Monday Morning Coffee: "Miracle Sunday"

 

Peace to you. 

Recently, Joyce and I watched the film Saint Ralph. Despite the title, Ralph is simply a typical 14-year-old boy at a Catholic school, struggling to fit in and wrestling with the ordinary temptations and questions of growing up. He has already lost his father, and his mother lies critically ill in the hospital.

When his mother falls into a coma, Ralph believes it will take a miracle for her to wake up. A priest tells him that three things are needed for a miracle: belief, purity, and prayer.

So Ralph decides to run the Boston Marathon. At first, no one believes he can do it—not even Ralph himself. But slowly, people around him begin to believe in him. They encourage him and invest in him. Ralph himself begins to believe he might actually finish the race. Still, he struggles with impure thoughts and sin. He does not know how to pray. Yet with the help of a mentor priest, he learns to confess honestly and seek purity. And as he runs—especially after mile 20—he learns to pray desperately.

This delightful and moving story reminded me again that miracles still happen in everyday life. This past Sunday, during the Children’s Moment in Hodgdon, I talked about a “trust fall.” When we fall backward and trust someone to catch us, our center of weight shifts from ourselves to another person. In many ways, that shift itself feels like a miracle.

Recently, Jo-Ann shared that she has long been a worrier—worrying about family, worrying about the world. Sometimes it even disturbed her sleep. But she began practicing a simple habit: whenever worry came, she intentionally gave it to God. Slowly, she discovered peace and rest. You can read her story here: Jo-Ann’s Life Story.

Another Lenten devotion today shares Sharon’s journey of forgiveness. God gave her freedom when she chose to forgive her stepfather. You can read it here: Sharon’s Lenten Devotion.

For Christians, another word for miracle is God’s grace at work. In that sense, we are surrounded by miracles every day.

During Sunday’s message, I shared Abraham’s story along with some of my own struggles during this season of transition. I also mentioned Hudson Taylor and his experience of the “exchanged life.” In a season of sorrow and suffering, he wrote these simple words: “I can’t read, I can’t think, I can’t pray, but I can still trust.”

If you would like to read the full message, you can find it here: Sunday Message: Jesus Our Cornerstone.

May God open our hearts and minds this week to see His miracles all around us. Have a blessed week ahead. Love you all. 

In Christ's Love, 
Pastor Victor 

P.S. This Wednesday at noon we will gather for our "Lenten Soup & Devotion" at Mars Hill. You are warmly invited. Bring a friend and join us for encouragement, prayer, and fellowship! :)

Life Together: "Celebration of Life"

 

“This is the day the Lord has made; 

let us rejoice and be glad in it.” 

- Psalm 118:24

Friday at 10 AM, the SPRCs of our four churches gathered together. 

There were many tears and moments of sadness. Yet there was even more gratitude and love shared among us.

Looking back, we were all amazed at how God has led us this far. In 2014, Hodgdon and Houlton began a shared ministry. In 2022, Mars Hill joined. In 2025, Patten joined as well. It has been like an expanding family. As each church joined, our shared life became richer and deeper. Through this fellowship, we have experienced Christ’s love among us in beautiful ways.

We are learning that there is always something to celebrate. We do not deny or ignore the pains and sufferings in the world around us. The war is real. Pastoral transition is taking place. But our Christian realism rests on a firm conviction: God’s grace is always greater in every circumstance, and in God’s time, He will make all things right and new.

So today is a gift from God. And there is something to celebrate.

This past week we celebrated Reita’s 94th birthday, along with Helen's, Lenny’s and Bonnie’s birthdays, and Bob and Stacy's anniversary. We also rejoiced that Brian returned home from rehab. We celebrated a small family reunion with Blinn and Joan. And the Hans family enjoyed skiing at Big Rock one last time this season.

What if we lived today as if it were our birthday?

What if we lived today as if it were our last day?

May we become resilient optimists who spread joy and hope wherever we go. Even above the snowstorm clouds today, the sun is still shining.

Please stay safe and warm. Know that you are deeply loved.

In Christ's Love, 

Pastor Victor 

Church Directory Update – Last Call

Peace to you, church family,

We have been working on updating our church directory and hope to print the new version soon. Before we do, please take a moment to review your information and make sure everything is correct.

If you would like to update or add a photo, birthday, or anniversary, this is the last call. Please send any corrections or additions to me as soon as you can.

A special thank you to Gabriel Grimm, who designed the cover image for the directory—The Lamb of God, inspired by Eastern Orthodox iconography.

Thank you for helping us keep our church family connected :) 

• Hodgdon/Houlton 
• Mars Hill

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor

Life Review Project Update

Peace to you, dear friends,

Less than a year ago, we began the Life Review Project together. It has already been a meaningful journey.

Along the way, I have realized again that the face of Christ is wonderfully multi-faceted—so rich, so deep, and so wide. One of the most beautiful ways we come to see Christ more clearly is through each person’s story. As we listen to one another’s lives, we begin to notice how Christ has been at work in different ways, in different seasons, in each of us. Christ plays in ten thousand places. 

I hope that we can gather these stories into a small book for our church family. It will be something we can keep, cherish, and share with our loved ones—a testimony of faith across generations. Through these stories, we may see a fuller picture of Christ, and together continue to know Him and make Him known.

We plan to compile these life stories by the end of April. Below is the list of those who have already shared their stories.

If for any reason you would prefer not to have your story included in the book, please feel free to let me know. And if you have not yet shared your story but would like to participate, I would be very glad to include you.

The estimated cost for the self-published book will be about $10 per copy.

Participants so far:

Anderson, Andy

Anderson, Bonnie

Batchelder, Sharon

Benn, Carolyn

Blanchard, Dale

Boone, Blinn

Boone, Joan

Boyd, Susan

Cowperthwaite, Angela

Cowperthwaite, Bob

Cronkite, Gaye

Geishecker, Rue

Grimm, Gabriel

Forbush, Jack

Han, SeungRi “Victor”

Hibbett, Mary

Hotham, Jacob

Husted, Chet

Jutras, Denice

Kang, YoungEun “Joyce”

Laurence, Bertrand

Lee, Kwan

Mailman, Georgia

Malone, Sandra

Maraya, Rosalinda “Linda”

Moore, Roberta

Muzzi, Lenny

Quint, Duane

Strecker, Vernell “Nell”

Taylor, Chuck

Taylor, Liz

Taylor, Mary

Trask, John

Trask, Nina

Victor, Rob

Wang, Hong

Ward, Shirley

Wilde, Galen

Woods, Helen

As Christ continues to work in our lives, our story still continues. Have a blessed rest of the week. Love you all.

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor

New Pastoral Appointment Update

 Dear Church Family,

Greetings in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton and the Cabinet have appointed my family and me to new churches in Cape Cod, Massachusetts—South Yarmouth UMC (full-time, Victor) and Wellfleet UMC (half-time, Joyce), effective July 1, 2026.

Unlike some other denominations, the United Methodist Church is a “sending” church. UM local churches do not search for and hire their own pastors. Instead, the bishop and cabinet prayerfully match clergy and congregations according to the needs of the churches and the gifts of the pastors. This discerning appointment process takes place each year. In the New England Annual Conference, there are more than 500 churches across six states.

When Joyce and I first heard about this possible new appointment, our immediate response was honestly shock. The Cabinet gave us 24 hours to pray and discern. As ordained clergy in the United Methodist Church, I have vowed to serve within the itinerant system—trusting the bishop’s appointment and living with the spirit of: “Where you send me, I will go.” Unless there are urgent missional reasons, clergy are expected to receive the appointment in faith.

During much of those 24 hours, we found ourselves looking for reasons to say no. Our older children are becoming juniors in high school. Joyce’s appointment with Stetson Memorial UMC has been less than a year. We have just begun building a cooperative parish among our four churches. New members are about to join. We had planned to take renewal leave this summer.

Yet early the next morning, while I was praying and meditating on Scripture in the sanctuary, a quiet but clear confirmation came to my heart: this is God’s calling. Joyce also received the same sense of peace in prayer. With that assurance, we said yes to the call.

Twelve years ago, Joyce and I said yes to the call to serve Houlton and Hodgdon UMCs. At that time, we knew no one. We had nothing. But today, we leave with something far greater—a “big family” in the members of Houlton, Hodgdon, Mars Hill, and Stetson Mermorial United Methodist Churches. This place has become our home, and you have become our family. We have worshiped together, prayed together, laughed together, and carried one another through difficult seasons.

Today, Joyce and I grieve—but not without hope. Our hearts are full of both gratitude and tears. Our greatest comfort is that our fellowship in Christ is eternal. One day we will be fully reunited with one another in Jesus Christ.

As the old hymn reminds us:

“When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.”

Until we meet again, may the grace of Christ hold us all together. Joyce and I give thanks to God for each of you. And please know that we love you deeply.

 
With gratitude and love,
Pastors Victor and Joyce

Monday Morning Coffee: "No Pit Too Deep for God’s Love"

 

Good morning, Church Family,

“There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.”

These words were spoken by Betsie ten Boom, Corrie Ten Boom’s sister, while they were imprisoned in a concentration camp. Betsie sadly did not survive the camp, but her faith and words continued to inspire.

Corrie, witnessing evil firsthand and facing unimaginable suffering, wrestled with hatred and the desire for retaliation against those who tormented her and her sister. She prayed desperately for God’s help—and He answered. Corrie was freed from the prison of hatred, and though forgiveness was a lifelong journey, she went on to share the message of forgiveness with others, especially those living in bitterness and grudges.

Today, we hear messages of hatred, threats, and retaliation all around us. The principle of “an eye for an eye” was meant to limit retaliation, yet in practice, people often go further, causing more harm. Even this minimum standard feels impossible to uphold. But now is the time to choose love instead of hatred, and forgiveness instead of retaliation. We can start right where we are.

Let us pray for peace and reconciliation in our world. Our God is able. No matter how deeply broken our world may seem, his love is deeper still.

If you haven’t yet, you can watch our service or access the message here:

Services:

• Hodgdon: Watch here

• Houlton: Watch here

Message:

• Read the blog

• Listen via podcast

May God’s love and peace fill your hearts this week. 

In Christ's Love,
Pastor Victor

Life Together: "Making Sense of Suffering"

 

“This is my home now,” Reita said calmly and peacefully.

She shared how grateful she is for the staff at Madigan, for her roommate Pat, and for the safe and caring environment there. I was deeply moved by her wisdom and quiet strength to accept this season of life.

When I arrived, she was in the middle of her daily exercise, walking the hallway for a few laps. After returning to her room, she smiled and said, “I’m aging. What’s new? How is the church?”

I replied, “The church is doing well, but we miss you. By the way, can you believe I’ve been here for 12 years?”

She smiled again and said, “Are you telling me you’re aging too?”

Though she is confused at times, her gentle humor is still there.

We spent time looking at the pictures on her wall, remembering stories, and reflecting together on life and death. Our conversation reminded me of this Scripture:

“So we aren’t depressed. But even if our bodies are breaking down on the outside, the person that we are on the inside is being renewed every day… We live by faith and not by sight.”
— 2 Corinthians 4:16; 5:7 (CEB)

Paul was no stranger to suffering. While suffering often remains a mystery, he helps us see it through the lens of faith. Our weaknesses, struggles, and burdens can become a doorway through which God’s power and glory are revealed.

I look forward to exploring this word together with you this Sunday.

Have a blessed weekend. See you Sunday!

In Christ's Love, 
Pastor Victor