All Saints Day??

 

Peace and Grace to you.

Did you know that “Halloween” is a shortened form of “All Hallows’ (Saints’) Eve”? Each year on November 1, Christians around the world observe All Saints Day—a day to remember and give thanks for those who have gone before us in the faith. It’s a time to honor the lives that have shaped our own journeys and the lasting legacies of faith in our community.

You may be wondering, “Do United Methodists believe in saints?” The answer is both yes and no. While we don’t pray to saints or recognize them as mediators to God, as our Catholic brothers and sisters do, we do celebrate the lives of faithful people who have influenced our faith, uplifted our spirits, and drawn us closer to God. Our belief is firmly grounded in Scripture: “There is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5-6a).

This year, we will gather with United Methodist churches from across the county to celebrate All Saints Day at Grant Memorial UMC in Presque Isle. The service will be held on Friday, November 1, at 6:30 pm, and it will be a special evening of remembrance, praise, and worship. We’re blessed to have our beloved organist, Susan Laurence, leading a pick-up choir for this occasion; rehearsal will begin at 6 pm for those who would like to join. If you are interested in carpooling or need a ride, please email me or call me at 207-538-0778. We will be meeting at Houlton UMC’s parking lot at 5 pm for departure.

Additionally, this Sunday, November 3, we’ll take a moment during our service to remember and honor the names of church members who have gone to glory this past year. My prayer is that in gathering for this holy occasion, we may feel the closeness of the “great cloud of witnesses” and celebrate the fullness of God’s family—across all generations and places.

I encourage you to come and join us in this time of remembrance and celebration. May it be a blessing and a reminder of the love and faith that surround us. 

Thank you for being among us. Love you deeply. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (Oct 27, 2024)

 

*Photo: A booth at a community event featuring Backpacks for Kids.(Oct 26, 2024)

Shalom, everyone! 

I hope this message finds you well! 

I would to invite you to our monthly Family Worship Service this Sunday. This is a wonderful opportunity for all generations to come together to worship, celebrate, and grow in faith.Our Pick-Up Choir will bless us with their voices during the service. If you enjoy singing, we encourage you to join in!

After the service, we will gather for a Love Feast potluck luncheon. Please bring a dish to share, and let’s enjoy good food and fellowship together!

For those who cannot join us in person, we will be livestreaming the service. You can watch along here: [Livestream Link]. I've also attached the service bulletin for your reference. 

I truly believe that moments like these strengthen our bonds and deepen our faith. Let’s come together in love and worship as one family in Christ.

Looking forward to seeing each of you this Sunday!

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (Oct 20, 2024)

 

*Made by Grace, Esther, and Hannah

Come, Walk with Us This Saturday!
We’d love for you to join us this Saturday, October 19th, for the Bridge to Hope fundraising walk at Riverfront Park in Houlton. It’s a great way to support local families facing cancer. Registration kicks off at 9 AM, and the walk begins at 10 AM. 

If you can’t make it in person, you can still help by donating throughout the month—just write “Bridge to Hope” in the memo line of your check to the church. Together, we can make a meaningful impact.

 

Come, Celebrate Laity Sunday with Us!

This Sunday, October 20th, we’re celebrating Laity Sunday—a special day in the United Methodist Church when we honor the ministry of all Christians, especially our lay members. It’s a reminder that every one of us is called to participate in God’s mission. 

The heart of Laity Sunday is all about the shared calling of laypersons and clergy as “one people” to live out and share the good news of Jesus Christ together. So come and celebrate with us, as we reflect on the important role each of us plays in God’s mission.

 

Come, Sing with Us at Gardiner This Sunday!

You’re also warmly invited to a special music service at Gardiner this Sunday, October 20th, at 2 PM! Before we head over, we’ll be having a rehearsal at 1 PM at Houlton UMC, so feel free to come a bit earlier if you’d like to join in.

This will be a great time of worship, music, and fellowship, and we’d love to have you be a part of it. Plus, we’ll be providing pizza for lunch!  So come, lift your voice, and enjoy some good food and fellowship with us.

 

Thank you for building up Christ's Church together with us. Have a blessed weekend! 

 

In Christ, 

Pastor Victor

Today's Service (Oct 6th)

 

Shalom, everyone! 

I want to apologize for the technical difficulties we experienced during today's service. Unfortunately, we were unable to live stream the service via YouTube as planned.

As a backup, part of the service was live-streamed on Facebook at this link. While the video and audio quality are not the best, it is still available for viewing there. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work through these challenges.

For those who missed the sermon, I have also made the transcript available at this link. We are continuing our Ephesians sermon series, titled “Belong,” and I hope this message can still reach and encourage you in this season.

Thank you for your grace, and we will work to ensure a smoother experience moving forward.  

God bless you all!

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

October Missions – Join Us in Sharing and Serving

 

*Bridge to Hope Cancer Walk 2021

Shalom, everyone, 

It’s hard to believe October is already here! As we enjoy the beauty of this season – the colorful foliage and harvest – let’s also take time to give back and share with our neighbors in need.

This month, we have the opportunity to join two important mission projects: "UMCOR" and "Bridge to Hope."

1. UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, many families are struggling to recover. UMCOR-trained teams are on the ground providing aid through cleanup efforts and by delivering essential supplies like hygiene and cleaning kits.  
We will be raising a special offering on Sundays, Oct 6th and 13th. Please write a check to the church and mark “UMCOR” in the memo.

2. Bridge to Hope
Bridge to Hope supports local families in Aroostook County facing cancer, providing help with travel, accommodations, and even meals during treatments. The annual fundraising walk will be held on Saturday, Oct 19th at 10 am at Riverfront Park in Houlton.  

We encourage you to join the walk and/or donate throughout the month. Please write a check to the church with “Bridge to Hope” in the memo.

You don’t need to participate in everything. As we pray, let the Spirit guide your heart. Wherever you feel called, please join us with a cheerful and willing spirit!

Thank you for your generosity and care! 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Support Hodgdon UMC's Blessing Cart Ministry – Buy a Pumpkin!

 

Peace to you,

Hogdon UMC's Sunday School children have worked hard on a special "Pumpkin Project" to benefit the church's "Blessing Cart Ministry" (portable food pantry). The pumpkins are now ready at the churches (Hodgdon and Houlton), and all proceeds will go directly to support this important ministry.

Please consider buying a pumpkin (donations), not only to enjoy this beautiful season but also to help provide food for those in need within our community.

Thank you for your support and generosity. Together, we can make a difference!

In Christ,
Pastor Victor