Category Archives: Christian Education

Exploring Boundaries: Molloy on Religious Pluralism (Oct. 18)

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Mike Molloy will speak on “Christians and People of Other Faiths” Sunday evening, October 18, at 6:00 pm.

Christians today often meet people of other religious backgrounds. What can we learn from them? What can they learn from us? Our featured speaker this evening is Mike Molloy, a student, teacher, and practitioner of the great religions of the world.

Retired from a long teaching career at Kapi‘olani Community College and author of Experiencing the World’s Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change, a commonly used textbook now in the 6th edition, Mike has traveled the world to personally experience the diverse spiritual beliefs of humankind embodied in religious practice. He will lead us in discussion as we explore ways to honor other faith traditions even as we find greater understanding of our own.

Following Exploring Boundaries, all are welcome to join in Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Evening Prayer services are quiet, meditative services held twice monthly on the first and third Sundays. The Evening Prayer liturgy is simple with emphasis on Word, reflection, and music.

Children’s Benefit Concert a Great Success

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Members and friends of the congregation gathered for the 9th (mostly) annual Children”s Benefit Concert on Saturday afternoon, March 7

In keeping with tradition, the concert began with “Hittite Hints,” an original poem by Pr. Fritz Fritschel, read by Peggy Brandt because Pr. Fritz was out of town. Following the poem, more than a dozen children presented their musical talent. They performed on the trumpet, guitar, piano, violin, drum, and organ; one sang a solo, and all the children joined together to sing the finale.

The first Children”s Benefit Concert took place during Lent 2006, and except for last year, has taken place every Lent. Each year the children challenge members of the congregation to pledge $1 a day for the 40 days of Lent to be used to help families in need around the world. At the early years, donations were made through Heifer International, but in 2013 and again this year, donation will go the ELCA”s Good Gifts program.

Pastor Jeff welcomed the audience to the 9th Children’s Benefit ConcertPeggy Brant read “Hittite Hints,” a new poem by Pr. Fritz Fritschel written for the event.A boy played Jeremiah Clarke’s “Trumpet Voluntary.”A boy played a guitar arrangement of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.”A girl played “Go Tell Aunt Rhody” on the violin.A girl played “What Can I Share” by Palmer, Manus, and Lethco on the piano.A boy played “Hip Little Sixteen” by Murray Hollif on the snare drum.A boy played Beethoven’ “Für Elise” on the piano.A boy played “Toccotina” by David Schaap on the organ.A girl played “Vivace” by Ferdinando Carulli and “Minuet in G minor” by J.S. Bach on the piano.A girl sand “New York, New York” by Kander and Ebb.A boy played “Sicilienne and Rigaudon” by Fritz Kreisler on the violin.A girl played “Morning Vista” by Melody Bober on the piano.A boy played the second movement of Diitri Shostokovich’s “Sonata in D minor” on the cello.A boy played “Toccata” form Suite Gothique on the organ.The concert ended with the F.R.O.G.S. Choir singing “Elijah Rock!”

Rain Can’t Dampen Children’s Sabbath

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Not even a tropical storm warning could keep folks away from out annual celebration of Children’s Sabbath on Sunday, October 19. Our congregation’s talented children had been practicing their music and acting for weeks, so they were ready with enthusiastic performances during both morning worship services. They also provided ushers, readers, and communion assistants.

The highlight of the morning was the children’s skit which served as both children’s conversation and sermon. Under the direction of Georgine Stark, they retold the Gospel story when Jesus was asked whether it was OK to pay taxes to the emperor.

In keeping with our program of year-round stewardship, Linda Miller offered a Temple Talk emphasizing our congregation’s commitment to stewardship of our keiki (children) and our thanks to our children for participating enthusiastically in our Sunday School and youth programs.

Below is a slideshow with photos of some of the ways our children offered their talents.

A girl plays the prelude.The children singing the call to worshipThe children do a Gospel skitboy playing a violin pieceTwo brothers play part of a sonata

Godly Play Room Dedicated for New School Year

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With the new school year just around the corner, the congregation gathered to dedicate the new Godly Play room following worship on Sunday, August 31.

The Sunday School teachers and pastors have been preparing for almost a year for the introduction of this new curriculum, which approaches the stories of sacred history in a way that is both fun and engaging. Linda Miller has been describing the journey to be ready for Godly Play in her blog, Notes from Nana Linda. For a brief introduction, please read her post “What is Godly Play?”

Christian Educations is offered for children and adults of all ages each Sunday morning at 9:20, between the two morning worship services. In addition to Godly Play for children ages 3 through 5th grade, children 6th through 12th grade have their own class (which meets in the Rainbow Room), the Adult Forum gathers in the Board Room, and professional nursery care is provided for children infant through 4 years. All are welcome.

At right, Pastor Angela blesses the Godly Play room with help from one of the children.

Summer Day Camp for Children Is Almost Here!

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Day camp leaders teaching a song for the children's conversationSummer Day Camp begins on Monday, June 30, and the congregation was happy to welcome the young camp leaders to join us for Sunday worship. To get everyone in the mood for camp, the leaders taught a camp song during the children’s conversation, and they even got the whole congregation to stand and join in with the song and motions.

Again this year the leaders come from Lutheran Retreats, Camps, and Conferences (LRCC), headquartered in Southern California. They have prepared an exciting program using the theme ”POWER up,” which invites the children to experience the POWER of God’s dynamic love and grace.

Camp begins on Monday morning, with registration at 8:30 am. All children ages 5 through sixth grade are invited, even if they did not register in advance. Bring your friends for this powerful week experiencing the POWER of God.

Everyone is also invited to the closing worship on Friday at 11:00 am.

At right, the leaders teach the words and motions for a favorite camp song.

Sunday School Prepares for Godly Play

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Linda Miller meets with prospective Sunday School teachers to prepare for the new Godly Play curriculumIt seems like summer has just begun, but already folks in our Sunday School are getting ready for the new school year in September. Earlier this year, they decided to switch their curriculum and adopt Godly Play for the LCH Sunday School, so the leadership is busy getting everything ready.

Linda Miller first introduced the Godly Play to the congregation back in January, and one of the Sunday School rooms has been outfitted for the curriculum, so now the teachers are beginning their training to use the curriculum effectively. At right, Linda (left), discusses Godly Play with Jim Niermann, Marjan Lynch, Laurie Leach, and Stepha Luuloa.

To help get the word out about Godly Play, Linda has resurrected her blog, Notes from Nana Linda, with a recent post explaining Godly Play. Check it out, and stay tuned for more news about this exciting curriculum.

Sunday School Year Ends with Fun Day

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Sunday School children and teachers enjoy some of the games on Fun DayChildren in the LCH Sunday School enjoyed a morning of fun and games on their last day together until the fall. The Sunday School teachers had prepared a variety of games to appeal to individual interests and different ages. Others from the congregation pitched in to prepare hot dogs and other snacks for the children.

At right, children reach into the mystery box for prizes.

The summer worship schedule begins on June 1, with one morning worship service at 9:15 am. Regular Sunday School Classes will resume with the first Sunday in September, but nursery classes will be provided during worship.

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

Godly Play Is Introduced!

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Pastor Angela Freeman and Linda Miller, director of the Sunday school programming were recently trained as facilitators for the Sunday school programing called, Godly Play. Godly Play was developed by Jerome Berryman and continues to be an effective and creative curriculum for students of all ages.

The program is a Montessori style of learning encouraging the participants to ask questions and learn Bible stories in an intimate way. The photo below is of Linda introducing the Christmas story on the Second Sunday after Christmas. This telling of the story is a “soft” introduction of Godly Play. LCH will be slowly building up of its resources as well as materials for the program.

You’re invited to participate in the telling of the story of the Mystery of Baptism which will be offered directly after the 10:30 am worship this Sunday, January 12. The story will be told in the Rainbow Room.

You could also experience a Godly Play story being told on Sunday, February 23 as the sermon for both the 8:00 am and 10:30 am services that day.

http://www.godlyplayfoundation.org

Godly Play 1 Godly Play 2