The HeartBeat

A Message from Pastor Jeff

Going All In

Several years ago televised poker was all the rage. The games were full of personality, drama, and intrigue as players tried to eliminate the completion in their quest for “the big pot.” The most dramatic moments came when a player would push all their chips into the center of the table and go “all in” betting everything they had on a single hand. Sometimes they would win the hand and take home a huge pile of chips; other times, they walked away with nothing. While I don’t gamble, it was fascinating to watch the drama unfold. The players took a huge chance for a slim possibility of success.

In some ways, that is just what those fishermen did when Jesus called them to “Follow me.” He was asking them to go “all in,” leave their boats, nets, livelihood, and even their families to embark on a strange adventure with Jesus. Later, Jesus would articulate “going all in” to those who would continue to follow him. “Go out” he said “Go into towns and proclaim the good news, heal people, and cast out demons. Don’t take anything with you, stay where you are planted. When it doesn’t work out, shake the dust off your feet and plant somewhere else.” That is “all in”! Unlike the gamblers, the disciples were not committing all they had in hopes of a huge payday, but for the sake of Jesus, who would die on a cross.

Our history is filled with people who were “all in.” I think of Luther, who because of his writings found himself on every “wanted” list in the land. He had been excommunicated, a price put on his head, and several papal orders against his life. In the middle ages you didn’t get more criminal than that. Yet Luther and others who believed in this teaching movement in the church persisted because they truly believed the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the grace of God were that important.

These days of fear and caution make it difficult for any of us to be “all in.” We worry about the economy, our kids, our future, and even our neighbors. When I wonder if I am “all in” with my faith, I remember those heroes like Mark, John, Peter, Bartholomew, Luther, and even the Dali Lama. They risked everything. Jesus demands all of me and sets me free to live out the gift of faith that is abundantly present through the Holy Spirit.

Even more, God gives us a community to bear us through the difficult times and the times of joy. This community, Lutheran Church of Honolulu, is part of why I can be “all in.” Your prayers, support, love, and work are part of a wonderful fabric of faith that is weaving joy in the world. Because we are “all in,” we can take risks, feed the hungry, try new music, fail miserably, welcome strangers, and even laugh at ourselves. But best of all laugh at ourselves. But best of all, we can be “all in” because God is “all in” with us calling us to justice, peace, balance with creation, and service to one another and the earth.

With peace,
Pastor Jeff Lilley
pr.jeff@lchwelcome.org

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October Council Highlights

Council met Tuesday, October 15. The main highlight of the meeting was that Wesleyan Church will begin using our facility in November. Their hours will be Sundays 1:00–4:30 PM (Nave, classroom 1, 2, 3, the lanai classroom, boardroom, and kitchen), Wednesdays 7:00–9:00 PM (Nave, Isenberg Hall, and kitchen), and Fridays 6:00–8:30 PM (Boardroom). The term is for six months with the potential for extending the lease.

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Food For Thought

Food for Thought will meet next on Saturday, November 16, at 6:30 PM at the home of Irmgard Hörmann for potluck supper and discussion. All are welcome. For information, please contact Peter Flachsbart through the Church Office (941-2566).

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Writers’ Workshop

November 2013

In November, Writers’ Workshop will meet on Monday, November 18, at 7:30 PM at LCH. As Kathryn and Jean Paul will still be on the mainland, please let Jim Cartwright know if you plan to make it by leaving a message in the Church Office (941-2566). In December, we are scheduled on Monday, December 16. Kathryn and Jean Paul should be back for that session.

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Process Forum

The Next Process Thought session will be on November 2nd, 9:30–11:00 am. We will focus on an article titled “What You Seek is Seeking You” from the “Jesus, Jazz and Buddhism” website. The article, a follow-up in a way from last month’s focus on Islam, features the thought and poetry of Rumi, the well-known Sufi poet in tandem with the thought of Charles Hartshorne. That in itself is quite a combination. You may find the article at this link: <www.jesusjazzbuddhism.org/what-you-seek-is-seeking-you-hartshorne-and-rumi.html>..

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LutherFest

A near capacity crowd of about 85 filled Hörmann Courtyard for LutherFest, our annual celebration of our heritage as Lutherans and members of LCH. LutherFest has become know for food, fellowship, frivolity, and fun, and there was plenty of all four elements.

As usual, members filled the serving table with their potluck dishes, and Pastor Jeff fired up the grill just outside so he could cook up lots of brats.

Fellowship was evident in the lively conversation during pupus in the Courtyard and around the dinner tables.

As for frivolity, how about the green jello contest? There were eight entries ranging from a Bundt cake and a pecan pie with green jello as ingredients to “On the Mount of Olives” (with sauerkraut and olives) and a sailboat on a green jello sea. When all the voting was done, there ended up a being a tie for the grand prize of an evening sail with Pastor Jeff. Jean Lilley’s “Charity” and Carolyn Koehler with “God’s work. Our hand(s)” (portrayed by a single green jello hand) had exactly the same number of votes. But since Jean Lilley will be crewing the sail, the cruise will go to Carolyn Koehler.

To start off the fun, Sisters Merry Margarita and Merry Merlot were there acting as our money changers—taking cash and checks and dispensing LutherBucks (used for voting in the green jello contest and making donations for beer and wine). After dinner, Steve Miller on his accordion and Bill Potter let the group in “traditional” Reformation Carols like “Martin, the German.” The carol singing brought out our Brother Martin, who was a lot funnier than some of us remember from catechism. The entertainment concluded with Seth Lilley’s dramatic reading of Luther’s “Here I Stand” speech.

Many thanks to Mary-Jo Estes, Jeannie Castello, and the whole Fellowship Team; to April Smith, Bill Potter, and Pam Buckley from our Stewardship Committee; to Jim Sullivan and Edward Ichikawa who tended bar; to Pastor Jeff at the grill; and to everyone else who made LutherFest 2013 a great success, photos below.

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A Message from Pastor Angela

Godly Play

Aloha friends,

You might be wondering...“What is your pastor up to these days?” Well, one of the big things I’m doing is dreaming and planning and working to build up our youth programming for the littlest kids and the older kids alike!

One wonderful act of the Spirit was to bring a Godly Play training to Honolulu just as I was starting to really consider its possibilities for our ministry here at LCH. Godly Play is a wonderful alternative to traditional Sunday school curriculum and offers children and adults a very powerful way to engage scripture and the stories of our faith.

The training will be held at an Episcopal Church in Honolulu, November 17–19, 2013. Linda Miller, who (with Laurie Leach) organizes our current Sunday school programming, will be joining me for the weekend of training. We’ll be trained to “teach” the program and learn the philosophy behind it.

I hope that you will hold us in prayer as we learn and as we discern its uses or benefits for our children and the LCH programing. I’m excited about the opportunity and what it might unfold for us.

Below are a few thoughts about What is Godly Play? taken directly from the Godly Play Foundation’s website. They’ve said it better than I ever could.

Yours on the way,
Pastor Angela Freeman
pr.angela@lchwelcome.org

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What is Godly Play all about?

Godly Play teaches children the art of using Christian language– parable, sacred story, silence and liturgical action–helping them become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives.

When Christian language is learned by the Godly Play approach, it is learned as a means to know God and to make meaning of our lives. This approach is quite different from the traditional model in which the teacher tells the children what they need to know. Godly Play is not about things that are that simple. It is not just about learning lessons or keeping children entertained. It is about locating each lesson in the whole system of Christian language and involving the creative process to discover the depths of meaning in them. It’s about understanding how each of the stories of God’s people connects with the child’s own experience and relationship with God. Godly Play respects the innate spirituality of children and encourages curiosity and imagination in experiencing the mystery and joy of God.

The goal of Godly Play is to show how to be open to the Holy Spirit, The Creator, and the Redeemer all at once and all the time in every place. To achieve this goal is to help children become deeply rooted as Christians and yet at the same time use this powerful language and community to be open and creative.

• Godly Play is a creative and imaginative approach to Christian nurture.
• Godly Play is based on long established, tried and tested approaches.
• Godly Play encourages participants to make meaning for themselves by inviting them into stories and providing the opportunity for them to connect the stories with their personal experience.
• Godly Play is a non-coercive way to encourage people to move into larger dimensions of belief and faith through wondering questions and open-ended response time.
• Godly Play values process, openness and discovery.
• Godly Play is a way of preparing children to join in the worship and life of their congregations as they develop a deeper understanding of stories, symbols and rites.
• Although it was originally developed as a resource for children, Godly Play is now being used with a wide range of age groups in a diversity of settings.

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A reflection on commitment by Pastor Angela Freeman

As we celebrate “Always being made new” and the ELCA’s 25th anniversary as a church, I expect we also need to acknowledge the fact that our church isn’t what it was 25 years ago. The concept of commitment within the life of the church is one of the ways we have changed, especially when it comes down to financial commitments.

For many years, both as a pastor and previously as a parishioner, I have heard many say things along these lines: “Young people just don’t give like the older members do,” or “If we want to keep this church open, we need to find some actual committed givers, not these young families who don’t put anything in the plate.”

I will admit that commitment for a young person (not sure how you might define young person – I’m going to claim “young” in our church as the “under 40 crowd”) does perhaps look different than it does for the previous generation. Let me assure you, however, that when a commitment is made, it is still as strong and as seriously done.

Today, commitment, both spiritual and financial for many of our under 40 crowd, is made when there is a good reason to be passionate about ministry. I know many young people, myself included, who will gladly give 110% of themselves to something that is making a difference and changing lives. I think the big shift in commitment is that it is not as easily done solely out of the feeling of obligation and duty. Do not try to sell a pledge card to a young person by saying or even implying that “we need to balance our budget.” When there is passionate ministry and meaningful change happening in the life of a congregation, the commitment and involvement of new members, especially the younger ones, will be there. Guaranteed.

(Mahalo, Pastor Angela, for encouraging us to be more passionate about our ministries and leading us toward meaningful change in the life of LCH!—the Stew Crew)

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Exploring Boundaries and Beyond

November 17, 6:00 PM

The next “Exploring Boundaries...and Beyond” will feature a presentation led by Fritz Fritschel on “Cross Examinations: A Review of the Cross in Early and Current Thought”. A selection of significant art works will be shown along with the discussion and commentary. The session will be held in the Isenberg Hall and will be followed by the Evening Prayer at 7:30 PM

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O‘ahu Youth Over Night Camping trip to Mokulē‘ia

November 8 & 9

We’ll meet at church after you get out of school and drive together to Mokulē‘ia. Parents, if you’re willing to drive one load or camp with us, please let me know. We could use one more adult at another car for hauling stuff! We’ll be back to Church the next day, Saturday in the mid afternoon.

We’re asking for $25/kid to help cover cost of food. Scholarships are available, permission slip required. Email or call Pastor Angela to get registered.

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What’s New on the LCH Website?

Bill Potter, Webmaster

With the church program year in full swing, the LCH website continues to document activities at church.

On the Congregational Life page you will find short articles about the blessing of the pets, Children’s Sabbath, and LutherFest. Don’t miss more LutherFest photos on our Facebook page.

New pages were added for this year’s Stewardship Campaign, “Be Not Afraid.” If you misplaced your commitment card (PDF) or need a form to start or update your EFT (electronic funds transfer) (PDF), it’s all there.

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Wounded Warriors Ministry

Our ministry to the Wounded Warriors at the Marine base continues and, in light of the major funding and support services reductions, is still vital to their recovery, transition and happiness.

Mahalo to Pr. Jeff and Jean Lilley for hosting two Wounded Warriors for a day of sailing, food, and fireworks last month. It was an exciting, yet relaxing day away from military requirements and medical treatment.

The “Third Thursday” meal at the barracks will once again be provided by LCH. Volunteers and pot luck dishes are invited. Please contact Fred Benco or the office if you are able to support this event.

Thanksgiving dinner for the Wounded Warriors, staff, and family members will again be provided at Pastor Steve’s. Anyone interested in assisting with the preparation, serving and clean-up and/or providing dishes is welcome to contact him.

Please contact me if you need more information or clarification.

Mahalo,
Steve Jensen

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First Half of the Annual Meeting

November 17, 9:15 AM

Each year congregational voting members gather as a community to tend to important matters of business and ministry like electing leadership, passing a budget, receiving reports, and discussing

our missional objectives. At LCH, we divide our annual meeting into two halves. In January, the main business is approving a final budget. Each November, we elect congregational council members who will take office January 1, review the draft budget, and any other business that might need to be transacted. This year, the November meeting will be on Sunday November 17 at 9:15 AM. In addition to our regular business, we will approve an updated constitution. The text of the constitution will be available at the ushers table and online. Everyone is welcome to attend, but only members in good standing can vote.

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Holoholo Pick-Up for November

Thursday, November 14, 2:00–4:00 PM

There will be no other pick up date in the month of November other than November 14.

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Have an Artistic Bent?

by Roy Helms

Carol Langner came to LCH over 40 years ago because she heard that a quality choir was being organized. That was the beginning of ever-expanding relationships and opportunities within the congregation that have included meeting her husband on a blind date, chairing the Social Ministry and Communications Committees, and undertaking a number of arts and religion projects including, for the past twelve years, the designing and posting of the bulletin boards in the Hörmann Courtyard.

In her own words, “LCH has been a place to explore my own creativity. It has been a place for me and others to develop a sense of ministry and expression.”

Looking to the future, Carol would like to pass the torch and encourage others to explore their creative talent by designing bulletin boards for timely topics and explore other opportunities for ministry within this community.

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Thanksgiving Day Meal

Join us Thanksgiving Day for a community Potluck Dinner right here at LCH. Turkey, fresh-baked rolls, and beverages will be provided. You are welcome to bring your favorite pupu, side dish, or main dish to share. Dinner will commence at 4:00 PM in Isenberg Hall. Please let Pastor Jeff know if you plan to attend so we are sure to buy a big enough turkey. If you have friends who need a place to be on Thanksgiving, please don’t hesitate to bring them along!!

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Wednesdays through November 20, 6:00–7:30 PM
in the LCH Boardroom with dinner!

You’re invited to a 7-week adult education course that imaginatively explores central topics of Christianity. Topics will be: God, Religion, Jesus, Salvation, Cross, Bible, Church. Each session the group will watch a video featuring a leading voice from the Christian faith, spend time on personal reflection, and share ideas with the group. If you’d like to participate in the class, please plan on attending each week and RSVP to Pastor Angela by Monday, November 6 by email at <pr.angela@lchwelcome.org> or by calling the church office.

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Adult Forum

Sundays, 9:20 AM in the Boardroom

All members and friends are welcome to attend at 9:20 am this and every Sunday. Below is a list of our upcoming schedule:

• November 3: Famous Theologians—A discussion of the life and times of famed German-American theologian Paul Tillich
• November 10: Part II of our discussion of Tillich, including his concept of God as our “Ground of all Being”

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Prayer Requests

Carl	Karen	Stanley
Eric	Marvin	Stephen
Gene	Paul	Trinity

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November Birthdays

Date	Name
11/01	Beverly Kaeo
11/06	Pam Buckley
11/06	Stephen Schmidt
11/06	Anni Campbell
11/08	Jonathan Kaeo
11/10	Nathanael W.
11/12	Niell G.
11/12	Edward Ichikawa
11/13	Pamela Hethcote
11/13	Richard Cook
11/14	Mary Fastenau
11/17	Joshua Graber
11/18	Stephen Crosier
11/21	Justin Kaeo
11/22	Brysen Kaeo
11/22	Kainani Iara N.
11/23	Fritz Fritschel
11/30	Brandon Yeh

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HeartBeat Deadline

Next HeartBeat Deadline is Tuesday, November 19!

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