A Note from Pastor Bill

Dear Saints,

This coming Sunday in worship The Wesley Way sermon focus is on scripture. We read in Paul’s second letter to Timothy:

“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.”  (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

A friend and former student of mine who works with Wycliffe Bible Translators gave me a copy of a translation of the Bible that they published several years ago in the Hawaiian Pidgin dialect. See if you can understand this familiar passage. (It works best if you say it out loud just like it looks.)

“Aks God, an you goin get um. Look, an you goin find um. Knock, an God goin open da door fo you. All da guys dat aks, goin get. All da guys dat look fo someting, goin find um. All da guys dat stay knocking on top da door, God goin open da door fo dem.”   (Matthew 7:7-8 © Wycliffe Bible Translators 2000)

I often read passages from this translation because it brings the scripture alive in new ways. It helps me hear the text with a freshness that I assume first-time readers experience. (For more about the Hawaiian Pidgin Bible, click on www.pidginbible.org. )

John Wesley taught that scripture, tradition, reason, and experience were the keys to theological formation, with scripture being primary. In worship this week we will lift up the amazing gift of the written Word of God and explore how we as Methodists depend on it for all the things that Paul told Timothy.

The School of Congregational Development concluded this week, and our guests gave St. Luke’s a standing ovation at the closing session. They deeply appreciated our hospitality, welcome, and workshops. Thank you to all of you who gave of your time and prayers. I feel so blessed to be the pastor of such a loving, serving family in faith.

With faith, hope, and love,

Bill