Category Archives: Christian Education

Return to In-person Worship Beginning February 13

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Meeting together safely graphicAfter many months of online worship only, we are delighted to announce LCH will return to in-person worship beginning February 13th! Please join us in person and online at 10:00 am. Those worshiping in person will need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative covid test within 72 hours, wear a mask while on campus, and practice social distancing.

Adult Forum will remain online only for the moment. Godly Play will begin to transition to hybrid class over the next few weeks. Parents of Godly Play students will be contacted with more information. Parents wishing to enroll their children 5 years through 5th grade in Godly Play should contact the church office at 808-941-2566 or email lch@LCHwelcome.org.

We look forward to seeing you soon! There is no need to register with Evenbrite for Sunday morning worship.

Godly Play and Compline Return

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Linda Miller telling a Godly Play storyThe beginning of the new school year marks the return of Godly Play, LCH’s Sunday School program for children from kindergarten though 5th grade.

What is Godly Play, you ask? Godly Play is more than a program or a curriculum. Godly Play is a way of learning that offers children (and adults) the opportunity to live into the sacred stories of the Bible and the church. Children will be welcomed and loved, and they will have opportunities to playfully and creatively learn about God in Jesus.

While we are are not meeting in person, Godly Play is gathering via Zoom Meeting for Godly Play stories and crafts. Godly Play is taught by Linda Miller. Contact the church office at lch@LCHwelcome.org to be added to the list.

e LCH Men’s ScholaSeptember also brings the return of Compline, or Prayer at the Close of the Day.

We warmly invite all people in all places of faith and life to Compline. Offered on the first and third Sundays of each month at 7:30 pm, 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 will be livestreamed on our streaming page and the LCH Facebook page and then archived on the LCH Facebook page.

Earth Day Garden Gathering

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LCH children and families gathered Saturday morning, April 24, in the church garden to celebrate and recognize Earth Day. Vicar Bree helped the children learn about caring for creation as they explored and tended the garden beds and all the creepy crawlers in them. They learned about the work of gardeners—seeding, weeding, watering, harvesting, and learning about soil and insects. It was a chance for everyone to get their hands dirty, to give back to creation that gives to us, and to mālama ‘āina.

The slideshow below gives you and idea of all the fun and learning that took place.

Gospel of Mark • Sundays, August 2–23 • 6:30 pm

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St. Mark graphicPerformed by one actor who speaks directly to the audience as if delivering the “good news” for the first time, this theatrical presentation brings to life the words, deeds, and story of Jesus directly from the Bible. This multi-year collaboration between Maseeh Ganjali (director) and Mark Branner (actor) was to have been performed at LCH during the Feast of Saint Mark, in April 2020. Now, the entire Gospel of Mark will be presented over four weeks, live-streaming on the LCH Facebook page during the first four Sundays in August.

Youth Fundraiser: Punahou Carnival Parking • Feb. 7–8

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some of the volunteers who helped with the fundraiserEach year, the LCH youth (with help of others from the congregation) hold Punahou Carnival parking fundraiser. The carnival takes place this Friday and Saturday, February 7 and 8.

The youth and their leaders 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!

Funds raised will support youth activities throughout the year, including attendance at the Western Youth Gathering at California Lutheran University this coming summer.

If you’re going to the carnival, please park at LCH. We have the closest lots, and your donation support our youth throughout the year. Parking in $15 (no in-out privileges), and the lots are open from 10:45 am to 11:30 pm both days.

Jesse Tree Devotions Sundays at 9:10 am

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All the children join in singing the Jesse Tree chorusDuring Advent we invite the whole congregation to join our children for the Jesse Tree devotions each Sunday in the nave at 9:10. It is a tradition at LCH for the children to present this short service of music and readings each Advent. During these four Sundays, the children will be focusing on the people in the Old Testament that lead the way for Christ. This year the Jesse Tree service will be held on December 1, 8, 15, and 22. The older children will read Bible stories and prayers, the youngest children will hang ornaments on the tree representing each story, and everyone will sing the Jesse Tree song.

Sometimes called the Root of Jesse or radix Jesse in Latin, the Jesse Tree is a visual representation of Jesus’ genealogy dating back to Jesse, the father of David. The Jesse Tree is found in the writings of Church Fathers, Latin hymns, and in visual arts—especially during the 12th to 16th centuries.

Each week’s presentation is divided into segments referring to key figures in the genealogy. Segments begin with one child who introduces the character by describing key events in their life and relating those events to our lives today. During this presentation, one of the younger children hangs the individual’s symbol on the tree. Then all the children sing the verse about that individual from the Jesse Tree song, with the congregation joining in the chorus. Each week, the chorus grows as new inviduals are added. And when Advent IV arrives, we can sing the whole story of the Jesse Tree:

placing a symbol on the Jesse Tree

Jesse Tree, Jesse Tree,
sign of God’s fidelity,
that he may love eternally—
 
the promise made to Noah,
and Abraham and Isaac,
and Jacob on a journey,
and Joseph and the tribes;
 
and as well to Moses,
and David who’d be king,
and Solomon, his son,
and Jonah in the sea;
 
to prophets like Isaiah,
and to Ruth, a woman wise,
and Daniel in the den,
and to John who baptized;
 
and last made to Mary,
and Joseph in a dream,
was Jesus, Son of God,
who came here to redeem;
 
all who waited for the coming of Emmanuel.

Regular Worship and Education Schedule Resumes September 1

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LCH resumes is regular schedule of worship services and Christian education offerings on September 1. There are three Sunday worship services:

  • Holy Communion at 8:00 am each Sunday morning. Music is led by the Early Worship Ensemble.
  • Choral Euchartist at 10:30 am each Sunday morning. Music is led by the LCH Choir.
  • Compline at 7:30 pm on the first and third Sunday of each music. This quiet and contemplative service is offered by the Men’s Schola.

Christian Education is offered Sunday morning between the two services at 9:20 am.

  • Sunday School is offered for children from kindergarten through senior high. The older children (grades 6-12) meet in the Rainbow Room. The younger children (grades k-5) meet in the Godly Play Room. (See The HeartBeat for weekly topics.) All are welcome! (Check
  • Adult Forum meets in the Boardroom. For four Sundays in September, Marsha Schweitzer will lead the Adult Forum. Topics of discussion, by popular demand but subject to change, center around the broad idea of Mysticism. (See The HeartBeat for weekly topics.) Everyone is invited to bring their refreshments and join in the discussion.

Several other groups that have been on hiatus over the Summer will resume meeting. Please see The HeartBeat, our newsletter, for more information.

Adult Form Discusses Resiliency • June 9 @ 10:45 am

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Matthew Gonser

Matthew Gonser will discuss the work of the city Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency. This Adult Forum session follows the summer service, and will run until about 12:00 noon. Mr. Gonser will describe what his office is doing to help residents of O‘ahu care for the earth and cope with natural disasters. He will also share ideas of what we can do, as individuals or as a congregation, to reduce our ecological footprint.

All are welcome.

Punahou Carnival Parking Fundraiser • Feb. 1–2

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some of the volunteers who helped with the fundraiserEach year, the LCH youth (with help of others from the congregation) hold Punahou Carnival parking fundraiser. The carnival takes place this Friday and Saturday, February 1 and 2.

Thank you to all volunteers who have already signed up to help, but we still have a few spots, for both adult and youth volunteers. We encourage members and friends to sign up for a three-hour shifts during the carnival. If you have not done so, please contact Jerelyn Watanabe through the Church office at 808-941-2566.

If you’re going to the carnival, please park at LCH. We have the closest lots, and your donation support our youth’s many activities over the year. Parking in $15 (no in-out privileges), and the lots are open from 10:45 am to 11:30 pm both days.

Observing Advent—Jesse Tree and Advent Devotions

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Children Lead Jesse Tree Devotion Each Sunday at 9:10 am

placing a symbol on the Jesse TreeDuring Advent the whole congregation joins our children for the Jesse Tree devotions each Sunday in the nave at 9:10. It is a tradition at LCH for the children to present this short service of music and readings during Advent. Each week the children focus on the people in the Old Testament that lead the way for Christ. This year the Jesse Tree service will be held on December 2, 9, 16, and 23.

Sometimes called the Root of Jesse or radix Jesse in Latin, the Jesse Tree is a visual representation of Jesus’ genealogy dating back to Jesse, the father of David. The Jesse Tree is found in the writings of Church Fathers, Latin hymns, and in visual arts—especially during the 12th to 16th centuries.

Each week’s presentation is divided into segments referring to key figures in the genealogy. Each segment begins with one child who introduces the character by describing key events in their life and relating those events to our lives today. During this presentation, one of the younger children hangs the individual’s symbol on the tree. Then all the children sing the verse about that individual from the Jesse Tree song, with the congregation joining in the chorus. Each week, the chorus grows as new inviduals are added. And when Advent IV arrives, we can sing the whole story of the Jesse Tree.

2018 Advent Devotions Available

For many years LCH maintained a tradition of creating a devotional for the Season of Advent, using short meditations written by parishioners.

Our intern pastor this year, Vicar Andrew Flatt- Kuntze, brought this project back to life. He selected the verses, recruited the writers, and gentle encouraged everyone to meet the deadlines and guidelines. A special thank you to all writers for your thoughtful participation.

Download your copy of the 2018 Advent Devotions booklet.