HeartBeat—April 2019

From Pastor Jeff

A Church Re-enlivened

It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.

On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared.

Luke 23:54—24:1

Soon after you receive this newsletter, we will be deep into Holy Week and earnest preparation for Easter. For weeks, many of us have walked the journey of Lent together in midweek meals, worship, and prayer. It has been a peaceful, thoughtful, and I hope, helpful exploration of how God’s love permeates our very being. Simple meals, simple worship, and time for reflection have hopefully prepared us, in some small way, for what is to come next.

Jesus’ followers, after his death, also found themselves preparing for what would come next. Luke recounts that some women, who were his disciples, prepared the spices to be used to prepare his body for burial. There had been no time after Jesus’ crucifixion for them to do what was proper for their master. They returned to the tomb on the first day of the week. It was an act of love and devotion honoring, not only Jesus, but also the community that had formed around him. For them, Jesus was dead.

Having prepared to anoint the dead, they were not ready for what they found! There was no body to anoint, no hands to caress, or forehead to kiss. An empty tomb greeted them with its wide-open maw. Had his body been stolen? Where could he be? In the Gospel of Luke, two men stand in the tomb dressed in dazzling white. “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” they ask the women. “He is not here, but has risen.” Two thousand years later, we continue to look into the tomb but we are no longer surprised by what we find. We have heard the story countless times, told countless ways, but the ending is always the same.

If the story seems fantastical, unbelievable, or irrelevant, we have only ourselves to blame. We sometimes give up on God’s kingdom and go through the motions of doing church instead of being church. Sometimes we approach faith and church like we are preparing for a funeral. We hear statistic after statistic about the impending death of organized Christianity, and we accept it as a forgone conclusion, just as Jesus’ followers accepted that he was dead. We have prepared the spices for funeral, but there is no funeral, just a feast.

Imagine a church re-enlivened by the news of the resurrected Christ living in and through God’s disciples. What if we are not being called to a funeral, but to a new adventure in Christ’s presence in the world? What if the Easter dawn could be as exciting today as it was two millennia ago?

Could we throw down our funeral spices and take up the feat? Perhaps the body of Christ, the church, is not dying so much as she is entering a time of renewal that might involve metamorphic changes to our ministry. Could we do it?

You good people of Lutheran Church of Honolulu have always been up for a change. As we look to God’s future, I hope we can be leaders for the greater church and be light for the kind of metamorphosis that will allow us to proclaim in full voice, “Christ is Risen; he is Risen indeed!”

May God bless and keep us all as we listen for what God is up to in the world; as we join with all who love God to bring God’s promise to pass.

Blessings and peace,
Pastor Jeff

From Vicar Andy

Aloha LCH,

Lent is my favorite liturgical season. This intentional time of deliberate devotion, communal contemplation, and self-reflection appears to run counter to culture in the society we live in. While mainstream society stresses busy-ness and work, Lent challenges this narrative and encourages us to consider another way. The way of Lent is the way of pausing and being intentional. I remember one of my seminary professors reminding us to take a few deep intentional breaths throughout our days. Think about that—she had to remind us to breathe. Dr. Moe-Lobeda took this practice so seriously that she even interrupted class a number of times during the semester and led us through her practice. I confess, I do not always remember to take time for intentional deep breathing. However, it has become my 2019 Lenten discipline. Sit or lie in a comfortable position, close your eyes, take a deep breath in, hold it for 5–10 seconds, release, and open your eyes. Immediately after, I hope you feel as centered and rejuvenated as I do.

During the month of March, LCH and the Fikse and Cummings families hosted our first two ‘Ohana Gatherings. These gatherings were a huge success and a lot of fun. Those who attended brought good food, conversation, and community to the gatherings. The hosts and locations of our April gatherings will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

Contact me or sign up in the courtyard between services if you are interested in attending one of the upcoming gatherings.

See you in church,
Vicar Andy

Family Promise Shallow Subsidy

Samantha Church, executive director of Family Promise, informed us last fall of a new venture for the agency. “In other news, we actually recently were awarded a new grant fund from an organization called Help Us Move, along with American Savings Bank, to support rental subsidies for our families! The caveat is that we have to raise $20,000 from the community as a match for them to release the funds to us.”

They have raised over $11,000 so far, with LCH contributing just over $2,000 from one of our Shallow Subsidy grants. There are still $8,000 remaining in the challenge, and we have been asked to again contribute to this challenge. The LCH council, at the March meeting, voted to donate $3,000 from our accumulated Shallow Subsidy funds to help move Family Promise to their goal of meeting the entire challenge. So far, they have been able to house 10 families, including 22 children, with the matching funds. All families are still in housing and doing well.

This is a very challenging time to find housing for homeless or those near homelessness. The inventory is very low; landlords want their money upfront, not stretched out over a year’s time, as with the original Shallow Subsidy model. Even with these difficulties, Family Promise continues to search out appropriate housing and to offer their families education in financial planning and management.

Family Promise is also launching a new site, based in Wahiawā, this summer. The site will host prevention, shelter, and stabilization services and will allow Family Promise to increase the capacity of who they are able to serve by thirty-five percent.

LCH continues to receive contributions from members and friends to help support our involvement in this collaboration with Family Promise. If you’d like to be involved, a one-time or monthly contribution in any amount is most welcome. Be sure to indicate that your gift should go to Family Promise. A huge thank you to all who have supported our involvement with Family Promise.

LCH Office Hours

• Monday—9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Tuesday—9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Wednesday—9:00 am to 12:30 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.

Easter Lilies

Help transform the Nave from Lent into Easter by donating money for an Easter lily to decorate the altar. Plants may be given in memory or honor of a loved one. Donation forms are in the usher basket or may be picked up in the church office. Thank you!

Lenten Soup and Salad Suppers

Wednesdays, March 13, 20, 27, April 3, and 10 at 6:00 pm • in the Hörmann Courtyard

Please join in this wonderful time of fellowship and prayer, beginning each Wednesday of Lent with a simple soup and salad supper. Suppers are served at 6:00 pm, prior to 7:00 pm Lenten services in the nave. A sign-up sheet will be available in the courtyard for contributions to each week’s meal and for help with set-up and clean-up. See Mary Jo Estes or call the LCH office for more information.

Book of Faith Bible Study

Thursdays, 10:00–11:45 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 engaging fellowship and discussion!

LCH Choir Performs at the Hawai‘i State Public Library

Saturday, April 6, 12:00 pm • 478 S. King Street, Honolulu

The Lutheran Church of Honolulu Choir will share a free concert at the Hawai‘i State Public Library. Our program, entitled Cantiones Sacrae, will include an eclectic offering of choral works illustrating the diversity and evolution of sacred choral music. Starting with Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony, the choir will take listeners on a journey that also includes music from the Baroque, Romantic, and Modern periods. Secular solos by our own talented section leaders will be featured.

All are welcome and we are grateful for your show of support!

Angel Network In-Gathering

Sunday, April 7

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 the Children at the Seder Meal

Sunday, April 7, 9:20 am • Isenberg Hall

Between services, the children of the Sunday school will again host an abbreviated Seder meal in Isenberg Hall. This is a traditional part of our Easter preparation at Lutheran Church of Honolulu. The Seder commemorates God’s special relationship with the people of Israel and God’s freeing them from slavery in Egypt, as told in the Hebrew Scriptures. Join us to learn more on April 7.

Adult Forum

Sundays at 9:20 am • LCH Boardroom

Please bring your refreshments and join us in the boardroom for scheduled discussions and speakers. Note special events on April 7 (Seder Meal) and 21 (Easter Sunday) that are traditional gatherings for the entire LCH congregation. The current schedule for April and May is:

• April 7—Join the children for the annual Seder Meal
• April 14—End of life planning discussion lead by an estate-planning attorney
• April 21—Easter Sunday brunch (no Adult Forum)
• April 28—End of life planning discussion lead by Vicar Andy
• May 5—End of life planning, health, and other related subjects
• May 12 to 26—Sacred story telling, lead by Vicar Andy

Godly Play—Sunday School

Sunday School 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 April:

• April 7—Seder Meal
• April 14—The Faces of Easter VII
• April 21—Easter Egg Hunt
• April 28—Jesus and the Twelve

Leadership Roundtable

Sunday, April 7, 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!

Confirmation Preparation Classes

Sundays, April 7 and 28, 11:45 am • LCH Rainbow Room

Confirmation is 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. For more information, please contact Pastor Jeff or Vicar Andy.

Compline

Sundays, April 7 and 21, 7:30 pm

Join us on the first and third Sunday of each month for Compline, led a cappella by the LCH Men’s Schola. This is a peaceful experience of rejuvenation and prayer.

Friends with Farms Produce Pick-Up

Tuesdays, April 9 & 23, 2:30–4:00 pm • LCH Boardroom

Friends with Farms is a Community Supported Agriculture organization, or csa, that works with LCH to bring you fresh, farm direct produce from multiple, local farms. For more information visit their website at www.FriendsWithFarms.com for bag options, pricing, and to sign up.

Process Forum

Saturday, April 13, 9:30 am • LCH Boardroom

The Process Forum meets on the second Saturday of April. Our topic this month, suggested by several participants, is mysticism. We’ll look at the intense spiritual experience of mysticism from Process, Christian, Buddhist, and other perspectives. We’ll use an article from the openhorizons.org website as a springboard for discussion. All are welcome to participate in this lively group, under the guidance of Matt LoPresti, professor of philosophy from Hawai‘i Pacific University.

IHS Brown Bag Meal Prep

Thursday, April 18, 8:00 am • Isenberg Hall

This month we prepare brown bag meals to transport to IHS for distribution. Enjoy fellowship time with other members while assembling 400 sandwiches and brown-bag meals. Pastries will be available, and there will be plenty of coffee to keep the assembly lively.

To participate in this month’s meal preparation or for additional information, you may speak to Carol Langner or contact the LCH office. A driver with a van or SUV is needed to help transport meals. Please join the group on April 18, if you are available to help. To learn more about the Institute for Human Services, visit their website at www.ihshawaii.org.

LCH Women’s Book Club

Monday, April 15, 10:00 am

We will meet at the Murashige’s to discuss Third Plate by Dan Barber. Book selection for May will be announced at a later date. All are welcome. Please contact the church office if you have questions, 808-941-2566.

Writers’ Workshop

Monday, April 15, 4:30 pm

Writers’ Workshop meets in the LCH Boardroom. The next Monday meeting is scheduled for May 20. All are welcome. For more information contact the LCH office at 808-941-2566.

LCH Office will be closed Friday, April 19

in observance of Good Friday

Triduum and Easter at LCH

The Triduum is the Lenten pilgrimage of the Great Three Days leading up to Easter Sunday. Join us for this powerful journey, filled with rich liturgy and music, with the LCH Choir and members of the Bach Chamber Orchestra.

April 18 + 7:30 pm + Maundy Thursday

We remember the Last Supper and the New Commandment to “love one another” as told in the Gospel of St. John.

April 19 + 7:30 pm + Good Friday

We remember the crucifixion. The LCH Choir presents the St. John Passion by 17th century composer Heinrich Schütz, as well as Allegri’s famous Sistine Chapel masterpiece Miserere Mei Deus.

April 20 + 7:30 pm + Easter Vigil & Jazz Mass

We move from darkness into light, celebrating with Bob Chilcott’s Little Jazz Mass and a jazz liturgy with guest musicians.

April 21 + 8:00 & 10:30 am + Easter Sunday

Christ is risen! Join us for the 8:00 am contemporary service with chamber ensemble or the 10:30 am choral service with triumphant brass.

April 21 + 7:30 pm + Easter Compline

Candlelight illuminates the sanctuary for this short service of meditation, chant, and a cappella choral music.

Easter Potluck

Easter Sunday, April 21, at 9:15 am

Join in the fun of fellowship and food at the Easter Sunday Potluck Brunch between services on Easter Sunday. We welcome your favorite breakfast dish or casserole, breads, pastries, fruit, or any other food item to share with everyone. We also need help with table set up and clean up. Look for the sign-up sheet in the Hörmann Courtyard or see Mary Jo Estes.

Easter Egg Hunt

Sunday, April 21, between services

The Sunday school will have an egg hunt, between services, for children in grades 5 and younger. (The older children get to hide the eggs!) We will have a puppet show in the Godly Play room at 9:20 am for the egg hunters while the eggs are being hidden. Bring a basket if you have one, but there will be extra baskets available.

One Pot, One Hope

Saturday, April 27, 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. Chili donations are appreciated, #10 sized cans (from Costco or Sam’s Club).

Food for Thought

Saturday, May 18, 5:30–8:00 pm

Food for Thought will not meet in April. Our next meeting will be held at the home of David Hörmann on Saturday, May 18. All are welcome for potluck supper, video, and discussion. For more information, contact the LCH office at 808-941-2566.

An Easy Way to Donate

Did you know you can donate to Lutheran Church of Honolulu while shopping without spending any extra money? Shop at smile.amazon.com and increase donations to Lutheran Church of Honolulu! Any Amazon purchase can be made through LCH’s unique charity-link, which will take you directly to smile.amazon.com in support of LCH. Just type this URL in your browser and start shopping: smile.amazon.com/ch/99-0079975.

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.

Electronic Funds Transfers for February

Offering Fund	Amount	Offering Fund	Amount
Offering	$6,705	Music Fund/Instruments	$213
Shallow Subsidy	$90	Capital Improvements	$172

Attendance and Offerings for March

Date	Worship Service	Attendance	Offering Fund	Amount
March 3	8:00 am Service	51	Offering	$2,881
	10:30 am Service	88	Shallow Subsidy	$50
	Compline	30	Social Ministries	$70
	Total	169	Music Fund	$10
			Scholarship Fund	$20
			Pew Chairs	$60
March 6	Ash Wednesday Worship	62	Offering	$45
March 10	8:00 am Service	42	Offering	$2,770
	10:30 am Service	70	Shallow Subsidy	$110
	Total	112	Music Fund	$80
			Social Ministries/IHS	$30
March 17	8:00 am Service	45	Offering	$1,598
	10:30 am Service	71	Shallow Subsidy	$100
	Compline	24	Music Fund/Instruments	$60
	Total	140
March 24	8:00 am Service	45	Offering	$3,097
	10:30 am Service	84	Shallow Subsidy	$30
	Total	129	Social Ministries/IHS	$30
Attendance and Offerings for March 31 not available at the time of this publication.

HeartBeat Deadline

Tuesday, April 23, 9:00 am

Colleen K., George, Linda M., Patricia, Ray P., Resi,
Vonia, Wayne G.

April Birthdays

04/02	Brent Buckley
04/04	Marisa Castello
04/07	Dr. Carl Watanabe
04/08	Azure S.
04/12	Eric Ogawa
04/13	Larry Nitz
04/15	Peter Flachsbart
04/15	Darel Stark
04/17	Carol Langner
04/17	Joseph Pearson
04/19	April Smith
04/26	Anna Womack
04/29	Sarah Roseberg

LCH Worship Participants

Holy Communion (8:00 am)
DATE	April 7	April 14 Palm Sunday	April 21 Easter Sunday	April 28
LECTOR	Jimmy Castro	Cindy Scheinert	Carolyn Koehler	Amanda Lippert
ASSISTING MINISTER	Amanda Lippert	Laurie Leach	Bobby Broyles	Peggy Anderson
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS	Bobby Broyles Kyra Takamiya Laurie Leach	Peggy Anderson Don Johnson Chuck Huxel	Phyllis Hörmann Stephanie Luuloa Chuck Huxel	Phyllis Hörmann Amanda Lippert Don Johnson
ACOLYTE	Hunter N.	Dylan D.	Hunter N.	Dylan D.
LAYING ON HANDS		Stephanie Luuloa
USHERS	Fred Benco Billie Jean Ries Dylan DePretto		COUNCIL in CHARGE	Juditha Murashige Phyllis Hörmann
Choral Eucharist (10:30 am)
DATE	April 7	April 14 Palm Sunday	April 21 Easter Sunday	April 28
LECTOR	Angie Niermann	Rich Mundell	Peggy Brandt	Juditha Murashige
DEACON	Julie Cummings	Mary Fastenau	Teresa McCreary	Marcus Fikse
SUB-DEACON	Walter Cummings	Marcus Fikse	Jeanne Castello	Bob Tellander
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS	John Bickel Frank Haas	Bob Tellander Jim Cartwright	Julie Cummings Walter Cummings	Randy Christensen Mary Fastenau
ACOLYTES	Rebecca L.	Lillie & Coco J.	Rebecca L.	NEEDED
LAYING ON HANDS		John Bickel
USHERS	Peter Flachsbart Bill Fay Chuck Huxel		ALTAR GUILD	Linda Miller Lori Nishimura Marjan Lynch Marlise Tellander
Triduum (7:30 pm)
DATE	April 18 Maundy Thursday	April 19 Good Friday	April 20 Easter Vigil
LECTOR	Roy Helms		Jimmy Castro Cathy Baptista Mary Fastenau Olivia Castro Roy Helms
GOSPELLERS		Mark Billy Benjamin Leonid Karol Nowicki	Randy Castello
DEACON	Jim Cartwright	Mary Fastenau	Frank Haas
SUB-DEACON	Marcus Fikse	Jim Cartwright	Peggy Anderson
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS	Phyllis Hörmann Carolyn Koehler		Sue Haas Bob Tellander
ACOLYTE	Hunter N.		Mary Fastenau
BANNER BEARERS			Julie & Walter Cummings
THURIFER			Don Johnson
BOAT BEARER			NEEDED

Calendar: April 2019

Day	Date	Event and Time
Wednesday	April 3	6:00 pm, Lenten Soup & Salad Supper 7:00 pm, Lenten Evening Prayer Service 7:30 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal
Thursday	April 4	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Saturday	April 6	12:00 pm, LCH Choir Concert, Hawai‘i State Library
Sunday	April 7	Angel Network In-Gathering 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:20 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 11:45 am, Leadership Roundtable 11:45 am, Confirmation Class 7:30 pm, Compline
Monday	April 8	6:00 pm, Worship & Music Meeting
Tuesday	April 9	Intern Retreat—Pr. Jeff & Vicar Andy 2:30 pm, Friends with Farms Pick-up
Wednesday	April 10	6:00 pm, Lenten Soup & Salad Supper 7:00 pm, Lenten Evening Prayer Service 7:30 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal
Thursday	April 11	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Saturday	April 13	9:30 am, Process Forum
Sunday	April 14	Passion Sunday 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:20 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist
Monday	April 15	10:00 am, LCH Women’s Book Club 4:30 pm, Writers’ Workshop 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Wednesday	April 17	12:30 pm, Finance Committee Meeting 6:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal
Thursday	April 18	Maundy Thursday 8:00 am, IHS Sandwich Assembly 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting 7:30 pm, Maundy Thursday Worship
Friday	April 19	Good Friday—LCH OFFICE Closed 7:30 pm, Good Friday Worship
Saturday	April 20	7:30 pm, Easter Vigil Service
Sunday	April 21	Resurrection of Our Lord 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:15 am, Easter Sunday Brunch 9:20 am, Easter Egg Hunt 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 7:30 pm, Compline
Tuesday	April 23	HeartBeat Submissions Deadline 2:30 pm, Friends with Farms Pick-up 6:30 pm, LCH Council Meeting
Wednesday	April 24	6:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal
Thursday	April 25	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Saturday	April 27	9:30 am, One Pot One Hope 7:30 pm, O‘ahu Choral Society Concert at LCH
Sunday	April 28	Earth Day Sunday 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:20 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 11:45 am, Confirmation Class