How do you respond to bad news?

Aloha! Happy 4th of July! I am praying for a meaningful Independence Day celebration for you and your family. While we face major difficulties and divisions in our country and concerns about the future, I hope that, regardless of political views, we may reflect on who we are as a nation, and continue to pray for our local, state, and national leaders.

Last Sunday we came to a pivotal point in the gospel story, when Jesus “set his face” to go to Jerusalem and the destiny that awaits him there (Luke 9:51-62). Is there something we can learn from Jesus’s determination for our own journey of faith? I suggested that we seek to “Be a traveler, not a tourist.” In other words, to be intentional, to go all in, not just as an observer from a safe distance. The same can be true for our faith. That’s how Jesus lived, and he calls us to live that way too. So how have you been traveling this past week?

This Sunday, we will consider how we respond to difficulties, tragedies, and bad news by exploring the story of Naaman, a mighty warrior of Aram, an enemy nation of Israel’s. Naaman suffers from leprosy and seeks help from the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 5:1-19). How did he respond to this bad news? How did all the other characters in this story react? And what can we learn from them about how we might respond appropriately to bad news? 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 we heard from our Bishop’s Warden, Nancy Chun, about the Bishop’s Committee. This week Bette Kalohi shares with us about our growing Music Ministry.

So please 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+