HeartBeat—July 2026

LCH Local Races Candidate Forum

Tuesday, July 14, at 7:00 pm in the Nave

Join us in the Nave on Tuesday, July 14th, at 7:00 pm to hear from several candidates running in several key races. This nonpartisan civic engagement opportunity will ask candidates to share their respective policy priorities and visions, and to share their perspectives on local issues. Come and share your voice, ask questions, and engage with candidates and your fellow community members! Email the administrator at lch@lchwelcome.org for more information.

This event is a nonpartisan candidate forum. LCH does not endorse, favor, or oppose any candidate or political party. All local candidates were invited to participate, and each of the candidates who accepted our invitation will be featured.

Summer Jazz: Duane Padilla and His Trio

Monday, July 20, at 7:00 pm in the Nave

Our Summer Jazz Journey got off to a great start with DeShannon Higa and Quadpod, and we look forward to the cool sounds and vibes of Duane Padilla and his trio this month. We will enjoy our pūpū chefs’ creations with pūpū and conversation at 6:15 pm and the concert begins at 7:00 pm.

The final concert of the season will be Monday, August 17, with Allen Won and friends. Invite your family and friends!

Amanda McGlynn Called As Next LCH Pastor

Following a unanimous vote of LCH members during a special congregational meeting, Amanda McGlynn was called and has accepted that call to become the next pastor of Lutheran Church of Honolulu.

During a visit this month, many LCH members and attendees discovered her close ties to Hawai‘i and familiarity with our church. Amanda was born and raised in Honolulu. She grew up as an active member of Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church. She is a Kalani High School graduate, and has family on O‘ahu, Maui, and Hawai‘i Island. From an early age, she recognized that many of her gifts and passions were similar to her pastor. She’s felt called to pastoral ministry since age 14. LCH’s late Pastor Jeff Lilley was one of her confirmation teachers.

Pastor Amanda is currently at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Oceanside, CA, where she has been serving for five years.

Pursuing her calling, Amanda attended California Lutheran University, double majored in theology and Christian leadership and global studies, with a minor in music and worship. In her time there, she sang in all three university choirs, played in the wind ensemble, and served as a musician for many worship services on campus. She studied abroad at Oxford University, and graduated summa cum laude with university honors. In her summers, she worked at three Lutheran bible camps in Wisconsin and Texas, serving as a counselor, worship leader, ropes course director, and high school ministry coordinator.

Pastor Amanda met her husband, Cole, in college. He is also a Lutheran pastor currently serving at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and School in San Clemente, CA. He also serves as an individual mobilization augmentee (IMA) reserve chaplain in the Air Force at Joint Base Charleston. Pastor Cole is attending Officer Training School this summer, which means the McGlynns won’t be moving to Hawai‘i until September. Following OTS, Cole is taking a position as Chaplain at Pohai Nani in Kāneʻohe.

The McGlynns have two children, Rowan and Nora, whom many of us had the joy of meeting during their visit last month. They also have two rescue dogs—an Australian Shepherd named Banjo and a Great Pyrenees mix named Cricket.

Deepest thanks to the members of the LCH call committee for their hard work in identifying a pastoral candidate who we believe is an excellent fit for LCH. A huge mahalo to our congregation who demonstrated the LCH welcome so wonderfully. Also, thanks to everyone who helped organize, donate, prepare food, and clean up for the meet and greet, pūpū, ice cream social, silent auction. The spirit of the Lord was certainly present throughout this entire process.

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 administrator, as schedules may vary with appointments, other work commitments, and lunch breaks.

The administrator will be out of town from July 7 to July 20. You can still reach her by email at lch@lchwelcome.org or at the office phone beginning July 13.

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.

Compassion and Community II

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.—Isaiah 43:19

A group of LCH members and friends recently returned from a trip to Germany and the Czech Republic. We visited places Martin Luther and his wife, Katharina von Bora, lived and worked. We also visited places where Johan Sebastian Bach lived and worked. I found myself thanking God for how each of these people let God “do a new thing” with them. Luther didn’t intend to start a new church, and Bach didn’t invent a new style of music, but both men followed what they felt God was doing in their lives. God’s “new thing” is sometimes only barely “perceived” in our lives, and maybe we will not completely understand or see its ramifications. I think the important thing to remember is that it is God who is doing the new thing—not us! We may not even be aware of it!

I think this could be said of the group of Christians who began meeting at St. Nicholas church in the East German town of Leipzig in 1982 to pray for peace. They were only a few at first, and I doubt they had any idea what God’s “new thing” would be. The weekly prayer group attracted more and more people, and eventually on October 9, 1989, 70,000 people took to the streets holding candles and chanting “We are the people.” The security forces backed down, and this faith-based Peace Revolution led to the fall of the communist regime and the fall of the Berlin Wall one month later on November 9th. We were fortunate to be able to meet with a pastor who was involved with this movement from the beginning. Even today, you could sense the excitement in his voice as he told of the power of prayer and community.

Our community at LCH will have a unique opportunity to experience God and each other on Saturday, July 11th, when we gather at Foster Botanical Garden for a half-day retreat on the theme of Compassion and Community. Some of the activities will include finding out what brings us together and how we ended up at LCH. Other activities will help us understand compassion for others as well as for ourselves and how we care for others as well as for ourselves. More information can be found in the July HeartBeat, and there will be a sign-up sheet in the courtyard.

Of course, we are especially excited that God is doing a new thing with us as we welcome our new pastor! We look forward to seeing how God will continue to shape and use us as a community here at Lutheran Church of Honolulu.

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

Game Day

Wednesday, July 1, at 1:00 pm in Isenberg Hall

Please join Paula Wheeler for Game Day on Wednesday, July 1, 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.

Godly Play Sunday School

Godly Play is a Sunday school curriculum for children from kindergarten through 5th grade.

Most of the year we meet each Sunday in the Godly Play Room at 9:00 for a story, discussion and creative response using the form and techniques of Godly Play. All children kindergarten through 5th grade are welcome!

Godly Play takes a break for the summer and will not meet in July or August. We will start again on September 6. See you then!!

Adult Forum

Sundays at 9:00 am in the Boardroom

For July, Adult Forum will be comparing Christianity and Islam. We will focus on the Five Pillars of Islam, journey all the way back before 570 C.E. (the year of Mohammed’s birth), and learn why Islam grew and spread so quickly. Following the July studies, Adult Forum will put Buddhism under the same lens. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am in the Boardroom.

Leadership Roundtable

Tuesday, June 2, at 6:30 pm • Via Zoom Meeting

Committee chairs and team leaders, please plan to gather for this opportunity for us to sit down together and share information on what is happening with all the ministries at LCH Each month’s meeting takes place on the Zoom online meeting platform. Please refer to your email for the Zoom login details. 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!

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 continue our journey through the Book of Acts, which tells the story of the early church.

VIA Social Justice Ministry

Thursdays at 6:00 pm • In-person, online link available by request

Values In Action (VIA) was formed to create space for meaningful connection, thoughtful engagement, and tangible service. As part of our church’s broader mission, VIA is dedicated to identifying unmet needs in our community and organizing ways to respond through outreach, education, and partnership.

Our early focus has been on civic engagement as a form of community care. Ensuring that people have access to information, opportunities to participate, and a voice in the systems that shape our lives is paramount to living fully and authentically in this world.

So far, we have: held a postcard-making event encouraging people in communities facing voter suppression to vote, created and distributed voter registration materials across our communities, organized a voter registration drive on UH Mānoa’s campus, and planned a town hall public forum to connect community members with local state representatives.

VIA is open to anyone who feels called to connect, serve, or learn. You can get involved by:

• Signing up for the email list, which sends out weekly meeting notes, and includes optional “group action items” for small asynchronous ways you can help
• Contributing ideas for future projects and initiatives
• Helping with outreach, including distributing flyers or sharing information online
• Attending larger community events, such as letter-writing campaigns or community support projects
• Volunteering at events, such as voter registration drives or community forums
• Attending weekly meetings, online or in-person, to help direct the planning and organization of future events

Whether you have a few hours to give or simply a desire to stay informed, there is a place for you in this work. If you’ve been looking for a way to get involved, to meet others, or to put your values into practice, we invite you to join us.

We meet Thursdays at 6:00 pm in the Boardroom, or virtually by request. Please contact LJ Friedman at ljfried@hawaii.edu with any questions.

Restorative Yoga

Thursdays 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!

Mary Magdalene Society Potluck and Game Night

Saturday, July 18, at 6:00 pm • Isenberg Hall

Mary Magdalene Society will meet for our potluck and game night in the Isenberg Hall. 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 July 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.

Writers’ Workshop

Monday, July 20, 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!

Seeking Volunteers & Donations for One Pot, One Hope

Saturday, May 30, 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 with any questions. Mahalo for assisting with this mission to provide meals to our neighbors.

Decluttering? Donate to the Free Store

Saturday, August 15

Save the Date, and bring your gently used, clean items to donate to the LCH Free Store to be held Saturday, August 15. Please bring items to LCH on Sunday mornings August 2 and 9, or early Saturday morning, August 15. Questions? Contact Barb Poole-Street. Help Feed Our Neighbors!

LCH Community Achievements

Last month, LCH celebrated its graduates, but we’d also like to recognize other major achievements in our community!

Anthony Nguyen graduated to journeyman carpenter.

And DJ Kidani and Ethan Street received swimming medals in the State level Special Olympics.

Help Feed Our Neighbors!

Join an IHS Sandwich-Making Team

Every month a team of LCH members and friends meets to prepare and deliver 375 sandwich lunch sacks for the Institute for Human Services (IHS). The task from start to finish takes about 1.5 hours. It’s a time for enjoyable fellowship and fast action as we serve our neighbors.

Please consider this invitation to join the ministry of feeding the houseless in Honolulu. IHS faces the demanding task of providing meals for hundreds of people each day. They depend on LCH, and other churches, to provide meals like sack lunches. The lunches not only feed people, but they also provide a breather for the kitchen staff at IHS. There are two teams, so the commitment is only for a few hours every other month.

If your schedule won’t accommodate a monthly commitment, please consider being an on-call backup. Let the LCH office know of your interest, or contact Carol Langner or any of the team members you may know. Sincere thanks to all.

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.

A Note from Pastor Lesley

I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge.—1 Corinthians 1:4–5

Dear Siblings in Christ,

Thank you so much for the opportunity to have journeyed with you during your transition time. As I reflect on our time together, I give thanks to God for the mission and ministry that we were privileged to do together.

Most of all, I give thanks for your servant leadership, for your compassionate heart, for your resilient spirit, and for your willingness to open your hearts and minds to the work of the Holy Spirit, creating a new and transformed life.

Thank you also for the amazing send off. The aloha, the love, and the care that was demonstrated as you showed your mahalo filled my heart with joy and thankfulness. As I said, “Y’all got into my heart.” One person said to me, “You did the same to us.”

Please know you will always have a special place in my heart. You will continue to be in my prayers. I do indeed give thanks to God for you and for the privilege to have been your pastor for a season.

Blessings and prayers as you move forward into the next chapter of your life as God’s people of LCH.

Peace and hugs,
Pastor Lesley

Electronic Funds Transfers for May

Offering Fund	Amount	Offering Fund	Amount
Offerings	$5,355	Music in Mission	$76
Music Fund	$475	Memorials-Pr. Jeff-H3RC	$75
Pastor Relocation	$125	IHS Meals	$75
Concert Fund	$90	Capital Improvements	$25

Attendance and Offerings for June

Date	Worship Service	Attendance	Offering Fund	Amount
June 7	Hybrid Worship	51 + 280 views	Offerings	$5,636
			Silent Auction	$2,844
			Pastor Relocation	$530
June 14	Hybrid Worship	70 + 282 views	Angel Network	$20
June 21	Hybrid Worship	62 + 460 views	Offerings	$8,333
			Pastor Relocation	$1,800
			Music in Mission	$929
June 28	Hybrid Worship	59 + 183 views	Capital Improvements	$250
			One Pot, One Hope	$120
			Family Promise	$50

HeartBeat Deadline

Tuesday, July 21, 9:00 am

Alan G., Alex M., Amanda L., Betty H., Bob H., Bob K., Carrie S., Christiane E., Chuck P. and Josie B., Connie P., Dave B., David D., Don J., Earl S., Elaine, Geneva J. and family, George T., Greg G., Harold W., Jane H., Jason M., Jean L. and her family, John B., John S., Joseph L., Kathy
M., Kristin H., LaVerne R., Liz Z., Margaret H., Miriam and Miles S., Nancy B., Nan W., Peggy A., Rachel L. and family, the family and friends of Ruth S., Salina R., Tom 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.

July Birthdays

07/02	David Del Rocco
07/03	Karen Fallis
07/05	Pr. Brianna Lloyd
07/08	Linda Miller
07/12	Steve Jensen
07/16	Peggy Brandt
07/16	Whitney Walker
07/17	Bill Potter
07/19	Shane Shelton (Kaeo)
07/20	Audrey Keller
07/24	Savannah McCreary
07/25	David Henkin

Calendar: July 2026

Day	Date	Event and Time
Wednesday	July 1	1:00 pm, Game Day, Isenberg Hall
Thursday	July 2	10:00 am, Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom 6:00 pm, VIA Meeting, Boardroom 6:30 pm, Restorative Yoga, Zoom
Friday	July 3	Office Closed—Independence Day
Sunday	July 5	9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom 10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service
Tuesday	July 7	6:30 pm, Leadership Roundtable, Zoom
Thursday	July 9	10:00 am, Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom 6:00 pm, VIA Meeting, Boardroom 6:30 pm, Restorative Yoga, Zoom
Saturday	July 11	9:15 am, Retreat at Foster Botanical Gardens
Sunday	July 12	9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom 10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service
Monday	July 13	6:30 pm, Worship and Music Committee Meeting, Zoom
Tuesday	July 14	7:00 pm, Local Races Candidate Forum, Nave
Thursday	July 16	10:00 am, Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom noon, IHS Sandwich Making, Isenberg Hall 6:00 pm, VIA Meeting, Boardroom 6:30 pm, Restorative Yoga, Zoom
Saturday	July 18	6:00 pm, Mary Magdalene Society, Isenberg Hall
Sunday	July 19	9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom 10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service
Monday	July 20	4:30 pm, Writers’ Workshop, Zoom 6:15 pm, Pūpū and Conversation, Hörmann Courtyard 7:00 pm, Summer Jazz Journey: Duane Padilla and His Trio
Tuesday	July 21	HeartBeat Submission Deadline 5:30 pm, Finance Committee Meeting, Zoom
Thursday	July 23	10:00 am, Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom 6:00 pm, VIA Meeting, Boardroom 6:30 pm, Restorative Yoga, Zoom
Saturday	July 25	9:00 am, One Pot, One Hope, Maluhia Lutheran Church
Sunday	July 26	9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom 10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service
Monday	July 27	6:00 pm, Executive Council Meeting 6:30 pm, LCH Council Meeting, Boardroom
Thursday	July 30	10:00 am, Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom 6:00 pm, VIA Meeting, Boardroom 6:30 pm, Restorative Yoga, Zoom