Jesus is on the Loose!

The Lord is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Dear sisters and brothers, our Lord and Savior is alive and well. Jesus is on the Loose!

We had a very moving and meaningful Holy Week with a Maundy Thursday service, Vigil Watch at the Altar of Repose, Good Friday services with a Stations of the Cross liturgy, a joyous Easter Vigil service on Saturday evening, and of course a glorious Easter service followed by festive fellowship and a fun Easter egg hunt for the keiki. Wonderful memories to take with us as we spend these 50 joyful days from the Sunday of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ all the way to Pentecost Sunday. Let’s rejoice on this journey!

On Easter Day we explored John’s account of that glorious morning—and discovered that that morning was permeated by fear: the disciples worried they would be crucified next… and now Jesus’ body was missing! But Mary Magdalene encountered the risen Lord and hurried to the disciples hiding in the house to tell them the good news! Jesus is on the loose! He’s alive!

Coming up this Sunday, we will return to the locked house with the disciples, surprised that the risen Jesus has come to bid them peace! “Peace be with you.” But Thomas missed that meeting, and can’t believe what his fellow disciples have told him. I probably would have felt the same way! We’ll see what happens when Jesus returns, this time with Thomas present. And what happened to those fearful disciples? Just wait!

May I offer a word of deep gratitude once again to all who have ministered at St. Timothy’s during this most sacred time in the church year! Mahalo to our musician, Zachary Hamada, and our wonderful choir for offering special music during these momentous services. We’re also thankful for our diligent and devoted Altar Guild leaders and members, Eucharistic Ministers, Acolytes, Lectors, the STEAM team, for Sue Ann Wargo and Paul Mahuka for all the bulletins and everything else they do. Thanks too to those who came Saturday morning to clean the chapel and prepare it for our Easter services. Thanks to Rev. Karen Swanson for her powerful sermon at the Easter Vigil. And thanks to all who joined with us in worship. We are so blessed!

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 and your loved ones during this most meaningful season of our faith. 

Aloha Ke Akua!
Fr. Pete+