November 2009—In this Issue:
- A Message from Pastor Jeff
- October Council Meeting
- Thanksgiving Eve Service
- Angel Network
- Leadership Roundtable
- Food for Thought
- Congratulations Jordan M.
- Stewardship Corner
- Annual Meeting
- LCH Member Inquiry Classes
- Downtown Lunch Bunch
- Committee/Interest Group Chairs
- Process Thought Forum
- Thanksgiving Eve Service
- HeartBeat Mailing at New Time
- Mary Magdalene to Gather November 14
- What’s New on the LCH Website?
- Wanted: Facebook Power Users
- Prayer Shawl Gratitude
- Baby Furniture Needed
- World AIDS Day—Tuesday, December 1st, 2009
- LutherFest Pictures
- OYEA News
- Give Aloha Update
- Harvest Bake Sale
- October Attendance and Offering
- Prayer Requests
- November Birthdays
- LCH Worship Participants (8:00 AM)
- LCH Worship Participants (10:30 AM)
- Heart Beat Deadline
- Heavenly Humor
- Calendar: November 2009
View the entire issue as a full-color PDF via the link below:
November 2009 HeartBeat (PDF)
The HeartBeat
A Message from Pastor Jeff
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.
Psalm 86:12
In the verses above, the Psalmist paints an incredible picture of complete surrender to God in thanksgiving. One might imagine the singer bathed in comfort, feasting on blessings, and sharing a life of luxury with friends. In such circumstances any of us would be moved to give thanks to God, the author and creator of all things. But Psalm 86 begins like this:
Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; be gracious to me, O Lord,
for to you do I cry all day long.
This poor and needy soul bursts with thanks-giving for God. This conversation with God humbles us as we witness the encounter between God and a servant on the edge of oblivion. At the core of the Psalmist’s faith is a surety that God can and will abide, love, and care for the singer. The singer knows his song will not go unheard or unheeded.
Such faith is a wonderful signpost for us as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday. Sometimes our blessings are not so easily recognized. Some things we think are a curse or a hardship turn out to bless us. Difficult relationships or harsh criticisms can transform us. Sometimes, betrayals and underhanded scheming lead us to a closer and more profound relationship with God and neighbor. So as we share this season of Thanksgiving:
- We give thanks to you, O Lord our God, for the ways hardship and adversity help us grow.
- We give thanks to you, O Lord our God, for the comfort of church, family, and friends when we are hurting, hopeless, and pained.
- We give thanks to you, O Lord our God, for the joys of living.
- We give thanks to you, O Lord our God, for music that challenges our sensibilities and soothes frazzled nerves.
- We give thanks to you, O Lord our God, for health professionals who remind us that living is a verb that needs action to become life.
- We give thanks to you, O Lord our God, for critics and fans, lovers and enemies, joys and sorrows, brilliant sunrises and the shadows of twilight.
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.
Aloha,
Pastor Jeff Lilley
pr.jeff@lchwelcome.org
October Council Meeting!
The LCH Council met on October 20. Here is a brief recap of the items discussed:
- Scholarship Committee awarded a total of $2,000 to six applicants for 2009.
- A new programmable thermostat has been installed in the Nave. This will help save on electricity.
- Offerings are at 85% year-to-date.
- Ministry Plan Taskforce updated Council on the Ministry Plan, which is in the process of being completed.
Joint Service with St. Clement’s
November 25, 2009
7:00 PM at LCH
Angel Network
The October in-gathering for the Angel Network was satisfying. A shopping cart with saimin, canned goods, Spam, and personal care items was collected for the Angel Network located at Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church. Thank you for all your support. In-gatherings are scheduled for the first Sunday of each month, so your next opportunity to participate is November 1st.
Leadership Roundtable
Sunday, November 1st, at 11:15 AM, following the 10:30 service, the chairperson or another representative of each committee will meet in the Boardroom with Pastor Jeff and Council President Olivia Castro. This meeting, repeated the first Sunday of every month, is to enhance communications among committees. See you there!
Food for Thought
Food for Thought will meet for our next potluck supper and discussion at the home of Irmgard Hörmann on Saturday, November 7th, at 6:30 PM. All are welcome. For directions or information, please contact Kathryn Klingebiel through the Church Office (941-2566).
Congratulations Jordan M.
Jordan M. affirmed his faith on October 25th at the 10:30 AM service. After three years of confirmation instruction, Jordan has completed all the requirements for confirmation. Please join in congratulating him.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
October’s ‘Ohana Gatherings were a great success! Members and friends enjoyed food and fellowship as they shared thoughts and feelings about following the light of Jesus and becoming better disciples. It was a real joy to take part in these spirited discussions and to learn how others respond to God call. We went away even more certain that we are called to share our blessings and spread the light of Christ to the world.
Last month when we invited you to join in the ‘Ohana Gatherings, we promised not to hand out pledge cards or ask for money. But we cannot separate being disciples from supporting the work of the church. Ecclesiastes tells us that “to every thing, there is a season,” and this is the season for asking.
Our mission at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu is about welcoming, worshipping, growing, and serving. We ask that you pray about how you will support this work and make a financial pledge so that our church can continue its mission of spreading Christ’s light and love in our city, state, and country and throughout the world.
Your pledge comes out of your prayerful dialog with God and is a commitment you make with God. But having a written record of that commitment helps us plan for the work of the church in the year ahead, so we distributed pledged cards in church on October 25 and by mail to any who were not in church that Sunday. (Stewardship materials are also available online at <www.lchwelcome.org/stewardship>.)
We hope you will complete a pledge card, bring it to church with you, and drop it in the box. Then, on Christ the King Sunday, November 22nd, we will give thanks for your pledges at each worship service.
Blessings on your journey,
Your Stewardship Committee
Jeanne, Pam, Bill, and April
Annual Meeting
The first half of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu Annual Meeting will be held Sunday, November 29th, at 9:15 AM (between worship services). Please plan to attend this very important meeting. We will be electing Council members at this time.
LCH Member Inquiry Classes
Pastor Jeff invites all interested persons and families to join him for LCH Inquiry Classes in the month of November. Inquiry Class is for anyone interested in exploring congregational membership at Lutheran Church of Honolulu or anyone who might be interested in the subject matter. We will touch on issues of faith, theology, the history of Christianity, Lutheranism, and whatever else is of interest to the participants. Classes will be held over three Saturdays in November—November 7, 14, and 21—from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. Please sign up for the class on the sign up sheet in the courtyard or call the church office at 941-2566.
Committee/Interest Group Chairs
| Committee/Group | Leader |
|---|---|
| Aloha Jam: | Pastor Jeff Lilley |
| Archives: | James Cartwright |
| Audit: | Shannon Liston |
| Compline: | Keane Ishii |
| Concert: | Carl Crosier |
| Communications: | Carol Langner |
| Council: | Olivia Castro |
| Fellowship: | Jeanette Hanson |
| Finance: | Steve Miller |
| Food for Thought: | Kathryn Klingebiel |
| Garden Club: | Carol Langner |
| In Stitches: | Linda Miller |
| Learning Ministry: | Fred Benco |
| Mary Magdalene Society: | Francisco Barajas & Robert Zimmer |
| Ministry Plan Task Force: | Jim Niermann |
| Mutual Ministry/Transition: | April Smith |
| Pau Hana: | Pastor Jeff Lilley |
| Pre-Compline: | Fritz Fritschel |
| Process Theology: | Fritz Fritschel |
| Property: | Jean-Paul Klingebiel |
| Scholarship: | Fred Benco |
| Social Ministry: | Ray Herradura & Robert Zimmer |
| Stewardship: | Pam Buckley & Jeanne Castello |
| Sunday School: | Laurie Leach & Linda Miller |
| Worship & Music: | Linda Miller |
| Writers’ Workshop: | Kathryn Klingebiel |
| Youth: | Sean D’Evelyn & Crescent C. |
Downtown Lunch Bunch
Enjoy delicious (and inexpensive!) dim sum with the Downtown Lunch Bunch on Friday, November 20th (a change from our usual 4th Friday because of Thanksgiving). We will meet at Mei Sum (65 N. Pauahi at Smith Street) at noon. Come and join us for lively conversation, ‘ono food, and good fellowship. See Josie Bidgood if you have questions or need more information.
Process Thought Forum
The next Process Thought Forum is slated for Saturday, November 14, 9:30 to 11:00 AM at Lutheran Church of Honolulu. The discussion will focus on the article “Whitehead and Legal Realism” by Randall C. Morris.
If you would like a copy of the article in advance, please contact Fritz Fritschel through the Church Office (941-2566). The discussion should indicate some practical applications of Whitehead’s thought as it touches the legal and judicial world.
There will be a repeat session on Sunday, November 15, about noon.
Thanksgiving Eve Service
Lutheran Church of Honolulu and the Parish of St. Clement will once again share worship and fellowship on Thanksgiving Eve, November 25th. The worship service will be held at Lutheran Church of Honolulu at 7:00 PM.
A popular part of this wonderful tradition is pie! You are invited to bring a pie to share as we fellowship in the Hörmann Courtyard immediately following worship. Pastor Jeff will make sure there is ice cream as well. Child care will be provided.
HeartBeat Mailing at New Time
The new day and time for the HeartBeat mailing session is the last Wednesday of each month at 2:00 PM in the Boardroom.
If you have a couple of hours to spare, please join us. A great time is had by all. Come be a part of this important communication event. Please contact the LCH office for more information. Mahalo!
Mary Magdalene to Gather November 14
The fourth Saturday of October was LutherFest, and the fourth Saturday in December is the day after Christmas, so the members of the Mary Magdalene Society are splitting the difference and meeting on November 14, the second Saturday of November.
The fun begins at 6:00 PM with a potluck dinner in Isenberg Hall, followed by game night. We will be inviting our friends from St. Clement’s and from the other Lutheran churches in town.
For more information, contact Bob Zimmer through the Church Office (941-2566).
What’s New on the LCH Website?
Bill Potter, Webmaster
Last month I wrote about the addition of a daily prayer feed which incorporates the daily reading lectionary from Evangelical Lutheran Worship in the services of Morning Prayer, Noon Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Compline.
I’m happy to report that in the short time since these pages were introduced, they have already attracted a bit of attention. According to the data available on our Google Analytics report, during the first 18 days of October, the main Daily Prayer page was the seventh most visited page (with 53 page views), the Morning Prayer page was tenth (36), and the Compline page was seventeenth (26).
Other top ten pages included our Home page (400), the Paraments page in the Worship section (166), the Worship page (114), the Music page (72), the Pew Cushions page (64), the Congregational Life page (54), the Children page (52), and the HeartBeat page (47).
I hope you will take time to check out our Daily Prayer pages and consider making the practice of fixed-time prayer a part of your life. Personally, I have found that taking 5 to 10 minutes in the morning to say Morning Prayer helps me get my day off to a good start, and finishing up with Compline before bed prepares me for a good night’s sleep.
Other additions to the LCH website over the past few weeks include pictures and stories on the Congregational Life page about our Pau Hana Gathering, the recent Hukilau Fall Assembly, and Children’s Sabbath, along with a slideshow of our children performing. All the materials for the fall stewardship campaign are also available on the website.
Wanted: Facebook Power Users
LCH has a Facebook page, but we need one or two “power users” to keep things current and promote our LCH “brand” in the Facebook community. If you know your way around Facebook and have a few minutes a day to spend keeping our page current, please talk to either Pastor Jeff or Bill Potter.
Prayer Shawl Gratitude
Good Morning !
I was the recipient of the prayer shawl made by someone in your church while I attended the ELCA churchwide gathering in Minneapolis last month. It has the number 408 on it. It matched the wine color of my clergy shirt, so that’s how I got it. I’m very proud to be its owner! I wore it at our worship service the Sunday after the gathering and explained what prayer shawls are all about. Maybe they’ll start making them here and give them out on special occasions like baptisms. Thank you very much for my unique gift! I might find myself wearing it this winter when it’s twenty below zero here. You wouldn’t know anything about that would you.
Your brother in Christ,
Pastor Gary Anderson
Florence, SD 57235
Baby Furniture Needed
Dear LCH Friends:
Judie Boutá is in need of a twin size bed and a bassinet or crib for her daughter and her baby for 5 months. She was wondering if there is anyone in the LCH community that has an extra bed and crib and wouldn’t mind loaning the furniture to Judie. It would be a great help to Judie not to have the financial burden of having to buy a new bed and crib.
Sincerely yours,
Carolyn Y. Ishikawa
World AIDS Day—Tuesday, December 1st, 2009
Join us for World AIDS Day 2009 at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, December 1, at the Parish of St. Clement, 1515 Wilder Avenue, with a short reception to follow. The event will feature performances by the Honolulu Men’s Chorus and the Kananiokeakua School of Hula, a photo exhibit, the presentation of the Suzanne-Richmond Crum Award and awards for the World AIDS Day Youth Leadership Challenge.
Volunteers are welcome to join us in downtown Honolulu to pass out World AIDS Day flyers and red ribbons from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Tuesday, December 1st. Call Shanelle Naone at 808-521-2437x252 or email <snaone@lifefoundation.org> for more information or to sign up.
Started on December 1st, 1988, World AIDS Day is recognized around the globe as a day to take action, fight prejudice, and raise awareness about the fight against AIDS. Here in Hawaii, groups on each island are organizing events, memorials, and celebrations to recognize this global day of awareness.
Visit <www.worldaidsdayhawaii.org> for more information and a complete listing of events for World AIDS Day 2009.
LutherFest
LutherFest 2009 was a great success with the “Diet of Worms” gummy worm eating contest (left), LCH-label wine and cold beer from the bar (below, left), lots of good food, and a visit from Martin Luther (below, right). More pictures are available in the LutherFest 2009 slideshow.
OYEA News
OYEA held its first annual meeting and Chili Cook Off on October 11th at Christ Mililani. Over 70 people attended and the event raised over $900.
OYEA will have a tailgate party a the UH Game on November 28th.
Give Aloha Update
Thanks to all who contributed through Foodland’s Give Aloha Program. $4,983 was contributed to LCH through this program, so we received a check for $1,095.15 in matching funds from Foodland and Western Union.
Harvest Bake Sale
Social Ministry’s Harvest Bake Sale on October 25 raised $715 to benefit Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels. Thanks to all who provided baked goods and helped with the sale and to everyone who made a purchase or a calabash contribution.
| Date | Worship Service | Attendance | Offering Fund | Offering Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 4 | 8:00 AM Service | 54 | Offering | $5,628.00 |
| 10:30 AM Service | 84 | Sunday School Offering | $0.15 | |
| Compline | 29 | |||
| Total | 167 | |||
| October 11 | 8:00 AM Service | 57 | Offering | $4,512.83 |
| 10:30 AM Service | 80 | Social Ministries | $30.00 | |
| Compline | 49 | Music Fund | $100.00 | |
| Total | 186 | Memorials | $50.00 | |
| Angel Network | $20.00 | |||
| Altar Flowers | $35.00 | |||
| Calabash | $3.17 | |||
| October 18 | 8:00 AM Service | 56 | Offering | $2,757.00 |
| 10:30 AM Service | 104 | Social Ministries | $30.00 | |
| Compline | 29 | Benevolences | $25.00 | |
| Total | 189 | Music Fund | $1,000.00 | |
| Music—8 AM Ensemble | $100.00 | |||
| Fellowship—Pau Hana | $150.00 | |||
| October 25 | 8:00 AM Service | 50 | Offering | $3,032.60 |
| 10:30 AM Service | 86 | Sunday School Offering | $1.00 | |
| Compline | 24 | IHS Meals | $3,000.00 | |
| Total | 160 | Facilities | $400.68 | |
| Give Aloha | $5,774.43 | |||
| Give Aloha—Music | 323.72 |
| Amelie | Jeanette |  |
| Carl | Shane | |
| Gene | Stan |
| Date | Name |  |
|---|---|---|
| 11/01 | Beverly Shelton | |
| 11/01 | Amy Purtzer | |
| 11/06 | Stephen Schmidt | |
| 11/06 | Pamela Buckley | |
| 11/10 | Nathanael K. | |
| 11/11 | Paul Fujii | |
| 11/12 | Edward Ichikawa | |
| 11/12 | Niell G. | |
| 11/13 | Pamela H. | |
| 11/14 | Mary Fastenau | |
| 11/17 | Joshua Graber | |
| 11/17 | Scott Schweigert | |
| 11/20 | Dixon D. | |
| 11/21 | Kelly Sueda | |
| 11/21 | Justin K. | |
| 11/21 | Kainani Iara N. | |
| 11/22 | Brysen K. | |
| 11/23 | Fritz Fritschel | |
| 11/25 | David Hormann | |
| 11/27 | Mark Butin | |
| 11/27 | Rebecca L. | |
| 11/30 | Brandon Yeh |
| LECTOR | Jim Sullivan | Chris Bushman | Carolyn Koehler | Cindy Scheinert | Linda Miller |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMMUNION ASSISTANTS |
Michael Formby Charlotte D’Evelyn |
Stacey Bushman Peter Lee |
Laurie Leach Crescent C. |
Bill Hamblet Marcie Say |
Ken Bauchle Peggy Anderson |
| ACOLYTE | Emily McIlvaine | Allison B. | Sophie C. | Missy H. | Emily B. |
| LAYING ON OF HANDS |
Jim Sullivan | ||||
| USHER | Fred Benco | Fred Benco | Fred Benco | Fred Benco | Fred Benco |
| LECTOR | Peter Flachsbart | Vicki Gorman | Roy Helms | Irmgard Hörmann | Kathryn Klingebiel |
| DEACON | Ray Herradura | Jeanne Castello | Bob Tellander | John Bickel | Mary Fastenau |
| SUBDEACON | Bob Zimmer | Mary Fastenau | Josie Bidgood | Karyn Castro | Jeanne Castello |
| COMMUNION ASSISTANT |
Bob Tellander | Randy Christensen | Bob Zimmer | Randy Christensen | Josie Bidgood |
| ACOLYTES | Jordan M. Nathalie J. |
Reid W. Niell G. |
Steve Jensen Savannah M. |
Nathalie J. Mitchell G. |
Teresa McCreary Jordan M. |
| LAYING ON OF HANDS |
Bob Zimmer | ||||
| USHERS | Peter Flachsbart Paul Fujii Jean-Paul Klingebiel Chuck Pearson |
Peter Flachsbart Paul Fujii Jean-Paul Klingebiel Chuck Pearson |
Peter Flachsbart Paul Fujii Jean-Paul Klingebiel Chuck Pearson |
Peter Flachsbart Paul Fujii Jean-Paul Klingebiel Chuck Pearson |
Peter Flachsbart Paul Fujii Jean-Paul Klingebiel Chuck Pearson |
| ALTAR GUILD | Linda Miller Nedra Walker Lois Watanabe |
Linda Miller Nedra Walker Lois Watanabe |
Linda Miller Nedra Walker Lois Watanabe |
Linda Miller Nedra Walker Lois Watanabe |
Linda Miller Nedra Walker Lois Watanabe |
Heart Beat Deadline
Next Heart Beat Deadline is Tuesday, November 17!
| Day | Date | Event and Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | November 1 | All Saints Day Angel Network In-Gathering Holy Communion, 8:00 AM Christian Education for All Ages, 9:10 AM Choral Eucharist, 10:30 AM Leadership Roundtable, 11:45 AM Abendmusiken I (PDF), 4:00 PM |
| Wednesday | November 4 | Confirmation, 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | November 5 | Book of Faith Bible Studies, 10:00 AM Preschool Chapel, 10:30 AM LCH Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 PM |
| Saturday | November 7 | LCH Member Inquiry Class, 10:00 AM Food for Thought, 6:30 PM |
| Sunday | November 8 | Holy Communion, 8:00 AM Christian Education for All Ages, 9:10 AM Choral Eucharist, 10:30 AM Pre-Compline Discussion, 8:30 PM Compline, 9:00 PM |
| Monday | November 9 | Aloha Jam, 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | November 10 | Worship & Music, 6:30 PM |
| Wednesday | November 11 | Veteran’s Day—Office Closed Finance Committee, 12:30 PM Confirmation, 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | November 12 | Book of Faith Bible Studies, 10:00 AM Preschool Chapel, 10:30 AM LCH Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 PM |
| Saturday | November 14 | In Stitches, 9:00 AM Process Thought Forum, 9:00 AM LCH Member Inquiry Class, 10:00 AM Mary Magdalene Society, 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | November 15 | Holy Communion, 8:00 AM Christian Education for All Ages, 9:10 AM Choral Eucharist, 10:30 AM Process Thought Forum (Repeat), 12:00 Noon Social Ministries Meeting, 12:00 PM Confirmation, 4:30 PM Pre-Compline Discussion, 8:30 PM Compline, 9:00 PM |
| Monday | November 16 | Council Committee Reports Due, 12:00 Noon |
| Tuesday | November 17 | Heart Beat Deadline, 9:00 AM Executive Meeting, 6:00 PM Council Meeting, 6:30 PM |
| Wednesday | November 18 | Confirmation, 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | November 19 | Book of Faith Bible Studies, 10:00 AM Preschool Chapel, 10:30 AM LCH Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 PM |
| Friday | November 20 | Downtown Lunch Bunch @ Mei Sum, 12:00 Noon IHS Meal—Prepared, 1:00 PM IHS Meal—Served, 5:30 PM |
| Saturday | November 21 | LCH Member Inquiry Class, 10:00 AM |
| Sunday | November 22 | Holy Communion, 8:00 AM Christian Education for All Ages, 9:10 AM Choral Eucharist, 10:30 AM Pre-Compline Discussion, 8:30 PM Compline, 9:00 PM |
| Wednesday | November 25 | Thanksgiving Eve Joint Service, 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | November 26 | Thanksgiving Day—Office Closed |
| Friday | November 27 | Office Closed |
| Saturday | November 28 | In Stitches, 9:00 AM |
| Sunday | November 29 | First Sunday of Advent Holy Communion, 8:00 AM Christian Education for All Ages, 9:10 AM 1st Half Annual Meeting, 9:15 AM Choral Eucharist, 10:30 AM Advent Procession Poster (PDF), 7:30 PM Compline will not be sung this evening. |
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