Sunday Afternoon Tea - Nov 30

 

Didn’t our hearts burn within us as we sang Christmas hymns together this morning?

 

I believe that's the gift of a combined service. It warms the heart to see one church family meeting another, sharing smiles and stories. What a fellowship. What a joy. What an encouragement.

 

I want to thank our Hodgdon church family for your loving hospitality. We all felt the warmth and welcome of Christ in your care. And thank you to all who traveled to be with us today. Your presence was a blessing.

 

If you missed the service, you can watch it on Facebook here, or on YouTube* here (*available after 7:30 PM, Nov 30). You can read Pastor Joyce’s message here. You can also find all important updates and announcements in our bulletin here.

 

May the Lord richly bless you and your family as we begin this Advent journey. Have a blessed week ahead!

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor

Combined Service This Sunday at 10 AM @ Hodgdon UMC

 

Peace to you.

This is a kind reminder that this Sunday, November 30, all four sister churches will gather for worship at 10 AM at Hodgdon UMC as we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent. 

It will be a joyful service filled with music—pick-up choir, instrumental pieces, band, and worship dance. Come and worship with us! 

If you are not able to join in person, you may worship with us online through Facebook Live on the Hodgdon UMC page.

Pick-Up Choir

We will sing “Angels We Have Heard on High.” Rehearsal will be at 9:30 AM. Come, let us make a joyful noise together!

Offerings
Since our four churches are worshiping together, please use an offering envelope and note your church name on it. The envelopes will be available on the back table. 

We are also encouraged to bless our hosting church. If you feel led, you may give a special offering toward the “Lend A Hand” ministry or bring non-perishable food items for the Hodgdon Food Pantry. Please mark envelopes clearly if your gift is for “Lend A Hand.”

For your reference, the Lend A Hand ministry supports local neighbors in need of gas for medical appointments or heating fuel during difficult times.

Love Feast Potluck
Sharing food helps us grow closer. After the service, we will have a potluck luncheon. Please bring your favorite dish or dessert to share.

My prayer is that the Lord will draw us closer to Him and to one another as we gather in worship and fellowship. May we glorify God as we rejoice in Him.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor

Life Together - Nov 28

 

“Thanksgiving Must Go On.”

How was your Thanksgiving Day?
I hope it was good and truly meaningful.

On Thursday morning, my family and I sat around our table. We read Psalm 100 slowly twice and shared what we were thankful for.

Hannah thanked God for our family.
Esther thanked God for our church.
Grace said she was grateful for “here and now.”
Abe gave thanks for school.
Lydia gave thanks for our family time together.

As we shared, I was reminded of my family back home. On holidays like New Year’s Day or Thanksgiving Day, three generations gathered around the table, and my grandfather led a time of family devotion. After he passed, my father continued the tradition. And now I find myself doing the same.

Psalm 100:5 ends with these beautiful words:

“For the Lord is good; His loyal love endures forever, and His faithfulness continues from generation to generation.”

God’s love is faithful, steady, and unshakable. When I look back, I remember seasons when our family could not see the road ahead – especially when the grandparents we were close to passed away, when our home church went through deep and painful conflict, and when my close cousin was walking through a divorce. Yet God was faithful. He sustained us and carried us through to this day.

This Thanksgiving, I was asked to pray for some of our church family and their loved ones: those who fell and struggled again, those who lost someone suddenly, those who relapsed and returned to rehab, and those carrying heavy mental and emotional burdens.

Maybe today it is hard for you to find something to be thankful for. Even when our hearts feel empty, the truth remains: God loves us, and God is for us, because he made us. May gratitude become the strength we need for today. We will get through this.

This Sunday (Nov 30 at 10 AM), all four sister churches will gather at Hodgdon UMC to praise and give thanks together. During the service, our all-generation band will lead us, our pick-up choir will sing, our children will play a handbell piece, and our worship dance team will offer praise. We will also celebrate the ministries of each church from this past year.

Come and join us!

 

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor

Angel Tree Mission Project 2025 (Houlton UMC)

 Dear Church Family,

As we enter this season of giving, I’m grateful to share our December mission opportunities. This year, we are partnering with the Salvation Army in two meaningful ways.

1. Red Kettle Blessing
We will be ringing the bell and blessing the Red Kettle on Friday, November 29, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Marden’s. Thank you to everyone willing to serve and share Christ’s love with our community.

2. Angel Tree Ministry

We are also blessing 16 children through the Angel Tree ministry.
Here is how it works:

• Each tag includes a child’s needs and wish list. The list is attached to this email. 

• Please do not feel pressured to buy everything on the survey they filled out. 

• Pray about it, and you may choose, for example, one item from the needs list and one from the wish list. Do what you can with a cheerful and generous heart.

• Please return the unwrapped gifts with the tag attached by Sunday, December 7.

If you would like to sponsor a child, please reply to this email or call/text me at 207-538-0778 and let me know which child you would like to support. (*You may pick up an Angel Tree tag this Sunday, November 30.)

Thank you for sharing your love and generosity through this ministry. 

Hope you and your loved ones have a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving!

	I need	Winter Coat	Winter Boots	Hoodie	Wish List (3 items)
Girl 7E (1)	hat, cloves, socks	18 mo	3T	18 mo	Light up toys, Stuffed animals, noisy toys
Girl 10C (4)	hat, cloves, socks	G-7	G-1	G-8	Any pet’s alive stuff, dolls, anything princesses
Girl 8B (6)	hat, cloves, socks	G-6	G-13	G-6	Princess travel play backpack, a large squish mellow, barbie vet tech
Girl 8A (8)	hat, cloves, socks	Woman-L	G-5	Wom-L	Adult make up, barbie car w/ doll, adult coloring book/markers
Girl 6A (11)	hat, cloves, socks	Jr-Med	Wom-9	Jr-Med	Make up, fidget toys, girl legos
Girl 9A (12)	hat, cloves, socks	W-XL	W-9.5	W-XL	Soccer ball w/ net, skin care set, twin comforter set
Girl 9B (12)	hat, cloves, socks	W-XL	W-10	W-XL	Nail polish & nails, skin care set, twin comforter set
Girl 11A (12)	hat, cloves, socks	Wom-Med	Wom-9.5	Wom-M	Perfume set, facial masks, nail polish set
Boy 7B (5)	hat, cloves, socks	5T	T-7	5T	Coloring books/crayons, a basket ball, R/C truck
Boy 7C (5)	hat, cloves, socks	5T	T-7	5T	Sensory toys, R/C truck, water toys
Boy 10B (7)	hat, cloves, socks	10/12	B-5	10/12	Fidget/squishy toys, geode rock kit, fishing supplies
Boy 7A (9)	hat, cloves, socks	8/10	B-13	8/10	Pokemon posters, any legos, pokemon cards
Boy 10A (9)	hat, cloves, socks	14/16	B-6	14/16	Sketch pad & colored pencils, fidget & squishy toys, legos
Boy 11B (11)	hat, cloves, socks	Men-Small	M-9.5	M-S	Cologne set, Roblox cards, fishing supplies

Monday Morning Coffee - Nov 24

 

Peace to you, 

One Sunday morning, I found something on our dinner table that made me smile. It was Hannah’s offering envelope, with her name written on it and one simple word: “love.”

Every Saturday evening, the kids and I sit around the table and “settle accounts.” They earn points each day for making their beds, reading Scripture, exercising, or helping around the house. On average, they earn between $5 and $10. Joyce and I try to teach them to set aside portions for giving, saving, and spending. And I’m reminded again and again that children are often far more generous than we are.

One evening, as I was teaching them about tithing (giving 10%), they asked, “Why not 5%? Or 20%?” It’s a good question. It reminded me of a story Tim Keller once told about the First Congregational Church in early Boston. Their merchants made a simple covenant: no more than a 4% profit, because fair dealing was part of loving one’s neighbor. When a respected member began selling at 6%, the leaders gently confronted him and called him back to their shared commitment.

Again, the question comes: “Why 4%? What’s the biblical ground? Isn’t that too legalistic?” Scripture teaches us to honor the Lord with our wealth, but how much is enough to express our love? That is why God gave His people a guideline - 10%. And that Boston church chose 4% as a practical guide for Christian business.

Yes, we no longer live under Old Testament law. We live in grace. But grace does not lower the bar. The New Testament sets the standard even higher, because the standard is now the cross. It’s not only about 10%. It is about 100%  - our whole life offered to God in love for Him and our neighbor.

As we celebrate this Thanksgiving season, may we pause, reflect, and honor God in every part of our life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. If you haven’t yet, you can watch our Thanksgiving Sunday services:
Mars Hill: Watch here | Houlton: Watch here
You can also read the message here: “True Generosity” – Luke 10:25–37

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor

Life Together - Nov 21

 

There is a Korean saying, “제 코가 석자다.” In English we might say, “I have enough on my plate myself.”

Today we hosted our Harvest Party for seniors in the greater Houlton community. Usually, we deliver gourmet meals to our seniors each month, but this time we decided to invite them to church and celebrate together.

As I looked around, I noticed that many of our volunteers were carrying heavy burdens, caring for loved ones, facing health concerns, making difficult decisions, or simply feeling overwhelmed. Yet, in the midst of their own struggles, they still came to serve with love. And in serving, there was deep joy.

It reminded me of the story of the Good Samaritan. When a law expert asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus responded with a story. The priest and the Levite had “bigger fish to fry,” pressing concerns of their own. But the Samaritan, a man despised by the Jews, stopped and cared for a wounded stranger. His sacrifice brought life and healing to both. Jesus then said, “Do this, and you will live.” It is a holy mystery.

As we come to Thanksgiving Sunday, we will explore this well-known story from a fresh angle and consider what true generosity really means.

Please join us for worship: Hodgdon (9 AM), Houlton (11 AM), and Mars Hill (9 AM).

You may also worship with us online through the Houlton service: https://youtube.com/live/aEI0pTPz1Iw?feature=share

The service bulletin is attached.

Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving. Love you all.

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor

---------

Combined Service Update

On November 30 at 10 AM at Hodgdon, our four sister churches will gather for worship and to celebrate the first Sunday of Advent together! After the service, we’ll share in a Love Feast potluck fellowship. This is a great opportunity to bring family and friends. Come and worship together!

 

🤝 Outreach Opportunities

 

Monthly Mission Project Updates

This November, our cluster mission project is the ‘Fruit of the Spirit’ Tree for the St. Apollonia Festival of Trees! Let’s fill it with gift cards—be creative and support local businesses! Your gifts will help provide free dental care for children in our County. Please bring your gift cards by Sunday, November 23.

 

Our December mission partner is the Salvation Army! We will have the joy of being bell-ringing angels at Marden’s:

©      Houlton: Nov 29 (Sat), 10 AM – 4 PM

©      Hodgdon: Dec 13 (Sat), 9 AM – 1 PM

 

We will also bless local families through the Angel Tree project. Stay tuned for more details.

 

 

Angel Wheels – A Ride Ministry (Houlton UMC)

We are looking for a few angels who can offer a ride to some of our Gardiner friends who wish to join us for Sunday worship. If you’re able to help, please let Linda Maraya or Pastor Victor know. Thank you for sharing Christ’s love in this simple but meaningful way!

 

Lending Library & Food Pantry (Hodgdon UMC)

We are beginning with a simple pilot effort. Instead of inviting people inside, we will place food boxes and bags of potatoes in front of the church with a welcoming sign for our neighbors. This Saturday at 8 AM, everything will be set out for anyone in our community who may need it.

 

Happy Birthday!        Happy Anniversary!

Nov 24 Chet Husted           Nov 24 David & Cathy Hutchinson

Nov 24 Chris Anderson

Nov 29 Casey Tarr

Life-Together Groups

Our study on 1 Corinthians has begun! All are welcome to join anytime!

©      Hodgdon: Wednesdays at 3:15 pm at church

©      Houlton: Tuesdays at 10 am at church (women)

               Fridays at 10 am at the Gardiner

©      Mars Hill: Wednesdays at 10 am at the Andersons

 

Life Review Project – “Faithbook”

God’s grace is like a diamond’s facets—we see His glory through each person’s story. You can read these stories at: faithbook2025.blogspot.com

 

Worship Servants

		Hodgdon	Houlton	Mars Hill
Nov 23	Greeter	Carolyn Benn & Sandra Malone	Mark Jackins & Cathy Hutchinson	Children & Youth
	Liturgist	Jennifer Metzger	Angie Wotton	Gaye Cronkite
	Coffee Hour		Cynthia Forbush
Nov 30	Greeter
	Liturgist
	Coffee Hour	Love Feast Potluck Fellowship

 

Ministry & Mission (M&M) Calendar

©      Nov 27: Thanksgiving Day

©      Nov 29: Salvation Army Bellringing [HT] at Marden’s

©      Nov 30: Combined Service [HD], 10 AM

©      Dec 5: Dream Team [HT], 10 AM

©      Dec 9: Staff Parish Relations Com [HD], 9 AM

©      Dec 10: Administrative Council [HD], 4:15 PM

©      Dec 12: Staff Parish Relations Com [HT], 9 AM

©      Dec 12: Outreach Com [HT], 10 AM

©      Dec 12: Holiday Concert [HT], 7 PM

©      Dec 13: Salvation Army Bellringing [HD] at Marden’s

©      Dec 20: Christmas Party [HD], 5:30 PM

 

Prayer List

Dennis Anderson, Nathan Anderson, Janie Andrews, Bob & Jo-Ann Barton, Debbie & Anthony Benn, London Booker, Reita Briggs, Sue Carr, Duane Eldridge, Jack Galda, Heidi Geishecker, Brian Ketchum, Austin McAfee, Jean Merritt, Beverly Nickerson, Beth Peterson, Kerry Quint, Robin Quint, Richard Sherwood, Carol Sloat Smith, Dotty Smith, Mark and Abby Swallow, Liz Taylor, Melanie Wilson, Debbie Wordwell, Richard & Donna Wolverton, Karen Young, Kailynn