HeartBeat—February 2026

Volunteers Needed for Our Fundraiser!

Punahou Carnival Parking • Friday and Saturday, February 6 and 7

Each year, the LCH youth request your help with their Punahou Carnival parking fundraiser. The carnival begins each year on the first Friday of February and lasts for two days. We need adult and youth volunteers for three-hour shifts during the carnival on both days. Event coordinators provide snacks and drinks, flashlights, and safety vests, and you provide the fellowship! Sign-up sheets are available in the Hörmann Courtyard after worship services. Volunteer shifts on both Friday, February 6, and Saturday, February 7, are: 10:30 am–1:30 pm, 1:30–4:30 pm, 4:30–7:30 pm, and 7:30–10:30 pm. Thank you!

Faith and Arts Showcase

Sunday Morning, February 15

Each year LCH has celebrated the creativity of our ‘ohana with a Faith and Arts Showcase. This event involves a display of visual arts, crafts, and writing on Sunday morning. Everyone connected with LCH is welcome to participate with either newly-created works or past creations.

For more information, including details about how to participate, please see the full article in this issue. Faith and Arts Weekend is coordinated by Peter Flachsbart.

Ash Wednesday Worship

Wednesday, February 18 + 7:00 pm + in the Nave

The season of Lent begins with a very special worship on Ash Wednesday. This beautiful evening service begins the Lenten season of reflection, prayer, and preparation as we hear the words from Genesis 3:19, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Ashes, a sign of mourning and repentance, are placed on our foreheads as a reminder of our mortality, but the ashes are in the shape of a cross, a sign of promise, and life, and hope. Ash Wednesday—along with the whole season of Lent—calls us to reflect and remember the precious gift of life and love that God has given us in creation and community and to re-center our thoughts and spirit on what truly matters. As we gather around the communion table in worship on Ash Wednesday, we see our neighbors with the same smudged cross on their heads, recall that our mortality is joined forever in Christ, and remember that together we share the joy of life with all of God’s world.

From Pastor Lesley

As I reflect on the events of just the first two weeks of 2026 (ICE shooting causing the death of a bystander in Minneapolis and the President ordering “regime-changing war” without authorization by Congress), I am reminded of a closing statement my friend always puts on her emails, “Fear is just courage that hasn’t said its prayers.”

Fear seems to be something that has been talked about a lot since Biblical times. Remember the angel, as they announced to the shepherds that Jesus was born; the first thing they said was, “Do not be afraid.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt told the US citizens in his 1933 inaugural speech, after the Great Depression of 1929, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

Bishop Regina Hassanally of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA, addressing the shooting in Minneapolis said, “We are a people who are not to be bound, will not be bound, and cannot be bound by fear. We will not be commanded by fear or consumed by fear. There may be reason to fear, but we will not be afraid.”

The term “fear not” is stated in the Bible 365 times, which, ironically, is how many days are in a year. Bible verses that contain “fear not” include Isaiah 41:10 (“Fear not, for I am with you”), Joshua 1:9 (“Do not be afraid…for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”), and 2 Timothy 1:7 (“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”). What these verses (as well as several others throughout the Bible) point to is God’s viewpoint of God’s creation’s fear of the unknown or fears heightened by harmful memories of the past. These can be considered unhealthy or toxic fears because they represent our distrust of a God who has promised us that God will care for us, just like he cares for the birds and lilies of the fields.

We live in a society today where fear is something that is part of our everyday lives. Studies show that more than 30% of adults in the United States struggle with anxiety disorders or phobias. Our fears can cause us to trust in things, people, places, idols, etc., instead of trusting in God, who created and breathed life into us.

Fear can cause our mind and judgment to be clouded, leading us to make decisions that we wouldn’t have made if we had clear heads about the situation. When we don’t worry about what’s ahead but trust God for the outcome, God’s peace begins to fill our mind instead, and that’s when God’s blessings can emerge.

The Bible instructs us in ways to fight against the strongholds of fear, but none mean doing the fighting by ourselves. God is in our corner, wanting to fight our battles. These are five ways the Bible teaches us not to fear by letting God take over.

1. If we take our fears to God, God will give us the strength to face the fears—Isaiah 35:4 says that those with fearful hearts can feel strong in the face of fear, knowing that God is present.
2. If we take our fears to God, we won’t be left without answers—Psalm 34:4 says King David sought the Lord and God answered, delivering him of his fears. If we release our hold on the fear, finger by finger, God’s answer will begin to break through in our minds.
3. If we take our fears to God, we will see how much God loves and cares for us—One of the most treasured scriptures from 1 Peter is the one stating to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
4. If we take our fears to God, we will realize we were never created to fear the unknown or others—Second Timothy 1:7 is a popular verse people keep in mind when dealing with fears in their lives. This is because it brings the understanding that God didn’t give us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline (or sound mind in some translations).
5. If we take our fears to God, we are freed from the past; it won’t go with us into the future—Fear, for many of us, can be placed in some event or situation that caused us to be afraid or doubt our abilities. Isaiah 54:4 tells us that when we aren’t afraid and are trusting God with our fears, we won’t deal with the shame or humiliation from the past. We won’t go back to that fear of the past anymore; we’ll be freed from it because of God.

Fear is something we all have dealt with at some point in our lives, or are still dealing with today, and while we sometimes look to society for answers to fight our fears, we need to look instead into God’s Word and God’s love. Releasing our fears to God in prayer allows the first step to be taken to embrace God’s wisdom, love, and strength.

The Bible has 365 reasons to “fear not,” so as we release our fear to God, or when we feel it creep back up into our minds, open the Bible and find these verses. These verses were written by people who dealt with fear like the rest of us; they believed God didn’t create them to fear but to take these fears to God and witness how it opened them up for God’s plans.

My prayer is that we can all be courageous in such a time as this, say our prayers and trust that with God all things are possible.

Peace and prayers,
Pastor Lesley

Newly Amended Welcome Statement

On January 24, 1993, Lutheran Church of Honolulu became a Reconciling in Christ partner, launching 33 years of being a place where all of God’s people are welcomed and included in the life of our faith community. Reconciling Works asked us to update our welcome statement to reflect their focuses. The Council has approved this updated welcome statement, which is posted in the Courtyard.

Who is welcome at Lutheran Church of Honolulu? All are welcome here; you are welcome here!

• …If you are Asian, Hispanic, Black, White, Pacific Islander, or of any other racial or ethnic identity;
• …If you are male, female, intersex, or transgender;
• …If you are cisgender, non-binary, queer, or of any sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression;
• …If you are three days old, 30 years old, or 103 years old;
• …If you have never stepped foot in a church;
• …If you are Buddhist, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, agnostic, atheist, or are a lifelong Lutheran;
• …If you are single, married, divorced, separated, or partnered;
• …If you are a Republican, Democrat, Independent, Socialist, or not registered or eligible to vote;
• …If you have, or had, addictions, phobias, regrets, or a criminal record;
• …If you own your home, rent, live with family or friends, or are homeless;
• …If you are fully-abled, or a person of differing abilities;

You are welcome here at Lutheran Church of Honolulu, a congregation committed to the work of anti-racism, social and economic justice, and environmental care. We invite you to join with us, as through Christ, we joyfully and inclusively love and serve our community.

Adopted by the LCH Council in January 2026

Welcome and Safety Task Force Update

The Welcoming and Safe Task Force is now up and running! A small group has begun working behind the scenes to develop a plan for the exterior property. This article explains the task force’s focus and goals and describes several events planned over the next few months.

Task Force Focus: The work of task force will be guided by the answers to these two main questions: What is God’s mission to the community through LCH? How does the property’s exterior, including the building’s exterior and the grounds fronting Punahou Street, embody the mission? To help answer these broad questions, we might consider these more-narrow questions:

• How is that mission explicitly and implicitly communicated to our neighbors through the appearance and the uses of the property? In other words, what is our current situation?
• Who are our neighbors? Or, who is our audience?
• What steps could we take to better communicate/embody this mission to our neighbors? Or, what is our desired future?

Task Force Goal: Create an action plan that will enable the congregation to better communicate/embody this mission.

The task force has planned two activities to help us develop this mission, and one activity to transform the exterior of our building is already in place. Here are some details.

Midweek Lenten Worship Prayer Times

Wednesdays, February 25 through March 25 • 5:00 pm

Each week, before we gather for soup and salad suppers and worship, members of the LCH ‘ohana are invited to spend time in prayer and discernment from 5:00 to 5:30 pm, related to the focus questions above. During supper, you will be invited to write down your thoughts and perceptions and discuss them with your table in response to our questions. Pr. Phyllis and Pr. Lesley will be guiding you through these exercises. The information will be collected to help prepare for the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis

• February 25—Standing at the Fish Gate, looking across the street to Punahou School
• March 4—Standing in the Poki lot, looking towards both Poki Street and Punahou Street
• March 11—Standing at the corner of Poki and Wilder, by Fernhurst, looking down the street toward LCH
• March 18—Standing in the church parking lot, looking at our neighbors
• March 25—Standing anywhere you choose within the boundaries of our property

SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) Analysis

Sunday, April 12 • after worship

This exercise will be led by Pr. Margrethe, using information you gathered in prayer, asking you to think about the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats connected to the resources of our properties.

LCH Mural Project

Our prayerful meditation, visioning, and creation of a mural for our building will all happen over a two-week period starting April 26. With the help of Estria Miyashiro of the Estria Foundation (estria.org), we will be visual storytellers, expressing our heritage and mission to the community. Reach out to Keane Ishii (808-352-5135) if you have any questions.

The whole process will work out in five stages:

• Mural Envisioning will take place in three 30–45 minutes sessions on Sunday, April 26, beginning at 11:30 am; Monday, April 27, beginning at 6:00 pm ; and Tuesday, April 28, beginning at 10:00 am. You are welcome to come to as many sessions as you want.
• Sketch Approval will take place on Sunday, May 3, at 11:30 am.
• Nighttime Outlining will be done on Monday, May 4
• Painting will happen on Tuesday, May 5, and Wednesday, May 6, with signups in the spring.
• Dedication with a blessing and unveiling will take place on Sunday, May 10, at 11:30 am.

The plan for the improvements from the Welcome and Safety Task Force will be presented to the LCH Church Council for approval on Tuesday, May 26.

LCH Office Hours

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

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

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

Healing Relationships through Forgiveness

Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.—Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

The overarching stewardship theme this year is about God doing a new thing—in the world, within our church, and inside our own hearts and minds. But to be able to move forward into this newness, we must learn to let go of the things of the past that are holding us back. I can only think, “Easier said than done!” when I read the words in Isaiah, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” I don’t think I am alone.

Sometimes we hold on to the past because it is comfortable and predictable. Other times, it’s because we can’t let go of an incident that has hurt us or a time when we hurt someone else. I seem to have those negative memories on a loop that plays repeatedly. I watch the scene, witness the hurtful words or actions, and feel the anger and pain. But to move forward and experience this new thing God is doing, we must let go of our past resentments; only then can our relationships be healed.

We all know the key to healing broken relationships and leaving the past behind. It’s asking for forgiveness when we are the perpetrators and granting forgiveness when we are the injured party. It seems so simple, but we know that it is not always so. Sometimes the hurt is too deep, the pride too strong, the anger still seething. But when we hold on to those negative feelings, they weigh us down and prevent us from moving forward into the new beginning that God always offers us. A quote that is sometimes attributed to Buddha or Nelson Mandela says that not forgiving someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. Resentment is self-destructive; it keeps us bound to that past pain and prevents us from letting go and moving on. So, what do we do?

I think we mostly want someone who has wronged us to take responsibility for what was said or done, and then we want the person to ask for forgiveness. When we are the ones who hurt someone else, we hope for the generous gift of a pardon. There are times, though, when the other person won’t or can’t forgive us. The person may have passed on and it’s too late to say we’re sorry, or when we express our remorse and ask for forgiveness, the person refuses to do so.

That’s a hard situation, but the Bible tells us that if we confess our wrongs, God will forgive us. Through God’s grace we can let go of the pain and stop the endless playback of hurtful memories. And when we can forgive and are forgiven, our relationships are healed. Then, we are no longer prisoners of the past but, instead, are freed to move forward into God’s unfolding presence. May God grant us the strength to show grace to ourselves and to others, so that we can walk unburdened into the new life that awaits.

Cindy Scheinert for the Stewardship Team
Willow Chang, Phyllis Hormann, Barb Poole-Street, Bill Potter, Mark Russell, Cindy Scheinert

Angel Network In-Gathering

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

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

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

Godly Play Sunday School

Godly Play is a Sunday school curriculum for children from kindergarten through 5th grade. We meet each Sunday in the Godly Play Room at 9:00 am for a story, discussion, and creative response using the form and techniques of Godly Play. All children are welcome!

Sunday School topics for February:

• 2/1 St. Brigid
• 2/8 Parable of the Great Banquet
• 2/15 St. Valentine
• 2/22 The Mystery of East

Adult Forum

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

During February, Adult Forum will take up the issue of forgiveness in the 2026 United States under the Trump administration. In this series, we will address the essential elements of forgiveness.

Join members of the Adult Forum for stimulating discussions on a variety of topics on Sunday mornings in-person in the Boardroom. If you are coming for worship, just get your coffee and head to the Boardroom at 9:00 to join the others who are there.

Leadership Roundtable

Tuesday, February 3, at 6:30 pm • Via Zoom Meeting

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

This is an opportunity for us to sit down together and share information on what is happening with all the ministries at LCH. If you are a committee or team leader, you will receive an email with login information. Please be prepared to share a little information on your activities with the group. Mahalo!

Game Day

Wednesday, February 4, at 1:00 pm in Isenberg Hall

Please join Paula Wheeler for Game Day on Wednesday, February 4, from 1:00 to 3:00 in Isenberg Hall. We will meet for lively conversation and some fun games. If you have any questions or suggestions call Paula at 808-542-2843.

Book of Faith Bible Study

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

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

Join us as we journey through the Book of Jeremiah—a powerful message of God’s call to faithfulness in times of trial. Known as the “weeping prophet,” Jeremiah speaks words of warning, hope, and God’s enduring promises. Together, we’ll explore how his message connects with our lives today.

Restorative Yoga

Thursdays, February 5, 12, 19, and 26, at 6:30 pm • Via Zoom Meeting

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

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

LCH Office Closed for Punahou Carnival

Friday, February 6

Compline

Sunday, February 15 18 , at 7:00 pm • In-person and Via Livestream Broadcast

We warmly invite all people in all places of faith and life to Compline. This beautiful candle-lit service is a meditative experience of a cappella singing and chanting to commemorate the day’s end. Led by members of the LCH Men’s Schola, musical selections include Gregorian chant, Taizé chant, Renaissance polyphony, and more.

Compline is sung on the third Sunday of the month from September through May. For those not attending in person, Compline will be livestreamed on our LCH Facebook page.

LCH Office Closed for Presidents Day

Monday, February 16

Writers’ Workshop

Monday, February 16, at 4:30 pm • Via Zoom Meeting

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

IHS Sandwich Making

Thursday, February 19, 12:00–2:00 pm • Isenberg Hall

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

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

Mary Magdalene Society Potluck and Game Night

Saturday, February 21, at 6:00 pm • Hörmann Courtyard

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

An email will be sent on February 15 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.

Lenten Soup and Salad Suppers

Wednesdays, February 25, March 4, 11, 18, and 25, at 5:45 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 5:45 pm, prior to 7:00 pm Lenten services .

Signup sheets for each week’s contributions to the meal, as well as set-up and clean-up, will be in the courtyard. We ask that your food offering will serve 18-20 people and that you bring them by 5:30 pm. This will allow time to visit with each other during the supper and clean up before sharing our space with the Hanbit Presbyterian Church. Contact Jeanne Castello for more information.

Mid-Week Lenten Services

Wednesdays, February 25, March 4, 11, 18, and 25, at 7:00 pm

We will gather in the Nave on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm for Holden Evening Prayer beginning February 25 and ending March 25. Our reflection theme this year is: Conversations with Jesus: Services of Word and Healing.

The Sunday lectionary for Lent in year A reveals Jesus in conversation with both friends and adversaries. Lent’s first Sunday finds him confronting God’s ancient adversary in Matthew’s account of the temptation. The second Sunday presents Jesus’ interaction with the seeker, Nicodemus, who is perhaps not ready to make a commitment to following this new teacher. The third, fourth, and fifth Sundays are full of intriguing conversation partners for Jesus: the Samaritan woman at the well, the man who received his sight, and Martha and Mary after the death of their brother Lazarus. (These last stories were used in some ancient churches as part of baptismal preparation, essential to the Lenten season in the early church.)

During these five midweek reflections, the congregation will join the conversation between Jesus and his partners from the previous Sunday’s gospel reading. How does each character inform a contemporary life of discipleship? How might Jesus respond now to our own questions, confusions, and need for healing? Extended moments of silence allow people to take time to participate in the holy conversations of Lent (adapted from Sundays and Seasons 2026).

Thank you to our Writers’ Workshop, the Stewardship Team, and others who will lead us through our reflection time this Lenten season.

Seeking Volunteers & Donations for One Pot, One Hope

Saturday, February 28, at 9:00 am • Maluhia Lutheran Church in Wai‘anae

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

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

Food for Thought

Saturday, February 28, at 5:30 pm • Dave Hörmann’s Home

Food for Thought meets at the home of David Hörmann, who will provide the main dish, while others are asked to bring side dishes or dessert to complete the potluck. If you would like to participate virtually, please contact Peter Flachsbart at pflachsbart@gmail.com to receive an invitation for the next Zoom meeting. If you wish to come in person, please RSVP, contact Marlise Tellander at marlisetellander@hotmail.com. Those who plan to come in person should be vaccinated.

Faith and Arts Showcase, February 15th

For our Faith and Arts celebration this year, we would like to showcase an exhibit of creative work from the congregation on Sunday morning, February 15th. On Sunday morning, we would like to display your art, photography, written work, or craft items after the service in Issenberg Hall or on the bulletin board in the Hörmann Courtyard. We will accept items that have been displayed in the past. Here is what we need from you:

• As soon as possible: Express your interest to participate in this event by contacting us in-person, or by phone, text or email. You’ll find Peter’s information below.
• By February 1st: Tell us what you would like to showcase and/or give us a description of your creative item(s) so that we can make labels for the exhibit on February 15th. If you wish to type a longer explanation of your work for the exhibit, please do so when you deliver your items to us or LCH.
• By noon on February 13th: Deliver your items to LCH, where they will be kept in a safe place until they are displayed on Sunday, February 15th. Otherwise give your items directly to us any time between now and February 8th.

Coordinator: Please contact Peter Flachsbart by phone (808-349-6046) or email (pflachsbart@gmail.com) to accept this invitation and receive answers to your questions.

Two Thank Yous

Mahalo nui loa for all the love shown to me this Christmas and on my birthday. Your spirit of aloha shone brightly in your greetings, your gifts, your calabash love offering, and more. It has been a blessing to walk with you this past year and receive your love and support in so many different ways. I’m looking forward to 2026 as we continue to live out God’s love, mercy, and grace.

Peace and prayers,
Pastor Lesley

A heartfelt thank you to LCH members and friends for the generosity and thoughtfulness shown in the Christmas calabash gift. It brought big smiles to my hearts. It’s been a joy to serve as support staff for LCH, and I feel grateful to work alongside such a loving community.

As I prepare to leave Hawai‘i for Washington, DC, I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Pastor Lesley, the LCH Council, and the congregation for the thoughtful gift and recognition during the Sunday, January 18, worship service. I genuinely felt the love and affection of the congregation. I truly believe LCH is made up of some of the most beautiful people, and I am so thankful for the ways you made me feel valued and special. Thank you for making this season extra special.

Brenda Barrios

Vetted List of Places to Donate for Minneapolis

As the news from Minneapolis changes daily, I wanted to help and wasn’t sure where to donate. With permission from the Council, I share some of my research.

From my observations of the news, Lutheran Social Services plays a key role in helping immigrants. You can donate at www.lssmn.org/get-involved/donate.

I consulted my sister who lives in Minneapolis and is a very involved community volunteer for the rapid response network and mutual aid programs. She provided this vetted list of organizations that you may wish to consider for donations.

Mary Fastenau

Regular Offerings

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

Electronic Funds Transfers for December

Offering Fund	Amount	Offering Fund	Amount
Offerings	$7,220	Social Ministries/IHS	$150
Music Fund	$525	Memorials-Pr. Jeff-H3RC	$50
Concert Fund	$290	One Pot, One Hope	$20
Capital Improvements	$225	Family Promise	$20
Social Ministries	$160

Attendance and Offerings for January

Date	Worship Service	Attendance	Offering Fund	Amount
January 4	Hybrid Worship	90 + 287 views	Offerings	$7,213
			Wounded Warriors	$6,000
			Seasonal Offerings	$2,230
			Social Ministreis	$600
			Staff Christmas Fund	$135
January 11	Hybrid Worship	86 + 172 views	Music Fund	$50
			Family Promise	$50
			One Pot, One Hope	$20
January 18	Hybrid Worship	80 + 300 views	Offerings	$14,472
	Hybrid Compline	22 + 112 views	Social Ministries	$1,241
			Calabash for Brenda	$585
January 25	Hybrid Worship	80 + 196 views	Family Promise	$250
			Angel Network	$20

HeartBeat Deadline

Tuesday, February 17, 9:00 am

Alan G., Alex M., Amanda L., Betty H., Chuck P. and Josie B., Don J., Elaine, Geneva J. and family, George T., Greg G., Harold W., Jane H., Jason M., John B., John S., Kathleen C., Kristin H., LaVerne R., Margaret H., Michael, Miriam S., Nancy B., Nan W., Peggy A., Kathy M., Salina R., Tony P., Yvonne and Andy M.

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

February Birthdays

02/02	Roger Reed
02/06	Brittany Fallis
02/06	Katy Grindberg
02/07	Kamuela Akeo
02/07	Cheryl Crozier Garcia
02/12	Carolyn Koehler
02/14	Ray Herradura
02/16	Ayesha Nibb
02/16	Colin Buckley
02/19	Nan Wond
02/21	Don Johnson
02/21	John Watt
02/24	Teresa McCreary
02/25	Noelani Nitz
02/27	Elijah Kaeo, Sr.
02/28	Roy Helms

Calendar: February 2026

Day	Date	Event and Time
Sunday	February 1	9:00 am, Godly Play Sunday School, Godly Play Room 9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom 10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service
Tuesday	February 3	6:30 pm, Leadership Roundtable Zoom Meeting
Wednesday	February 4	1:00 pm, Game Day, Isenberg Hall
Thursday	February 5	10:00 am, Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom Meeting 6:30 pm, Restorative Yoga Zoom Class 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Friday	February 6	LCH Office Closed Punahou Carnival—LCH Youth Parking Fundraiser
Saturday	February 7	Punahou Carnival—LCH Youth Parking Fundraiser
Sunday	February 8	9:00 am, Godly Play Sunday School, Godly Play Room 9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom 10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service
Tuesday	February 11	6:30 pm, Worship and Music Zoom Meeting
Thursday	February 12	10:00 am, Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom Meeting 6:30 pm, Restorative Yoga Zoom Class 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Sunday	February 15	9:00 am, Faith and Arts Displays 9:00 am, Godly Play Sunday School, Godly Play Room 9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom 10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service 7:00 pm, In-person/Streaming Compline Service
Monday	February 16	Office Closed—Presidents Day 4:30 pm, Writers’ Workshop Boardroom/Zoom Meeting
Tuesday	February 17	HeartBeat Submissions Deadline
Wednesday	February 18	7:00 pm, In-person/Streaming Ash Wednesday Service
Thursday	February 19	10:00 am, Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom Meeting noon, IHS Brown Bag Meal Prep (closed group) 5:30 pm, Finance Committee Zoom Meeting 6:30 pm, Restorative Yoga Zoom Class 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Saturday	February 21	6:00 pm, Mary Magdalene Society, Hörmann Courtyard
Sunday	February 22	9:00 am, Godly Play Sunday School, Godly Play Room 9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom 10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service
Tuesday	February 24	6:00 pm, Executive Council Zoom Meeting 6:30 pm, LCH Council Zoom Meeting
Wednesday	February 25	5:00 pm, Lenten Worship Prayer Time, Courtyard Fish Gate 5:45 pm, Lenten Soup and Salad Supper, Hörmann Courtyard 7:00 pm, Lenten Evening Prayer, In-person and via Livestream
Thursday	February 27	10:00 am, Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom Meeting 6:30 pm, Restorative Yoga Zoom Class 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Saturday	February 28	9:00 am, One Pot, One Hope, Maluhia Lutheran Church 5:30 pm, Food for Thought, Hörmann Home