Advent: A Time for Wonder and Reconnection

 

Dear Church Family,

Happy New Year! Did you know Advent marks the beginning of the church’s new year? It’s a season of waiting, watching, and preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ. This year, as we journey through Advent together, I’m reminded of a story—Moana 2.

In the movie, Moana’s tribe faces a crucial challenge: their story will either end in isolation or continue by reconnecting with others. They realize that the only way forward is to return to their roots, to reconnect with their ancestors' story. In the same way, Advent invites us to go back and reconnect with the old story—the story of God’s love revealed in the nativity. There, we find our true identity, our Savior, and the hope that anchors us.

But Moana’s journey isn’t one she can make alone. She needs a team. Each person in her crew plays a vital role, and together, they accomplish what none of them could do alone. Similarly, our Advent journey is not a solo mission. It’s communal. We are called to walk together, support one another, and seek Christ not just as individuals, but as a community.

Finally, the story teaches us that it’s not about personal glory. It’s when Moana and Maui sacrifice for the greater good that transformation happens—the island emerges, and the people are drawn together as one. Likewise, Christ, the grain of wheat, came and gave His life for us, drawing us to Himself and making us one people in Him.

Though Advent comes every year, each season holds the potential to transform us in new and powerful ways. If we journey with open, watchful hearts, this Advent could be a life-changing experience.

Joyce and I invite you to join us for our 4-week sermon series, A Time for Wonder, which aligns with our Advent daily devotional. You can pick up a copy of the devotional at the church. 

We look forward to journeying through this season of wonder with you. May we reconnect with the story of Christ, walk together as His people, and experience the wonder of His presence in new and profound ways.

Blessings on your Advent journey,
Pastor Victor and Joyce 

Grateful for You This Thanksgiving (Hodgdon & Mars Hill UMCs)

Dear Church Family,

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, Joyce and I want to share our heartfelt gratitude for each of you.

Over the past few months, Joyce and I have had the privilege of preaching and sharing God’s Word with you, alternating Sundays between us. Though we spoke from different passages and books of the Bible, we were just amazed to see how the Holy Spirit orchestrated it all. 

Week after week, the overarching theme remained the same—reminding us who we are as God’s church, how the gospel transforms our lives, and how we are empowered to live as His people.

When we reflect on this journey, we are reminded again of God’s faithfulness in guiding His church. He calls us to belong to Him, to be transformed by His love, and to live out the power of the gospel in our relationships, community, and daily lives. For this, we give thanks.

This Thanksgiving, we invite you to pause and reflect on the many blessings God has given. We also encourage you to watch Gratitude, a short film by Louie Schwartzberg, which beautifully reminds us of the gift of life and the power of a thankful heart: Gratitude – The Short Film

May your Thanksgiving be filled with joy, peace, and God's abundant goodness. Joyce and I send our blessings to you and your families and look forward to continuing this journey of faith with you.

With a thankful heart,
Pastor Joyce and Victor

Grateful for You This Thanksgiving (Houlton UMC)

 

Dear Church Family,

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, Joyce and I want to express our heartfelt gratitude for each of you.

Over the past two months, we journeyed through the book of Ephesians together. We’ve seen how God found us, rescued us, and gave us a new identity in Christ. We’ve learned how the gospel transforms our relationships and unites us as one family.

When we reflect on all these truths, our hearts overflow with praise and thanksgiving to God.

Here’s a quick recap of our series Belong:

1. It’s a Wonderful Life (Ephesians 1:3-14)
2. Spiritual Eyes (1:15-23)
3. Who Is Your Lord? (2:1-10)
4. One People (2:11-22)
5. With All the Saints (3:14-21)
6. Our Church Speaks (4:11-16)
7. Life in the Spirit (5:18-21)
8. Ambassadors in Chains (6:10-20)
9. Tychicus the Helper (6:21-24)

Together, we “belong” to God and to one another. For that, we give thanks.

This Thanksgiving, we invite you to take a moment to watch Gratitude, a short film by Louie Schwartzberg, which beautifully reminds us of the gift of life and the power of gratitude:
Gratitude – The Short Film

May your Thanksgiving be filled with joy, peace, and the goodness of God. Joyce and I send our blessings to you and your families.

With a thankful heart,
Pastors Victor and Joyce

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Dear Church Family,

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we reflect on this year’s ups and downs, twists and turns, one thing remains constant: God's unwavering faithfulness. Thanksgiving reminds us to pause and praise Him, our Savior and Provider, for His countless blessings.

This Sunday, we’ll gather for a special Thanksgiving service to celebrate with gratitude and joy. Here’s what’s planned:

Hodgdon UMC – 9:00 AM

• Special Music to lift our spirits and give thanks to God.
• Message: We’ll conclude our sermon series, "Belong," based on Ephesians. Together, we’ll explore how Paul remained joyful even in suffering (while in prison) and how we, too, can cultivate gratitude in every circumstance.  

Mars Hill UMC – 9:00 AM

• Family Worship led by Pastor Joyce. Do you ever feel unworthy or insignificant? Come and hear what God has to say! Pastor Joyce will share a message from Psalm 132, reflecting on how God considered David "a man after my own heart," even though he was a broken man. Like David, we are deeply loved and blessed by God, no matter our brokenness—and that’s a reason to celebrate!  

Houlton UMC – 11:00 AM

• Family Worship followed by a special coffee hour* (*instead of the Love Feast Potluck this month).
• Pick-Up Choir: Everyone is invited to join us in singing "Morning Has Broken" (UMC Hymn #145). Whether you’re an experienced singer or just love making a joyful noise, please come! We’ll rehearse briefly in the choir room before the service.
• Intergenerational Band: Special music led by musicians of all ages, sharing their talents in worship.

Additionally, we’ll be giving out a meaningful Advent devotional gift, "A Time for Wonder." This 4-week devotional will guide us as we prepare our hearts for Christmas. It’s a beautiful resource for personal reflection and family devotions.

We can’t wait to gather with you for this time of praise and thanksgiving. Bring your family, invite friends, and let’s worship our faithful God together.

Looking forward to celebrating with you,
Pastor Victor

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“Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” – Psalm 106:1

Watching Over One Another in Love

 

Dear Church Family,

What a meaningful 8-week journey it has been as we explored Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero! This study has taken us into the deep, internal work of spiritual and emotional growth—challenging at times, yet joyful and life-giving.

Across our four groups in Hodgdon, Houlton, and Mars Hill UMCs, we met weekly in homes and churches. Personally, it has been a blessing to be part of three of these groups and to witness God’s work in our lives together.

Two themes from the study stood out to me: family tree and Sabbath.

When I revisited my family tree, I discovered new insights about my parents and grandparents. Despite the difficult circumstances they faced, they did their best. This renewed my appreciation for their resilience and deepened my understanding of the legacy I want to pass on—and the brokenness I need to leave behind.

Regarding the Sabbath, I was reminded that it’s not optional but essential—a commandment, not a suggestion. As I reflected on how to honor the Sabbath more fully, I developed a personal rule of life—a rhythm to center my daily and weekly life on God. For the next three months, I’m limiting my use of technology to minimize distractions, such as checking email only twice daily and keeping my evenings tech-free. Mondays are now my technology Sabbath, and I’ve already noticed a difference—I feel lighter, freer, and more focused.

Looking ahead, we will take a break for the holiday season and resume small groups in mid-January 2025 with a new 13-week study titled Our Church Speaks. Mars Hill will begin a 6-week Lenten study in March.

This new study will explore the lives of 52 Christian heroes, from the first-century martyr Polycarp to the martyrs of Sudan in the 21st century. Their stories—grounded in Scripture, prayer, and faith—will inspire us and remind us of God’s faithfulness across all times and places.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our small groups this fall. Your presence, vulnerability, and encouragement have made this journey rich and transformative. Let’s continue to grow together and watch over one another in love.

With gratitude and hope,
Pastor Victor

This Sunday at HUMC

 

Dear Church Family,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

I hope this message finds you well and encouraged in your faith journey. I wanted to share two important things with you this week.

1. Sitting Middle Pews Campaign

Our sanctuary is a beautiful space, but its size can sometimes make our small numbers feel even smaller. I’d like to invite you to join me in a small experiment—let’s try sitting together in the middle pews. This simple step can foster a sense of closeness, making it easier to encourage and connect with one another during worship.

Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together…but encouraging one another.” By sitting side by side, we can live out this call to build one another up in love. Let’s take this small step toward a more connected and encouraging worship experience.

2. Gardiner Sunday – Monthly Music Service

This Sunday, we have a wonderful opportunity to share joy with the residents of Gardiner Health Care during our monthly music service. It’s always a blessing to sing and fellowship together—it uplifts the residents and fills our hearts as well.

• Rehearsal: 1 PM at Houlton UMC
• Service: 2 PM at Gardiner Health Care

I encourage everyone to join us for this special time of ministry. Whether you love to sing or simply want to bring a warm smile, your presence will make a difference!

Let’s continue to live out our faith, encouraging one another and serving as Christ’s hands and feet in our community.

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (Nov 10, 2024)

 

Peace to you. 

This weekend, I had the opportunity to watch the movie *Lost on a Mountain in Maine* with my family. It's an incredible story based on real events that took place nearly 90 years ago about a 12-year-old boy, Don, who went missing and was found miraculously after 9 long days. Despite the years that have passed, this story feels close to us here in Northern Maine. Mount Katahdin, where Don was lost, holds a special place in the hearts of many in our community.

As I reflected on Don's story, I found myself wondering what sustained him during those nine days alone in the wilderness. I was reminded of three things he held onto, lessons his father had taught him in case he ever got lost:

1. Don’t lose your head.

2. Follow the stream.

3. When things get tough, press on.

It’s incredible how these principles guided Don through a challenging time. And in a way, they echo the story of Joshua and the Israelites. God called Joshua to lead the Israelites in a strange and demanding task—marching around Jericho for seven days. Each day, they faithfully circled the city, yet there was no visible change, no cracking walls or signs of progress. Still, they held on and trusted, pressing on until the breakthrough on the seventh day.

As a church, we’re walking through a time that sometimes feels like those quiet, persistent rounds. We do everything we know to do, yet at times, we might long for a clear sign or some visible proof that God is working in our midst. But like Joshua and Don, we can learn to lean on some important lessons:

1. Don’t lose your heart.

2. Follow the Word.

3. Press on.

When we hold fast to these principles, God’s guiding presence lights our way. Let us press on together, hearts steady, feet firm, and eyes fixed on Jesus. Though the path may be hidden today, His promises will lead us home. Forward we go, as one family of faith.

I invite you to join us this Sunday as we gather in worship. Services are at 11 am in Houlton and at 9 am in Hodgdon and Mars Hill. Let’s continue this journey together, grounded in His love and grace. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community

 

All Saints Day Greetings!

May God’s grace be with you and strengthen you on this special day of remembrance.

Today we celebrate All Saints Day—a day to honor and remember the many who have blessed our faith journeys. We are surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses,” people whose lives shine as examples and who cheer us on from heaven. These saints might include those close to us—our mothers and fathers, Sunday school teachers, uncles and aunts, and many others whose love and faith inspire us still.

You’re warmly invited to join us in honoring All Saints Day this weekend as God’s family. Here’s how we’ll be celebrating:

Tonight, November 1st at 6:30 p.m., all United Methodist churches in the county will come together to worship at Grant Memorial UMC in Presque Isle, where we’ll give thanks for the legacy of our spiritual ancestors. Our beloved organist, Susan Laurence, will lead a pick-up choir with rehearsal at 6:00 p.m. (all are welcome to sing). Our children’s band will also bring us special music.

Tomorrow, November 2nd at 11 a.m., we will gather at Houlton UMC for a funeral service honoring Judy Conway. Visiting hours will be from 10-11 a.m., and a reception will follow the service. This will be a meaningful time to remember Judy’s life and the lives of others who have left a lasting impact on us.

This Sunday, we will celebrate All Saints Sunday in our worship service. Please bring photos of your spiritual heroes, and together we will create a collage honoring our saints. We will also share communion, tasting and seeing the sweetness of fellowship with all the saints from every age.

And finally, don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour before Sunday! May you enjoy a refreshing extra hour of sleep this weekend.

May God bless you, and may the love of our saints continue to encourage and guide us. With heartfelt love for each of you, I look forward to gathering as God’s family in remembrance and thanksgiving!

In Christ,
Pastor Victor