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AIDS Walk 2014—God’s work. Our feet.

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The walkers pose for a team photo prior to the beginning of the WalkTwelve folks from LCH teamed up to participate in the Honolulu AIDS Walk 2014 to benefit the Life Foundation on Saturday, May 24. It was a rainy morning, but nothing could dampen team spirits as nine members gathered on the grounds of Honolulu Hale prior to the walk. (The other three had work obligations, so they couldn’t walk.) With everyone wearing the goldenrod shirts from the 25th anniversary of the ELCA, the group certainly stood out.

The nine walkers were right up front when the walk began at 9:30 am, but a misstep by one of the members about half way through the walk resulted in an injury. Everyone gathered around to offer support and comfort until the ambulance arrived and transported the member to the hospital. As a result, Team LCH was one of the last to cross the finish line.

In the end, Team LCH raise almost $3,000 for the Life Foundation to help fight HIV/AIDS in Hawai‘i and help those living with the disease.

At right, team members pose for a photograph before they stepped off on the Walk.

Gearing Up for Summer Camp

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Two campers from last summer talk of their experiences and encourage participationSummer is fast approaching, and with it opportunities for our young people to enjoy Day Camp on the LCH campus June 30 through July 4. Again this year, leaders will come from Southern California Lutheran Outdoor Ministry.

To get everyone excited about Day Camp, youth from the congregation provided special music and spoke about how much last year’s experience meant to them at both morning worship services on May 18.

Between services parents and friends held a FUNraiser bake sale to raise funds for the camp.

At right, one of the girls gives her testimony while her brother shows the shirt he made for camp.

Below, one of the boys plays the courante from the Sonata in G minor by Henry Eccles (1670–1742).

Anyone wanting more information or interested in registering for Day Camp should contact Pastor Angela Freeman at pr.angela@lchwelcome.org.

In addition to Day Camp, LCH will be joining with other ELCA churches on O‘ahu and the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai‘i for summer camp. There are three sessions between June 21 and July 3. For more information and a link to register, see the May issue of The HeartBeat.

Special music for at the 11:30 service

Allen (Hanson) Baby Welcomed in Baptism

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The baptism of the daughter of Janelle Hanson, baptized May 11The people of LCH welcomed a new member, the daughter of Janelle and Jon into the family of faith through the sacrament of Holy Baptism during the 8:00 am worship on Sunday, May 11, 2014.

Jordyn’s baptismal sponsors are Parker W.K. Hanson and Kristina Hanson.

“We rejoice with you in the life of baptism. Together we will give thanks and praise to God and proclaim the good news to all the world.” (ELW rite of Holy Baptism—affirmation from the congregation)

LCH at the 2014 Pacifica Synod Assembly

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Pastor Angela Freeman celebrates communion at the opening worship for Synod assemblyMembers and clergy from LCH played key roles in the annual Pacific Synod Assembly held in Waikiki, May 1–3. The Assembly brought together pastors and lay delegates from across the Pacifica Synod, which includes all of Hawai‘i and parts of Southern California.

Pastor Jeff Lilley, in his capacity as dean of our Hukilau Conference of Hawai‘i congregations, took the lead in making local arrangements, and Pastors Angela Freeman and Phyllis Hormann coordinated the myriad of local volunteers during the assembly. Our two pastors also coordinated the opening and closing worship services.

At right, Pastor Angela presides at communion during the opening worship service, with Mary Fastenau of LCH and Pastor Keith Waltor of Christ Lutheran in Mililani serving as assisting ministers. The service took place at St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church, right across the street from the Waikiki Beach Marriott which hosted the assembly.

The assembly was particularly pleased to welcome newly-elected Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton to join in the fellowship. Bishop Eaton spoke during the business meetings and preached at the closing worship service on Saturday, May 3. Also participating in the closing worship were the LCH Choir and brass from the Bach Chamber Orchestra.

The congregations of the Hukilau and everyone at LCH were pleased to host the assembly this year, and we look forward to welcoming them back again in the future.

Listen to Presiding Bishop Eaton’s sermon at the closing worship.

Huliklau clergy with Presding Bishop Eaton (center, with a head lei and wearing the LCH cope), Pacifica Synod Bishop Murray Finck (wearing a maile lei) following the closing worship service.Huliklau clergy with Presding Bishop Eaton (center, with a head lei and wearing the LCH cope), Pacifica Synod Bishop Murray Finck (wearing a maile lei) following the closing worship service.

A Joyous Easter Celebration

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The children's sermon on Easter morningJoy was the emotion of the day on Easter morning. The 8:00 am service had the joy of baptizing one our young people and welcoming her into the family of Christ.

Between services, there was a bountiful potluck, and the children enjoyed an Easter egg hunt.

At the 10:30 am service, the Choir and Bach Chamber Orchestra presented J. S. Bach’s Cantata No. 4, Christ lag in Todesbanden, as part of worship.

At right, Pastor Angela shares the Easter message during the children’s conversation.

The Holy Week and Easter slideshow below includes addition photos from Easter Sunday (the last eight slides) and Holy Week.

The Great Three Days: Easter Vigil

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Pastor Angela celebrates communion during Easter VigilThe last part of the Great Three Days began with the congregation gathered in the Hörmann Courtyard for the kindling of the new fire and the lighting of the Pascal Candle.

Once inside the Nave, members of the congregation lit their candles the flame passed from the Pascal Candle and listened to the Exsultet

The service continued with the retelling of salvation history through lessons from the Hebrew Scriptures, the renewal of baptismal vows, the joyous Easter proclamation, and holy communion.

Following worship, the congregation returned to the Courtyard to break their Lenten fast with a sweet feast of champagne, strawberries, and cooked.

The Holy Week and Easter slideshow below includes addition photos from Easter Vigil (beginning with the 26th slide), the rest of Holy Week, and Easter.

The Great Three Days: Good Friday

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Pastor jeff Lilley and Deacon Mary Fastenau carrying the cross during the Procession of the Cross.The Triduum continued on Good Friday evening, focussing first on the Passion according to John and then on the Adoration of the Crucified.

Again this year the choir and soloists sang the dramatic setting of the Passion Gospel from John by Zachary Wadsworth (2009).

Following the passion and the Solemn Intercessions, the Taizé Cross was carried around the Nave as the congregation sang “Ah, Holy Jesus.” At right, the presider and deacon paused between verses and lifted up the cross to chants of “Behold, the life-giving cross on which was hung the salvation of the world. / Oh, come let us worship him.”

The cross was then placed in the altar area and sounded with candles as the choir sang and individuals came forward to kneel at the rail and pray.

The Triduum concludes with Easter Vigil on Saturday, also at 7:30 pm. Easter morning worship services are at 8:00 and 10:30 am, with a potluck and Easter egg hunt between services. Bach cantata No. 4, Christ lag in Todesbanden, will be presented at the 10:30 service. See the Holy Week and Easter Worship page for details.

The Holy Week and Easter slideshow below includes addition photos from Good Friday (beginning with the eighteenth slide), the rest of Holy Week, and Easter.

The Great Three Days: Maundy Thursday

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Two sisters wash each other’s feet as part of the Maundy Footwashing

The Triduum, or Three Great Days, celebrates Jesus’s passover from death to life. It begins with Maundy Thursday, which focuses on the Last Supper, when Jesus washed his disciples’s feet and instituted the Eucharist, or Holy Communion.

Again this year there, members of the congregation participated in the Maundy Footwashing by washing the feet of another, having their feet washed, or doing both. With the large number of volunteers. the choir was able to chant all four appointed antiphons. At right, two sisters wash each other’s feet.

Following the footwashing, the service continued with Holy Communion and concluded with the stripping of the altar, a final anthem, and members of the congregation departing in silence.

The Triduum continues with the Good Friday Liturgy at 7:30 pm on Friday and concludes with Easter Vigil on Saturday, also at 7:30 pm. Easter morning worship services are at 8:00 and 10:30 am, with a potluck and Easter egg hunt between services. Bach cantata No. 4, Christ lag in Todesbanden, will be presented at the 10:30 service. See the Holy Week and Easter Worship page for details.

The Holy Week and Easter slideshow below includes addition photos from Maundy Thursday (beginning with the ninth slide).

Holy Week Begins with Palm Sunday

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The dramatization of the Passion Gospel from Matthew was the centerpiece of Palm Sunday worship.

Palm Sunday 2014 was marked with rainy weather and some changes to the usual way of doing things, but the rain did not dampen spirits at LCH.

Both morning worship services begin in the Hörmann Courtyard with the blessing of palms and a short homily, but instead of processing around the church building, the congregation processed around the Nave before taking their seats for the rest of worship.

Members of the congregation joined together for a dramatic presentation of the Passion Gospel from Matthew. At right, Sylvia Hormann-Alper (at the lectern) reads the part of the evangelist, while Jim Sullivan, Peggy Anderson (in white, taking the role of Jesus), and Amanda Lippert take other parts.

Between morning worship services, the children led members during the annual Seder Meal in Isenberg Hall.

All are invited for worship at 7:30 pm on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil). See the Holy Week and Easter Worship page for details.

The Holy Week and Easter slideshow below includes addition photos from Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter.

Congregational Work Day to Prepare for Holy Week

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April Smith and members of the Yost family prepare the altar raid for painting.April Smith and members of the Yost family prepare the altar raid for painting.

Members of the congregation gathered on Saturday morning, April 12, to get everything in top shape for Holy Week and Easter. There was lots to do.

In the Nave, the altar rails were removed so the legs could be painted, and the flooring in the altar area was cleaned of wax drippings. A crown of thorns was arranged behind the processional cross, and the scarlet papraments were put out for Palm Sunday and Holy Week. At the same time, the communion vessels were polished up for the important week ahead.

Outside, a sign board was put up by the parking lot entrance to the Hörmann Courtyard to cover up the photovoltaic inverters and allow us to put up the church sign. Once that was done, plants were moved in front of the sign board. Up in the Poki Lot, the hedges were trimmed, and behind the Boardroom, trees were trimmed.

While all this was going on, a busy group in the Boardroom sewed a number of the stoles that will be worn by clergy at the upcoming Synod Assembly to be held in Waikiki.

And of course, when noon came, everyone gathered in Isenberg Hall for a lunch of sub sandwiches and chips.

Additional photos from the day are available on the LCH Facebook page.