"and I have been with you wherever you went"

David Dancing Before the Lord

Aloha! Last Sunday we offered special prayers for our nation in the aftermath of the tragic shooting at former President Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. As I said Sunday, violence has no place in our political process, or anywhere for that matter. I encourage you during this eventful political season to keep praying for our country, for peace and justice. And I encourage you to vote in the primary election here next month. Regardless of our views, let’s hold each other in prayer and much aloha.

Last Sunday we talked about two different dances: King David’s uninhibited dance of worship and praise to God upon the return of the ark of the covenant to God’s people… and the uninhibited dance that King Herod’s step-daughter offered in exchange for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Both of these were pretty wild dances, but performed for completely different motives. All of us dance in life, in our relationships with our family, co-workers, neighbors, friends, and even strangers, so let’s ask ourselves why we dance: to fit into the culture, or to honor and praise God with all our might?

​Several people mentioned after the service that they were surprised I didn’t ask everyone to stand and dance in church! I wish I’d thought of that. Well, feel free to do so—or perhaps you can simply dance in your hearts!

This Sunday we will be focusing on 2 Samuel 7:1-14a and Mark 6:30-34,53-56. In the Old Testament lesson, King David yearns to build God a temple. While he lives in comfort in a cedar palace, the ark of the covenant sits in a tent, and that bothers David. But God tells him no. If you’re going to build something, you have to do it right, and do it at the right time for the right motives. What does that mean for St. Timothy’s? Let’s find out together!

We are continuing our series of “Ministry Minutes” during the announcement time. This is a way to introduce various ministries that help make St. Timothy’s the loving and worshipful church that it is, to honor those who serve, and to encourage you to pray about how you might serve here in the days to come. So far, we’ve learned about the Outreach ministry, the Welcoming Hearts Team, our Sunday School for keiki, the Eucharistic Ministers/Eucharistic Visitors/Lectors ministry, the Bishop’s Committee, and this past Sunday, Joanne Mahuka (whom we also blessed for her Episcopal Church Women national honor!) told us about the Altar Guild (please click here for more information). This Sunday we’ll hear about our Daughters of the King. We have a few more Ministry Minutes to come. All these ministries need more volunteers! I’m so grateful for all of you who serve, often in more than one way. Mahalo!

Coming this fall: A new adult Sunday School class! Thanks to those of you who completed and returned the Adult Formation Questionnaire we circulated for several weeks. I’ve put together a plan for the 2024-25 church year, and we’ll start with the most requested topic in September. More to come, watch this space!

I look forward to seeing you in church or on Facebook Live Sunday at 9 a.m.! 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 your vicar. May God bless you all. 

Aloha Ke Akua!

Fr. Pete+