Happy Labor Day!

Aloha! And Happy Labor Day! Yes, Labor Day weekend is coming, but I hope you can
fit worshiping with us on Sunday into your plans. In 1894 Congress declared the first
Monday in September a national holiday to honor the nation’s workers and their
contributions to the well-being of our country. Here in Hawai‘i, many of our workforce
struggle to make ends meet, and we serve some of those folks in our Outreach ministry
to help them overcome food insecurity. Please pray for all who work in our community,
state, and country that their work may be fulfilling, productive, meaningful, and fair. And
for those of us who are still working for a living, Happy Labor Day! (The church office will
be closed on Monday, September 2.)

We have a new church logo! You’ll be seeing our new church logo popping up over the next few weeks—on our bulletin, website, Epistle newsletter, name tags, and more. 




Last Sunday in worship, we asked how the great film director Alfred Hitchcock might help us determine our life’s path. Like Roger Thornhill (played by Cary Grant) in the film “North by Northwest,” we often face a crossroads in life, and our decision of which way
to go can shape our lives forever. We considered King Solomon’s major decision in 1
Kings 8, as well as Joshua’s big choice to follow the Lord in Joshua 24:15. And in
John’s gospel, 6:56-69, Jesus asked his disciples to make their wholehearted decision
whether to continue to follow him, or to leave him, as many in the crowds were doing.
Remember Peter’s response: “Lord, to whom can we go?” We might ask the same
thing—and rededicate our own decision to follow Jesus wherever he may lead us, to
love and serve him.

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This Sunday we’re going to explore what the Apostle James said about faith in
James 1:17-27—“Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers”—and what that might
mean for our daily lives. And in the gospel lesson, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, we will see
Jesus blast the religious leaders who were so focused on “doing” the minutiae of the law
that they missed the part about “being” godly. But how do we balance the hearing of
God’s Word with the doing of it? Let’s find out on Sunday!

This summer’s “Ministry Minutes” series during the announcements time has led
the way to our stewardship season, which begins September 8. Now you’ve heard
about all the ways the faithful members of St. Timothy’s serve one another and our
community. Now, let’s begin to prayerfully consider how we might strengthen St.
Timothy’s and its varied ministries through the wise and generous stewardship of our
time, talent, and treasure. Be watching for more information coming soon. Our thanks
go to our stalwart Stewardship Team, led by David Caldwell.

I look forward to seeing you in church or on Facebook Live on Sunday at 9
a.m.! 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 our devoted lay leaders, and for your
vicar. May God bless you all. 

Aloha Ke Akua!
Fr. Pete+