Life Together: "From Many to One"

 

Peace to you. 

There is a beautiful line from The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry:

“To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me.
But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world.”

This conversation reminds us of a simple truth: something becomes “one and only” not by itself, but through relationship, time, and love.

During this spring break, our family chose to do something a little different. We visited meaningful places and spent time with dear friends, some for what may be the last time before our move. We saw friends in Belfast. We shared breakfast at the Co-op, lunch at Pizza Hut, and dinner with old friends in Bangor. We read books together at BAM.

As we met these people again, we found ourselves using words like “one and only,” “best,” “most beautiful,” and “special.” Not because these places or people were extraordinary by themselves, but because of the time we have shared, the memories we have built, and the love we have experienced together.

At first, for instance, the Co-op was just one place among many. But over time, it became “our gathering place.” Travis and Mari were once simply acquaintances, but now they are dear friends, mentors, and companions in life.

This Sunday, we will explore the Book of the Hebrews. Hebrews shows us that, in Christ, we move from “many” to “one.” Through Jesus, our relationship with God is no longer distant or general. It becomes personal. We are no longer just one among many; we are known, loved, and called God’s own.

And as we gather for worship and fellowship, God continues to shape us, not just as individuals, but as one body, one and only family in Christ.

It is truly an honor and a joy to walk this journey with you.

Have a blessed weekend. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday!

In Christ's Love, 
Pastor Victor

Hodgdon Liturgist Schedule (April - June)

Peace to you. 

What lovely weather we are having today! I hope you have some time to step outside and enjoy the sunshine and gentle breeze :)

Below is the liturgist schedule for April through June. For June, we are planning to have combined services with Houlton. At this time, we are considering hosting on the first and third Sundays, and Houlton hosting on the second and fourth Sundays. We will confirm these details together at our next Ad Council meeting on May 6th.

If any of the scheduled dates do not work for you, please let me know so we can make adjustments and plan well together.

Thank you very much for your faithful service. Have a blessed weekend, and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

April 19 Donald Metzger

April 26 Jennifer Metzger

May 3 Cluster Service (Presque Isle)

May 10 Jill Quint

May 17 Perry Lilley 

May 24 Sue Carr

May 31 Combined Service (Houlton)

June 7 Stacy Ramsey 

June 14* 

June 21 Paula Lilley 

June 28*

In Christ's love,

Pastor Victor 

Life Story Update

Dear church family, 

Peace to you.

It has been a true joy and honor to sit with you and listen to your life stories. Thank you for trusting us and for sharing your lives together with us. 

As shared earlier, we plan to compile these stories into a book for us to keep and to share with our loved ones and friends.

If you have not yet shared your story but would like to be included, please let me know. We will collect all stories by April 24 and then send the book for publishing. We expect the books to arrive by the middle of May.

Thank you again for being part of this meaningful journey.

Have a blessed rest of the week. 

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor

Life Story Link

Monday Morning Coffee: "Living the Resurrection"

Peace to you. 

This past weekend, Angie and Ryan kindly welcomed our children into their home to watch the boiling sap. For the kids, everywhere becomes a playground. They did not stay long in the steam, but they had a joyful time, especially with Luna, Angie’s beloved dog. As I looked at the picture, a thought came to me: they are already living the resurrection!

 

After Jesus’ death, the disciples’ minds were closed and heavy, burdened by grief, fear, and the weight of everyday life. Then the risen Christ came to them. He restored their sense of wonder and awe. He entered into their ordinary, mundane moments, shared meals with them, and deepened their relationships. He appeared not only to individuals, but to the group. In doing so, he showed them that his presence is made known among a gathered people, “the church.”

 

In this light, the Sabbath is truly a gift from God. It is like a weekly renewal of the soul. As we gather to worship, sing, listen to the Word, and share simple food fellowship, our sense of awe is restored. We begin to recognize the presence of the risen Christ among us in the ordinary rhythms of life.

 

Every moment can become a means of grace – every meal we share, every act of service, every task we carry out. This past Sunday, we experienced such grace through our spring concert, “Welcome Spring with Music.” You can watch it here. You may also revisit our worship services and message:

• Mars Hill service here
• Houlton service here
• Sunday message, “Are We There Yet?” here

 

May God restore in us a childlike sense of wonder this week. And may we respond to God in all things with grateful hearts :)

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor

Life Together: "Look Up, Lift Up"

 

​

It was Friday morning, 10:30 a.m., in the Bangor District Courtroom.

 

Twenty-four people, from eighteen countries, were sworn in as United States citizens. Joyce was one of them.

 

It was a solemn and joyful moment. As the judge led the ceremony, I found myself thinking of that day – the day when we will stand before the righteous Judge.

 

Last Sunday, we sang “He Lives” with full voice, celebrating the resurrection of Christ together. But now, we may wonder: “What does the resurrection mean for us today?”

 

We still grieve. We deeply miss our loved ones. We feel the weight of aging. At times, we are afraid of the dying process. And we wonder, “How can I finish my life, not with fear or bitterness, but with joy and hope in Christ?”

 

This Sunday, we continue our New Testament journey as we explore the Letters to the Thessalonians. In these letters, the Apostle Paul speaks with clarity and compassion about the end times – death, grief, and judgment. By the Spirit, he offers a living hope for our deepest questions.

 

You are warmly invited to worship with us this Sunday: 9:00 a.m. (Hodgdon and Mars Hill) and 11:00 a.m. (Houlton)

 

In addition, this Sunday at 3 p.m. Houlton church will host a spring concert, “Welcome Spring with Music,” featuring the Houlton Community Handbell Choir, the Houlton Community Chorus, soloists, instrumental pieces, and congregational singing. Come and be encouraged!

 

May we continue to look up and lift up our hearts, remembering that our true citizenship is in heaven. Love you all, and see you Sunday :)

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor

Monday Morning Coffee: "One Family"

 

Peace to you, dear church family,

I trust you had a meaningful and joy-filled Easter.

During our services, I shared that one of the convincing signs of the resurrection is the transformed lives of the disciples. Fearful hearts became bold witnesses. Broken people became a living testimony of hope.

Another great blessing we share is this: we have been adopted into God’s family. The early church was a resurrection community. Because Christ is risen, barriers fell. Jew and Gentile, male and female, slave and free. All became one in Christ.

We are still living in that same blessing today. Through the Rue family’s warm hospitality, the Hans experienced a beautiful Easter gathering. Some came from Korea, some from China, one from Germany. We were all different, yet we were united so quickly. How? Because Christ is risen. We are one family.

What a gift it was to celebrate Easter together across our churches. Each place was special in its own way. At Mars Hill, Pastor Mary led with joy and grace. At Hodgdon, we were encouraged by the presence of children, youth, and their families. At Houlton, we shared a full and joyful day, from sunrise service, to breakfast and fellowship, to new member celebration, to special music, and messages for all ages.

For me, this Easter will stay in my heart for a long time. It reminded me deeply: we are family. And once we are family, we remain family through thick and thin. Because Christ is risen, we are eternally united as a resurrection community.

You can revisit our Easter celebrations here:

Services:
Hodgdon Service
Houlton Service

Message:
Podcast Audio
Blog Reading

May we walk this week in the peace, purpose, and power of the risen Christ!

In Christ's love, 
Pastor Victor

Easter Celebration Update

 

Peace to you, beloved church family.

Some of you may be wondering about the Easter Sunrise Service, as the weather forecast for this Sunday is not favorable. Rather than canceling, we will gather indoors for our Easter Sunrise Service at 6:00 am in the Upper Room (Choir Room) at the Houlton church.

It will be a prayerful and joyful time, featuring candle lighting and readings of the disciples’ first-person testimonies based on the Gospel of John. The service will also be livestreamed on the Houlton church Facebook page, so you may join either in person or online.

If coming out early is difficult, you are warmly invited to join us for Easter Breakfast from 7:00 to 8:00 am at Houlton. Special thanks to Gabriel Grimm, Jessica Bonin, our Hope Circle and Outreach Team members for helping make this meaningful gathering possible.

We will also celebrate Easter worship at each church:

• Hodgdon and Mars Hill at 9:00 am

• Houlton at 11:00 am

Come, let us celebrate together.

Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor