God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
The God of Israel is our fortress. (Psalm 46)

It doesn’t mean you wash your hands one second less. It doesn’t mean you make an exception about social distancing. It doesn’t mean you are uninformed. It doesn’t mean you are anti-science. But sometimes the very best thing we can do in times of uncertainty is be still before the God who is still in control of his creation.

Be still and remember your God made all that exists with the command of his word. Remember that he continues to take care of his creation with his almighty power. Remember he knows the number of hairs on your head. Remember he sent his Son to die on a cross so that you could be with him forever.

The night before he went to the cross Jesus told his followers not to be troubled by challenging times. He promised them everything would work out in eternity. And that promise is as good today as it was when he first made it. The current crisis will certainly bring changes to all of us. For some, the change will be minor, for others it may drastically alter the course of their life. It will, however, fit in with his ultimate plan for our lives which is very simply, to enjoy eternity with him.

Our online service will be available early Sunday morning. Be still and spend some time with the One who loves you most and best.

Beginning with tomorrow night’s mid-week Lenten service we will be going 100% online for all of our worship services and Bible studies. That means no one will be physically attending services or Bible classes at the church until at least April 30. We want to do our part in flattening the curve of corona virus infections in our state and the best way we can do that is by offering all our activities digitally.

Even if you are not a tech type of person, watching a mid-week or Sunday service is as easy as clicking on www.lutheranhawaii.org. Scroll down just a little and you’ll come across the words, “Can’t make it into church this week? Stay connected by watching the live stream below:” You’ll see a large photograph with a play button in the middle. Press play and get ready to worship. The worship services are pre-recorded so you can watch them at any time.

We’re going to be offering live Bible classes through Google Hangouts. If you would like to join one, please contact Pastor Gumm at cfgumm@gmail.com for the link. We can also help you work through any questions you might have.

To access worship materials, please go to www.lutheranhawaii.org and then scroll down until you find the words on the left side CHURCH DOCUMENTS. Click on the “Download or View a Previous Church Bulletin” link. To open Bible Class materials, click on the link “Download or View a Previous Bible Study”.

Here’s our schedule for the coming week:

Wednesday, March 25
• Lenten Worship (any time after 6:00 pm): I Have the Promise of Eternal Life
Continue your Lenten preparations with a fascinating study of the two men who were crucified with Jesus and their different reactions to him.

Sunday, March 29
• Sunday worship service (any time): A continuation of our series “The I Am Sayings of Jesus”. This week we’ll study Jesus’ comforting and controversial claim, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
• New live Bible class at 9:00 am and 11:00 am – “Walking Through the Darkest Valleys”. Overnight, the corona virus has radically changed our lives. We are in uncertain territory. In the famous Psalm 23, we are promised that God is with us as he walks us through the darkest valleys in life. Together we’ll learn from Bible heroes how the Lord accomplished that in the past and still does the same today. Please contact Pastor Gumm if you are interested.

“Irresistible” is a contagiously positive word. It describes something so good it’s impossible not to want. And irresistible is the only way to describe Jesus Christ and the life he offers.

This weekend we’re going to be studying one of the most well-known “I am” sayings of Jesus. Just before he performed the incredible miracle of raising his friend Lazarus from the dead, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never die.” These are words we need to hear and take to heart as we struggle through the uncertainty of our current crisis.

Death is the ultimate enemy of every human being. It frightens us and steals our happiness by making us constantly paranoid. The miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus after having been dead four days is beyond human comprehension, but Christ’s return to life after his own death definitively confirms with solid evidence the claims he makes about himself and us.

With Jesus, physical death isn’t your greatest enemy. He transforms it into the door of his destiny for you – heaven. Right now, he is preparing that heaven for you. Knowing that, what alternative is there but to live the irresistible life right now?

Saturday evening worship: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning worship: 10:00 am

Maybe it’s the distraction. Maybe it’s being out in the fresh air. Whatever it is, there is something which enables us to open up the deepest recesses of our hearts to someone who genuinely cares when we walk together. The place really doesn’t matter. What is absolutely essential, however, is the person who takes a deep, compassionate interest in our well-being. Without that individual, the experience becomes little more than an ordeal.

Jesus described himself in many ways through his “I am” sayings which are scattered throughout the Gospel of John. None is more comforting or encouraging than, “I am the Good Shepherd.” The image of walking together with Jesus, listening to him and then sharing our innermost thoughts and feelings without the fear of being accused or judged or belittled is something we can look forward to each and every day of our lives, regardless of our circumstances.

If you need to begin taking some walks with Jesus, join us for one of our weekend services. We all need someone to guide and lead us through the chaos of life. No one does it better than Jesus.

Saturday evening worship: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning worship: 10:00 am

In one word, how would you describe a fireworks display? You might use: stunning, gorgeous, overwhelming, or jaw-dropping. But what about the word fleeting? While that may not be the first word that comes to mind, it certainly is an accurate way to describe fireworks. They are impressive. They do get our attention. But normally they’re all over in 15 or 20 minutes and we’re back to normal life again. Fireworks are a great moment in time, but they are just that, a moment.

Jesus often warned that we can get so caught up in the moment that we forget about that which lasts. In one of his most radical claims, Jesus said that he is eternal, without beginning or end and that through him we can be connected with eternity. It’s not only a shocking offer, it’s one we should think about very seriously. Considering the size of our universe and the brevity of our life span on this earth, we are led to the conclusion that our lives are rather insignificant in the big scheme of things. We’re kind of like fireworks, only most of us aren’t that jaw-dropping.

Of course, what Jesus said about eternity goes directly against everything our culture tells us. We’re taught that the only thing which matters is the moment and what is good for us in that isolated point in time. “The future is now” we try to convince ourselves. Jesus Christ says it isn’t. Instead, he said that the future is either in heaven or hell. But he also said hell is entirely unnecessary because of what he did on the cross and through his resurrection.

Fireworks are fun. Jesus Christ is necessary – now and forever. Join us for one of our weekend services. Life was meant to be more than 15 or 20 minute explosions; it was meant to be lived to the fullest, for all of eternity.

Saturday evening worship: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning worship: 10:00 am