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Summer Jazz Journey: Summer String Swing, Tues., July 11, at 7:00 pm

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String Swing bannerJoin Hawai‘i jazz masters Duane Padilla on violin, Benny Chong on ‘ukulele, and Byron Yasui on bass as they present an evening of string-based swing music. Together, they explore what might happen if French jazz violinist Stephane Grapelli and American violinist Stuff Smith accidentally met in a Waikīkī night club and were asked to jam “island style.”

Summer Jazz Journey 2023 supports local musicians and gives the greater Honolulu community a fun summer program to enjoy. Our three-concert series takes place monthly on Tuesday evenings, beginning at 6:15 pm with pūpū in the Hörmann Courtyard and continuing with the concert at 7:00 pm. Tuesday Summer Jazz concerts are free. A suggested donation of $20 is humbly requested.




Help Make “Summer Jazz Journey 2023” a Success by Making a Donation

This series is generously supported by the Orvis Foundation, church members, and also by you! Your tax-deductible donations make it possible for us to offer these free concerts to the community. Please consider a donation by sending a check (payable to “Lutheran Church of Honolulu”) to the church at 1730 Punahou Street, Honolulu HI 96822 or using the button to the right to make a secure donation via PayPal. Mahalo for your support.

18th Annual Faith and Arts Weekend • June 24–25

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Members look at examples of the art work adults submitted as part of 2023’s Faith and Arts Weekend

LCH expanded our annual celebration of Faith and Arts to a whole weekend on June 24 and 25. This is a time when members of the congregations recognize the many ways the arts enrich our lives and honor the artist of all ages who call LCH home.

The weekend began with performances Saturday evening. Works displayed Sunday morning represent a wide variety of media: needle craft, paintings, poetry, prose, photography, woodworking, and more. Participating artists included young children, working adults, and retirees. Some, like members of the Writers’ Workshop, meet regularly as a group, but many work at home and share as part of this annual event.

At right, members look at examples of the art work of children and adults submitted for Faith and Arts Weekend 2023.

The slideshow below shows the items displayed this year. Click on any of the photos to open a larger version in a new window. (Because the files are rather large, it may take several seconds for the larger image to appear. Close the new browser window to return to the slideshow.)

Read poetry and prose from members of Writers’ Workshop.

Faith and Arts Weekend, June 24 and 25

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faith and arts graphicIn June, LCH will celebrate its first ever Faith and Arts Weekend. We plan to showcase a variety of entertainment on Saturday evening, June 24th, followed by an exhibit of creative work from the congregation on Sunday morning, June 25th. If the spirit moves you to participate in the Saturday evening performance, please tell us what you would like to do that evening. And let us display your art, photography, written work, or craft item after the service on Sunday. If space is available, we will post your poem or short essay on bulletin boards in the Hörmann Courtyard. Here is what we need from you:

  • As soon as possible: Express your willingness to participate in this event by contacting us at the email addresses below.
  • By June 17th: Tell us what you would like to perform on Saturday, June 24th, and/or give us a description of your creative work so that we can make labels for the exhibit on June 25th. If you wish to type a longer explanation of your work for the exhibit, please do so and bring it with you when you deliver your items to LCH.
  • By 5:00 pm on June 23rd: Deliver your creative item(s) to LCH where they will be held in a safe place until they are displayed on Sunday, June 25th. Otherwise give your items directly to us at any time between now and June 23rd.

Please contact Peter Flachsbart (pflachsbart@gmail.com) or Willow Chang (willowchang@hotmail.com) to say “Yes” to this marvelous opportunity and get answers to your questions.

Summer Jazz Journey Begins Tuesday, June 6, at 7:00 pm

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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. Concerts begin at 7:00 pm in the Nave, and all are invited to gather for pūpū and conversation before the concert at 6:15 pm in the Hörmann Courtyard. The concerts are free, with a suggested donation of $20 for each concert.

  • Allen Won and Friends (June 6 • 7:00 pm)—Local Saxophonist Allen Won has embraced a diverse career with an eclectic performance itinerary playing with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center; many of the orchestras in and around New York, including the New York Philharmonic, the New York City Ballet, the City Opera, and the New Jersey Philharmonic; and various jazz and experimental groups, including Mario Pavone, Barbara Sfraga, Mala Waldron, Steve Bernstein. As part of our Summer Jazz series, Allen will be joined by Tim Ishii (alto saxophone), Curtis Abe (trombone), Steffan Karlsson (piano), Taylor Katase (drums), and Dean Taba (string bass) to bring you an unforgettable evening.
  • Summer String Swing (July 11 • 7:00 pm)—Join Hawai‘i jazz masters Duane Padilla on violin, Benny Chong on ‘ukulele, and Byron Yasui on bass as they present an evening of string-based swing music. Together, they explore what might happen if French jazz violinist Stephane Grapelli and American violinist Stuff Smith accidentally met in a Waikīkī night club and were asked to jam “island style.”
  • DeShannon Higa and Quadpod (August 8 • 7:00 pm)—Member of Royal Hawaiian Band member DeShannon Higa is also a bandleader and visionary. He has assembled and is currently performing with two bands of his own creation. He will share the sultry sounds of his trumpet along with his ensemble, Quadpod. This neo-bop quartet will be joined by a special guest on vocals. DeShannon’s styles of music range from jazz to Latin/salsa to modern electronica and hip hop. He resides in Honolulu with his wife, former Broadway performer, from the original cast of Miss Saigon, Rocky Brown, with whom he also performs.

LCH Organs Get a Checkup

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Working on the LCH continuo organJust like your car or your house, a pipe organ needs regular repair and maintenance, and it’s time for regular service of LCH’s two Beckerath organs—the main organ and the small continuo organ. On Monday, May 8, Hans-Ulrich Erbslöh and his assistant, Bernd Becker, arrived from Germany to do that work. Also helping is Steve Hoover, an organ builder and the husband of Barry Wenger, our organist and director of music and liturgy.

Hans first came to Honolulu in 1975 to help Rudolf von Beckerath install and voice the main organ, and he has returned several times since to perform regular maintenance. At right, Hans (top left) and Bernd work on one of the pipes of the continuo organ which Steve (bottom) observes.

For much more about the work they will do on LCH organs and several other organs around the state and a full history of LCH’s Beckerath organs, see “The German organbuilders are here!” on Kathy’s blog, “Yet Another Year of Insanity!”

First Mondays: The Music of Queen Liliʻoukalani • Mon., May 1, at 7:00 pm

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Photo of Liliuokalani statue draped in crown flower lei by Juergen Reichmann. Used by permissionMay Day is Lei Day in Hawaiʻi. To honor the day, Duane Padilla and friends weave a lei of favorite songs by Queen Liliʻoukalani arranged for string quartet. The arrangements were created by Duane Padilla, and he will be performing them along with Daniel Padilla, Alex Peña, and Heewon Lee. They will be joined by world-renowned guitarist Jeff Peterson and students from Hawai’i Youth Opera Chorus presenting traditional mele. Get ready for an exciting program!

All are invited to gather for pūpū in the Hörmann Courtyard and 6:15 pm. The concert is free, with a suggested donation $20. As a courtesy to others, please wear a face mask inside the church.

Through the generous sponsorship of the Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation and support from other individual supporters, this concert is free. Additional donations to support this concert and the entire series are gladly accepted online (details below) or at the concert.

First Mondays 2022–2023 Concert Series




Help Make “First Mondays” a Success by Becoming a Sponsor

Your tax-deductible donations make it possible for us to offer these free concerts to the community. Please consider a donation by sending a check (payable to “Lutheran Church of Honolulu”) to the church at 1730 Punahou Street, Honolulu HI 96822 or using the button to the right to make a secure donation via PayPal. Mahalo for your support.

First Mondays: An Enchanted Evening of Music for Flute and Harp • Mon., Apr. 3, at 7:00 pm

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concert graphicJulia Richter and Connie Uejio present a program of beautiful music for flute and harp, featuring works by Saint-Saëns, Beethoven, Bizet, and many more. Julia and Connie are both active performers in the Honolulu area; both playing with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra, and Julia recently joined the Royal Hawaiian Band. This is an evening not to be missed.

All are invited to gather for pūpū in the Hörmann Courtyard and 6:15 pm. The Concert is free, with a suggested donation $20. As a courtesy to others, please wear a face mask inside the church.

Through the generous sponsorship of the Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation and support from other individual supporters, this concert is free. Additional donations to support this concert and the entire series are gladly accepted online (details below) or at the concert.

First Mondays 2022–2023 Concert Series





Help Make “First Mondays” a Success by Becoming a Sponsor

Your tax-deductible donations make it possible for us to offer these free concerts to the community. Please consider a donation by sending a check (payable to “Lutheran Church of Honolulu”) to the church at 1730 Punahou Street, Honolulu HI 96822 or using the button to the right to make a secure donation via PayPal. Mahalo for your support.

Holy Week and Easter Worship at LCH

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Celebrating the Cross and Resurrection
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER
at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu

Christ showing wounds

PALM SUNDAY   †   Sunday, April 2
10:00 am

PROCESSION WITH PALMS AND HOLY COMMUNION

The service moves from the commemoration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to the reading of the story of Jesus’ passion and death in the Gospel according to St. Matthew. Music by Franz Schubert and Johann Sebastian Bach accompanies the service. List of music for this service
7:30 pm

PALM SUNDAY COMPLINE

Contemplative Palm Sunday meditation offered by the LCH Men’s Schola. Candlelight illuminates the Nave for this short service of prayer, chant, and a cappella singing. List of music for this service
robe and wash basin for Maundy liturgy

MAUNDY THURSDAY   †   Thursday, April 6
7:30 pm

CHORAL EUCHARIST AND MAUNDY LITURGY

We remember Jesus’ command to “love one another” as we wash feet and share communion. Music includes a unique piano motet by Gjeilo, traditional antiphons, and a Gospel acclamation by Hurd. List of music for this service
crown of thorns

GOOD FRIDAY   †   Friday, April 7
7:30 pm

GOOD FRIDAY LITURGY AND ADORATION OF THE CRUCIFIED

This powerful service recalls the bitter suffering and death of Jesus that will lead to new life. John Rutter’s Requiem will bring the story to life. List of music for this service
empty cross and Paschal candle

EASTER EVE   †   Saturday, April 8
7:30 pm

EASTER VIGIL AND SOLEMN CHORAL EUCHARIST

Following the service of readings and the kindling of the New Fire, we move from darkness into the light of resurrection. The resurrection will be welcomed with Will Todd’s Jazz Missa Brevis, traditional Easter hymns, and the first Eucharist of Easter. List of music for this service
Chi Rho and empty tomb

EASTER SUNDAY   †   Sunday, April 9
10:00 am

FESTIVAL CHORAL EUCHARIST

Christ is risen! Our festival choral service features the Hallelujah Chorus from The Mount of Olives by Ludwig van Beethoven and music by Gabrielli, Sigfrid Karg-Elert, and others. List of music for this service

The Reverend Jeff Lilley, Pastor   †   Bree Lloyd, Associate Pastor   †   Barry Wenger, Director of Music and Liturgy and Organist

First Mondays: Hooray for Bollywood! • Mon., March 6, at 7:00 pm

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Bollywood graphicJoin us for our next First Mondays Concert, “Hooray for Bollywood!” which brings together the lush melodies and exotic rhythms of “Old is Gold” Bollywood hits arranged for string quartet! Join us as Helen Liu, Arlene Koh, Susan Leon, and Kathleen Long present this unique program.

First Monday Concerts are free, with a suggested donation $20. As a courtesy to others, please wear a face mask inside the church.

All are welcome join us at 6:00 pm for pūpū in the Hörmann Courtyard.

First Monday Concerts are free, with a suggested donation $20. As a courtesy to others, please wear a face mask inside the church. The concert will only be offered live; there will be no livestream.

Through the generous sponsorship of the Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation and support from other individual supporters, this concert is free. Additional donations to support this concert and the entire series are gladly accepted online (details below) or at the concert.

First Mondays 2022–2023 Concert Series





Help Make “First Mondays” a Success by Becoming a Sponsor

Your tax-deductible donations make it possible for us to offer these free concerts to the community. Please consider a donation by sending a check (payable to “Lutheran Church of Honolulu”) to the church at 1730 Punahou Street, Honolulu HI 96822 or using the button to the right to make a secure donation via PayPal. Mahalo for your support.

Lenten Suppers and Worship • Wednesdays in March at 6:00 pm

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soup graphicLenten Soup and Salad Suppers

Wednesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, at 6:00 pm • in the Hörmann Courtyard

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

Lenten Wednesdays: Healing a Broken World

Lenten Vespers graphicJoin us mid-week during Lent as we share Holden Evening Prayer. The sung prayer service begins at 7:00 pm in the Nave. This year’s Lenten theme will follow the Stewardship theme for the year: Healing a Broken World. Each week will have a focus on this theme. The schedule is:

  • March1: Loneliness
  • March 8: Injustice
  • March 15: Violence
  • March 22: Hopelessness, Despair
  • March 29: Dis-ease

All are welcomed and encouraged to share this intimate prayer service and supper with us as we journey, in brokenness and healing, through the Lenten season. For those not able to attend in person, Holden Evening Pray Compline will be livestreamed on our Worship Services page and the LCH Facebook page.