The staff and leadership of Lutheran Church of Honolulu have spent a great deal of time working through a prayerful response to the recent covid-19 outbreak. Although the extent of the corona virus outbreak in Hawai‘i is as yet unknown, we want to be cautious and prepared to protect the most vulnerable people in our midst. As such, we are implementing changes in our worship practice to best protect one another, while maintaining a worshipful presence. These are not changes made out of fear but out of love and concern for those who are most vulnerable.
Therefore, effective immediately, in response to CDC recommendations regarding the covid-19 virus, LCH is modifying parts of our worship practice:
- If you are sick, please stay home to protect the general public.
- Please take a moment to thoroughly wash your hands prior to entering the sanctuary.
- Make use of sanitizing gel located in the pew chairs. (Please do not take the LCH sanitizing gel bottles! We have a limited supply.)
- Refrain from direct contact with others and maintain social distancing. Suggestions for greeting include a slight bow, a wave, shoulder or elbow bump, or the popular Vulcan greeting.
- We are no longer offering the common cup for communion. We still offer the pouring chalice to maintain the symbolism of drinking “from one cup.” If you are uncomfortable receiving communion, please remain seated with full confidence that God’s grace is with you nonetheless.
- Offering plates will no longer be passed person to person.
- Food in the courtyard will be served to you to avoid contamination. Please wait to be served. Do not touch food.
- Please take time to read the information posters posted throughout the campus.
For the moment, small group activities are being evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we ask sponsors of those events to carefully consider the level of risk their event presents to the most vulnerable among us. If in doubt, please feel free to cancel your event to protect our friends and neighbors. Be sure to contact the church office, at 808-941-2566 or lch@lchwelcome.org, if you cancel an event so that we can post the cancellation on our calendar. If you are not sure what to do, feel free to call Pastor Jeff at the office.
These are interim steps pending further recommendations from the CDC and County Health Department. In the event that the health situation in Hawai‘i worsens, we are prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to protect the public, including cancelling worship and other events for a prescribed period of time. We are already working on a plan to provide some sort of digital content that will allow us to connect in worship, should the need arise. In the meantime, the staff will continue to work and plan for whatever eventuality might come to pass. We appreciate your understanding and support.
Aloha,
Pastor Jeff and the Congregational Council
The serving line for Wednesday evening soup and salad suppers.
The cantors lead worship.
Pastor Jeff Lilley marks the foreheads of members of the congregation with ashes during the Ash Wednesday Liturgy.
Each 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.
Reconciling in Christ Sunday is February 2! This annual commemoration recognizes ELCA faith communities that have made public stands; welcoming people of all sexual orientation and gender identities. LCH is proudly included among those congregations, having agreed to become an RIC congregation in 1993.
Welcome the new year with German Vespers for New Year’s Day, a tradition at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu since 2002. The service honors the church’s heritage as a congregation founded by German immigrants to Hawaii‘i and the the German practice of ushering in the new year with religious celebrations.
During 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.
Thanksgiving Eve Joint Worship
All are welcome to join the LCH ‘ohana for our annual Thanksgiving Dinner in the courtyard. This is a potluck meal for anyone who would like to attend. Please bring your friends, neighbors, college and university students, and folks who would like some fellowship and food. Pastor Jeff and Jean will prepare the turkeys and bring fresh-baked rolls. A donation of ham would be appreciated. Please plan to bring your favorite dish in quantities to feed at least six persons. Pupu, side dishes, casseroles, desserts, or any other dish is very welcome! Please sign up in the courtyard beginning November 6 so we can plan accordingly.
Come celebrate our Lutheran heritage at our annual LutherFest, where we eat, drink, laugh, and have fun in the Hörmann Courtyard. Festivities will begin at 5:30 pm with light pupus and non-alcoholic punch provided. Beer and wine are available for a donation. A German themed potluck follows at 6:00 pm. Brats will be provided, but please bring a German dish, if possible. To help ensure a balanced table, we suggest the following guidelines: