Have you heard of WWJD?
I love to read a biography. Nowadays I am reading a biography of Timothy Keller, one of the mentors who helped shape my pastoral vision for the church. He dived so deeply into the life and works of J. R. R. Tolkien. He read everything Tolkien wrote, including the Lord of the Rings. Keller didn't just get to know his writings, but he got to know how Tolkien's mind works.
The longer I am in ministry, the more I think about my grandparents and my parents who served as pastors. I often ask myself, "What would my grandfather do in this particular situation?"
I believe our lifelong goal as Christians would be to have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus. My prayer is that we may come to know what Christ would have said in answer to a particular question or how he would have responded to a particular incident. May we always ask what would Jesus do (WWJD) and actually do what would Jesus have done.
Worship
It was a beautiful Lord's Day in the Aroostook neighborhood. If you haven't had a chance to join us, you can watch the services as well as read the service messages at the following links:
- Hodgdon UMC I Message
- Houlton UMC: YouTube I Facebook I Message
- Mars Hill UMC I Message
Fellowship
The 2024 Church Directory is now available online (PDF format), as well as a paper copy. If your information has to be edited, please let me know.
Discipleship
We just started new Bible studies. Small groups are great ways to grow spiritually and to watch over one another in love. Come, and grow with us!
- Book of Nehemiah (12-week study)
- Hodgdon: Tuesday, 3:30 pm
- Houlton: Thursday, 6:00 pm
- Unbinding the Gospel: Real Life Evangelism (10-week study)
- Women of Witness (Houlton): Wednesday, 10:00 am
And... Combined/Hybrid Prayer Meeting meets every Wednesday at 6 pm - at Houlton church or online via Zoom.
Outreach & Evangelism: Handbell Choir at Madigan This Friday
Our handbell choir plans to have a mini-concert for residents at Madigan Nursing Home this Friday, January 26 at 3 pm. I am planning to livestream the concert for those who want to join us virtually via the Houlton UMC Facebook Live. Stay tuned!
Outreach & Evangelsim: Cooking Class
As an outreach pilot program, we offer a fun and hands-on cooking class on Saturday, January 27, 2-4 pm at Houlton UMC. You will learn how to cook bibimbap (Korean mixed rice with meat and assorted vegetables). $10. RSVP by Wednesday (Jan 24). All are welcome.Family Worship & Love Feast [Houlton]
Every fourth Sunday of the month (this Sunday, Jan 28, 11 am) Houlton church celebrates Family Worship. All generations come together to worship and have fellowship. Our all-age choir will be singing, "They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love" (in unison), and rehearsal will be in the choir room at 10:30 a.m. There will be a Love Feast potluck luncheon immediately after the service. You are invited.
May we have the mind of Christ, through practicing the means of grace - worship, fellowship, discipleship, and evangelism, and the world will know we are "Christ-ians" by this.
Have a blessed week. Love you all.
In Christ,
Pastor Victor
Pastor Victor
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