eamonn Clark for his soundboard expertise, Dan Dennison for his amazing video expertise and production, Olivia and Jimmy Castro for use of the truck for the month, and Ina Young for providing space for Hans and Bernd to stay.

Lastly, I am thankful for the staff of LCH—thankful for Pastor Lesley’s support and thoughtfulness and for Brenda’s tireless work to create beautiful bulletins and concert programs for this event and so many others. We are fortunate indeed.

PAX and mahalo,
Dr. Barry Wenger
Director of Music and Organist

Cathy and Stan Baptist proudly wear the “God’s Work. Our Hands” shirts and are ready to serve up good vibes, good work, and good people!Cathy and Stan Baptist proudly wear the “God’s Work. Our Hands” shirts and are ready to serve up good vibes, good work, and good people!

First Mondays Concerts—A New Direction

We are beginning to work in a slightly new direction in our First Mondays Concerts.

For most of my career, I have been a champion of the concept of “Music in Mission.” I have been successful at having periodic concerts to help other aid organizations and aspire us to do that with the First Mondays Concert Series.

First Mondays Concerts already has a great goal, to provide another venue to support local musicians on the island on an off-night. Through your generosity, your $20 donations to attend, and the Orvis Foundation, we are able to do that successfully. Mahalo for your generosity!

Pastor Lesley, Marie, and I have spoken about what organizations we would like to help in a “Music for Mission” series like this. Here is a short list of organizations we will invite to be part of the programs: Angel Food Network; H3RC; HIS; One Pot, One Hope; Hawai‘i Youth Opera Chorus, AGO New Programs, LCH Pastoral Discretionary Fund, and the LGBTQIA+ Organization at UH-Mānoa.

We have the 9-month series, September 2025 through May 2026, nearly locked in. We are going to ask for your support. We plan to have a concert sponsor for each program, $2500 will support a single concert. If you would like to donate to this effort, please let me know. I would be happy to put you down as a concert sponsor. We are working on other levels of engagement as well. Thank you for your continued generosity towards First Mondays Concerts and our Music Fund.

Dr. Barry Wenger

LCH 125th Anniversary and Mission Fund

The Lutheran Church of Honolulu community is celebrating 125 years of ministry and you are invited! A letter was mailed out in early May with details about everything that is happening in connection with this anniversary. If you did not get your letter, you can download a copy with this link.

Activities for the anniversary are planned between September 7 and 14, including a Legacies and Blessing Banquet on September 13. Reservations are required for the banquet and may be made online on this page.

We are also publishing a book about the past 25 years with reminiscences and lots of pictures. You can reserve a copy of the book on this page.

We committed to raising $125,000 for renovate our Beckerath organ, enhance our welcome, serve our neighbor, and meet the needs of seniors in our community. To date we have raised over $95,000 towards our goals. This includes the full $65,000 to upgrade the organ with two new ranks of pipes. Can you help us get to $125,000 by September to complete our mission goals? Information about or mission goals and a link to make donations are available on this page.

Walking with love, hope, and lots of heart! Our church ‘ohana showing up strong at the AIDS Walk.Walking with love, hope, and lots of heart! Our church ‘ohana showing up strong at the AIDS Walk.

Second Quarter Giving Statements

I will be out of town for most of July, so giving statements for the second quarter will be distributed via email toward the end of the month to anyone who has given $25 or more this calendar year. Watch the eNews for the exact date and information about what to do if you do not get your giving statement.

With thanks for your support of our ministry,
Bill Potter, financial secretary

Beer and the Bible 2.0: Pilgrimage to “Lutherland” to Renew Your Spirit(s)

May 24 through June 5, 2026

Next year’s pilgrimage to Germany as part of our 125th anniversary celebration is all set! Dr. Barry Wenger, our director of music and liturgy, Jean Lilley, and Pr. Phyllis Hormann will be leading a group of members and friends of LCH, walking in the footsteps of Martin Luther, revisiting our heritage, and renewing our spirits.

Participants will depart the US on May 24, 2026, and return on June 5. The trip itself starts in Berlin and ends in Prague. In between we will have time in Wittenberg, Torgau, Leipzig, Eisleben, Erfurt, Eisenach, and Dresden. It will be a pilgrimage filled with stories and history from a couple of pastors as well as local guides. Besides walking in Luther’s footsteps, we will visit other significant religious and historical sites, museums, churches, and castles and see some beautiful countryside. We will hear organ concerts by Dr. Barry and possibly other organists. We may also hear a choir. All the details are in the tour brochure (PDF).The cost is $2,800 per person (double occupancy), based on a group of 30 participants and not including air fare. A $1,000 deposit will be required by January 15, 2026, with full payment by March 15. Payments are to be made to Lutheran Church of Honolulu, and the church will send in a check for the initial deposits and as well as the final payment check. The brochure includes details about what we are doing in each place, where we will stay, what is and is not included in the cost, payment and cancellation, terms and conditions, and other recommendations.

Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements. Randy Christensen, a member of LCH who is also a travel agent, has kindly offered to help with flight searches and bookings should you want/need it. He will not charge for help finding flights, but if you want him to book your flight, there is a charge of $25.00. Contact Randy by phone at 808-371-7025 or by email at christensenctc1@gmail.com.

Regular Offerings

If you are not attending church in person, you are encouraged to mail your offering check directly to the church: Lutheran Church of Honolulu, 1730 Punahou Street, Honolulu HI 96822. If you would like to set up regular electronic funds transfer from your checking or savings account, forms are available at www.lchwelcome.org/support or can be requested by email to LCH@LCHwelcome.org. If you prefer to make a one-time contribution or ongoing pledge by credit card, there is a link in the bottom right corner of each page of the church website or you can go directly to www.lchwelcome.org/donate. Thank you!

Electronic Funds Transfers for May
Offering Fund Amount Offering Fund Amount
Offering $8,563 Concert Fund $90
125th Anniversary Mission Fund $643 Memorials-Pr. Jeff-H3RC $50
Music Fund $325 Capital Improvements $25
Social Ministries/IHS $150 Angel Network $20
Organ Renovation Fund $132 One Pot, One Hope $20
Attendance and Offerings for June
Date Worship Service Attendance Offering Fund Amount
June 1 Hybrid Worship 61 + 295 views Offerings $7,656
  Organ Renovation Fund $2,565
125th Parish Celeb. Fund $1,500
  125th Anniv. Mission Fund $1,250
  Social Ministries/IHS $3000
  Family Promise $200
June 8 Hybrid Morning Prayer 35 + 276 views One Pot, One Hope $100
Hybrid Pentecost Worship 86 + 495 views Seasonal Offerings $100
  Music Fund $50
  Lutheran World Relief $40
 
June 15   Hybrid Worship 54 + 324 views Offerings $6,230
  125th Anniv. Mission Fund $6,965
  Organ Renovation Fund $3,130
One Pot, One Hope $100
June 22 Hybrid Worship 65 + 277 views Family Promise $50
Angel Network $20
Altar Flowers $15
Attendance for June 29 was not available at time of publication

HeartBeat Deadline

Tuesday, July 15, 9:00 am


Prayer Requests

Alan G., Alex M., Adrian C., Amanda L., Betty H., Chuck P. and Josie B., the family of Cecilia F., Don J., Elaine, Flora and Jim S., Geneva J. and family, George T., Greg G., Harold W., Jane H., Jason M., Jean L. and her family, John B., John S., Johnny, Kathleen C., Kristin H., LaVerne R., Michael, Miriam S., Peggy A., Salina R., Star W., Steve J., Steve M., Tony P., Tracy W., Yvonne and Andy M.

Please help us to keep the Prayer Requests list relevant. If you have a friend or loved one who should remain on the list, we are glad to keep them in prayer. Please email the office to let us know when a name may be removed from the list.

July Birthdays
07/02 David Del Rocco
07/05 Pr. Brianna Lloyd
07/08 Linda Miller
07/12 Steve Jensen
07/16 Peggy Brandt
07/16 Whitney Walker
07/17 Bill Potter
07/19 Shane Shelton (Kaeo)
07/20 Audrey Keller
07/24 Savannah McCreary
07/25 David Henkin
Water Lily: July birth flower

Calendar: July 2025
Day Date Event and Time
Tuesday July 1 6:30 pm, Leadership Roundtable Zoom Meeting
Wednesday July 2 1:00 pm, Game Day, Isenberg Hall
Thursday July 3 10:00 am, Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom Meeting
6:30 pm, Restorative Yoga Zoom Class
Friday July 4 Office Closed–Independence Day
Sunday July 6 9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom
10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service
Tuesday July 8 6:30 pm, Worship and Music Zoom Meeting
Thursday July 10 10:00 am, Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom Meeting
6:30 pm, Restorative Yoga Zoom Class
Saturday July 12 10:00 am, Free Store, Hörmann Courtyard
Sunday July 13 9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom
10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service
Tuesday July 15 HeartBeat Submissions Deadline
5:30 pm, Finance Committee Zoom Meeting
Thursday July 17 10:00 am, Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom Meeting
noon, IHS Brown Bag Meal Prep (closed group)
6:30 pm, Restorative Yoga Zoom Class
Saturday July 19 6:00 pm, Mary Magdalene Society, Hörmann Courtyard
Sunday July 20 9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom
10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service
7:00 pm, Summer Jazz Journey: Groovin’ with the Cats
Monday July 21 4:30 pm, Writers’ Workshop Zoom Meeting
Tuesday July 22 6:00 pm, Executive Council Zoom Meeting
6:30 pm, LCH Council Zoom Meeting
Thursday July 24 10:00 am, Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom Meeting
6:30 pm, Restorative Yoga Zoom Class
Saturday July 26 9:00 am, One Pot, One Hope, Maluhia Lutheran Church
3:00 am, Adrian Clissold Memorial Service
Sunday July 27 9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom
10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service
Thursday July 31 10:00 am, Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom Meeting
6:30 pm, Restorative Yoga Zoom Class