Entering Advent: Waiting for the Light

ALOHA! Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends! I hope today finds you surrounded by love and joy, memories that make you smile, and the kind of gratitude that settles gently into your soul. As we pause from the usual rush, may this Thanksgiving day open our eyes to the quiet gifts God keeps placing in our hands—love, hope, mercy, the promise of new beginnings. Whether your table is full and bustling or peaceful and simple, may you feel held by God’s grace and strengthened for the season ahead. Know that I am giving thanks for you—your faith, your kindness, your presence in this community!

Our Thanksgiving Day Eucharist is at 10 a.m. in the Chapel. And if you can join us afterwards for Thanksgiving Dinner in Sumida Hall, please do!

LAST SUNDAY we celebrated the Reign of Christ. We also commemorated our Holy Sovereigns, King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, who invited the Anglican Church to serve in Hawai‘i. We explored Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, and Luke 23:33-43 to discover the characteristics of servant leadership that Jesus exemplified, and that Kamehameha and Emma sought to follow. May their example be a shining light for all of us!

THIS SUNDAY the season of Advent begins! It’s a time of prayerful preparation for the coming of the Christ Child. We’ll begin our services with the lighting of the Advent Wreath. We’ll also be dedicating a new Advent blue chasuble and stole, donated by Nancy Chun, for which we are grateful. Please join us as we begin our journey to the manger this Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Chapel, or on Facebook Live.

KEEP IN MIND that on three Wednesday mornings during Advent—December 3, 10, and 17—we will be offering an informal Service of Healing with communion from the reserved sacrament. Please join us if you can in the Chapel at 9 a.m.

ALSO, on three Sundays during Advent—November 30, December 7 and 14—Revs. David Ota and Karen Swanson will be leading a special Adult Sunday School Series, “Sharing Your Spiritual Journey,” in the Vicar’s Office starting around 10:30 or so. Join us and share your own experiences of faith.

Dear sisters and brothers, I am thankful for you! You are in my prayers, and I ask for your continuing prayers for St. Timothy’s Church, for our dedicated staff and devoted lay leaders and ministers, for your fellow members, and for your vicar. May God bless you and your loved ones always.

Aloha Ke Akua!
Fr. Pete+