Joy… Even in the Darkness

ALOHA! This Sunday we get to do something wonderfully joyful. It’s the Third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete (which means “rejoice”) Sunday, when the Spirit essentially leans over and whispers to us, “Hang in there… joy is coming.” In the middle of all the deep blues of Advent waiting, we suddenly pull out the rose—a little burst of happiness, right when we need it most. And this year, our joy has a beautiful, tangible expression: we’ll be dedicating our new set of rose altar hangings donated by Nancy Chun. They are full of warmth, light, and a quiet beauty that lifts your heart without you even realizing it. I’m so grateful for the generosity that brought them to life here at St.
Timothy’s. So come this Sunday ready to rejoice! Come ready to breathe a little easier. Come ready to remember that, even in a season that asks us to slow down and look inward, God’s delight keeps breaking through. That’s the grace of Gaudete: joy has a way of sneaking up on us!

In the sermon this Sunday we’ll explore Matthew 11:2-11, where we find John the Baptist—who burst on the scene last Sunday—now in prison, and voicing doubts and questions about whether Jesus is really the one. Jesus sends word back to John to look at what God is doing through him: healing the sick, raising the dead, sharing good news for the poor. John’s expectations were misplaced—God’s work doesn’t always look like we thought it would! Nevertheless, God is truly at work in our midst. What might we take from this story for our own doubts and expectations? Let’s find out! Please join us as we continue our journey to the manger this Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Chapel, or on Facebook Live.

LAST SUNDAY we witnessed John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus, calling the people to repent, to turn toward God, and to make ready the way of the Lord. John said Jesus was the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:1-12). We considered what repentance might look like for us today, and how might we do that together. How have you been practicing holy repentance this past week?

HEALING PRAYER SERVICE: Next Wednesday, December 17, we’ll have our final Advent Healing Prayer Service with communion from the reserved sacrament. Please join us in the Chapel at 9 a.m. to experience a midweek uplift!

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

Aloha Ke Akua!
Fr. Pete+