Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner!

ALOHA! I had the joy of attending the Diocesan Clergy Conference earlier this week in Hilo on the Big Island. Wonderful times of inspiration, information, and fellowship with my clergy siblings. The sessions led by the Rev. Canon Chuck Robertson, Canon to the Most Rev. Sean Rowe, our presiding bishop, were immensely helpful—and it was good to see my old friend again. Much was discussed about the ongoing process to elect a new bishop for our Diocese; please keep the Search Committee and Standing Committee members in your prayers. As much of a blessing as that time was, I’m even more blessed to be back here!

LAST SUNDAY in worship, we explored three powerful Scripture passages: Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, and Luke 13:10-17, revealing three very different kinds of callings, but all echoing the same holy invitation: You are not too young, too old, or too bent for the work of God’s love and justice. Just as Jesus did for the bent-over woman, he can set us free!

THIS SUNDAY we will focus on Luke 14:7-14 and Hebrews 13:1-8,15-16. Guess who’s coming to dinner? Jesus! In Luke 14, Jesus seems to be offering some etiquette lessons about attending banquets with rich people. But this isn’t just about good table manners, it’s a lesson about the kingdom of God. We’ll find out more about how God’s kingdom works from the letter to the Hebrews: “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it”! How do we put this word to work in our lives? Let’s find out.

THIS SUNDAY we’ll also continue our series of “Ministry Minutes” during the announcements time, to bring you up to date about the various ministries happening at St. Timothy’s. Last Sunday our Bishop’s Warden Nancy Chun spoke about our vision for a “Welcoming Hearts” Team of caring for visitors, new members, and those who need pastoral care. And this Sunday Adele Thomas will share about the Daughters of the King and their important ministry here at St. Tim’s. Please keep all our ministries in your prayers. And pray about how you might become involved in a ministry at St. Timothy’s.

LAST SUNDAY after worship we had a special Adult Sunday School class on “Wai and Our Baptismal Covenant.” Participants talked about how our baptismal vows call us to care for our creation, including our water resources. Keep in mind we’re planning an Adult Sunday School series starting September 14 called “Heart and Soul: The Emotions of Jesus.” Find out how learning more about how Jesus experienced and expressed human emotions can help you become a more authentic follower of him.

THIS SUNDAY, we are introducing some service music that may be new to us, but which a church I served used often, and they’re among my favorite pieces. We’ll be singing the Gloria and Sanctus composed by Tom Belt, and we’re going to try something we haven’t done for a while: singing his composition of the Lord’s Prayer. Before the service, we’ll run through the pieces to help you become familiar with them. My prayer is that they will bless you as they do me, and help guide our worship of our loving God.

Join us on Sunday morning at 9 in the Chapel, or worship with us on Facebook Live.

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

Aloha Ke Akua!
Fr. Pete+