Life Together Community (Feb 25, 2024)

  

Peace to you. 

How was your week? 

Joyce and I had a rich and meaningful week with our five children during this week's spring break. Our aim is to build trust with our children, so that when they grow up - when they don't have to come home, when they don't have to show up at church - they would feel that they get to and love to come home and church.    

The other day one of the church members shared with me an excellent article on family and church, "Why our family still makes time for church on Sundays," written by Amy Becker, mother of three children. 

I particularly love what the author has to say about why she gets to church every Sunday this way [emphasis mine]: 

I love a good sermon and appreciate a soaring choir, but the performative elements of church don’t matter much to me anymore. What matters is that a community of vulnerable, gifted, broken and beloved individuals show up — for themselves and each other — week after week. What matters is a place where I, and now my kids too, are known and loved. What matters is the words that are proclaimed from the pulpit and the liturgy being put into action in our relationships...

Just as I desire to build trust with my children, so I am longing to build a beloved community together with you - a place where we know each other and are known. 

I feel connected when my 4-year-old Hannah remembers our church member by name and prays for that person during our family devotion. I feel known when our church member remembers my children's birthday and celebrates with us. 

As we come to church this Sunday in person or in spirit once again, may we be reminded that as broken and wounded people, we need each other. We are all interconnected and interdependent. We are given to one another. You and I are invited to this place. We are invited to be a member of God's family. 

• Hodgdon UMC (9 am): Facebook
• Mars Hill UMC (9 am): Family Worship - Facebook
• Houlton UMC (11 am): Family Worship & Love Feast Potluck Luncheon - YouTube I Facebook

As we continue to build God's beloved community, may Christ become present among us. May we be the hands and feet of Christ in this wounded world. 

Have a blessed weekend. See you Sunday! 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

The Week

 

*Photo:Lenten Soup Luncheon at Mars Hill UMC (Feb 21, 2024)

Lenten Journey Together

How is Lent going? If we journey together as a church, our Lent would be richer and fuller for our souls. 

This Wednesday we had our first combined "Lenten Soup & Devotion" gathering at Mars Hill UMC. It was such a mutual encouragement just to be there. Surely we enjoyed homemade soups made with love and fellowship. We all were inspired by Pastor Joyce's reflections. 

Our next Lenten Soup Luncheon will be held at Houlton UMC on Wednesday, March 6 at noon, with Pastor Mary leading a devotional time. 

If you haven't had a chance to join our service this past week, you can watch the service or read the message below:

• Hodgdon UMC: Family Worship 
• Houlton UMC: Service I Message  
• Mars Hill UMC: Service I Message 

It's Time to Return 

It's hard to believe February is already coming to an end. If you have a Pregnancy Care Center (PCC) Baby Bottle with you, please return it this Sunday. PCC of Aroostook's services include: "Abortion Information, Pregnancy Tests, Pregnancy Options Information, Post-Abortion Support, Adoption Agency Referrals, Adoption Information, Maternity & Infant Supplies, Medical Referrals

Parenting Education, Healthy Relationship Information, Sexual Risk Avoidance Information, STD/STI Information, Support for Men." 

If you didn't have a chance to pick up the bottle but would like to support their ministry, you may make an offering this Sunday. Please specify it either on the envelope or on your check, writing, "PCC Baby Bottle." Thank you for your partnership. 

Family Worship

What a blessing to worship together as one family! Hodgdon church (9 am) celebrates its family worship on the third Sunday of the month. Houlton (11 am) and Mars Hill (9 am) churches on the fourth Sunday, which is this coming Sunday, Feb 25th. 

Following is the invitation from Susan Laurence, organist at Houlton UMC:

This coming Sunday February 25 is time for our monthly choir!  It is the Lenten Season and we will be singing "The Old Rugged Cross" (UMC hymn #504, verses 1, 2 and 4) with an optional run through in the choir room at 10:30 a.m.  All are welcome and please feel welcome to invite others to join in!

There will be a Love Feast potluck luncheon immediately after the service in the fellowship hall downstairs at Houlton UMC. 

May the Lord continue to bless your Lenten journey. Love you all.  

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (Feb 18, 2024)

 

Do you have a friend who radiates joy?

 

In his book Here and Now, Henri Nouwen talks about his friend who keeps speaking about the sun. Henri was often depressed by the world around him – the wars between nations, the starvation among children, the corruption in politics, and so forth. But whenever he tried to impress his friend with the brokenness of humanity, his friend shared stories of how he found new hope and courage from the simple poor people he had met. The more Henri was with him, the more he realized that there is a sun, even though the skies are covered with clouds.  

 

This past Friday we as a church could catch glimpse of the sun shining through the clouds as our handbell choir performed a miniconcert at the Madigan House. We didn’t deny the sorrow that surrounded the room, nor were we blind or deaf to the agonizing sighs of the people there. But in the midst of all this we recognized God’s presence who sustains all of us. So we sang and played, rejoicing together.

 

We rejoice not because life is easy, but because we see God’s power, God’s presence, and God’s goodness in our lives in the midst of all our suffering.

 

You are invited to join us for our worship service this Sunday. As we are gathered and keep speaking about the sun, may the God of hope fill our hearts with his joy and his peace. Hodgdon and Mars Hill churches will meet at 9 am, and the Houlton at 11 am. You can worship with us online via the church’s Facebook Live:

• Hodgdon UMC
• Houlton UMC: YouTube I Facebook 
• Mars Hill UMC 

May we always keep speaking about the sun even while walking under a thick cloudy sky. Have a joyous weekend.  

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (Feb 11, 2024)

 

*Photo: Fireworks during 2024 Moosestompers Weekend

Peace to you. 

Hope you had a good week. 

Recently, I read a biography of Timothy Keller, a much loved and respected pastor and theologian. It was quite timely as I was reflecting on my 45 years of journey. Pastor Keller happened to go to same seminary with me though in different times. He lived such a fruitful life in many ways.   

Compared to him, I felt like my life seemed unaccomplished. I still struggle with raising children, I still have so many unanswered questions, my progress as a Christian is so slow, and so forth. But then, I was greatly comforted when my eye fell on Ecclesiastes 3, saying, 

"I have observed the burdens placed by God on human beings in order to perfect them. He made everything beautiful in its time. He also played eternity within them. Yet, no person can fully comprehend what God is doing from beginning to end. I have concluded that there's nothing better to do than to ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life. That's it - eat, drink, and make the most of your job. It's God's gift" (Ecclesiastes 3:10-13, from ISV, NIV, and MSG).

What a comfort it is! Yes, there is always SOMETHING to celebrate because God made EVERYTHING beautiful in its season. Even in the midst of our misery, there's something to celebrate as we look around. 

In particular, we can celebrate Rev. Kwan Lee this week - his 93 years of life, his ministry, and his legacy. What a blessing and inspiration to have him in our lives and in the life of the church! Pastor Lee, thank you for being among us! 

Come and celebrate with us this Sunday. Let us celebrate life together, that is God's gift. Let us celebrate God and give him what he's worth as a church. Hodgdon and Mars Hill churches will gather at 9 am, and the Houlton at 11 am. You can also worship with us online via the church's Facebook Live:

• Hodgdon UMC
• Houlton UMC: YouTube I Facebook
• Mars Hill UMC 

As I lift up my eyes to celebrate today, I give thanks for God, my life, and my all in all. I give thanks for the family. I give thanks for you, the church. 

Have a joyous weekend. God be with you. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

This Week at HUMC

 

Our Monthly Mission Project Updates 

THANK YOU for your generous gifts of $3,010 to support the “Backpack for Kids” program. Our story is shared in the local newspaper. You can read the story at this link. The other day Pastor Steve Smith, Bangor First UMC, reached out to me and said that their men's group also decided to send donations to the Backpack for Kids program. Thank you for being part of this empowering ministry. 

 

This month we support the “Baby Bottle Campaign” that benefits the Pregnancy Care Center. This campaign enables everyone to participate in a small but meaningful way. You can take a bottle home and begin filling it with loose change, cash, or a check. Please return the bottle by February 25.

Are you passionate about passing on the faith to the next generation? Greater Houlton Chrisitan Academy's (GHCA) choir composed of middle and high schoolers will visit our church on Family Worship Sunday, April 28th. They will lead our worship service and Mr. Albers, head of the school, will deliver the message. Our Outreach Committee suggests that in the meantime (Feb-Apr) we may raise the education fund and deliver the scholarship gift to them during the service on April 28th. If you would like to be part of raising the next generation of Christians, this is a great opportunity. 

Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday 

This Sunday is the Day. For Christians, Super Bowl Sunday is Souper Bowl Sunday. We are all encouraged to bring canned soups and stews, with can topper if possible, donated to our Backpack for Kids ministry. Thank you! 

Read and Build God's Kingdom Together 

Quiz. Do you know our church's current mission statement? Do you know what Eclipse programs we as a church are planning? Do you know what church committees we have and what they are doing? All the answers are in the minutes attached - our recent Administrative Council, Eclipse Planning Meeting, and Vision Meeting. Please take a moment to read them and pray for the missions and ministries of our church. We need your partnership. We are the church together. 

Thank you for being among us. Stay well in God's grace. Love you all. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (Feb 4, 2024)

 

What binds us together? 

The 2024 AFC Asian Cup is held from January 12 to February 10. South Korea advanced over Australia quarterfinals. As you can see in the photo, my children and I were very much into watching the game. 

Sports can bind us together, Ice cream and donuts bind us together... but only for a short time. As my two older children are in their adolescent years, I feel more disconnected. I realize that I am Gen X, and they are Gen Z. 

Playing or watching sports together used to bind us together. Hanging out together at Tim Hortons used to work. But it doesn't last long anymore. So now I decided to practice two things on my part - one is to pray for them every morning, using Stormie Omartian's Prayer Book The Power of Praying Parent, and the other is to read and study books in adolescent development to understand where they are coming from. 

Communication is hard even among the family members. How much harder among the church members who come from very different backgrounds? So what binds us together? 

I don't know how exactly, but I do see the mystery of unity among us every Sunday and at every church gathering. I believe only Jesus, only his love, only his word, only his Spirit can bind us together. 

So come and see! You are invited to our worship service this Sunday. Hodgdon UMC and Mars Hill UMC meet at 9 am, and the Houlton at 11 am. You can also worship with us online via the church's Facebook Live: 

• Hodgdon UMC
• Houlton UMC: YouTube I Facebook 
• Mars Hill UMC

Come, let us sing together, 

"Bind us together, Lord. 
Bind us together
With cords that cannot be broken. 
Bind us together, Lord
Bind us together
Bind us together in Love." 

So be it. Amen. 

In Christ, 

Pastor Victor