Responding to God's Call

Aloha! What a joy it was to worship with you on Sunday, when we began the liturgically green Season of Pentecost, also known as “Ordinary Time” (even though it’s always extraordinary time at St. Tim’s!).

​We heard about young Samuel responding to God’s call—though it took three times for him to really listen! Samuel was the son of Hannah, who begged God for a child for many years until God answered her prayer, and then she dedicated her son to serve in God’s temple. Eli the priest served as Samuel’s mentor, but then heard God’s judgment against him and his sons through young Samuel. Samuel went on to become an important prophet in the life of God’s people, ultimately anointing the first King, Saul (who had his own troubles). I encourage you in your prayers to say to God, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening!”

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This Sunday our gospel lesson is Mark 3:20-35, and I encourage you to take a look at it sometime this week. We’ll be thinking about our family, and how we can more meaningfully serve as part of Jesus’s family.

Ministry Minutes

​I want to thank Lauralee Kawamata for launching our Ministry Minute series, which will continue most Sundays during the Announcements for the next couple of months. She gave us a helpful overview of our Outreach Ministry, which provides groceries and meals to our neighbors in need. There’s more about the Outreach ministry in this newsletter. I hope you will prayerfully ask God how you might be part of this important service to our community. And for those who are already involved regularly, mahalo nui loa!

During our Ministry Minutes in coming weeks, we’ll be hearing from more team leaders who will share other ways you might serve here as well. St. Timothy’s needs your active involvement so that we might continue to grow and flourish as God’s ohana in ‘Aiea. Which of these ministry opportunities appeal to you? How are you hearing God call you to take part in the ministry of this beautiful church? Remember Samuel: “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening!”
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I also want to shout a loud “mahalo” to several of our keiki who drew pictures of our beautiful chapel in Sunday School! They are posted on the Bulletin Board outside Sumida Hall, and you’ll be seeing them as our email announcements header over the next several weeks. By the way, you may have also noticed that “The Weekly Announcements” email now has a new name: The Epistle from St. Timothy’s! Don’t forget our website has an article about our patron saint here: https://www.sttimothysaiea.org/about-our-patron-saint-timothy.html 

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

Aloha Ke Akua,
Fr. Pete+