Coping with Interesting Times

Aloha! We are certainly living in interesting times, aren’t we? So much is
happening in our country and in the world that it’s easy to get lost in worry or
discouragement. In times like these it’s good to remember Isaiah 26:3: “Those of
steadfast mind you keep in peace, in peace because they trust in you.” Or as the King
James Version (as well as a popular gospel song) puts it, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect
peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” How do we do that?
Daily prayer times. Reading the Bible every day (and the devotional resource we
provide, Forward Day by Day), can be a big help in that practice. Perhaps avoiding the
news headlines as much as possible. And another good way to keep our mind focused
on God is to participate in worship every Sunday!

Last Sunday we talked about building projects. In ​2 Samuel 7:1-14a, King David
yearns to build God a temple, because while he is living in kingly comfort in a cedar
palace, the ark of God sits in a tent, and that bothers David. But, through the prophet
Nathan, God tells David no. He is not the one to do it; instead that’s a job for his son.
You see, 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? Over the next months
and years, we’ll find that out together! In the meantime, please keep our church in your
prayers.
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By the way, a couple of you asked for a copy of the sermon, so it’s posted on my blog
page on the St. Timothy’s website. You can click here to read it. 

This Sunday, we focus on 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, and John 6:1-21.
Since we talked about having a devotional time, why not read these scriptures this week
to prepare for Sunday? We’ll learn how David royally messes up by pursuing
Bathsheba, and then by trying to cover up his sin. And it only gets worse. How do we
deal with this story? What does it mean in our lives? Well, that’s where the Ephesians
text and the gospel may help us! So let’s find out together.

We will continue 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, Bishop’s Committee,
and the Altar Guild. This past Sunday we took a break, but this Sunday we’ll hear from
another ministry leader. All these ministries need more volunteers! I’m so grateful for all
of you who serve, often in more than one way. Mahalo!

Our amazing Bishop’s Warden, Nancy Chun, will be on the continent for the next few
weeks—please keep her in your prayers. We’ll miss her! You’ll have to put up with me
doing the announcements while she’s gone.

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. 
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Aloha Ke Akua!
Fr. Pete+