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	<title>Lutheran Church of Honolulu</title>
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	<link>https://www.lchwelcome.org</link>
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		<title>First Mondays Concert: May Day Is Lei Day • Mon., May 4 • 7:00 pm</title>
		<link>https://www.lchwelcome.org/mondays26-05/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:37:46 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[First Monday Concerts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music Ministry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[front]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.lchwelcome.org/?p=29838</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Lei Day embodies the spirit of aloha, with each lei representing the heartfelt connection between giver and receiver. The creation of a lei—through the gathering of materials, preparation, and weaving—is infused with the mana, or spirit, of its maker. Join us for this concert, the culmination of a weekend of cultural events! The concert features [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img decoding="async" class="alignright" style="margin: 5px 0px 0px 7px;" title="concert poster" alt="concert poster" src="https://www.lchwelcome.org/hb/2026/05Mondays.jpg" width="280" />Lei Day embodies the spirit of aloha, with each lei representing the heartfelt connection between giver and receiver. The creation of a lei—through the gathering of materials, preparation, and weaving—is infused with the mana, or spirit, of its maker. Join us for this concert, the culmination of a weekend of cultural events! The concert features Abe Lagrimas, Jr., on the <em>ʻukulele</em> and Shawn Conley on the bass.</p>
<p>All are welcome to gather for <em>pūpū</em> and conversation in the Hörmann Courtyard at 6:15 <acronym>pm</acronym>. First Mondays Concerts are free, with a suggested donation of $20.</p>
<p><em>Mahalo</em> to the LCH <em>‘ohana</em> for your continued support. This month’s calabash offerings will benefit the East-West Center.</p>
<p>If you wish to make a donation to benefit this month’s non-profit, <a href="https://www.lchwelcome.org/music/concerts-2/first-mondays/donations/">please go to this page</a>.</p>
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		<title>Work on New LCH Mural Begins on Sat., Apr. 18</title>
		<link>https://www.lchwelcome.org/work-on-new-lch-mural-begins-on-sat-apr-18/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 03:24:12 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Congregational Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LCH Campus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work Days]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[front]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.lchwelcome.org/?p=29768</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[How would you describe Lutheran Church of Honolulu—its community, its mission and ministry—through images? What colors do you see when you think of LCH? How do we communicate God’s mission and ministry at LCH on an outside church wall in pictures? What does a passersby see/feel when they look at the outside mural? Will they [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>How would you describe Lutheran Church of Honolulu—its community, its mission and ministry—through images? What colors do you see when you think of LCH? How do we communicate God’s mission and ministry at LCH on an outside church wall in pictures? What does a passersby see/feel when they look at the outside mural? Will they be able to get a glimpse of who we truly are as they look at the mural? These are all important questions that we will consider as we begin the visioning process for the creation of the LCH Mural by Estria Miyashiro of the Estria Foundation (<a href="https://estria.org">estria.org</a>). In this mural, we become visual storytellers, expressing our heritage and mission to the community.</p>
<p>In preparation for the wall mural painting, there will be a workday on Saturday, April 18, to prepare the wall facing Punahou Street for the mural. Here are a few things that need to be done:</p>
<ul>
<li>Bushes will come out</li>
<li>New lights will be installed beforehand</li>
<li>Church name letters will be removed</li>
<li>Wall will be pressure-washed (1–2 days before priming) to remove mold, dirt, and oils. This will probably happen on Monday, April 27, during the day (pending appropriate weather)</li>
<li>Priming on Tuesday or Wednesday, April 28 or 29</li>
</ul>
<p><a name="visioning"></a><strong>Visioning Process for the Mural Design—</strong>We hope everyone who wishes will come and participate in the visioning process for the design of the mural. The visioning process is guided by our belief that “God works in mysterious ways.” Experience has shown that the same idea will come out on different days, in different settings, and with different people; so we will have multiple sessions, and all are welcome to come to any and all visioning sessions. New ideas will come out at each session, and then be woven together in the final design. In these sessions, participants are encouraged to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Lead through meditation and prayer</li>
<li>Connect with the Divine</li>
<li>Talk through the exploration of our ideas</li>
<li>Leave space for silence and thought</li>
<li>Write ideas on a large paper, taking notes</li>
<li>Connect the right and left sides of the brain</li>
<li>Recognize the significance when two or more people receive the same picture, message, or thought</li>
</ul>
<p>There will be three different visioning sessions of 30–45 minutes:</p>
<ul>
<li>Blessing  and Session #1—Sunday, April 26, around 11:10 <acronym>am</acronym></li>
<li>Session #2—Monday, April 27 at 6:00 <acronym>pm</acronym></li>
<li>Session #3 &#8211; Tuesday, April 28 at 10:00 <acronym>am</acronym></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Sketch Approval—</strong>On May 3, the congregation will be presented with the mural design during regular 10:00 <acronym>am</acronym> worship and be able to see how it visually articulates our faith community to our neighbors. The presentation will take place during the sermon time (approximately 10:30). and tThe Council will meet briefly after the service (approximately 11:10) to approve the design. The congregation is welcome to share their thoughts with council members before the council’s meeting after worship. </p>
<p><strong>Painting—</strong>After the sketch approval, Estria will be begin outlining the mural at 6:00 in the evening on Monday, May 4. Everyone, including youth, are invited to join in the painting. There will be sign-up sheets for 2-hour blocks. Each block will accommodate a maximum on 20 volunteer painters and 4–6 helper volunteers. Painting is scheduled for:</p>
<ul>
<li>Tuesday, May 5, from 8:00 <acronym>am</acronym> to 2:00 <acronym>pm</acronym></li>
<li>Wednesday, May 6, from 8:00 <acronym>am</acronym> to 2:00 <acronym>pm</acronym></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Blessing and Unveiling</strong> will take place during worship on Sunday, May 10, at about 11:30 <acronym>am</acronym>.</p>
<p>As you can see by all of the details described above, this is a very important piece of the legacy of Lutheran Church of Honolulu as we share with the community the story of God’s work, with our hands at LCH. We hope you will participate in telling our story to the community and beyond. If you have any questions about this project, please reach out to Keane Ishii at 808-352-5135. <em>Mahalo.</em></p>
<p class="sig">Blessings and prayers,<br />Pastor Lesley</p>
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		<title>Celebrate Earth Day • Sunday, April 19</title>
		<link>https://www.lchwelcome.org/earth-day26/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:59:15 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Adult Forum]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Congregational Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Creation Care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Worship]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.lchwelcome.org/?p=29770</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Marlise and Liane swap some herbs on Earth Day Sunday. On April 19, we will celebrate Earth Day, and, as has become our custom at LCH, we will once again have tables set up for the sharing of “gifts from nature.” If you grow flowers, herbs, or any other type of plants, you could share [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="imgwrapper" style="width: 300px; text-align: center; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; float: right; margin: 5px 0px 5px 7px;"><img decoding="async" title="Marlise and Liane swap some herbs on Earth Day Sunday." alt="Marlise and Liane swap some herbs on Earth Day Sunday." src="https://www.lchwelcome.org/hb/2024/05herbs.jpg" width="300" /><em>Marlise and Liane swap some herbs on Earth Day Sunday.</em></div>
<p>On April 19, we will celebrate Earth Day, and, as has become our custom at LCH, we will once again have tables set up for the sharing of “gifts from nature.” If you grow flowers, herbs, or any other type of plants, you could share those or some cuttings/seeds. If you have chickens, you could bring eggs. If you are crafty and have made something out of natural materials, you could share that. It’s also fine to pick up some fruits, nuts, etc. at the store if you live in an apartment and don’t grow  anything.</p>
<p>At 9:00 <acronym>am</acronym>, Barbara Natale will lead the Adult Forum  in the Boardroom. She holds a master’s degree from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). She is currently a senior associate/planner at Group 70 International (G70), a local planning and design firm that does consulting work in Hawaiʻi and elsewhere. She has contributed to land-use and community-based planning in Hawaiʻi for over 20 years. Her work involves <em>ahupuaʻa</em> and watershed management and the integration of traditional Hawaiian stewardship principles with contemporary planning and environmental analysis. She was recently selected by <em>Pacific Business News</em> (March 13–19, 2026, edition) as one of “40 women who mean business.”</p>
<p>Worship at 10:00 <axcronym>am,</acronym> will use a special Earth Day liturgy.</p>
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		<title>Community Town Hall and Q&#038;A • Wed., Apr. 15, at 7:00 pm</title>
		<link>https://www.lchwelcome.org/town-hall26-04/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 20:09:14 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Social Ministries]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Values in Action]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.lchwelcome.org/?p=29749</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[VIA, LCH’s social justice ministry, will hold its first major event, a community Q&#038;A with local legislators, taking place on April 15 in the Nave. This event will offer an opportunity for members of the congregation and the broader community to hear directly from elected officials about election integrity, voting rights, civil and human rights, [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img decoding="async" class="alignright" style="margin: 5px 0px 0px 7px;" title="town hall graphic" alt="town hall graphic" src="https://www.lchwelcome.org/hb/2026/04town.jpg" width="400" />VIA, LCH’s social justice ministry, will hold its first major event, a community Q&#038;A with local legislators, taking place on April 15 in the Nave. This event will offer an opportunity for members of the congregation and the broader community to hear directly from elected officials about election integrity, voting rights, civil and human rights, government transparency, and resident rights and due process in immigration enforcement.</p>
<p>As of now, Adrian Tam, Andrew Garrett, and Kim Iwamoto have confirmed their attendance.</p>
<p>The evening will begin with a time of informal gathering in the courtyard, with light refreshments, followed by the Q&#038;A session.</p>
<p>This event reflects VIA’s commitment not only to service but also to education, dialogue, and democratic participation.</p>
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		<title>First Mondays Concert: Between Light and Shadows • Mon., Apr. 13 • 7:00 pm</title>
		<link>https://www.lchwelcome.org/mondays26-04/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 19:56:06 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[First Monday Concerts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music Ministry]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.lchwelcome.org/?p=29756</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Enter a sound world poised between light and shadows in this rich chamber music program featuring Antonín Dvořák’s Terzetto and Johannes Brahms’s Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34. Performed by an ensemble of distinguished local artists, including Helen Liu and Michelle Kim (violins), Alex Peña (viola), Sung Chan Chang (cello), and Jonathon Korth (piano), [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img decoding="async" class="alignright" style="margin: 5px 0px 0px 7px;" title="concert poster" alt="concert poster" src="https://www.lchwelcome.org/hb/2026/04Mondays.jpg" width="280" />Enter a sound world poised <em>between light and shadows</em> in this rich chamber music program featuring Antonín Dvořák’s <em>Terzetto</em> and Johannes Brahms’s <em>Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34.</em> Performed by an ensemble of distinguished local artists, including Helen Liu and Michelle Kim (violins), Alex Peña (viola), Sung Chan Chang (cello), and Jonathon Korth (piano), this concert explores the expressive breadth of the Romantic chamber tradition, from lyrical delicacy to dramatic intensity.</p>
<p>All are welcome to gather for <em>pūpū</em> and conversation in the Hörmann Courtyard at 6:15 <acronym>pm</acronym>. First Mondays Concerts are free, with a suggested donation of $20.</p>
<p><em>Mahalo</em> to the LCH <em>‘ohana</em> for your continued support. This month’s calabash offerings will benefit the LGBTQ+ Center at UH Mānoa, supporting vital community resources and advocacy.</p>
<p>If you wish to make a donation to benefit this month’s non-profit, <a href="https://www.lchwelcome.org/music/concerts-2/first-mondays/donations/">please go to this page</a>.</p>
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		<title>Easter Sunday Potluck Brunch • Sun., Apr. 5 at 8:30 am</title>
		<link>https://www.lchwelcome.org/easter-sunday-potluck-brunch-sun-apr-5-at-830-am/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Apr 2026 19:23:49 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Congregational Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fellowship]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.lchwelcome.org/?p=29745</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Join in the fellowship and celebration of Easter at our potluck brunch before the 10:00 worship service. The early start time is to allow the choir to eat before their pre-service rehearsal. Please understand that we will end the buffet at 9:30 so cleanup can be done before worship. We welcome your favorite breakfast casserole, [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img decoding="async" class="alignright" style="margin: 5px 0px 20px 10px;" title="Brunch is ready!" alt="Brunch is ready!" src="https://www.lchwelcome.org/hb/2026/04brunch.jpg" width="210" />Join in the fellowship and celebration of Easter at our potluck brunch before the 10:00 worship service. The early start time is to allow the choir to eat before their pre-service rehearsal. Please understand that we will end the buffet at 9:30 so cleanup can be done before worship.</p>
<p>We welcome your favorite breakfast casserole, salad, fruit, or baked goods to the buffet table. We greatly appreciate it if you’d bring your items ready to serve—pre-cooked hot dishes as well as pre-cut fruit, breads, baked goods, or any other item that needs to be cut.</p>
<p>Come celebrate, as we say, “Christ is Risen. Christ is Risen indeed. Alleluia.”</p>
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		<title>Holy Week and Easter Worship at LCH</title>
		<link>https://www.lchwelcome.org/hw26/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 02:54:09 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Worship]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.lchwelcome.org/?p=29597</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Holy Week and Easter Worship at LCH Palm Sunday—March 29 at 10:00 am Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. The service begins in a procession with palm leaves around the church, recalling Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, and moves inside for the Passion Gospel and Holy Communion. Maundy Thursday—April 2 at 7:00 pm We [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-top: 50px; width:600px; background-image:url('http://www.lchwelcome.org/hb/2025/04HWback3.jpg'); background-repeat:no-repeat; background-size:cover; padding-top: 25px; padding-bottom: 30px; padding-right: 40px; padding-left: 40px">
<h1 style="font-weight: bold; font-family: 'exljbris_-_callunasans-regular', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Holy Week and Easter Worship at LCH</h1>
<h2 style="font-weight: bold; font-family: 'exljbris_-_callunasans-regular', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Palm Sunday—March 29 at 10:00 <acronym>am</acronym></h2>
<p>Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. The service begins in a procession with palm leaves around the church, recalling Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, and moves inside for the Passion Gospel and Holy Communion.</p>
<h2 style="font-weight: bold; font-family: 'exljbris_-_callunasans-regular', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Maundy Thursday—April 2 at 7:00 <acronym>pm</acronym></h2>
<p>We remember Jesus’ command to “love one another” as we wash feet and share communion.</p>
<h2 style="font-weight: bold; font-family: 'exljbris_-_callunasans-regular', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Good Friday—April 3 at 7:00 <acronym>pm</acronym></h2>
<p>This powerful service recalls the bitter suffering and death of Jesus that leads to new life.</p>
<h2 style="font-weight: bold; font-family: 'exljbris_-_callunasans-regular', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Easter Vigil—April 4 at+ 7:00 <acronym>pm</acronym></h2>
<p>Following the service of readings and the kindling of the new fire, we move from darkness into the light of resurrection.</p>
<h2 style="font-weight: bold; font-family: 'exljbris_-_callunasans-regular', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Easter Sunday—April 5 at 10:00 <acronym>am</acronym></h2>
<p>Christ is risen! Join us for our 10:00 <acronym>am</acronym> festival choral service. The LCH Choir will share anthems of Easter joy and jubilation.</p>
</div>
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		<title>First Mondays Concert: Our Musical Journey • Mon., Mar. 2, at 7:00 pm</title>
		<link>https://www.lchwelcome.org/mondays26-03/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:46:33 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[First Monday Concerts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music Ministry]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.lchwelcome.org/?p=29524</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Get to know local favorites Leslie Goldman (soprano), Sarah Lambert Connelly (mezzo-soprano), and Sadee Xu (piano) as they share music that shaped their artistic journeys. Featuring solos and duets by Monteverdi, Mozart, Schubert, Massenet, Puccini, and more! All are invited to gather for pūpū in the Hörmann Courtyard and 6:15 pm. First Mondays Concerts are [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img decoding="async" class="alignright" style="margin: 5px 0px 20px 7px;" title="concert graphic" alt="concert graphic" src="https://www.lchwelcome.org/hb/2026/03Mondays.jpg" width="350" />Get to know local favorites Leslie Goldman (soprano), Sarah Lambert Connelly (mezzo-soprano), and Sadee Xu (piano) as they share music that shaped their artistic journeys. Featuring solos and duets by Monteverdi, Mozart, Schubert, Massenet, Puccini, and more!</p>
<p>All are invited to gather for <em>pūpū</em> in the Hörmann Courtyard and 6:15 <acronym>pm</acronym>. First Mondays Concerts are free and supported by <em>the generous sponsorship of the Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation and other donors in the LCH</em> ‘ohana.</p>
<p>Donations this evening will support <a href="https://www.hmta.org">Hawai‘i Music Teachers Association</a>, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting music teachers and music students across the state of Hawaiʻi. HMTA is Hawaiʻi’s local chapter of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).</p>
<p>If you wish to make a donation to benefit this month’s non-profit, <a href="https://www.lchwelcome.org/music/concerts-2/first-mondays/donations/">please go to this page</a>.</p>
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		<title>Mid-Week Lenten Evenings • Wednesdays,  February 25 through March 25</title>
		<link>https://www.lchwelcome.org/lent26/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 19:23:08 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Congregational Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fellowship]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Worship]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.lchwelcome.org/?p=29512</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Continuing long-standing tradition, members of the LCH ‘ohana will gather on Wednesday evenings during Lent for prayer, fellowship, and worship. Please join us. Midweek Lenten Prayer Times at 5:00 pm Each week, before we gather for soup and salad suppers and worship, members of the LCH ‘ohana are invited to spend time in prayer and [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Continuing long-standing tradition, members of the LCH <em>‘ohana</em> will gather on Wednesday evenings during Lent for prayer, fellowship, and worship. Please join us.</p>
<h2><a name="prayer-time"></a>Midweek Lenten Prayer Times at 5:00 <acronym>pm</acronym></h2>
<p>Each week, before we gather for soup and salad suppers and worship, members of the LCH <em>‘ohana</em> are invited to spend time in prayer and discernment from 5:00 to 5:30 <acronym>pm</acronym>, related to the focus questions above. During supper, you will be invited to write down your thoughts and perceptions and discuss them with your table in response to our questions. Pr. Phyllis and Pr. Lesley will be guiding you through these exercises. The information will be collected to help prepare for the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis</p>
<ul>
<li>February 25—Standing at the Fish Gate, looking across the street to Punahou School</li>
<li>March 4—Standing in the Poki lot, looking towards both Poki Street and Punahou Street</li>
<li>March 11—Standing at the corner of Poki and Wilder, by Fernhurst, looking down the street toward LCH</li>
<li>March 18—Standing in the church parking lot, looking at our neighbors</li>
<li>March 25—Standing anywhere you choose within the boundaries of our property</li>
</ul>
<div class="imgwrapper" style="width: 250px; text-align: center; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; float: right; margin: 20px 0px 5px 7px;"><img decoding="async" title="Soup’s on! Filling our bowls before filling out hearts at the Wednesday Lenten service." alt="Soup’s on! Filling our bowls before filling out hearts at the Wednesday Lenten service." src="https://www.lchwelcome.org/hb/2025/04supper.jpg" width="250" /></div>
<h2>Soup and Salad Suppers at 5:45 <acronym>pm</acronym></h2>
<p>Please join in this wonderful time of fellowship and prayer, beginning each Wednesday of Lent with a simple soup and salad supper. Suppers are served at 5:45 <acronym>pm</acronym>, prior to 7:00 <acronym>pm</acronym> Lenten services .</p>
<p>Signup sheets for each week’s contributions to the meal, as well as set-up and clean-up, will be in the courtyard. We ask that your food offering will serve 18–20 people and that you bring them by 5:30 <acronym>pm</acronym>. This will allow time to visit with each other during the supper and clean up before sharing our space with the Hanbit Presbyterian Church. Contact Jeanne Castello for more information.</p>
<h2>Mid-Week Lenten Services at 7:00 <acronym>pm</acronym></h2>
<div class="imgwrapper" style="width: 300px; text-align: center; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px;"><img decoding="async" title="Randy Castello and Carrie Staiger, lighting the way this Lenten season." alt="Randy Castello and Carrie Staiger, lighting the way this Lenten season." src="https://www.lchwelcome.org/hb/2025/04lent.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<p>We will gather in the Nave on Wednesdays at 7:00 <acronym>pm</acronym> for <strong><em>Holden Evening Prayer</em></strong> beginning February 25 and ending March 25. Our reflection theme this year is: <strong>Conversations with Jesus: Services of Word and Healing.</strong></p>
<p>The Sunday lectionary for Lent in year A reveals Jesus in conversation with both friends and adversaries. Lent’s first Sunday finds him confronting God’s ancient adversary in Matthew’s account of the temptation. The second Sunday presents Jesus’ interaction with the seeker, Nicodemus, who is perhaps not ready to make a commitment to following this new teacher. The third, fourth, and fifth Sundays are full of intriguing conversation partners for Jesus: the Samaritan woman at the well, the man who received his sight, and Martha and Mary after the death of their brother Lazarus. (These last stories were used in some ancient churches as part of baptismal preparation, essential to the Lenten season in the early church.)</p>
<p>During these five midweek reflections, the congregation will join the conversation between Jesus and his partners from the previous Sunday&#8217;s gospel reading. How does each character inform a contemporary life of discipleship? How might Jesus respond now to our own questions, confusions, and need for healing? Extended moments of silence allow people to take time to participate in the holy conversations of Lent (adapted from <em>Sundays and Seasons 2026</em>).</p>
<p>Thank you to our Writers’ Workshop, the Stewardship Team, and others who will lead us through our reflection time this Lenten season.</p>
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		<title>Ash Wednesday Worship • Feb. 18 at 7:00 pm</title>
		<link>https://www.lchwelcome.org/ash26/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Feb 2026 19:24:45 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Worship]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.lchwelcome.org/?p=29500</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The season of Lent begins with a very special worship on Ash Wednesday. This beautiful evening service begins the Lenten season of reflection, prayer, and preparation as we hear the words from Genesis 3:19, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Ashes, a sign of mourning and repentance, are placed on [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img decoding="async" class="alignright" style="margin: 5px 0px 10px 10px;" title="Imposition of ashes" alt="Imposition of ashes" src="https://www.lchwelcome.org/hb/2026/02ash.jpg" width="350" />The season of Lent begins with a very special worship on Ash Wednesday. This beautiful evening service begins the Lenten season of reflection, prayer, and preparation as we hear the words from Genesis 3:19, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Ashes, a sign of mourning and repentance, are placed on our foreheads as a reminder of our mortality, but the ashes are in the shape of a cross, a sign of promise, and life, and hope.</p>
<p>Ash Wednesday—along with the whole season of Lent—calls us to reflect and remember the precious gift of life and love that God has given us in creation and community and to re-center our thoughts and spirit on what truly matters. As we gather around the communion table in worship on Ash Wednesday, we see our neighbors with the same smudged cross on their heads, recall that our mortality is joined forever in Christ, and remember that together we share the joy of life with all of God’s world.</p>
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