Dealing with Our Fears

Aloha! Thank you for your continuing prayers for me as I complete my recovery (I hope!)
from Covid! In light of the news reports of increasing and easily transmitted cases, I
hope all of us will be extra careful in the coming days.

What a wonderful Father’s Day service and fellowship we had this past Sunday! In
the sermon we considered our Father God. We observed how God deals with Samuel in
grief, comfort, promise, surprise, and blessing. God provides a model for all of us—not
only for us fathers, but for all of us—to encourage and support those we love and
encounter in our lives with that same grief, comfort, promise, surprise, and blessing.

This week, we’ll continue with the Old Testament story (in 1 Samuel 17:57 — 18:5,10-16), and we’ll meet a fearless, victorious David, who managed to kill an enemy giant with skill and confidence. We’ll see how King Saul’s furious jealousy grows, and how Saul’s son Jonathan treats this already anointed shepherd boy in a far different way—with a covenant of love and support.

David’s fearlessness may be an ideal, but it’s one I certainly have trouble experiencing
myself, and maybe you do too. I much more easily identify with the terrified disciples of
Jesus sailing in the midst of the storm while their loving rabbi sleeps (Mark 4:35-41)! So
this Sunday we’ll be focusing on how we might deal honestly and realistically with our
own fears and learn to look to Jesus no matter what storms we find ourselves in.

As you know, this summer we’re doing a series of “Ministry Minutes” during the
announcement time. So far we’ve learned about the Outreach ministry and the
Welcoming Hearts Team (and we’re still hoping someone will hear God’s leading to help
coordinate that ministry). Last Sunday we skipped because of Father’s Day. This
Sunday we’ll hear about our Sunday school for keiki, and in coming weeks we’ll be
hearing from our lay leaders about other ways people can serve here. As I’ve said, St.
Timothy’s needs your active involvement so that we might continue to grow and flourish
as God’s ohana in ’Aiea. So I hope you will listen with open mind and heart and respond
to whatever opportunities appeal to you, listening for God’s guidance. Thank you!

I look forward to having you worship with us on Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Chapel, or on
Facebook Live.  

I am praying for you, dear sisters and brothers, and I ask for your prayers for St. Timothy’s Church, for our dedicated staff and our devoted lay leaders, and for me.

May God bless you all!  
Aloha Ke Akua, 
​
Fr. Pete+