Category Archives: Worship

Reconciling in Christ Sunday • January 28

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Welcoming Sunday graphicWe invite everyone to join us for worship on “ Reconciling in Christ Sunday,” January 28.

In 1993 our congregation made the bold and prayerful decisions to be public and affirming in our welcome of all people, including gay, lesbian, transgendered, and questioning folks, who seldom found welcome in Christian churches. Two decades later we rejoice that churches around the world are beginning to share that same welcome. But there is much work to do, and our witness of Christ’s welcoming love is more important than ever.

Join us for worship and in welcoming our LGBTQI friends on Sunday, January 28, at 8:00 and 10:30 am.

More information about the process by which LCH became a “Reconciling in Christ” or welcoming congregation, is available on our RIC page.

German Vespers for Epiphany (Jan. 6 • 7:30 pm)

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German Vespers graphicGerman Vespers is a tradition at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu which began in 2002. Paying homage to the church’s German heritage, the service is completely auf Deutsch.

The LCH Choir, Bach Chamber Orchestra, and soloists will present choral works with orchestra including Bach’s Cantata 32 Liebster Jesu, mein Verlangen, and Magnificat in G by Heinrich Schütz. Again this year, we welcome the Rev. Anke Flohr as presider for this festival worship. Martina Bingham makes her return to Honolulu as our soprano soloist after completing doctoral studies at Stony Brook University. Tim Carney will share his rich baritone as a featured soloist as well.

All are welcome. Free will offering accepted.

Worship for the Christmas Season

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The Twelve Days of Christmas

Christmas Eve
Sunday, December 24

5:00 pm Family Service
Joyous Christmas worship with congregational carols and music
by members of the Early Worship Ensemble
 
10:00 pm Music for Christmastide
Conrad Susa’s Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest
10:30 pm Festival Choral Eucharist
Christmas Eve worship with choir, chamber orchestra, and soloists
J. G. de Padilla’s MMissa Ego flow campi,
motets, carols, and readings.

 

Christmas Day
Sunday, December 25

10:30 am Choral Eucharist
Welcome the newborn king with beloved carols and readings
led by the men of the LCH Choir.
 

Lessons & Carols for the
First Sunday of Christmas
Sunday, December 31

8:00 am Holy Communion
with the Early Worship Ensemble
 
10:30 am Choral Eucharist
with the LCH Choir and organist Mark D. Wong

 
 
 

Epiphany
Saturday, January 6

7:30 pm German Vespers for Epiphany
A tradition at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu since 2002,
this service honors the church’s German heritage.
Music will be performed by the LCH Choir, soloists,
and the Bach Chamber Orchestra.
The sermon will be offered in German with translation.

 

43rd Annual Advent Procession (Dec. 3)

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Advent Procession graphicA Way to Hope: An Advent Procession

Sunday, December 3 • 7:30 pm

Join us for the 43rd annual Advent Procession. In our chaotic, stressful time, this meditative service explores the theme “A Way to Hope” through word and song.

Find comfort in beloved readings of the Advent season, congregational carols, and the anthems of Howells, Biebl, Mathias, and Scheidt sung by the Men’s Schola and LCH Choir. Texts for the readings and information on all the music sing is available on our December music list.

All are welcome. Freewill offering accepted.

All Saints Sunday (Nov. 5)

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angels graphicJoin us for the Feast of All Saints (November 1 on the church calendar) as we celebrate on All Saints’ Sunday, November 5.

Members of the congregation will have the opportunity in worship to come forward to remember a deceased loved one by lighting a candle during the prayers. Please fill out a Saints Remembrance form at church or email the church office (lch@Lchwelcome.org) with the names of those you would like printed in the special bulletin insert. Join us for this special remembrance.

Thanksgiving Events at LCH (Nov. 22 & 23)

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pies graphicAnnual Thanksgiving Eve Service and Pie Potluck

Wednesday, November 22 • 7:00 pm

LCH will once again host the Parish St. Clement Episcopal church for our annual Thanksgiving Eve service. St. Clement’s new Rector, the Rev. Heather Hill, will preach at the worship service. Following the service, we join with our friends in the pie feast! Please bring a pie to share. Pie sign-ups will be available November 5.

Thanksgiving at LCH

turkey dinner graphicYou are most welcome to join your LCH ‘ohana for Thanksgiving potluck on Thursday November 23rd at 4:00 pm. Turkey, ham, and fresh baked rolls will be provided along with beverages and wine. You are invited to bring your favorite hot dish, side dish, or desert in quantities great enough to share. Please sign up on the clipboard beginning November 5. You are welcome to bring friends, neighbors, or folks you find in the streets. Just let us know how many you are planning to bring so we have enough food!

500th Anniversary Plans

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Luther nailing 95 theses graphicIn the late days of October 1517, Martinus Luther, an Augustinian Monk teaching in Wittenberg, Germany, posted 95 theses he hoped would be debated by scholars. Those questions coupled with social, economic, and religious unrest, gave birth to a revolution we call “the Reformation.” October 29, 2017, marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of the reformation that would trigger profound changes in the European world.

Communities around the world are observing this important historical and religious anniversary, and Hawai‘i is no exception. Our observance will begin with an ecumenical and interfaith service held at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Honolulu on Saturday, October 14. Dr. David Lose, scholar, past seminary president, and respected biblical commentator, will deliver the sermon for the day. On October 15, he will offer a lecture to the public, and on the 16th and 17th he’ll deliver two more lectures to the public and rostered persons.

The second major event involves reformation concerts on October 21 and 22, hosted by Lutheran Church of Honolulu. Period instruments and combined choirs will highlight the evening with music that has inspired generations.

The third event is LCH’s annual LutherFest. Held each October on the Saturday before Reformation Sunday, October 28 this year, LutherFest is a time of celebration, food, and fellowship in the LCH courtyard. Once again, there will be authentic bratwurst, but the treat of the evening is all the wonderful potluck dishes brought by all who come. Please be sure to mark your calendars and bring your friends. We hope to make this LutherFest one to remember!

On Reformation Sunday, October 29, the LCH community will gather for a festive and beautiful worship on the occasion of this 500th anniversary. We will have one service that Sunday with worship at 9:30 am only.

To prepare for our celebrations, Adult Forum will concentrate on Reformation topics each week leading up to Reformation Sunday. Join us in the LCH Boardroom at 9:15 am on Sundays, between services, for this wonderful educational opportunity.

  • Saturday, October 14: 3:00 pm, Ecumenical and Interfaith Worship at the Cathedral of St. Andrew
  • Sunday, October 15: 2:00–4:00 pm, Tenney Theater at the Cathedral, lecture by Dr. David Lose, courtesy of the Margaret “Peggy” Kai Memorial Fund
  • Monday/Tuesday, October 16/17: 9:00 am–3:00 pm, Christ Church Uniting, Kailua, lectures by Dr David Lose, $25 for two days, courtesy of the Margaret “Peggy” Kai Memorial Fund
  • Saturday/Sunday, October 21, 7:30 pm/October 22, 5:30 pm: Reformation 500 concerts at LCH
  • Saturday, October 28: 5:30 pm, LCH annual LutherFest
  • Sunday, October 29: 9:30 am, LCH Festival Reformation Service

Earth Day Sunday (April 30)

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tree graphicFor many years, the Lutheran Church has observed Earth Day, in April, with special projects and worship. Sunday, April 30, is our 2017 Earth Day celebration.

The liturgy, sermon, Sunday School, and music will all reflect our care for God’s wonderful creation. Please join us for this important event.

Holy Week and Easter at LCH

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Celebrating the Cross and Resurrection
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER
at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu

Christ showing wounds

PALM SUNDAY   †   Sunday, April 9
8:00 am

PROCESSION OF PALMS AND HOLY COMMUNION

The service moves from the commemoration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to the reading of the story of Jesus’ passion and death in the Gospel according to St. Matthew. Music by the Early Worship Ensemble of singers and instrumentalists.
10:30 am

PROCESSION OF PALMS AND CHORAL EUCHARIST

The service moves from the commemoration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to the reading of the story of Jesus’ passion and death in the Gospel according to St. Matthew. Music by Heinrich Schütz and a brass quartet for the Procession of Palms.
robe and wash basin for Maundy liturgy

MAUNDY THURSDAY   †   Thursday, April 13
7:30 pm

CHORAL EUCHARIST AND MAUNDY LITURGY

A joyous celebration of the Eucharist meal quickly changes to one of love through humility in the washing of feet. The service concludes with the stripping of the altar, dramatizing Christ’s betrayal, stripping, and mocking by his captors. Music by Proulx, Tallis, and Gesualdo.
crown of thorns

GOOD FRIDAY   †   Friday, April 14
7:30 pm

GOOD FRIDAY LITURGY AND ADORATION OF THE CRUCIFIED

This service commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The choir presents the St. John Passion setting by Heinrich Schütz. Throughout the service the congregation and choir sing Lenten chants from the Taizé Community as we pray and meditate on the passion of our Lord.
empty cross and Paschal candle

EASTER EVE   †   Saturday, April 15
7:30 pm

EASTER VIGIL AND SOLEMN CHORAL EUCHARIST

Kindling of a new fire, the story of deliverance from the Hebrew Scriptures, and renewal of Baptismal promises lead to the proclamation of Easter Victory and a joyous celebration of Holy Communion. Music by Edvard Grieg, Forrest Pierce, and Michael Praetorius.
Chi Rho and empty tomb

EASTER SUNDAY   †   Sunday, April 16
8:00 am

FESTIVAL HOLY COMMUNON

We celebrate the empty tomb, the central mystery that through death comes new life. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Music includes a brass quartet playing hymns and the music of Randall Thompson and the Hawaiian anthem “Lei Media” performed by the Early Worship Ensemble.
10:30 am

FESTIVAL CHORAL EUCHARIST

We celebrate the empty tomb, the central mystery that through death comes new life. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Festive music with brass and organ, including “God is Gone Up” by Gerald Finzi and “Victimae Paschali Laudes” by Thomás Luis de Vittoria.
7:30 pm

EASTER COMPLINE

Contemplative Easter meditation presented by the LCH Men’s Schola. Candlelight illuminates the Nave for this short service of prayer, chant, and polyphony.

The Reverend Jeff Lilley, Pastor   †   Scott Fikse, Director of Music and Liturgy

Lenten Suppers and Worship (Wednesdays beginning March 8)

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The serving line for Wednesday evening soup and salad suppers.The serving line for Wednesday evening soup and salad suppers.

Each Wednesday evening during the season of Lent, members and friends of LCH will gather for table fellowship and worship.

The evenings begin with a light supper of soup, salad, and bread beginning at 6:00 pm. The meal is provided by volunteers, and all are welcome to join in fellowship and conversation around the table. If you feel moved to contribute to the meal, please sign up in the courtyard on Sunday morning.

Worship follows the meal at 7:00 pm using the music and prayerful song from Marty Haugen’s Holden Evening Prayer. This year’s worship will focus on our Jahreslosung (“year verse”), “ new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you” (Ezekiel 36:26). The Jarreslosung was introduced during German Vespers on Epiphany.

As we all move forward on our Lenten journey and prepare for Easter joy in the resurrection, all are invited to come together at the table, to be fed and nourished in body and soul, and to worship together as a faith community.

The cantors place the lighted candle at the beginning of worship.The cantors place the lighted candle at the beginning of worship.