In this issue:
- A Message from Pastor Jeff
- Spammers and Spoofers, Oh My!
- LCH Office Hours
- Stewardship Corner
- Committee/Interest Group Chairs
- Computer Help Day for EveryGift Inventory
- Attention Online Worshippers
- Angel Network In-Gathering
- Congratulations Graduates!
- Book of Faith Bible Study
- Restorative Yoga
- Godly Play Takes a Summer Break
- Adult Forum
- Virtual Coffee Talk with Pastor Jeff
- Pentecost Jazz Mass with the LCH Jazz Trio and LCH Choir
- Leadership Roundtable
- LCH office closed for Kamehameha Day
- 17th Annual Faith and Arts Sunday
- IHS Brown Bag Meal Prep
- Mary Magdalene Society Potluck and Game Night
- Summer Reading
- Writers’ Workshop
- Summer Jazz Journey 2022
- Seeking Volunteers & Donations for ONE POT, ONE HOPE
- Food for Thought
- Honolulu AIDS Walk is BACK!
- Regular Offerings
- An Easy Way to Donate
- Edward Shipwright Memorial Piano Fund
- HeartBeat Deadline
- Electronic Funds Transfers for April
- Attendance and Offerings for May
- Prayer Requests
- June Birthdays
- Calendar: June 2022
From Pastor Jeff
In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams. Acts 2:17
This text from Acts is appointed to be read on the Day of Pentecost, June 5th of this year. Peter uses this quote from the book of Joel as part of his sermon as he addresses the crowds gathered around them at the sound of rushing wind and sight of divided flames resting on the disciples. Some in the crowd thought the disciples were drunk, but they are simply filled with the Spirit which has been gifted to them. Peter is speaking, but he stands with the eleven disciples—he speaks for all of them, or perhaps they are speaking through him. In either case, the intent is clear, God is up to something in Jerusalem and the disciples want to share the news.
Interestingly, the quote from the book of Joel that Peter uses has a slightly different character. In chapter one of Joel, the people had strayed from their God, and God gets their attention with plagues, enemies, and misfortune. But God repents and calls the people back into the fold in chapter two. Joel writes these words in God’s voice:
Yet even now, says the Lord,
return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
God promises to remove the enemies from the Northern border, blow away the locusts, and remove suffering so that the breach that had formed between them and God might be healed.
Perhaps the wind and flame of Pentecost with all its technicolor fury is meant to get our attention in a different way. Just as we look up when we hear a door slam, God may be getting our attention by opening up a new door, a new way in Pentecost. Wind and flame give way to words and actions that call God’s people into meaningful and authentic faith characterized by courage, new dreams, and fearless prophetic proclamation. The very disciples who just a few short days earlier were cowering in an upper room grieving the death of their master and contemplating an extended fishing trip now find themselves on the brink of a revolutionary faith. They looked up at the noise God was making and found themselves redeemed by the same God who redeemed God’s people in the second chapter of Joel. In that redemption and healing, they also found their voice and purpose as messengers of divine love.
As Pentecost unfolds again this year, may we boldly find the voice of radical grace and love that God has already placed in us as a gift. And may we too look up at the noise God is making, and see their dreams, visions, prophesies, and courageous acts of love waiting to take hold of us.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Jeff
Spammers and Spoofers, Oh My!
Once again, certain nefarious forces are attempting to pass themselves off as Pastor Jeff through email and texts asking for favors, gift cards, etc. Please remember that pastoral staff will not text you out of the blue asking for money. This is a sample received by one of our members who did the right thing and confirmed that it was not Pastor Jeff. Please be extra careful, even with phone calls from persons identifying themselves as church members, the pastors, or a friend, especially if they are asking for personal information, gifts, or funds. Please be sure to report such attempts to the proper authorities.
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
Given the persistence of covid in our community, the LCH office and church campus are generally closed to in-person meetings and gatherings as we continue to practice mutual care. We require masks for in-person interactions and recommend calling the office (808-941-2566) before dropping in to see Pastor Jeff 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: | Scott Fikse |
| Communications: | Carol Langner |
| Community Life: | Larry Anderson |
| Council: | Dan Dennison |
| Fellowship: | Mary-Jo Estes |
| Finance: | Steve Miller |
| Financial Review: | Dori Palcovich |
| Food for Thought: | Marlise Tellander |
| Lay Ministers: | Carolyn Koehler |
| Learning Ministry: | Fred Benco |
| Mary Magdalene Society: | Bill Potter Roy Helms |
| Process Theology: | Carol Langner |
| Property: | Richard Mundell Pastor Jeff Lilley |
| Scholarship: | Fred Benco |
| Social Ministry: | Jean Lilley and Miles Sato |
| Stewardship: | Phyllis Hörmann Willow Chang |
| Sunday School: | Linda Miller |
| Website: | Bill Potter |
| Worship & Music: | Roy Helms Randy Castello |
| Writers’ Workshop: | Peter Flachsbart |
| Youth: | Pastor Jeff Lilley |
Moving Out to Share Our Gifts
Since December we have reexamining our theme of “Stewards of God’s Love.” We reminded ourselves how God comes down to us in the person of Jesus Christ and we respond by looking in and recognizing all the gifts God has given us. Now it’s time to continue on and examining ways we move out into the world so we can use our gifts in the service of our neighbors and community, both near and far.
Before continuing on, we want to say one more thing about identifying the gifts God has entrusted to us. You’ll remember that we talked about these gifts using the framework developed by the Barna Group and Lutheran Hour Ministries. We discussed becoming aware of our gifts, using them intentionally, and being generous in sharing out gifts. The Stewardship Team intends to continue helping individual members of the LCH ‘ohana explore their own gifts through the EveryGift Inventory. The next article gives details.
Our articles during the next several months will look at a number of ways we here at LCH can use our gifts in service of our neighbors near and far. This month Willow Chang looks at ways artistic talents bless us all.
What can be said of the arts? Perhaps it is not an exaggeration to say they are our attempt to create the Alpha and the Omega. If we think of nature of as the organic expression and embodiment of design, it may be a fair analogy to see the arts are humans’ way of embodying the divine.
What do the arts provide us? Given the limited space this column allows, I’ll share three important points:
- Although the creation of art is both a journey and a process, we tend to focus on the final outcome. A painting, a quilt, a piece of pottery, a musical composition—all represent time spent in creation and meditation.
- Second, traditional crafts, arts, and trades can reflect a continuum of a legacy. This infuses the art with a perpetuation of lineage that has been imparted, nurtured, and shared by master teachers, leaders, and sometimes elders.
- Lastly, art inspires. For everyone who comes in contact with art—from the teacher to self-taught, to artist, to the students receiving the gift of sharing, to the audience who experiences and feels the art—art asks of us to take time, to engage in awe, and to be in wonder of this world and beyond, just as God has planned.
LCH has its annual Faith and Arts Sunday on June 12. This is a time for the artists among us to share the fruits of their talents. There’s still time before the June 7 deadline to submit a description of items you will display, so consider sharing your artistic gifts. And don’t forget to come early on June 12 to appreciate all the submissions.
Bill Potter and Willow Chang for the Stewardship Team
Peggy Anderson, Pam Buckley, Willow Chang, Phyllis Hörmann, Barbara Poole-Street, Bill Potter
Computer Help Day for EveryGift Inventory
Sunday, June 19th, brings you an opportunity that may give you more motivation to complete the EveryGift Inventory the Stewardship Team has been mentioning incessantly.
Yes, the Stewardship Team has been talking about the EveryGift Inventory quite a lot. Outside of the February Adult Forum, we haven’t provided an opportunity to discuss what you might have learned, so we don’t really know if anyone has tapped into it. We keep talking about this because we really want to celebrate the gifts you share throughout your lives, every day of the week. We also want to help those who may have resisted completing the inventory because of technological challenges. We will have a few tech-savvy people available to help those who might be interested in completing this inventory. And, we would also like to hear about your results which wind up confirming what you already knew.
We invite you to attend a one-time session after worship Sunday, June 19. We encourage you to complete the inventory with help from computer-savvy folk. The inventory guides each individual to identify a primary and secondary gift as well as several gifts that they might want to further develop or grow. The inventory also suggests considering gifts you are willing to help others develop and grow. The key words for this opportunity are “with help.” This is a one-time opportunity for those who (like me) are technologically challenged to be guided through the process by someone with technological gifts, complete the inventory, and then email it to me at phllshrmnn7@gmail.com.
If you are one of those who are tech-savvy, we invite you to complete the inventory on your own and email it to the address above. This link will take you to the inventory.
The congregation wants to celebrate the gifts (vocational or otherwise) that you have and use generously as you live out your faith in the world every day of the week. Watch for these celebrations in the context of worship a couple of times this summer.
Thank you ahead of time for completing the inventory.
Phyllis Hörmann, Stewardship Team
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.
Congratulations Graduates!
Congratulations to those in the LCH ‘ohana graduating from college! Best wishes in your future endeavors!
- Savannah Joy McCreary graduated with a BA in Communication Studies from Hawai‘i Pacific University
- Aaron Fukuhara, nephew of Jeannette Capps, graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
Congratulations to those in the LCH ‘ohana on graduating from high school! Best wishes in your future endeavors!
- Emma Larsen, Moanalua High School. She will be attending Oregon State University.
- Ian M.K. Cummings, Moanalua High School.
Book of Faith Bible Study
Thursdays, 10:00–11:45 am • Via Zoom Meeting
The Book of Faith Bible Study meets on Thursday mornings via the Zoom online meeting platform for the duration of the pandemic. All are welcome to join this lively discussion of the Biblical texts, relevant current events, and historical foundations. Please contact Pastor Jeff at pr.jeff@LCHwelcome.org to receive an invitation to the next Zoom Bible study discussion.
Restorative Yoga
Thursdays, June 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, at 6:00 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. In this 4-week session, she’ll share various aspects of yoga, from pranayama (breathing exercises) and yogic philosophy (ahimsa), to poses, referred to as asanas.
Join for one, two, or all four 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!
Godly Play Takes a Summer Break
During the summer, starting on June 5, there is no Godly Play Sunday school.
Starting again September 4, LCH will offer Godly Play Sunday school for children from kindergarten through 5th grade. All are welcome!
Sign up for next year’s Godly Play Sunday school on Rally Sunday, August 28. In the meantime, have a great summer!
Adult Forum
Sundays at 9:00 am • Via Zoom Meeting or In-person in the Boardroom
For the month of June, Adult Forum will focus on Jesus’ teaching in Matthew Chapters 5-7 regarding the spiritual pathway to the Kingdom of God. To provide perspective, the discussion will utilize analogies from related Buddhist principles.
All are welcome to join the Adult Forum Zoom meetings, live on Sunday mornings. Participation in Adult Forum via Zoom works best if you download the free Zoom app beforehand. You may need to enable your microphone and video capabilities. If you are not already on the list for the Adult Forum, please contact Stan Baptista at stan.baptista@gmail.com to receive an invitation to join the next Zoom Adult Forum discussion.
Virtual Coffee Talk with Pastor Jeff
Online Coffee Talk, Sundays, 11:15 am • Via Zoom Meeting
You are invited to join with your LCH ‘ohana on Sundays for a virtual coffee talk following online worship. Discussion is conducted via the Zoom Meeting platform, and runs for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
In order to avoid “Zoom bombing” (surprise visits from unsavory folks), you will need to contact Pastor Jeff, via email at pr.jeff@LCHwelcome.org, for a meeting number and password to log into the meeting. While these are not ideal gathering circumstances, we can at least enjoy a chance to commune together briefly.
Pentecost Jazz Mass with the LCH Jazz Trio and LCH Choir
Sunday, June 5 @ 7:30 pm
Come, Creative Spirit! Join us for a joyous jazz mass to welcome the Holy Spirit. The service features, featuring Bob Chilcott’s A Little Jazz Mass, gospel arrangements of traditional hymns, and spirituals composed by Moses Hogan and William L. Dawson. A free will offering will be taken to support the music ministry of the church. We also take this opportunity to say farewell to our wonderful accompanist, Reid Ishikawa. All are welcome!
The LCH Jazz Trio is made up of Reid Ishikawa, piano; Bruce Hamada, bass; and Jeremy Lawi, drums. The service is under the direction of Scott Fikse.
Leadership Roundtable
Tuesday, June 7, 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 from Pastor Jeff, via Zoom Meeting, regarding login information. Please be prepared to share a little information on your activities with the group. Mahalo!
LCH OFFICE will be closed Friday, June 10
in observance of Kamehameha Day
17th Annual Faith and Arts Sunday
Sunday, June 12, at LCH
On June 12, LCH will celebrate its 17th Faith and Arts Sunday by displaying the creative works of our congregation. Let us show your art, photography, written work, or craft item after the service that day or post your poem or short essay on the bulletin board in the courtyard. What we need from you:
- As soon as possible: Express your interest in displaying your creative work by contacting our coordinators, whose email addresses appear below.
- By June 7: Send them a brief description of your work so they can make labels. If you wish to type a longer explanation to be displayed with your work, please do so and bring it along when you deliver your items to LCH.
- By 5:00 pm on June 10: Deliver your item(s) to LCH where they will be held in a safe place until they are displayed on Sunday June 12. Otherwise give your items directly to our coordinators at any time between now and June 10.
Please contact Peter Flachsbart (pflachsbart@gmail.com) or Willow Chang (willowchang@hotmail.com), event coordinators, to say “Yes” to this marvelous opportunity or to ask questions.
IHS Brown Bag Meal Prep
LCH continues our commitment to IHS to assist with feeding the homeless during these difficult times. Although covid restrictions in the community have relaxed, we continue to practice the requirements of social distancing, masks, sanitizing, etc. in this ministry. Therefore, only a small group will be asked to make sandwiches, and those individuals will be contacted directly by phone or email. We will keep you updated about when we can be back to our regular group. Thank you for your patience as we navigate our way through the uncertainty.
Mary Magdalene Society Potluck and Game Night
Saturday, June 18, at 6:00 pm • Hörmann Courtyard
Mary Magdalene Society will meet in-person for our potluck and game night in the LCH courtyard on June 18. We invite LGBTQI members and friends of LCH to prepare their favorite potluck dish, bring a game to play, and join in the festivities. As part of our commitment to mutual care, participants should RSVP in advance, be fully-vaccinated, wear quality masks at all times except where individuals are actively eating and drinking, and maintain physical distancing.
An email will be sent around June 12 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.
Summer Reading
For the summer the LCH Book Club will be reading the first books in mystery series with female detectives. Our meeting will be by Zoom on 10:00 on the third Monday of each month. Please contact the church office if you would like to be added to the list for the Zoom call.
- June 20: Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin
- July 18: The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King
- August 15: Reader’s choice (Each of us will read the first book in a mystery series with a female detective and share our impressions.)
Writers’ Workshop
Tuesday, June 21, 4:30 pm • Via Zoom Meeting
Writers’ Workshop will meet via Zoom since restrictions on group meetings at LCH are still in effect. All are welcome! If you would like to participate, please contact Peter Flachsbart at pflachsbart@gmail.com for information on how to connect remotely.
Summer Jazz Journey 2022
Jazz is back at Lutheran Church of Honolulu, and you’re invited to enjoy all the swinging sounds of our summer lineup! Take a musical journey with us as we celebrate summer with some of Honolulu’s finest jazz musicians, live in the intimate outdoor setting of the Hörmann Courtyard.
- Pentecost Jazz Mass (Sunday, June 5 • 7:30 pm)—The LCH Jazz Trio joins forces with the LCH Choir to present a festival service on the Feast of Pentecost. Featured music includes Chilcott’s Little Jazz Mass as well as gospel numbers and spirituals that are guaranteed to move your spirit.
- The Nalu Collective (Friday, June 24 • 7:00 pm)—The Nalu Collective is a Hawai‘i-based quartet performing unique takes on contemporary and classic hits from the genres of Jazz, R&B, Neo Soul, and World Music, featuring outstanding lead vocalist Rachel Gonzales.
- The Alika Lyman Trio (Friday, July 22 • 7:00 pm)—This trio of talented musicians will finesse their way through straight jazz, light funk, ballads, and more. “Halfway through the song, while I’m swaying to the sweet sounds, my friend leans over and says, ‘Wow. This is what dreams are made of.’”
- QUADPOD (Friday, August 26 • 7:00 pm)—This neo-jazz quartet continues to dazzle with their dynamic and modern sound. Led by trumpeter DeShannon Higa, they will take the listener on a musical journey of tone and texture that tantalizes the senses and cradles the soul.
Seeking Volunteers & Donations for ONE POT, ONE HOPE
Saturday, June 25, at 9:00 am • Maluhia Lutheran Church in Wai‘anae
The One Pot, One Hope ministry, a Hukilau project hosted monthly by Maluhia Lutheran Church in Wai‘anae, restarted on March 26. Please consider participating by joining the volunteers, at the next meet-up on Saturday, May 28, at 9:00 am. 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 pr.bree@LCHwelcome.org with any questions. Mahalo for assisting with this mission to provide meals to our neighbors.
Food for Thought
Saturday, June 25, at 5:00 pm • Hybrid In-person and Zoom Meeting
Food for Thought will have a hybrid gathering beginning at 5:00 pm on Saturday, May 28. Those who wish to come in person should be vaccinated. We will gather at the home of David Hörmann, who will provide the main dish, and others are asked to bring side dishes or dessert to complete the potluck.
If you would like to participate, please contact Peter Flachsbart at pflaschbart@gmail.com to receive an invitation to join the next Zoom Food for Thought meeting. If you wish to attend in person, contact Phyllis Hörmann at phllshrmnn7@gmail.com.
Honolulu AIDS Walk is BACK!
Saturday, June 25, 8:00 am at Kapi‘olani Park
Hawai‘i Health and Harm Reduction Center (Formerly Life Foundation) is having their annual AIDS Walk on Saturday, June 25, at Kapi‘olani Park. Join the LCH AIDS Walk team and help raise funds for HHHRC, the largest organization in Hawai‘i providing services to persons living with HIV/AIDS and many other services.
Sign up for the LCH team at this link or contact Pastor Jeff at pr.jeff@LCHwelcome.org if you would like to join the team to walk in the AIDS walk, donate, or just help out!
Regular Offerings
While we are not able to meet 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!
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.
HeartBeat Deadline
Tuesday, June 21, 9:00 am
Aubrey A., friends and family of Billy S., Bruce H., Carole A., Chuck H. and Nan W., Colleen K., Dan, Diane B., Harold W., Ilse L., Jenny P., Judy M., Karen and Kerstin, Karen and Richard E., Kathy M., Keahi, Kendra K., Kim B., Lissa G., Lori W., Luka, Michael, Miriam S., Patricia, Resi, Samantha C., Steve, Tom P., Tom R., and William
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.
