In this issue:
- A Message from Pastor Jeff
- LCH Office Hours
- Regular Worship Schedule Resumes Sunday, September 1!
- Give Aloha Returns September 1!
- Committee/Interest Group Chairs
- Nursery Hours September–May
- Angel Network In-Gathering
- Godly Play—Sunday School Begins!
- Adult Forum—September
- Leadership Roundtable
- Compline
- LCH OFFICE will be closed Monday, September 2
- Book of Faith Bible Study
- Confirmation Preparation Classes
- LCH Women’s Book Club
- Writers’ Workshop
- IHS Meal Prep
- Food for Thought
- Mary Magdalene Society
- One Pot, One Hope
- An Easy Way to Donate
- Edward Shipwright Memorial Piano Fund
- Ted Fritschel 1932–2019
- LCH Concert Committee
- Punahou Academy Fall Semester Parking
- HeartBeat Deadline
- Electronic Funds Transfers for July
- Attendance and Offerings for August
- Prayer Requests
- September Birthdays
- LCH Worship Participants (8:00 am)
- LCH Worship Participants (10:30 am)
- Calendar: September 2019
A Message from Pastor Jeff
Our Changing Church
In August of this year, the ELCA passed a resolution that declared the ELCA a “sanctuary church.” The framers of the resolution hoped to draw attention to the plight of refugees and immigrants fleeing to the U.S. from sometimes terrible and dangerous situations in their home countries. The resolution also calls for humane and dignified treatment of any person attempting to enter into the U.S.
Naturally, there was heated debate on the issues, but in the end, the voting members decided to act in a decisive way to stand with those in need. In many ways this may signal a significant change in our church. Those present at the assembly noted how important the voices of women, people of color, and those who spoke languages other than English were to the conversation.
On one hand, that this resolution passed in assembly is not a surprise. The Lutheran Church—along with our Catholic, Episcopal, and other church brothers and sisters—has been at the center of the refugee/immigrant crisis for some time. But this decision, along with the resolution for full inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons into ordained ministry, places the national church body at odds with the traditionally conservative nature of the ELCA.
While there has been plenty of kickback following the adoption of the sanctuary resolution, there has also been an air of celebration and curiosity. In many ways, this is a sign of a church that is experiencing healthy change. We are pushing the limits of our comfort zone, exploring new ways to be the church together, and sharing in global conversation about substantive, human issues that really matter. We will need to pay attention to our core convictions, our theological foundations, and our commitment to proclamation of the Gospel to guide us through these changing times and our changing church; and we will need a plan.
The ELCA, the Pacifica Synod, and our own congregation are undertaking strategic plans to help guide us through the next few years as the world, society, and our congregations change. LCH’s congregational council is putting together a strategic planning process, which we hope to complete in the course of 6–9 months, that will help us better understand who we are and who God is calling us to be. We all recognize that we see fewer people in the pews, that the population Hawai‘i has negative net growth, and that the cost of living and playing in Hawai‘i is increasingly out of reach. Yet God continues to call us to meet those changes in ministry.
Our strategic planning may help us to envision ministry with new eyes as we look at the needs of our members, the community, and the earth in prayer for discernment. Perhaps we will be called to take chance like the churchwide assembly did with the sanctuary resolution and policies for full inclusion of LGBTI+ persons. Perhaps as we pray, talk, and share our way through the strategic planning process, we will discover new ways God is calling us to serve our community and the world. Like the church at large, our congregation is changing and evolving.
It is the hope of the council that every person who is a part LCH’s ministry will participate in our upcoming strategic planning process. There will be plenty of time for prayer, input, listening, ideas, evaluation, and dreaming. But strategic planning works best when the entire community participates and invests in the process. We hope that, with careful listening to you and to our surrounding community, we can better proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a changing church in a changing world.
Peace,
Pastor Jeff
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.
Regular Worship Schedule Resumes Sunday, September 1!
8:00 am • Holy Communion
10:30 am • Choral Eucharist
7:30 pm • Compline (first and third Sundays)
Committee/Interest Group Chairs
Committee/Group
Leader
Archive:
Jim Cartwright
Concert:
Scott Fikse
Communications:
Carol Langner
Community Life:
Larry Anderson
Council:
Josie Bidgood
Fellowship:
Jeanne Castello
& Mary-Jo Estes
Finance:
Steve Miller
Financial Review:
Dori Palcovich
Food for Thought:
Kathryn Klingebiel
Lay Ministers:
Carolyn Koehler
Learning Ministry:
Fred Benco
Mary Magdalene Society:
Bill Potter
& Roy Helms
Process Theology:
Carol Langner
Property:
Richard Mundell
Scholarship:
Fred Benco
Social Ministry:
Jean Lilley
Stewardship:
Phyllis Hörmann
& Willow Chang
Sunday School:
Laurie Leach
Worship & Music:
Roy Helms
& Randy Castello
Writers’ Workshop:
Kathryn Klingebiel
Youth:
Pr. Jeff Lilley
Give Aloha Returns September 1!
LCH Org Code: 78224
Committee/Interest Group Chairs
| Committee/Group | Leader |
|---|---|
| Archive: | Jim Cartwright |
| Concert: | Scott Fikse |
| Communications: | Carol Langner |
| Community Life: | Larry Anderson |
| Council: | Josie Bidgood |
| Fellowship: | Jeanne Castello & Mary-Jo Estes |
| Finance: | Steve Miller |
| Financial Review: | Dori Palcovich |
| Food for Thought: | Kathryn Klingebiel |
| Lay Ministers: | Carolyn Koehler |
| Learning Ministry: | Fred Benco |
| Mary Magdalene Society: | Bill Potter & Roy Helms |
| Process Theology: | Carol Langner |
| Property: | Richard Mundell |
| Scholarship: | Fred Benco |
| Social Ministry: | Jean Lilley |
| Stewardship: | Phyllis Hörmann & Willow Chang |
| Sunday School: | Laurie Leach |
| Worship & Music: | Roy Helms & Randy Castello |
| Writers’ Workshop: | Kathryn Klingebiel |
| Youth: | Pr. Jeff Lilley |
LCH Org Code: 78224We are registered again to participate in the annual Give Aloha Program, sponsored by Foodland/Western Union. During the month of September, donations to Give Aloha will be accepted, up to $249, at any Foodland or Sack ’n’ Save. Don’t forget your Maika‘i card and use the LCH Organization Code (78224) at the time of your donation. Foodland and Western Union will match every gift received up to $300,000 for all combined participating organizations.
Nursery Hours September–May
The nursery is available for children ages 0–5 from 7:45 am to 12:00 noon, from September through May. We encourage children of all ages to attend worship, but if your young child needs a rest during the busy morning, please take advantage of this space. The nursery entrance is located across the courtyard from the entrance to the Nave.
Angel Network In-Gathering
Sunday, September 1
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 Begins!
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 September:
- September 1—The Holy Bible and the Circle of the Church Year
- September 8—Caring for the Earth
- September 15—The Falling Apart
- September 22—The Great Family
- September 29—The Story of Joseph
Adult Forum—September
Sunday Mornings 9:20–10:20 am
For four Sundays in September, Marsha Schweitzer will lead the Adult Forum between Sunday services. Topics of discussion, by popular demand but subject to change, center around the broad idea of Mysticism. Bring your refreshments and join us in the LCH boardroom.
- September 1—Mysticism I: Beginning the Journey
- September 8—Mysticism II: Scripture vs. Revelation
- September 15—Mysticism III: The Four Souls
- September 22—Mysticism IV: Are You “Born Again”?
Leadership Roundtable
Sunday, September 1, 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!
Compline
Sunday, September 1 and 15, 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.
LCH OFFICE will be closed Monday, September 2
in observance of Labor Day
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!
Confirmation Preparation Classes
Sunday, September 8 and 29, 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.
LCH Women’s Book Club
Monday, September 16, 10:00 am
The book club will meet at the Murashige’s. Billie Jean will lead discussion of the book Unforgettable, by Scott Simon. All are welcome. Please contact the church office if you have questions, 808-941-2566.
Writers’ Workshop
Monday, September 16, 4:00 pm
Writers’ Workshop meets in the boardroom at LCH. All are welcome. For more information please contact the LCH office at 808-941-2566.
IHS Meal Prep
Friday, September 20, 1:00 pm prep/5:30 pm serve
LCH will shop, cook, and serve our monthly hot meal to Honolulu’s homeless. This is part of our 25-plus-year tradition of providing dinner on the third Friday of each month. Volunteers are needed to serve as shoppers, cooks, and servers. Check the bulletin board by the kitchen for more information about IHS and our long involvement with this human service agency. You may also visit the Institute for Human Services website: www.ihshawaii.org.
Please direct any questions to Carol Langner at church, or call the church office, 808-941-2566, for details. Mahalo to all who help with this ministry to Honolulu’s homeless.
Food for Thought
Saturday, September 21, 5:30 to 8:00 pm
Food for Thought meets at the home of David Hörmann. All are welcome for potluck supper, video, and discussion. For more information, please contact the LCH office at 808-941-2566.
Mary Magdalene Society
Saturday, September 21, at 6:00 pm • LCH Isenberg Hall
LGBTQI and friends, please join our potluck supper and social. Supper begins at 6:00 pm, with games to follow. Please bring a food item to share. After dinner, we will have some table talk and then enjoy games. For the September table talk following dinner, we are asking everyone to bring a photo from when they were in high school to share with the group.
For more information, contact Bill at bill.potter808@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.
One Pot, One Hope
Saturday, September 28, 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).
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.
Ted Fritschel 1932–2019
Ted Fritschel, along with his wife Nan, served the University of Hawai‘i community from 1965 to 1980, as Lutheran campus pastor. Pastor Fritschel and Nan especially enjoyed working with students from other countries and undergraduates.
After moving to Iowa City, in 1980, they continued their work in campus ministry for another 15 years, at the University of Iowa, then retired to the Denver area. Ted and Nan brought many students and faculty to LCH during their time in the islands.
Ted died at home on July 1, 2019. He remained active in his local church and in progressive politics until the end.
LCH Concert Committee
When the Abendmusiken concerts began in 1992, they gave LCH the opportunity to showcase vocalists and instrumentalists from within our own community. This fall, we plan to launch our First Mondays concerts as a continuation of the Abendmusiken series, and we need volunteers for the concert committee. If you’re passionate about our music ministry and interested in helping with concert planning, logistics, refreshments, or advertising or just contributing your voice to the planning and discussion, please contact Scott Fikse at scott@lchwelcome.org. We are eagerly seeking committee members to participate in this ministry.
Punahou Academy Fall Semester Parking
Both Parking Lots • Beginning Wednesday, August 14
The Punahou Academy fall semester is in full swing. Student parking has resumed in the LCH Poki Street and church parking lots. All Poki Street lot spaces are reserved for Punahou student parking, Monday through Friday, from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm on school days only, through May 28, 2020. There are ten spaces reserved for Punahou students in the church lot for the fall and spring semesters. All spaces along the Poki Street side of the church lot and two spaces in the gravel area nearest to the dumpster are reserved. Please do not park in the designated student spaces Monday through Friday, from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm on school days only, through May 28, 2020.
Please do not park in the Poki Street lot during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Even if spaces are empty, they are paid for by and reserved for Punahou students. It is recommended that you observe posted “Reserved Parking” signs and park in the church lot, against the LCH office building, during office hours when visiting LCH on regular business days. The church lot parking diagram is included here for guidance.
Please be aware that cars parked in the church lot after 10:00 pm will be towed at the owner’s expense.
| Offering Fund | Amount | Offering Fund | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offering | $6,705 | Music Fund/Instruments | $263 |
| Shallow Subsidy | $90 | Capital Improvements | $122 |
HeartBeat Deadline
Tuesday, September 17, 9:00 am
Carol M., Chuck P., Colleen K., Greg, Karen O., Kendra K., Patricia, Resi, Richard B., Vonia, Wayne G.
| Day | Date | Event and Time | Sunday | September 1 | 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, Parent/Youth Confirmation Meeting 7:30 pm, Compline |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | September 2 | Labor Day—LCH Office Closed |
| Wednesday | September 4 | 500 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal |
| Thursday | September 5 | 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal |
| Saturday | September 7 | 9:00 am, Stewardship Committee Meeting 12:00 noon, LCH Choir Retreat |
| Sunday | September 8 | 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:20 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist |
| Monday | September 9 | 6:00 pm, Worship & Music Meeting |
| Wednesday | September 11 | 5:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal |
| Thursday | September 12 | 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal |
| Saturday | September 14 | 7:30 pm, Early Music Hawaii Concert |
| Sunday | September 15 | 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:20 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist 7:30 pm, Compline |
| Monday | September 16 | 10:00 am, Women’s Book Club 4:30 pm, Writers’ Workshop |
| Tuesday | September 17 | HeartBeat Submissions Deadline 12:30 pm, Finance Committee Meeting |
| Wednesday | September 18 | 5:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal |
| Thursday | September 19 | 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal |
| Friday | September 20 | 1:00 pm, IHS Meals prepared 5:30 pm, IHS Meals served |
| Saturday | September 21 | 5:30 pm, Food for Thought 6:00 pm, Mary Magdalene Society |
| Sunday | September 22 | 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:20 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist |
| Tuesday | September 24 | 6:30 pm, Council Meeting |
| Wednesday | September 25 | 5:00 pm, Early Worship Ensemble Rehearsal |
| Thursday | September 26 | 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal |
| Saturday | September 28 | 9:30 am, One Pot One Hope |
| Sunday | September 29 | 8:00 am, Holy Communion 9:20 am, Christian Education—all ages 10:30 am, Choral Eucharist |