Category Archives: Congregational Life

Angela Freeman Installed as Co-Pastor

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Members of the congregation gather around to lay on hands as part of the InstallationThe first summer Sunday with one worship service saw a joyful celebration of the ministry of LCH as we gathered to formally install The Rev. Angela Freeman as co-pastor. Even though Angela has been working among us for almost two years, her initial call was for a term of two years, so after the congregation voted to extend a regular call, she had to be installed again.

The service of installation featured special music from several children in the congregation, elements from the traditional “10:30 style” (the LCH Choir singing the psalm and special music by Sir Ralph Vaughan Williams), and the Alleluia Mass regularly sung for contemporary worship.

Following worship, everyone enjoyed a summer barbecue and fellowship inn the Hörmann Courtyard and Isenberg Hall.

At right, members of the congregation crowd around to lay hands on Pr. Angela during the installation.

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.

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.

Church Council Members Installed

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Pastor Angela Freeman installs Council members Olivia Castro, Randy Castello, and Naomi Castro during the 10:30 am service.Pastor Angela Freeman installs Council members Olivia Castro, Randy Castello, and Naomi Castro during the 10:30 am service on February 16.

As part of both morning worship services on February 16, newly-elected and continuing members of the LCH Church Council were installed. Council members guide the congregation in our life together. We all join in praying for their success in this ministry.

Council officers for 2013–14 are April Smith, president; Randy Castello, vice president; Amanda Lippert, secretary; and Gary Brauer, treasurer.

Other members are Fred Benco, Sophie C., Craig Clissold, Lori Nishimura, Naomi Castro, Olivia Castro, and Georgine Stark.

Pastor Angela Freeman (center back) with other members installed during the 8:00 am service: Sophie C., Amanda Lippeert, April Smith, Georgine Stark, Lori Nishimura, Fred Benco, and Craig Clissold.

Pastor Angela Freeman (center back) with other members installed during the 8:00 am service: Sophie C., Amanda Lippeert, April Smith, Georgine Stark, Lori Nishimura, Fred Benco, and Craig Clissold.

Angela Freeman Officially Called as Co-Pastor

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Pastor Angela speaks to the meeting following her election as co-pastorPastor Angela speaks to the meeting following her election as co-pastor

A Special Congregational Meeting on Saturday evening, January 25, voted unanimously to call the Rev. Angela Freeman as co-pastor of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu. This was the culmination of a process begun in the summer of 2012 when Pastor Angela joined the LCH staff as associate pastor with a two-year term.

In the last year and a half, it has become clear to both Pastor Angela and the congregation that God is calling us all to ministry together on a long-term basis. In the fall, the congregation signaled our intent to issue a regular call, and a Search Committee was formed to work through the process outlined by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Special Congregational Meeting was the last step.

Preceding the Special Congregational Meeting was the second half of the Annual Meeting, when the annual report was accepted and an operating budget for 2014 was approved. In additional to all of the rest of the regular expenses of the congregation, the budget, which was also adopted unanimously, included the salary for Pastor Angela.