HeartBeat—June 2018

From Pastor Jeff

Part II—Getting There Together

A colleague of mine once took a call where the previous pastor had, for many years, single-handedly and authoritatively determined the shape and substance of “his” church’s ministry. Although the church had grown significantly and was considered quite successful, members commiserated with their new pastor that after the previous pastor was called to another congregation, they were left feeling exhausted, underappreciated, and a bit used. They were delighted with the successes they had enjoyed but did not feel they had been a part of making that success happen. The pastor called the shots, had all the ideas, and loved the adoration that success breeds.

This is a cautionary tale that might remind us that ministry is a journey we do not take alone. Rather, it is a partnership between God and God’s people for the sake of the world God so deeply loves. So, let’s start with how Church might act communally as we explore what the future church will look like.

In Part 1 of this article, we explored some of the dissatisfactions modern people have with the church (conservatism, social irrelevance, aversion to joining, etc.). So, what do people look for in life today? Interestingly, the answer today is not all that different from the answers we might have expected 50 years ago: community, acceptance, healing, deepening, guidance, and connection. But how those common desires and needs are met has changed radically. Where once people flocked to religious organizations, they increasingly seek to have those needs met elsewhere.

In his lecture to Lutheran clergy in 2014, Dr. Andrew Root noted that the importance of religion has shrunk radically in the American scheme of life. Where once religion held a high place, it is now negligible. Work, politics, and family have displaced religion in importance. Yoga, book clubs, sports, social media, and personal satisfaction have become key mantras. In a rush to appeal to this ever-changing target, some faith communities have adapted. Sermons became less about timeless truths and more about therapeutic reassurance. As Dr. Root notes in his lecture, “Pastors are no longer clerics, but wise golf partners in an aloha shirt,” and ministries are a series of programs designed to help create meaning and connectedness for participants.

At our worst moments, churches competed quite openly for members, for publicity, and even for the right to be right. The result has been (especially in US Protestantism) an increasing silo* mentality—self-sufficiency, self-determination, self-rule—and the rise of charismatically-led super churches, focused on meeting the needs of individuals at every turn. Interestingly, this religious turn of events feeds beautifully into a society that is rightly sick and tired of the sexual and personal abuses of clergy, demonization of the LGBTQ community, and the hoarding of the gifts of the spirit and monetary treasures of the world for the gifted class. In light of all this, we might be tempted to cry out, “So what do we do?”

I am increasingly convinced, that might not be the right question. We are always trying to create the next program, the latest whiz-bang worship, or call the next charismatic pastor in hopes that any or all of it will lift us out of the sinking feeling that we are, well, sinking. I find myself, as pastor, grasping at those same straws! (Last week there were 38 actual worshippers at the 10:30 service. I felt dismally defeated.) But shiny new programs are not the answer. We know that, because the faster we crank programs out, the less interested people seem to be.

What if, instead, we asked, “Who has God called us to be for the world?” It is a radical and, I hope, life-giving question that seems to be constantly played out in the stories of scripture and in our ministry.

“I will be your God, and you will be my people,” God says. Asking, “Who is God calling us to be in the world?” places God first in the question. Sometimes we forget that, as a church, we are, first and foremost, the people of God! It’s not just our title, it is the very DNA that makes us who and what we are. And being the people of God, we have a lovely, instantaneous, and unbreakable bond with all the other people of God. (Do I hear the sound of cracking silos?) We, not only, do not stand alone, we cannot stand alone. God is always with us.

So much for self-determinism and self-sufficiency. Not only that, this same God called us to be the body of Christ together, and then gifted us with the Holy Spirit, so that we might share in the hope of God’s dream of love, together. If we are called together into a life of ministry, then why not begin to set a new course for the Christian church, or at least the Lutheran Church, that sees our kinship in Christ as the starting point for our ministry?

What if we begin right away, by gathering our congregations in a meaningful conversation about who God is calling us to be? I can imagine a hundred answers swirling around as we unconsciously defend our programs and personalities. But we might eventually replace competition with genuine mutual concern and love—love for God, for one another, and for the world. Maybe then, silos can fall, individual satisfaction can give way to mutual care, and we can journey together toward a more authentic community, in Christ, for the world. Imagine if we, as church, denomination, and religion, came to be seen by an increasingly secular world as the place where deeper life meets love. Just a thought.

*About silos: I use this terminology a lot and I realize that not everyone gets it. Early in US agriculture, farmers banded together in co-ops to strengthen their economic power and share in risk/reward. Harvests were deposited in common grain-storage elevators and sold at market, seed could be bought in greater quantity, and savings shared by co-op members. In the 50’s, many farmers invested in their own silos to conveniently store their own harvest on their own property. For some, the typically blue silos became known as “blue tombstones.” Spoilage of the self-stored grain could mean economic disaster.

Blessings,
Pastor Jeff

Great Pew Chair Fundraiser!

Thanks to all who helped! The April 28 potluck and silent auction raised $6,000 for the pew chairs. It was a great night of fun, fellowship, and finance as people generously bid on great items and enjoyed amazing food. As of April 30, we only have $15,800 left to raise. Yes, we have raised $44,200, through a lot of hard work and some extremely generous donations!

There were so many people who made the April 28 event a success, I could list the entire church. However, special thanks go out to Roy Helms, who organized and planned the entire event. He did recruit a whole host of people to keep the kitchen going, the wine flowing, and the dollars rolling. Thank you to all.

Still want to make a donation? Here’s how you can make a difference.

If you have not yet made your donation, please note the chairs are $300 per seat. Please pick up a brochure at church to see how you can make your donation or pledge. If you want to make a donation by mail, please make out your check payable to Lutheran Church of Honolulu, or simply LCH, and add “Pew Chairs” in the subject line. You can also donate online at www.lchwelcome.org/site/donate.

Summer Schedules

As June approaches, please keep in mind that we change our Sunday service time to the summer schedule for June, July, and August. There will be one worship service on Sundays, at 9:15 am. This is a communion service. There will be no Compline during the summer months. Compline resumes on the first Sunday of September.

Other LCH programs may break for the summer as well. Check the LCH calendar on-line, or the HeartBeat newsletter and the weekly LCHNews calendars for scheduling information.

Summer LCH Office Hours

• Monday—9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Tuesday—9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Wednesday—12:00 noon to 4:00 pm
• Thursday—9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Friday—9:00 am to 3:00 pm

We recommend calling the office (808-941-2566) before making a visit to see Pastor Jeff or the administrator, as schedules may vary with appointments, other work commitments, and lunch breaks.

Food for Thought

Saturday, June 2, 5:30–8:00 pm

Food for Thought will meet at the home of David Hörmann. All are welcome for potluck supper, video, and discussion. For more information, contact the LCH office at 808-941-2566.

Karol’s Karolers Spring Concert

June 2, 2:00 pm

Karol’s Karolers presents their spring concert at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu. Several LCH members sing in this choral group, so we’d love to sing for you and hope to see you in the audience!

SUMMER SERVICE SCHEDULE Begins Sunday, June 3

One worship service at 9:15 am (Communion Service) through Sunday, August 26

Angel Network In-Gathering

Angel Network In-Gathering is on hold until repairs can be made to the building at Calvary-by-the-Sea Lutheran Church. The building was damaged in the storm and flood on Friday, April 13. If you are interested, please visit their website at www.calvarybythesea.org, and click on “ GoFundMe Help with the flood recovery,” in the right panel under News.

Adult Forum: Slavery and Civil Rights Before Lincoln

Sundays, through June, 8:15 am • LCH Boardroom

BoardroomAdult Forum will have presentations regarding the anti-slavery movement before and also after Abraham Lincoln’s presidency. The presentations will include portions of the movie Amazing Grace, which dealt with the British experience. Please wake a little earlier to attend this series of interesting viewing/discussion sessions, beginning at 8:15 am.

Sunday School on Vacation for the Summer

During the summer, starting on June 3, there is no Sunday school, as LCH goes to one service. Starting again September 2, 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!

Sign up for next year’s Sunday school on Rally Sunday, August 26. In the meantime, have a great summer!

Leadership Roundtable

Sunday, June 3, 10:30 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!

Compline

Sunday, June 3, 7:30 pm

Join us for a final Compline service before the summer break, led a cappella by the Men’s Schola. This is a peaceful experience of rejuvenation and prayer. Compline will resume every first and third Sunday, beginning September 2, 2018, through May 19, 2019.

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!

Intermittent Office Hours in June

The LCH Office will be open intermittently, Thursday, June 7, through Friday, June 15, while the administrator is on vacation and Pastor Jeff is attending Vacation Bible School at St. John’s, Kailua.

Holoholo Pick-Up

Tuesdays, June 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.

Process Forum

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

We’ll meet in June, and all are invited to come to this free-ranging discussion group focusing on process thought. Without Fritz as our leader, we are all having to dig a little deeper for our own understandings. Topic for discussion will be announced soon. We will take a break during July and August.

Youth/Parent Meeting for National Youth Gathering

Sunday, June 10, 4:00 pm • St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

Our tip to Houston is fast approaching, so we will be meeting with all youth and their parents on June 10! This mandatory parent/youth meeting will not last more than an hour.

We will go over final details for travel to and from Houston; pass out guides for conduct and the group covenant and review safety procedures; pass out luggage tags and laminated emergency contact cards; provide information regarding on-site transportation, meals, our NASA Space Center visit, emergency contact information, gathering contacts, etc.; pass out gathering tee-shirts (and Synod gear if available by that date); and answer any questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you there!

LCH Office Closed

Monday, June 11, In observance of King Kamehameha Day

Vacation Bible School 2018

Tuesday–Saturday, June 12–16, 9:00 am–3:00 pm
Grace Hall at St. John Lutheran Church, Kailua

All children entering Kindergarten through 6th grade this fall (2018) are welcome to participate in Vacation Bible School (VBS)/day camp organized by St. John Lutheran and Lutheran Church of Honolulu. Lutheran Retreat, Camps, and Conferences, a ministry of the ELCA, is sending counselors for VBS this summer. The camp program runs from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily, but extended care is available from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm.

Early-bird registration is $50.00 for the week ($100.00 for extended care). After May 15, registration fees go up to $100.00 ($150.00 for extended care). Registration forms are available in the LCH office or in the courtyard between Sunday services. Please make checks payable to St. John Lutheran Church.

IHS Meals Prepared and Served

Friday, June 15, 1:00 pm prep/5:30 pm serve

For over 25 years, LCH has shopped for, prepared, and served a special dinner on the third Friday of each month for over 300 of Honolulu’s homeless. The cost is underwritten by the LCH budget and by a grant from the German Benevolent Society of Hawai‘i. Shoppers, cooks, and servers are needed each month. To learn more about the Institute for Human Services, visit their website at www.ihshawaii.org. Contact the LCH office or speak to Jimmy Castro for more information.

Lei Making Table

Starting mid June, there will be a table in the courtyard for people to make ribbon lei for our visitors. Come join us for the fellowship and fun!

Writers’ Workshop

Monday, June 18, 4:30 pm • LCH Boardroom

Writers’ Workshop will meet in the Boardroom at LCH. All are welcome. For more information, contact the LCH office at 808-941-2566.

LCH Women’s Book Club

Monday, June 18, 10:00 am

We meet at the the Murashige’s to review The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson. Juditha leads the discussion. On July 23, we meet again at Murashige’s to discuss The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier. Carol will lead in July. Newcomers are welcome. Please contact the church office if you have questions, 808-941-2566.

Mary Magdalene Society

Saturday, June 23, 6:00 pm • Isenberg Hall

LGBTQI and friends, please join our potluck supper and game 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 are also welcome for after-dinner entertainment.

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

One Pot, One Hope

Saturday, June 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. See Peggy Anderson for more information, including volunteering and carpool. We are in need of chili donations, #10 sized cans (from Costco or Sam’s Club).

Sophia Wins Miss Hawai‘i’s Outstanding Teen 2018!

LCH’s Sophia Stark won the top prize, in addition to four out of five special awards: academic award, talent award, community service award, and the Children’s Miracle Network award for raising the most money for the charity—thanks to generous donations made by her LCH ‘ohana.

She’ll receive over $13,000.00 in college scholarships and an all-expense-paid trip to the national competition in Orlando, Florida, this July. Congratulations, Sophia, and good luck in Florida!

ELCA National Youth Gathering

Houston, TX • June 25–July 2

Every three years, 30,000 high school youth and their adult leaders from across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America gather for a week of faith formation known as the Gathering. Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service, and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are challenged and inspired to live their faith in their daily lives. Our LCH youth, together with youth from the Parish of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, travel to Houston, Texas to join other teens for loads of fun and fulfillment! Pastor Jeff will attend with Pastor Diane Martinson, along with two LCH and two St. Peter’s teens. Please keep them all in your prayers for safe travel and for a Spirit filled time for everyone.

Edward Shipwright Memorial Piano Fund

The church has an ongoing need for maintenance of our current piano, which is on generous loan from Mark Wong. We also need to plan for eventual purchase of an excellent, permanent piano for LCH.

Therefore, we have established the Edward Shipwright Memorial Piano Fund. Dr. Shipwright was the head of the piano division of the Music Department at UH Mānoa. Many people associated with LCH were students or friends of Ed. The fund will be a fitting memorial to his 50 years of teaching and playing.

LCH Intern Approved

The faculty of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary approved Andrew Flatt-Kuntze (on the left) as an intern pastor to serve at Lutheran Church of Honolulu for the 2018–19 academic year. Andrew, and his husband Justin, arrive in Honolulu on July 12, to begin internship on July 15. Pastoral internship is a required year of full-time, supervised ministry in a ministry setting (usually a church) approved by the seminary. The goal is for the intern to have access to a wide range of experience in preaching, administration, pastoral care, and spiritual development.

We are very excited to resume our tradition of hosting interns at LCH, and very excited to get to know and share ministry with Andrew and Justin. We will have a welcome potluck for Andrew and Justin shortly after their arrival this summer.

Electronic Funds Transfers for April

Offering Fund	Amount	Offering Fund	Amount
Offering	$4,617	Music Fund/Instruments	$210
Shallow Subsidy	$90	Pew Chair Fund	$587

Attendance and Offerings for May

Date	Worship Service	Attendance	Offering Fund	Amount
May 6	8:00 am Service	47	Offering	$1,698
	10:30 am Service	62	Shallow Subsidy	$80
	Compline	46	Social Ministries/IHS	$30
	Total	155	Pew Chair Auction	$3,728
			Memorials	$250
			Music/Instruments	$1,000
May 13	8:00 am Service	51	Offering	$2,683
	10:30 am Service	61	Pew Chair Fund	$9000
	Total	112	Shallow Subsidy	$80
			Music/Instruments	$50
May 20	8:00 am Service	49	Offering	$2,775
	10:30 am Service	63	Shallow Subsidy	$100
	Compline	25	Pew Chair Fund	$75
	Total	13y	Music/Instruments	$1,010
			Memorials	$4,4600
May 27	8:00 am Service	48	Offering	$1,728
	10:30 am Service	54	Sunday School Offerings/IHS	$2
	Total	102	Shallow Subsidy	$40
			Music Fund	$49
			Pew Chair Fund	$307
			Memorials	$100
			Scholarships	$250

HeartBeat Deadline

Tuesday, June 19, 9:00 am

Chuck H, Cindy P, Colleen, Greg, Jennifer, Karen, Piperlynn
and her parents, Kim K, Kim V, Kirsten, Lee M, Lori L, Mark V,
Remy, Shirley, Steve R, Swede, Tammy, Vonia

June Birthdays

06/03	Kiyoko Nitz
06/03	Vincent Reid Womack
06/04	LaVerne Rickard
06/04	Michael Sato
06/04	Angela Freeman-Riley
06/05	Scott Fikse
06/05	Jaime Crozier Garcia
06/06	Crescent Cheng
06/07	Austin Buckley
06/09	John Bickel
06/09	Kathryn Klingebiel
06/10	Miriam Sato
06/11	Susan Burns
06/11	Diane Perushek
06/13	Don Blanchard
06/14	Randy Christensen
06/16	Max Womack
06/18	Seth Lilley
06/22	Joseph Pettit
06/26	Jeff Lilley

LCH Worship Participants

Choral Eucharist or Holy Communion (9:15 am)
DATE	June 3	June 10	June 17	June 24
LECTOR	Peggy Brandt	Randy Castello	Cathy Baptista	Peter Flachsbart
ASSISTING MINISTER	Peggy Anderson	Marcus Fikse	Bobby Broyles	Laurie Leach
COMMUNION	Jim Cartwright Mary Fastenau Wayne Gau	Sophia S. David Barber Bob Tellander	Josie Bidgood Chuck Pearson Teresa McCreary	Nathalie J. Stephanie Luuloa Don Johnson
ACOLYTE	Rebecca L.	Raphael S.	Iara N.	Coco J.
LAYING ON HANDS		Juditha Murashige
USHERS	Fred Benco Dylan DePretto Billie Jean Ries Chuck Huxel Peter Flachsbart Bill Fay Chuck Pearson		ALTAR GUILD	Olivia Castro Mary Jo Estes Billie Jean Ries Noelani Nitz
COUNCIL in CHARGE	Noelani Nitz

Calendar: June 2018

Day	Date	Event and Time
Saturday	June 2	2:00 pm, Karol’s Karolers Concert 5:30 pm, Food for Thought
Sunday	June 3	9:15 am, Summer Holy Communion 10:30 am, Leadership Roundtable 7:30 pm, Compline
Tuesday	June 5	2:30 pm, Holoholo pick-up
Thursday	June 7	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting
Saturday	June 9	9:30 am, Process Thought Forum 2:30 pm, Punahou Parking at LCH (both lots)
Sunday	June 10	9:15 am, Summer Holy Communion 4:00 pm, Youth/Parent Meeting for National Youth Gathering
Monday	June 11	OFFICE CLOSED—King Kamehameha Day 9:00 am, Vacation Bible School, St. John’s 6:00 pm, Worship and Music Meeting
Tuesday	June 12	9:00 am, Vacation Bible School, St. John’s
Wednesday	June 13	9:00 am, Vacation Bible School, St. John’s
Thursday	June 14	9:00 am, Vacation Bible School, St. John’s 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study
Friday	June 15	9:00 am, Vacation Bible School, St. John’s 1:00 pm, IHS Meals prepared 5:30 pm, IHS Meals served
Sunday	June 17	Father’s Day 9:15 am, Summer Holy Communion
Monday	June 18	10:00 am, LCH Women’s Book Club 4:30 pm, Writers’ Workshop
Tuesday	June 19	HeartBeat Submissions Deadline! 2:30 pm, Holoholo pick-up
Wednesday	June 20	12:30 pm, Finance Committee Meeting
Thursday	June 21	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting
Saturday	June 23	6:00 pm, Mary Magdalene Society
Sunday	June 24	9:15 am, Summer Holy Communion
Monday	June 25	ELCA National Youth Gathering, Houston
Tuesday	June 26	ELCA National Youth Gathering, Houston 6:30 pm, LCH Council Meeting
Wednesday	June 27	ELCA National Youth Gathering, Houston
Thursday	June 28	ELCA National Youth Gathering, Houston 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study
Friday	June 29	ELCA National Youth Gathering, Houston
Saturday	June 30	9:30 am, One Pot One Hope