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The latest at Christ Lutheran Church

Stay up to date with the happenings of Christ Lutheran Church by visiting our blog. You'll find information such as announcements, sermon ideas or messages from Pastor Mark to encourage and challenge your walk with the Lord.

Updated Communion Practice

by: Mark Zier

11/28/2023

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Aloha Friends!

I am so excited to share with you that starting Sunday, December 3rd we will be adding back to our Communion practice both individual wafers and cups of wine. As we came out of the lockdown during the pandemic, we implemented, and have continued to use sealed packets of a wafer and cup of juice for Communion. While the packets will still be available, now you will have the opportunity to once again have a separate wafer and cup of wine or juice, if you like.

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Maui Fire Response

by: Mark Zier

08/11/2023

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Aloha and God's Grace and Peace to you!

The tragic fire this week on Maui that has destroyed much of the town of Lahaina and taken the lives of dozens of people, with a final death count pending, can leave us feeling frightened and uncertain. It also is motivating people to give and show support to the victims. If you would like to make a donation, we know that there is always a concern that the money gets to the people in need and  not consumed by administrative costs and

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Summer Season is Here

by: Mark Zier

06/08/2023

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I love the summer! Maybe in part because it takes me back to my childhood and vacation from school. Summer also makes me think about times with family, whether traveling to visit or going camping with our two sons. I have many fond memories that were formed during the summer.

What does this summer hold for you? Here in Hilo, the weather isn't dramatically different from other times of the year, but there's still a different feel around church and even in the community as ki

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Easter Hope

by: Mark Zier

04/08/2023

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Christ Is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

I love this greeting that we share with each other during the Easter season. This message is still the one that brings hope into our dark world and sometimes, dead lives. We seem to be constantly reminded of the brokenness in our world, but the fact that Jesus rose from the dead is a bold declaration that the darkness, sin and brokenness that came as a result, doesn't get the last word. 

Yes, the fact that Jesus rose from the de

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Happy New Year!

by: Mark Zier

01/04/2023

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Are you ready for a fresh start? Isn't that what many hope for as we turn the calendar to a New Year? Out with old and in with the new! 

One of the wonderous things about following Jesus is that he offers us the gift of a fresh start every day or anytime we need or ask. The gift of grace and mercy that transforms the old into something beautiful and glorious. We become a new creation!

So, as you launch into 2023, I invite you come and explore a fresh relationship with God th

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Christmas Joy

by: Mark Zier

12/15/2022

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While I recognize that the holidays are a challenging and even sad time for many people, for me Christmas is still my favorite holiday of the year. There's nothing like being together with joyful people on Christmas Eve as we sing, celebrate, and light candles in a festive worship service. Spending time with my wife and family is also one of the things that brings me joy. Then there's usually a special cinnamon roll on Christmas morning that gets that wonderful day off to

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Hurricane Relief

by: Mark Zier

09/30/2022

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The damage from Hurricane Ian is still be assessed, but it's tragically clear that there has been extensive loss of property and also sadly many lives. While we are praying for all involved, some may be looking for tangible ways to offer help. The Florida/Georgia District of our Synod of the Lutheran church is helping channel resources to people and ministries on the ground to meet the needs of people who are hurting.

If you or others are wondering how they can donate to Hu

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COVID Protocols Update

by: Mark Zier

06/18/2022

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Well, we've been operating with fewer COVID restrictions for a few months, but our Hawaii County moved back into the High-Risk category on Friday (6/17/22), so unfortunately, that means we need to return to some of the restrictions we had dropped. 

Our congregation has been very cautious from the beginning of the pandemic and approached these restrictions with the mindset of showing our love and care for one another and our neighbors by the extra measures we've taken. We ha

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Holy Week and Easter 2022

by: Mark Zier

04/13/2022

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Aloha!

I hope you will make the time to worship with us either in person or here online for the special services during Holy Week. Of course, Sunday April 17th is Easter and we're excited to welcome many friends for that morning at both 8:00 and 10:30. See our EVENTS page for more specifics. Holy Communion will be offered on Maundy Thursday and Easter morning and the Good Friday service is always moving.

With our county COVID numbers staying low, masks are now optional, but

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COVID Protocols Update

by: Mark Zier

03/23/2022

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Aloha Christ Lutheran Friends!

As you are probably aware, there are changes with the safety requirements by the State of Hawaii coming this weekend. Our Church Council met Tuesday (3/22) evening and agreed on an approach for moving forward here at church. It's understood that COVID will continue to be with us, but as long as our county remains in the low-risk category, there can be a relaxing of some protocols we've had in place since we resumed our in-person worship servic

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Love Never Fail

by: Mark Zier

02/24/2022

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As we approach the season of Lent, which starts on March 2nd with Ash Wednesday, I always like to remember that as Jesus made his journey to Jerusalem where he knew he would be crucified, his whole being was filled with love. That love is what he continues to offer to us every day. Especially during the days of Lent during in which we prepare ourselves for remembering his unlitmate sacrifice in dying on the cross, we remember that it's all because of God's love for us. 

We

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COVID Caught Up To Us

by: Mark Zier

01/28/2022

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Sadly after 16 months of continuous in-person worship services during this pandemic, we've had to cancel our weekend services for Sunday, January 30th, 2022. We fully expect to be back on the 6th of February, but check back for further updates. Please check out our online worship option on the MESSAGES tab.

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The Wonder of it All

by: Mark Zier

12/07/2021

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Christmas is my very favorite holiday! Perhaps it's because I have such fond memories of the season from my childhood or maybe it's because of the music, the joy of children, the food, and the presents. Actually, when I really stop to evaluate it, I realize that it's about something much deeper. 

I love Christmas because of what it means! Oh, I'm sure we've all heard the reminder to remember the reason for the season, and that's good and true. But do we stop to think about

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Ready for New Life

by: Mark Zier

02/04/2021

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2021 is well underway and I pray that so far you are finding joy in your journey. I always think about this time of the year as a time of increasing brightness and hope. Maybe because of growing up in the Pacific Northwest, the daylight would begin to run just a little longer each day and I could tell the new life of spring wasn't far off. 

In the life of the church, we're soon going to enter the season of Lent, which ironically can feel a bit dark, at least at times. I kno

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Merry Christmas

by: Mark Zier

12/24/2020

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The night sky was filled with a great light and the shepherds were filled with fear at the sight. OK, so I'm not a poet, or at least not a good one, but Christmas sentiments often include clever phrases or poetic verses and sometimes they work well, and other times can leave us flat.

This year, at least for me, is not a year that I need to hear rhymes or cute cliches. This year has been tough on all of us and what we need is substance. We need something real that can give u

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