Hope School Updates

Peace to you. 

Pray that you are doing well. 

As I mentioned during the Administrative Council meeting yesterday, I wanted to share more information about our mission partner - Hope School in Bethlehem. It's a Christian boarding school, teaching and empowering Palestinian children and youth (K-12). I've attached the latest news/prayer letter. Also, you can find more information at the following links: 

• Hope School: https://www.hopesschoolbeitjala.com/
• UMCOR: https://umcmission.org/advance-project/12018a/

Thank you for your partnership. Let's love and make a difference one person at a time. 

Have a blessed day.

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Summer Service Schedule

 Peace to you. 

Trust you had a meaningful Father's Day weekend. 

I am writing this email to keep you informed on the summer service schedule for our three churches. It became necessary to make some adjustments as Joyce will have surgery in July and the Hans will be attending a conference and taking the road trip in August. Thank you for your grace and understanding. 

#1. Mars Hill UMC will continue to gather at 9 a.m. 

#2. Hodgdon UMC and Houlton UMC will have combined service at 10 a.m. during the summer months - July and August. Concerning the meeting location, we will "rotate" each week, meeting at Hodgdon on the 1st and 3rd Sundays, and at Houlton on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. This schedule will be in the bulletin in advance, and I will remind you weekly so that you may know when and where to meet. Our tentative schedule is as follows:

	Mars Hill (9 a.m.)	Hodgdon & Houlton (10 a.m.)
July 7	Paula Lilley	Pastor Victor (Hodgdon)
July 14	Pastor Mary	Pastor Victor (Houlton)
July 21	Pastor Victor	Pastor Joyce (Hodgdon)
July 28	Pastor Joyce	Pastor Victor (Houlton)
August 4	Paula Lilley	Jack Forbush (Hodgdon)
August 11	Pastor Mary	Paula Lilley (Houlton)
August 18	Pastor Victor	Pastor Joyce (Hodgdon)
August 25	Pastor Joyce	Pastor Victor (Houlton)

I am deeply grateful for those who lead the service and preach the word while Joyce and I are away. Thank you! 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time. Please pray for Joyce and me, and also for Susan Laurence (lay member) as we attend the Annual Conference this week. 

Thank you, and have a blessed week. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (June 9, 2024)

 

“There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens: 

a time to be born and a time to die, 

a time to plant and a time to uproot…” 

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)

Today is pumpkin-planting day for Hodgdon Sunday School, now in its 4th year. This year we planted sunflowers and watermelons as well as pumpkins.

It’s a miracle that pumpkins grow. So does our relationship with each other. Four years ago, I was not sure what gifts our children were given and what kind of personality they had. Now I begin to see them blossom. I just love watching them growing up. I see excellent runners, wonderful musicians, creative writers among our Sunday school children.

It’s a time of celebration. We rejoice with our children as they finish the school year. We particularly rejoice with our graduates and bless them as they start a new adventure! We will celebrate Christian Education Sunday – Mars Hill (9 am) and Houlton (11 am) churches this Sunday (June 9th) and the Hodgdon next Sunday (June 16th). Come, celebrate with us!

Have a blessed weekend. See you Sunday!


In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (June 2, 2024)

 

“The safest place for ships is in the harbor, but that’s not why ships were built.” – Anonymous

 

In Herman Melville’s Moby Dick there is a vivid scene that every single person in the boat is laboring fiercely in pursuit of the great white whale, Moby Dick. But, there is one person who does nothing in this boat. He neither holds an oar nor shouts. This man is the harpooner, quiet and poised, waiting. And then this sentence: “To insure the greatest efficiency in the dart, the harpooners of this world must start to their feet out of idleness, and not from out of toil.”

 

This scene reminds us of the psalmist’s “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). The lectionary text of the week is 1 Samuel 3, Samuel’s “call story.” God’s word came to him in the night out of silence, not out of toil. Then, another lectionary text: “Your eyes saw me when I was inside the womb. All the days ordained for me were recorded in your scroll before one of them came into existence” (Ps. 139:16, NET).

 

How comforting! How amazing it is that our days are all planned out even before we have started! We are known. We are loved. And we are called. Let us come to the quiet place and listen to the Word that continues to shape our calling. You are invited to join us for our worship service this Sunday. Hodgdon and Mars Hill campuses meet at 9 a.m., and the Houlton at 11 a.m.

 

Have a blessed weekend. I’m looking forward to worshiping together with you this Sunday.

 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (May 26, 2024)

 

*UMC Aroostook Cluster Music Service (May 24, 2024) 

There's an elephant in the room.

As we move forward after General Conference, whichever side we take, we may ask ourselves questions such as, "Is there any future with the Methodist Church? Are we on the right track? Are we still able to continue to carry on?" 

I myself often ask these questions. Though there is no easy answer, I saw a glimpse of hope as the Methodist churches in the county gathered and worshipped together yesterday. To me, it was the nudge of the Spirit saying, "You see, though you are all different, you can still be one in Christ. And there is always hope in Christ." 

Recently, I read an encouraging article about how one conservative UM pastor navigates and encourages his church family to live in to new reality in the UMC. You can read the article at this link. I would love to hear from you what you think. 

We will never stop celebrating Christ, encouraging one another, making disciples of Christ, loving and serving the beloved of God in our community. We shall overcome together. 

Join us for our Sunday worship service. Mars Hill and Hodgdon campuses will gather at 9 am, and the Houlton at 11 am with Family Worship and Love Feast potluck luncheon. 

Thank you for being among us. Have a great Memorial Day weekend. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (May 19, 2024)

 

*Photo: "Comforter," GHCA Bike-A-Thon (May 18, 2024)

Paracletos.

It's the original name of the Holy Spirit. This Greek word is usually translated as "comforter," advocate," or "counselor." 

In 1066 Norman armies under William the Conqueror successfully invaded England. That event was commemorated in the Bayeux Tapestry, a remarkably detailed record of the events of the campaign. One of its scenes depicts a column of Norman soldiers on horseback. They are followed by the bishop of Bayeux, who is busy poking the last man with a large stick. The caption to this title scene reads: "Bishop Odo comforts the soldiers." (Alister McGrath, I Believe, 81.)

The Greek word for "comfort" can bear the meaning "urge on" or "encourage to do greater things." This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost - the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus. As we celebrate the church's birthday, may we too experience the encouragement and comfort of the Holy Spirit anew. 

Come, celebrate with us. Our handbell choir at Hodgdon UMC will perform special music during the family worship service (at 9 a.m.), followed by a monthly coffee hour fellowship. There will be healing services at Mars Hill (9 a.m.) and Houlton (11 a.m.) campuses. You're invited. 

May the Lord fill us with the Holy Spirit so we can do greater things. To God be the glory.  

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (May 12, 2024)

 

It's Mother's Day. 

Believe it or not, nowadays my 4-year-old Hannah is taking a driving lesson from her mom. Sitting on her mom's lap, she drives a car in the church parking lot. It can be dangerous, but she thinks it's a wonderful opportunity to be alone with her mom and get all her love. So every time Hannah needs her mom's attention, she says, "Mom, I need to take a driving lesson from you." 

When written in Chinese, the word 'crisis' (危机) is composed of two characters — one represents danger and one represents opportunity, as John F. Kennedy famously said. We, as a church, are going through turbulent times. On the one hand, we are in danger. But on the other hand, this is a perfect opportunity for us to get closer to God and one another. 

Whether lying down in green pastures or walking through the darkest valley, God is with us. Our life journey is like driving a car, sitting on God's lap. He will never let us go. On this Mother's Day may we remember and honor our mothers, who have nurtured and cared for us. Most of all, may we remember the motherly love of God and say, "Thank You, God!" 

You are invited to join us for our Mother's Day Service this Sunday. Mars Hill and Hodgdon churches gather at 9 am, and the Houlton at 11 am. 

Have a very meaningful Mother's Day weekend. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor