How will Jesus make himself known to you and me?

Aloha! As we continue our journey through these 50 joyful days of Eastertide, from the Sunday of Christ’s Resurrection all the way to Pentecost Sunday, let us rejoice! Much is happening at St. Timothy’s, and we are grateful.

Looking ahead on the church calendar:

• We are planning a special Mother’s Day celebration on Sunday, May 11. Be watching for more information about this, but I hope the women of St. Timothy’s will be able to join us then, because a stalwart group of men are making some fun plans to thank them for all they do.

• Dan and I will be away on vacation to Japan May 12-27, and I’m very grateful that Rev. Karen Swanson will be with you to preach and celebrate on May 18 and 25.

• The keiki Sunday school teachers and I are planning a very special children’s and youth service on Sunday, June 1. Our young people will lead in the service, reading the lessons and leading the prayers, and Shannon Casey will preach. And we’ll have some special music!
  

• And on June 8, the Day of Pentecost, we are planning to have some baptisms, as we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the church on this festive day!
  

Last Sunday, we returned to the locked house with the fearful disciples, who are surprised that the risen Jesus appears in their midst and says, “Peace be with you.” But Thomas missed that gathering, and can’t believe what his fellow disciples have told him—he wants evidence (was Thomas from Missouri, the “Show Me” State?). The following week Jesus returns to be with his disciples, this time with Thomas too. Thomas exclaims, “My Lord and my God!” And what happens to those fearful disciples? Oh my, what a difference we see in Acts 5 as the disciples stand up to the religious authorities and get into some “Good Trouble,” as the late John Lewis called it. What sort of “Good Trouble” might you and I get into?

This Sunday, the 3rd Sunday of Easter, we will witness another post-resurrection
appearance of Jesus from John 21:1-19. Jesus beckons his disciples, who’d gone fishing, to come have some grilled fish with him on the shore. He then encourages Peter to face up to what he did, and to forgive himself for denying and abandoning Jesus at his darkest hour, and calls Peter to “feed my sheep.” Jesus loves to make himself known, and he does so also to Saul, who becomes the Apostle Paul (Acts 9:1-20). How will Jesus make himself known to you and me? Maybe we’ll find out!

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 ministers, and for your vicar. May God bless you and your loved ones during this most glorious and joyful season of our faith.  

Aloha Ke Akua!
Fr. Pete+