Monday Morning Coffee: “Who Is the Happiest Person in the World?”

Dear Church Family,

Good morning. I hope you are well.

“Who is the happiest person in the world?”

If you google this question, one common answer is Matthieu Ricard, a French-born Tibetan Buddhist monk and author who writes about happiness. He himself dismisses the title “the happiest man,” saying it is impossible to measure the happiness of billions of people.

St. Augustine famously prayed, “You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” Pastor John Piper echoes this truth: God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.

For me, this has been deeply true. Before Christ, as Blaise Pascal described, I felt a “void” in my heart—restless and wandering. But since Christ came into my life, I have known wholeness, purpose, and direction. With humility and gratitude, I can now say, “I am a happy person,” because my joy is rooted in Christ.

Recently, Esther made me a handmade birthday card titled “Dad on the Pulpit.” I treasure it. It reminded me that even my child can see how deeply joyful and fulfilled I am when I share the good news with God’s people. God willing, I want to continue to study the Word, live the Word, and preach the Word for as long as I can.

Last Sunday’s message was also about our calling. If you missed it, I invite you to watch or listen and be encouraged:

• Service recordings: Mars Hill | Houlton
• Message: Podcast Audio | Blog Reading

May the Lord bless you this week. May God be glorified as you find your deepest satisfaction in Him. Love you all.

In Christ's Love,
Pastor Victor

Souper Bowl Sunday Celebration! 🏈

 

Together, our three churches collected 84 canned goods and $260 for the Salvation Army food pantry (Hodgdon: 25 cans/$46, Houlton: 48 cans/$122, Mars Hill: 11 cans/$92).

Special thanks to the Hodgdon Life-Together Bible Study, Houlton Hope Circle, and Mars Hill UMW for their generous matching gifts.

Thank you, church family!

Have a fun and meaningful Super Bowl Sunday! 

In Christ's Love, 

Pastor Victor 

Life Together: "How Long?"

 

“How long will it last, Lord? Will you hide yourself forever?” (Psalm 89:46)

Have you ever questioned God, “Why?” or “How long?”

I want to be honest with you. Recently, Joyce and I have felt quite discouraged by what has been happening in the life of the church and in the world around us. More than once, I found myself praying, “Why, Lord?” and “How long?”

At times, God felt distant, as if God were hiding his face. I could not see him at work—north, south, east, or west. So I prayed for signs of hope, for signs that God was still working among us.

Then I listened to Gabriel’s life story. And all I could say was, “Wow. God, You are awesome. You are always working, saving, and redeeming.”

Gabriel, too, asked God, “Why?” For many years, he felt as though God had put a target on his back and then walked away. From his teenage years into his late thirties, he wanted nothing to do with faith. Yet the truth is this: God never let go of him. God was faithfully at work all along.

In God’s time, Gabriel came home, back to faith and back to a spiritual home. He shared these words:

“I started looking for a church. I wanted my daughter to have a fair shot… Then we came here. This place felt like home. Small. Real. Loving. Like the church I grew up in. People knew each other. There was space to belong. Space to help. Space to be needed. And that mattered to me.”

You can read Gabriel’s full life story here: "Uncovered" – Gabriel Grimm’s Faith Story

In many ways, we are like the two disciples walking to Emmaus, our eyes clouded by sadness, grief, and discouragement, even as the risen Christ walks right beside us.

Yet God comes to us in every season and through many means—through prayer, through the scriptures, through shared meals, through Souper Bowl Sunday, through tonight’s Prayer Vigil, and through stories of redemption happening in our midst.

As we gather for worship this Sunday, may God open our eyes and set our hearts burning anew.

Have a blessed weekend. I truly look forward to worshiping together.

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor

P.S. If you are able, please consider sitting closer to the front during worship. It helps those who worship online and also helps me preach more clearly. Most of all, it strengthens our sense of closeness, connection, and community. We are better together :)

Monday Morning Coffee: “Signs of Spring”

“But now, O Lord, what do I look for?

My hope is in you.” (Psalm 39:7)

Where do you see signs of spring today?

Though it is Groundhog Day, many of us may feel that it is still winter rather than spring.

There are times when sorrow and burden accumulate little by little, until one day the weight feels heavy. For me, this past Sunday was one of those days. As I looked at the empty pews - seats once filled with our beloved church members, smiling, chatting, singing, and worshiping together. I felt a deep heartache. Some are sick. Some are homebound. Some have drifted. Some have moved on. After the service, sitting in the quiet, empty sanctuary by myself, my heart felt even more empty.

Normally, I do not listen to my own sermon, except to make sure it is uploaded correctly. But this morning, I needed encouragement. I needed hope from the Word. So I listened and prayed that God would open my eyes to see signs of hope and to encounter the God of today.

And slowly, I began to see...

Two smiling faces who traveled from Danforth to worship with us. My children’s honest and encouraging feedback. Bob’s children’s message, boldly sharing good news and God’s love. A joyful Sunday School time at Hodgdon, creating a Mission Board with Jennifer and Jill. A Bible science class with Chet. Meaningful conversations during coffee hour. "Faithful ones" who keep showing up, stepping up, and watching over one another in love... one person at a time.

Today, you may feel like Lazarus, alone in a cold, dark tomb. If so, look for Mary and Martha, God’s angels who show care and support. Or perhaps you are in the place of Mary or Martha. If so, look for Lazarus, someone struggling, tired, or hurting. Reach out. Love that person. One person at a time.

Our hope is not in ourselves or in this world. Our hope is in Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is for us, not against us. He intercedes for us, and He is able.

If you were unable to join us, you are welcome to watch or listen:

• Worship Services: Hodgdon | Houlton
• Message: Read the blog | Listen to the podcast

Let us hold fast. Spring is coming. Happy Groundhog Day :)

In Christ's Love, 

Pastor Victor 

Life Together: “Moving Forward”

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” 

(Hebrews 12:1)

“How do you do that?” I asked.

This is Brian’s second healing journey. He fell and fractured his hip. From ICU, to rehab, to home, he worked hard and returned to normal life. Then he fell again and fractured the other side. He had to start again from Day One.

And yet, as you can see, Brian still smiles. He stays positive.

“Well,” he said, “I’m 88. I can’t do many things I used to do. I didn’t choose where I am now, but I accept it and do what I can in the time I’m given. I take one day at a time.” I replied, “I admire both of you, Brian and Diane, for your strength, perseverance, and wisdom.”

So how do we learn to persevere?

Abe and I recently registered for our first half-marathon, which will take place in March. We are training on our own, increasing our distance by one mile each week. This week, we ran ten miles.

Not until I started running did I truly understand Hebrews 12:1. Running can be boring. It can be cold. I feel hungry, sore, sometimes even nauseous, with stomach pain. And yet, I keep running. My goal is simple: to move forward without stopping or walking.

Here is the lesson I am learning: We learn to persevere by persevering. In the same way, we learn to love by loving, to forgive by forgiving, and to give by giving. Yes, our spiritual journey is from grace to grace. But it is also "responsible" grace. We say “yes” to God’s grace, then we roll up our sleeves and practice it. As we do, we begin to bear more of the fruit of the Spirit.

The early Christians were known for two things: sexual purity and radical generosity. The Romans were confused by this. It was not simply rule-keeping. It was the fruit of their deep intimacy with the Lord Jesus.

We may not choose our time or our circumstances. But my prayer is that, in the time and situation we are given, we as a church will practice what pleases God and spread the aroma of Christ, especially in times like these.

This Sunday at Hodgdon and Houlton, we will explore the Gospel of John. Through the story of Lazarus, we will reflect on how it is possible to have faith after doubt - a faith for the here and now, even in the midst of loss, grief, and despair.

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

In Christ's Love, 

Pastor Victor

Monday Morning Coffee: "It Only Takes a Spark"

Peace to you, Church Family,

I hope you are doing well, especially during this record-breaking cold and snowy weather. Please stay safe and warm.

We are very grateful that we were able to gather both in person and online for worship this past Sunday. Personally, I was deeply encouraged by Gabriel’s faith story. It was a powerful testimony of how God faithfully loved him and worked in every season of his life—even when he was running away from God.

I was especially moved by how God prepared one person—Gabriel’s childhood friend from the age of seven, someone least likely to come to faith—to share the good news with him. Through his friend’s faithful witness and personal suffering, including the loss of his mother, Gabriel found his way home to the Father.

As I continued to meditate on Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son, two truths stood out to me:

1. Both sons are lost—one through a rebellious, self-seeking way, and the other through a religious, self-righteous way. The Father lovingly reaches out to both.
2. Returning home is not the end of the story, but the beginning. Becoming like the Father is the goal.

If you were not able to join us in worship, you are warmly invited to worship online. You can listen to Gabriel’s faith story, the sermon, Bertrand’s special music, and the Han family’s offertory at this link. You may also read or listen to the message at your convenience: Sermon Blog | Podcast Audio

Wherever you are on your journey today, please remember this: You are deeply loved by the Father. And may we each be that one person—the one who carries and passes on that love to the next person. Let's pass it on.

Stay warm, and have a blessed week.

In Christ's love, 

Pastor Victor 

Life Together

 

Dear Church Family,

It has been a tough winter in many ways. 

Yet, as Mr. Rogers often reminded us, when we are in trouble, we can look for the helpers. God always sends helpers. God always sends signs of hope along the way.

For me personally, there are moments when pastoral ministry feels especially meaningful. One of those moments came this past week during my interview with Carolyn Been (Hodgdon church member). She shared that, through our new Bible study, she read the entire Gospel of Matthew for the first time. When she finished, she felt something come together inside her. The Scripture felt alive. It felt personal. It was a reminder to me that it is never too late to grow deeper in faith.

You can read Carolyn’s life story here:
https://faithbook2025.blogspot.com/2026/01/do-it-anyway-by-carolyn-benn.html

You can also read other stories at our Faithbook Blog:
http://faithbook2025.blogspot.com

This weekend will be extremely cold. If you plan to attend worship in person, please bundle up and be extra careful. Mars Hill Church has decided to worship online only this Sunday.

You are welcome to join us online for worship (Houlton service at 11:00 AM) at this link:
https://youtube.com/live/0QLNQfoY0Pg?feature=share

Hodgdon (9:00 AM) and Houlton (11:00 AM) plan to gather in person as scheduled. At Houlton, we will celebrate Family Worship, followed by a potluck Love Feast.

Please stay safe. We look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday, in person or online. Love you all.

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor