Preparing the way...

Aloha! We had a wonderful week here at St. Timothy’s last week. Together, we
celebrated Thanksgiving Day with a special Eucharist in the morning, followed by a delightful and delicious time of fellowship around the table with two (unexpectedly frozen!) turkeys from Zippy’s, and a wide assortment of fantastic side dishes and desserts. I’m so grateful for everyone who helped with the service, in the kitchen, providing food, and setting up and cleaning up! It was just one big ‘ohana. We will plan to do this again next
year.

Then, last Sunday was the First Sunday of Advent. We began our journey together to
the manger in Bethlehem. While the world around us is decorating for Christmas, we
began a new church year by focusing on Luke 21:25-36—a “high heat” apocalyptic text
about the end of times, a grim lesson that hardly seems fitting as we hear joyful
Christmas carols wherever we go. But it’s an important reminder that one day Jesus will
return for us in victory. So, we prepare our hearts not only for the birth of Jesus in the
manger, but also for the coming of Jesus at the end of time. We wait and we hope.

This Sunday, the Second Sunday of Advent, we will explore Malachi 3:1-4 and Luke
3:1-6. While last week we considered the future end of times, this week we’ll go back to
the past to hear Malachi’s powerful and ancient prophetic words. He too speaks of the
day of the Lord’s coming, telling us that he will come like a refiner’s fire and like fuller’s
soap. What does that mean? And then Luke introduces us to another “prophet,” John the
Baptist, who is stirring up revival in the desert to prepare the way for the coming Messiah
Jesus. How should we respond to John’s message? Let’s find out on Sunday!
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Dear sisters and brothers, let’s continue to prepare our hearts for a holy Advent
and a joyous Christmas. 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+