Stewardship: A Way of Life

ALOHA! This Sunday we will launch our Stewardship Season with the theme “Shining Our Light.” David Caldwell, who heads our Stewardship Team, will introduce our campaign, which will continue with speakers from our parish for the next several weeks, leading up to our in-gathering on November 2.

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Stewardship is more than a season on the church calendar—it is a way of life. Jesus tells us, “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others.” Each time we offer our prayers, our time, our gifts, and our resources, we are shining Christ’s light in a world that often feels shadowed by fear or need. At St. Timothy’s, this light shines through our worship, our care for one another, our outreach to the community, and our commitment to nurture faith in every generation. Stewardship is not simply about maintaining a budget; it is about participating in God’s ongoing work of healing and hope. Every pledge, every act of service, every moment of kindness becomes a reflection of the One who first gave himself for us. So as we move forward together in this season, let us all embrace stewardship as a joyful response to God’s abundance. May our light shine brightly—individually and as a church—so that others may glimpse God’s love through us!

As part of our stewardship season this year, our amazing musician, Zachary Hamada, has composed a new hymn expressing the theme! It’s called “You Are the Light,” and he and our choir will sing it during the offertory on Sunday (and feel free to join in!). We are so grateful that Zach shares his creativity with us so generously. We all loved last year’s stewardship hymn, “Walk in Love,” and I’m sure his new one will find its place in our hearts as well.

Watch Rev. Peter's Video inviting us into our season of stewardship as we "Shine Our Light"!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ArGYfTsMc/

LAST SUNDAY in worship, we explored Luke 14:7-14 and Hebrews 13:1-8,15-16. In Luke 14, we saw that Jesus seemed to offer etiquette lessons about attending banquets with rich people. But this isn’t just about good table manners, it’s a lesson about living here and now in the kingdom of God. We also learned more about how God’s kingdom works from the letter to the Hebrews: “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” What angels have you been entertaining this past week, by serving and caring for others?

THIS SUNDAY we’ll be doing something a little different: We’ll walk through a whole book of the Bible! Well, it’s a very short book of 335 words in Greek—it’s Paul’s letter to his friend Philemon. Philemon’s slave, Onesimus, had escaped, and had been thrown into prison with Paul, where he had become an ardent student of the way of Christ and was a big helper to Paul. So why is Paul writing to Philemon about him? And what does this ancient post card mean for us today? Let’s find out!

Last Sunday, to conclude our series of Ministry Minutes, Adele Thomas shared about the Daughters of the King and their important ministry here at St. Tim’s. Please continue to keep all our ministries in your prayers, and ask God how you might become involved in one or more of them! Next week we’ll begin a series of stewardship talks by some of our members during the announcement time.

So join us on Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Chapel, or worship with us on Facebook Live.

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, and for your vicar. May God bless you and your loved ones always.  

Aloha Ke Akua!
Fr. Pete+