Easter Sunday

 

*Photo: "Good morning Bethlehem", Victor Han (Feb 2022)

Waiting is hard.

It's Holy Saturday - a day between Jesus' death and resurrection. It's just uncomfortable in the gray. Thankfully, we know what's coming. Surely we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus tomorrow. 

When we think about our journey a large portion of our lives is waiting. We are living in the unknown. But we have good news (more than good advice!) - we are already given final victory through Jesus Christ our Lord. We know how the story ends. Though we may suffer, we fight from victory, not for victory. 

So come, let us celebrate his resurrection and our new life together. Our Easter celebration will be a family and children-friendly service. Bring your family and friends as Easter is a great opportunity to share our faith with the loved ones. 

Hodgdon and Mars Hill church will gather at 9 am, and the Houlton at 11 am. You can also worship with us online via the church's Facebook page. (*Houlton UMC's Youtube link)

May the God of hope fill your heart with joy and peace as you trust in him. 

Happy Easter to you and your family. Love you all. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

This Sunday Online Service Only (March 24 at 10 AM)

 

Peace to you. 

Pray that you are all safe and well. 

First of all, the Hans want to thank each of you for your love and support for Lydia's Spelling Bee. We felt greatly encouraged by the hotel staff, the event representatives, Bowdoin College students, and our beloved church family. We felt God's grace and favor in each and every step. It was such a memorable experience for us. 

After the event, my family and I decided to stay overnight in Brunswick due to treacherous road conditions. Considering the circumstances, we will have "Online Service Only" (No In-Person Service) this Sunday via the "Hodgdon UMC" Facebook Page at 10 AM for all three churches. You can worship online at real time or anytime later. Please pray for smooth live-streaming without any technical difficulties.  

I've attached the service bulletin. It will be needed for Call to Worship, Prayer of Confession, etc. 

Lastly, please feel free to share your "Joys and Concerns" by replying to this email, so that I may pray for you during the service tomorrow. 

Though we may not be able to gather in person, my prayer is that this Sunday's service may be one of the most memorable Palm Sunday services for all of us. 

Stay safe in God's grace. Love you all. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (Palm Sunday 2024)

 

*Photo: Lenten Soup & Devotion at Hodgdon UMC (March 20, 2024)

Do you like puzzles?

During Lenten Devotional time yesterday, Paula Lilley shared her insightful reflections on how the church is like a jigsaw puzzle, with each piece being unique and contributing to the whole picture. "I am the church, You are the church, We are the church together!" You can watch the devotion at this link. 

This past Sunday Hodgdon UMC celebrated Family Worship led by Pastor Joyce, including a wonderful children's message (Colin and Jacob acting as John and Charles Wesley, Emily Lilley as Siri's voice), children's handbell choir, Joyce's heartfelt message, followed by Coffee Hour fellowship. You can watch the service at this link. 

I also shared how our suffering God can help us in times of trouble as we celebrated St. Patrick's Day - his life and legacy. You can watch the service and read the message at this link. 

This Sunday we celebrate Palm & Passion Sunday. May God prepare our hearts and help us be fully present as we enter into the most sacred time of the year. Hodgdon and Mars Hill will worship at 9 am, and the Houlton at 11 am. Houlton UMC will celebrate Family Worship with the Handbell Choir's and Rev. Dr. Kwan Lee's special music, followed by the Love Feast potluck luncheon. You won't want to miss it. You can worship with us online at this link. 

Easter Lily 

Easter Lilies are a lovely way to remember or to honor a loved one at the altar during the season of Easter. Please place your order below and return the form to the church by Monday, March 25, 2024. If paying by check, please make checks payable to “Houlton UMC,” note “Easter Liliy” in the memo line. Thank you!

o   You Name:  ______________________________

o   In Memory/Honor of: _________________________

⃣⃣   I will bring my own lilies.

⃣   Single stem $19.95    ⃣  Double $49.95    ⃣  Triple $64.95

If you want to order the lily through the church, the sooner, the better. That way we can reserve the lilies at the florist shop. You can simply reply to this email and let me know the information. 

Eclipse Updates 

The eclipse is coming fast. This is a great opportunity to share Christ's love and hospitality with the God-sent ones. Volunteers are needed for: 

• Wrapping cookies on Thursday, April 4 at 4:00 p.m. (Marion); 
• Set up tables on Friday at 10:00 a.m. (Sharon Lyons); 
  
• Saturday Supper from 4 to 6:00 p.m. (Marion); 
• Monday Warming Center, from 11 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Marion)
• Security workers are needed for Saturday and Monday (Chuck).

If you would like to be part of Christ' reaching out community, please let those coordinators know, or sign your names on the sheets on the vestry table in the Houlton sanctuary. Hodgdon and Mars Hill sisters and brothers are also invited to join us and work together for God's kingdom. 

Lastly, The Eclipse App is now available for free on iOS via the App Store and on Android through the Play Store. "The app offers up to date event information, has a countdown timer to totality and if users sign up for alerts, they can get current town announcements. Things like traffic changes, emergency information, lost children or adults will all be sent out as alerts on the app." You can read the entire article at this link. 

Thank you for your partnership. Stay well in God's love. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (May 10, 2024)

 

*Nicodemus Visiting Jesus, by Henry Ossawa Tanner (1899)

"Are any among you suffering? 

They should pray. 

Are any cheerful? 

They should sing songs of praise. 

Are any among you sick? 

They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them,

anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord." 

(James 5:13-14)

Where are you on your journey? 

We are all in different places and stages of our life journey. The encouraging news is that wherever we are, God is there with us. God's grace is always sufficient no matter what. 

This Sunday we are invited to meet Doubting Nicodemus in John 3. And we will see how Jesus guides his journey from doubt to faith with patience and love. Come, and let us worship together. 

Bishop's Day 

Bishop Peggy Johnson visits our Katahdin District today (Saturday, March 9, 2024). In-person gathering is held at Faith UMC in Columbia 444 Route 1. We can also join online via Zoom. The link information is as follows: 

Topic: Bishops Day on KD

Time: Mar 9, 2024 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97961841394?pwd=NUlYMjA0QXBWZGFuOGZ5UTBaRlNpUT09 

Meeting ID: 979 6184 1394
Passcode: 698532

UMCOR Sunday 

UMCOR Sunday is March 10. Previously known as One Great Hour Of Sharing, this Sunday enables the United Methodist Committee on Relief to reach out through worldwide ministries of food, shelter, health and peace.

UMCOR provides hope for communities and individuals whose lives have been upset by war, storms or other crises. This ministry is achieved exclusively through your generosity. Last year, your generosity (through November 2023) delivered $1.5 million for direct ministry to persons in need.

We will continue to collect our special offering for UMCOR throughout March and send it to them early next month. Thank you very much for your partnership. 

Spring Forward 

DON'T FORGET TO 'SPRING FORWARD' WITH CLOCKS THIS SUNDAY! We may lose perhaps a bit of sleep but gain more glorious sunlight in the evenings as we greet a warmer spring season. Please make sure you have enough rest this weekend. 

Service Link 

Our Sunday service will be livestreamed via the church's Facebook page (Hodgdon and Houlton), as well as the YouTube Live (Houlton): https://youtube.com/live/V8-TeLsTgYY?feature=share

May God bless you and keep you. Love you all. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor