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Holy Week and Easter 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 9
8:00 am

PROCESSION OF 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 the Early Worship Ensemble of singers and instrumentalists.
10:30 am

PROCESSION OF PALMS AND CHORAL EUCHARIST

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 Heinrich Schütz and a brass quartet for the Procession of Palms.
robe and wash basin for Maundy liturgy

MAUNDY THURSDAY   †   Thursday, April 13
7:30 pm

CHORAL EUCHARIST AND MAUNDY LITURGY

A joyous celebration of the Eucharist meal quickly changes to one of love through humility in the washing of feet. The service concludes with the stripping of the altar, dramatizing Christ’s betrayal, stripping, and mocking by his captors. Music by Proulx, Tallis, and Gesualdo.
crown of thorns

GOOD FRIDAY   †   Friday, April 14
7:30 pm

GOOD FRIDAY LITURGY AND ADORATION OF THE CRUCIFIED

This service commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The choir presents the St. John Passion setting by Heinrich Schütz. Throughout the service the congregation and choir sing Lenten chants from the Taizé Community as we pray and meditate on the passion of our Lord.
empty cross and Paschal candle

EASTER EVE   †   Saturday, April 15
7:30 pm

EASTER VIGIL AND SOLEMN CHORAL EUCHARIST

Kindling of a new fire, the story of deliverance from the Hebrew Scriptures, and renewal of Baptismal promises lead to the proclamation of Easter Victory and a joyous celebration of Holy Communion. Music by Edvard Grieg, Forrest Pierce, and Michael Praetorius.
Chi Rho and empty tomb

EASTER SUNDAY   †   Sunday, April 16
8:00 am

FESTIVAL HOLY COMMUNON

We celebrate the empty tomb, the central mystery that through death comes new life. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Music includes a brass quartet playing hymns and the music of Randall Thompson and the Hawaiian anthem “Lei Media” performed by the Early Worship Ensemble.
10:30 am

FESTIVAL CHORAL EUCHARIST

We celebrate the empty tomb, the central mystery that through death comes new life. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Festive music with brass and organ, including “God is Gone Up” by Gerald Finzi and “Victimae Paschali Laudes” by Thomás Luis de Vittoria.
7:30 pm

EASTER COMPLINE

Contemplative Easter meditation presented by the LCH Men’s Schola. Candlelight illuminates the Nave for this short service of prayer, chant, and polyphony.

The Reverend Jeff Lilley, Pastor   †   Scott Fikse, Director of Music and Liturgy

Lenten Suppers and Worship (Wednesdays beginning March 8)

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The serving line for Wednesday evening soup and salad suppers.The serving line for Wednesday evening soup and salad suppers.

Each Wednesday evening during the season of Lent, members and friends of LCH will gather for table fellowship and worship.

The evenings begin with a light supper of soup, salad, and bread beginning at 6:00 pm. The meal is provided by volunteers, and all are welcome to join in fellowship and conversation around the table. If you feel moved to contribute to the meal, please sign up in the courtyard on Sunday morning.

Worship follows the meal at 7:00 pm using the music and prayerful song from Marty Haugen’s Holden Evening Prayer. This year’s worship will focus on our Jahreslosung (“year verse”), “ new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you” (Ezekiel 36:26). The Jarreslosung was introduced during German Vespers on Epiphany.

As we all move forward on our Lenten journey and prepare for Easter joy in the resurrection, all are invited to come together at the table, to be fed and nourished in body and soul, and to worship together as a faith community.

The cantors place the lighted candle at the beginning of worship.The cantors place the lighted candle at the beginning of worship.

13th Annual Faith and Arts Sunday (Feb. 26)

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Members look at examples of the art work of children and adults submitted as part of 2016’s annual Faith and Arts Sunday

LCH celebrated its annual Faith and Arts Sunday on February 26. Held each spring, 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.

Works displayed this year represent a wide variety of media: needle craft, paintings, digital media, poetry, prose, photography, drawings, woodworking, and more. Participating artists included young children, working adults, and retirees. Some, like members of the Writers’ Workshop an the In Stitches craft group, meet regularly as a group, but many work at home and share as part of this annual event. In addition to arts and crafts displayed in the courtyard, children added their own musical gifts to worship, along with our regular musical ensembles.

At right, members look at examples of the art work of children and adults submitted for Faith and Arts Sunday 2016.

The slideshow below includes photos of most of the works shared. Click on any of the slides to open up a larger version in a new window.

Read poetry and prose written by members of the Writers’ Workshop.

Parking for Punahou Carnival • Feb. 3 and 4

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Parking attendants for Punahou CarnivalAgain this year, LCH will make its parking lots available to folks attending the annual Punahou Carnival. The church is located right across Punahou Street from the school and offers bargain rates of $15 per car (no in/out privileges). The lots open both days at 10:45 am and close at 11:15 pm.

Lots are safe, supervised, and convenient, with entrances on either Dominis Street (the small lot right behind the church) or Poki Street (between Dominis and Nehoa). Map

This fundraisers benefits the church’s programs for children and youth and our outstanding music program.

Welcoming Sunday • January 29

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Welcoming Sunday graphicWe invite everyone to join us for worship on “Welcoming Sunday,” January 29.

In 1993 our congregation made the bold and prayerful decisions to be public and affirming in our welcome of all people, including gay, lesbian, transgendered, and questioning folks, who seldom found welcome in Christian churches. Two decades later we rejoice that churches around the world are beginning to share that same welcome. But there is much work to do, and our witness of Christ’s welcoming love is more important than ever.

Join us for worship and in welcoming our LGBTQI friends on Sunday, January 29, at 8:00 and 10:30 am.

More information about the process by which LCH became a “Reconciling in Christ” or welcoming congregation, is available on our RIC page.

Concert of Spirituals (January 15 • 5:00 pm)

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MLK Concert graphicKnown to audiences around O’ahu, Georgine Stark represents the finest in artistry, virtuosity, and creativity. Georgine Stark, soprano, is joined by the Lutheran Church of Honolulu Choir under the direction of Scott Fikse, violinist, Darel Stark and pianist, Sachi P. Hirakouji in a dynamic program showcasing African-American spirituals.

Audiences will be moved by songs that inspire hope, question hate and shout for freedom. Don’t miss this special opportunity to hear some of Hawaii’s finest musicians in the intimate acoustics of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu.

Admission: $20 General | $10 Students

For a preview of the concert, check out this YouTube video.

German Vespers for Epiphany (Jan. 6 • 7:30 pm)

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German Vespers graphicJoin the LCH Choir, guest soloists, and Bach Chamber Orchestra on the Feast of Epiphany for our annual German Vespers. A tradition at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu since 2002, this service honors the church’s German heritage with prayers, hymns, a cantata, and even the sermon auf Deutsch. Translation will be provided

This year’s music features Hans Leo Hassler’s Magnificat and J.S. Bach’s Cantata 123: Liebster Immanuel, Herzog der Frommen.

The theme for this year comes from Ezekiel 36. “I shall give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you; I shall remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you a heart of flesh instead.” Again we welcome Rev. Anke Flohr as presider for this festival worship.

Worship for the Christmas Season

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The Twelve Days of Christmas

Christmas Eve
Saturday, December 24

5:00 pm Family Service
Joyous Christmas worship with congregational carols and music
by Karol’s Karolers and members of the Early Worship Ensemble
 
10:30 pm Christmas Eve Cantata
Bach Chamber Orchestra, LCH Choir, and soloists present
Bach’s Cantata No. 64: Sehet, welch eine Liebe
11:00 pm Festival Choral Eucharist
Christmas Eve worship with choir, chamber orchestra, and soloists
Schubert’s Mass in G Major, motets, carols, and readings.

 

Christmas Day
Sunday, December 25

10:30 am Choral Eucharist
The women of the LCH Choir sing selections from Rutter’s Dancing Day
and Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols with harpist Constance Uejio.
 

Lessons & Carols for the
First Sunday of Christmas
Sunday, January 1

8:00 am Holy Communion
with the Early Worship Ensemble
 
10:30 am Choral Eucharist
with the LCH Choir and organist Mark D. Wong

 
 

Epiphany
Friday, January 6

7:00 pm German Vespers for Epiphany
A tradition at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu since 2002,
this service honors the church’s German heritage.
Music will be performed by the LCH Choir, soloists,
and the Bach Chamber Orchestra.
The sermon will be offered in German with translation.

 

42nd Annual Advent Procession (Nov. 27 • 7:30 pm)

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advent procession graphicLutheran Church of Honolulu celebrates our 42nd Annual Advent Procession with Peter Hallock’s mystical and beautiful setting of the “O” Antiphons. First presented in 1975, the Lutheran Church of Honolulu’s Advent Procession has become a Honolulu tradition. This year, Advent choral selections by composers F. Melius Christiansen, Jacob Handl, George Guest, and others will be intermingled with hymns, carols, and the timeless setting of the Magnificat by Charles Villiers Stanford.

Organist Mark D. Wong accompanies the LCH Choir on our beautiful Beckerath organ, and guest singers and soloists will join to make this both a musically and spiritually moving festival service. Please join us as we begin a new liturgical year, carry on a beloved Hawai‘i tradition, and look forward to the Christmas season ahead.

Readings and special music for the Advent Procession.