Join Us for a Church Family Outing This Sunday!

 

Dear Church Family,

Have you heard about the beautiful Littleton Methodist Campground? We have a wonderful opportunity to visit this special place together!

Angie Wotton, a beloved member of our Houlton UMC family, has graciously invited us to come and experience the peace and beauty of the campground. It’s located on Carmichael Rd (just off Route 1 at the corner of the town office).

We’ll gather at the Houlton UMC parking lot at 12:45 p.m. this Sunday and head over to the campground as a group. With sunny skies and a forecast of 80 degrees, it’s going to be the perfect day for fellowship, fun, and relaxation.

Everyone is welcome! Whether you’re new or have been part of our church for years, we’d love for you to join us. Bring your smiles and your joyful hearts—it’s going to be a great time together!

We hope to see you there!

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (Sep 8, 2024)

 

Peace to you. 

After 33 years of faithful service in ministry here in Houlton, Pastors Randall and Melanie are stepping into a new season of life. Their dedication to God’s work and their love for our community have deeply touched many lives. It has been such a joy and honor for me personally to work alongside them in the Southern Aroostook Ministerial Association (SAMA), serving together for God's kingdom. Their legacy of faith and service will continue to inspire us, even as they move on to new opportunities.

As they begin this new chapter, let's surround them with our prayers and gratitude. We celebrate their incredible ministry and look forward to seeing how God will continue to bless and use them in the future. They will be greatly missed, but we trust in God's continued guidance and provision for them. 

How wonderful and joyful it is to share in Christian fellowship! If you’re seeking community, we warmly invite you to join us for worship this Sunday. Our Mars Hill and Hodgdon Methodist churches meet at 9 am, and Houlton gathers at 11 am. We look forward to welcoming you!

Have a great weekend. God bless. 

In Christ, 

Pastor Victor 

Life Together Community (Sep 1, 2024)

*Ecumenical Service of Prayer for Creation at the Park (Aug 30, 2024)

"There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth." (Ecclesiastes 3:1, MSG)

It’s September!

I hope you had a refreshing and meaningful summer. Over the past few months, it’s been such a blessing to worship together as one community across Hodgdon and Houlton UM churches. Now, as we step into the new school year, we’re excited to shift gears and return to worship in our individual locations: Hodgdon at 9 am, Mars Hill at 9 am, and Houlton at 11 am.

Starting this Sunday, we’ll be diving into the importance of community and connection as we launch our new small groups this fall. It’s a wonderful opportunity to discover how we can grow together in faith and support one another in our spiritual journeys.

Come as you are, and feel free to bring along your family and friends. We’re looking forward to sharing this special season with you as we continue to grow in faith and community.

Have a great Labor Day weekend. 

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (Aug 25, 2024)

 

Peace to you. 

It's chilly in the morning and evening. September is just around the corner. That means it's time for a new school year.

We have a couple of meaningful church events before going back to school.

Our "Life Together Community" (Hodgdon~Houlton~Mars Hill UMCs) will celebrate "Outdoor Fun Day" for our Sunday School children this coming Saturday, August 24th, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Jack and Cynthia's camp. We will meet at the Houlton UMC parking lot at 10 am and be back by 6 pm. It's a one-day VBS. Our children will learn more about the life of Jesus and also play fun games. Lunch and dinner will be provided. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Pastor Joyce at 538-0780. 

This Sunday (Aug 25th) we will celebrate "Commissioning Service" for our children and youth group. All three churches will have "Family Worship," all generations worshipping together - Mars Hill at 9 a.m. and Hodgdon/Houlton at 10 a.m. We will set aside to specifically pray for our children and their parents, and guardians, as well as for our teachers during the service. 

For Hoddon and Houlton churches, this Sunday will be our last combined service for this summer. We will be gathered at Houlton UMC at 10 a.m. 

Thank you for being part of this beloved community. You're invited to come and celebrate with us and to pray for our children with us. 

Have a blessed weekend. See you Sunday! 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (Aug 18th)

 

*Photo: The Hans @ the Toronto Islands

Dear Church Family,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

It is so good to be back with you after a refreshing road trip with my family. We had the opportunity to see some beautiful sights and spend quality time with our old friends together, which I am deeply grateful for. Throughout our journey, I was reminded of God’s constant presence and blessings, and how wonderful it is to belong to such a loving and supportive church family like ours.

This Sunday Hodgdon and Houlton churches have a combined service ("Family Worship") at Hodgdon UMC at 10 a.m. followed by the coffee hour fellowship. Mars Hill UMC will gather at 9 a.m. Joyce and I look forward to catching up with each of you and hearing how God has been working in your lives. Let’s continue to encourage one another and grow together in faith. 

May God bless you abundantly this weekend. Love you all. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (July 28, 2024)

 The 2024 Paris Olympic Games have officially kicked off today.

 

One hundred years ago, Eric Liddell, Olympic champion and missionary, refused to run in his favored 100 meters event during the 1924 Paris Olympics because the preliminary heats were scheduled on a Sunday. Instead, he chose to run in the 400 meters as an underdog and won the gold medal.

 

One hundred years later, the Olympics return to Paris this summer. Liddell’s name is still remembered. Ministries in Scotland and France are putting on events. The stadium where he raced has been renovated for use in the 2024 games and displays a plaque in his honor.

 

For Liddell, his dedication to his faith was central to his life, and he believed that the Sabbath should be kept holy as a day of rest and worship. There is a Jewish saying "It is not I that keep the Sabbath, but the Sabbath keeps me."

 

My family and I will be taking a sabbatical time from July 29 to August 15. This time away will allow us to rest, recharge, and spend quality time as a family. During this time I will also attend a conference hosted by the UMC Discipleship Ministries held in Chicago, August 4-7. On the way Joyce and I will be reunited with our old friends and former church families.

 

During our absence, Rev. Dale Holden will be available to address any pastoral needs and provide support. If you have any urgent needs or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to her at 207-532-7165 or jimdale.holden@gmail.com.

 

Joyce and I appreciate your understanding and support. We look forward to returning refreshed and ready to continue our shared mission with renewed energy.

 

For this Sunday (July 28), Hodgdon and Houlton churches will have a combined service at Houlton at 10 a.m. Mars Hill church will gather at 9 a.m. 

Thank you for your ongoing prayers and love. Have a restful and joyful weekend. Love you all. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

This Week

 

Beautiful day! 

Pray you are well in Christ. 

We're now in a new rhythm. Hodgdon and Houlton churches started a combined service. Several of the church members mentioned how mutually encouraging time it was. Praise God! 

Also, special thanks to Paula Liley and Pastor Mary. Paula led the service at Mars Hill UMC this past Sunday, and Pastor Mary this coming Sunday. We make a good team for the glory of Christ and his gospel. 

Summer is a great time to reconnect with our family and friends. It's also a great time to reconnect with our Christian foundation - what we believe and why it matters to us. Last Sunday we explored what communion is and why it's important. If you missed it, you can watch the service at this link and read the message here. 

For this Sunday, we will explore, "What is baptism?" It will be a time of remembering our baptism and reaffirming our faith. We will gather at Houlton UMC at 10 a.m. 

I'm very much looking forward to being together with you this Sunday. Have a blessed rest of the week. Love you all. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor